Evelyn.The moment the doctor’s words sank in, it felt like time fractured. Alpha Gaius’s reaction was immediate and powerful—a burst of joy so raw and unfiltered that it filled every corner of the room. His laughter, rich and deep, echoed in my ears as he pulled me into a hug, his strength wrapping around me like an unshakable fortress.“We’re having a pup,” he said, the words more to himself than to me. His voice trembled slightly, betraying just how much this meant to him.I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.Instead, I nodded, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. Inside, a storm raged. This wasn’t joy; this was terror. A new life was growing within me, utterly defenseless and entirely dependent on me. And I wasn’t sure I could protect them—not from the world, and certainly not from myself.When Alpha Gaius finally released me, his hands stayed on my shoulders, his golden eyes searching mine. “Evelyn, this is incredible,” he said, his voice brimming with wonder. “You’re giving
Evelyn. The sun spilled through the tall windows, gilding the corners of the room in soft gold as I paced the length of it. My restless steps mirrored the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. Alpha Gaius was out again, attending to the unending needs of the pack, and I was left to wrestle with the weight of my new reality.I pressed my palm against my stomach, a subconscious gesture. The life growing within me was a fragile miracle, a tiny thread that tethered me to the future, yet it filled me with fear. Could I truly protect it? Could I protect myself?The memories of my recent shifts haunted me. The raw power, the uncontrollable rage—it all felt foreign, as though I had become a stranger within my own body. Alpha Gaius had promised to help me understand it, to be there for me, but deep down, I couldn't shake the gnawing guilt. How long would I lean on him? On everyone?My gaze shifted to the clock. There was little time left before my arranged meeting. I grabbed my shawl, wrapping it
Evelyn. The sun spilled through the tall windows, gilding the corners of the room in soft gold as I paced the length of it. My restless steps mirrored the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. Alpha Gaius was out again, attending to the unending needs of the pack, and I was left to wrestle with the weight of my new reality.I pressed my palm against my stomach, a subconscious gesture. The life growing within me was a fragile miracle, a tiny thread that tethered me to the future, yet it filled me with fear. Could I truly protect it? Could I protect myself?The memories of my recent shifts haunted me. The raw power, the uncontrollable rage—it all felt foreign, as though I had become a stranger within my own body. Alpha Gaius had promised to help me understand it, to be there for me, but deep down, I couldn't shake the gnawing guilt. How long would I lean on him? On everyone?My gaze shifted to the clock. There was little time left before my arranged meeting. I grabbed my shawl, wrapping it
Evelyn. The study was quieter than usual, but the tension in the air was deafening. I sat at my desk, staring at the ledger in front of me. It was a detailed breakdown of the fine imposed by the council, and it was damning. Every column of numbers chipped away at my patience, but the real damage was in the final total.Paying this fine would cripple us. I leaned back in my chair, dragging a hand down my face. I wasn’t just furious; I was helpless. The council's judgment hadn’t been about fairness—it was a calculated move by Alpha Cyrus, and I could almost hear his smug laughter echoing in my mind. This wasn’t just a fine; it was a weapon aimed at my pack.“Gaius?” Evelyn’s soft voice broke through my thoughts.I glanced up. She stood near the doorway, hesitant but determined. She was good at that—reading the room, knowing when I needed space and when I needed her. Right now, I wasn’t sure what I needed.“Come in,” I said, my voice rougher than I intended.She stepped forward cautious
Gaius POVThe council’s decree echoed in my mind like a judge’s gavel slamming down on my pack’s fate. A fine of that magnitude wasn’t just crippling—it was calculated, designed to grind us into the ground. Every resource we diverted to pay it would leave our borders weakened, our people vulnerable. Vulnerable to whom? That answer was easy.Cyrus.The morning air bit at my skin as I mounted my motorcycle, Beta Zack and Gamma Dan on either side, their own engines roaring to life. The packhouse shrank in the distance, but my resolve grew stronger with every mile. I hadn’t told Evelyn where I was going. Not because I doubted her strength but because I refused to add to the weight she was already carrying. I could still see the way her hands trembled when she thought I wasn’t looking. How she absentmindedly touched her stomach as though to shield our unborn child from the storm brewing around us.This wasn’t just about protecting my pack anymore. It was about securing a future for my fam
Evelyn.The moon hung heavy in the sky, casting pale silver light through the cracks in the curtains. The night felt thick with silence, but that wasn't enough to soothe the restless rhythm in my chest. I rolled over, careful not to disturb Alpha Gaius, whose steady breathing told me he was lost in the world of dreams. His arm was draped across my waist, and for a moment, I let myself melt into the warmth of his presence.But then the truth hit me again, like a stone sinking in my stomach. I was carrying our child. The fear of it—the constant weight of uncertainty—gnawed at me, reminding me that every step I took, every decision I made, was now bound to the life I carried inside.I reached for the side of the bed, my feet touching the cool floor. The urge to train was stronger than the urge to sleep. My body—this body that once felt like an ally—now felt like it was betraying me. I needed to feel control. I needed to move, to prove to myself that I was still me.Slowly, I slipped out
Evelyn.The early mornings were my sanctuary now. The soft light of dawn creeping through the trees, casting a gentle glow across the land. I would stand at the window, my hand resting on the swell of my growing belly, watching the world slowly wake up around me. The pack was quiet in the morning hours, the noise of the previous day giving way to a peaceful stillness. It was in these moments, before the day truly began, that I could gather my thoughts, center myself, and feel grounded in this new life I was building with Alpha Gaius.He had always been an early riser, though his morning routine was much different from mine. While I spent time quietly reflecting, he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. As Alpha, there were always responsibilities waiting for him, issues to manage, conflicts to resolve. But lately, I noticed something different about him—anxiety hidden behind his normally calm demeanor. He worried about me. About the baby. He told me I should take it easy, that
EvelynThe days after Ben’s disappearance were endless, dragging on as though time itself had decided to slow down, to hold me in place while my mind raced. The first few hours had been filled with frantic searching, calling his name over and over, hoping for some sign, any sign, that he hadn’t just vanished into thin air. But no matter how many times I combed the pack's grounds or searched the woods, there was nothing. No tracks, no sign of struggle, no clues. Just silence.But the silence wasn’t empty—it was filled with the sound of the whispers."Maybe he wanted to leave," one of the workers had murmured to another. "He never seemed happy at the orphanage. Maybe she was too hard on him."I froze when I heard that. Too hard on him? Was that really what they were saying? The accusations stung, even though they were barely audible. I wasn’t blind to the fact that life in the orphanage wasn’t always easy, but I was doing my best. I was giving them everything I had. And yet, these peopl
EvelynThe pain came in waves, sharp and relentless. My breathing was shallow as I clung to Gaius’s hand, his steady presence the only thing keeping me grounded. I had prepared for this moment—or at least I thought I had. But nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming pressure, the way my body felt like it was tearing apart.“Breathe, Evelyn,” Gaius said softly, his voice calm but firm. “You’ve got this.”I nodded, though the words felt distant. Another contraction hit, and I cried out, my wolf stirring restlessly inside me.Grace entered the room, followed by the midwife, a kind but no-nonsense woman named Marion. She took one look at me and started giving instructions, her voice steady and reassuring.“You’re doing great, Evelyn,” Marion said, kneeling by the bed. “But the baby isn’t in the right position yet. It might take some time.”I groaned, my grip on Gaius’s hand tightening. “I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face.“Yes, you can,” G
EvelynThe ride back to the pack was quiet. Gaius sat beside me, his hand resting on my knee, a comforting weight in the stillness. I leaned my head against the window, watching the trees blur past. My mind wandered, replaying the confrontation with Roman.His words didn’t haunt me the way I thought they might. Instead, I felt a strange calm, like I’d closed the door on a part of my life that had long held me captive. I wasn’t afraid of him anymore. He couldn’t hurt me now.Gaius’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “You’ve been quiet,” he said softly, glancing at me.I turned to him, offering a small smile. “Just thinking.”“About Roman?” he asked, his tone careful.I nodded. “He’s bitter. Angry. But he’s nothing now. Just a shadow of what he used to be.”Gaius squeezed my knee gently. “You’re stronger than him, Evelyn. You always were.”His words warmed me, and I placed my hand over his. “Thank you,” I said softly.The pack house came into view, its familiar structure a welcome si
EvelynI stood barefoot on the sand, the turquoise waves lapping at the shore. Gaius walked up behind me, his arms circling my waist as he pulled me against his chest. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, his voice low and comforting.I smiled, leaning into him. “I was just trying to remember the last time I felt this peaceful.”He kissed the top of my head. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”“It feels like a lifetime ago,” I admitted.Our honeymoon had been nothing short of magical. After everything we had been through—the battles, the loss, the constant chase of Cyrus’s shadow—this felt like a dream. We had traveled to a secluded island, a place untouched by war or worry, where the only sounds were the waves and the laughter of the locals.For the past few days, we had let ourselves forget about the rest of the world. We’d explored hidden waterfalls, hiked through lush jungles, and shared quiet meals by candlelight. It felt like we were rediscovering each other, peeling back th
EvelynThe days after the healer’s news were filled with quiet worry. At first, I thought I was just exhausted from everything we’d been through—the battles, the losses, the rebuilding. But my body felt heavier with each passing day, and the symptoms only grew worse.Gaius barely left my side, his eyes constantly flicking to me with a worry he tried to hide. But I could feel it in his touch, in the way his hand would linger on mine, or how he’d wrap an arm around me as if afraid I might disappear.“You need to rest,” he told me for the hundredth time as I sat on the couch one afternoon, my head resting against his shoulder.“I am resting,” I said, though the ache in my body made it clear that rest alone wasn’t enough.“We’re seeing the healer again,” he said firmly. “Something isn’t right.”I didn’t argue. I didn’t have the energy to.The healer, an older man with kind eyes and steady hands, greeted us warmly when we arrived. But as he examined me, his expression grew serious. He did
EvelynThe land was quiet, the chaos of the fight replaced by an eerie stillness. It was over. Cyrus was gone, and his reign of terror had ended.But as I walked through the remains of the battlefield, the weight of everything we’d lost pressed heavily on my chest. Those that died were being gathered, their bodies lined carefully, as survivors worked tirelessly to restore some semblance of order. I spotted Gaius in the distance, directing soldiers and healers with the same calm authority that had always been his strength. Even from here, I could see the exhaustion etched into his features, but he didn’t falter. He turned as I approached, his eyes softening when they met mine. “Evelyn,” he said, stepping closer. His hand rested gently on my arm, his touch grounding me. “You shouldn’t be out here. You need to rest.”“I’m fine,” I said, though the truth was far from it. My body ached in ways I didn’t fully understand, and every step felt heavier than the last. But I couldn’t sit idl
GaiusThe battlefield was eerily quiet. Smoke curled in thin tendrils from scattered fires, and the once deafening sounds of battle had faded into an uneasy silence. Around us, Cyrus’s forces lay defeated, either dead or having fled into the shadows. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, it seemed like we might actually win.But Cyrus wasn’t done.He stood alone in the clearing, his once-pristine black coat torn and bloodstained, but his stance was still defiant. His smirk, cruel and venomous, clung stubbornly to his face as though he knew something we didn’t.I tightened my grip on my blade, my wolf pacing restlessly inside me. “It’s over, Cyrus,” I said, stepping forward. “Your army is gone. Surrender now, and maybe we’ll let you live.”His laugh echoed across the field, cold and sharp. “You think I’m afraid of dying, Gaius?” he spat. “You think this is the end for me?”“It is,” I said firmly, my voice calm but unyielding. “You’ve lost everything.”Cyrus took a step forw
GaiusAs I carried Evelyn’s unconscious form through the dense forest. My arms tightened around her as I pushed forward, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and urgency. She felt so fragile in my hold, and the thought of her being hurt clawed at me.Behind me, Raven led the way, limping but determined. Despite her battered appearance, her eyes burned with a fierceness I hadn’t seen in years. She had gathered guards and allies in a makeshift camp deep in the woods—a safe zone where we could regroup and plan our next move against Cyrus.The soft murmurs of voices and the faint glow of campfires appeared ahead. Relief flooded through me. At least we’d reached some measure of safety for the moment.The guards at the perimeter stiffened as we approached, their weapons raised until they recognized us. “Alpha Gaius!” one of them called out, rushing forward.“Clear a path,” I ordered, my voice tight. “She needs care.”They stepped aside without question, their faces etched with concern a
CyrusThe chamber reeked of sweat and blood. My throne, carved from blackened stone, felt harder beneath me as I stared at the rogue kneeling before me. His head was bowed, his body trembling.“How many this time?” I asked, my voice low and steady.The rogue flinched, his fear bleeding into the silence. “Three squads, my Lord,” he stammered. “They... they deserted last night.”I sat back, my fingers curling around the armrests of the throne.“Three squads,” I repeated slowly, “And what did they take with them?”“S-supplies, my Lord,” he whispered, barely able to meet my eyes. “Weapons, food... they stole what they could carry.”My wolf stirred, snarling at the edges of my mind. Traitors. After everything I had done—everything I had sacrificed—this was how they repaid me?“You’re telling me,” I said, rising from my seat, “that a third of my army has turned tail and fled? That they think they can run from me?”The rogue didn’t answer. He didn’t dare.“Look at me,” I commanded, my voic
Evelyn My chest burned with each breath, my muscles aching from the effort of keeping Gaius moving. He leaned heavily on me, his strength waning, but his stubbornness kept him upright.“He’s getting closer,” I said breathlessly, glancing over my shoulder.The warrior loomed in the distance, his enormous frame tearing through trees and underbrush with ease. His glowing green eyes locked on us.Gaius gritted his teeth. “We just need to make it a little farther.”“No, we don’t,” I said, coming to a sudden stop.Gaius staggered as I pulled him to a halt. He turned to me, his face pale and bloodied. “What are you doing?”I straightened, letting go of his arm. “We can’t keep running. You can’t keep running.”“Evelyn, don’t,” he said, shaking his head. “We have to keep moving.”“No,” I said firmly. “We won’t make it. He’ll catch us, and when he does...” My voice trailed off, the words catching in my throat.Gaius’s eyes softened, but only for a moment. Then his jaw set, and he stepped in fr