The Offer

NOVA’S POV

“Excuse me?” I blurted sharply, my lashes fluttering as I found it hard to believe what he was saying to me.

He drew closer to me, so close that I could perceive his cologne and aftershave.

“I know all about you, Nova,” he said, his voice a low tease. “How you are being treated in this pack?” He drew closer to me, his voice husky against my ears.

The hairs on my body stood erect as I listened to his deep voice.

“Like the scum of the earth. These people abhor you. Treat you like a plague.”

It would have been better if he were telling me sweet nothings with that tone and not reminding me of how worthless I was.

“Tell me, Nova,” he continued, his lips so close to my face that I could taste his breath. “Would you prefer living in this hell you are currently in, or would you rather agree to my request? To this chance I am giving you to be more than they perceive you to be.”

I considered his offer for a brief moment.

At this point, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with what he was proposing.

After all, Alpha Ethan never wanted me because he loved me. He only wanted me because I was carrying his heir.

His heir. My child. The child in my womb.

I almost forgot that part of the equation.

I straightened up, sticking out my chin as I held his gaze. “If it is true that you know everything about me, then you should know that I am pregnant with the Alpha’s child.”

He grinned like I had just said the most comical thing he had heard. “I know all about that,” he said, his voice still suspiciously low.

“And what do you intend to do about it if I agree to this ridiculous request of yours?” I asked, maintaining a firm stance despite the hard pounding of my heart against my ribcage.

He cleared his throat, taking a moment to clear his throat. “I will wait for you to give birth before I fully claim you as mine.” I gave him a hard glare. “But for the meantime, I have been able to smuggle some of my finest soldiers into your pack. They will keep you safe till the time is right.”

“And what happens after I deliver? What happens to my child?”

“I guess we have to leave that up to your alpha,” he said, shifting uncomfortably where he stood.

I remained silent as I pondered what to say. Being out here in the woods alone with this stranger gave me chills, but if he were my ticket out of this life I was currently living in, then I would gladly welcome it.

But I wouldn’t be leaving my child behind.

“I can’t leave my child behind to be with you,” I told him. “It is a fate worse than death. I would rather endure the ridicule than be away from my child.” All around me, I could hear the crickets singing, the night air cool against my skin.

“So, you have agreed to be with me, then,” he said, elation rising in his tone.

“I don’t think I have a choice,” I replied, forcing a lump down my throat. “You look like a decent man, I believe you would treat me far better than I am being treated over here.”

A pitiful look appeared on his face, but I don’t berate him for that. I am used to people giving me that look.

“Then,” he began, reaching out to hold my hand. His large hand felt so warm against my skin, and my mind began to play several dirty scenes as he forced me to look at him. “Let us focus on one thing at a time.”

I nodded, even though I was too distracted by his mesmerizing beauty to understand what he was talking about.

“How far gone are you?” he asked, looking down at my stomach.

“I have three full moons left,” I replied.

“Good,” he said, bobbing his head. “That works for me. I will come to get you when you have delivered the child. For now, keep the information of our discussion to yourself, okay?”

I nodded.

“Take this,” he said to me, lifting my fingers to slip a shiny silver ring into one of them.

I brought my fingers close to my face for scrutiny, the faint glow of the moon adding to its allure as it shone against the night.

“I want you to keep this on you always. It was my mother’s, and it has the magic that will lead me to you when I begin searching for you.”

I was too dazed to speak. No one had shown me such kindness since I was born, and there was this stranger, treating me as though he had known me all his life.

We heard footsteps from afar, and I knew it was time for him to leave. My pack's night patrol soldiers were now approaching, and I couldn’t be seen with him. Not now, at least.

“I will come get you when all of this is over,” he said before he finally disappeared.