Chapter 2 The Alpha's Warning

Inside the old hunter's cabin, Elena sat on the edge of the dusty sink. The cracked floor was covered in long shadows as the morning light filtered through the splintered wooden shutters. She stared at the pregnancy test leaning against the broken mirror over the sink, her hands shaking. She could still clearly see the outcome even though the mirror was filthy and cracked.

Two lines. Bright, bold, and sure.

She gasped. She blinked vigorously, hoping it would go away. It didn't.

"No," she muttered, her voice breaking. She slid to the chilly wooden floor as her knees failed her. The world whirled around her. Her fingers tightened on the sink's edge as though clinging would prevent everything from collapsing.

Inside her, her wolf howled-not with fear, but with triumph.

Our pup. His pup.

Elena closed her eyes. She covered her stomach with her hand. It remained flat. Not changed. But she was aware now. She was alive. A flicker, tiny. A beating heart, ready to expand.

She was still sensing him. Kael. Her mate. The bond remained intact despite everything he had done. It was like a silver thread that ran between them. It always pulled at her heart. Constantly hurting.

It was stronger now. It was strengthened by the baby. As though they were bound together even more by the Moon Goddess herself.

However, Kael had been explicit. She was weak, he had told her, looking her in the eye. A mistake. A challenge to his authority. He had dismissed her as if she were nothing.

He wouldn't protect the baby if he learned about it.

He would ruin it.

She felt a chill go through her body. In an attempt to maintain her composure, she put her arms around herself and rocked back and forth. The choice was made quickly and decisively.

She had to go.

She couldn't remain here. She couldn't let him know. Not until she was prepared. Not until she had the strength to protect the life that was developing within her. She would act out. Make a complete disappearance. Stay hidden so that not even Blood Moon warriors could get to her.

However, destiny had already decided on a different course.

She sensed their presence before she even saw them the following morning as she was collecting herbs close to the forest boundary. A twig snapping. The change in the shadows. Her wolf gave a warning growl. It was too late when she turned to flee.

They were everywhere.

From behind the trees, Blood Moon warriors emerged. Their eyes were vacant and their faces were icy. They grabbed her and pushed her to the ground before she could move or scream. She had her hands bound. She gulped. Inside her chest, her heart beat like a drum.

They dragged her back to the pack she had once called home.

It was a long and difficult journey. She got burns on her wrists. Her legs hurt. But her heart ached more than any of that. Like poison, fear slithered through her veins. She hoped they were unaware. She hoped she could conceal it.

She prayed, but it was too late.

They took her to the Alpha's quarters. As Rian, Kael's beta, looked down at her, she stood breathless and weak. He had an unreadable face.

"He is aware," Rian uttered softly. "You ought not to have returned."

Elena growled, "I didn't mean to." She spoke in a raspy voice. "I was just-"

Behind her, the door creaked open.

She went cold.

She knew who had come in without turning. Her body was aware already. Her bond was already charred.

Kael.

He moved slowly and silently into the room. The atmosphere changed around him. Power stormed after him. He avoided eye contact with her. As though she didn't exist, his gaze swept over her. She was like dust in the air.

"Go away," he said.

After hesitating, Rian walked away silently.

There was a long, sharp silence between them. Elena was having trouble breathing. Her ears throbbed with her pulse. Fearful and furious, her inner wolf paced.

Kael walked carefully and calmly across the room. He came to a halt a few inches away.

He declared, "You are carrying my child."

It wasn't a question.

Elena's chin went up. Her voice was steady, but her throat was constricted. "Yes."

He gazed at her. His jaw twitched. In his eyes, the gold glowed more intensely.

He questioned, "Did you plan this?" He spoke quietly but accusingly. "Did you set this trap? How can I be made to accept you?

Elena's jaw fell open. She clenched her hands at her sides. "Are you crazy?" she yelled. "You turned me down. I was nothing, you said. Do you believe I desired this?

He squinted his eyes. "I still don't accept you."

Then, behind her, his hand slammed into the wall. The wood splintered beneath his hand. She was imprisoned by his body. Her face felt the heat of his breath.

"But the child changes things," he said in a rough voice.

At his brutality, her wolf growled. Elena refused to back down. "What will you do?"

In a chilly tone, he declared, "I'll accept responsibility." "You'll remain here. Keep quiet. concealed. Nobody will be aware.

Her stomach churned. She took a step back, but it was in vain. She spat, "Like your dirty secret?"

Gold flared in his eyes. His mouth twisted.

"Exactly."

Her hand shot up and slapped him across the face before she even realized it. The room reverberated with the sound.

He remained motionless.

Abruptly, his lips found hers.

It was a hard kiss. fierce. possessive. Furious. Her breath was taken away. She felt lightheaded. Her body simultaneously melted and tensed. She detested him. She cherished him. She desired to strike him once more. She felt like screaming. However, she returned his kiss.

She entangled her fingers in his shirt. He put his hands on her waist.

She had no idea when the tears began.

How the pain became heat was unknown to her.

She allowed him to stay that night despite that her heart was still broken.