Wild Moon

Chapter Twelve

Kieran had always been protective of Lila. From the moment he realized she was his mate, his instincts had driven him to shield her from harm, to stand between her and anything that could threaten her safety. But now? Now, it was worse.

Much worse.

It had only been a day since he figured out she was pregnant, but something inside him had shifted. His wolf had taken over, sharpening his instincts to something primal, something unyielding. Every scent, every movement around her set him on edge.

And people were noticing.

Lila certainly was.

"Okay, seriously, what is wrong with you?" she asked, crossing her arms as she turned to face him. They were supposed to be training, but Kieran had already blocked every attempt she made to spar, hovering too close, intercepting every move as if she were a fragile piece of glass.

Kieran straightened, his golden eyes narrowing. "Nothing is wrong. I'm just making sure you don’t overexert yourself."

Lila scoffed. "I train every day, Kieran. You know that."

"Yeah, well, maybe you should take it easy," he muttered, stepping in front of her as a group of pack warriors passed by, eyeing them curiously.

Lila stared at him like he'd grown a second head.

"You do realize you're acting weird, right?" she said, lowering her voice.

He crossed his arms. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Her expression was unimpressed.

That was when Eli, one of the Crescent Moon warriors, approached, raising an eyebrow at the two of them. "Uh, not to interrupt, but... Kieran, are you okay?"

Kieran tensed immediately. "I'm fine."

Eli glanced between him and Lila. "Are you okay?" he asked her instead.

Before Lila could answer, Kieran stepped in front of her, his body blocking her from view. "Why? Did something happen? What did you see?" His voice came out sharp, his wolf creeping into his tone.

Eli took a slow step back, hands raised. "Okay, dude. Relax. I was just checking in. You’re acting really intense today."

Kieran clenched his jaw. "I’m always intense."

Lila groaned, pushing past him. "Kieran, stop being dramatic."

"Dramatic?" He looked at her incredulously. "Dramatic? Lila, anything could happen—”

Eli gave him a look. "We’re literally standing in the middle of our own pack's training grounds."

Kieran's jaw flexed, but he refused to back down. "Still. Anything could happen."

At that moment, Lila’s father, Alpha Marcus, walked by with a few elders. He paused, arching an eyebrow as he took in the scene—Kieran standing stiffly in front of Lila, his shoulders tense, golden eyes flicking around as if expecting an attack at any moment.

"What’s going on here?" Marcus asked, his deep voice carrying through the clearing.

Lila sighed dramatically. "Kieran has apparently decided I’m incapable of basic movement and must be guarded at all times."

Marcus blinked. His gaze shifted to Kieran, assessing. "Is there a reason for this... sudden change?"

Kieran felt everyone’s eyes on him. He felt Lila glaring at him, daring him to say something.

He hesitated.

Because as far as they were all concerned, nothing had changed. No one but him knew about the pup.

He couldn't tell them—not yet. Not until Lila was ready.

So instead, he crossed his arms and muttered, "Just being careful."

Marcus stared at him for a long moment before shaking his head. "Right. Well, try not to suffocate my daughter while you’re at it."

The pack elders chuckled as they continued walking. Eli snorted. "Yeah, Kieran. Try not to suffocate her."

Kieran shot him a glare that had the warrior immediately stepping back.

Lila groaned again and grabbed his wrist, pulling him toward the edge of the clearing. "Come on, overprotective wolf. We need to talk."

He let her drag him, though his eyes still flicked around, his wolf refusing to lower his guard.

Once they were far enough away from the others, Lila turned, poking him in the chest. "Okay, seriously, you have to stop. People are getting concerned."

Kieran growled low in his throat. "I am concerned."

"I know," she said, softening. "But we can’t tell anyone yet. We need time. And if you keep acting like I’m seconds away from disaster, everyone is going to figure it out."

His jaw clenched. His instincts screamed at him to do something—to protect her, to keep her from training, to never let her out of his sight.

But Lila reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his. Her silver eyes softened as she pressed close, resting her forehead against his. "I know you're worried," she whispered. "But I'm fine. We're fine."

Kieran exhaled slowly, his grip tightening around hers. "For now."

Lila smiled, reaching up to kiss him softly. "Yes. For now. And when we’re ready, together, we’ll tell them. Okay?"

Kieran swallowed hard, his wolf still restless inside him. But as he looked into her eyes, he knew she was right.

"Okay," he murmured.

Lila grinned. "Good. Now, let’s go back before Eli tells the entire pack that you’ve lost your mind."

Kieran scowled. "I don’t like him."

Lila laughed, tugging him back toward the pack.

Kieran followed, still tense, still watching every shadow, every movement around them.

Because whether anyone else knew it or not, he had a mate to protect.

And now?

A family.

And he would never let anything happen to them. Not whilst he was still alive.