Alpha Mendoza

Chapter 3

Alessia:

The nausea hit before the sun fully rose.

I barely made it to the basin before my stomach turned violently, my body folding over itself as bile burned my throat. I gagged, gripping the edge of the counter until my knuckles went white.

Sage stirred uneasily. Again… this is getting worse by the day. It is only a matter of time before things grow out of control.

“I know,” I whispered, wiping my mouth with shaking fingers. “I know. It is not easy, but we both a made a choice, Sage.”

And you are choosing to risk things by staying here… day and night.

“It is not like I can just easily go out and about without getting noticed.” I muttered as I washed my face.

Well, you don’t have any other options. It is either you do something about it… or we are dead.

I didn’t say anything to respond… because I knew that she was right.

Two months.

Two months since Christmas Eve.

Two months since I made the mistake that changed everything.

Two months since I lost everything that I believed I once had.

The pack house was already awake when I stepped out of my room, the corridors filled with low voices and the sound of footsteps. And just like every morning since that night, the talking stopped when they saw me. Some even muttered or whispered… but I was everyone’s gossip.

Eyes followed me.

Not curious.

Not kind.

Judging.

Once, they had greeted me with warmth. With respect. The Beta’s daughter. The future Luna. The healer they trusted. She was nothing more than a traitor who her betrothed caught with the scent of the enemy, a love bite, and the limp that revealed almost everything.

They looked at me like I was something spoiled. I pulled my shawl tighter around myself and kept walking. I wasn’t supposed to be out here, I knew, but I couldn’t stay inside for much longer.

The training grounds were busy. Warriors gathered in small clusters, discussing patrol rotations and supply movements. And there he was, Lucien, my betrothed despite everything, standing among them, posture straight, expression calm, every inch the Alpha’s son he was raised to be.

He didn’t look sick.

He didn’t look weak.

But he looked… colder.

The same man that once greeted me with a smile, now glared whenever he saw me.

His gaze flicked toward me, darkening almost imperceptibly before he turned back to the others to finish speaking. When the conversation ended and the pack members dispersed, he finally faced me.

“You shouldn’t be out here,” he said quietly. “You know the consequences that keep following when you leave the house.”

Not cruel.

Not kind.

Controlled.

“I needed air,” I replied. “I can’t stay inside all day, Lucien.”

“You stay inside until you are forgiven and have proved to be loyal after your little stunt.” He said, making me look away from him. “And you know how father feels about you roaming around to begin with. The last thing that you are going to need is to test his buttons.”

“I don’t intend to. As I said, I just needed some air.”

His eyes dropped to the shawl, which was filled with the smell of herbs. The one thing that could mask the scent that would expose everything to them.

His jaw tightened. “Why do you keep this shawl with you?”

I stiffened. “I’ve been ill. And it keeps me warm. I cannot go shopping, and my clothing is limited.”

He studied my face carefully, suspicion flickering beneath his calm exterior. “Ill how?”

I hesitated for half a second too long.

“My period,” I lied. “It’s… been heavy. And you know how I feel about the scent of it. Yes, I know that it is normal, but I would rather not have others smelling it on me, knowing that I am on it.”

The word tasted bitter on my tongue.

Two months late.

Lucien’s gaze sharpened, his eyes sweeping over me as if searching for something beneath my skin.

“You’re lying,” he said flatly. “And I want to know why?”

My heart stuttered. “I’m not. But if you want me to take off my pants to prove it, I will.”

Silence stretched between us.

Then he exhaled slowly. “I told you not to shift last month. You didn’t listen. You know that something bad could happen to you if you keep defying.”

“I did,” I said quickly, I couldn’t if I wanted to. “I haven’t shifted at all. I was locked in the room until morning, I followed your rule, and you know that. You saw me through the window.”

His expression darkened further. “And yet you look worse.”

I lowered my eyes.

“Within the next two days,” he continued, voice firm, “you will shift. I’ll speak to my father and make sure you’re allowed to. You need it. Your wolf has been suppressed that right long enough, and our wolves need to connect. You are still my bride to be.”

Allowed.

The word burned.

“Yes,” I said softly. “I’ll be waiting for your call.

He nodded once, dismissing the conversation. “Go inside. Sweep the hallways, and then go back to your room until you are called. And next time you leave your room, don’t make it obvious that you’re hiding things.”

His eyes lingered on the shawl one last time before he turned away.

I stood there for a moment, frozen.

His father passed by just then, his glare sharp enough to cut. He didn’t say a word, he didn’t have to. The disgust was clear. My own father wouldn’t even look at me, and his words still played in my mind whenever his eyes met my own.

“You are a disappointment to the blood your mother gave you. Had she known, she would have chosen her life over hers.” I closed my eyes, ignoring the pain that I felt at the reminder before walking back inside.

The broom felt heavier than it should have as I moved across the stone floor, my thoughts spiraling.

Sage pressed closer, her voice fierce.

We can’t stay. They are going to find out, and if that happens…

She didn’t need to complete her sentence for me to understand.

“I know,” I whispered under my breath.

As I bent to sweep near the window, my hand drifted to my stomach instinctively.

So small.

So fragile.

Yet already changing everything.

“I promise you,” I murmured quietly, voice barely audible even to myself, “I will run if I have to. I won’t let them touch you. Not him. Not anyone. I am going to be sure to keep you safe, little pup.”

Sage growled softly, resolute.

Then we’ll run.

“But we must do it tonight.”

Then by all means, what are we waiting for?