embers and claws

Chapter Three

I stilled my resolve, buckling the knees that threatened to give out as I staggered into gaits and as I stepped out of our home a body with brown locks almost ran into me.

"Nataia", She says breathless.

She chuckled nervously " I heard you are back", I thought I saw her eyes flickered to my stomach.

Caroline threw her arms around my neck and pulled me into a tight hug "I missed you", I tried to let her arms ground me.

She pulled back, her hands on my shoulders " You seem tensed",

I forced out a smile "A lot had been going on",

"Yeah, with your mating with Alpha Alastair", She said before turning to fall into steps beside me.

Instinctively my body tensed.

"How are you fitting in there", Caroline swung her arms before curling one of hers against mine.

"But you don't smell like him", she raised her brow then shrugged innocently. Caroline and I grew up together, we were practically attached at the hips. It is expected that she would sense something. My heart thudded at the thought of the secret in my womb. If only it was a dream.

Sensing my quietness, she turned to look in my eyes "Are you okay?

"Yeah", I nodded, my smile bitter.

"The mating didn't go through. I figured we aren't a good match",

Her eyes darkened imperceptibly before her soft features pulled into a sympathetic look. "It will be fine",

At this point I had gotten to my limit, I just wanted to get to my dad to find out what happened.

As she opened her mouth, I cut her short "I'm actually preoccupied with something currently",

Her eyes flashed with hurt, her hold on my arm tensed and I felt guilt gnawing at me

"I'm still trying to get over everything, I'll see you later", I gave her an apologetic look.

Reluctantly she let go of my arm "Oh okay, I'll see you later then", she bite her bottom lip before darting off. She was my father's beta's daughter, and with her ability and closeness to me it would not be hard for her to find out.

Don't come to my office

I heard Dad's voice in my mind.

The guests are around

Father always thoughtful, protective but this was exactly what I wanted. I didn't want to live my life in fear wondering if the baby was there or not. It was exactly this lycan guests I needed to put me out of this mystery or put me in misery.

I heard Dad's frantic voice in my voice, but I blocked him out. I could almost taste his horrified emotions in my mouth. Then came Alexie, his voice an impatient command but we were both of Alpha blood and he wasn't my leader yet.

I could feel his composure slipping away as my mind conjured his blue eyes become slit from fear.

Nataia, no

His voice trembled

Ayah, please

His soft pleading voice broke something in me. I wanted to bear all its weight, they didn't know about it, and I needed them to remain clueless. I'll bear all the consequences.

I knew they would not stop, they'll send people to hold me back.

I saw them the moment the pack house came into view.

The Delta Daniel, and Gamma Gabriel flanked the entrance. Their stance valiant. As I made to pass through, Delta Daniel's arm jolted out "Alpha's order, you are not allowed in this vicinity",

I bowed my head and my lid lowered to hide the emotions in my eyes. The blood that made this pack one of the strongest was the same that run in my blood. The late Luna that happened to be my mother was of lycanthrope blood, although dormant in mine, it was still there.

I'm sure this fact didn't escape dad, that was why he sent the two, but it changed nothing. I would be walking through that door by ease or force.

I stood still, my stance clear. I would not be leaving. I had a mission to achieve

"Don't make this hard for us", Gamma Gabriel persuaded. I didn't have the power to override Dad's command, then I was left with only an option. The crook means.

"I won't", I promised. It was not their fault.

They sighed in relief and their stance relaxed, I whizzed past them to stand behind them. The sound that followed was the dull sound of fractured necks. They'll heal, but I would be where I wanted by then.

Their huge bodies collapsed against the hard floor and the betrayal looks on their faces cajoled an apology out of me "I'm sorry",

I turned to walk in.

I felt a push against the wall I put up in my mind followed by a nudge. I paused for a moment as I battled with the force of my father's mind linking while my brother's own sratched underneath our father's

I let warmth flow to them. It will be alright.

I approached the office my steps laden with determination.

I heard their voices before I saw them. I didn't wait to second guess my decision.

The knob turned under my hand and I pulled the door opened. The presence in that room was overwhelming, it was one that makes my father's own lessen by a lot, but it was exactly what I needed.

Four pairs of eyes looked in my direction; blue, brown and green.

I could see my father's hands clutching the armrests in a tight grip, and Alexie's jaw tick- his muscles taut as if ready to fly into action should anything happen.

"Who might this be", I turned towards the sooting masculine voice. His presence commanded attention, I had thought his power overwhelming, being in his presence was much more. Yet, I could feel he had lessen his presence.

Something tells me he already knew who I was. There was no look of familiarity nor was there that of meeting someone for the first time.

I turned to look at him to find him looking in my direction. His green eyes had specks of gold, they were the most beautiful ones I had ever seen.

His jaw chiseled without beard and on his head are tussled blonde locks.

He turned to my father for answers.

Dad cleared his throat, his voice tense "My daughter",

The man stood to his feet, took my hand in his before pressing his lips to it "Just the person I wanted to see",

My brows curled in question.

"Lorenzo", he looked up at me from his bowed position.

"Nataia ", I responded smoothly even though my throat threatened to close in on me.

My wolf steered underneath, and I felt an almost unnoticeable zap of energy spread from that spot to my body. Fear gnaw at my chest, gripping it like a viper immobilizing its prey.

His touch lingered as much as his gaze. He dropped my hand reluctantly before turning to my father again.

He pulled his seat for me before gesturing for me to take my seat. I muttered a thank you before taking my seat.

"And behinde him is his beta, Enzo", another voice spoke softly behind him.

"Forgotten", Lorenzo added as I turned to him.

He chuckled at his own joke and a dimple appeared at the left side of his cheek while his beta clutched his chest in mock pain "ouch",

He shrugged off his jean jacket before pulling his seat closer to mine.

"I was about discuss something with your father when you arrived." He paused to see if I was following.

He turned to me and his legs brushed my thighs. Contrary to my expectations there was no feeling of discomfort.

"My coming here was to propose a union between your daughter and I", he stared deep into my eyes.

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach and I noticed dad throw a glance at Alexie as he opened his mouth to speak.

My body grew taut and the cells got sensitized. Another union. My inside quivered.

"Did you not hear of the failed one", Dad's tone was measured.

"I did",

"And you still chose her", this wasn't the Alpha speaking, it was a dad worried for his daughter.

"Yes",

"Why",

His thumb rubbed at the side of his buttom lip "As long as the reason for the failed mating was not as a result of breaking the mating rules. What happened between them is non of my concern, it just meant I have a chance",

"Plus she has lycanthrope blood running in her vein, although dormant, and she is an Alpha's daughter. All of this makes her a befitting partner",

My mother was from Lycan Lorenzo's pack, her father was once the Alpha and her death ended their bloodline.

My head spin as he spoke, he seemed to be missing the most important part. Did he not sense it or was it just not there. Hope ignited in me. I would rather be his chosen than be pregnant with a child of no origin.

Maybe just maybe his presence can chase off this presence in my mind

Something hot scorch my chest and I almost gasped in pain as my eyes glistened in tears.

Maybe not.

"Those are secondary, I just happened to find out that Nataia is my second chance mate", he dropped the bomb his voice laden with repressed excitement and expectations.

A vacuum seemed to have dropped, draining off the softness and little bit of relaxation we had felt. In replacement, it left behind a huge void, static and full of fear.

My heart seemed to have stopped, while the ones beating loudly in my ears happens to be that of my dad and brother.

The ringing in my ears so loud I could hear nothing, and then everything. Yet, I seemed to have heard wrong.

The only presence that was left unacknowledged was the only person who permeated joy "That's great, Nataia", he exclaimed- my father's beta Jacob.