Emma.The guards all surrounded me. They looked scary and intimidating and my knees felt weak. The mean man had somehow kept Cathy on the wall and I was alone with these fierce and ruthless looking men. "Please," I whispered weakly. "I didn’t do anything wrong. You don’t have to take me—" One of them cut me off with a grunt. “Orders are orders. No use pleading.” I clutched the wooden door frame and tried to struggle with my fingers trembling. “I’m not a threat,” I tried again. “I swear. Please, just listen to me!” The taller guard grabbed my arm. His grip was firm and even a little cruel. “That’s not up to us,” he said gruffly. “Let’s go.” For a second, I panicked. I didn't know what to do. My legs refused to move, but they wouldn’t care about that. I knew they’d drag me if I didn’t cooperate. How long would I be a prisoner to these men? To different men in different packs? Just as I was about to break into sobs, I heard a very loud voice call out. “Let her go. Now.” Th
Emma.The moment the man set me down on the chair, I couldn’t stop shaking. My entire body trembled, soaked to the bone from the lake’s icy water. He crouched before me, his piercing green eyes filled with concern and a liftie bit of curiosity. “Are you okay?” He asked with a firm voice. I nodded, though my body betrayed the lie as another shiver wracked through me. Without a word, he stood and barked an order to the guard behind him. “Get a blanket, now." I was still shaking and trying to squeeze into my own heat. Moments later, the guard hurried back with a thick blanket. The golden haired man took it from them and draped it over my shoulders. The warmth was immediate, though it did little to calm my nerves. The man stepped back, his tall frame towering over me. His blonde hair was even more striking and though he’d just transformed from a massive golden wolf into human form, his movements were still as intimidating and graceful. “Who are you?” he asked, his voice was comm
Derek.The moment the doctor uttered the word hybrid, my stomach twisted. It wasn’t just shock, it was dread. I, Derek Moon, was not afraid of anything. I had lived life so fiercely that even fear cowered at my entrance. But a hybrid?Hybrids were more than rare. They were a calamity waiting to happen. And now, one was in my pack, Emma. Was she going to give birth to a hybrid baby too? Yes and that would make two hybrids. The child would be a pure blood by birth, immune to both vampire and werewolf threats. But Emma was more endangered. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't send her away. As soon as Emma was led back to the guest room, I waved the doctor off and headed for the quiet corner of the clinic where Cathy was waiting. She raised an eyebrow when she saw my face. “What’s with the grim look, alpha?” she asked, folding her arms. “Tell me everything,” I said sharply. “About the accident. From the start.” She looked taken back. “Do you still think she's a threat li
Derek.The sight of Emma standing there, naked and startled, with water dripping down her shoulders, was enough to root me in place. The basin was too small for her frame. I could see every inch of her no matter how much she tried to fold into herself. She crossed an arm over her chest, cheeks flushing a deep crimson as she tried to shield herself. Alpha," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "What... what are you doing here?" I snapped out of my stupor and cleared my throat as I bent down to retrieve the dagger. "I knocked. Twice. You didn’t answer." My voice came out more hoarse han I intended, but I couldn’t help it. Was I pissed off at her or was my husky voice a sign of something else entirely? I couldn't dwell on that. She averted her eyes, reaching for a towel on the stool beside her. "I didn’t hear you," She trailed off, pulling the towel around herself hastily. "Why are you bathing in here?" I asked, gesturing to the cramped basin. The question sounded s
Emma.The morning light trickled through the curtains, warming my face and waking me before I was even ready to wake. My body ached, not from physical exertion but from the discomfort of being in a place that wasn’t home. I stretched, shaking off the fog of sleep, and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I had to take a warm bath and perhaps a little stroll to ease the tension I felt within. A soft knock startled me and Cathy walked in. She was already dressed in her usual tight leather with her hair pulled pack into a neat bun. "Morning," she said, her lips stretching into an easy smile. “How are you feeling today?” I hesitated. Was there a correct answer to that? “Fine, I guess.” I lied fluidly. I was anything but fine. I wanted to be somewhere else. I wanted to be with Roger. I wanted to be home. She frowned slightly. “If you need anything, nything at all, just let me know, okay?” “Thanks,” I murmured, sincerely appreciating her concern. But now I was wary of peo
Emma.I stayed behind the pillar, barely breathing as Tristan and Regina exchanged pleasantries with Derek. My eyes wasn't playing tricks on me. Tristan was really there and Regina was right beside him. Regina. What did she want with Tristan? Did they know each other? Did she have something to do with Roger's death? Most likely. Tristan’s presence alone was enough to unsettle me, but Regina's fake smile made it even worse. I shifted slightly to get a better view, my fingers gripping the cool stone of the pillar for support.For a second, his eyes darted in my direction and it narrowed. Had he seen me? My heart thundered as I quickly stepped back behind the house and fled the lakeside, hurrying into my room. The rest of the day became a game of avoidance. Every creak of a door, every approaching footstep sent waves of anxiety through me. I practically stayed in my room, avoiding any room I thought Tristan or Regina might enter. I was still in my room, a little too absorbed
Chapter 78A Poisoned TruthEmma.When I woke up, I could hear the soft beeping beside me and I knew I was at the clinic again. The smell of antiseptic hit me and for a second, I heaved dryly. I had an aching temple and I wanted nothing more than to just sleep. “Hey, are you okay?" I heard a voice say softly and touch my face as I blinked my eyes open. The doctor’s face was scrunched into a slight frown as he scanned the clipboard in his hands. When he finally looked up at me, he sighed. “I’ve made a rather shocking discovery,” he said, his voice low, as if trying to soften the blow. Cathy shifted beside me, and for the first time, I saw Derek was standing in the clinic too and he crossed his arms but didn’t say a word. “What is it?” I asked, my voice shaky. The doctor glanced at Cathy briefly before looking up at me. “Emma, your body is being weakened by the hybrid nature of your child. It’s wearing your system out and your body just isn’t strong enough to sustain the pregn
Emma.Cathy sprang to her feet, looking at me guiltily. I started, transfixed. Cathy. Cathy poisoned me. “You," I caught myself saying before I could stop myself. “What? Emma, how could you say something like that?" Her face went pale, her hands trembling slightly as she held them up in surrender. “Why would you?” I started, but my voice broke. Cathy had been my only friend in the whole pack. She was my stronghold. Why would she poison me? Why would she want me dead? Was she trying to save her pack from me? Did she think I was a spy? Words failed me. I looked at Cathy and tears poured down my face freely. “Wait,” Derek stepped between us. His voice was calm. “Cathy, did you give her the tea?” “Yes, but—” Cathy stammered, shaking her head. “I didn’t know! I swear, I didn’t know anything was wrong with it. I just made it the way I always do!” “Nightshade doesn’t accidentally end up in a cup of latte,” Derek said, his tone hardening.“I didn’t do anything!” Cathy cried out
Emma.Cathy sprang to her feet, looking at me guiltily. I started, transfixed. Cathy. Cathy poisoned me. “You," I caught myself saying before I could stop myself. “What? Emma, how could you say something like that?" Her face went pale, her hands trembling slightly as she held them up in surrender. “Why would you?” I started, but my voice broke. Cathy had been my only friend in the whole pack. She was my stronghold. Why would she poison me? Why would she want me dead? Was she trying to save her pack from me? Did she think I was a spy? Words failed me. I looked at Cathy and tears poured down my face freely. “Wait,” Derek stepped between us. His voice was calm. “Cathy, did you give her the tea?” “Yes, but—” Cathy stammered, shaking her head. “I didn’t know! I swear, I didn’t know anything was wrong with it. I just made it the way I always do!” “Nightshade doesn’t accidentally end up in a cup of latte,” Derek said, his tone hardening.“I didn’t do anything!” Cathy cried out
Chapter 78A Poisoned TruthEmma.When I woke up, I could hear the soft beeping beside me and I knew I was at the clinic again. The smell of antiseptic hit me and for a second, I heaved dryly. I had an aching temple and I wanted nothing more than to just sleep. “Hey, are you okay?" I heard a voice say softly and touch my face as I blinked my eyes open. The doctor’s face was scrunched into a slight frown as he scanned the clipboard in his hands. When he finally looked up at me, he sighed. “I’ve made a rather shocking discovery,” he said, his voice low, as if trying to soften the blow. Cathy shifted beside me, and for the first time, I saw Derek was standing in the clinic too and he crossed his arms but didn’t say a word. “What is it?” I asked, my voice shaky. The doctor glanced at Cathy briefly before looking up at me. “Emma, your body is being weakened by the hybrid nature of your child. It’s wearing your system out and your body just isn’t strong enough to sustain the pregn
Emma.I stayed behind the pillar, barely breathing as Tristan and Regina exchanged pleasantries with Derek. My eyes wasn't playing tricks on me. Tristan was really there and Regina was right beside him. Regina. What did she want with Tristan? Did they know each other? Did she have something to do with Roger's death? Most likely. Tristan’s presence alone was enough to unsettle me, but Regina's fake smile made it even worse. I shifted slightly to get a better view, my fingers gripping the cool stone of the pillar for support.For a second, his eyes darted in my direction and it narrowed. Had he seen me? My heart thundered as I quickly stepped back behind the house and fled the lakeside, hurrying into my room. The rest of the day became a game of avoidance. Every creak of a door, every approaching footstep sent waves of anxiety through me. I practically stayed in my room, avoiding any room I thought Tristan or Regina might enter. I was still in my room, a little too absorbed
Emma.The morning light trickled through the curtains, warming my face and waking me before I was even ready to wake. My body ached, not from physical exertion but from the discomfort of being in a place that wasn’t home. I stretched, shaking off the fog of sleep, and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I had to take a warm bath and perhaps a little stroll to ease the tension I felt within. A soft knock startled me and Cathy walked in. She was already dressed in her usual tight leather with her hair pulled pack into a neat bun. "Morning," she said, her lips stretching into an easy smile. “How are you feeling today?” I hesitated. Was there a correct answer to that? “Fine, I guess.” I lied fluidly. I was anything but fine. I wanted to be somewhere else. I wanted to be with Roger. I wanted to be home. She frowned slightly. “If you need anything, nything at all, just let me know, okay?” “Thanks,” I murmured, sincerely appreciating her concern. But now I was wary of peo
Derek.The sight of Emma standing there, naked and startled, with water dripping down her shoulders, was enough to root me in place. The basin was too small for her frame. I could see every inch of her no matter how much she tried to fold into herself. She crossed an arm over her chest, cheeks flushing a deep crimson as she tried to shield herself. Alpha," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "What... what are you doing here?" I snapped out of my stupor and cleared my throat as I bent down to retrieve the dagger. "I knocked. Twice. You didn’t answer." My voice came out more hoarse han I intended, but I couldn’t help it. Was I pissed off at her or was my husky voice a sign of something else entirely? I couldn't dwell on that. She averted her eyes, reaching for a towel on the stool beside her. "I didn’t hear you," She trailed off, pulling the towel around herself hastily. "Why are you bathing in here?" I asked, gesturing to the cramped basin. The question sounded s
Derek.The moment the doctor uttered the word hybrid, my stomach twisted. It wasn’t just shock, it was dread. I, Derek Moon, was not afraid of anything. I had lived life so fiercely that even fear cowered at my entrance. But a hybrid?Hybrids were more than rare. They were a calamity waiting to happen. And now, one was in my pack, Emma. Was she going to give birth to a hybrid baby too? Yes and that would make two hybrids. The child would be a pure blood by birth, immune to both vampire and werewolf threats. But Emma was more endangered. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't send her away. As soon as Emma was led back to the guest room, I waved the doctor off and headed for the quiet corner of the clinic where Cathy was waiting. She raised an eyebrow when she saw my face. “What’s with the grim look, alpha?” she asked, folding her arms. “Tell me everything,” I said sharply. “About the accident. From the start.” She looked taken back. “Do you still think she's a threat li
Emma.The moment the man set me down on the chair, I couldn’t stop shaking. My entire body trembled, soaked to the bone from the lake’s icy water. He crouched before me, his piercing green eyes filled with concern and a liftie bit of curiosity. “Are you okay?” He asked with a firm voice. I nodded, though my body betrayed the lie as another shiver wracked through me. Without a word, he stood and barked an order to the guard behind him. “Get a blanket, now." I was still shaking and trying to squeeze into my own heat. Moments later, the guard hurried back with a thick blanket. The golden haired man took it from them and draped it over my shoulders. The warmth was immediate, though it did little to calm my nerves. The man stepped back, his tall frame towering over me. His blonde hair was even more striking and though he’d just transformed from a massive golden wolf into human form, his movements were still as intimidating and graceful. “Who are you?” he asked, his voice was comm
Emma.The guards all surrounded me. They looked scary and intimidating and my knees felt weak. The mean man had somehow kept Cathy on the wall and I was alone with these fierce and ruthless looking men. "Please," I whispered weakly. "I didn’t do anything wrong. You don’t have to take me—" One of them cut me off with a grunt. “Orders are orders. No use pleading.” I clutched the wooden door frame and tried to struggle with my fingers trembling. “I’m not a threat,” I tried again. “I swear. Please, just listen to me!” The taller guard grabbed my arm. His grip was firm and even a little cruel. “That’s not up to us,” he said gruffly. “Let’s go.” For a second, I panicked. I didn't know what to do. My legs refused to move, but they wouldn’t care about that. I knew they’d drag me if I didn’t cooperate. How long would I be a prisoner to these men? To different men in different packs? Just as I was about to break into sobs, I heard a very loud voice call out. “Let her go. Now.” Th
Emma.The first thing I noticed was the blinding whiteness. Bright lights stabbed at my eyes, making them water as I blinked against the harsh glare of the florescent. My body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds, each limb aching and unresponsive. I tried to lift my arms and I couldn't, I winced at the sudden sharp pain that ran through my neck. “Ouch," I hissed and blinked away the tears that almost fell. Slowly, the sterile scent of antiseptics and faint floral soap crept into my awareness. Where am I? I turned my head, my neck protesting with the movement. The room around me came into focus slowly. I could see white walls, a small window with curtains drawn, and a single chair by the bed. Machines beeped steadily beside me as I looked around. The second of the machine was about the only noise in the room apart from my breathing. I tried to sit up, but the moment I moved, a sharp pain shot through my ankle, making me gasp again. My fingers instinctively reached for it,