The alphas runt

New Life

Something felt wrong.

Lyra realized it the moment she woke up.

A strange wave of dizziness rolled through her body while weak morning sunlight spilled across Kael’s bedroom through the tall windows. Her stomach twisted unpleasantly, and suddenly even the scent of breakfast drifting faintly from downstairs made nausea rise sharply in her throat.

She sat up too quickly.

Big mistake.

The room spun violently.

A soft sound escaped her before she could stop it.

Immediately, the massive body beside her moved.

Kael woke instantly.

Years of alpha instincts snapped into place within seconds.

His silver eyes opened sharply before locking onto her face.

“Lyra.”

Concern hit the bond immediately.

Strong.

Protective.

She pressed a hand over her mouth quickly.

“I think I’m going to—”

Kael barely had time to move before she practically launched herself from the bed toward the bathroom.

A second later, he was beside her.

One large hand held her hair carefully away from her face while the other rubbed slowly against her back.

Steady.

Gentle.

Lyra hated how weak she felt right now.

When the nausea finally eased several minutes later, she leaned exhausted against the marble sink while Kael crouched beside her.

The alpha looked genuinely alarmed.

“You’re burning up.”

“I’m fine.”

“Lie again and I’ll carry you to the healer myself.”

His tone held enough threat that she actually believed him.

Lyra sighed weakly.

“I just feel dizzy.”

Kael’s jaw tightened immediately.

The bond pulsed anxiously now.

He hated seeing her sick.

Hated it enough that the air in the entire room had become tense with restrained alpha energy.

“You haven’t eaten enough.”

“I ate dinner.”

“Barely.”

His thumb brushed gently beneath her eye.

“You look exhausted.”

She did.

The past week had overwhelmed her completely.

The Blood Moon Gathering.

The completed mate bond.

The constant emotional intensity between them.

Everything had changed so quickly.

Kael stood suddenly.

“That’s it. You’re seeing the healer.”

Lyra blinked.

“Kael—”

“No.”

She stared at him.

“You can’t just ‘no’ me.”

“Yes,” he said calmly. “I can.”

Normally she would argue more.

But another dizzy wave rolled through her body hard enough that she grabbed the counter for balance.

Kael’s expression darkened instantly.

A second later she was suddenly lifted completely off the floor.

Lyra gasped softly.

“Kael!”

His arms tightened securely beneath her knees and back.

“You can barely stand.”

“That doesn’t mean you need to carry me!”

“It absolutely does.”

Heat flooded her cheeks despite feeling miserable.

Kael carried her effortlessly back into the bedroom like she weighed nothing at all.

Which, compared to him, she practically didn’t.

The size difference between them became even more obvious moments like this.

Massive alpha.

Tiny luna.

Mine.

The bond wrapped possessively around her again.

Kael carefully set her onto the bed before pulling a shirt over his head.

Then he turned toward the doors.

“Stay here.”

“Where exactly would I go?”

His expression softened slightly.

“Good point.”

—

The healer arrived less than twenty minutes later.

And unfortunately…

So did Damien.

The beta entered the suite carrying coffee before stopping immediately at the sight of Lyra curled beneath blankets.

“Oh,” he said slowly. “You look terrible.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Kael looked one sentence away from violence already.

The healer, an older woman named Mira, approached the bed carefully carrying several herbs and medical supplies.

Unlike many wolves, Mira had always treated Lyra kindly.

Though now…

There was noticeably more respect in her eyes.

Especially after the mating mark became visible near Lyra’s throat.

Mira smiled softly.

“Let’s see what’s troubling our luna.”

The word still startled Lyra every single time.

Kael remained beside the bed throughout the examination, arms crossed tightly while silver eyes followed every movement.

Overprotective.

Very overprotective.

Mira checked Lyra’s temperature first before asking several questions.

“Any pain?”

“No.”

“Dizziness?”

“Yes.”

“Nausea?”

Lyra nodded tiredly.

Mira hummed thoughtfully.

Then she paused.

Her expression shifted slightly.

Interesting.

Kael noticed instantly.

“What?”

Mira ignored him completely before gently taking Lyra’s wrist again.

Several long moments passed.

Then slowly—

The healer smiled.

“Oh.”

Kael’s entire body tensed immediately.

“What?”

Mira looked delighted now.

“Well,” she said warmly, “that explains everything.”

Lyra frowned softly.

“Explains what?”

The healer looked between them carefully.

Then finally:

“You’re pregnant.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Lyra stared blankly.

Kael completely froze.

The bond snapped violently with shock from both of them.

Pregnant?

No.

No no—

“What?” Lyra whispered.

Mira smiled wider.

“Very early. But yes.” Her eyes softened kindly. “Congratulations.”

Lyra’s heart slammed violently against her ribs.

Pregnant.

A baby.

Kael’s baby.

Her breathing quickened instantly.

Beside the bed, the alpha still hadn’t moved.

Damien slowly lowered his coffee.

“Oh shit.”

Kael finally blinked.

Then everything changed.

Joy exploded through the bond so powerfully it nearly overwhelmed her.

Pure overwhelming joy.

Lyra looked up just in time to see the exact moment Kael processed the information.

His silver eyes widened slightly.

Then softened in a way she had never seen before.

Wonder.

Real wonder.

“You’re sure?” he asked quietly.

Mira nodded immediately.

“Wolf pregnancies develop quickly after a completed mate bond.” She smiled knowingly. “You’ll likely have five months before birth.”

Kael looked toward Lyra slowly.

And the expression on his face nearly shattered her heart completely.

He looked happy.

Not polite happy.

Not surprised happy.

Devastatingly happy.

The kind of happiness so deep it transformed him completely.

Mine.

Family.

The bond practically glowed with emotion now.

Kael moved suddenly.

Dropping to his knees beside the bed again before carefully taking Lyra’s hands into his much larger ones.

“You’re carrying our pup.”

His voice sounded rough.

Almost disbelieving.

Lyra still felt stunned herself.

“I…”

Words failed completely.

A baby.

Their baby.

Kael laughed softly then.

Actually laughed.

The deep sound filled the room with something warm and almost boyish.

Damien looked horrified.

“Oh gods. He’s emotional now.”

Kael ignored him completely.

His entire focus remained locked onto Lyra.

“You’re happy?” she whispered nervously.

The question visibly hurt him.

Kael’s expression softened instantly.

“Lyra.”

His thumb brushed gently across her knuckles.

“I have never wanted anything more.”

Emotion burned painfully behind her eyes.

Because no one had ever wanted anything connected to her before.

Not truly.

And now Kael looked like she’d handed him the moon itself.

The alpha carefully pressed his forehead against hers.

The bond between them surged warmly.

Protective.

Loving.

Terrifyingly loving.

“Our pup,” he murmured softly.

Mira smiled warmly before quietly gathering her things.

“I’ll prepare supplements and herbs for the pregnancy.” She glanced toward Kael knowingly. “And perhaps remind the alpha not to smother you completely.”

“Too late,” Damien muttered.

Kael still ignored him.

Of course he did.

The healer eventually left them alone.

Or mostly alone.

Damien remained near the fireplace watching the scene unfold with deep concern.

“This child is going to rule all of us, isn’t it?”

Kael finally glanced toward him.

“Yes.”

“No hesitation at all. Great.”

Lyra laughed weakly despite herself.

Kael immediately looked relieved hearing the sound.

God.

The male truly was obsessed with her now.

And somehow the pregnancy had only intensified it further.

Kael sat carefully beside her on the bed before pulling her gently against his chest.

Protective instincts practically poured through the bond now.

“She needs rest,” he said immediately.

Damien rolled his eyes.

“She’s pregnant, not dying.”

“She’s carrying my child.”

“Ah yes. There’s the insanity.”

Kael’s hand settled lightly over Lyra’s stomach.

The gesture felt oddly intimate.

Tender.

His expression softened again beneath quiet awe.

“There’s really a pup there.”

Lyra’s chest tightened emotionally.

“Yes.”

A tiny life.

Half her.

Half him.

The thought felt impossible.

Kael looked almost frighteningly pleased about it.

Then suddenly his expression darkened slightly.

Protectiveness sharpening.

“Magnus cannot know yet.”

The room quieted instantly.

Reality crashing back in.

Lyra’s stomach tightened nervously.

“He’ll find out eventually.”

“Yes,” Kael said grimly. “But not today.”

Damien crossed his arms.

“The elders are already struggling to control the pack. If they learn there’s an heir now too…”

Dangerous.

Everyone understood it immediately.

Because this pregnancy changed everything.

An heir meant permanence.

A future.

A bloodline.

And if Kael and Lyra had children together—

The old traditions truly would begin collapsing.

Kael’s hand remained protectively over her stomach.

Possessive.

Determined.

Mine.

And somehow…

Lyra already knew he would burn entire kingdoms before letting anyone threaten their child.

—

Elsewhere inside the estate, Elder Magnus stood silently within the council chambers while snow drifted softly beyond the dark windows.

A younger wolf had delivered the news only minutes ago.

And now the elder felt something dangerously close to panic.

Pregnant.

The runt was pregnant.

Magnus slowly lowered himself into one of the ancient wooden chairs, fingers tightening against the armrest.

This was spiraling beyond control.

The mating alone had weakened tradition enough.

But an heir?

A child born from the alpha and a runt luna?

No.

Absolutely not.

Because if the pup proved healthy…

If the child proved strong…

Everything Magnus believed would collapse.

Every ancient law.

Every hierarchy.

Every justification for the cruelty runts endured.

The pack would change forever.

And worse—

The wolves were already changing.

Silver Fang territory itself felt different lately.

Calmer.

Happier.

Wolves fought less.

Laughed more.

Even the omega quarters had grown peaceful beneath Lyra’s influence.

The runt had infected the entire pack exactly as Magnus feared.

And now she carried the future alpha heir.

No more waiting.

No more patience.

If Kael bonded deeper to her through a child, removing her later would become impossible.

Magnus inhaled slowly through his nose.

Then exhaled just as calmly.

Fine.

If the alpha refused reason…

Then the problem itself would need removing.

Not killing.

No.

That would start war.

But separation?

Temporary disappearance?

That could still work.

Especially if carefully planned.

Magnus’ expression smoothed slowly back into calmness.

Cold calmness.

The kind that hid monsters well.

Then finally—

The elder smiled.