I hesitated, gripping the blanket. “I thought I was once… but looking back, I don’t think it was real.” Kai didn’t look away. “What happened?” I swallowed hard, staring down at my hands. “We were supposed to get married, but he broke up with me when I got pregnant.” Kai’s jaw clenched. “He left because of the baby?” I let out a shaky breath. “He thought I cheated on him. We never slept together, so he didn’t believe the baby was his.” Kai’s expression darkened. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he let me continue. “My gynecologist implanted sperm in me without my consent,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t even know until it was too late. My half-sister paid her to do it.” Kai’s body tensed. “What?” “My father and stepmother believed I was lying,” I said bitterly. “They threw me out onto the streets.” Kai’s whole body stiffened. His jaw clenched so tightly I thought he might break a tooth. “They threw you out,” he repeated, his voice low and dan
“You’re such a whore,” my fiancé, Damian yelled, his face twisted with disgust and rage. The sharp edge of his words cut straight through me, leaving me breathless. I couldn’t even find the strength to respond. How could I? His accusation felt like a slap, even before his hand actually struck me.“I can’t believe you slept with someone else and got pregnant,” he added, his voice rising with each word.Pregnant? I couldn’t understand it. It didn’t make sense. I was saving myself for him, for our wedding night. I had never even been with anyone, let alone slept with them. I was a virgin. How could I be pregnant? There had to be a mistake. The positive pregnancy test lying on the floor from where he had thrown it had to be a mistake.“I didn’t sleep with anyone,” I finally stammered, my voice trembling. “I’m not pregnant.”My words barely escaped my lips before my stepmother’s sharp, icy tone cut me off.“You’re a cheap prostitute, just like your mother,” she spat, her eyes narrowing wi
Her laughter echoed in the night, cold and heartless. “You heard me. It wasn’t that hard, really. A little money and a lot of persuasion can make anything happen. And now, everyone thinks you’re the little whore I’ve painted you to be.”I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. The ground felt like it was crumbling beneath me. My hands shook as I tried to grasp what she had done.“But why?” I asked again, my voice barely above a whisper.Her expression hardened, the mask of fake sweetness falling away. “Because I wanted Damien for myself,” she said bluntly. “He deserves someone better than you. Someone like me. And now, thanks to me, he’ll see you for the fraud you are. He already does.”Her words were like daggers, piercing me again and again. She had stolen my life, my future, all because of her jealousy and greed.Oriana stepped closer, leaning down until her face was inches from mine. “You’ll thank me one day,” she said, her voice filled with venom. “For showing everyone who you really a
The words hit me like a freight train, knocking the air out of my lungs. I froze, my mind scrambling to process what he had just said. Father? How could this man—this stranger—claim to be the father of a baby I hadn’t even known I was carrying until a few hours ago? “What are you talking about?” I finally managed to whisper, my voice trembling as I fought to keep my emotions in check. Kai stepped closer, and his presence seemed to fill the room, making it feel smaller, suffocating. I instinctively pulled the thin hospital blanket closer to my chest, as though it could shield me from his overpowering intensity. “The sperm that was implanted in you,” he said, his tone unwavering and matter-of-fact, “it’s mine.” Shock coursed through me, leaving me dizzy and lightheaded. My hands instinctively went to my belly, a feeble attempt to shield the life growing inside me from the storm of emotions swirling around us. How had this happened? How had he found me? And why was he here now?
His mansion. The words hung in the air between us, distant and foreign. I had never imagined my life would take this turn, that I would find myself married to a man like him, living in his mansion. My mind still buzzed with the shock of everything that had happened—the pregnancy, his sudden appearance, the stark reality of my new life. But in the pit of my stomach, something told me this was my only chance for survival, for a future where I could at least keep my baby safe. I nodded, taking a shaky breath. “Okay,” I said, though I wasn't sure what 'okay' meant anymore. As we exited the hospital, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. The driver stepped out, opening the door with a professional nod.Kai stood beside me, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. “Get in,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.I hesitated for a moment, glancing at him before sliding into the backseat. My hands trembled slightly as I clasped them tightly in my lap, trying to anchor myse
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. I didn’t care where I was going. I just needed to get away from whatever this was, away from the man who had turned from a wolf, away from the mansion, and away from Kai.I kept running, my feet pounding against the gravel path. The towering gate loomed ahead, and I thought, just for a moment, that I might actually make it. But then, out of nowhere, a strong hand grabbed my arm and yanked me back. The sudden force threw me off balance, and I stumbled backward into a hard chest.My heart raced as panic set in, but something about the scent hit me—it was familiar. The same woodsy, clean smell I’d noticed when Kai had stood close to me earlier. I twisted in his grip, looking up to confirm my suspicion.It was him.Kai’s green eyes burned with intensity, and his jaw was set in a hard line. But what shocked me the most wasn’t his presence—it was the sheer impossibility of it. How had he caught up to me so f
Kai’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Now, you stay here, where it’s safe. And I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”How had I gone from being a girl who was blissfully engaged to a man I thought loved me, to standing here, pregnant with a child belonging to a man who could turn into a wolf? The sheer absurdity of my situation made my head spin.Just weeks ago, I was planning my wedding, dreaming about a future filled with love and happiness. Damian had been my world—or at least, I thought he was. Now, the memories of his cruel words and violent actions felt like scars etched into my heart. The betrayal, the lies, the humiliation—I had endured them all, only to be thrust into something even more unbelievable.I placed my hand on my belly instinctively, the life growing inside me now the only thing grounding me in this storm of chaos. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. I had never imagined my child’s father would be a stranger, let alone one who could shift into a wolf
Her words sent a jolt of fear through me, and my body tensed in her grip. I wanted to push her away, to demand what she meant, but she pulled back before I could do anything. Her dazzling smile was back, as if she hadn’t just threatened me. Kai, seemingly oblivious to the exchange, gestured toward her and said, “This is Zara my ex-fiancée.” At the word “ex,” her smile faltered for just a fraction of a second. Her eyes darkened, and her jaw tightened before she quickly composed herself, the bright, fake smile returning as if it had never slipped. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my face neutral, but my stomach churned with unease. The pieces were starting to fall into place. Zara’s hostility wasn’t just because I was carrying Kai’s child. It was because this baby had taken something from her—her future with him. Her gaze lingered on me for a moment too long, and I could feel the weight of her resentment pressing down on me like a storm cloud. She hated me, and it wasn’t just jea
I hesitated, gripping the blanket. “I thought I was once… but looking back, I don’t think it was real.” Kai didn’t look away. “What happened?” I swallowed hard, staring down at my hands. “We were supposed to get married, but he broke up with me when I got pregnant.” Kai’s jaw clenched. “He left because of the baby?” I let out a shaky breath. “He thought I cheated on him. We never slept together, so he didn’t believe the baby was his.” Kai’s expression darkened. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he let me continue. “My gynecologist implanted sperm in me without my consent,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t even know until it was too late. My half-sister paid her to do it.” Kai’s body tensed. “What?” “My father and stepmother believed I was lying,” I said bitterly. “They threw me out onto the streets.” Kai’s whole body stiffened. His jaw clenched so tightly I thought he might break a tooth. “They threw you out,” he repeated, his voice low and dan
Kai turned off the main light, leaving only the faint glow of the fire as he moved to the other side of the bed. He climbed in, the bed dipping under his weight, and my whole body tensed when I felt the heat of him so close.The space between us was small—too small. If I moved even a little, I’d probably end up pressed against him. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to will myself to sleep.Just sleep. That’s all this was.But sleep wouldn’t come. No matter how hard I tried, I kept tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable. Every time I moved, the blankets rustled, and I knew Kai could hear it.“Can’t sleep?” His deep voice broke the silence.I sighed, rolling onto my back. “Yeah,” I admitted, staring up at the ceiling.For a moment, neither of us spoke. The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the room. Then, an idea popped into my head.“Wanna play a game?” I asked, sitting up slightly.Kai turned his head to look at
I bit my lip, feeling a little embarrassed to admit it, but I forced myself to speak. “I just… after what happened tonight, I don’t really want to be alone,” I admitted quietly. The memory of the rogue in the forest still sent a shiver down my spine. What if there were more? What if I woke up to one standing over my bed?Kai’s expression softened just a little. “You don’t have to be scared. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said, his voice full of quiet confidence.His words reassured me, but what he said next completely took me by surprise.“You don’t have to sleep alone,” he added after a pause. “You can sleep with me.”My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes widened. Sleep with him? In his bed?Heat crawled up my neck, spreading to my cheeks at the thought. My mind instantly betrayed me, picturing what that would mean—sharing a bed with Kai, his warmth so close, maybe even feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest against my back if we ended up too close.No. I shook t
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The air between us was thick with something unspoken, something electric. I was too aware of how close we were, of the way his breath was slow and steady as I worked. I tried to ignore the weight of his gaze, but it was impossible when he was right there, his silver eyes locked onto my face.I finished cleaning the wound and reached for a fresh cloth to wipe away the excess antiseptic. As I pressed it gently against his skin, his hand suddenly came up, catching my wrist.My breath hitched as I looked up, meeting his gaze. His silver eyes were unreadable, darkened by something I couldn’t quite place. The heat from his touch sent a shiver up my arm.“You don’t have to do this,” he said, his voice quieter now, softer in a way I wasn’t used to.I swallowed hard. “I know.”His grip lingered for a second longer before he finally let go, his fingers trailing lightly against my skin as he pulled away. Even that small touch sent my pulse racing.I forced mys
Zara stormed in, her eyes flashing with fury, her chest rising and falling with each angry breath. Her long blonde hair was slightly disheveled, like she had rushed here in a rage.“Why the hell wasn’t I part of the emergency pack meeting?” she demanded, her sharp voice slicing through the air. She crossed her arms, her gaze flickering between me and Kai, her lip curling in disgust. “But she was?”Kai exhaled slowly, his posture rigid. His expression remained calm, but I could feel the tension radiating off him.“Lily had every right to be here,” he said, his deep voice unwavering. “She’s carrying my child. My heir.”Zara let out a bitter, humorless laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. “Your heir,” she repeated mockingly, rolling her eyes. Then, just as quickly, her amusement vanished, replaced with pure fury.She took a step closer, her entire body trembling with anger. “I hate you, Kai,” she spat, her voice thick with emotion. “I hate
The pack elders exchanged glances but didn’t hesitate. One by one, they nodded and started filing out of the room. The quiet murmur of voices faded as they disappeared down the hall, leaving just Kai and me standing there.I turned to leave as well. Pack meetings weren’t for me. I wasn’t a werewolf, wasn’t an official part of their structure. I was just the human woman carrying the future Alpha’s child.But before I could take a step, Kai’s warm hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me in place.“Lily,” he said, his voice softer now. “You should be there.”I looked up at him, confused. “What?”His grip didn’t tighten, but it was firm enough to keep me from pulling away. “You have a right to be there,” he said simply. “You’re carrying my child—our future Alpha. It’s time you started attending meetings.”My lips parted slightly. I wasn’t expecting that. I thought he’d want to keep me as far away from pack matters as possible.“But… I don’t know anything about—”“You’ll learn,” he inter
The only sound left was the ragged rise and fall of Kai’s breathing. He didn’t let go immediately, making sure the rogue was truly dead before finally releasing his grip and stepping back.His muzzle was stained with blood, his fur ruffled, but he stood victorious.I sat frozen, my breath shallow, my pulse still racing. My stomach turned at the sight of the lifeless rogue, but at the same time, a deep sense of relief washed over me.Kai had protected me.Slowly, he turned to face me. His silver eyes, still glowing in the moonlight, locked onto mine.I didn’t know what to say. My voice had abandoned me, my body trembling from the adrenaline crash.He took a step closer, his intense gaze searching my face as if making sure I was okay.I swallowed hard and finally found my voice. “You’re hurt,” I whispered, my eyes flickering to the wound on his shoulder.Kai huffed, shaking his fur as if dismissing my concern. Then, as if he could sense my lingering fear, he did something unexpected.He
For a moment, we just stood there, the silence between us filled with unspoken emotions. The moon shone brightly above, casting a silver glow over everything, making the scene feel almost surreal.Kai turned his head toward the stream and nudged me again, his warm, damp nose pressing lightly against my arm. It was gentle but insistent, like he was urging me toward the water.I hesitated for a second before obeying, stepping carefully over the smooth stones that lined the edge of the stream. The ground was cool beneath my bare feet, and the soft trickle of water filled the air with a soothing melody. I knelt by the edge, dipping my fingers into the crisp, clear water. It was ice-cold against my skin, a refreshing contrast to the lingering warmth on my face.Cupping my hands, I lifted the water to my lips and took small sips, savoring the way it cooled my throat. The nausea that had been twisting in my stomach slowly began to ease, though my body still felt light and tingly from the run
My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t expected him to include me in the run, not like this. I wasn’t one of them, and yet, he was making sure I didn’t feel left out.Before I could respond, a loud scoff cut through the air. Zara, still in her human form, rolled her eyes. She crossed her arms over her chest, clearly displeased, but thankfully, she didn’t say anything.She knew better than to protest. The pack had already accepted that the child growing inside me was their future Alpha. Denying me this experience would mean denying my baby a chance to bond with their pack.With a huff, Zara shifted, her sleek brown wolf shaking out her fur before trotting off into the crowd of waiting wolves.I turned back to Kai, who gave me a small nod before stepping back.Then, right in front of me, he finally shifted.I had seen the others transform, but watching Kai was something else entirely. His bones cracked loudly, his muscles rippling as his body changed shape. His clothes tore apart as thick, d