Stella - POV
After several days, the memory continued to haunt me. The thought of seeing my deceased husband in the grocery store kept me awake at night. I hadn't mentioned the incident to either of my parents, choosing to wrestle with the shock privately. My health began to deteriorate, pushing me to see my doctor again. As I got into the car, I reassured my father that I could go independently, and he relented, having chauffeured me for so long.
"Good morning, doctor," I greeted him.
"Morning," he replied, his gaze focused on some reports. His brow furrowed with concern. "Ms. Stella, it's fortunate you're here. I have some news for you." I straightened up, awaiting his revelation. "You are three weeks pregnant."
I blinked, trying to process this unexpected news. "What? Why wasn't I informed about my pregnancy when I had the accident? Is my baby alright?" I quizzed him.
"Your baby is fine. Your father instructed me not to disclose the pregnancy to you," Dr. Marshal began, his tone heavy. "He offered me money to keep silent and provided an abortion pill."
My heart raced as disbelief flooded my senses. "That can't be true. Why would my father do something so drastic?" I asked, a mix of confusion and fear clouding my thoughts.
"I shared the truth because a man approached me, offering money to reveal everything. If I refused, he threatened to kill me," Doctor Marshal explained, his eyes wide with fear.
"Who was this man you're talking about?" I asked, my gaze narrowing with suspicion.
"I'm not at liberty to reveal his identity," Doctor Marshal replied hesitantly.
"If you don't tell me, I'll report you for accepting a bribe and endangering my and my child's lives," I warned him. Seeing the steely determination in my eyes, Doctor Marshal realized the gravity of his confession.
"He stood about 5'11" tall, had fair skin, green eyes, and black hair," the doctor divulged. The description instantly reminded me of Kellan. Quickly, I pulled out my phone and showed him a photo of Kellan. Doctor Marshal's eyes widened in recognition. "Yes, that's him," he admitted.
Shock coursed through me. It was indeed Kellan I had seen at the grocery store; he was alive.
"Are you certain?" I pressed, a tremor in my voice. "I need to see proof."
"I am. He was the one who brought you here," Doctor Marshal affirmed, proceeding to show me the CCTV footage. I watched, breathless, as my supposedly deceased husband carried me into the hospital. It was undeniably Kellan, the man I'd witnessed running behind my car in a lycan form. Swallowing hard, I tried to process everything while Doctor Marshal assisted me into a seat, my legs no longer able to support me.
"Did he leave any message or address for me? Can you tell me anything about his whereabouts?" I queried, desperate to comprehend the situation.
"No, he left nothing. But he insisted I administer the proper medicine and ensure the baby survives. He made it clear that if I failed, it would be the end of me. He was armed, and I believe he may be involved with the mafia or some similar organization," Doctor Marshal shared, his voice barely above a whisper. "Now, let me check on you and your child's health, Ms. Stella," he continued, attempting to shift the focus to my well-being, yet my mind remained firmly tethered to the revelations about Kellan.
"No, stay away from me! I can't trust you or this hospital any longer," I exclaimed, distancing myself from Doctor Marshal. As I hastily exited his office, I clutched the pregnancy test report he'd initially concealed. Re-reading it, my emotions surged. Tears blurred my vision as I tried to connect the dots. Was Kellan's 'accident' a cover-up? Was it to shield the fact he was a lycan and not human? Was I truly carrying the child of a Lycan? And what compelled my father to conspire against my unborn child?
Overwhelmed, I sank into my car, running my fingers through my hair while tears streamed down my face. I felt trapped in an unfathomable whirlwind of confusion and betrayal. Taking several deep breaths, I resolved to confront the root of my turmoil. "I need answers, and I'll start with my parents. How could they betray me like this?" I thought, igniting the car's engine and heading home.
Upon arrival, I stormed inside. "Dad! Mom!" I shouted, my voice thick with emotion. Emerging from their room, they stared at me, clearly taken aback by my demeanor.
"You knew! You knew I was pregnant with Kellan's child and conspired to end the pregnancy without my knowledge!" I accused, anger evident in my tone. "I want the truth and won't tolerate any more lies."
"No, Stella, I would never do that," Dad protested. But they couldn't deny the evidence when I played the video clip showing him bribing Doctor Marshal, followed by the incriminating audio. Despite the revelations, neither of my parents appeared remorseful; they sighed in resignation.
"The footage is accurate," Dad admitted. "I did try to end the pregnancy because it posed a risk to your health." His words left me reeling. Did he know about Kellan's true nature? That I might be carrying a child with mystical origins?
"What on earth are you talking about?" I asked, trying to piece together the fragmented information.
"She deserves to know everything," Mom said to Dad, her tone decisive. "We can't keep this from her any longer."
Taking a deep breath, Dad began, "Stella, you're not our biological daughter. We adopted you from a human shelter." The ground beneath me seemed to shift as this new revelation piled on top of an already overwhelming day.
Stella – POV"Take a seat, my dear," Mom said, guiding me to a chair. My eyes were fixed on Dad."We took you in when your parents passed away, Stella. We couldn't have children, so we ensured you grew up surrounded by love. We love you as if you were our own," Dad said."Why didn't you tell me the truth about my parents? I need to know," I said, wiping tears."I was scared that if we told you the truth, you might never come to see us again," Mom replied. "Your parents were our neighbors and close friends; your mother was Lily. She was a sweet woman, a housewife. Your dad, Finn, worked as a police officer. They went to visit your grandma and left you with us. On their way back, they were in a car accident and didn't make it." I felt my heart clench with sorrow at her words. The truth weighed heavily in the air, and more tears streamed down my face. Taking a deep breath, I met the gaze of my adoptive parents."Why did you decide to kill my unborn?" I asked. "You both had no right.""We
Stella–POVThe man stood abruptly, locking eyes with me. "You must be Stella Keller," he drawled, his voice dripping with malice.I nodded hesitantly, taken aback by his sudden recognition. His smirk sent shivers down my spine, and a wave of fear washed over me as he closed the gap between us. "Many would like to see you dead, Stella. You carry a child that threatens our kind significantly," he said ominously.Panicking, I shot back, "Who are you? And how did you get into my room?" I scanned the room for an escape route. Before I could reach the doorknob, his hand whipped out, pinning me against the wall. I struggled, desperately trying to free myself."You should've died just like we killed your husband, Kellan. That Lycan bastard was nothing but trouble," he hissed. "We wolves have established dominance. But with you pregnant, things have become more... complicated." His sinister grin widened as his fangs elongated, nearing my vulnerable neck. Fear gripped me.Suddenly, a window sha
Stella – POV"Kellan had been forced to leave the Pack after failing to find a mate, tragically resulting in him losing his Lycan wolf. "When Lycans lose their wolf, they can't stay with the Pack. So Kellan sought refuge among humans," Damon explained, his voice heavy with regret."But why is my friend Julie here? She's a human," I asked, a trace of confusion clear in my tone."Julie is different. She's mated with my Beta, Dexter," Damon replied, his gaze unwavering. "Since she's bonded with a Lycan, the rules allow her to stay."I processed this information, my brow furrowing in thought. "So, since Kellan and I married, does that mean I wasn't his true mate? That he never found his Lycan wolf?"Damon's gaze deepened. "No, he never found his Lycan wolf. Based on that, I would presume you weren't his destined mate."The weight of his words hung between us for a moment before another question nagged at me. "How did you know about my pregnancy? And that you'd even ask the doctor to tell
Stella - POVAs I sat opposite Damon during dinner, memories of dining with Kellan consumed me. I constantly reminded myself that it was Damon in front of me, not Kellan. It became increasingly difficult to look at Damon; his face was a painful reminder of the past. I kept my eyes focused on my plate to avoid the emotion it stirred in me.Damon broke the silence. "You seem to be adjusting well to this place."With a deep breath, I responded, "I don't have a choice, do I?" He sighed at my words. Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I hesitantly broached another topic, ensuring my eyes were diverted from his face. "Who are our enemies? Do you have any idea?"As I sipped water, trying to avoid making eye contact, Damon replied, "From what I've gathered, our primary enemy is Alpha Kayden of the wolves. They despise Lycans because they see us as a threat. We're more powerful than them, leading to countless needless wars between our kinds. Fortunately, a truce was reached when my father b
Stella - POVI mustered my courage and walked forward, only to find no one there. It was just my imagination. I sighed in relief and continued on to get some rest.I woke up the following day and had breakfast with June and Damon, who seemed quite friendly with each other. I noticed that Damon has a habit of cutting off the crusts of his bread, just like Kellan does."Stella, do you want to join us?" June asked. I blinked, having missed what she said."I'm sorry, join you where?" I asked."To the orphanage, the home for orphan lycan children," Damon explained."I would love to," I added."Cool, so it's settled. Get ready quickly," June said excitedly. She helped me get dressed for the orphanage trip. June explained that it was no ordinary event; many paparazzi would be there to take pictures, then spread across the Mystical Realm. I was surprised to hear this and dressed in an elegant gown.June was certainly a talkative one. She informed me that the event was happening because she an
Stella - POV"Are you bold enough to come here and claim the mate of my deceased brother?" Damon hissed."Damon, I am speaking to you calmly," Kayden said, his patience evident, though it was a struggle for him. Why do I feel such a strong pull toward Kayden? Is this what a mate bond feels like? Will I have to stay with a wolf now? Aren't they enemies?"What are you doing?" Damon asked as I tried to break free from his grip."I need to speak with Kayden," I said. Kayden looked pleased at my remark, but I had to say something because I sensed danger if I didn't."You feel the mate bond, Stella," Kayden said softly."I feel warmth, just like I did back in the grocery store," I added, but Damon blocked my view as his emerald gaze met mine."This mate bond between you and Kayden is fake. I can sense it," Damon whispered to me, so only I could hear his worry."How can you be so sure? Isn't it possible that I can get a mate bond with a wolf?" I asked. Damon fell silent, indicating that it m
Stella–POVThe trip could have been more comfortable. It was Damon that made me feel out of my character and feel my heart flutter around him. Thank god June said nothing, seeing Damon and me standing close. Still, she asked me to be extra careful around Alpha Kayden. I looked out of the moving car as Damon drove out of the pack territory; the guards bowing their heads in respect to Damon as the car moved from the Pack to the human route."Well, is June some kind of princess?" I asked. Damon looked at me, confused. "I mean, is she also an Alpha, or does she come from a royal background?" I elaborated."Well, Lycans only have one Alpha. To put it simply for you: June was selected to become the Omega of the Pack, but then I realized she is my mate," Damon explained."Typical wolf story," I sighed. Damon raised his eyebrows at my remark, and I felt embarrassed to have voiced my thoughts out loud."So, June is eighteen, and you are thirty years old?" I asked."No, June is twenty years old
Stella–POV"To your disappointment, I didn't kill your husband, Kellan," Kayden said, meeting my gaze. I wasn't sure whether to trust his words or take his confession at face value. "I see you don't trust me.""It's not that, Kayden, I mean—" I stuttered."You can be honest with me, Stella. I don't mind. If I were in your shoes, having lost someone I love and sitting across from a suspect who could be a killer, and given that I am a wolf, an enemy to Lycan after all, I wouldn't trust my enemy either," Kayden spoke as if he could read my mind."I guess you know why I'm here then," I said."I do. The moment you walked in, I knew," Kayden replied."How can you be so good at reading people?" I asked, suspicion tinting my voice. "Maybe someone told you what my intentions are." I considered the possibility of a spy in the Lycan pack sharing details with Kayden. Kayden just smirked at my remark."What will make you believe I have no spy in the Lycan pack? Besides, I can somewhat read thought
Kayden – POVI located Macoy's whereabouts. "You're willing to kill your blood brother over a human mate carrying a Lycan child," my mother hissed, her anger evident. I had concealed things from her, and I understood her deep-seated hatred for Lycans stemming from the war that claimed half her family."Mom, I made a promise to everyone," I explained, heading towards the door. To my surprise, it remained shut, and I turned to face my mother's furious and pained expression, preventing me from stepping outside the office."Why don't you reject her and marry Kate? She genuinely cares for you, son," my mother suggested. I glared at her defiantly."We've discussed this enough, Mother," I snapped. "I want Stella; she's my mate, and I won't reject her and regret it later, like you did." I taunted, and she glared at me with anger."I rejected for the good of the wolf land, unlike you, who is putting our land in danger for some stupid, weak human," Mother retorted. Using magic, I unlocked the d
Stella–POVI awoke with fatigue, checking the time to find it was afternoon already. Sighing, I realized I had a doctor's appointment in an hour. Rushing through my routine, I brushed my teeth, catching a glimpse of the dark circles under my eyes in the mirror. Sleep had eluded me due to Kayden and Damon's ongoing dispute about Macoy's whereabouts. Despite their reluctance, I compelled them to collaborate for justice, turning them into an unwilling team. Under one roof, they resembled a bickering old couple, exhausting the atmosphere.Getting dressed, my eyes wandered to the drawer where I hid Damon's book. Recalling his scowl when he couldn't find his diary, I felt happiness and guilt. I yearned to read the book once I figured out how to unlock the magic in his journal. Tracing my finger over the leather-bound book, I closed the drawer as a knock echoed through my room. "Coming," I called out, and to my surprise, Damon stood in black slacks and a white formal shirt, one button down,
Stella – POV"You lied to me, Stella," Damon accused. I blinked, his face portraying emotions challenging to decipher."What do you mean?" I asked, confusion etched across my face. His expression was so inscrutable, making it hard to catch my breath. Before he could respond, Kayden pulled me to his side, and I realized I had been standing too close to Damon. Kayden's jealousy was evident, but quickly masked."We are going home, Stella," Damon declared."What? I told you I would return after checking on the wolf pack," I reminded him."Damon, you heard her. I will drop by the Lycan Pack in a few hours," Kayden interjected calmly. Yet, I sensed something was amiss, given the toughness of his composure."Do you want me to keep Stella with you when your brother killed her parents?" Damon's words left me dumbfounded, and Kayden looked at me to check if I had told Damon about this, but he turned to meet Damon's face. "Oh, so you knew Stella, didn't you?" Damon confronted me, and guilt washe
Damon – POVJune sat quietly next to me, and I felt Julie's glare before we hopped into the car. She was upset with me, and I don't blame her. I saw a hurt and betrayed look in Stella's gaze, wondering if she would come to the Lycan pack."We have to get her back to the Pack," my wolf Rider hissed at me in a possessive tone. I had to calm my wolf, as he was overly protective of Stella, though she was just a family member, not my mate."Rider, shut it," I snapped, and he growled."Seems like you're having a headache," June's sweet voice brought my attention back as we neared home."Of course, dealing with Altair, who tried to ruin things and left the party, tarnishing Alpha Damon's character," Dexter added in annoyance. A sigh escaped my lips in response."What about Stella? Wasn't she humiliated, not knowing Kellan's brother cast Kellan out of the Pack?" Julie defended Stella, making my remorse worse. I harbored many secrets, unsure if Stella would accept them given her current state.
Stella – POV"Oh, Cousin! How are you? Long time no see," Alpha Altair exclaimed, his grin broad, while Damon maintained a blank expression."Indeed, it has been a while," Damon replied calmly, extending his hand to meet Alpha Altair's."You always wear such a cold expression; haven't changed a bit," Alpha Altair observed, his smile unsettling as his golden orbs met mine. "And who might this be?" His sniffing seemed odd to me."A human, but pregnant with a Lycan child. You must be the wife of my other twin cousin, Kellan," he deduced with a smile that held no sorrow for his deceased cousin. His casual mention of Kellan hinted at a lack of respect."You should get going, Altair," Damon interjected."Not just yet, cousin. I need to meet this lovely lady. Is she your second-chance mate? Did June leave you?" Alpha Altair inquired, his smile persistent."Sorry to disappoint you, but I am still with Damon," June announced, stepping beside Damon and intertwining her hand with his, which he g
Stella – POVI stood before the mirror, admiring my handiwork. The dress clung to me perfectly, like a second skin. My pixie haircut had grown out, revealing the natural brown of my hair beneath the blonde. Glancing at the clock, I realized I was running late."Ms. Stella," a maid entered my room, "Mr. Kayden is waiting for you downstairs.""I'll be right there," I replied, grabbing my clutch and descending the staircase. Kayden and Damon, both impeccably suited, watched me approach. I could feel the intensity of their gazes, mainly Damon's. Still, I focused on Kayden, whose amber eyes sparkled with awe."You leave me speechless, Stella," Kayden remarked, extending his hand. He kissed my back as I placed mine in his, sending me a fluttering sensation. "I knew this dress would suit you, but you've made it look even more radiant, like moonlight."I blushed at his words. "You look quite handsome yourself," I said, smiling.June's voice interrupted us. "Oh, look at the new lovebirds, so u
Kayden – POVI stepped into the pack's main hall, feeling the weight of my mother's worried gaze. "Is it true that Macoy has been captured?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern."Yes, it's true, Mom," I replied, striding past her toward the mansion to reach my office.As I was about to enter, Beta Harris called out, "Alpha Kayden." I paused, turning to see Harris, my mother, and a group of pack members gathered, all wearing expressions of worry and uncertainty."What's our plan, Alpha? Our kind is being captured by humans. What should we do?" one pack member asked, his voice filled with urgency.I took a deep breath. "I'm going to free Macoy and bring him back here as a prisoner," I declared.My mother's voice quivered as she asked, "What has my Macoy done to deserve this?"Before I could respond, my father joined us, placing a supportive hand on my shoulder. "Elora, surely your son must have done something wrong for Kayden to make such a decision," he said, trying to ease her di
Stella - POVI left the room with a plan to corner Kayden and talk to him, determined to hear the truth. Everyone was asleep as I entered Kayden's room, entering without knocking. Kayden, just out of the shower, was surprised to see me. I tried not to stare at his half-naked frame, which was usually distracting, but my grief was too overwhelming for that."You look angry," Kayden observed."I am," I replied. "I'm upset with you.""Why? What did I do?" he asked, closing the distance between us."You're hiding things from me," I said, then fell silent. "Are you reading my thoughts to find a reason?" I asked, noticing his quietness and the intense focus in his eyes."No, I don’t want to invade your privacy since you don’t trust me," Kayden responded."That's right, I don’t. Because you're keeping secrets from me," I retorted."I'm not," he insisted."Fine, then. I thought I should allow this mate bond to see where it leads, but it ends here. I don't want you around me anymore," I declare
Stella – POVI clutched the bracelet tightly and settled into the Queen Suite Damon had reserved for me. Since I couldn't return to the Lycan Pack as per officer, I had to stay in the city. Damon, insisting on security, also stayed in my room. Kayden, however, refused to be elsewhere. He argued with Damon, demanding to stay with me. As my mate, Kayden, claimed equal rights to protect me. His logic silenced Damon's protests. Exhausted, I didn't intervene in their argument. The bracelet consumed my thoughts–Kellan's bracelet. Why was it at my parents' house? I tried to recall if Kellan had worn this bracelet when his body was brought from the morgue, but grief clouded my memory."Here, have some food," Damon offered, entering my room."I'm not hungry," I replied."You still need to eat for your baby," he insisted. Sighing, I agreed, realizing he was right. I ate and drank water, then took the meditation pills the Lycan doctor prescribed for my unusual pregnancy."Did you notice any wolf