All Chapters of A Single Night, A Lasting Claim: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Flora’s POV"How long have you been working on this already?" Jennet asked, her voice tinged with concern. "You're stressing yourself out."I sighed, pushing the laptop away. "I don't know. I’m losing track of time. I just… I can’t find anything about Klaus.""Why not take a break? Do something different, maybe?" she suggested.Jennet leaned forward with a smirk. "Or better yet, why don’t you interview Alaric instead?"My body stiffened at the mere thought. "No," I said immediately, shaking my head. "That’s not an option."She raised a brow at me but didn’t say anything further, which I was grateful for. Instead, she suddenly moved closer and sat down beside me."You know, I have an idea. You should join me on my next trip to Howling Den."I raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding. "Howling Den? Why?" I asked, trying to sound neutral.She looked at me earnestly. "Maybe it will help clear your mind, and in exchange, I’ll give you some valuable information. I’ll help you find Klaus."

Flora’s POV“N-No! I’m not pregnant!”My thoughts were spiraling, trying to come to terms with something that seemed utterly impossible. Pregnant? No. It couldn’t be true!Yet, doubt gnawed at me. The possibility lingered, refusing to let go.I didn't respond to Marcus’s bombard questions, too overwhelmed by the storm of thoughts clouding my mind. I turned on my heel and walked away, the frustration radiating off him."Flora, get back here!" he shouted after me, but I didn’t turn back.Instead of going home right away, I found myself stopping at the pharmacy. My heart was pounding in my chest, my hands clammy with nerves. Each step felt heavier as I approached the counter.The cashier raised an eyebrow at the multiple pregnancy tests I placed before her. “That’s a lot. Are you sure you need all of these?”"Just ring them up," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.The walk home was endless. My mind raced with a thousand scenarios, each more terrifying than the last. If I were pr

Flora’s POV"No."I jerked my hand out of his grasp, "Even if you’re the Alpha of a pack, it doesn’t change a thing!"There was no mistaking the finality in my voice. I made sure he understood—no matter how much power he held, I was not someone to be controlled. Not by him. Not by anyone!But Alaric wasn’t the type to back down. His expression hardened, his eyes darkening like a storm rolling in. Suddenly, his presence seemed to expand, filling the room with a weight so heavy it was almost suffocating.Before I could even gather myself, he reached out, his fingers curling around my wrist with a force that made my breath hitch. He yanked me toward him, pulling me closer until I was almost chest-to-chest with him. My pulse raced, my heart pounding against my ribs in a wild rhythm. The scent of him—an intoxicating mix of mint and musk—invaded my senses.It had been shocking when he called me earlier. But now? Now, he was standing here, in my home, uninvited and unannounced. And for what?

Flora’s POV"Everything is going to be alright, okay? Just breathe, Flora."I held my breath as Jennet spoke. Even in times like this—when everything felt like it was falling apart—at least I had her. A friend who stayed, a friend who reassured me even when the situation seemed hopeless. We grabbed a taxi, heading towards Eleanor’s residence. I clutched my hands tightly on my lap, feeling my fingers tremble slightly. Fear coiled tightly around me, a suffocating weight I couldn’t shake.The taxi came to a stop in front of a modest yet elegant house. Jennet, without hesitation, stepped out and rang the doorbell. I remained frozen, my palms growing clammy as my mind raced with thoughts of what might happen.A few moments passed before the door finally opened. A woman, likely one of the household servants, stepped out. Her eyes scanned us cautiously."Who are you?" she asked, her tone polite but guarded.Jennet cleared her throat. "We're here to see Healer Eleanor. Is she available?"The

Flora’s POV"You’re the only one who will recognize your fated mate."I wanted to ask Eleanor so many things, to demand answers that would explain the weight of what she had just revealed, but before I could even part my lips, she had already gathered her things and left."I’ll see you soon," she said, her voice eerily calm.I was too stunned to move until I felt a firm grip on my wrist. It was Jennet."Flora, let’s go. That’s enough," she urged, her voice laced with concern. "We will find a way."I swallowed hard and gave her a weak nod. Returning to my office, I forced myself into the routine of the day, hoping that the distraction would ease my nerves. But the moment I stepped inside, my entire body stiffened.There, sitting at my desk as if he owned the place, was someone I never expected to see again.Alaric Blackwood."What are you doing here?!" I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.He sat in my chair, exuding an air of dominance as he lazily glanced up, completely unaff