When I lowered the sponge even more, aiming to clean the rest of him, I instinctively bent a little, trying to reach further down.But before I could go any lower, his hand caught my wrist gently.“Don’t,” he said, his voice firm but soft.I looked up at him, confused, my lips parting slightly. His eyes weren’t angry or teasing—they were full of concern.“You shouldn’t be bending like that,” he said softly. “Not with how far along you are.”That’s when I remembered. Five months. My bump was big now, round and firm, and I’d just bent way too low without even thinking about it. I stood up slowly, blinking as my face turned red.“I just wanted to take care of you,” I whispered.“You are,” he said, his voice gentler now. He reached out and rested a hand lightly on the curve of my stomach, his thumb brushing back and forth in slow strokes. “But you don’t have to do everything alone. I’m right here.”Something about the way he said that made my heart clench. I nodded, unable to speak for a
The Moon Festival night was finally here, and I could feel the excitement buzzing in the air like tiny sparks dancing on my skin. It was unlike any night I had ever experienced. The sky was clear, and the stars were scattered like glitter across a dark blanket. But the most breathtaking part of all was the moon. It was big and round and glowed a deep, dark red. I had never seen anything like it before. It looked like a painting come to life—haunting and beautiful all at once.Kai had told me earlier that it was called the Blood Moon, and that it only showed up on very rare nights. He said it was deeply important to werewolves, something sacred. According to him, the Blood Moon made all their senses sharper. They could smell and hear better, run faster, and fight harder. But more than anything, it stirred up their emotions. Everything they felt became stronger, deeper, more intense. Love, rage, joy, pain—it was all heightened under the Blood Moon’s light. That made me a little nervous,
Kai started walking toward us—Mer and me—and it felt like the crowd just melted away as I watched him. He looked so calm, so confident, like nothing in the world could shake him. His white dress shirt looked almost glowing under the light of the blood moon, and the way it hugged his chest and arms made my mouth go a little dry. His black slacks fit him perfectly, and with every step he took, it was like the ground knew he was Alpha and moved for him.He didn’t rush. His pace was steady, unbothered, like he knew exactly where he was going—and who he wanted to get to. My heart thudded in my chest just watching him. He passed a table full of drinks and paused, scanning them with those sharp silver eyes. Then, like he was picking out something important, he reached for one, gave it a small sniff, and took a sip. He didn’t smile or say anything—just gave a slight nod, as if satisfied it was okay.When he finally reached me, he held out the glass without saying a word.I blinked up at him,
I rested my head just under his chin, right where his heartbeat was. I could feel it—steady and strong, like a drum keeping us in rhythm. His thumb rubbed slow circles on my back, calming me even more.We didn’t talk much. We didn’t have to. The music, the moon, and the way we held each other said everything.At one point, he leaned down and pressed his lips to my forehead. Just a soft kiss. Gentle. Loving. He didn’t say anything afterward, just kept holding me, like the moment was too special for words.As we moved, I felt my eyes sting a little. Not from sadness, but from the way I felt so full. Full of emotion. Of happiness. Of peace. I had never imagined feeling like this—with someone who saw me, who cared enough to hold me like I was the most precious thing in the world.His hand moved up to the back of my head, fingers threading through my hair softly. I sighed and let myself melt into him a little more.“You’re glowing,” he murmured after a long while.I laughed quietly. “That’
The night ended beautifully. After all the dancing, the howling, the music, and the laughter, everyone slowly made their way back to their rooms. The festival had been perfect, like something out of a storybook. My feet ached from dancing and my cheeks still felt warm from smiling too much. I didn’t even change out of my gown right away. I just curled into bed beside Kai, feeling safe and happy.The other packs would be leaving tomorrow morning, so I knew it was our last night with everyone under one roof. But I was too tired to be sad about it. I drifted off to sleep quickly, with Kai’s arms around me and the red moonlight still glowing in my mind.When I woke up the next morning, I was alone. The spot beside me on the bed was empty and already cool, which meant Kai had been gone for a while. I frowned and sat up, blinking sleep out of my eyes. I noticed a small folded piece of paper on the pillow next to me.I picked it up and unfolded it. It was a note from Kai.“Morning, sweethear
Behind him, I saw Mischa’s face—it was bruised, bloody, and almost unrecognizable. One eye was swollen shut, and he was coughing up blood. Kai was snarling, his teeth bared as he raised his claw again.That’s when I knew I had to do something—anything—to stop this.So I screamed.I clutched my belly and let out the loudest, most dramatic cry I could. “AHHH! My stomach—Kai!”Kai froze mid-punch. His entire body stiffened as the sound of my voice cut through his rage.He dropped Mischa to the ground and spun around so fast, his eyes searching for me. “What happened?” he asked, panic in his voice. “Are you okay?”I cried again, squeezing my eyes shut and bending forward. “It hurts—Kai—our baby—”That was all it took.He rushed over, completely forgetting Mischa, and scooped me into his arms. “Hold on, Malyshka. I’ve got you,” he whispered.He carried me quickly through the halls of the pack house, not caring who stared. He looked down at me every few seconds, his face filled with worry.
All the visiting packs had left. The mansion was finally quiet again, no more strangers walking around, no more eyes watching me wherever I went. I could finally breathe. I hadn’t seen Mischa since that awful day when he kissed me and Kai nearly ripped him apart. His pack left without saying goodbye, and honestly, I was glad. I didn’t want to see him again. Every time I thought about that moment, I felt sick to my stomach.Despite everything, the Moon Festival had been beautiful. The lights, the music, the way Kai danced with me under the stars—it was all like something out of a dream. I was happy I got to experience it. It made me feel like I belonged here, even if just for a little while.This morning was calm. Kai had gone for a run with Rhys and some of the other warriors. He always looked so peaceful when he ran, like he could let go of the weight of being Alpha, even if just for a moment. Before he left, he kissed my cheek and told me to rest.Now I was in bed, curled up under t
A whole week had passed since Zara told me to watch my back. I had tried to forget it. I didn’t want to live in fear or stress out the baby. Kai had been extra sweet all week, always holding me, rubbing my belly, and making sure I ate enough. He didn’t know about Zara’s warning. I didn’t tell him. I didn’t want to cause more drama, especially when things had finally calmed down.That day felt like a normal, peaceful one. Kai had gone on a run with Rhys and some of the other pack members. Mer had gone out shopping with her mom, Margaret. The mansion was quiet. I was lying in bed, cozy under the soft covers, scrolling through my phone. The sun peeked through the curtains, making the room feel warm and calm.I smiled as I looked at some baby clothes online. I even found a tiny onesie that said “Daddy’s Little Wolf,” and I laughed softly, thinking how Kai would love that even though I wasn’t a werewolf.Then, out of nowhere, the door burst open with a loud bang.I jumped, nearly dropping
The next morning, I woke up to the soft feel of lips brushing against my forehead. At first, I thought I was dreaming. The kiss was so gentle, almost like a whisper. My eyes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the golden morning light slipping through the thick curtains. For a moment, everything was quiet and calm, and then I saw him.Kai.He was leaning over me, his messy black hair falling a little into his eyes. His smile was soft and sleepy, but warm—like he had been watching me for a while. His shirt was gone, and I could see the way the light made his skin glow slightly. He looked like something out of a dream.“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he whispered, his voice still husky from sleep.“Morning,” I replied, my voice scratchy. I rubbed at my eyes, still feeling a little tired but also comforted by his presence.That’s when I saw the tray in his hands. My eyes widened in surprise.“You brought me breakfast?” I asked, try
After dinner, we slowly made our way out of the dining room. Kai never let go of me, not even for a second. His arm stayed wrapped around my waist like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go. I was full and sleepy, and my body felt heavier than usual. My legs ached a little, and my lower back was starting to hurt too. That happened a lot lately—being almost six months pregnant came with a lot of surprises. Kai kept glancing down at me, his eyes filled with worry, but I gave him a small smile to let him know I was okay.We climbed the stairs carefully. He didn’t rush me at all. With every step, he kept his hand steady on my side, whispering, “Almost there, baby,” like I was running a marathon. When we finally reached our bedroom, he opened the door and helped me inside. The room was warm and smelled like his cologne and something minty from the candles Mer had left earlier.Kai turned to me and gave me a gentle smile. “Let’s get you comfortable,” he said softly.I nodded, and he help
Lily’s POV Soon, it was time for dinner. I took a deep breath as I stood before the full-length mirror in our room, running my hands over the fabric of my dress. It was a soft, flowing lavender gown that hugged my growing belly just enough to feel comfortable. I hadn’t paid much attention to my appearance in the past few days, but tonight felt different. Tonight, I was trying to take things back to some kind of normal. Or at least, as normal as life could feel after everything that had happened. Kai was standing nearby, his eyes watching me with a mix of concern and affection. His attention was always on me now, always looking out for me, especially since the news of the babies. I could feel the weight of his eyes on me, and it wasn’t the kind of weight that made me uncomfortable. It was the kind of weight that felt like safety, like reassurance. But even so, I knew he was nervous. He was always nervous when it came to me these days. “Yo
Lily’s POV We went back to the mansion the next day. I had been in the hospital for days after the incident, but I couldn’t take it anymore. The walls felt too white, too cold. I missed the comfort of my own bed, the warm scent of Kai’s cologne on the sheets, and the way our room always smelled faintly of cedar and something earthy. I wanted to be home. I needed to be home. It took a lot of convincing. Kai was stubborn, like always. He didn’t want to risk anything—not with me, and definitely not with the babies. But after I practically begged him and Doctor Harris stepped in to reassure him that I was healing well, he finally gave in. “You’ll rest. No stress,” Kai said, holding my hand tightly as we got into the car. “The moment you feel tired, you tell me.” “I will,” I promised, resting my other hand gently on my bump. The ride home was quiet. I looked out the window at the trees passing by, my hand never leaving my belly. Kai kept glancing at me every few seconds, like he was
Lily's POVI blinked up at the ceiling, the bright white lights above me making my eyes sting. Everything smelled like antiseptic and plastic. The hospital. I hated hospitals. The last time I was here, I had no one beside me. But this time, I kept hoping he’d come.I shifted a little, wincing at first—but then realizing something strange. There was no pain. My leg didn’t hurt. My ribs didn’t ache. My face wasn’t bruised anymore. I looked down at my arms and blinked in confusion. Just yesterday they were covered in purple-blue marks. Now? Smooth skin. Like nothing ever happened.Was I dreaming?The door opened.My head snapped toward the sound, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw him. Kai.He looked like he hadn’t slept. His hair was messy, and his eyes were red, like he’d been crying. He stood there in the doorway, just staring at me like I was some kind of miracle. I swallowed hard, not sure what to say. Not sure what I even felt. A part of me wanted to cry. Another part wanted to
Kai’s POV He nodded. “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying. And she’s not marked, is she?”“No,” I said slowly. “I haven’t marked her yet.”Doctor Harris looked back at the room again. “Then this shouldn’t be happening. A human can’t heal this fast. It’s… well, it’s impossible. Unless there’s something in her blood. Maybe she’s not fully human. Or maybe something’s changed.”My mind started racing. “You mean like—she could be turning?”He shook his head. “It’s too early to say anything for sure. I need to run more tests. I’ve already taken a blood sample, and I’ll have results in a few hours. But Alpha, something strange is going on with her biology.”I stared at the door, my heart thudding against my ribs.Lily. My Lily. What was happening to her?I swallowed hard and looked back at Doctor Harris. “Do whatever you need to do. Run every test. I just want her safe.”“I will,” he said. “I promise.”I nodded slowly, trying to process everything he just told me. I didn’t know what this me
Kai’s POV That was the law. And it was final.The crowd erupted. Growls, howls, and shouts of agreement filled the air. The pack stood behind me. I could feel it in my bones. They trusted me. They believed in what I was doing. And in that moment, I knew I was doing the right thing. Even if it hurt.Two of my strongest warriors stepped forward. I nodded at them, and they approached Zara.She didn’t fight. She didn’t scream or lash out. She just cried harder, shaking her head and begging between sobs.“Please… Kai… don’t do this… I’m sorry… please…”But no one answered her. No one moved to stop the warriors as they gently pulled her to her feet and began walking her away. She kept looking back at me like I would change my mind. But I didn’t.I couldn’t.I turned my back to her. I couldn’t look anymore.Rhys was suddenly beside me. I didn’t even hear him come up. He placed a firm hand on my shoulder.“You did the right thing,” he said quietly.I nodded slowly, but my chest still felt ti
Kai’s POV Rhys and I walked together across the dirt path that led to the training grounds. The wind was cold, and the sky had started to turn gray, as if the universe itself knew what was about to happen. Behind us, I could hear Zara’s slow, dragging footsteps. She was walking like someone headed for their funeral. And maybe in a way, she was. I didn’t turn around to look at her, but I could feel her fear and hesitation. She was stalling on purpose, hoping for a miracle, or maybe for me to change my mind. But she didn’t know me anymore—not after what she’d done. I stopped suddenly, anger burning in my chest, and turned around. Zara had fallen behind. Way behind. Her arms were crossed, and her head was down. She looked small, weak—nothing like the confident woman she used to be. But I didn’t feel pity. I didn’t feel anything except disgust. I walked back to her, reached out, and grabbed her arm. Not tight, not rough—just enough to get her moving. Even though I hated her for every
Kai’s POVRhys and I left the hospital quietly, neither of us saying much as we walked toward the car. My chest felt tight the entire time, like something was sitting on it. Even though Doctor Harris had told me Lily was stable, I couldn’t get her pale face out of my mind. I kept seeing her lying in that hospital bed—bruised, broken, with wires and machines surrounding her. It didn’t feel real. Or maybe it felt too real.I climbed into the passenger seat while Rhys started the engine. The silence between us wasn’t awkward. It was heavy. Like we were both holding back everything we really wanted to scream. Rhys kept glancing at me, probably worried I would explode at any moment. He wasn’t wrong.The drive back to the mansion felt like it took forever, but at the same time, I couldn’t remember a single thing we passed. My thoughts were too loud. My emotions were everywhere. Anger. Guilt. Fear. Mostly anger.As soon as Rhys pulled into the driveway, I turned to him. “Call the pack. Gather