Chapter 5
704 Words
POV: Cade
Leo is restless in his sleep. His small body twitches under the blankets and his brow is furrowed in pain even in his dreams. He smells like sickness, looks like life slowly fading away and it tears me apart.
I am the Alpha. I can command an army. I can crush a skull with one hand. But I cannot fight this.
The door opens softly. It is the Head Omega.
"Alpha," he whispers. "Lady Mara is leaving. The Old Luna requested you escort her home."
I sigh and stand up. I tuck the blanket around Leo 's shoulders one last time before I walk out.
Mara is waiting in the hall. She looks perfect as always. Her hair is smooth and her eyes are glistening with unshed tears but I’m hardly concerned.
"Let's go," I say.
We walk out to the car in silence. The night air is cool but my skin feels hot. My wolf is pacing inside me, agitated by the scent of the woman who was here earlier.
Dinah.
Her scent is still clinging to my senses. Rain and ozone and fear.
I start the engine and drive down the winding road.
"Cade," Mara says softly.
I keep my eyes on the road.
"Mother told me that Dinah’s blood markers didn't match," she says. "But... surely there are others? Her sister? Her mother? Maybe we can test them?"
"They have all been tested," I say flatly. "I had their medical records pulled from the hospital years ago. None of them are a match."
Mara goes quiet for a moment. I can hear her heart beating fast.
"If there is really no other way," she says hesitantly. "Maybe we should try the artificial method? Modern fertility treatments are very advanced. We could just pay her for the eggs and—"
I slam my foot on the gas.
The SUV lurches forward and the engine roars like a beast. Mara gasps and is pressed back into her seat.
"No," I growl.
The word vibrates in the car.
I slow down, forcing my temper back under control. Mara has been kind to me and especially to Leo but she has no say in this.
"I have already spoken to the Elders," I say. "Science cannot fix a spiritual break. Leo needs a wolf, Mara. Not a test tube baby."
"But Cade ..." Mara turns to look at me and her eyes are wide. "You know what happens if you... if you breed with her. The bond. It might come back."
I grip the steering wheel until the leather creaks.
"The bond was severed," I say cold as ice. "It cannot come back."
"But what if it does?" she whispers. "What about us? What about the Pack?"
"Leo is the Pack," I snap. "Leo is everything. If he dies, there is no future."
Mara opens her mouth to argue but then shuts it. She turns her face to the window and I can smell her distress but it is useless.
Even if my bond with Dinah somehow manages to return, I will do the same thing I did before.
Sever it.
I pull up to the Shaw estate. It is grand and old, fitting for a Beta family.
Mara gets out. She stands there for a second then turns and knocks on the window.
I roll it down.
"Do you have time tomorrow?" she asks and she forces a smile that looks painful. "We could have lunch? Discuss the... preparations?"
"No," I say. "I have things to handle."
"Okay," she says. "Drive safe Alpha."
I roll the window up and drive away without looking back.
I am halfway back to the estate when my phone rings.
I look at the screen, it's an unknown number but I know who it is.
I answer it. "Dinah."
There is wind on the other end. I can hear cars passing. She is outside.
"Alpha Cade ," she says.
Her voice is different than it was an hour ago. It isn't shaking anymore. It is low and steady and hard.
"I've made up my mind," she says. "I agree to your terms but I have a condition."
I scoff, feeling immediately irritated. Of course she does.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD