Rebirth of Xena

CHAPTER THREE

IT CAME AS A SHOCK

Xena’s POV

It’s been six months since I got pregnant. My stomach had grown big and quite heavy to carry but I was still able to push through with it. After all, I was the only child and Beta daughter of my father even though he disowned me. While my pregnancy progressed, I noticed some changes in my body. I had felt more powerful than ever before. My senses were heightened, and I could hear and smell things that I never could before. I also felt a sense of calm and peace that I had never experienced before even though there was nothing to be calm about. It was like I had joy in chaos and I knew that this was all due to the baby inside me. Being on this journey with him was a new experience for me, and it had not been easy. From the very beginning, I was sick and tired all the time. I had also been plagued by strange cravings, and I had to eat things that I never would have considered before. I also had to deal with the changes in my body, and it had not been easy. The wolf inside me was happy and content, and I could feel his presence like never before. I had a feeling that my baby was going to be special, and I couldn't wait to meet him.

I held my waist tightly while pacing around in front of the cave. For some reason, I was feeling uncomfortable and restless. It was as if something was or was happening. Something I just couldn’t lay my hands on. Something far within my reach to address. What exactly could be going on? I asked myself, feeling uneasy. I decided to wave the feeling off and focus on crafting a neckpiece for my little pup.

Just as I was about to head into the cave, I sighted Elyse, approaching me urgently. I stopped in my tracks and turned to welcome her. “Elyse!” I called out

She ran her way towards me, engulfing me in a hug. It felt like I was in a movie with her and they had made this scene in slow motion.

I pulled away instantly, confused about what was happening. “What happened to you?” I asked

She sighed. She outreached her hand and held me by my hand, guiding my way into the cave.

“Be careful,” she said softly, gesturing at me who almost tripped over with my heavy belly. I nodded my head in approval, trailing behind her. We finally got deeper into the cave and we settled down.

“Elyse, you are not saying anything. Did you get into a fight? Are you okay? Did anything happen?” I asked urgently. I was running out of patience and I needed to know what was going on before I thought of retiring to my mattress.

“It’s not you, it’s me,” she responded

I brushed it off, trembling while expecting a response but she didn’t say anything either so I moved on to asking her a question.

“What do you mean, it's not you?” I asked, my heart sinking. I felt a sense of dread, but I needed to know what she meant.

“Firstly, I’ll start by telling you who I am,” Elyse said, her eyes filled with sadness. I nodded vigorously, giving her the floor.

“I am Elyse, the former healer of Tristan's pack,” she started, making me gasp for air.

Tristan pack? I knew it. I knew I had seen her somewhere and also knew me from somewhere but how dare she? How could she keep such information from me?

“Why? Why did you do it?” I queried.

“Do what?” She questioned, making me throw her an eye of disappointment.

“I’m sorry. I just did it to protect you,” she replied

“Protect me? From what?” I scoffed

“A lot. If I had told you the truth, you would have run off, subjecting yourself to the harms and attacks out there,” she said.

“It still doesn’t change the fact that you lied,” I chipped in.

“I know I did. Please, forgive me. I had done that to keep you safe. I knew how broken you were when I first saw and spoke to you. I knew if I had come clean about my identity, you would run off or probably might have to kill me,” Elyse implored

“It’s fine,” I replied. To be honest, it was totally fine. If I had not met her, I wouldn’t know where I would be at this moment. Probably somewhere beneath the ground or in the cold hands of my ex-lover, Alpha Brent.

“This can not be only it because you still look sad and uptight. What is the matter?” I asked for the hundredth of the time.

“Ummm… I…” she stammered.

“Elyse, can you talk to me already?” I said, trying so hard to hold back my voice from screaming. I was running out of patience and I needed to hear what she had to say. I needed to hear it all.

“He did it just like he planned it. His plans worked,” she said, her voice breaking.

I became more confused. Who was he and what plans was she talking about?

I adjusted on the chair. “Elyse, I don’t understand you one bit,” I continued. “Who is he? What plans are you talking about?”

“Alpha Brent,” she said softly, biting her lower lip out of frustration.

I shook my head. “Okay? Alpha Brent.. yes?” I replied expectantly. The name rang a bell. I knew Alpha Brent, the same man who betrayed me and caused my father to banish and disown me, putting me in this condition. I knew him but what I was ignorant of was his plans which Elyse had mentioned.

“What plans are you talking about, Elyse?” I queried.

“The annihilation of your pack and family,” she finally said.

I gasped, standing up forcefully for the seat. “What?!” I screamed. “How could he?!”

Her eyes grew misty as she stood up too, trying to calm me down.

Elyse's voice was shaking as she spoke, her eyes filled with tears. “I'm so sorry to tell you this, Xena, but...Alpha Brent took over and...he destroyed your family. He took your best friend Aria as his bride and Luna,”

My heart sank, making the blood rush from my head as I fought to keep my composure. I felt the anger rising inside me, a hot, searing fury that threatened to consume me. For some moment, I felt eerie and weak. In fact, I had multiple feelings running through me. Even my stomach suddenly felt heavy times a hundred.

Elyse continued, with her words that were like a dagger in my heart. “He didn’t change, Xena. He has always been like that. That is why I am out here. He had shown his monster part which he had managed to hide for years,”

I couldn't hold back the tears any longer so I sobbed, I let it all out. Elyse put her arms around me, trying to comfort me. “I know this is hard to hear, Xena, but you need to know the truth. I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you,”

I pulled away from her, trying to calm my breathing. “How could he do this? Betraying me wasn’t enough for him?” I asked, my voice hoarse with emotion.

Elyse shook her head, her eyes sad and resigned. “He's been obsessed with power and control for a long time. I think he saw your family as a threat, and he wanted to eliminate them so he could be the only one in charge,”

I tried to speak but suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my belly. It was time.