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
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