Alejandro and Yolanda had found their way to a cave. It was cold and small. The kind of cold that sinks into your bones and makes your whole body hurt. Alejandro sat against the rough wall, breathing hard, each breath sent sharp pains through his broken ribs. The deep cuts on his chest and arms still dripped blood, making dark red stains on what was left of his shirt. His whole body felt like one big bruise. Across the small space, Yolanda sat curled up in a ball. Her dress was torn and covered in blood. She hugged her belly with shaking arms. A nasty cut on her cheek had dried blood stuck to her skin. Her hair was messy and full of leaves. She looked so tired, like she might fall over any second.Alejandro looked down at his hands. His knuckles were raw and bloody. His claws were chipped from fighting. This was all his fault. If he had been stronger, if he had been smarter, none of this would have happened.He remembered the way Lucian had smiled when he won. That smug, nasty smile
A deep, mocking laugh echoed through the courtyard. Alejandro turned, his eyes narrowing as Lucian emerged from the shadows, his Lycan form towering and dangerously menacing. His eyes glowed with malice, and his lips curled into a cruel smile. The scars across his face told stories Alejandro didn't know. “Alejandro,” Lucian said, his voice dripping with mockery. “I was wondering when you’d show up. Did you enjoy my little distraction?”Alejandro’s growl vibrated through the air, his claws extending as he stepped forward. “This ends tonight, Lucian,” he said. “No more games. No more running.”Lucian smirked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “Let’s settle this, brother. Once and for all.”The two Lycans started circling each other, their eyes locked in a deadly stare. Around them, the battle raged on, but for Alejandro and Lucian, the world seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them.With a roar, Lucian charged forward, his claws slashing t
Dawn came too soon.Lucian was awake throughout the night watching everything like a hawk.Alejandro stood at the southern gates, his red eyes scanning the area. His paws digging into the stone. The scouts had reported Lucian’s forces approaching, and the kingdom’s defenses were ready. The air was thick with tension as the soldiers prepared for battle, their weapons shining in the sunlight.But as Alejandro surveyed the scene, a gnawing feeling of unease settled in his chest. Something was off. The enemy forces were moving too slowly, their formation too deliberate. It didn’t feel like an attack, it felt like a performance.“Your Majesty,” one of the generals said, approaching with a report. “The enemy is within range. Shall we engage?”Alejandro frowned, his instincts screaming at him. “Wait,” he said, his voice low. “Something’s not right. This doesn’t feel like an attack. It feels like… a distraction.”The general’s brow furrowed. “A distraction? But the scouts confirmed—”“The sco
The palace was alive with activity, the news of Yolanda’s pregnancy bringing both joy and unease to its halls. Servants bustled about, while guards patrolled with heightened vigilance. Alejandro had doubled the security around Yolanda’s chambers, his every instinct screaming that danger was near.Alejandro entered the room, his expression tense but softening as his eyes fell on her. “How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice gentle.Yolanda turned to him, forcing a small smile. “I’m fine,” she said. “Just… restless. I can’t stop thinking about what Lucian and Clarice might do.”Alejandro crossed the room and knelt beside her, taking her hand in his. “I won’t let them near you,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ve ordered additional guards, and I’ve sent scouts to track their movements. We’ll be ready for whatever they try.”Yolanda nodded, but the worry in her eyes remained. “I know you’ll do everything you can,” she said. “But they’re cunning, Alejandro. And they’ll stop at nothing.”Befo
Yolana’s stomach was churning uncontrollably. Before she could steady herself, she doubled over, vomiting all over Alejandro’s boots again and the polished stone floor. The room seemed to spin around her, her breath started coming in shallow gasps.Alejandro’s eyes widened in alarm, and he dropped to his knees beside her, his hands gripping her shoulders. “Yolanda!” he exclaimed, his voice sharp with panic. “What’s wrong? Are you ill? Marcus, call for a healer now!”Marcus, who had been halfway to the door, turned sharply and rushed out of the hall.Yolanda shook her head weakly, her hand clutching her stomach. “No, no,” she murmured, her voice trembling. “I’m… I’m fine. It’s not what you think.”Alejandro’s brow furrowed, he was confused and concerned. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice low. “You’re clearly not fine. Tell me what’s happening.”Yolanda took a deep breath, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and something else, something softer, more vulnerable. Sh
She placed a gentle hand on his arm, her touch grounding him.“Alejandro,” she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that cut through the tension in the room. “Ignore them. They don’t understand. They don’t see what you see.”Alejandro turned to her, his expression softening slightly as their eyes met. The anger in him faded, replaced by something quieter, more vulnerable. “Yolanda,” he murmured, his voice low, “they question my judgment. They think I’ve acted unfairly.”Yolanda shook her head, her eyes filled with unwavering support. “They don’t know what you know,” she said firmly. “They don’t see the danger she posed. But I do. And I trust you. Always.”Her words seemed to ease the tension in his shoulders, and he let out a slow breath, his gaze never leaving hers. “You don’t think I was too harsh?” he askedYolanda smiled gently, her hand tightening on his arm. “You did what you had to do,” she said. “And I’ll stand by you, no matter what. So ignore them. Focus on me. On us. T