The persistent knocking continued, growing louder with each second. I groaned, throwing an arm over my face as I tried to ignore it. But it was relentless, each knock hammering through my foggy mind until I couldn’t take it anymore.“I’m coming!” I called out, my voice hoarse with sleep.Dragging my feet, I stumbled to the door, my muscles protesting every movement. I swung it open to reveal a woman who looked to be in her late forties. She had sharp but kind features, her brown hair pulled back neatly, and she stood with an air of authority.Her eyes swept over me, pausing briefly on my tangled hair and wrinkled dress. Though her expression remained neutral, I thought I saw a flicker of pity in her gaze.“Dinner is ready,” she announced, her voice firm but polite. “I’ve been sent to escort you.”I blinked, my brain still trying to process her words. “Dinner?”“Yes,” she repeated, a touch of impatience creeping into her tone. “It’s customary for members of the pack to attend.”“Oh,” I
From the other side of the table, Rhys caught my eye. His expression was different from the others—not cold or judgmental. He gave me a small, reassuring smile, and while it didn’t make the anxiety disappear, it was enough to steady me just a little.“Come in,” Kai said, his deep voice cutting through the tense silence like a knife.I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, and stepped into the dining room. The sound of my footsteps seemed louder in the silence that followed my entrance. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest that I was sure everyone could hear it.The room was enormous, with a table so long it seemed to stretch endlessly. The silverware sparkled under the chandelier, and the air smelled faintly of roasted meat and herbs. Everyone seated at the table paused, their conversations coming to an abrupt halt as all eyes turned toward me.I scanned the room quickly, my stomach tightening. All the chairs were taken except one—the one right next to Zara. Of course, it
It fell onto my plate with a loud crash, shattering into tiny pieces. Water spilled everywhere, soaking my dress and the tablecloth. The sound of breaking glass was enough to silence the room, and all eyes turned to me.I froze, unable to move as all eyes shifted to me. Every single person at the table was staring, their expressions a mix of surprise, disgust, and amusement. I felt my face burn with embarrassment, the heat crawling up my neck and into my cheeks. My stomach churned, and my heart pounded so loudly that I thought it might burst out of my chest.“Good job, human,” Zara’s voice cut through the silence. “Humans are so pathetic. She can’t even get through dinner without embarrassing herself.”Her words were like a slap, and I could feel my eyes welling up with tears. I opened my mouth to respond, but my voice betrayed me, shaking as I mumbled a half-hearted apology. “I’m… I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean—” But my words didn’t seem to matter. The laughter started almost immediatel
The next morning felt different, like the air itself had shifted. The soft sunlight poured into the room through the slightly parted curtains, casting a golden glow across the walls. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make me feel like maybe today could be better. I sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My body ached, and my heart still felt heavy, but somewhere deep inside, there was a flicker of determination that hadn’t been there the night before.I had spent most of the night crying until exhaustion took over, but as I lay in bed afterward, staring up at the ceiling, I made a decision. I couldn’t control how people here treated me, but I could control how I responded. If they wanted me to crumble, I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. I was going to make the best of this situation, no matter how hard it got. I owed it to myself—and to my baby.I swung my legs off the bed, my bare feet brushing against the cold wooden floor. The chill sent a small shiver up my spine, b
I blinked, startled, and quickly wiped at the corners of my eyes. “I’ll be right out,” I replied, my voice trembling slightly but firm enough to carry through the door.Taking one last look at my reflection, I adjusted the towel wrapped around me. My hands lingered on my stomach for a moment longer before I dropped them to my sides. The room felt a little brighter now, the soft light streaming through the curtains casting a gentle glow over everything.I stepped out of the bathroom, wrapping my towel tightly around me, and walked into the bedroom. The soft scent of warm bread and fresh fruit hit me immediately, the warmth of it wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. My eyes were immediately drawn to the breakfast tray sitting neatly on the bedside table. A small teapot, a plate with buttered toast and fruit, and a tiny jar of jam had been arranged with such care, as though to make me feel at home. Beside it, a white sundress was spread out across the bed. It was beautiful in it
I caught my reflection in the mirror as I stood. The girl staring back at me looked... different. There was still a hint of weariness in her eyes, but the dress and sandals gave her an air of quiet strength she didn’t know she had. I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I smoothed down the fabric of the sundress.“I can do this,” I whispered to myself, though my voice wavered slightly.The thought of meeting Meredith still made my chest tighten, but I reminded myself that I’d faced worse. Even if she wasn’t kind, I would get through it. I had to. This wasn’t just about surviving anymore; it was about finding a way to live, even in a place where I didn’t belong.I sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled the breakfast tray closer. My stomach grumbled loudly, reminding me just how hungry I was. The food smelled amazing—warm bread, fresh fruit, and a small plate of eggs. I didn’t even hesitate as I picked up a piece of bread and took a big bite.The flavors hit my tongue, and I
Margaret nodded approvingly. “Exactly. And I’m sure you’ll do just fine, dear.”I couldn’t help but feel a small wave of relief at their kindness. It was the first real warmth I’d experienced since I’d arrived here, and it felt almost foreign. But I was grateful. More than I wanted to admit.“So, what’s the plan for today?” I asked, trying to shift the topic. I didn’t want to dwell on my discomfort for too long.Meredith smiled. “Well, my mother mentioned something about shopping. I think it would be good for you to get some clothes that fit a little better and make you feel more comfortable.”I glanced down at the sundress I was wearing. It was lovely, but it was the only dress I had, and I didn’t want to wear it every day. “That sounds like a good idea,” I said, trying to sound more confident.Margaret smiled warmly at me. “I’m glad you’re open to it. You’ll be in good hands with Meredith. She knows the best places around here.”I glanced at Meredith, feeling a mix of nervousness an
We finally stopped at a small boutique, the door chiming softly as we stepped inside. The store was cozy, with soft lighting and rows upon rows of neatly arranged clothes. The scent of fresh fabric and new clothes mixed in the air. I glanced around, feeling a bit out of place. A few women were shopping, and I immediately felt their eyes on me. I told myself not to let it bother me, but the nervous flutter in my chest wouldn’t go away.Meredith, or Mer, as she had asked me to call her, was already pulling dresses from the racks and holding them up to me. She smiled brightly. “This one will look perfect on you,” she said, holding up a soft pink dress. Her confidence was contagious, and I tried to match her energy.I turned my head slightly to glance around the store, trying to keep my mind occupied. I noticed a few women eyeing us, their whispers barely audible over the soft music playing in the background. My face heated as I caught snippets of their conversation. "She’s nothing more t
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