MasukChaos erupted throughout the Blackwood Mansion.Servants hurried through the corridors with bowls of steaming water, fresh linens, herbs, and medical supplies. Every hallway buzzed with anxious whispers as the news spread like wildfire."Lady Becca has gone into labor!"Becca barely registered any of the noise. A sharp contraction tore through her abdomen, forcing a cry from her lips. She gripped the edge of the stretcher so tightly her knuckles turned white."It hurts...it hurts so much..."The healers surrounding her spoke gently as they hurried her toward their chambers."Easy, Lady Becca. Take slow breaths. You're doing well.""Just a little farther."Another contraction struck and Becca squeezed her eyes shut."Eugene...It hurts" her voice trembled.Eugene walked beside her without taking his eyes off her. His usually composed expression had completely disappeared, his jaw was clenched, his fists were tight.Every cry that escaped Becca seemed to strike him harder than any blade.
The castle gardens had become unusually quiet. The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the neatly trimmed hedges, while a gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of blooming roses through the air.Mira sat on a stone bench beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient oak tree, her fingers absentmindedly tapping against the smooth surface beside her.She hadn't stopped thinking, not since yesterday. Every time she replayed the events in her head, she became more convinced that something wasn't right.Footsteps approached and Tyler appeared carrying two steaming cups of herbal tea."I thought this might help" he said kindly. Mira accepted one with a grateful smile."Thank you."He sat beside her."So, you said this was our first strategy meeting" he said.Mira couldn't help smiling."It sounds more official when you call it that" she replied. Tyler chuckled."I suppose it does."She looked around cautiously before lowering her voice."I don't know who might overhear us" she said.T
Kaelyn had barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could picture was her son's tiny face, the way he always reached for her whenever she held him.Now, he was gone and the emptiness in her arms felt unbearable.She had spent the entire night pacing outside Eugene's chambers, only to lose the courage to knock each time she reached the door.She had apologized to him countless times in her head, she had rehearsed every word. By morning, her pride had completely disappeared.She would kneel if she had to, she would beg if she had to. Anything to hold her baby again.Taking a shaky breath, Kaelyn finally raised her trembling hand and knocked softly.Her heart pounded and she wrapped her fingers around the handle and pushed the door open."Alpha King..."Her voice immediately died in her throat because standing inside the room was Becca, holding her son.Kaelyn froze. For a split second, relief washed over her then relief quickly turned into rage as her eyes locked onto Becca
Near the far end of the garden, Tyler was kneeling beside a row of lavender bushes. A basket sat beside him, already half-filled with weeds he had carefully pulled from the soil.Unlike everyone else in the mansion, Tyler never seemed to be in a rush. There was something peaceful about him that Mira had always admired.She took a deep breath before walking towards him. Tyler sensed someone approaching before she even spoke.He looked over his shoulder and immediately smiled."Mira" he greeted. She managed a small smile."Morning."He dusted the soil from his hands before standing. His warm brown eyes studied her for only a second before concern settled over his features."You don't look like you've had a very restful night" he pointed out.Mira sighed."Was it that obvious?"Tyler chuckled softly."A little" he replied. He gestured towards a wooden bench beneath a large oak tree."Would you like to sit?"She nodded gratefully and the two of them walked over and sat beneath the shade
Becca remained frozen where she stood.The baby rested peacefully in her arms, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around him. His tiny fingers curled around one of hers, his innocent eyes blinking up at her as though nothing in the world could possibly be wrong.Becca's heart tightened then she looked from the child to Eugene. She still couldn't believe what she had just heard."You can't be serious" she said.Eugene stood beside the bed, completely composed as he buttoned the sleeves of his black shirt."I am" he replied. "You actually took Kaelyn's baby and you're keeping him here?" She asked."Yes."Becca stared at him in disbelief."How can you say that so calmly?"Eugene looked at her without flinching."Because I'm not questioning my decision" he answered. She shook her head."No, this isn't right" she said.The baby let out a soft coo, drawing her attention for a brief moment before she looked back at Eugene."She must be terrified. Do you even realise what she's going t
Mira lay on her back, staring at the carved wooden ceiling above her bed as the events of the previous evening replayed in her mind for what felt like the hundredth time.She let out a frustrated groan before throwing one arm over her face."This is driving me insane. I should've found another way in" she said then squeezed her eyes shut."No, I probably would've been arrested" she corrected herself immediately.That thought earned a reluctant laugh.She sat up slowly, pulling the blankets away before swinging her legs over the side of the bed.The room was flooded with soft morning light, but unlike most mornings, she didn't appreciate the peaceful atmosphere.Her thoughts were far too noisy.She rose from the bed and wandered towards the window, pushing the curtains aside. Below, the mansion grounds were already bustling with activity.She rested her forehead against the cool glass."What were they talking about? Why did Desmond specifically ask for Jack? And why did Seraphina and A
Becca had not slept a single hour.The night had dragged on endlessly, heavy with thoughts that refused to rest. Every time she closed her eyes, Alpha Eugene’s words came back to her, low, deliberate, and edged with something she couldn’t name.He wanted to impregnate her, not because of love, not
The infirmary smelled faintly of sage, dried lavender, and boiled willow bark. Mira’s sharp eyes darted over the room like a hawk surveying her territory. “Move the herbs closer to the window,” she ordered briskly, her voice clear and commanding. A young maid jumped to obey, clutching a basket
The streets of Blackwood’s pack town thrummed with restless energy that day. Midday light poured down in beams through the canopy of swaying trees, but the warmth of the sun could not melt the chill of unease in the air. Merchants raised their voices with forced cheer, calling out prices for fre
Most of the pack members who had come for treatment had already left, going back to their homes as the sky dimmed into dusk. Lanterns were being lit one by one, tiny points of light flickering against the deepening shadows. But Mira’s eyes kept darting toward the path leading into the woods, her ha







