Chapter 0146
I swing my legs over the bed and push myself up, but the effort takes more out of me than I anticipated. Still, the moment I’m upright, I head toward the hallway, my mind now fixated on food. The hunger gnaws at me, making me realize just how starving I really am.
As I reach the stairs, a sudden weakness overtakes my legs. Before I can catch myself, my body gives out, sending me tumbling down the steps. My head strikes something hard, and everything fades into darkness.
A sharp ache jolts me awake. "Ow," I mutter, stretching out. My hands instinctively move between my thighs—no blood. Thank the gods. These pups are stronger than I gave them credit for.
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts.
"Come in," I call out from the floor.
The door swings open, and unfamiliar dark eyes meet mine. A hand reaches out, helping me up.
"Are you alright?" the man asks.
"You must be Damien," I mutter, eyeing the tattoos along his neck while rubbing the sore spot on my head. If I had a wound, it would have healed by now anyway.
"I am," he confirms, "though I didn’t plan on meeting you like this. You should get checked out."
"I’m fine."
His gaze sharpens. "You’re pregnant. I can smell it."
"I said I’ll be fine," I repeat, my voice firmer.
He studies me for a moment before giving a slow nod. "Maybe so, but you should still see someone. You’re the female Alpha."
I roll my eyes. "Is that why you’re here? Looking for someone to lead you?"
"I’m looking for the only one who can lead us." His dark gaze doesn’t waver. It reminds me of Dane, though something tells me this intensity has always been a part of Damien—even before he became what he is now. "And I want to offer you my protection."
Nyx scoffs in my head, and I nearly do the same. But Damien’s expression is serious.
"Protection from what?" I ask.
"Whatever is coming."
My stomach tightens. "And what exactly is coming?"
He doesn’t answer, just stares at me with that same unreadable expression. The same way Dane looked at me when we first met.
"And what about Raven?" I push.
"What about her?"
"She’s your mate," I remind him.
"I’m aware."
"Are you planning to reject her?"
His jaw tenses. "I don’t know her well enough to decide that yet."
So she hadn’t gone to him like I suggested. Maybe I could force them together.
"Actually," I say, feigning hesitation, "can you take me to the hospital? Maybe I should get checked out."
Without argument, Damien walks with me. We stop just outside the hospital doors when he suddenly asks, "Is something wrong with Raven?" A frown creases on his face.
I shake my head. "No, she’s the pack doctor."
His face remains impassive, but he follows me inside.
The moment we step in, Raven looks up—and immediately freezes.
"Neah…" Her voice trails off into a barely audible squeak, her eyes locked on Damien.
"I fell down the stairs," I explain quickly, trying to keep things moving. I describe the pain, and she gestures for me to come in for a scan. Damien follows, lingering near the doorway. Every so often, his dark eyes flick toward Raven, watching her closely. She, on the other hand, does everything in her power not to look at him. Her focus is so forced that beads of sweat start forming on her brow.
The sound of two steady heartbeats fills the room, just as Dane storms in. He brushes past Damien without a second glance, immediately pressing his lips to mine.
"Sorry," he mutters. "We were busy cutting off Roan’s fingers. Are you okay?"
I nod.
"Tell Nyx to stop blocking me."
Before I can respond, Raven cuts in sharply. "She needs rest."
She turns her attention back to the scan. "Both boys have strong heartbeats, but this pregnancy is still high-risk," she warns. "You must take it easy. I’m not putting you on bed rest just yet, but if you push yourself too hard, I won’t hesitate."
For the first time, Damien speaks to her directly. "Just out of curiosity, can you tell what they are?" His voice is measured, but there’s something in the way he asks. "Wolves or Lycans?"
Raven’s reply is clipped, her tone more abrupt than usual. "No."
I glance at her, taking in the way her jaw tightens. Was she irritated with him?