18

Finn

Months passed by quickly. I buried myself in pack work, desperately trying to keep my thoughts from wandering to her.

Today had been particularly exhausting. After working through the night, I was reviewing documents when my Beta approached my desk.

“Alpha,” he said quietly.

“Do you need something?” I looked up from the stack of papers.

“I need to step out for a moment,” he replied. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Make it fast. We still have a lot to get through.”

“Yes, sir.” After he left, I returned to my work, the mountain of paperwork seeming endless.

‘Time to bring in the third in command,’ I thought to myself, rubbing my temples.

I was still working when Daniel burst into my office. I stood immediately, my wolf on high alert.

“What is wrong?” I asked with a growl.

“Alpha, there’s something you need to know.”

“Are we under attack?”

“No, not that.” Daniel hesitated. “It’s about your mate.”

My eyebrows drew together in anger. I had explicitly warned him never to mention her again.

“What did I tell you about—”

“Listen to me,” he said, dodging my attack.

“I warned you never to talk about her again.”

Before I could launch another attack, he spoke. “She is with a child.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Everything,” he said firmly. “Because you’re the father.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. My body went rigid. “What did you just say?”

“You heard right, Alpha. You were with her that day, right? All through the night?”

“What has that got to do with me being a father?”

“She got pregnant.”

“No. That child isn’t my child,” I said. “It was a mistake. That night with her was a mistake.”

“You mean your child is a product of your mistake, Alpha?”

“That isn’t my child, but Dickson’s child,” I snapped, trembling with anger. “It can’t be possible.”

“Well, it is,” he scoffed. “That baby belongs to you. The rumors among his people were that Scarlett’s father sold her with a bastard child growing in her belly. That baby doesn’t belong to Dickson. It belongs to you.”

What have I done?

My legs gave out, and I sank to the floor. Storm, my wolf, howled in anguish. ‘We failed to protect her.’

“I’m so sorry, Alpha.”

I immediately stood up. “They must have tormented her.” I grabbed Daniel’s hand. “We both know what Alphas are like.”

“Yes. Dickson would never treat her properly, knowing she carried another Alpha’s child.” He met my gaze. “That child could have become his slave, given that Luna was sold to him.”

A dangerous growl rumbled in my chest. “Never. I would never let that happen.” I straightened up. “Gather everyone. We’re bringing her back.”

“It’s too late,” he muttered.

“It’s never too late. I should have listened to you then. I let anger and revenge blind me, but now everything’s different. I’m taking back what’s mine.”

“I’m so sorry, Alpha.”

“Stop apologizing, Daniel. It is my fault. I am ready to ask for forgiveness.”

“Alpha... there’s more.” Daniel’s voice cracked. “The child... it’s gone.”

My body began to shake. “Gone where? Tell me!”

“The baby didn’t survive.”

My body trembled. I didn’t want to believe it. “Where has he gone? Tell me?”

“He is dead.” The news struck me like a death sentence. I felt as if the world had collapsed around me, leaving only a hollow emptiness in its wake. Anguish and regret surged through my veins, each heartbeat a painful reminder of my failure. My chest tightened with grief, and I struggled to breathe as the weight of my actions finally became unbearable.

“Who?” My voice trembled. “What am I saying? I killed the baby.” I let out an agonized howl. “I’m the one responsible. I’m the killer.”

“It is never your fault, Alpha.” He tried to console me, but I wasn’t a fool. I knew I was the killer. I should have done something when I heard she was getting married to that tyrant.

“Where is she?”

“I heard that the Luna killed the killer,” he responded. “And it was Alpha Dickson’s favorite mistress. He got angry because she killed his mistress because of a bastard child—”

“He is not a bastard. He is my child. My child with Scarlett.”

“She was punished,” he added. “Tortured to the point of death until she finally escaped.”

I froze, imagining the pain she endured.

“Alpha Dickson is hunting for her as we speak.”

“She is not his to hunt,” I snarled. “She’s mine.”

“Where are you going, Alpha?” Daniel called as I strode toward the door.

I didn’t look back. “To find her.”