RALPH As I sped down the road, the dense forest on either side blurred into a greenish-brown haze. My mind was already crowded with the thoughts of the tasks awaiting me at the Werewolf Council state, but my heart tugged me back to Keilah. Last night's conversation replayed in my mind, her soft voice, the way she looked at me with a mixture of scepticism and hope. Her vulnerability and her laughter had all left an indelible mark on me. I hope you meant every word you said to her. My wolf finally spoke up after ignoring me since yesterday. I thought you were dead. I teased. Not yet, but I will if you don't fulfil your promises. He said. Fur, did I look funny to you? I asked him. Before he could reply, I confirmed. I really meant every word and am so determined to make things right, to be the kind of mate she deserves. I said, but my Wolf didn't say anything else. Suddenly, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen and saw Zac's name flashing. For a moment, I considered ignor
RALPH Isabellaโs brow furrowed in thought. โHe might have reasons for keeping it secret. Perhaps he doesnโt want to alert the traitor before he can deal with them personally. Or maybe heโs trying to protect someone.โ"It doesn't make any sense," I muttered, frustration evident in my tone as I exhaled heavily, trying to piece together the puzzle. โWhatever his reasons, I need to find out who it is. If theyโre hiding within the pack, theyโre a danger to all of us.โIsabella nodded. โAgreed. Weโll need to be vigilant and discreet. If Damien knows who it is, he might return, and next time, he might not be so easily repelled.โ"You're correct," I acknowledged, scanning around. โBut right now, you have to help me attend to the injured.โIsabella nodded before saying, โIโll do just that.โ With a nod of appreciation, I turned and headed inside and upstairs towards my room, my mind already shifting to thoughts of Keilah. I needed to see her to ensure she was safe. The pain on my side was sti
RALPHMy breath caught in my throat as the weight of Isabella's words hit me. Pregnant? The idea seemed both impossible and inevitable at the same time. Keilah and I had been together, but with everything happening, the possibility of her being pregnant hadnโt crossed my mind."Pregnant?" I repeated, my voice a whisper of disbelief. "But how... I mean, with everything going on, I didnโt even consider..."Isabella's eyes softened as she saw the shock on my face. "It makes sense now," she said gently. "The glow you saw, the fainting, the voice... it could all be connected to the pregnancy. Sometimes, Alpha baby pregnancies can trigger unexpected abilities or reactions, especially in the early stages."I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process the new information. "But why would a voice tell her to stop Damien? And why now?"Isabella sighed, her expression thoughtful. "That, I canโt explain yet. It could be a manifestation of her protective instincts, heightened by the pregnancy. O
BENITARage simmered beneath my skin as I left Ralph's office. The rejection stung more than I cared to admit, and jealousy clawed at my insides, making my wolf restless. Hearing him say he's let that worthless human into his heart only fueled my anger. How could he choose her over me? Why does he always do this to me? Why does he always have to hurt my feelings? From the beginning, he hated that human to the core. Now, what changed the beast in him? What? I shouted, anger getting the better of me as I pushed the flower pots lined on the wall side, sending them crashing to the ground. The sound of breaking pottery was oddly satisfying, but it did little to quench my fury.Without thinking, I found myself heading towards his room, where I knew she was resting. Each step was driven by a dark urge, an impulse to end the source of my pain. Her. She was the obstacle. She was the reason Ralph couldn't see me for who I truly was.My thoughts twisted with the possibility of what I might do
KEILAHMy head throbbed as I tried to shake off the lingering dizziness. The room spun, and a wave of nausea surged through me. Steadying myself against the bathroom sink after throwing up countless times, I took deep breaths to calm the turmoil in my stomach. What in the good Lord happened to me? Is this the aftermath of the crazy voice I heard? The Werewolf-vampire fight I saw? Or maybe it's because I jumped out of the car and didn't get proper treatment?A gentle knock on the door snapped me back to reality. "Keilah, can I come in?" It was the old woman. I hesitated but then nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yes, come in."The door opened, and her concerned face appeared. She hurried to my side, her eyes scanning me with worry. "How are you feeling, dear?""A bit better. Just... tired and nauseous."She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, guiding me gently but firmly away from the sink. "Come on, let's get you back to bed," she said softly.I nodded, leaning on her
KEILAH A wave of conflicting emotions crashed over meโshock, fear, disbelief, and a strange undercurrent of acceptance. My heart pounded as I stared at the test, the two bold lines confirming what I had dreaded. The revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. Pregnant. I was actually pregnant.Thoughts spiralled in my mind, the implications overwhelming. What did this mean for me? For Ralph? For our already complicated relationship? Most importantly, how would I navigate the dangers surrounding us with this new life growing inside me? My mind raced, replaying Zacโs and Benitaโs sinister conversation. What I don't understand is why Dahlia, being the powerful witch she is, lets Zac use her like she's nothing. I just hope she doesn't go along with their plans. If that happens, itโd be the end of me. How will I ever raise a werewolf child in a society of humans? What if they shift in the middle of class and startle the other kids? It would mean one thing: my child would become an experiment
RALPHI walked with the council members toward the grand hall, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me. My grip tightened on Keilahโs hand before I let her go, the memory of her unsettled eyes lingering in my mind. The council's compound loomed before me, a stark reminder of the power they held over us. Each step echoed with the authority they wielded, and I knew that what awaited inside would be no small matter.As we entered the hall, the murmurs of gathered Alphas from different packs filled the air. Jeffrey, the top council leader, seated at a long, imposing table, turned their attention to me. My eyes scanned the room, noting the presence of Ellena, the most powerful witch of all time. She belonged exclusively to the council and only appeared when there was a significant threat to the werewolves. My heart began to throb against my chest, wondering what dire issue had brought her here. The fact that they had summoned me with Keilah made my heart thunder even harder. I turne
RALPHI clenched my jaw at the sudden incident, my mind racing to process what had just happened. Damien's mark, with its protective power, was something I hadnโt anticipated. The pain from the searing energy still throbbed in my bones, a stark reminder of my inability to control the situation.Keilah got down from the bed, grabbed her robe, and slipped it back on with trembling hands. She walked over to where I was sitting, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and confusion. Gently, she touched my shoulder, her voice soft. "Ralph, what happened? You looked like you were in pain."I looked up at her and let out a bitter laugh, the sound harsh. "It looks like I can't do anything for myself, even with my own woman," I said, the frustration evident in my voice."What are you talking about?" she asked, perplexed."Damienโs mark... it's protecting you. Itโs like a barrier that I canโt break through.""You mean that vampire's bite was for protection?" she asked.I nodded, my expression gri
KEILAH I tugged at Ralphโs hand, trying to pull him toward the ice cream shop. The brightly colored sign above the door read "Scoops & Smiles," and the kids were laughing inside, faces smeared with chocolate and sprinkles. The sweet aroma of freshly made waffle cones and creamy scoops of different flavours filled the air, and I couldnโt help but smile at the thought of indulging in a little treat. But Ralph, as always, resisted. "Come on, Ralph," I urged, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. "Itโs just ice cream. Itโll be fun!" He glanced at the brightly colored sign above the shop, then back at me, his expression impassive. "Mate, this kind of ice cream eating is for kids and teenagers," he replied, his tone calm but firm. "Not for someone like me." I stopped pulling and let go of his hand, the sudden release leaving my fingers tingling. My heart sank as I took in his stoic face, the same face that had ruined every date weโd tried to have in the past few months. It
RALPH I shifted back to my human form, blood dripping from the gashes Zac had left. My heart pounded not from exertion but from the panic twisting in my chest. I need to find Keilah. The sound of approaching footsteps made me halt for a moment, and when I turned, it was Alexander and other council members marching towards me. As they reached me, Alexander stepped forward, his gaze piercing and authoritative. "Go get your mate and your pack, Ralph," he commanded, his voice low but firm. "And get out of this place.โ I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. As Alexander turned to leave, he placed a firm hand on my shoulder, a silent gesture of understanding and urgency. Then, without another momentโs hesitation, I bolted out of the ring and dashed through the cave, my heart pounding as I searched for Keilah. Keilah, I called out through the mindlink, desperately trying to connect with her. But there was no response. My heart clenched, fear tightening around my chest like a vice. Kei
RALPH I stared at Keilah, my heart pounding in my chest, torn between rage and panic as the echoes of the crowdโs gasps faded into the background. What was she thinking? The jug clanged as it hit the ground, and in that moment, I snapped out of my stupor. Without another thought, I moved forward, grabbing her arm and spinning her around to face me. โWhat the hell are you thinking?โ I demanded, my voice low and intense, my eyes searching hers for an explanation. โDo you have any idea what you just did?โ Her eyes met mine, and for a split second, I saw something in themโdetermination mixed with fear. But before I could process it, she broke into a laugh. It was forced, brittle, the sound of someone trying desperately to mask their true emotions. โOh my God,โ she gasped, clutching her stomach as if the whole thing were some sort of joke. โWhat did I just drink? I was so thirstyโฆ I thought it was water, but whatever that wasโugh! It tastes awful! I hope Iโm not going to die from it.โ
KEILAH I stared at Damien, my mind whirling with a thousand thoughts. His sudden appearance left me speechless, and the raw intensity in his eyes sent another shiver down my spine. The anger in his voice cut through the night air, sharp and cold. My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to find the words to explain myself. โIโI saw something,โ I finally managed to stammer, my voice trembling. โThose menโฆ they were up to something, and I had to know what it was.โ โAnd did you find out what it was?โ he demanded, his voice sharp, cutting through the darkness. The fury in his tone was unmistakable, and it sent a fresh wave of unease through me. I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. โI was about to, butโฆ things didnโt go my way,โ I admitted, the frustration in my voice matching my racing thoughts. I could still see the shadows moving in the forest, the broad manโs hand holding the gold jug, the council memberโs secretive actions. It was all so close, and yet I had nothing to s
KEILAH As we stepped into the cave, my breath caught in my throat. My mouth hung open in awe as I took in the sight before me. The cave was enormous, far larger than I could have imagined from the outside. It felt like an underground stadium, its sheer size making me feel small and insignificant. The walls stretched high above us, and the ceiling arched into a vast dome that seemed to go on forever. In the centre of the cave, where I expected to see some sort of battle ring, there was only an open space, secured by heavy steel chains forming a loose boundary. The ground was covered in sand, giving it the appearance of an arena, yet it felt unfinished, as if something crucial was missing. The emptiness of the ring added to the unsettling atmosphere, and I couldnโt help but feel a sense of foreboding. As we walked further inside, I noticed the variety of packs gathered around. Some were chatting quietly among themselves, while others stood in groups, their eyes trained on us. The t
KEILAH Ralph turned at the sound of my voice, his expression shifting from focused to concerned in an instant. The two men beside him exchanged glances but said nothing, clearly attuned to the urgency in my tone.โKeilah,โ Ralph said, stepping closer as I hurried toward him. His eyes were searching, full of worry. โWhatโs wrong? Did something happen?โI took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. โNo, not exactly. Itโs justโฆ the pack members in the kitchen, theyโโ I faltered, struggling to find the right words. โThey were being kind of creepy.โRalphโs brow furrowed in confusion. โCreepy? How?โBefore I could respond, one of the men cleared his throat. โIโll go check on my Luna,โ he said, heading off toward the house, while the other took a different route.I continued, my voice trembling slightly. โThey were acting all concerned and sympathetic, which felt strange. Itโs like they suddenly cared, and it threw me off.โWhere have you gone, too? I was worried. I asked, not wanting to
KEILAH Morning light filtered through the curtains, warming my skin as I slowly woke up, feeling much better than the night before. The weight that had pressed on my chest seemed to have lifted slightly, though it hadn't entirely disappeared. I reached out, expecting to find Ralph beside me, but my hand touched only cool sheets. He wasnโt there.I sighed, knowing he must already be up, preparing for the day. This day was crucial, not just for him but for the entire pack. I could feel the significance of it pulsing through the walls of the house.I pushed the covers off and headed straight to the bathroom. As I caught my reflection in the mirror, I grimaced. My eyes were puffy from crying, and the memory of Benitaโs lifeless body falling off the upper floor crept back into my head, sending a rush of fever through my veins. My knees felt weak, and for a moment, the room spun.Gripping the edge of the sink, I steadied myself. I couldnโt fall apartโnot today. Taking a deep breath, I turn
RALPHI was in the middle of a conversation with Derrick and his Luna, discussing the ongoing tensions with Zac's former allies and everything, when a sudden Keilah's trembling voice echoed in my mind."Ralph, help! She's here... Benitaโฆ""The urgency in her voice chilled me to the bone, sending a shiver of dread down my spine.โ"Keilah is in danger," I blurted out, interrupting Derrick mid-sentence. Instincts surged through me as I whirled around, poised to race out of the guest room. What the hell is Benita doing here? I thought I made it clear when I told her and her brother to leave. I was sure they'd gone.โBut before I could move, a loud, sickening thud reverberated through the air, halting my steps. Derrick and his Luna exchanged a worried glance with me, their expressions mirroring the alarm in my own heart. My heart pounded violently, almost leaping out of my chest with the terrifying thought of Keilah being hurt.I rushed through the hallway, my footsteps echoing in the hall
KEILAH I woke up slowly, my eyelids heavy and resistant to the light filtering through the room. Everything felt distant and hazy, like I was trapped in a fog I couldnโt escape. As my eyes gradually adjusted, I recognized the familiar scent of Ralph surrounding me, a comforting blend of pine and something uniquely his. It was enough to ground me, to remind me that I was in his room, safe for the moment.But the relief was short-lived. My mind began to pull at the edges of memory, dragging me back to the terrifying moment I wished I could forget where Zac punched me in the stomach. The searing pain, the shock, and the feeling of helplessness flooded back. I bolted upright in the bed, my heart racing wildly. โMy baby!โ I screamed, the words tearing from my throat as if voicing them could change what had happened. Panic surged through me, a torrent of fear and grief that I couldnโt control.My heart raced, pounding in my chest like a drum. The room around me swirled, and for a moment, I