CHAPTER 16: THE CLOCK IS TICKING
943 Words
KIARA'S POV
Something was wrong,Not dangerous,Not painful,Just Different.
I stood in front of the mirror in our room, staring at my reflection. My hand rested protectively over my stomach as a strange mixture of joy and fear swirled inside me.
They were growing fast…Too fast.
The witch doctor had warned me that my babies were special.
But I hadn't expected this.
Every day, I felt stronger movements.Every day, my body changed.And every day, I could feel them.
Not just physically,Emotionally,Spiritually.
As if our souls were connected.
I closed my eyes and smiled when one of them kicked.
"My little troublemakers."
Another kick.
I laughed softly.Then fear replaced my smile.Because I knew what their birth meant.I had seen enough in my visions to understand one thing.The moment my children entered this world…
The coven would come.
And they would come with everything they had.
The bedroom door opened.
Kael entered carrying a tray of food.
His smile immediately softened.
"There you are."
I smiled.
"You know, I think you're spoiling me."
His eyes sparkled.
"Good."
He placed the tray down before walking toward me.
His arms wrapped around my waist from behind.
"How are my three favorite people?"
I leaned against him.
"Tired."
He kissed my shoulder.
"And?"
I hesitated.
"Kael…"
Immediately, his playful mood disappeared.
"What is it?"
I turned around.
His eyes widened slightly when he saw the worry on my face.
"What happened?"
I grabbed his hand and placed it on my stomach.
"The babies."
Fear entered his eyes.
"What about them?"
"They're growing."
His face softened.
"That's good, isn't it?"
"No."
His expression changed.
"No?"
I swallowed.
"They're growing faster than I expected."
He frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean…"
Tears filled my eyes.
"I think I'll give birth soon."
His entire body froze.
"What?"
"I can feel it."
"Kiara, you're not due yet."
"I know."
"But they're different."
His hand instinctively moved over my stomach.
And right then…
Kick.
His eyes widened.
Another kick…And another.
His mouth fell open.
"They're strong."
I smiled weakly.
"They're stronger than strong."
He looked both amazed and terrified.
"They almost broke my hand."
Despite everything, I laughed.
Then tears appeared in my eyes.
His smile vanished immediately.
"Kiara."
I shook my head.
"No."
"No, don't cry."
He cupped my face.
"What is it?"
"The visions."
His expression darkened.
"The babies."
"They're the reason the coven wants me."
My voice broke.
"And once they're born…"
Fear gripped my heart.
"They won't wait anymore."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"They'll speed up their plans."
"They'll come for our children."
The room became silent.
"They'll stop hiding."
"They'll stop waiting."
"And they won't care how many people die."
Kael's face turned cold.
Dangerously cold.
"They'll kill anyone standing in their way."
I started crying.
"And what if they take them?"
"What if I can't protect them?"
"What if—"
"Stop."
His voice was firm.
Strong.
I looked at him through my tears.
"Look at me."
His golden eyes blazed.
"Nobody is taking our children."
"Kael”
"Nobody."
"But”
"Nobody."
His Alpha aura burst through the room.
Windows rattled.
His wolf surfaced.
The protective father inside him awakening completely.
"I don't care if it's the coven."
"I don't care if it's witches."
"I don't care if it's Hell itself."
His hand rested over my stomach.
"They are mine."
The intensity in his voice sent shivers through me.
"Our babies."
"Our family."
"And anyone who comes for them…"
His eyes glowed gold.
"They die."
KAEL'S POV
Fear…Pure fear that I have never felt before consumed me.I had faced enemies before.
Rogue Alphas,Hunters,Blood witches.
Nothing had terrified me.
Nothing.
Until now.
Because this wasn't about me.It wasn't about my pack.It wasn't even about Kiara.
It was about my children.
My babies.
Children I hadn't even held yet.Children whose tiny kicks already made my heart melt.Children whose voices I dreamed about hearing.
And some monsters wanted them.
Over my dead body.
Kiara sat on the bed crying quietly.
I sat beside her immediately.She buried her face in my chest.
"I don't want them hurt."
My heart shattered.
"You won't lose them."
"I saw so much death."
"You won't lose them."
"What if”
"No."
I kissed her forehead.
"No more what-ifs."
"No more fear."
"We prepare."
She looked up at me.
"Prepare?"
I nodded.
"We strengthen the borders."
"We double security…We move warriors around the sanctuary."
"We keep pack close."
"We trust no strangers."
"We do everything."
"And if the coven comes—"
My wolf growled inside me.
"They'll discover that I'm not just an Alpha."
I looked down at her stomach.
And for the first time in my life…
I understood my father.
I understood why he had become ruthless when protecting his family.
Because love made monsters out of men.And I would become the biggest monster in existence if it meant keeping them safe.
Suddenly
Kiara gasped.
My heart nearly stopped.
"What?!"
Her eyes widened.
She grabbed my hand.
"Kael."
Panic exploded inside me.
"What is it?"
She placed my hand on her stomach.
Kick.
Kick.
Kick.
Three powerful kicks.
My eyes widened.
And then…
I heard it.
Not with my ears.
But inside my head.
A tiny voice.
No.
Two tiny voices.
Faint.
Weak.
But there.
Daddy.
My entire body froze.
Kiara's eyes widened in shock.
"Did you hear that?" she whispered.
I stared at her.
My heart pounded violently.
Because I had heard it.
And judging by the tears in her eyes…
So had she.
And somewhere far away…
Hidden in darkness…
A pair of ancient eyes slowly opened.
And a voice whispered into the shadows
"The heirs are awakening."
- Writer
