The Alpha’s Suspicion

The morning had been uneventful in the Steele Pack territory, but Marcus Steele had learned long ago that peace in a pack rarely lasted long.

From the large windows of his office in the Alpha House, he watched the training grounds below. 

Young wolves sparred under the watchful eye of senior warriors.

Marcus leaned back in his chair, his arms folded across his broad chest.

His mind wasn’t on the training.

Every now and then, without warning, the memory drifted off, off to the feel of those soft lips against his, Flora’s breathless voice whispering his name so sensually. She might have been drunk, but she was still every bit hot.

He closed his eyes briefly.

That night had been a mistake. It was a reckless moment brought about by both of them being drunk and in pain. In need of something intimate and nothing more…

Just then a sharp knock came at the office door.

Marcus opened his eyes.

“Enter.”

The door opened and one of the younger pack messengers stepped inside, bowing his head respectfully.

“Alpha.”

Marcus straightened slightly. “What is it?”

The young wolf hesitated a moment before answering.

“There was… an incident earlier today at the training grounds.”

Marcus’ gaze sharpened instantly.

“What kind of incident?”

“It involved your daughter.”

Marcus stood immediately.

“Lily?”

“Yes, Alpha. She was with Flora Bennett when it happened.”

The name struck something deep in his chest.

Flora!

Marcus forced his voice to remain calm.

“What happened?”

“The Bennett girl collapsed. She fainted during an argument with Ryan Carter. Lily insisted she be taken to the pack hospital.”

Marcus’ jaw tightened slightly.

Fainted?

Flora was not fragile. 

If anything, the girl had always been stubbornly resilient.

“Is she alright?” he asked.

“The physicians are examining her, Alpha.”

Marcus walked slowly around his desk, his expression thoughtful.

His wolf stirred restlessly. He knew there was something more to it...

“Have the hospital send me the medical report,” Marcus said calmly.

The messenger blinked in mild surprise but quickly nodded.

“Yes, Alpha.”

Within minutes, the young wolf returned carrying a slim medical file.

Marcus took it without a word.

The messenger bowed again before leaving, closing the door quietly behind him.

Silence returned to the office.

Marcus moved back to his desk and opened the folder.

Patient: Flora Bennett.

Reason for admission: fainting episode.

Tests conducted: bloodwork, vitals, pregnancy screening—

Marcus stopped reading.

His eyes moved back to the line slowly.

Pregnancy screening: Positive.

For a long moment, Marcus didn’t move.

His heartbeat slowed rather than quickened.

Pregnant?!

Flora Bennett was pregnant.

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the report.

Several thoughts collided instantly in his mind.

Ryan Carter.

He was her boyfriend for months and even years now..

Of course the pack would assume the child belonged to Ryan.

It would make sense.

Marcus closed the file slowly.

But his wolf was not convinced.

And the sudden realization struck him with brutal clarity.

They had not used protection.

Marcus exhaled slowly through his nose.

“That’s impossible,” he murmured to himself.

It had been one night.

One mistake and one stupid,  reckless moment.

And yet…

Marcus stood up sharply.

There was only one way to settle the thought gnawing at him.

He needed to speak with Flora.

The pack hospital sat on the eastern edge of the territory, a quiet modern building surrounded by tall pines.

Marcus arrived within minutes.

As Alpha, his presence caused an immediate ripple through the staff.

Nurses straightened and doctors nodded respectfully.

Marcus acknowledged none of it as he moved down the hallway.

He knew where Flora’s room was before anyone told him.

The faint scent of her reached his wolf first.

It was warm and familiar, but almost in a dangerous way.

He paused outside the door briefly.

Inside, he could hear voices.

Lily’s voice.

And Flora’s softer one.

“…I’m fine,” Flora was saying quietly.

“You need more rest. You fainted twice in two days…

That's not fine.”

Marcus pushed the door open.

Both women turned instantly.

Lily’s face brightened.

“Dad?”

Flora froze.

For a split second, their eyes met.

And Marcus saw it.

The fear..

It lasted only a second, though.

“Alpha Steele,” Flora said quickly, forcing a polite tone.

Marcus ignored the title.

He stepped further into the room.

“What happened?”

Lily answered first.

“Flora fainted again at the training grounds, it's the second time in two days now.

But the doctor says she’s okay.”

Marcus nodded slowly, but his gaze never left Flora.

She sat on the hospital bed, her hands resting protectively over her stomach without realizing it.

Marcus then turned to Lily.

“Give us a moment.”

Lily blinked.

“Dad—”

“Please.”

The single word carried quiet authority.

Lily hesitated before sighing.

“Fine. But don’t stress her out.”

She squeezed Flora’s shoulder gently before leaving the room.

The door clicked shut behind her.

Silence settled instantly.

Flora stared at the blanket in her lap.

Marcus crossed his arms.

“You fainted two times.”

“I’m fine,” she repeated softly.

Marcus studied her.

“Flora,” he said quietly and her eyes lifted reluctantly.

Marcus held up the medical file.

“I saw your test results.”

Her face drained of color immediately.

The silence stretched.

Marcus spoke carefully.

“You’re pregnant.”

Flora swallowed.

“Yes.”

The word barely came out.

Marcus waited, but she didn’t continue. So he did.

“So,” he said slowly, “whose child is it?”

Flora answered instantly.

“Ryan’s.”

She said quickly.

Marcus stepped closer.

Flora’s heart began pounding.

“Look at me,” he said.

She hesitated.

Then slowly lifted her gaze to meet his.

“Say that again.” Marcus said sharply.

Flora forced the words out.

“It’s Ryan’s baby.”

“You’re lying,” Marcus said quietly.

Flora shook her head quickly.

“No. I’m not.”

“Flora.”

His voice deepened slightly.

“That night—”

“Was a mistake,” she cut in sharply.

The words echoed through the room.

Marcus fell silent.

Flora’s chest rose and fell rapidly.

“We were drunk,” she continued, her voice trembling. “It meant nothing. It shouldn’t have happened.”

Marcus watched her carefully.

“And the child?”

Her hands clenched the bedsheets.

“Like I said. It's Ryan's.”

Marcus studied her for another long moment.

Then he stepped back.

His expression unreadable.

“Very well,” he said calmly. “I'll leave now.”

He turned toward the door.

But before leaving, he paused.

Without looking back, he said quietly,

“If that child is mine…”

Flora’s breath caught.

Marcus’s voice was calm.

“Everything changes.”

Then he walked out of the room.

Leaving Flora sitting frozen on the hospital bed, her heart racing and the terrible truth still trapped behind her lips.