CHAPTER 4

Chip from the past(Vesper's pov)

—

The ground was dusty, and the sun was bright overhead, making everything feel warm. I watched the wolves work together, practicing their moves. It was a strange feeling, seeing all of them training so seriously. It reminded me that I wasn’t just part of any pack now. This was Ryker's pack—the Alpha of this place. His pack was strong.

He was standing in the middle of the training field, punching a training dummy. His movements were smooth and fast, like a wolf hunting its prey. His muscles flexed as he hit the pads, and he looked so powerful. There was something about him that made it hard to look away. I couldn't stop staring.

I had heard about him before—how strong he was, how everyone respected him—but seeing him like this, in action, made it feel real. He wasn't just a leader; he was a fighter.

I stood there for a moment, just watching him. My heart started to beat a little faster. I could feel a strange pull toward him, not just because he was the Alpha, but because of how confident and strong he looked. I knew I needed to get stronger too, and seeing him train made me want to do the same.

After a second, I shook my head, trying to push away the thoughts. No more standing around. I had to do this. If I was going to stay here and be a part of this pack, I needed to train.

“Ryker,” I called out, my voice a little shaky, but I hoped he wouldn’t notice.

He stopped moving and looked at me. His eyes were sharp, but there was something about his gaze that made me nervous, like he was studying me. I couldn’t look away.

“Mind if I join?” I asked, feeling a bit bold, even though my hands were starting to feel clammy.

Ryker looked at me for a moment, his lips tight, then nodded. “You want to train? Alright. Follow my lead.”

I nodded quickly, trying to hide how nervous I felt. I stepped into the middle of the training area, trying to mimic the way the other wolves moved. I didn’t want to look weak in front of him.

He threw a punch at me, and I jumped back just in time. “You have to keep your balance,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “If you fall, it’s over.”

I nodded again, focusing on his words. I had to pay attention if I wanted to keep up. He threw another punch, and I ducked, moving faster this time.

“That’s better,” he said. I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn’t look up. I didn’t want to lose focus.

We kept training, me trying to follow his movements as best as I could. My arms were getting sore, and I felt a bit tired, but I couldn’t stop. I needed to prove myself. I needed to get stronger.

But then, out of nowhere, a sharp pain shot through my stomach.

I gasped, clutching my middle as the pain took my breath away. My knees buckled, and before I could stop myself, I collapsed to the ground.

Everything around me blurred, and I felt myself falling into darkness. The last thing I remembered was hearing Ryker’s voice, his tone sharp with worry.

“Vesper!” he called.

—

When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself lying on a soft bed, surrounded by dim light. The headache was pounding behind my eyes, and I could feel a faint ache in my stomach. I blinked a few times, trying to clear my vision.

Kathy was sitting beside me, her eyes wide with worry, and Ryker stood a little farther away, looking concerned but controlled. He was leaning against the wall, watching me carefully.

“Vesper, how do you feel?” Kathy asked, her voice soft.

I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness hit me, making me wince. “My head hurts,” I whispered. “And my stomach...”

Ryker stepped closer, his eyes scanning me closely. “You fainted. You need to rest.”

I looked up at him, feeling a little embarrassed. “I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to collapse like that.”

“You didn’t have control over it,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “Sometimes, it just happens. You pushed yourself too hard.”

Kathy gave me a sympathetic smile. “You should’ve told us you weren’t feeling well. But don’t worry, you’re going to be fine.”

I sighed, lying back down. My head was still throbbing, and the pain in my stomach hadn’t gone away completely. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting my body relax.

Kathy stayed beside me, gently rubbing my arm. Ryker stayed by the door, giving me space but still watching me.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Kathy asked softly, her voice filled with concern.

I nodded slowly, though I didn’t feel entirely sure. “Yeah. It’s just... a headache. I’ll be fine.”

After a moment, Ryker spoke up, his deep voice cutting through the quiet room. “I’ll give you some space now. You should rest.”

I opened my eyes to see him standing by the door, ready to leave. I didn’t want him to go, but I didn’t know what to say. It felt strange, having him so close but so far away at the same time.

“Thank you,” I said quietly, not sure if the words even made sense.

He nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me with Kathy.

Once the door clicked shut behind him, I turned to Kathy, wincing as the headache pulsed again. “Kathy… my stomach hurts so much. And I don’t know why…”

Kathy’s expression softened as she reached for my hand. “Vesper, we need to talk.”

“Talk about what?” I asked, confused.

She hesitated before answering, her voice low. “You’re carrying Jack’s baby.”

I froze, my heart stopping for a beat. “What?”

Her eyes were wide with disbelief. “You didn’t know?”

“No! I—I thought... I didn’t think it was possible...” I trailed off, still trying to make sense of her words. Jack’s baby? But I hadn’t even known for sure if I was pregnant.

Kathy nodded slowly, her gaze sympathetic. “It’s true. You must have felt it before you left, didn’t you?”

I stared at her in shock, my thoughts spinning. Could it really be true? Was I really carrying Jack’s child?

I had no idea what to feel, only that everything seemed to have changed in a heartbeat.