One Night Stand, Lifetime of Bonds

CHAPTER 3

Assault

Mia's POV

With my heart beating like a drum, I hold on to the broom tightly. A giant wolf stands before me, its bright eyes gleaming in the shadowy alley behind my bakery. I scream, "Get back!" as I whip the broom despite my knees shaking at its snarl. It snarls and moves closer when the broom strikes its snout. The town is silent after closure, I'm by myself, and fear is tearing at my chest. My child—Lucas's child—feels like a secret that I must keep safe.

A flash of black fur strikes the wolf, causing it to fall to the ground. It's a larger, blue-eyed wolf that flashes like Lucas. Fur flying, the two roll, snapping and clawing. My breath quickens as I stagger back, dropping my broom. The rogue yelps and scurries off into the darkness as the black wolf pins it, its teeth at its throat. When the black wolf turns, Lucas appears in a flash, his face angry and his clothes ripped.

He approaches me and asks, "Mia, are you okay?" His eyes are wild, as if he is afraid, but his speech is quiet. I look on, my rage building. He is the one who crushed my heart and abandoned me.

"You!" With trembling hands, I snap. "You're here acting like a hero after leaving me?" I detest my voice cracking. He is unaware that my belly is round with his kid, but I want to be strong. With my apron snug against my stomach, I take a step back.

He begins, "Mia, I had to—" but I interrupt him.

"No! You have no right to explain! With tears in my eyes, I scream. Lucas, you abandoned me in that hut. I had faith in you! His eyes go to my belly as my hands cover it for protection. His expression shifts from shock to something milder, as if he is aware of it.

He moves closer, whispering, "Is that... mine?" I'm angrier because of his unsteady voice. He is no longer able to care.

I went back towards the bakery entrance and said, "Stay away." "You are not necessary to me." My heart pounding, I turn and fumble with my keys. He calls my name, but I lock the door and slam it. The air is dusty with flour as I lean against the counter inside and breathe heavily. What was the wolf? What made Lucas become one? I tremble when my dream of a howling wolf comes back to me.

With my hand on my stomach, I drop to the ground. I mutter, "It's okay, little one," as the baby kicks and flutters a bit. I'll protect you. However, I'm afraid. I can hear sounds too far away, like footsteps in the alley, and I'm starting to notice a change in myself. My heart won't stop beating, even though I tell myself it's nothing.

Lucas's pov

As I stand outside Mia's bakery, the rogue's scent wafting into the night, I can still hear her scream. I clench my fists and resist the want to break down the door and hold her. She is expecting my mate's baby, which is also my baby. Guilt strikes me like a blow. I thought that by leaving her, I would protect her from my reality. I am to blame for the rogue who is currently pursuing her.

My boots crunching on gravel, I pace the alley. With its eyes fixed on Mia as if it knew something, the rogue's strike was not haphazard. Sensing danger in the air, my wolf lets out a snarl. She despises me, and I deserve it, but I have to protect her. I can still see the pain in her emerald eyes. She refuses to listen when I tell her that she is my mate and that the moon goddess picked her. Not quite yet.

The woodland is dark as I make my way back to the pack's cave. Ethan's brown eyes are alert as he waits. He leans against a tree and asks, "What happened, boss?" I can tell he smells the rogue in me since his smile has vanished.

My voice is low as I say, "Rogue attacked Mia." "She's pregnant, but she's OK." The words have the weight of stones. Ethan's eyes enlarge, but he remains silent. He's faithful and my beta, but he's too intelligent not to guess.

He crosses his arms and asks, "Isn't she the one from the festival?" I nod without looking into his eyes. He asks, "Are you going to tell her who you are?" I just look at the ground without responding. Keeping her in the dark could be worse than telling her, which would put her in danger.

I send Ethan to look for further rogues on the outside of the town. I sat by the fire in the den by myself, my thoughts racing. I get a shiver from Mia's aroma of wildflowers and vanilla. I can't jeopardise the trust of the pack, despite my wolf's cries for her closeness. With rogues lurking around these days, a human mate means trouble. My chest hurts as I picture her round belly carrying my child. I ought to have stayed and given an explanation that morning. I ran like a coward instead.

I'm back by the bakery the following evening, observing from the shadows. Mia's apron is tight over her stomach, and her curls are loose. Her face appears exhausted, but her hands are strong as she kneads dough. Despite my wolf's pleas to approach her, I remain hidden. I smell it—sour, just like the previous rogue. I lift my hackles and approach, staying in the shadows.

With a whispery voice, Ethan locates me. Lucas, I discovered renegade tracks. With their sights set on her, they are circling the town. He gives the bakery a nod. I feel chilled. They are pursuing the infant, or Mia. I know it's horrible, but I'm not sure why.

I tell him, "Keep watch," in a firm voice. "Keep her in your line of sight." With a smile in return, Ethan nods, but his eyes are serious. Although I trust him, I detest entrusting anybody else with Mia's protection. I call a meeting and go to the pack. I won't tell the elders about Mia, but they must be aware of the rogues. Not quite yet.

The pack assembles at the den, watching me. I stand tall and say, "Rogues are getting brave." "We defend the town by double patrolling." While some of them nod, others appear concerned and start talking about people. I focus on Mia and ignore them. Even if she pushes me away, I have to protect her.

Drawn back to the bakery, I sneak out before the sun comes up. The moon is low and the town is quiet. I observe Mia through the window from the other side of the street. She moves slowly while cleaning, as if she is carrying a burden. I remain motionless as my wolf growls. Then I hear it, too close, a low growl. The alley, where shadows move, catches my attention. With its eyes fixed on the bakery door, a larger rogue emerges than the previous one. Unaware, Mia is humming inside while placing her palm on her stomach.