Everything was planned

Emily’s POV

Three months passed, and I settled into a routine. Each morning, I woke before sunrise to sweep the main hall and help the cooks. Then I handled laundry with Marta, a gentle older wolf with a dry wit, and Lia, a human my age who made me laugh. We gossiped and shared stories as we worked. In the afternoons, I joined younger she-wolves in the garden, enjoying the rhythm of tending plants. Sometimes, before dinner, we snuck to the riverbank, dipping our feet in the cold water and talking about dreams or fears. These routines and friendships gave me comfort, a haven within the chaos, and reminded me I wasn’t entirely alone.

I finished my chores and returned to my room to wash up. My bump was still small, so my dress fit for now, though that would change soon. After midnight, as most of the pack slept, I quietly gathered water and towels before heading to the dungeon. I visited Hunter whenever possible; tonight, especially, I needed to see him. Kaden was away, lifting the usual restrictions. Ted, the guard, respected me just enough to let me stay the whole night if I didn’t cause trouble. There was always a risk, but the urge to see Hunter outweighed the danger. The dungeon was cold and intimidating, but our stolen moments there gave me peace.

I set the lantern down and hugged him. He kissed my neck and inhaled my scent.

"Emily, I missed you," he said while kissing my lips. Then it got desperate and hot. I straddled him, and his lips went on my chest.

"Hmmm, they’re a little bigger…" he teased.

I giggled. "Like them?" I asked.

I moved his pants, and he slid in. My back arched as I moved slowly, savoring every second. We were hungry for each other, desperate to touch. In those moments, I let go of my fears, carried by his warmth and the softness in his eyes. I longed for a future where we wouldn’t have to hide. I clung to these secret nights, hoping they would hold me together. His hands were possessive but careful. I loved how his mouth took my breast, his beard scratching my skin. He held my backside. He groaned, I moaned, and he pushed deeper. I moaned his name as he kissed me, trying to muffle the sound. He growled as he released, holding me tightly, his chains rattling as he hugged me.

"Emily, tell me you’re okay, please," Hunter pleaded.

"Hunter," I said. I took his hand and placed it on the bump.

"My baby," he whispered. "I love you both so much. Does Kaden bother you?"

No, I do my chores and stay out of his way. Isabella, though, seizes every chance to humiliate me. Sometimes it feels like she’s watching me, waiting for me to slip up. Earlier, she was whispering with one of Kaden’s men, and they stopped when they saw me. Nolan told me to ignore her.

"The last time I fought with her, she insulted you, and I defended you," I explained. He raised a brow.

"What did she say?" he asked.

"That you’re old and can’t…" I began, then added, "and I told her you have no problem when you’re with me… Hunter, did you?" I hesitated, unable to finish.

"I didn’t actually do anything," he said softly. "She just took me in…"

"Okay, don’t say it. I will get mad and might go and kill her in her sleep," I warned.

He laughed. "Now, let me clean you, and I need to go to sleep. It's getting harder, and I get tired faster," I told him.

"You’re about five months, Emily, and it's going to be hard, and I need you to stay off your feet after this. Promise me?" he asked as I washed his face and arms, his chest. His hand went lower, and he grabbed my wrist.

"I think I can do this part," he said, and we chuckled.

This was the first night we slept together, and mostly I didn’t sleep, just touched his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"Emily, sleep, you’ll be tired tomorrow," Hunter urged.

"I won’t have a chance like this again, so I don’t really care, Hunter. I will tell them I need to rest; they can force me to work," I replied.

"Did I tell you how much I love you?" he asked.

"You did, but I still like to hear it, Hunter," I giggled. The chains rattled as he sat up and pulled me into his lap, his back leaning against the wall.

"Hmmm, this is better," I said. His hand touched my belly, and he sighed. "I really wanted to be there for the birth. I will love them no matter what, because they're a piece of me and you," he confessed.

Hunter, we’ll get out; it’s just a matter of time. In four months, Jalen and Nolan are working on a plan.

"You understand I can’t stay here after I give birth," I continued. "Kaden will take me…" Then he growled.

I have a feeling he’ll pay for what he did. See if you can find out more about Isabella, there’s more to her, maybe a spy, or she was sent here.

You want to hear my theory? I think she’s biding her time but belongs to someone stronger who wants the pack. Hunter and Kaden were tools. If Isabella succeeds, she could hand the pack to this rival, and everyone we care about would be in danger. Kaden’s rule might seem merciful in comparison. I don’t know why she hasn’t made her move, but I hope we’re gone before she does. You want to come with me?

"What kind of question is that?" he exclaimed.

"You’re abandoning your pack, Hunter, you’re their alpha…" I whispered.

They abandoned me; I wouldn’t be in chains if they trusted me. Kaden didn’t help, he stirred up trouble even before you arrived.

"Everything was planned. My grandfather warned me, but I believed in my strength, and that bitch made me weak…I want to snap her neck," Hunter snarled.

I yawned and drifted off. My dream was bad; I saw his face. Domus. I screamed. Even asleep, just his memory terrified me. Domus was the shadow haunting my past, the one who destroyed so much and upended my world. If he found me, everything I loved would be at risk. His name alone made my blood run cold.