Ember's POVTwo weeks later, "Are you pregnant, Ember?" Trent called halfway into the room. I turned from the sink. I was still having dizzy spells and nausea. I had begun to show but I was masking it with a spray and wearing big dresses that hid my stomach. I rinsed my mouth and stared at him."Yes.""When did you notice?""Two weeks ago." I watched his eyes light up after doing the quick math. It was when we had sex. I held my breath as I waited for his response. " What do you think?""What do you mean by that?" He inquired and I shook my head. What was wrong with me? Of course, he wasn't supposed to think about anything.I looked sideways pretending to be a bit wary. "we've never discussed childbearing. I don't know what your take is on that." I replied, whilst dabbing my lips with a napkin."Oh, really? What do you think?""I know that you'd like an heir but I don't know how soon." I replied carefully. One had to be wise when dealing with people like this. I had come to discove
Ember's POV"Have you heard that you're trending ma'am?" Sonia whispered to me when I was removing my dress. She helped me unzip the dress and stared at me with a smile on her face. "Everyone is talking about you and how they never expected that you would take in so early." She continued.I chuckled at her words because I didn't know why the tabloids were obsessed with my pregnancy. "I didn't know that I was a celebrity. It must take a lot for them to be in the conversation all the time." I replied.She shook her head. It was a memorable one anyway because I was being made to greet a lot of people.She opened her mouth to speak but we heard a knock. "The Alpha." She whispered and I smiled at her. She was just too adorable."Go away." I replied. She opened the door and bowed slightly. "Good evening, Alpha." She greeted Trent who nodded at her in response. The room temperature went low instantly and I stood straighter. I was tempted to cover my body but I didn't instead I turned to s
Ember's POVI was filled with angst when I heard the other line of his conversation. I was not even angry about the fact that he married me out of what he could get. I leaned closer to the door, placing my ear against the door so softly. Never had I been so excited to use a masking spray in my life because it enabled me to eavesdrop without being fished out. "She doesn't know it yet but I heard the grounds on which her marriage got dissolved and she is the perfect tool for the job." I wrinkled my nose at her choice of words. I wasn't sure I wanted to be referred to as a tool whether as a joke or seriously. "Yeah, she will begin her job as soon as possible. Her father spoke about her hating him with passion and I've never heard her mentioning his name ever in a conversation." I rolled my eyes slowly. Trust my father to be able to pitch me like a good salesman. I was grateful that I was even allowed to have a good wedding. One would have expected him to ship me.off like some goods
Ember's POVHe might not know what I was searching for but I was trying to broach the topic concerning Xander. There must be a reason he was acting the way he did. From my little understanding, I realized that he hated Xander and probably sought revenge which I didn't mind but I was curious to know why. There was no other way to get this information without engaging him in a long conversation. I stared at him for the longest time while he skimmed through the pictures I was pretending to be interested in. Our relationship was more of a brotherly one than a couple just with a little romp in the mix. "I can see you staring at me." I averted my eyes quickly and quickly chided myself. That was not the right way to go. the last thing I wanted was for him to be suspicious of me. "You're very handsome, I must admit," I replied and he stared at me with sheer disbelief in his eyes."If I didn't know better I'd say that you're trying to ask for something." He replied and pinned me with a sta
Ember's POV"Be calm." The voice whispered and I instantly felt a wave of calmness actually spread through my spine. " It's me, if you go out in harm's way you will be crushed. We don't want that for you." He said and I went calm again. It was Trent. "Stay inside while I deal with the intruder." He ordered and for the first time, I didn't disobey an order that I thought didn't favor me."Okay," I ended up not sleeping that night because I was busy thinking about what was happening outside if Trent had taken care of it, although I had the notion that he must have taken care of it completely and all I needed to do was to make sure that I slept off as he had instructed but it was very hard for me. My mind, which was my greatest enemy, kept playing various horrendous images in my mind, making me consider going out. I couldn't raise my baby alone. I had to have support. I wasn't one of those women who were too independent and neglected the role of a man in their life. Our relationship
Ember's POV.The warrior snuck a glance at his Alpha but I nodded and he followed me to the side. I made sure that we were out of earshot but still within eyesight so that there wouldn't be anything that could pose confusion. "You are probably wondering why I called you here?" I began.His furrowed brows confirmed his confusion. "Yes, ma'am." He replied and folded his arms behind his back. "I need to undergo training, I have become rusty." I replied.His furrowed brows told me what I needed to know. He was not expecting that I'd tell him such words. He was probably thinking of something else but I was wiser. Of course, I couldn't go ahead and begin the conversation with such a weighty matter. He had to be eased into it."Okay, that's not a problem, ma'am. I will make sure that you don't have a problem with that. When do you intend to start?" "Can we begin tomorrow? But I want it to be private because you know the Alpha wouldn't allow me to do that, he believes that I shouldn't overw
Ember's POVI couldn't fathom what happened but I knew that the ice had been broken and we were cool. I was now guarded. He was a rival to Xander. The day he discovered that my child wasn't his, he'd kill me. Also, what was the assurance that he didn't marry me to get to Xander? My father was probably thinking only about what he could benefit from the union instead of focusing on the main reason. He had said that Trent handpicked me, that means that he must have run a few background checks on me."Why did you choose me as your wife?" "What do you want to hear? The superficial answer or the real answer?" Of course, I wanted to hear the real answer. " The real answer." "I don't know." Now that was ambiguous and I didn't believe that tale one bit. " That's unbelievable. My father said you handpicked me and promised to help his business. Surely you wouldn't do that for just anyone." He shrugged as a deep expression appeared on his face and I decided to break the ice. "Am I heavy?"
Xander's POV"Hey, did you see the shoes that I got the other day? You weren't around when I got them and you've been busy with work. You know I'm pregnant." Ellie complained.Her voice distorted my thoughts and I looked up, seeing her with a pout on her face. "You've just abandoned me here, I don't even know what I am to you anymore." She cried and I rolled my eyes. Women and their terrible mood swings. They did these things on purpose."I'm busy scouting for the rogues that tried to break into the pack a few days ago," I explained."Are you just going to sit over there and not attend to me?" She continued speaking, cutting my thoughts short and I almost groaned. "Ellie! Come here." I spoke softly at the latter end after realizing how harsh my voice had sounded but she was hellbent on frustrating me with unrelated topics when I was trying to churn out something beautiful. She began to cry in the distance and now I couldn't even continue thinking."Hey, it's okay. I didn't mean to s
Ember squealed. "You're a naughty boy." She replied when Xander took her inside the shower. "We are too old to be having these sessions." She replied. Xander didn't think that anything was wrong with him wanting to have an alone time with his lovely wife so he smiled at her. Ember smiled at him. "I'm sorry, I was just kidding." She told him.His eyes crinkled with mirth. "I know, right. I don't even care about what you want to say but I believe that you will enjoy today's session. It promises to be mind-blowing." He bragged. She smiled at him while stroking his beards playfully. "Do you even know what this means?" She teased him.Xander peeled off the dress from her shoulders quietly and stared at her figure. "You look exquisite. I don't think I've seen anyone like you." He muttered softly while smacking his lips for effect.She rolled her eyes at his words. He would say anything just to have his way with her. "What do I expect? It's been almost twenty years." She complained.Xande
Sixteen Years Later, Dennis bounced into the room dripping with sweat and ran down to the kitchen to get a bottle of water from the fridge but met a restriction. He looked up and saw his twin brother staring at him with a glare. "Take a shower instead, you'll feel calm." He said.Dennis went mute for a minute before throwing a punch at him but his brother was faster and had predicted the move so he ducked at the last minute."Get away from the fridge, both of you!" Ember yelled and they jumped apart. She saw that they were mad at each other which made her worried. "You too are supposed to have each other's backs not be a thorn in each other's flesh." She whispered. She was trying so much to raise children who were devoid of hate and malice. The Alpha position was an edgy one which she hoped that they didn't fight each other for but coexisted perfectly together. "Why do you feel the need to show your powers when you are supposed to be each other's best friends?" She demanded The
Three years later"Mummy, can I have a taste now?" One of the boys asked and Ember shook her head, looking down at him with a smile as he had his hands around her legs."Don't be such a baby. It's not ready yet," His twin replied, rolling his eyes as he crossed his arms. The one who had his hands around Ember's leg, shot his brother a glare."Well, I wasn't talking to you" He snapped and Ember downplayed a smile threatening to form on her lips.She stirred the pasta, before turning around to face the boys just in time, when her favorite head came into her view.Xander's hair was disheveled and sticking out. He looked like he just walked out of the shower. He rounded the counter, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his body."This smells delicious," He closed his eyes, taking a sniff. His stomach growled in response and Ember laughed."Easy there, big boy. Soon" She muttered.Xander leaned into her, brushing his lips against the shell of her ears."But taste be
Ember's POV. A pang of headache hit me as I felt my eyes open, my legs shaking beneath my gown. Everywhere seemed black, but the sun rays through the barred hole on the door shone brightly. I strove to stand up, taking what felt like an eternity to raise a leg. Something that felt like shaped iron clashing against each other rang in my ear, and I felt compelled to know what was happening outside. I sprinted toward where the backdoor was, my legs shaking after every step, my heart racing faster with every step I took. The sound of crashing iron and steel and the rise of cries grew closer and thicker with every step I took. I had no idea what was happening outside, all I sought was to escape from this dungeon. Most of the guards were distracted by what was happening outside, none were looking my way. I guess it was lucky, and a chance for me to escape. I walked toward the exit door, but just as I reached there, the roar of a wicked smile halted me in my spot, and I was force
Xander's POV. I was seated in my palace when an emissary holding a sealed letter was brought before me by one of my pack guards. As the emissary approached, I could sense a mix of curiosity and unease from my pack members "Greetings, Alpha Xander. I bring a message from Trent's pack." He fretted going down by reclining his head onto his knees. I took the letter, breaking the seal. My eyes scanned the parchment, and my gut twisted with every word. Trent was declaring war on us. I called a gathering with my elders. We sat in a circle, the letter passed among us. "This is madness," One of them growled. "Trent knows we won't back down." "We need to prepare for battle," Another suggested, her voice steady. "Gather our strongest warriors, Xander. We'll show Trent the strength of our pack." "I'll start scouting for allies. We can't face Trent's pack alone." I looked at my elders, determination burning within me. "We'll defend our pack" The elders nodded in unison, and I k
Ember's POV I walked down the hallway slowly, this part of the house seemed to be more empty than the path I walked through once I reached the end of the house. I frowned wondering what wild goose chase Ellie sent me on. Xander wasn't here. Why would she send me here for no reason had she completely lost it? angry I turned to leave when I spotted Trent standing there with a wicked smile on his face, holding a sword. My stomach dropped knowing there was no way this was going to end well. “Trent! What are you doing here?” He smirked, the glint of the sword reflecting in the fading light. “Hello, Ember. Fancy meeting you here.” I took a step back, feeling panic rising. “Where’s Xander? He’s supposed to be here, did you do something to him?” Trent chuckled, his voice dripping with malice. “Oh, Xander isn’t coming. Ellie sent you her for me. I’m the one you’re dealing with.” Realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Ellie must have played me, setting me up for Trent. My instinc
Author's POV. Xander walked hurriedly towards the port. He had booked a safe passage through the tunnel for Ember. It had not been cheap, but he knew it was going to be worth it since he was sure she would appreciate his efforts in helping her get her complete freedom. He arrived at the spot they had both agreed that they would meet. The port was mostly deserted at this time of the day so it was going to be relatively safe and easy for her to wall around without being found by people who work for Trent. He stood around for the next ten minutes, stifling the anxiety that was quickly growing in his chest. After ten minutes, he started to call her name as he looked around the area. It could have been possible that she had missed her way and was staying at another spot instead of the one they had initially agreed to meet. She was supposed to have been here. They had agreed that they would meet at that spot and he had been exactly on time. If there had been any delay or anything t
Ember's POV. I wasn't moved by her words because I knew that I had a higher backing that would help me out when it was time. All she just needed was the go-ahead from me. Then I knew that she would be able to go ahead to focus on getting the answer. I chuckled softly and looked at her. "Did you want us to respect you, Ellie? You should accord yourself some respect." I told her and she looked at me. "Who the hell are you?!" She challenged me. Her eyes flared at me and I smiled at her. "Are you my husband's concubine?" She asked and I held myself from saying just like you were. That would be a big slap on her face which I didn't really mind though. I liked the fact that she was really struggling to make it work. I didn't care about her and all that she was doing. All I wanted to know is that there would be a need for us to just stay for a while and rest before finally talking about our past life. In just a few years she would be controlling the whole arena but if I stood up rig
Ember's POV. I couldn't help but feel very remorseful when he came close to me. I was a bit skeptical in the beginning but after a while I finally realized that there might be something missing which I wasn't taking into cognizance. Xander reclined into the seat as he stared at me but I maintained his glare. He wasn't going to unnerve me. So what if he didn't sleep with her? All of this was still his fault. If he had not taken those steps when he finished getting her pregnant, then maybe I wouldn't resent him this much. "You didn't defend me when I needed you the most, I don't think you remember that incident, or do you?" I asked him and he shook his head. "I don't think I do. Why would I purposely not want to talk to you? I was under an influence and believe me when I say that it's something that I regret till this day because of this now we are in deep shit. Call me sentimental, but as much as I hate this man I don't feel like harming him at least not yet, do you underst