RALPH
My breath caught in my throat as the weight of Isabella’s words hit me. Pregnant? The idea seemed both impossible and inevitable at the same time. Keilah and I had been together, but with everything happening, the possibility of her being pregnant hadn’t crossed my mind.
“Pregnant?” I repeated, my voice a whisper of disbelief. “But how… I mean, with everything going on, I didn’t even consider…”
Isabella’s eyes softened as she saw the shock on my face. “It makes sense now,” she said gently. “The glow you saw, the fainting, the voice… it could all be connected to the pregnancy. Sometimes, Alpha baby pregnancies can trigger unexpected abilities or reactions, especially in the early stages.”
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process the new information. “But why would a voice tell her to stop Damien? And why now?”
Isabella sighed, her expression thoughtful. “That, I can’t explain yet. It could be a manifestation of her protective instincts, heightened by the pregnancy. Or it could be something more mystical, tied to the unique nature of your bond.”
I nodded, absorbing her words. “So what do we do now?”
“First, we need to ensure Keilah’s safety and health,” Isabella said firmly. “She needs to rest and be monitored closely. I’ll stay with her and keep an eye on her condition. As for you, we need to keep this information to ourselves for now. If Zac or any other threat finds out, it could put her and the baby in even more danger.”
I nodded, the gravity of the situation settling heavily on my shoulders. “Understood.”
“Thank you, Isabella,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude. “I’ll go check on the others and make sure everything is secure. Let me know if anything changes.”
As I walked away, my mind raced with thoughts of Keilah and the child inside her. The weight of my responsibilities felt even heavier now, knowing that I had more than just the pack to protect. I needed to stay vigilant, especially with the threat of Damien still looming.
Back outside, I found the injured pack members being tended to by a few others who had taken over from Isabella. They were doing their best to keep spirits high and ensure everyone was comfortable. I approached one of the older members, Mace, who was overseeing the efforts.
“How’s everyone holding up?” I asked, my voice steady.
Mace looked up, his expression grim but resolute. “We’re managing, Alpha. The injuries are serious, but thanks to Isabella’s magic, they’ll recover. We just need to stay on guard. Damien won’t give up easily.”
“I know,” I replied, my tone firm. “We need to tighten our defences and ensure everyone is prepared for his return. Have you seen any suspicious activity or anyone acting out of the ordinary?”
Mace shook his head. “Nothing yet, but we’ll keep our eyes open.
As I was about to add to Mace’s comment, a mocking voice cut through the air, dripping with disdain.
“And who do we blame here for all this? Who do we blame for putting the pack through this hell?” Zac stepped forward, his sneer etched deep into his face. “Of course, it’s you, Alpha. Why do we have to go through a war for something we didn’t do, just because you’re the Alpha?”
I turned to face him, my gaze hardening. “What are you talking about, Zac? If you have something to say, say it clearly.”
Zac’s eyes flashed with anger and frustration. “You know exactly what I mean. Ever since you took over as Alpha, we’ve faced nothing but threats and battles. Now, with Damien breathing down our necks, we’re risking our lives for a fight that shouldn’t be ours.”
“How many wars have I put you through, Zac?” I shot back, my voice rising. “Can you count them for me, please? Or should I start listing the troubles you and your men have caused us? Should I?”
Zac’s face twisted in anger as he stepped closer, cutting me off sharply. “Don’t change the topic, Ralph. We’re talking about Damien, whose witch of a wife you killed. Because you couldn’t keep your pants close, we’re facing his wrath once again, tasting another bitter consequence of your leadership.”
From my perspective, it looks like Damien returned for the human to do exactly what you did to his wife.
I stepped forward, my fists clenched at his words. “Don’t you dare bring Keilah into this,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous.
Zac’s sneer deepened. “Why not? She’s just a human, isn’t she?
Anger surged through me, hot and furious. Before I could stop myself, my hand shot out, connecting with his jaw in a sharp punch. “Don’t you ever speak of her like that again,” I growled, my voice laced with menace. “She is my mate, and I will not tolerate your disrespect.”
Zac’s face contorted with rage, and before I could react, he shifted and lunged forward. Instinctively, I shifted as well, meeting his challenge head-on. The air crackled with tension as our wolves faced off, snarling and snapping at each other.
The pack around us backed away, sensing the impending clash between us. Mace and the others watched anxiously, ready to intervene if necessary.
Zac’s wolf eyes blazed with fury as he circled me, looking for an opening. “You think you’re so righteous, Ralph,” he growled through the mindlink. “But you’re just as guilty as Damien. You took his wife from him, just like you took my alpha position. If you want to play the hero, then hand over the human to him. What do you lose, after all? She’s just a human, someone you want to get rid of anyway.”
I bared my teeth in a silent snarl, my muscles coiled with tension. “Keilah is not just a human,” I countered, my voice low and dangerous. “She is my mate, and I will protect her with my life. Whoever wants her? Will have to go through me first.”
With a primal roar, Zac launched himself at me, his claws extended to strike. I met his attack head-on, matching his strength with my own. The force of our collision sent shockwaves rippling through the clearing as we grappled with each other, locked in a fierce battle.
The pack watched in stunned silence as we clashed, neither of us willing to back down. For long moments, the outcome hung in the balance, but finally, I pinned him beneath me. His struggles weakened as the reality of defeat loomed over him.
“Listen to me, Zac,” I growled, my voice rough with exertion. “Keilah is off-limits. If you ever speak of her in such a manner again, I will not hesitate to end you. Do you understand?”
I didn’t wait for his response. With a final glare, I shifted back to human, my muscles still coiled with tension, and strode away from him, leaving him to simmer in his own bitterness.
Just as I vanished into the house, his voice slithered into my mind like a viper’s hiss, a dark promise lingering in his words: “Just wait and see what’s coming for you.”
I clenched my jaw, refusing to let his threats unsettle me. Whatever he had planned, I would face it head-on, just as I had faced every challenge before. But for now, I had more pressing matters to attend to.
As I stepped into my office, ready to make the urgent call to the council for my absence, I moved to close the door behind me. But before I could shut it completely, a hand pushed against it from the outside, halting its progress.
I turned, ready to rebuke whoever was intruding, but my words died on my lips as the door swung open to reveal Benita standing there, completely naked-a common sight among werewolves. I gave her a quick glance before moving toward my desk, reaching for my phone.
“What business do you have in my office… in that state?” I asked.
She didn’t seem deterred by my question. Instead, she walked toward me, her gaze raking over my naked form with intense scrutiny.
“I came to thank you for earlier,” she said, her voice low and husky with anticipation.
“You mean when I saved you from Damien’s attack?” I clarified cautiously.
She nodded, a sly smile playing on her lips. “That’s right,” she said, standing dangerously close to me. “Today, you showed me that you do care for me, that you feel something for me. You just didn’t want to admit it. Am I right? Deep down, you knew I was the right mate for you. Even though the Moon Goddess didn’t pair us, I can still be your Luna.”
“Are you done?” I asked, trying to move away from her, but she pressed herself against me, her body warm and insistent.
“Not really,” she whispered, her breath hot on my skin.
“Why is she pressing onto you like that?” My wolf’s voice echoed in my head, jealousy and anger intertwining. “Why are you letting her? That is our mate’s body. She’s the only one with access. Not her. Get her out of here,” he demanded, pacing agitatedly within me.
I grabbed Benita’s hands and pulled her off me, my grip firm, but controlled. “Listen to me, and listen well,” What I did back there, I did because you’re my pack member. It’s the same thing I would have done for any other member of this pack. As for you becoming my Luna, stop imagining it because it’s never going to happen. I have a mate, someone I have come to accept into my heart, and I am not willing to let her go.”
Benita’s eyes flashed with a sudden, fierce anger. She took a step back, her expression hardening. Her earlier seductiveness evaporated, replaced by a cold, sharp edge.
“You think you’ve got it all figured out, don’t you, Ralph?” she spat, her voice trembling with fury. “Fine. Reject me all you want. But don’t you dare blame me for whatever happens next.”
With those ominous words hanging in the air, reminiscent of her brothers’ threats, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her. The force of it echoed through the room, leaving a tense silence in its wake.
I took a deep breath, trying to dispel the lingering tension.
Returning to my desk, I picked up the phone and dialled Alexander’s number, each ring heightening my anticipation. As soon as the call connected, his voice was stern as he urgently spoke, cutting through my thoughts.
“Ralph, there’s a problem,” he said without preamble. “We need you here immediately. And bring the human with you.”