16
Kane
Today was the day we were going after the Lycans Leda and I had tracked outside the pack. Before the sun rose from the skies, I had already woken up and joined the patrol team for the morning run which went as expected. I used the rest of the morning to prepare myself breakfast, not waiting for the pack workers, and getting ready to leave the pack. Beta Rohan had put the Sentinel Training Program on hold, so he was free and could come with me. Gamma Asher would stay back at the pack to get things ready until we returned. We didn't know how many Lycan bloods we'd find, so we had to ensure the houses available were in good condition and the house already finished was well furnished. Our people would have to manage what we had just until we made accommodations comfortable for everyone.
As I waited for the rest of the gang to join me, I downed a glass of water and my hands trembled as I set down the glass on the counter, pictures of a man stabbing me with a dagger burning through my mind. I winced in pain at the point of impact, but when I pulled up my shirt, there was nothing. As I raised my gaze back to the entrance, Leda sauntered in on her high heels. “What the fuck happened to you and Valor? I only left for a few days to visit my parents and I came back to this.”
She said with her hips propped up. I chuckled and walked toward her.
“My relationship with Valor isn't your business.”
I replied to her and tried to walk past her, and she pulled me back.
“You can't just send him away like that. Rohan told me everything.”
“Mm, you have all left your actual duties to discuss my relationship, huh?”
I raised my brows, but she didn't say a word. She let me go and I walked away, heading outside of the building where Beta Rohan and the warrior Lycans were waiting. There were three cars and two large buses. We didn't know the number of people we would run into in the mountains hence the number of vehicles. Leda tailed behind and joined us in the vehicle, her and Rohan taking the first vehicle while I sat alone in the last one.
We left the pack and followed Leda and Rohan’s direction, driving for hours until we had arrived at our destination, which was a mountain side farther from the pack. It was at the foot of a mountain. As we alighted from the vehicle, I took in the green of the forest that stretched and extended through the elevated land. We gathered in front of the vehicles, and I shared the group into three parts, telling them on which path to take.
We headed up to the forest, some Lycans shifting into their beastly form, others holding onto the weapons. I had reiterated that there was no cause for alarm unless they attacked us first. But from what I had heard from Rohan and the others, I could tell these were members of their pack before my father, the former Alpha, died. There was a tendency that these people would recognize each other. Before noon, we had made it up to the settlement in the mountains, and we cautiously proceeded into the forest of Douglas fir and redwood trees, the earth covered by towering trees with leafy canopies stretching to the skies, sunlight spilling into the forest through canopies and casting shadows on the forest floor carpeted by dark brown leaves. We had all arrived at the clearing where there were tents scattered, fallen trees, clothes lines, even claw marks on tree barks, pieces of wood, buckets, etc.
“You said they would be here.”
I turned to Leda.
“They are.”
“Then where are they?”
I inquired with a scoff, my hands parted.
“Hiding, I guess. Spread out.”
Rohan commanded the warriors. They were obeying Rohan’s orders when a dagger came flying toward me and I caught it before it could strike. I winced in pain, dropping the weapon and looking at my bleeding hand. “Wolfsbane.”
I growled, my eyes catching their crimson glow. I moved toward the direction where the weapon had come from, capturing the culprit before she could make it far. I seized her and pressed her shoulders against the tree, showing dominance from the color of her eyes. But Rohan interrupted me with unnatural speed, pushing me away from her. “Don’t hurt her.”
He growled in response, ensuring I had agreed to his terms before letting me go. I turned to face the woman standing before me, knowing exactly who she was.
“Kalyani,”
Rohan said and embraced her. I stood down and watched their reunion, knowing instantly that they knew each other. “We are here to take you home. Are you hurt?”
“No, I'm not.”
She shot me a glare.
“Come on, let's get you to safety.”
“But the other shifters. I have to tell them it's ok.”
She said to him, and he nodded and let her go, watching until she had walked down the slope.
Rohan grimaced at me and crossed his arms, and I shrugged with an apologetic glance before returning to the rest of the team. We waited until Kalyani had made it back with other Lycan shifters. They were in hundreds and I wondered if the buses we came with would be enough to contain them. Clearing my throat, I stood in front of them, pocketing my hands and informing them of my recent ascendance to the Alpha of Midnight Shadow Pack and how Leda had saved my life. I also told them it was time to go home and there was no need to be afraid that our pack was safe. I didn't want any of the decisions I made to be hurried, so I stuck around while Kalyani and the others talked about their choice.
I was leaning against the trees, my mind doubling over what happened with Valor and me and the irresponsible decision he made with Zeke after everything we’d been through. If I had known that he would have walked right back into his arms, then I would have just accepted defeat right from the very beginning. “Hey,”
Leda said as she came to stand beside me, crossing her arms as well. “They’re finally agreeing on something.”
“You know, the only reason they left in the first place was because of the attacks after your father died. But fortunately Rohan, Asher and I could curb it. They'll come back.”
“Hmm.”
“So, tell me what happened to you and Valor?”
“Nothing. I'd rather not talk about it.”
“Hmm. Look, Kane. I know how you feel about him…”
she was saying, but I interrupted.
“You don't.”
I shrugged.
“Rohan spent the entire day with Valor. There was no way Zeke could have gotten to the pack.”
“Or maybe he went to him.”
“What is wrong with you, Kane?! Valor is carrying your child. Doesn't that bother you? You know how dangerous Zeke is, but you still believed he did these things when all Valor has done was fight for your love.”
She hissed in disappointment, but I didn't say a word to her.
“Enough of this, Leda. I don't want to talk about Valor and that's final.”
I said and leaned off the tree, walking away.
By the time Rohan and the others had decided, we descended the mountains and found our vehicles where we had left them. Kalyani and the others shuffled into the bus and put their belongings in the back. I stood and inspected, ensuring that we didn't leave anyone behind. When everything was clear, we boarded the vehicles and headed back home.
***
Valor
Days had passed, and I had gone from hiding away in my room and crying to actually interacting with my family. It was over and Kane was never coming back, so it was better that I moved on. No one knew about my Omega bloodline. Neither have I spoken about the pregnancy or done anything about it. I didn't even know what to do. Every time I remembered what happened before this, it just broke me because I gave my heart to him and he shattered it into a thousand pieces. Today was a new day and I sure as hell wouldn’t let what had transpired in my past weigh me down. I was going to sit with the family and have breakfast. I put on my shirt and buttoned it down, glancing at my stomach and releasing an exasperated sigh. Finishing up, I left my room, walking down the hallway and down the stairs. I arrived at the dining room where Frey and the others had gathered for the morning meal, sharing in the banter between the kids. Giving them a forced smile, I slipped into the seat, putting food for myself. I had told them the circumstance of my return, but they had to at least guess that it was related to Zeke. There was a sudden silence, and they were looking at me with compassion in their eyes, bringing sadness to my heart. I didn't want to feel sad, and I wanted to forget everything that happened, but they were making it hard for me. “Eh, I need to eat elsewhere.”
I rose to my feet, taking my plate and leaving the dining room. I was halfway up the stairs when I heard Logan’s voice calling behind me. “Hey, is everything ok?”
He questioned, following me.
“Yeah.”
I gave him a slight nod.
“Ever since you came back, you haven't talked to anyone about what happened.”
“I know.”
I shrugged and sat on the stairs. He came forward and settled next to me, putting his hands on my shoulder.
“Talk to me. You've always talked to me.”
“I got myself in a really huge problem, and now I don't even know what to do anymore. I rushed through things.”
“Hey, what about Ezekiel?”
“He’s been manipulating me. It’s too complicated. I have a mate now, but he sent me away because of Zeke and now everyday I blame myself for not being a good friend, for not being enough to fight for. Logan, I've never been enough, and it just hurts so much.”
I professed my hurt and looked at Logan, seeing the helplessness in his eyes. Tears trickled down my cheeks and I wiped it off.
“Frey used to feel like that under different circumstances. But you're strong, Valor and you are special. And if anyone hasn't told you, you're going to make a good uncle to the kids. You're enough. You just have to remind yourself that. If you can't, then I'll be here to.”
“You have always been there for me, Logan, even though we aren't so close.”
“We are brothers and you put yourself to save my mate twice, and I truly appreciate that. If there's anything you need, just tell me, ok.”
“Yeah, sure. I'll see you later.”
I finished breakfast with a renewed sense of hope bubbling in my chest. Now it was time to visit my father and ask him numerous questions about my birth and bloodline. I headed toward the hospital and in no time; I had arrived. As I pressed my knuckles against the door, I pushed it open and saw the nurse helping my father with breakfast. “Hey, I'll finish up, ok.”
I told the nurse, and she gave me a nod, rose to her feet and left.
My father was surprised to see me, and he had a smile on his face as I sat next to him and started feeding him. “Hey, you're back so soon. Is everything ok with you and Ezekiel?”
He asked. I sighed and dug up the courage to explain everything that happened between me and him, and when I finished, all he did was pull me into an embrace and hold me tightly, bringing tears to my eyes. My heart warmed with joy at the fact that I wasn't alone and I still had my family who'd always put me first, regardless. “Was I born into an Omega bloodline?”
“No, son. You're full on Delta.”
“But I'm an Omega now. Can't you scent it or is it just me?”
“I mean, ever since you came back from your unplanned expedition, you seemed different. You and your wolf. I felt it, but I chose not to bother you. Did anything happen to you?”
I guessed it was time for me to come clean to my father about lying that I had died. Because with all that was happening in my life right now, I didn't think I could keep secrets anymore. “There’s something I've been hiding from you.”
“What? Is there something I should be worried about?”
“I died, dad. A witch killed me.”
“What are you talking about? Logan told me you left the pack for something important.”
“No, dad. They had to lie to you because they thought I'd come back and I did.”
“And you didn't think it was right to tell me what happened to you?”
“I didn't want to bother you. You know it’s difficult for you.”
“I’m your father, Valor. You are literally what gets me going. What if you never came back?”
“But I did.”
“Well, what if you didn't?!”
he was livid with me. “I would have spent the rest of my life thinking that you left, and one day when the truth would come out, I'd look back with regret that I wasn't there to protect my little boy. I would fall apart. You are the only thing I have left, son. I can't lose you.”
“I know, dad. I know. I'm so stupid.”
“No, you're not. It's not your fault the world is so cruel to you. I want you to always remember that you have a good heart and always hold on to that.”
He took my hand and gave them a reassuring squeeze. A streak of tears rolled down my cheeks and I couldn't help but give myself over to a full-blown cry. My father pulled me into an embrace and held me, my shoulders shaking as every wave of emotion known to human flashed through me. My father held me until the tears in my eyes had dried.
“I guess your Omega rank came with your rebirth. You still have your lie detection powers?”
“Yes, that's how I could resist Zeke’s manipulation, or at least fight it, unlike Kane.”
“Do you still love him?”
“If I didn't, I wouldn't be crying. I care about him, but I don't know if he's ever going to come around, especially when I'm carrying his child.”
“You’re pregnant?”
“Almost two weeks. Do you have any idea how Omega male pregnancies work? If it's normal.”
“Of course it is. Many male Omegas mated to the Alphas of this pack have been able to conceive. There's nothing to fear. You'll get through this.”
“Ok.”
I shrugged.
“Valor, do you want this child?”
“Kane and I created this together. It's going to be really hard to decide what I want to do with it.”
“Mm. I also want to remind you that this is your own body and you're free to make your own decisions.”
“Thanks, dad. I think I should get back to the pack house. I've literally spent the entire day here.”
“Alright. I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, dad.”
I laid a kiss on his cheeks and left him again. Now I was feeling a little better than how I was yesterday, and I knew I could get through this on my own, being unloved. As I sauntered down the dark hallway, I heard a movement behind me, and I turned on my heels, but I couldn't find anyone. I sighed and continued in the hallway, walking to the elevator. I headed out of the building after arriving on the last floor and when I was halfway through the premises, I heard an explosion and it was from my father's floor.