Chapter 13

**Unknown’s POV**

I slipped into the public restroom, double-checking that it was empty before locking the stall door behind me. My senses heightened as I scanned the air, confirming there was no one else around. Satisfied, I pulled out my phone. This was important. I didn’t have the luxury of going through the beta. Not for this.

The Alpha’s number was saved under an encrypted contact, one that very few in the pack had access to. The line barely rang before it was answered.

"Report," came the Alpha's voice, deep and commanding. Even through the phone, I could feel his authority—a presence so powerful that it could make the air itself feel heavier.

“Alpha, I’ve got news from England.” My voice was steady, knowing full well that this report was not one to deliver lightly.

A long, deep breath came from the other end, and even though I couldn’t see him, I knew his patience was wearing thin. “I don’t have time for riddles, warrior. Speak.”

I swallowed hard, cutting straight to the point. “I found her, Alpha. Your mate. Her name is Prisca. She’s in England... and she’s pregnant.”

There was a tense silence. Then came the low, dangerous growl—a sound that could strike fear into even the most seasoned warrior. “Pregnant?” The word dripped with rage. “Are you certain this is her?”

I knew better than to question his anger. The situation was a mess, and I could understand why he’d be furious. "Yes, Alpha. There’s no mistake. The scent, the name—everything matches. There’s a second heartbeat. It’s hers."

Another growl, this one louder, more feral. “She’s carrying another man’s child?” His voice was cold, but the fury underneath was unmistakable. The Alpha was a master of control, but this news was testing him.

I knew the story behind this. The Alpha’s mate had left, and not long after, he had taken a new woman to ensure the future of the pack. Mixed breeds like Prisca and the Alpha weren’t supposed to have children together—at least, that’s what the elders always said. A witch and a werewolf hybrid pairing was an abomination in the eyes of many. Their kind wasn’t supposed to exist, let alone reproduce. The fact that Prisca was pregnant now, with someone else’s child, must have felt like betrayal.

“Good work,” the Alpha finally spoke, his voice once again composed but heavy with intent. “Keep her under surveillance. I’ll deal with this myself. If you lose her, you’ll regret it.”

The line went dead before I could respond.

I let out a slow breath, leaning against the cold tiles. I’d done it. Honestly, I hadn’t expected to find her so quickly, let alone so close to my own family. Finding Prisca was supposed to be a wild goose chase, but here she was, living a quiet life with my stepsister. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Still, I had my orders. And with this success, my rank in the pack was sure to rise. I could already picture it—my name climbing higher in the ranks.

But for now, I had a job to do. I couldn’t mess this up.

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**Prisca’s POV**

I let out a soft laugh as Fatima dramatically swung open the door to my apartment and motioned for me to enter. “What a gentleman,” I teased, grinning. “Are you planning to carry me too? I’m pregnant, not broken.”

Fatima shot me a playful glare as she dumped the grocery bags onto the kitchen counter. “Don’t tempt me. If you keep eating like a starved wolf, I might just start treating you like one.” She smirked, starting to unpack the bags.

Rolling my eyes, I dropped my purse on the couch and stretched. “Honestly, you’re acting like I’m nine months pregnant and can’t walk. You’ve been hovering ever since I told you the news.”

Fatima shrugged. “That’s what friends are for. Deal with it.”

I grinned at her but couldn’t help wondering where her sister, Dolly, had vanished to. “By the way, where did Dolly disappear to? One minute she’s in the bathroom, the next she’s gone without a trace.”

Fatima shrugged again, clearly unbothered. “That’s Dolly for you. One minute she’s here, the next she’s halfway across the globe. Honestly, we got so used to it. We even filed a missing person’s report once, only to get a call from her saying she’d taken a job in New Mexico.” She shook her head with a fond smile. “She’s a free spirit. Brave and independent.”

I chuckled, though something about Dolly had seemed… off. I pushed the thought aside. “Let me guess, you’re going to clean my kitchen now?”

Fatima arched an eyebrow. “Well, someone has to. I can’t let my future niece or nephew be born in a place with a kitchen that looks like it’s been hit by a tornado.”

I waved a hand. “By all means. Knock yourself out.”

Fatima got to work, and I sat down on the couch, exhausted from the day. My body ached in ways I didn’t expect, though I knew it came with the territory. “How’s everything going with you and Umar?” Fatima asked as she wiped down the counters.

My face lit up. “He’s been really great. I told him about the pregnancy, and he didn’t even flinch. He offered to come to my next ultrasound.”

Fatima’s eyes widened. “Really? I didn’t know he had it in him. Umar’s always been so serious and broody. That must get old.”

I laughed softly. “Not with me. He smiles around me, and it’s... well, it’s nice. There’s this warmth in his eyes when he does it. Like he’s letting his guard down.”

Fatima groaned. “Alright, alright, that’s enough. I don’t need to hear any more about how dreamy my cousin is. Gross.”

I laughed, enjoying teasing her. “Fine. I’ll stop. But for the record, he’s cute.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered, wiping down the last of the counters. “I’ve got to head out soon. There’s this art gallery meeting I’ve got in fifteen minutes. You know the drill. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be at least an hour away, but I can get here in ten minutes if I need to.”

I smiled at her. Fatima always had my back. “I’ll be fine. Go knock ‘em dead at the gallery, and I’ll call you before bed.”

She gave me one last motherly look before heading to the door. “Love you!”

“Love you too,” I called after her.

Once she was gone, I made a beeline for the fridge. I grabbed some leftover mac and cheese, heated it up, and sank into the couch. As I ate, I couldn’t help but feel... uneasy. A strange sensation tingled at the back of my mind. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it felt like someone was watching me. Or worse—like he was near.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Prisca,” I muttered to myself, shaking off the thought. Jake was far away, back with his pack, living his life without me. I was safe here.

Still, the feeling lingered, even as I finished my meal and headed to bed. 

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