Chapter 36
POV: Cain?
I knew.
I knew before Mia even called me.
I had been sitting outside the door for hours—ever since Mia asked me to leave, in order to give Kiera space to breathe.
But I was afraid that my absence did the opposite—that it made Kiera wonder why I wasn’t with her—that it made her feel like I was abandoning her instead.
My hand was already on the door knob when I heard Mia call her name. I sprinted into the room within seconds. I was at Kiera’s side immediately, clutching her hand against my heart and whispering her name—praying to the Moon Goddess with every ounce of my being.
But Kiera never opened her eyes. Not once.
Even though she still breathed—even though her chest still rose and fell—even though I knew she was still alive—it terrified me seeing her like this. It terrified me knowing that she was weakening—that her body was so close to failing, and all because she was pregnant with a half werewolf, half human baby.
And the worst part was…that I’d have to choose.
Between her—my mate.
And him—our baby.
I watched beads of sweat trace down her body as her breathing gave out and she collapsed—her eyes never opening, which somehow made it even worse.
It made everything worse seeing her like this—realizing that a choice would be inevitable.
I wrapped my arms around her body, pressing my chest into hers and I cried.
The tears weren’t soft—it wasn’t a muffled sob—it was something much, much louder—it was a war cry—one that vibrated in my chest and echoed throughout the room.
Then came the pleading.
“Kiera, baby, please, wake up. Kiera,” I cried into her chest, wetting the blanket she was wrapped in.
Mia stood behind me, and for a moment, I forgot she was even there.
She spoke softly, her hand on the top of my shoulder, “Alpha.”
“I won’t—” I told her, as I remained bent over her frail body.
“Alpha—” she continued. “Alpha, she’s weak.”
“I know that, damn it!” I yelled, pounding my fist onto the bed, angry and upset. Rage poured through me and I couldn’t control it any longer. “I can’t, Mia. I won’t lose her. I can’t—” I shook my head, hanging my head low, as the tears continued streaming down my cheeks.
Then I realized it—as I was gripping her hand, begging her to open her eyes and look at me—begging her to make it through this.
I realized what I needed to do.
I needed to mark her.
I bared my teeth, nearing her neck line—inches away from sinking my teeth onto her skin, when Mia stopped me, pulling me backwards. I almost lost my footing as she did.
“Stop, Alpha!” Mia yelled. “You cannot mark her—you will risk losing her and the baby if you do!”
My eyes flared gold as I snapped at her. “If I don’t mark her then I’ll lose her,” I said, growling.
Mia cowered, baring her neck in submission but whispered, “You can’t, Alpha.”
I snapped, backing her into a wall. “I will not lose my mate!”
Everything unfolded so quickly.
Mia cowering. Anger rushing through me. Kiera weakening.
Then it all went black.
And all I saw was a green valley, bright blue sky up above and three wolves in a pasture. One wolf resembled mine closely, the other had a bright white coat and the third was much smaller, with a golden coloring and looked like a pup.
I stared at the wolves, confused, yet drawn to them for some reason.
Until the sky went completely gray and a fog rolled in.
Then a voice sounded, echoing loudly and clearly though it could not be seen in the distance. “Mark her!” The voice demanded.
I didn’t respond, out of shock.
The voice sounded again—Claim your mate.
The fog rolled in thicker, until all I could see were two white eyes, the fog cleared a little and in the distance I saw a shadow of a gigantic white wolf. “Claim your mate or lose her forever. It is your choice, Alpha.”
Then the darkness faded and I was staring back at Mia.
I didn’t think.
I ran—straight toward my mate—towards her crumpling, dying body—while Mia chased after me, her screams tearing through the air behind us.