Alpha King’s Secret Baby (The Runaway Mate #1)

Chapter 9

Casey

I walked into my father’s house— I suppose it’s my house now— with bloodshot eyes and a gaping hole in my chest. Nothing had changed in the week I’d been gone. I was still alone, still grieving, but it felt so much worse. The cottage on the edge of my small town had never felt cramped before, but now, the walls were closing in on me.

I went into the backyard, hoping to find solace among the plants. My mother’s azalea bush had pride of place, surrounded by medicinal herbs I’d planted around the time Dad gave me my pendant. I’d neglected them in recent years. The rosemary had grown woody, and the lemon balm ran rampant, shading out the feverfew that struggled to survive.

I sat on the grass in front of the azalea bush, wishing for the millionth time that Mom was around to offer me advice. What would she say if I told her about Bastien? She was Dad’s fated mate, but that hadn’t stopped things from ending in tragedy. She’d died far too young, leaving behind her mate and child. Fate hadn’t protected her.

I knew how Dad would react. He’d scold me for staying with the pack for even a second, let alone a week. And he’d be right. I should have driven home sooner and saved myself the heartache.

I closed my eyes and asked no one in particular, “What am I supposed to do now?”

Predictably, there was no answer.

I sighed and got to my feet. I’d been living one day at a time since my father died, and my stint with the Moon Edge pack had been a brief and foolish break from mourning. I dreaded returning to the house and feeling Dad’s absence. His favorite chair was empty, the kitchen untouched, his bed still made.

If I stay in this place, I’m going to drown.

Not just the house but the town. There were too many memories and nothing to keep me rooted here anymore.

I’d wanted to travel once upon a time. I could sell the house and use the money to go somewhere new. I wouldn’t feel so alone in a city I’d never been in before. It didn’t have to be fancy, just somewhere that wasn’t here. Going north to Kisatchie Forest hadn’t worked out, so maybe it was time to head south. I could finally see the ocean.

Planning took my mind off my misery. I’d call a realtor in the morning. I didn’t expect to get much for this place, but it would be enough to get me out of the area. I went to my bedroom and pulled out a shabby suitcase I’d purchased a few years ago when I dreamed of traveling. I may have lost my fated mate and the chance to join a shifter community, but this was one dream I didn’t have to give up on.

I started to pack.

***

I smiled as the town sign came into view. Welcome to Delta Springs: Where the Shrimp are Fresh, and the People are Fresher!

It was cheesy but charming. I’d picked Delta Springs while waiting for the house sale to go through, which happened remarkably quickly. The realtor advised me to hold out for a better offer, but I wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. The seaside town on the Gulf Coast appealed to me instantly. I wasn’t interested in a big city, but Delta Springs offered much more than Canesville. I’d booked a room for a month, giving myself the option to move on from the tourist hot spot if I got itchy feet.

As I drove into town in my dad’s old truck, with my mom’s azalea bush in a pot on the passenger seat, I knew I’d made the right choice. Trees draped in Spanish moss gave way to a quaint downtown area. Storefronts decorated with vibrant murals lined the streets, some depicting idyllic seaside scenes in beautifully rendered mosaics, while others were quirkier. A restaurant called Big Jim’s Jambalaya Jamboree advertised itself with a huge painting of a shrimp riding a gator. Experiencing something new was exciting, and the seaside town promised fun, but the feeling in my chest sealed the deal. Calm certainty settled in my heart.

I headed straight for the beach. I could check into my room later, and I refused to wait any longer to experience the ocean. When the blue expanse appeared on the horizon, I had to blink away tears. It was better than I imagined. The vast force of nature gently lapped against the sandy shore. I found a parking spot near the boardwalk that stretched along the beach and ended at a pier on the far left.

I could barely contain my excitement as I jumped out of the car, feeling almost queasy with the strength of my emotions. I sped toward the soft sand, stopping briefly to kick my shoes off. If I’d been in my wolf form, I might have yipped in delight. But nothing compared to the water. Small waves hit my feet and ankles, and peace washed over me. The sea seemed to cleanse me of my sadness, soothing the part of me that still missed my father. It was even a balm to the pain Bastien caused. It wasn’t a cure, but it was enough.

I took my first deep breath since I left Bastien eight weeks prior, inhaling the salt air. I could already tell I was going to be spending a lot of time here.

My rumbling stomach interrupted my moment. I hadn’t eaten breakfast before setting off on my journey to the coast—nerves and anticipation had left me unsettled. It was just after lunch, and my appetite had returned with a vengeance.

While I was eager to try the restaurants—Big Jim’s for the mural alone—I noticed a farmers’ market near the pier and decided to look there instead. It would likely give me a better feel for the community.

The market was bustling with activity. Some stalls hosted ocean-themed crafts, while others displayed fresh bread, jars of pickles, and an array of cheeses. But what really caught my attention was the food truck selling burgers. The smell made my mouth water. I didn’t have to wait in line for long, and while they cooked my burger, I bought a beer from the bar in the next booth. Bottle in hand, I found an empty picnic table on the edge of the boardwalk. I sat and unwrapped my burger.

The first bite was so heavenly I had to shut my eyes. A small part of me wished I had someone to share the moment with, but I pushed the thought aside. I’d come to Delta Springs to escape my loneliness, not wallow in it.

I was reaching for my beer when a woman sat across from me. Feather-adorned braids decorated her curly, dark brown hair, and her wrists were laden with beaded bracelets that clicked together when she moved. Her brown eyes were warm as she gave me a sheepish smile.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t normally do this, but you can’t drink that beer.”

“Why not?” I frowned. Did somebody slip something into my drink when I wasn’t looking?

“Because—” She hesitated, fiddling with one of her braids. “Look, there’s no easy way to say this to a stranger, but you’re pregnant.”

I leaned back, unsure whether to laugh or tell her to get lost.

“Okay, well—I’m going to find another table and finish my lunch in peace,” I said. She grabbed my hand, stopping me as I rose.

“I know I sound crazy, but I promise I’m not,” she said.

I searched her face for signs she was joking, but she seemed serious.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Vivian,” she replied. She still hadn’t let go of my arm. I could have easily broken her grip, but I wasn’t about to make a scene on my first day in town.

“Thanks for the concern, Vivian, but I’m not pregnant.”

“Are you sure?” She squeezed my arm, her eyes imploring me to believe her.

I tried not to think about my night with Bastien. The memories of happiness and connection hurt more than his rejection. We hadn’t used protection. It was hardly a planned thing, but it was just one night. The likelihood of getting pregnant was low unless there was something about fated mates and fertility that I didn’t know.

Which, now that I think about it, is probable.

Between the move and everything with Bastien, I’d lost track of my cycle. I tried to remember when I’d last had it. Right after my father’s funeral—that was ten weeks ago. I was late. Very late.

Oh, fuck.

“Oh, honey,” Vivian said, rubbing my hand reassuringly as my jaw dropped.

“How could you possibly know I’m—” I couldn’t say it aloud yet. My brain buzzed, trying to make sense of the new information.

Vivian bit her lip. “I don’t usually tell people this, but I’m psychic.”

“Right, a psychic,” I said, distracted.

So much for traveling the country.

I couldn’t stop the laugh that spilled from my lips. It was either that or sob.

“You don’t believe me.” Vivian looked crestfallen.

“No, it’s not that,” I assured her. I knew psychics existed, and she’d already proved herself—I’d never missed a period before. “It’s just the situation. It’s a long story. But then, maybe you already know because of the whole psychic thing.”

“I’m not a mind reader,” she said with a self-deprecating smile. “I can’t look into the past either. It’s mostly vibes. Occasionally, I’ll sense something, like intuition on steroids. I rarely get a full vision. With you, as I walked past, I just knew.”

“I guess I need to buy a pregnancy test after this,” I sighed. “Not that I don’t believe you, it’s just—”

“No, I get it. You need to verify,” she said kindly. “I’m just some random psychic who told you you’re pregnant. It’s a lot.”

I liked her. I didn’t have a successful track record when it came to trusting the right people, but she was friendly.

“I’m glad you understand,” I said. “After what I’ve been through, having faith in others doesn’t come easily.”

“I didn’t get your name,” she said.

“Casey.”

Vivian gave me a warm smile. “Why don’t I get you a soda, Casey? On me. Then you can tell me all about it.”

“Only if you’ll drink my beer,” I said, touched by her kindness. “Somebody should enjoy it.”

“Deal,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”

She headed toward the food truck, and I let out a long breath, trying to get my thoughts in order. This wasn’t even close to how I imagined becoming a mom, but I’d always wanted kids. I rubbed my flat stomach. Keeping the baby wasn’t even a question, despite the circumstances.

My life was about to change dramatically. I’d need to get a job and settle down. The money from the house wouldn’t go far with a baby on the way, and it wasn’t like I’d receive child support from Bastien. I had no intention of ever seeing him again. I hated how my traitorous heart clenched at the thought. But if Bastien wanted nothing to do with me, he wouldn’t care about the baby. There was no way I’d let him near us—especially when his Alpha had been so fixated on us having kids.

A chill ran down my spine.

I was alone, with no family or friends to rely on, but my fear was no match for my determination. I would ensure my child had a good life—the kind of life my father had given me, full of love and safety.

My child would never know their father, but that was no matter. I’d love them twice as much to make up for it.