THREE MONTHS LATERArabella gasped, rolling on the large bed, hands clasped over her stomach and her eyes wide with tears.Staggering out of bed, panting, she wiped the sweat from her forehead.It wasn't a nightmare that woke her; those had somewhat stopped since she accepted Blaze wouldn't return.Plus, she was grateful they had stopped, as it wasn't fun waking up each day seeing Blaze's helpless, lifeless form while she wouldn't be able to do anything about it.Now, she had been rudely awaken by her children. They seemed to think it was a good idea to kick her.This wasn't the first kick, though, but it was the most intense. Rubbing her hands over her protruding stomach, only five months gone, she felt the pressure as they continued to kick."Are you alright?" Sandro's voice came from the door. He stood there in plain pajama bottoms.His hair was tousled as though he had brushed his hands into it several times to give it that messy look, and his eyes were tired, trying to stay awake
"Watch out!" Thalia yelled.Arabella swirled just in time to deflect the large boulder hurled towards her. She narrowed her eyes, glaring at Sandro, who smirked and shrugged before turning to Thalia, her sparring partner.They had received yet another letter hinting at the impending war from Paolo, and they were preparing by training. Although Arabella believed training alone wasn't sufficient, it was better than nothing.Sandro was also training, aggressively beating anyone who dared spar with him. Arabella knew he was stronger, and those who sparred with him were foolish. Yet, she wished he could be kinder. However, she doubted he cared.Approaching her with hands in his pockets, Sandro brushed his longer hair, now reaching almost to his shoulder into a ponytail."What, Sandro?" Thalia asked."I'm not here for you," Sandro replied."I don't want to speak to you," Arabella mumbled, but Sandro wasn't taking no for an answer. He stood between her and Thalia, disrupting their activities
Arabella swatted at a twig curling towards her, grimacing as she blocked another branch from a large tree. Going hunting with Sandro was a terrible idea, but he insisted, claiming he needed her there. Despite reminding him that she was a Phoenix, not a werewolf, it seemed like he wasn't really listening.The moon was out, not yet full, and they were waiting for it to reach its peak. Sandro explained that the full moon enhanced werewolves' abilities, making it the only sensible time for hunting. Arabella just wanted to curl up in bed with a duvet, enjoying a peaceful sleep."Want to take a break?" Sandro turned, raising his brows."It's nice of you to remember I'm part of this journey. I'm five months pregnant, Sandro. You shouldn't have dragged me into the woods at this hour. Anything can go wrong, and it's strenuous walking with a large bump and swollen—"Arabella trailed off as Sandro knelt in front of her, his back turned. "Get on.""What are you doing?" she asked, frowning."Get o
No sooner had Sandro reached the pack house and his room, then he staggered. Fortunately, Arabella wasn't on his back anymore."I thought I weighed nothing," Arabella remarked dryly."Yeah, you weighed nothing," he said, clutching his side. Straightening, he started forward but stumbled again."What's wrong?" Arabella frowned, stepping towards him."I think I took a hit from one of the rogues," Sandro lifted his hand, eyes widening as he saw the blood that coated it."What the hell?" Arabella exclaimed, catching Sandro just in time as he stumbled for the third time. She dragged him towards the bed, setting him down, only to find he was unconscious.Removing his hand that was still gripping his side, she grimaced. "This looks awful." The injury wasn't that deep, and it wasn't something he wouldn't be able to heal from, but it stunk.Arabella wondered if it was normal for an injury that wasn't even up to an hour old to stink. Walking to the bathroom, she filled a bowl with water, graspe
Entering Thalia's room, Arabella made her way to the couch where Thalia sat."Trouble in Paradise?" Thalia raised a brow, sniffing. "I can smell blood on you. Did something happen?""In short, we were attacked by rogues, and Sandro decided to fight them off.""Typical Sandro," Thalia smiled. "But why the blood? Did you both engage in some kind of blood play?""What?" Arabella scoffed, "Never. Just because Blaze is no more doesn't mean I'll forget our moments easily. Besides, Sandro got injured during the fight, and I'm here because he said some really insensitive things.""About you not being receptive to him as you were to Blaze?" Thalia questioned."How do you know? Did you eavesdrop on us?""I'm a werewolf, remember? I can hear things miles away. Plus, your attitude towards him says it all. I've been watching," she said.Arabella shrugged. "I don't think you'd want me to relate with him either. He's been cruel to me, tried to kill me, and took me against my wish.""I know he did aw
Sandro's condition hadn't improved; if anything, it had worsened. Arabella doubted it was due to the injury, which had already closed up two days since it happened. She had returned only yesterday to the room and found him sprawled on the bathroom floor.Initially, she thought he had stopped breathing, given his lack of movement, until she checked his pulse. Though she wouldn't admit it, she felt relieved. As much as she detested his behavior towards her, she was relieved he wasn't dead."I hate this," Sandro groaned, snapping Arabella from her thoughts. His lashes fluttered against his cheeks, and he opened his eyes slowly.Frowning, he murmured, "Bella?""Yes," Arabella said, placing her palm on his forehead to check his temperature. "How do you feel today?""Worse," Sandro mumbled, attempting to sit up. His eyes stayed on hers for a long time, making Arabella conscious of what she was wearing. She had opted for one of Sandro's T-shirts as she hadn't had time to do laundry. Now, she
Sandro awoke the next morning, groaning and turning to his side. "Arabella," he murmured, breathing in her scent before slowly opening his eyes. Using the pad of his thumb, he gently rubbed her cheek to confirm she was really in bed with him. He wondered why she hadn't left after he fell asleep, maybe because she had dozed off too.Gripping a lock of her white hair, he swirled it in his fingers. His free hand moved down to her stomach, caressing it. Sandro grinned as he felt a kick as soon as he touched, retracting his hand as Arabella groaned and turned."Sandro," she murmured, gripping his shirt.Raising his brow, Sandro watched as she began to unbutton his shirt slowly. Her hands slipped into his shirt as soon as she finished unbuttoning."Arabella," Sandro groaned as her hands moved further downwards.He didn't know what she was doing, and the thought of stopping her crossed his mind, but he didn't want to startle her. She seemed deeply asleep, and he hoped she would stop on her o
TWO DAYS LATERThinking all plans would come easily as they were all gathered together, however, the reverse was the case. It was even more difficult to agree with all that was said, especially since it was the last day.Still, there was no attacker in sight, and it didn't seem like anything was going to happen. It was almost noon, and Arabella, Thalia, Elisha, Janice, and Annalise were in the meeting room.Some members were on guard, watching for any activity to report to those inside. However, Sandro, Arabella didn't know where he had gone. He said nothing to her and left the house."He should be here; at least, he's the alpha, and many of these people can listen to him," Elisha said, eyeing the other members in the room, acting as if they were bothered by the current situation."They listen to Bella, too," Thalia said. "She should say something to them."Say something? Arabella didn't know exactly what she was going to say. They weren't the phoenixes, and even though Orga and the r