Chapter 1

 Alana’s POV

Negative.

With a frustrated sigh, I dumped the pregnancy test strip I had with me in the bin before making my way out of the bathroom as I collapsed on the bed.

My eyes sting really bad with the tears I was holding back. I’ve tried everything I knew, I’ve done multiple tests but still nothing to show for it.

I have never wanted something as bad as I wanted to conceive and give my mate and his father the one thing they’ve probably asked of me in years.

Curling up like a ball, I laid under the duvet as though that was going to help me escape from the cruel reality of my inability to get pregnant.

Am I barren?

“Alana!” My best friend, Annabel’s voice resonated in the building and as she made her way to my room, her voice grew louder, calling me with so much intensity.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She asked, pulling the sheet off of me and urging me to stand, “you can’t keep boring yourself out by being home all day, you need to have some fun, Alana.” She added.

“We can go to the pack outside town, we’ll get to meet other wolves from other packs too. It will be fun.” She shrieked, completely ignoring the fact that my demeanor was down.

I knew she noticed but that was just her way of helping me cheer up, it’s just too bad that I’m not in the mood to go out and mingle with wolves from other packs.

Groaning, I refused to go with her because I’d really rather stay home than go out to where it’s going to be noisy and oozing with alcohol. I’d do anything to not jeopardize my plan of getting pregnant.

After much insistence and emotional blackmail, I got dressed and we finally left the house. The blaring sound from the club threw me off but I’m here already, I might as well just see it through to the end.

“A glass of orange juice is fine.” I said to the bar attendant who immediately looked at me like she was judging me and Annabel bursted out laughing.

“What are you? A nun?” She asked, rolling her eyes as she told the bar attendant to get us eight shots of tequila.

“You know I can’t take alcohol, Annabel, I’m trying to have a baby not kill it.” I sighed as soon as our tequilas came and I moved it to the side.

She took one from the set and downed it before neutralising the kick with the lime that came with the drink while I sat with my hand under my chin.

"You should let loose for a while, Alana and if it makes you feel better, Walsh would be here soon and you both can get on with it." She urged. My eyes lit up at the mention of Walsh and giving in, I decided to take a little.

One shot suddenly became two and then three and the next I knew we’d already ordered another set. Feeling more loose than when I stepped in the club, I started feeling the music and it didn’t take long before I made my way to the dance floor.

I’d completely forgotten about my worries, the tequilas had drained them out of me and all I could think about right now was Walsh and how much fun we were going to have when he got here.

My vision had gotten hazy and my head was spinning so fast that the club lights spun with it. Staggering, I found my way back to our seats and slouched on the chair.

I knew I was drunk and one more second here might turn out to be chaotic for me, “Annabel, I think I’m drunk.” My words slurred as I closed my eyes and opened them back in hopes of feeling better.

My stomach tightened and my body vibrated as my head pounded with so much intensity that it felt like my brain was going to burst. My blurry gaze landed on Annabel where she was still dancing.

Groaning, I stood and staggered my way to her to inform her of the way I’d started feeling. She stopped dancing immediately before flashing me a mischievous grin.

“What are—-“ I staggered again but she caught me before I hit the ground. I was amused and my behavior seemed so funny to me that I couldn’t stop laughing as Annabel and I walked to where I had absolutely no idea.

She opened the door to a room and dropped me on the bed. Moaning, it felt really soft and comfortable that I had no other choice but to remain on the bed as standing up would be bad for me.

“Where is Walsh?” I managed to ask, since she’d told me that Walsh was going to be around, I still haven’t seen him.

“He’s going to be here soon, you should just lay there and rest and he’ll join you so you both can have some fun.” Annabel said before walking out of the room.

Taking off my jewelries, I pulled off my clothes and laid back on the bed as I waited for Walsh to come in. This could be the night that I’m finally going to get pregnant and the alcohol is also a good kick.

After a really, really long while, the door opened and someone stepped in, “Walsh,” I whined as I stood from the bed, staggered towards him and crashed my lips against his.

His hands held me away from him a fleeting moment later and he spoke. “Walsh? Are you sure I’m the one you’re expecting?”

A drunken chuckle escaped my lips as I pressed against his warm chest and slinked my arm around his shoulders. 

“Of course, Walsh! Who else could I be expecting?” I slurred out. A part of me wondered why his shoulders felt like it rose higher in inches overnight. Not dwelling on that, I rose on my tiptoes and meshed our lips together. I was ecstatic and pleasure washed through my veins like jolts of electricity as Walsh took over the kiss after a few heartbeats. His lips felt softer, sensual and hotter than usual. I couldn’t help the whimper that bubbles in my throat when he licked into my mouth. 

My slurred, disapproving whine when he pulled away didn’t deter him from holding me at arm’s length as his gaze swept over me. I could barely keep my eyes open because of how drunk I was, and was only still on my feet because of his strong grip around my body. My vision blurred out when I tried to take in his familiar, handsome face and I gave up after a few attempts.

“What do we have here?” He finally spoke, or more like growled, and that sent shivers down my spine while my thighs clenched tightly. I couldn’t remember Walsh ever sounding that sexy, but that thought went out the window when his hand circled my throat which he used to walk me backwards till my back hit the cold wall. 

“I’ve been waiting for you, Walsh. Y- you kept me w- waiting…” my words were slurred and it usually annoyed Walsh when I couldn’t handle my alcohol. I was about to apologise when a chuckle made the words die in my throat.

“Have you now?” He murmured next in an amused tone. I tried wondering why Walsh was being different right now but he slipped his thigh between mine, pressing it against my throbbing core and a small groan left my throat as desire coursed through me as. I reveled in how insanely hot Walsh was acting. If being drunk was all it takes for him to let this side of him out, then I’m gonna get drunk every day, I thought to myself as he leaned down and nipped at my ear, causing goosebumps to gather on my bare arms as I jolted. 

“Jumpy little pup, do you know what you’ve gotten yourself into?” His voice was sinfully hot and I wondered why my drunken brain was making everything about him heighten up to me. My head felt airy and filled with nothing but the desire to be filled up by him. He smelled so much stronger and intoxicating than he normally used to, and for a moment, a little unsure feeling bleeded into my mind, but before I could attempt to get my bearings together, the grip around my throat tightened a little and I trembled against his hard body,  whimpering needily when he licked the edge of my ear before speaking in a husky voice.

“I’m definitely gonna eat you up tonight.” 

My pussy throbbed and I felt so hot in the well ventilated room as he picked me up like I weighed nothing before discarding me in the bed. Walsh normally complained that I was getting heavier, so it caught me off guard when he effortlessly lifted me without grunting. Perhaps my drunken mind was making up stuff at this point, I thought to myself as his hands trapped mine above my head while he took my mouth in a searing kiss.

Before I knew it we were both on the bed, naked.

My nipples were hardened already and goosebumps filled my skin as he played with my left nipple with his fingers while his mouth sucked on the right one.

This is pleasure like no other.

I wanted more, more than just his lips on my nipple with his tongue flicking it and soon I felt his hand on my pussy, rubbing my clit and tracing the line until his fingers were buried deep inside me.

“Fuck.” I moaned in pleasure as my pussy dripped, it was already a pool down there. I never really do well with alcohol because it raises my hormones and makes me hornier than usual.

His fingers kept fucking me for a while and my whole being was filled with waiting for the moment his cock was going to go in. Moving back up, his lips found mine and as he placed them on mine, I felt something hard push between my legs.

I gasped, I didn’t remember Walsh’s dick being that huge but it must’ve been the alcohol. He remained there for a while as I basked in the pleasure of being fucked by my mate.

He pulled out of me but thrusted back in with so much intensity that my back arched and I came undone. The room filled with my needy moans that eventually got muffled because of his huge palm on my mouth.

My pussy clenched and I could feel my orgasm just at the edge, I knew that if he kept going at that pace I was going to come before I knew it. The pleasure was too good to let go off.

My legs wrapped around his waist as if to stop him from pulling out of me and from the way his muscles tightened and his cock bulged inside of me, I could tell that he was already at the verge too.

His cock pulsated and soon the warm feeling of his cum filled me as I closed my eyes, too tired and drunk to speak, I gave into the comfortable darkness and drifted off to sleep.

The ray of sun making its way into my room made me groan painfully, my head pounded as I tried to stand up and it wasn’t until I turned that I realised I was completely naked, still sore and sort of wet.

What? What happened? How did this happen?

Questions ran through my mind as I played back what happened last night in my head but I couldn’t remember the past when Annabel brought me to a room and told me Walsh was going to join me soon.

My memories jolted and I remembered that he really came in and we had sex. Letting out a sigh of relief, I laid back on the bed until I noticed something else.

My nose scrunched as I tried to pick up the scent but it didn’t smell like Walsh, it was completely different and stronger than Walsh’s scent. Picking up my phone, I called Walsh multiple times and when he wouldn’t pick up, I resorted to calling Annabel but she didn’t pick up either.

Giving up, I went back home alone and Walsh was already there, “Where were you? I looked around the hotel and even tried calling you.” I said as soon as I got in.

“I’m sorry baby,” Walsh responded, kissing me but not answering my question of where he’d run off to, “how are you? I’ll make you breakfast.” He smiled before leaving the room and going to the kitchen.

Shrugging it off, I felt relieved knowing that I had sex with Walsh and tired, so I walked to the bathroom to take a relaxing shower.

___________

THREE WEEKS LATER.

My chest tugged and I have never felt like barfing as much as I did right now. Rushing to the bathroom, I let it all out in the water closet before washing my face.

The signs kept getting stranger and more frequent as days passed and with no other choice, I made up my mind to go see a doctor. Waiting in the waiting room felt like forever as I waited for the doctor to come with the result of my blood test and soon I heard footsteps.

“Am I okay? I hope it’s nothing serious?” I quickly asked as I stood to my feet. Her face was bright and shiny and she was smiling as she handed me a piece of paper.

“Okay, I have no idea what’s in here so could you please just give an interpretation?” I asked, returning the paper back to her and waiting for her to read it out to me.

“Congratulations! You’re pregnant.” She announced and I could swear that I heard bells ringing in my head as my breathing paced.

There’s no way. I’m pregnant.

“A…. Are you sure? Am I really pregnant?” I asked, tears welling in my eyes as I tried my best to keep my excitement at bay but all efforts proved futile when she confirmed that I was pregnant.

Excitedly, I hurriedly ran out of the hospital. I couldn’t wait to get home, to break the news to Walsh. We’ve been wanting this since forever and it’s finally here!

“Walsh!” I screamed as soon as I got to our bedroom door but I was met with another surprise when I saw Walsh and Annabel on the bed, naked.

My bag dropped as they both stared at me without remorse, my excitement went down the drain and my chest tightened as my stomach clenched.

Unable to believe my eyes, I walked slowly in the direction and each step I took felt like I was dragging bricks behind me.

“W… what’s going on here?” I asked, looking from Annabel to Walsh and then back to Annabel, “you’ve been fucking behind my back?” I asked, realizing what was going on and accusing them of cheating.

I couldn’t believe my best friend and my mate were naked. My blood boiled and rage built inside me as I raised my hand to hit Annabel but Walsh held me back.

“You have some nerve acting like you are innocent yourself, I know what you did and I know you cheated on me so drop the fucking act!”

Chapter 2

Alana’s POV

What? What is he talking about?

“I have never cheated on you, Walsh, what the hell are you talking about?” I asked, denying whatever allegation he thinks he could just throw my way.

I have never cheated on him even when I could easily have, I have been nothing but loyal to him and after catching him in bed with my best friend he thinks he could just accuse me of doing the same?

“You of all people know that I would never do anything that would jeopardise our relationship,” I continued, the gut wrenching pain threatening to break me because the more I looked at the both of them, the more I hated them.

Annabel has been the only friend in my life that I feel comfortable telling things to, she also knew how hard it has been for me with the pressure of getting pregnant and when I could’ve easily went somewhere else to be impregnated, I stuck with Walsh.

I have always stuck with him longer than I can remember and this is how he repays me? By sleeping with my best friend without thinking about how I’d feel if I found out and then accusing me of infidelity.

“Quit the act!” Walsh’s voice jolted me out of my thoughts and my teeth gritted against each other as a new wave of anger rose in me.

How dare he try to pull a reverse psychology card on me.

“You think I’ve cheated on you? You think I’ll stoop so low to cheat on you despite the bond between us?” I asked, trying my best to keep my frustration in check as fury roared through my mind.

“Prove it!” I yelled, I was going completely out of my mind and I knew that staying here any longer would cause me to pull out every strand of hair on my head.

I wasn’t expecting him to be able to do anything until he brought out his phone and a video started playing. I could hear the sound of my own voice and with an evil smirk, he turned the phone to me so I could see.

I gasped as my eyes widened and my palm covered my mouth in surprise. That was me in the video and I was naked, having sex with a complete stranger.

It was the same hotel room I woke up in that night after clubbing with Annabel.

Closing my eyes, I tried to remember this ever happening but I couldn’t, the more I tried, the harder it became. My head began to hurt the more I strained it, and that was when a few images managed to return from that night and my mouth fell open in disbelief as I realised that all those different attitudes which I had noted back then in my drunken state weren’t just being made up by my mind, but was because it had been a completely different person in the room with me that night, and not Walsh.

But how? How come I had sex with a complete stranger. My eyes widened even more when the realisation of what was going on dawned on me. I’d been set up because there is absolutely no way I can have let a total stranger touch me like that.

“Turn it off! Turn it off!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, closing my eyes as I couldn’t afford to keep on watching. Clutching my chest, my knees felt weak and I fell to the ground.

Why did they do that to me? Why couldn’t they have thought of something else other than setting me up?

Questions ran through my mind as hot tears trickled down my cheeks and if I wanted to, I couldn’t control the tears as they flowed freely.

The pain surged through my being and I couldn’t help but gasp for air as I lifted my gaze to see Alana grinning but Walsh… Walsh was furious. 

“How dare you seduce the Alpha of the Phoenix pack?!” He demanded and I flinched as his words sank in my head. 

“What?” I whispered as my heartbeat accelerated while fear gripped my chest.

“That’s him right there in the video. He’s the person you slept with. You were clearly seducing him in the recording. You slept with the Alpha of that… that vile pack despite knowing how much pain that pack had put our own pack through!” He roared and tears streamed down my face at once as realisation slowly dawned on me. 

Walsh stormed out after that, and everything inside me shattered even more.

The Alpha of the phoenix pack has been rumoured to be a monster. Rumours had it that no one outside his pack has been able to live to tell their story after setting their eyes on him, because they never lived after that. The phoenix pack is the most powerful pack in the entire clan of werewolves and every other pack avoided them because they were no match for the phoenixes. 

And… the leader of a pack like this… is the father of my child?

As that thought dawned on me, my hands began to tremble from fright.

The father of my child is an alpha that dangerous.

A literal monster! 

But why would Alana set me up like that? And how did that even happen?” 

“W… Why?” I stuttered, “what could I have possibly done for you to set me up like that?” I wailed when I finally found my voice.

Annabel bursted out laughing as she stared at me like I was some sort of freak show before leaning into me. Her eyes were red with so much anger and disdain that I knew that if she could, she would probably kill me on the spot.

“Now you want to know why anyone would do this?” She asked, hand quoting my question and mimicking me, “it’s not so nice when you get humbled in the worst way possible, is it?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

What have I ever done to her?

“Annabel.”

“I’m resisting the urge to hit you right now and it would do you a lot of good if you don’t call my name one more time because I have no idea how much self control I have before I lose it!” She yelled, making me jump in fear.

“You have always been proud and haughty and just so princess-like that you think the world revolves around you,” she continued.

“It’s disgusting and you, Alana, disgust me and since you want to know why I did this, it’s because I hate you so much I wish you would just die!” She spat.

I sobbed even harder as she continued. “Did you know what I initially had planned for you? I planned for a rogue to meet with your gullible self in that room. Yes! That was my initial plan.” She sneered and my eyes widened in shock at the new revelation.

“That would have ruined your reputation, which is the only thing that kept you relevant. But, too bad my plan got ruined by that- that…” she was breathing hard at this point.

“You- you lucky bitch! How did that even happen? I’m still yet to figure that out. You were supposed to have sex with a rogue and not with an alpha king, especially one that’s the leader of the biggest pack out there.”

She let out a mocking sigh as she shook her head. “But then, my plan still ended up working indirectly. Getting pregnant for a monster? I fear that’s an even worse fate than getting railed by a rogue, don’t you think so?”

I couldn’t believe all that I was hearing from my own best friend, the only person I loved and trusted apart from Walsh.

Weak and unable to do anything else, I slowly stood to my feet and made my way out of the room, leaving them to probably go back to their previous action while I rushed off to find Walsh’s father.

He’s the only one that can probably help me right now and make this situation right. Barging into the study room, my breath caught in my throat when I found him dead on the floor.

My mouth opened as I approached him slowly, he was laying in his own pool of blood, his mouth opened as blood gushed out. 

No, No, there’s no way all of this is happening right now.

Kneeling beside him, I picked his head up in hopes of being able to help him but his body had completely gone cold and pale and before I could scream out for help, the sound of a scared maid from behind caused all I wanted to say to get stuck in my throat.

“Help!” She screamed, calling everyone’s attention to the room before turning to face me, “what did you do to him? He was fine before you came here! You killed him!” She badgered, giving me no chance to try and defend myself.

“She killed him!” She went on as people scampered into the study room to see my hand stained with Walsh’s father’s blood and him lying lifeless on the floor.

Walsh and Annabel walked in and they gasped loudly as Walsh hurried to his father’s side. All of my attempts to say anything went down the drain as no one cared for what I had to say.

“What did you do?!” Walsh asked and my eyes widened as my mouth opened but I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. I searched my brain for what to say but my brain was as blank as my mind.

“She poisoned his drink!” The maid’s voice sent chills running down my spine as fear immediately enveloped me, “He was fine before she gave him that awful drink.” She went on.

What was she talking about? I wasn’t even home until a few minutes ago.

My head pounded and my heart raced as I staggered, my vision hazy and my head light as I tried to make sense of the situation. I couldn’t possibly have killed the Alpha.

He loved me like I was his own daughter and it’s no news to everyone around, “No.” I murmured but my voice was overcome by the noises of everyone speaking over each other in disbelief.

“I can’t believe she would hurt him,” one of them sighed and I shook my head profusely, trying my best to deny the accusation but I couldn’t because I couldn’t form a coherent word.

“He loved you, how could you do this to him?!” Another asked, my head shot up but I couldn’t stop staring at my bloodstained hand as I screamed in my mind, trying to get everyone to listen to me.

Did they plan this too?

I glanced at Walsh and his eyes were void of all emotions as he gently placed his father down and finally, I felt my closed throat beginning to open as I rushed to his side.

“I swear on my life, Walsh, I didn’t do anything to the Alpha!” The words rushed out of my mouth with so much urgency as I pleaded for him to believe me but his facial expression already proved that my hopes would be shattered.

His eyes were dark with hatred as he looked down at me desperately begging for him to listen to me. He nodded and before I knew what was going on, two guards had seized me from behind.

“Walsh, I swear, I swear I didn’t do it! I don’t know how it happened.” I continued, trying my best to prove that fact to him but it felt as though all I was saying was entering his right ear and coming out of the left.

“Throw her in the dungeon!” He offered and before I knew it, I was dragged away for a crime I knew nothing about.

Chapter 3

Alana’s POV

Sobbing silently, I gave up trying to prove my innocence to every guard that passed by since neither of them thought to give me a listening ear anyway and it was almost as though I was speaking to the air.

My eyes closed as my eyeball rolled to the back of my head and with not much of a choice, I laid on the floor in hopes of taking a small nap.

The sound of my stomach growling filled the dungeon and I curled up harder as I pressed my knee to my stomach to keep it from making more noise but nothing I did worked.

It’s been three days already and about to be the third night alone in the cold dungeon without food and water. I waited each day for my father or even someone to come for me but no one did.

My mind drifted off to Walsh and Annabel again and my heart broke as I sobbed. I couldn’t understand why they’ve both decided to be so cruel to me when I’ve never done anything to hurt them.

My eyes closed and the happy times we all spent together came flooding me. I was the happiest when I was with them but they had to go ahead and stab me in the back with the sharpest knife ever.

The pain from their betrayal poured all over me and it felt like hot lava as I shivered from the cold in the room. Sniffling, my eyes stung and they itch really bad.

I’ve been doing nothing but thinking about their betrayal and crying my eyes out so much that it felt as though I’d exhausted all the tears in my eyes.

The sound of footsteps and the scent that followed caused me to spring to my feet. My heart warmed and relief washed through my veins as Walsh’s face came to view.

I’d thought he had come back to his senses and he’d finally realized that I knew nothing about the man in the hotel room with me and the death of his father but I was further plunged into more hurt when he opened his mouth.

“I, Walsh Wright, Alpha of the Darkmoon pack rejects you, Alana Collins, as my mate and future Luna.” He said and I gasped for air as I felt the bond between us break.

“Now I have nothing to do with you and you can rot in the deepest depths of hell.” He finished before walking away from me. I felt like every ounce of me was dead and even my wolf felt completely weak.

Hitting the ground, I sat as I stared away into oblivion and I searched my eyes for tears but nothing dropped. I’d exhausted everything on the betrayal that I have nothing more to spare on the rejection.

I shivered and my whole being felt weak as I hugged myself to reduce the cold that was piercing through my skin and tearing me apart while I stared until I no longer saw Walsh’s shadows.

I’m all alone now and there’s nothing and no one for me.

The realization of it brought the tears back to my eyes and they stung as they dropped freely. My teeth trapped my lower lip and I bit down on it so hard that I could taste the feel of my own blood at the tip of my tongue.

I’m all alone and pregnant with a child that’s probably a bastard and a product of a drunken night. My hand instinctively rubbed my belly and I knew that despite everything, I was going to love my baby.

After all, it’s mine. 

Giving up on crying since it wouldn’t take me anywhere, I laid down on the floor. The cold making it’s way into my body as I looked forward to another day of torture of being alone in this creepy room.

“Alana!” I heard a hushed voice call me as I tried to sleep, I was weak and tired and still couldn’t believe that I’d survived four days in this dungeon surviving solely on the air I was breathing in.

Groaning, I turned, shrugging the voice I’d heard off and tagging it as one of my imaginations of someone coming for me that never came true and it wasn’t until I felt a stick poke me that I realized someone was really here.

My eyes flew open at once and the figure was sort of blurry as the keys jangled while he tried to open the gate. Finally getting inside, he loosened the rope on my leg and my eyes finally cleared.

It was Walsh’s best friend and he was trying to help me out of the dungeon.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in a hushed whisper, wincing as I tried to stand up. The weight of my body felt too heavy for my legs to carry as he helped me out.

“What does it look like?” He responded to my question, “I’m trying to get you out of here because you need to leave.” He added like I couldn’t see that he was trying to help me escape.

Silently, we walked until we got to the pack’s border and he’d even carried me on his shoulders to hasten our trip and dropped me when he was sure that we were out of sight and earshot.

“Here,” he started as he handed me a bag full of food and bottled water before carefully shoving me out of the pack, “Run as fast as your legs can carry you and never look back or even think of returning.” He added.

I wanted to go, to do as he’d said but I couldn’t bring myself to move, it felt as though my feet had been glued to the ground and the harder I tried to move, the more difficult it became.

I couldn’t possibly turn my back and leave my father in the pack, he would be worried about me. I need to either see him and tell him that I’m fine or wait here while he gets him for me.

“What are you doing?” His voice made me jump in fear and my hand shook as my mouth opened, “Go! You don’t have much time, you should leave before they know you’re missing.” He added before turning to leave.

Unable to leave, I held him, pulling him back and a tingling sixth sense told me that something horrible had happened or he would’ve been here with my father.

“M…. My…. Father,” I stuttered, my throat opening up enough to help me get my words out, “where is my father?” I enquired and he only shook his head before urging me to leave.

“Fucking Go!” He pushed me before leaving me alone in the dark with the choice of standing here for Walsh’s guards to find me or running and going somewhere safe with my child.

With not much of a good choice, I turned to my heels and ran through the woods, ignoring the sharp pain of the stones at the sole of my feet and the slashes from the thorns on my skin.

All I could think about was escaping because I knew that as soon as the sun came out, they were going to notice I was gone and waiting around for them to find me is certainly something I can’t risk.

I can’t let myself get thrown in the dungeon again. Finding a tall tree, I sat beneath it and opened the bag Walsh’s friend had packed for me. Eating and drinking to my heart’s content, I continued my race.

My limbs soon started giving out but I couldn’t stop, I have to keep pushing harder if I’m going to survive because there’s no way Walsh was going to spare me if he found out that I’d escaped.

Finding out I had help would also put his best friend in danger and I certainly can’t afford that. He’s tried his best to save my life, the least I can do is to make sure that his help doesn’t go in vain.

Taking another break, my heart raced and my breathing paced as I tried to regulate it. I’d thought of shifting to my wolf form but I couldn’t do that either because that could put my baby in danger.

Continuing another lap, I noticed I was far away from the pack and it was going to take a while for them to find me if they wanted to. I rested beneath a tree and closed my eyes.

I have to survive all of this, if not for my sake but for the sake of my baby. I have to push through for my baby and make sure that I live.

I made up my mind that as soon as I was out of this forest, I was going to start a new life with my child and away from all of these troubles.

It’s the only way I can give my baby the kind of life it deserves.

Chapter 4

Alana POV 

Three days had gone by yet I was still in the forest running for my dear life. The food and water Samson had packed for me had finished and my belly was currently grumbling for food.

The wounds on my feet began to sting as I sat under a tree to rest for a while. By now, Walsh and his men would be looking for me and my father must have been arrested.

I began to cry as there was nothing I could do to save my father from the brutal hands of Walsh. 

Sighting a wild fruit at a distance, I staggered towards it and plucked it from the bush it was resting pretty on. I didn't bother to check if it was a poisonous fruit due to the maddening hunger I felt.

After resting for a while and noticing no effect of the fruit, I plucked more since I had no food to eat. 

My leg ached as I got up from the ground. The pain was too much but I had to endure it and find a place to stay if I wanted to survive. 

Knowing how willing Walsh could be, I tried my best to move. He could send his men to find me and if I wasted any more time, he might meet up with me and that would be my end.

I went deeper into the woods following whichever part that made sense to me until I got to an open clearing. On seeing a house at a far distance, my heart felt glad but not for long.

I noticed someone was watching me and just as I was about to move, three wolves jumped out of the woods and pounced on me. The largest of them pinned me to the ground like I was nothing.

Fear engulfed me immediately and I started to struggle for my life but everything was useless. I was too weak to fight and the way the wolf was growling at me, I knew that I would be killed instantly. 

Only its teeth were enough to tear my head off my body. I closed my eyes waiting for the impact of its teeth on my skin but there was no pain.

My eyes flung open and stared into its eyes afraid of what it was doing to me. Later on, I discovered it was sniffing my neck.

After it was done checking my scent, it got off my body and left me in confusion. It signaled the two other wolves and rang into the woods.

Thinking that I was safe, I tried to get up but my legs turned numb and swollen. It had given up on its will to escape. And I was too tired to get up from the ground. I ran through the woods for three days nonstop now my body has given up on me.

"She must have been hurt badly."

"The question is who is she and not showing concern for a stranger, Marcel."

I heard voices but couldn't pinpoint the owners as my eyes were heavy with sleep. 

While the voices were arguing, a large hand went under my thighs and back lifting me off the ground with no struggle. I must have starved enough to be as light as a feather.

"Silence the both of you!" My carrier sternly muttered and the meaningless arguments. His voice sounded familiar to me but my vision went blurry and fell unconscious.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The next time I woke up, my eyes were staring at the ceiling and my wounds were nicely bandaged. 

"She fractured the bone on her ankle and lost a little blood from the open wounds. I am sure she will be fine after she heals and the baby in her womb is completely unharmed," I looked around and found two men conversing.

If they were talking about me then healing was useless as I had no wolf to carry out such a task.

"She is awake," someone else called their attention and I was faced with different stares but paused at a familiar one.

I instantly recognized the man who was staring at me and fear overtook my entire being. He was the man in the video, the man whose child I was carrying. The monster everyone feared.

He narrowed his eyes at me and then ordered his men to leave. My heart began to pound fast as I was afraid that he would hurt me.

I wanted to speak but my words stuck in my throat. After he was done scrutinizing me, he lifted his hand as if he was about to touch me but kept it to himself when I flinched away from him.

"Which pack are you from? And why were you at my border? He questioned.

If I answered wrongly, I might end up losing my life. My pack wasn't on good terms with the Alpha. I was more afraid that he would take me as a spy if I told him where I came from. still contemplating my answer, he took my silence in and sighed at my refusal to speak.

"Your silence would change my mind, Alana," he called my name and, I jolted in surprise. If he knew my name then he must have recognized me in the woods.

"Please just let me recuperate and give birth to my child. I will leave as soon as I have my baby," I begged him to buy time for myself. 

He looked at me tactfully before he made his final decision. " I will let you stay here under the condition that you tell me who fathers the child in your belly," he said on a serious note.

I couldn't accept the term he placed because he was not someone I could trust. For all I knew, he was cold and ruthless, any mistake could lead to the death of my child.

Also, he wasn't the kind to want a baby from a stranger. But he proved me wrong with his next statement. 

"I know who you are and I am sure that the baby belongs to me. If you are worried that I will not accept it then you are wrong. I want my child and you as well. Whatever thoughts you have of me being a tyrant, please throw them away. I am going to take care of you and my child from now on. I won't bother you about your pack until you have enough trust to tell me."

I blinked at him in surprise but that didn't make me let down my guard. He was the rumored ruthless Alpha and he was never to be trusted.

Chapter 5

Alana POV

I was surprise by Alpha’s constant visit to the hospital. He always asked the doctor of my condition and bought me whatever I needed. His gestures were admirable but I had told myself never to fall in love again.

“Tomorrow she can go home. All her wounds have been treated but it needs to be cleaned every day. Normally, her vitals are supposed to heal the wounds but it seems like the baby in her womb is taken a lot of her nutrients and energy making it slow for her to heal,” the doctor explained to him but I knew too well that that was not the problem.

I had no wolf and it was impossible for me to heal fast like other werewolves. That’s why I was never allowed to get hurt.

No knew about this except my father and we kept it a secret to prevent people from attacking me or worst made an outcast.

I missed my father and wished to see him but that would only make things worse for me.

After the doctor was done with his check up for the day, I turned away, facing the window. After that day Alpha Dean brought me to the hospital, I had spoken to him.

I was afraid that talking to him would create some bond or make me spill some information about my pack.

No one could be trusted especially him, I her of his manipulative deeds in the past and how he terrorized my pack before Walsh’s father offered an olive tree.

Now that he was dead, there was no doubt that Alpha Dean would go back to his menacing attacks.

“Alana,” he called my name in a stern way that sends shivers down my spine. I could feel the wickedness in his voice and fear that he would harm me if I didn’t answer.

I turned to look at his emotionless face and made sure not to look into his eyes.

“Tomorrow after you will be discharged from here, you will be living with me. Just so you know, I don’t like stubborn women,” he coldly warned me before he left.

I let out a heavy sigh, glad that the atmosphere could change from stiff to calm and relaxing.

However, I grew bored after some hours. The book I was reading had come to an end with throat slitting suspense. It had a third volume and it wasn’t with me.

I had even searched for it on the tablet Alpha Dean had provided for me book it was unavailable on eBook. The thought of telling him to get it for me freaked me out as well.

Since I had nothing to do, I decided to move around the hospital. My legs were completely healed so I had no problem walking.

Passing the reception area, I slightly bowed my head greeting the nurses who were there.

To be honest, people of this pack were nice and beautiful except their leader. He wasn’t ugly but his attitude was, but that was none of my business. At least, he accepted to shelter me until I gave birth to his child. Moreover, it was his responsibility in a way and I was glad that I didn’t do anything to impose it on him.

I went out to the garden and was embraced by the beautiful sight of flowers all in full bloom.

It reminded me of the one my father and I had grown back home. I found an empty bench and sat down on it to enjoy the fantastic view.

Other patients were around mostly elderlies who were having a conversation, playing, or watching children play with their families.

Watching them made me feel lonely even though the garden was filled with cheerful smiles and laughers. 

I stayed there until it was evening and the sky was tangerine in color due to the sunset.

Everyone was going back inside but I remained put and suddenly began to cry. I missed home, and even though Walsh cheated on me, I couldn’t forget about the happy times we shared together.

“Don’t cry pretty miss. Here, this is for you,” A little boy gave me a banquet of flowers then ran away before I could thank him or ask who it was from.

The flowers were lovely and its fragrance was so appealing to the nose. Whoever that gifted me these flowers lifted my spirit and it made me smile amidst my tears.

When the night grew chilly, I went back to my ward and had my wounds cleared before turning on the television to watch whatever show that caught my interest.

Slowly, I fell asleep with my arms loosely wrapped around my belly in a protective manner.

The next morning, I woke up fully cover with the hospital blanket. I didn’t remember taking it out from the closet and guessed one of the nurses came in and tucked it over me.

I got up and changed my clothes before the doctor came to do his final checkup since today would be my last day.

“You are good to go. Please remember to eat healthy and don’t put too much stress on yourself. It won’t be good if you exact too much pressure on the baby,” the doctor gave his directives before I was taken out of the room by one of Alpha Dean’s men.

He didn’t come today. I had expected him to show up but sighed over it since I would be able to breath in his absence. 

“Please, ma’am put on your seatbelt,” the guard who was to escort me to Alpha Dean’s house instructed me. I quickly did as he said and looked out the window.

The streets were clean and very modern compared to my pack. This pack was well developed and wealthy, it was thanks to their alpha but that wasn’t my interest at the moment.

I was going to live with him and wondered how life would be for me once I entered the estate where his mansion was located. There was no going back once I stepped foot into it so I might just have to brace myself for what is to come.

Chapter 6

Alana POV

As expected Alpha Dean’s mansion was huge and organized in a magnificent way. 

There was a cupid fountain at the middle of the concrete pavement that leads to the pathway. The bushes were lowered at the same level and the lawn was as green as fresh leaves.

“Please follow me this way ma’am,” the guard said as he led me into the house.

The interior was even grander than the design outside. The place was so sophisticated with grace and wealth. Only the crystal chandelier on the high ceiling was enough to tell me that here was a no joke area.

The walls well braced with ancient paintings and corner porcelain vases. And the floor was designed in graffiti marbles that captured my interest. In conclusion, I would describe the place as beautiful.

“Alpha Dean is currently busy. Please make yourself at home and call any of our attention if you need anything.”

I had no idea why they were being nice to me but guessed it was their Alpha’s order. The household was too intense and suffocating for me, I am sure that I would one would pay attention to me since my arrival was insignificant.

A maid took me to a room where I would be staying and told me the same thing the guard said before she left to attend to other matters.

After a while of sitting in boredom, a knock came at my door and I was relieved except my joy was short live because of my visitor.

“I see that you arrived safely. The maids will be at your disposal and there will be guards assigned to you. Do feel free to let me know if you need anything,” Alpha Dane leaned by the door looking tired yet sexy at the same time.

The thought of that night flashed through my mind and I turned away to hide my embarrassment. 

“T-thank you for everything you have done. I do appreciate it but I will be indebted to you for a long time because I have no means to pay you back. As for the child, I do wish that everything goes well and I deliver safely. But…” I automatically change my voice to a threatening one.

“I will not let you take my child away from me if that is what you intend to do.”

“You don’t have to worry about that because I will be keeping you too. From now on you will be living here. Feel free to explore the place until dinner is ready,” he muttered before he left me alone.

I sat down on the soft bed that was tempting to lie on but I had other places that I wanted to explore. I checked the bathroom and was amazed by how large it was. The space was something to write home about but it would be difficult or rather unnecessary.

The bathtub was the size of a Jacuzzi and the fragrance used was appealing to my nose. After admiring the bathroom, I went over to the walk-in-closet and was more than stunned to see it stocked with clothes, shoes, bags, jewelries etc.

Did he do this for me? Or just out of pity? There was no way someone like him would do something as grand as this for a stranger.

“Good day, young miss. Pleased don’t be startled by my sudden appearance. I will be your personal maid from now on. As you carry the Alpha’s baby, I will be extremely attentive to you and make sure that you are comfortable everything. Please do not hesitate to tell what you need,” the young lady said with her head slightly bowed.

“I will, please can you tell me what you are called?” I asked her politely.

“My name is Julia, young Miss. Is there any other thing that you would like to know?” she asked.

“Is it okay if you take me to the library?” I requested remembering the book that Alpha Dean had brought for me at the hospital.

I had not taken my mind off it ever since and wondered if I would see the other part here.

“Sure, you must be very smart to request for a book on the first day of your arrival. Most of the women who came here either requested for money or diamonds. You are very unique young Miss,” she said with a delightful smile.

I reciprocated her smile and followed her behind to see the library. As I imagined, the whole place was big and stock with books. I beamed with joy as I checked through the shelves. The ages of the books were dustless as I trailed my fingers on it.

“Here is so beautiful, please can you help me find a book. It is called spring in a month. I think it is red and blue in color and this height,” I showed her in with hands twenty inches apart.

“Of course, anything for you young Miss but it won’t have to be today. Alpha Dean is very strict when it comes to routines. Dinner will be in a few hours and if I fail to bring you to the dining room on time, then I will get in trouble,” she mumbled with a hint of fear in her eyes.

“Alright, I won’t like it if you get in trouble because of me. Maybe we can find it tomorrow or whenever you are free. Thank you for agreeing to help me,” I held her hands and she gasped in surprise.

“I am sorry if I startled you but you have no idea how that book excites me. Shall we go back to my room since we have a dinner to prepare for?” I said still holding her hand as we walked down the corridor together.

“I think I will love it while serving you young Miss. You are not like that other woman,” she whispered the last part which I heard. I didn’t reason it too much as whatever business that happened in this household was none of my concern. All I had to do is stay silent and have my baby.