Forbidden Temptation

The smoke went up in a thin, gray line inside the healer’s hut. The smell of herbs—which I used to like—now made me feel sick right away. My skin was cold, but I was sweating like I had a fever. The bronze pot was quietly bubbling over the embers, and the bench creaked under me when I moved. “Breathe deep, Seraphine,” the healer said, putting her hand on my wrist. “It won’t hurt.” I nodded, even though my throat felt tight. I could also smell my pack in the air. Glass bottles with dark liquids lined the shelves of the hut. My wolf was awake and stirring inside me. It wasn’t scared, just watching. “Something has changed,” it growled inside. “I know,” I thought back, putting a hand on my stomach. The healer saw the movement but didn’t say anything. “Have you been dizzy lately? Morning sickness? Smells you suddenly can’t stand?” she asked. “Yes. The smoke, roasted meat… even bread is too sweet sometimes.” “I see. And your wolf?” “More alert. Like it wants to protect me.” The healer stepped closer. She held her palm above my belly but didn’t touch me. Still, I felt every muscle tense up. “Just listen,” she said. I closed my eyes. The fire’s crackle seemed closer, and the smoke wrapped around me. My wolf moved near my chest, as if giving a signal: pay attention. The healer touched my temple with two fingers, her other hand resting on my wrist. Gently, a different rhythm joined my pulse. A tiny, new heartbeat. I opened my eyes. The healer’s face softened. “There is life in you,” she said softly. “You are expecting a child.” The word seemed too big for the small hut. The air stopped moving. My wolf shook itself inside. Protection—it whispered. “Are you sure?” I whispered. “I am sure. Your body and your wolf both tell me.” The healer took a bottle from the shelf. “Drink this morning and evening. Rest a lot. Avoid hard work.” Her words hit me. Robert, my Alpha, had changed in the last weeks. He wasn’t meaner, just… quieter. Like he was always listening to something else. He didn’t look at me the way he used to. More like a leader who is deciding something. “And your Alpha?” the healer asked. “Busy,” I answered shortly. But the truth was, he had built a cold, tense silence around himself. “If you need me, call. Anytime.” I nodded. My eyes filled with tears, so I turned away. The healer labeled small cloth bags: morning, evening, nausea, calm. “Your wolf will ask for more later. Listen to it. But you must not fight now, and don’t look for stress. If your body gets scared, your wolf might take over. It needs to learn that protection can also be quiet.” “If needed, I will take care of everything,” my wolf growled inside. “Calm down,” I told it. “There’s no danger now.” I stood up. My legs felt heavy for a moment. The healer called after me: “Seraphine… the joy is real. Keep it safe. It will also keep you safe.” I stepped out into the afternoon light. The village street was noisy, yet I felt like a fine, protective layer had settled over the world. My hand went automatically to my stomach. My wolf moved. It is here—it said. I smiled. The air in the Palace was cooler; the smell of stone was familiar. I could hear the sound of weapons from the training yard, but I felt no danger. My room greeted me quietly. I looked down at my stomach. “You are here. Can you hear me?” Even my own voice was softer. My wolf mumbled something that was both a warning and kindness. I put the healer’s bags on the chest of drawers. The order calmed me. When I closed my eyes, for a moment I saw it clearly: tiny hands holding onto me, soft breath near my neck. Robert’s face also flashed, but blurred. Something in him had changed. “If he doesn’t watch over you, I will,” my wolf said. This thought touched me deeply. Maybe the news will bring back the old warmth between us. After all, the child would be his too. I walked to the window. Tomorrow, I will go to the market early. And I will talk to Robert. Not to beg, just to tell the truth. In the silence, I heard the soft, second heartbeat again. We are here—my wolf said. From now on, we will do everything differently. Smarter. We will not accept rejection. And I knew: tomorrow, I will face the Alpha. Because I am no longer alone. And the old order of the Palace is about to change.