Claudia

My lungs burned as I stumbled through the dense underbrush, the wild throb of my heartbeat pounding in my ears along with the sound of my feet over the uneven ground of the dark woods. Moonlight filtered in thin shafts through the canopy above as I desperately tried to make my way back home. Each step was a struggle, my body wracked with agonizing pain with every stride.

A shadow flickered at the corner of my vision. There was someone else here, in the center of New Moon Pack's territory. A soft crush of dead leaves, the snap of a twig underfoot had my head spinning to see who was behind me. Yet each time I searched, they disappeared before I could catch a glance of who it was.

The branches and trees seemed to reach out to grab me with their spindle-like fingers, slowing me down as if trying to stop me from making my way home. From getting away from whoever hunted me. I didn’t know who it was, but this was my pack, my home. Whoever was following me wasn’t from here—someone had breached the borders.

Annoyed at myself, I had been helping Gaia with the kids at the orphanage and ended up staying much later than I had planned. As soon as I left, I felt it—the pain. As I rushed home, I was halfway there before I realized they were behind me. My breath came in ragged gasps, each one tearing a little more at my strength. But I couldn't—wouldn’t—allow myself to falter. I could feel their presence gaining on me like a chill skating up my spine.

I clutched my stomach, feeling another spasm, and when I looked down, crimson drops fell to the floor, staining the fallen leaves beneath my feet. Tears blurred my vision as I clutched my belly, the agony so intense I thought I might black out. This couldn’t be happening. Not now.

My legs pumped harder, my strides lengthening despite the weariness that begged for me to stop. The corners of my vision began to darken as I forced myself to take another step.

“CLAUDIA!” a distant voice seemed to call to me, but I could barely hear it over the ringing in my ears. I had no idea if the voice was real or imagined. No one was out here; the warriors that patrolled the borders were too far away to hear my cries. I needed to catch my breath. Leaning against the nearest tree, I sank into the rough bark as it dug into my back through the thin layers of clothing I wore. I knew I should have taken a jumper.

I heard another crunch of the leaves as I remembered there was someone coming… Braden. Did he find me already?

My shoulders sagged in relief as I leaned into the tree, allowing it to fully support my weight. From here, I could just make out the glow of the amber porch lights to my home, guiding me back through the darkness. Through the trees, I could see the top of the roof peeking through. I was so close. Just a few more steps, I could do this.

Braden. I need Braden. Where was he? He would look after me.

Despite the agony, the frigid night air chilled my skin as I willed myself to push off of the evergreen. Immediately, I stumbled forward, a sharp pain tearing through my body. I gasped, doubling over as my legs gave out, my body hurtling towards the floor.

I could do nothing to protect myself from the impact as my hands shielded my pregnant belly. The pain was jarring as I hit the ground, and I heard a distinct crack, knowing I had broken something. My eyes burned as more tears streamed down my face. A whimper escaped me. But all I could think about was keeping my baby safe.

Through the haze of the grueling ache, I heard someone calling my name. It sounded so far away, like a distant dream. Hands gently checked me over. I shuddered, feeling as if someone had shocked me. I winced as they lightly prodded at my injuries. “You’re going to be okay,” a deep voice rumbled in my ear like a purr, sending a flutter down my spine.

Clinging to consciousness with all my might, I whispered, “My baby. Save my baby.” I needed to get to Braden. Braden was not only my husband but the beta of the New Moon pack. He would know what to do; he always did. I tried to force myself up to go to him, but the hands on me held me still, keeping me from moving. I smacked my lips together, holding back another scream that threatened to escape. Goddess, what had I done wrong that she would punish me like this?

A rumble sounded in the darkness, and I could just make out the strikingly handsome face hovering over me. For a moment, all of the pain and fear left my body as my vision cleared, allowing me to take in each of his features. The most intense, piercing light-colored eyes—I could hardly tell if they were blue or gray. His chiseled high cheekbones and strong jaw gave him a distinct, masculine look, even with his warm complexion and well-groomed hair. He took my breath away. I don’t think I had ever seen a man so beautiful that I lost the ability to speak before. Lines crinkled around his eyes as he smirked down at me.

The longer I gazed at the handsome stranger, the more I felt a strange tug at the back of my mind. There was something about him that instantly made me want to draw closer, to inhale his rich, intoxicating scent. Lost in his eyes, I hadn’t realized just how close I had gotten until I felt his breath tickle my skin.