Chapter 65
"You do know that they’re going to try and kill her now, right? They’ll find every way possible to get rid of that baby!" Sophie’s eyes were sharp with warning as she looked at Jake, pressing the seriousness of the situation.
I sighed as I rose from the bed. We were back in our room now; Sophie had insisted on speaking to us both before heading to bed herself. "I think it was bound to happen, Sophie. Better for them to hear the news straight from their king than through rumors," I said, keeping my tone steady, though I felt my nerves fraying.
"I understand that," she replied, "but it would have been better for this news to reach the people only after the pregnancy had gone through a few more moons. Maybe even eight whole moons. The risk would have been so much less." She held my gaze, her eyes full of genuine concern, and I suppressed another sigh because she was right. I could sense that she wanted to protect me, but she knew the reality as much as I did.
Jake’s face hardened, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her. "Enough! What’s done is done. Now we must make sure my mate is safe from any harm. Fretting over something that’s already in the past is useless," he said, his voice unyielding.
"Yes, brother, but beware of your council. They didn’t seem happy about this at all," Sophie warned, crossing her arms in a protective stance. "They might try to hurt her, so keep yourselves alert and ready for anything."
Jake nodded, a grim expression on his face. "Yes, it would be foolish to fully trust them. When I look at them, all I see is poison. This may be my pack, but they definitely haven’t fully accepted my mate, let alone my child," he said, pacing back and forth, his movements restless and full of tension.
"They will learn to accept us," I replied firmly. "It will just take a very long time. I am patient, but if they try to hurt our baby, I’ll burn everything—including them." I rubbed my stomach gently, feeling a mixture of pride and protectiveness. The baby was growing fast; my belly was round and visible now, a beautiful reminder of the life inside me.
Sophie looked at me seriously, her voice full of resolve. "We’ll protect you, Luna. Don’t eat anything unless I taste it first; don’t drink anything unless I taste it first. And don’t go anywhere with anyone unless you have a guard with you—that means me or Chris," she said sternly.
I nodded, grateful for her vigilance. "Okay."
Jake gave Sophie a small, appreciative smile. "Goodnight, cousin."
"Goodnight," she replied, smiling at us both before turning and slipping out of the room, gently closing the door behind her.
I glanced at Jake, surprised at how calm he seemed. I was truly freaking out, imagining all the ways something could go wrong. What if I ate something poisoned, or drank something without thinking to let Sophie taste it first? And what if that poison hurt her instead? I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if Sophie fell victim while trying to protect me.
"What are you thinking about?" Jake asked, shrugging off his shirt as he prepared for bed.
I took a deep breath, trying to settle my nerves. "I’m just worried, Jake. I really don’t like the idea of Sophie tasting my food. If it’s poisonous, it could kill her."
“She won’t be tasting your food,” he replied simply, his tone matter-of-fact.
“But she just said she would, to make sure I don’t eat something laced with baby-killing poison,” I argued, frowning.
He smirked as he slipped into his navy blue silk pajama bottoms. "Did you really think I would let my sister taste potentially poisoned food? I’ll get someone else to do it."
Of course, he had it all figured out. I rolled my eyes, pulling on my pajama shorts and a t-shirt. "Then why would you pretend to agree to everything she said? You’re something else, seriously."
"I don’t have the time or patience to argue with Sophie right now. She wouldn’t agree to any of my ideas. She would rather play the hero, and I can’t allow that," he said, slipping under the bed covers with a determined look. I watched him, feeling a mixture of admiration and frustration. Sophie wouldn’t like this plan at all, but I had to admit that Jake was right. I didn’t want anything to happen to her either.
“You’re right,” I sighed, resigning myself to the situation.
He grinned, pulling me close. "Aren’t I always? Come here." I slipped under the covers beside him, a smile spreading across my face as he wrapped his arms around me. This was exactly where I belonged. Jake often drove me crazy, and he still wasn’t the most expressive man, but I knew he cared. I would give him time—after all, we had plenty of it.
It was clear enough now: I couldn’t get away from him, and I couldn’t live without him either. He was the father of my unborn child, and soon enough, I’d have him all figured out. "Goodnight," I whispered, kissing his chest.
"Goodnight, mi amor," he replied softly, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.
---
The next morning came too quickly. "Oh, hell no!" I exclaimed, glaring at Sophie as her suggestion sunk in.
"Prisca, please understand,” Fatima pleaded, her voice full of longing. "I must go with Chris and Sophie! How will I ever get to know Avalon if I stay inside with you all day?"
I growled, my frustration bubbling over. "Then take me with you! Sophie, you promised to always be by my side—just yesterday, in fact. And now you want to leave me?"
Sophie looked embarrassed, blushing as she avoided my gaze because she knew I was right. They were planning to head to the village center to settle some disputes. The beta was in charge of handling such issues, while the Alpha took care of more important matters. I suspected Fatima just wanted to be close to Chris, her mate. Sophie, on the other hand, wanted to make sure everything went smoothly, especially since the Scottish wolves could be a bit wild and unpredictable.
Meanwhile, I was itching to get out and explore a little. Staying locked inside with people who might want to harm me felt maddening. Jake had left me with a few trusted guards, but I wanted to be with Sophie, Chris, or Fatima—anyone I actually trusted. But now they were all about to leave.
“It’s not safe out there, Prisca,” Sophie said, her face serious. "Please trust me. It’s much more dangerous than you think, especially out there. Plus, Jake would rip my head off if I let you go."
I rolled my eyes and folded my arms in frustration. "Fine! Go and leave me here to die of boredom and loneliness."
Fatima squealed, hugging me. "Thank you for understanding! We love you!"
I rolled my eyes again. "Sure, whatever!" I replied, stomping off to my room.
After waiting for what felt like an eternity—fifteen whole minutes—I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands. I slipped into a huge black hoodie I used to wear back when I worked at the store. The hoodie was big enough to hide my belly. I paired it with some dark navy-blue baggy jeans and Nike sneakers. After braiding my hair into two plaits, I tucked them under my hood. Honestly, I looked like a boy.
I chuckled as I caught my reflection in the mirror. No one would recognize me. I spritzed myself with my strong red rose wildflower perfume by Avon, burying my scent. It wouldn’t last long, but it would hide my scent for just enough time.
I would spend a few minutes in the village, just long enough to satisfy my curiosity, and then I’d hurry back before Sophie and Fatima returned. They were out of their minds if they thought I’d sit here and wait for some fool to come and harm my baby. Maybe I was being paranoid, but there was no way I would risk it.
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