My breath caught in my throat, and I doubled over, clutching my stomach as I gasped for air.The pain was so strong, I felt like I might collapse. My head spun, and my vision blurred for a moment. I took a deep breath, hoping it would pass, but it didn’t. It only got worse, like a tight knot pulling at my insides.I glanced around quickly, looking for Rhys or Mer, but they were still too far away. I was on my own, and the panic started to rise in my chest. What was happening? Was it the baby? Was something wrong?I took another shaky breath, trying to steady myself, but the pain kept pulsing, making it harder to focus. My heart was racing, and my legs felt weak beneath me. I didn't know if I should call out, or if I should just try to wait for it to pass, but I couldn’t do either.Finally, I managed to straighten up a little, still holding my stomach, hoping someone would notice me. My mind raced, and I tried to push down the fear that was threatening to overwhelm me. This wasn’t good
Kai's POVI had never been as scared as I was when Lily collapsed in my arms. The way her body went limp, her face pale and void of color—it made my heart race, panic twisting in my chest. She had been fine just moments ago. She had been laughing and smiling, her usual self, and now she was lying there, barely breathing. And then the blood. So much blood. My mind couldn't make sense of it. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly?I watched helplessly as the doctor rushed into the room, moving quickly but calmly. He didn’t say much at first, just assessed the situation. The tension in the air was suffocating. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, fighting the urge to run to Lily’s side, but I knew the doctor needed to work, and I needed to let him.The doctor turned to me then, his voice gentle but firm. "I need you to step out for a moment, Mr. Kai. I need to stop the bleeding."I froze. I didn’t want to leave her. Every part of me screamed to stay with her, to hold her hand a
Kai’s POV Wolfsbane. The very word sent a chill down my spine. It was a deadly poison for werewolves, and the fact that she had been exposed to it... it didn’t make sense. How had she gotten exposed to something so dangerous, especially with the strict rules we had about it in the pack? It was forbidden. No one should have access to it. "How?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, a sense of dread creeping over me. "How did she get exposed to it?" The doctor shook his head, his brow furrowed. "I don’t know, Kai. But we need to keep an eye on her. The poison affects werewolves in different ways, and she’s already under a lot of stress from the pregnancy. It could complicate things further." I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to keep my emotions in check. The idea that someone had exposed Lily to Wolfsbane made my blood boil. Whoever did this was playing a dangerous game. But there were bigger things to worry about for now. "I’ll make sure she’s taken care of," I said
Lily's PovI woke up to the warm sunlight streaming in through the large windows of my room. It felt strange, like I had been asleep for days. My head felt heavy, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure where I was. Slowly, memories of last night started to come back—the pain, the panic, the shouting for a doctor. My heart clenched, and I did the first thing that came to mind—I placed my hand gently on my belly. My fingers trembled as I did so, and I whispered a silent prayer. Please let my baby be okay.I lay there, waiting for a sign, any sign, that everything was fine. But nothing happened. No movement, no reassuring kick. Just the quiet hum of the room around me. My chest tightened with worry. I blinked back tears, trying to push away the horrible thoughts creeping into my mind.I glanced around the room, realizing I was alone. It was quiet, too quiet. No one had bothered to stay with me. The emptiness of the room made the emptiness in my heart feel even heavier. I couldn’t help but feel
I shook my head, trying to focus. The important thing was that my baby was okay. “Thank you,” I said quietly.The doctor gave me another reassuring smile and began to check me over thoroughly. He pressed gently on my belly, listened to my heartbeat, and asked me a few questions about how I was feeling. Once he was satisfied, he packed up his things and stood.“Remember, Lily, rest is your priority right now. No stress, no unnecessary exertion,” he said, giving me a firm but kind look. “I’ll be back later to check on you again.”I nodded. “Thank you, Doctor,” I said softly, watching as he left the room.The moment the door clicked shut, Meredith let out a frustrated sigh, crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t get it,” she said, pacing the room. “How could you have been exposed to Wolfsbane? It’s banned in every pack. No one should have access to it, let alone bring it here.”I shook my head, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of it. “I don’t know,” I said, my voice barely abo
The door opened, and to my surprise, Rhys walked in. He looked unusually serious, his usual playful smirk nowhere to be seen. Before I could greet him, he crossed the room in a few strides and wrapped me in a tight hug.“You scared the hell out of me, Lily,” he murmured against my hair. “Don’t ever do that again.”I froze for a second before slowly hugging him back. “I...I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone.”He pulled back just enough to look at me, his hands resting on my shoulders. “You had everyone panicking, especially Kai. He was a mess last night. You’re lucky the doctor was here when it happened.”I blinked in surprise. “Kai...was worried about me?”Rhys raised an eyebrow. “Of course he was. You’re carrying his kid, Lily. And whether you realize it or not, he cares about you.”I looked away, shaking my head. “He cares about the baby. That’s it.”Rhys sighed, his grip on my shoulders tightening
I couldn’t help but laugh softly at the thought. “A baby with a permanent scowl? That’s adorable and terrifying at the same time.”Mer laughed along with me. “Right? Imagine Kai trying to calm a crying baby with that brooding look of his. I don’t think it’d work.”I shook my head, still smiling. “Well, let’s just hope the baby doesn’t inherit his temper.”She gasped dramatically, pretending to be offended. “What are you saying? Kai’s temper is legendary! Maybe your baby could use a little of that fiery spirit.”I chuckled, feeling lighter than I had in days. The way Mer joked and kept the conversation going made me forget, even if just for a while, about the fear and uncertainty lingering in the back of my mind.After finishing most of the food, I leaned back against the pillows. Mer handed me a small cup with vitamins the doctor had left behind. “Here,” she said, “Doctor’s orders. You’ve gotta take these.”I took the pills and s
The rest of the day dragged on, a blur of quiet emptiness and the constant ticking of the clock on the wall. I was stuck in a loop—waking up, eating, and then going back to sleep. I didn’t feel like myself, and every passing minute only seemed to deepen the ache inside. I wanted to feel something—anything—but I couldn’t. Every thought seemed clouded by the events that had led me here, and nothing could distract me from that constant pull of sadness. Meredith stayed by my side, faithfully bringing my meals and keeping me company, but no matter how much she tried to cheer me up, her efforts felt hollow. She would tell me funny stories, make jokes, and do everything in her power to lift my spirits, but nothing seemed to make a difference. I smiled when I could, laughed when I needed to, but deep down, I felt so incredibly alone. She noticed the change in me, I could tell. Her eyes would sometimes linger on me with concern, but she said nothing, giving me the space I needed while still
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