All Chapters of The Alpha's Hidden Clause: Chapter 11 - Chapter 14

The stone circle was older than the pack itself.Gray stones, taller than a man, arranged in a ring that had stood for centuries. Moss grew in the cracks. Symbols I didn't recognize were carved into the surface — warnings, maybe. Or prayers.The pack stood outside the circle. Dozens of wolves. Silent. Watching.The council sat on raised platforms at the north end. Seven elders. Gray and cold. Councilwoman Voss was in the center, her scarred face unreadable.And in the middle of the circle stood Marcus.He was massive. Broad shoulders. Arms covered in scars. His eyes were flat, empty, the eyes of a man who had killed before and would kill again.Kael stood ten feet away from him.Smaller. Younger. But his back was straight and his jaw was set.I stood at the edge of the circle, my hand on my belly, feeling the two heartbeats flutter beneath my palm.Please, I whispered to no one. Please let him survive.---"The Rite of Ascent begins now," Voss announced.Her voice carried across the c

The first night after the fight, Kael burned.Not metaphorically. His skin was hot to the touch. His forehead radiated heat like a furnace. The sheets were soaked through with sweat within hours of Dr. Hayes leaving.I stayed.I didn't sleep. Didn't eat. Didn't leave his side.Marta brought water. I made him drink. Marta brought food. I let it go cold."Miss Elara, you need to take care of yourself too," Marta said."The baby's fine.""You're not.""I will be when he wakes up."Marta looked at me for a long moment. Then she nodded and left.She understood.Some things were more important than eating.---By the second night, the fever was worse.Kael thrashed in his sleep. His hands clawed at the sheets. Words spilled out of him — fragments, names, pleas."Mother... don't leave... please..."I held his hand."I'm here. You're not alone.""Elara..."My heart stopped.He'd said my name. In his sleep. Over and over."Elara... don't go... please don't go...""I'm not going anywhere."His