Chapter 24

“Who else would I choose if not you?” He replied with a sweet smile. “I knew you were mine when I laid eyes on you in that dark cell in the Highlands.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I was dirty and smell then,” I said.
“But I could see your beauty and grace underneath the dirt,” he replied. “I wanted you so badly that sometimes, I would daydream about breaking you out of the cell.”
I was touched by his words. He loved me even when I was a mess and locked up in prison.
“Come here,” I whispered and pulled his face closer to me for a kiss.
I climbed on top of him and continued to kiss him deeply. My long hair fell forward like a curtain, covering his face.
“I think I need a haircut now,” I said.
“Please, don’t cut your hair,” he said. “It’s so beautiful.”
He ran his fingers through it lovingly. I was very happy to see how much he loved my hair and I vowed to leave it the way it was for as long as he wanted me to.
We made love slowly and tenderly all through the night. We fell asleep in each other’s arms, feeling very satisfied.
The next day, both of us left the camp behind and hiked across the woods surrounding us. We stopped on a grassy hill and made love under the sky. I had never been so happy in my entire life.
When we returned home, I saw Hycinth’s rejected mate, his mother and two female pack members, sitting by the fire, cooking lunch. I didn’t usually participate in the cooking but today, I felt like joining them.
“I think you’re going to take that nap alone,” I said to Hycinth. “I want to join the women today to cook.”
“Are you sure?” He asked with a smile. “You’re the Luna. You don’t have to join them at all.”
“I know. And yes, I am sure. Go on, go inside. I’ll come for you when lunch is ready.”
“If you insist,” he said and went into our tent.
The women were surprised to see me when I joined them.
“What can I do to help?” I asked cheerfully.
“Oh, don’t worry, dear,” said Hycinth’s mother. “Just sit here beside me and watch the others do their thing. You don’t have to do anything.”
I smiled and did as she said. The women cooked quietly, hardly talking to each other as they worked.
“You are glowing, my Luna,” said Hycinth’s rejected mate.
Her compliment surprised me. “Thank you,” I said. “The outdoor is doing wonders to my skin.”
“Is it the outdoors or are we to expect a Gypsy heir soon?” She asked.
I gasped.
“Lola! How rude,” said Hycinth’s mother.
“What? What’s wrong with my question?” Lola asked boldly. “Everyone is thinking it. I just said it.”
I was so shaken by the question that I didn’t even know how to react. I had done my best to avoid thinking about Domarius in the last couple of months, but Lola’s question brought all the painful memories back.
I stood up immediately and left the women with their cooking. I didn’t realize I was crying when I entered the tent I shared with Hycinth but when he saw me, he looked alarmed.
“Jade, what is it?” He asked with deep concern. “Why are you crying?”
“I’m not crying,” I said and sat down beside him.
“So why are there tears on your face?”
I wiped them with my hand and said, “It’s the fire at the cooking place. The smoke got into my eyes.”
“I can tell when you’re lying, Jade. Tell me the truth. What happened? Who upset you?”
I sighed. “She didn’t mean to. She was just asking an innocent question.”
“Who?”
“Lola.”
“What did she say?”
I hesitated. “Well… she asked if the pack should expect a Gypsy heir soon?”
Hycinth looked at me suspiciously. “Wait. Are you…?”
“No!” I said sharply. “Sorry, I mean no.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He stroked my hair gently. “Don’t worry, my darling. I’m sure it will happen soon.”
“That’s the problem, Hycinth. I don’t want it to happen.”
He stared at me with shocked eyes. “What?”
“Look, I’m sorry, ok? I know we should have had this conversation before but I just didn’t know how to say it.”
“To say what?”
I sighed. “I don’t want to have another child, Hycinth. I can’t do it. I don’t want to.”
“Why not?”
“Having another child is like betraying Domarius. It’s like forgetting him and moving on, and I don’t want to do that.”
“But where does that leave me? I need an heir.”
I shook my head and tears flowed from my eyes again. “I’m sorry, Hycinth. I can’t do that.”
“Not having another child won’t bring Domarius back.”
“I know.”
“So, why have you decided to deny me my right?”
“Your right? I don’t understand. Did you choose me as your mate just so that I can have pups for you?”
“No, but that comes with the package, doesn’t it?”
“You know what, I can’t do this right now,” I said, getting up. “I need to get some fresh air.”
“I don’t want us to fight over this issue.”
“I know. That’s why I am going outside for some air. I’ll be back soon.”
I went outside and made sure not to look in the direction of the women or pass by them. I went in the opposite direction and strolled into the woods.
The place was dense and peaceful. Birds flew about singing and butterflies fluttered above my head. I immediately felt fine.
I lay on the grass with my hands under my head and watched the canopy of trees above me.
I thought about my conversation with Hycinth and wondered if I was being selfish. Why didn’t it ever occur to me that he might want a child of his own someday?
What if I was already pregnant? Would I keep the baby or get rid of it? Why was my life always so complicated?
I closed my eyes and began to fall asleep. It was a beautiful warm afternoon and the woods was the perfect place to relax at a time like this.
Maybe it was my imagination or maybe I was dreaming, but I could swear that someone or some people were approaching me.
I opened my eyes and listened carefully. Sure enough, I could hear the sound of giant wolf paws hitting the ground and coming towards me.
“The Alphas!” I gasped in fear. I smelled them before I saw them.
I quickly got up and looked ahead to see how close they were. I could see them in the distance like dark clouds rushing towards me. I only had a few seconds to think of my next move.
Running to the Gypsy camp was completely out of the idea because I didn’t want to lead them to my pack. I wished I could warn Hycinth of what was happening but there was no time for that now.
I shifted into my wolf and began to race in the opposite direction, away from the Gypsy camp. As I expected, my pursuers followed me, growling and panting like angry beasts.
Even from a distance, I could recognize Damian and Darius in their wolf forms. There were four Betas from the Woods Pack, following them.
I didn’t know where I was heading but I just kept running. I couldn’t imagine what the Alphas would do to me but I didn’t want to find out.
“You have nowhere to hide, Jade!” Shouted Darius behind me.
“We will always come after you wherever you go!” Said Damian.
I wondered why Dominic wasn’t with them but that wasn’t important now. My number one concern was getting away from these wolves who were once the loves of my life. Now, they were my greatest enemies and I’m sure they wanted me dead.
I could hear them getting closer and closer to me, and I knew that it was only a matter of time before they caught up with me.
My fear of dying kept me going even though I was already getting tired. I approached a hill and raced to the top without wondering what was on the other side.
I was running forward blindly and I didn’t realize that I was on a cliff until it was too late. I flew off the edge and began to fall freely. I could see a rushing river below with stones in it and I was falling towards it at a high speed.
As soon as I landed on the river, I tried to swim out but the current was too strong for me. The water kept pushing me forward and smashing me against the stones. I tried to hold on to them but they were slippery and I couldn’t grip them.
I was struggling to breathe and barely keeping my head above the water. I looked back to see if the Alphas were still following me but all I saw was bubbling water.
When I turned around to look forward, I smashed my head on a huge rock and blacked out instantly.