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 tighteningI 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
Zara stood a few feet away, arms crossed over her chest. She didn’t look like her usual perfect self. Her long, sleek hair was slightly messy, and faint dark circles shadowed her eyes. She looked... exhausted. Her usual confident posture was gone, replaced with an air of vulnerability. For the first time, she actually seemed human.I guessed the poisoning had really taken a toll on her.Her sharp gaze landed on me before flickering to Meredith. “Can I talk to her alone?” she asked, her voice softer than usual.Meredith immediately stiffened beside me, her grip tightening slightly on my arm. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said, her tone firm.I placed a hand on her arm, giving her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Mer. I’ll be fine.”Meredith hesitated, clearly torn. I could see the protectiveness in her eyes, but after a long moment, she sighed and nodded. “I’ll be right around the corner if you need me,” she muttered, giving me o
As Zara pulled away, she gave me a small smile before turning and walking away. I watched her retreating figure, my mind still spinning. Was she really sorry? Or was this just another trick? I had no way of knowing for sure, but I wasn’t about to let my guard down.A moment later, Meredith appeared, her eyes scanning me for any signs of distress. "What did she want?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.I let out a small sigh, still unsure how to process everything. "She apologized," I said simply.Meredith’s brows shot up in surprise. "She what?""She said nearly dying made her realize some things… and she wanted to apologize for how she treated me," I explained, shaking my head slightly. "I don’t know if I believe her."Meredith scoffed, folding her arms. "Well, I don’t believe her," she said firmly. "She’s never had a problem making your life miserable before. Now, suddenly, she’s sorry? Please."I gave her a small shrug. "I don’t trust her either," I admitted. "But I told he
I was caught off guard by the question. He had never asked before. If he wanted something, he just did it. But now he was asking, and for some reason, that made my heart do a little flip.“Sure,” I murmured.Kai lowered himself onto the bench beside me, his movements controlled and graceful. His scent—something dark and rich, like cedarwood and a hint of smoke—filled my senses. He was so close, and the warmth of his body seeped into mine, making me feel both comforted and restless.I shifted slightly on the bench, trying to create some distance, but it was useless. Kai was right there, his presence overwhelming even when he wasn’t speaking. My body betrayed me, reacting to him in ways I didn’t want it to. My skin tingled with awareness, my breath felt uneven, and my heart pounded just a little harder.I hated that he had this effect on me. I hated that even after everything, after all the hurt and the distance, my body still recognized him as mine.We sat in silence for a moment, the
I stayed in the garden for a little while longer, enjoying the peace and quiet. The fresh air felt nice, and for the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel completely alone. The encounter with Kai had been… unexpected. It wasn’t perfect, and it didn’t mean everything between us had changed, but at least he had shown some interest in the baby. That was more than I had ever thought possible.I rested my hand on my stomach, thinking about the way Kai had touched it. Gentle. Careful. Like he actually cared. Maybe not about me, but at least about the life growing inside me. That thought made my heart ache a little, but I pushed it away. I couldn’t afford to dwell on things that weren’t real.Zara’s apology also played on my mind. I still wasn’t sure if I believed her, but at least she had promised to be nicer. If she really meant it, then maybe—just maybe—my life in the pack wouldn’t be as miserable as before. But I wasn’t going to get my hopes up. I had learned my lesson when it came t
My heart skipped a beat. Goodbye? I stared at him, gripping my fork so tightly that my knuckles turned white. “What do you mean ‘goodbye’?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Rhys was one of the only people in the pack who actually liked me. He and Mer had been my only friends here, the only ones who made me feel somewhat normal. And now... he was leaving? Tears stung my eyes before I could stop them, and I cursed myself under my breath. Stupid pregnancy hormones. My emotions were all over the place, and the thought of losing one of the few people who actually cared about me made my chest ache. Rhys’ eyes widened when he saw my tears, his face immediately softening. “Whoa, whoa, don’t cry!” He quickly set the tray down and moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. “It’s not like that, okay? I’m not leaving the pack. I’m just going on a short trip for a few days.” I sniffled, feeling incredibly stup
He turned his attention to me and nodded. “Of course. What’s up?”I put my fork down, suddenly nervous. “It’s just… something’s been bothering me for a while.” I took a deep breath. “How did I even end up pregnant with Kai’s child? I mean, I was in a hospital in New York, and somehow, I got implanted with his sperm. How is that even possible?”Rhys’s expression turned serious. He leaned back against the headboard, crossing his arms. “I figured you’d ask about that eventually.”I raised an eyebrow. “And you didn’t think to tell me before?”He smirked. “Would you have believed me?”I opened my mouth to argue but then shut it. He had a point.Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. “Alright, listen up. It’s one of our pack traditions. The Alpha’s sperm is always stored in a faraway and highly secured hospital.”My jaw dropped. “Wait—what?”He held up a hand. “Let me finish before you freak out.”I crossed
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