Chapter 11 - Quiet Changes
The rest of the day passed more quietly after the brief moment of concern around Mukti. Although Neyonika insisted that the dizziness was completely normal for the early stages of pregnancy, everyone in the packhouse seemed a little more attentive toward her afterward.
Navya made sure Mukti rested in the sitting room near the garden, Alya kept bringing her small snacks that she insisted were "perfect for pregnant wolves," and Abhimanyu rarely moved more than a few steps away from her side.
I found myself drifting toward the same room several times that afternoon without consciously deciding to do so.
The sitting room overlooked the forest behind the packhouse, and the large windows allowed sunlight to pour across the wooden floor.
Mukti sat comfortably on one of the couches, a blanket around her shoulders while Neyonika spoke softly with her about pack traditions surrounding pregnancy.
When I stepped into the room, Mukti noticed immediately.
"You're checking on me again," she said with a gentle smile.
I hesitated near the doorway. "I didn't mean to hover."
"You're not hovering," she replied. "You're caring."
The difference between those two words felt larger than it should have. For most of my life, whenever I stayed close to someone it was because I was waiting for instructions or punishment. Being near someone because I wanted to make sure they were safe still felt unfamiliar.
"I just wanted to see if you were feeling better," I said quietly.
"I am," Mukti assured me. "The dizziness is already fading."
Abhimanyu looked up from the chair beside her and gave me a grateful nod. "You reacted quickly earlier."
"I only helped her sit down."
"Sometimes that is exactly what is needed," he said calmly.
The warmth in his voice made my shoulders relax slightly.
Before I could say anything else, Alya entered the room carrying a tray with fruit and tea. She placed it carefully on the small table in front of Mukti before dropping into the chair beside me.
"You know," Alya said thoughtfully while studying me, "you've checked on Mukti at least four times since lunch."
I glanced down at my hands, slightly embarrassed.
"I didn't realise it was that obvious."
"It's not a bad thing," Alya replied quickly. "Actually, it's kind of sweet."
Mukti laughed softly. "I agree."
Their easy acceptance made my chest feel warm again, though I still struggled to believe that I deserved it.
For a few minutes, the conversation drifted toward light topics. Alya talked about the celebration she was planning once Mukti's pregnancy progressed further, while Neyonika described how the pack traditionally welcomed new pups.
I listened quietly, absorbing every detail.
It felt strange but comforting to imagine a pack celebrating new life instead of treating it as another responsibility or weakness.
At one point, Mukti reached out and gently squeezed my hand. "You don't have to worry so much," she said kindly. "You're safe here too."
The words lingered in my mind long after the conversation moved on.
I was standing near the entrance to the packhouse when Cabir approached me with the relaxed stride that meant he had something on his mind.
"She's done it again," he said casually.
"Who?"
Cabir gave me an amused look. "Nandini."
I waited for him to explain.
"She's been checking on Mukti all afternoon," he continued. "Not in an obvious way, but enough that everyone's noticed."
My gaze shifted toward the sitting room windows across the courtyard. Through the glass I could see the faint movement of figures inside.
"That's not surprising," I said.
Cabir leaned against the stone pillar beside me.
"You trust her already, don't you?"
I considered the question carefully. Trust was not something I gave easily, especially when the safety of the entire pack depended on my judgment. Yet every instinct I had told me that Nandini meant no harm.
"She has shown loyalty without being asked," I replied.
Cabir nodded slowly.
"Yeah. I noticed that too."
He glanced toward the forest before lowering his voice slightly.
"Patrols brought back some interesting news this morning."
My attention sharpened.
"What kind of news?"
"Rumors from Crescent Valley," Cabir said. "Apparently, they've started asking questions about someone who might have left their territory."
I already knew who he meant.
"Nandini," I said quietly.
Cabir shrugged. "Seems likely."
For a moment we both stood in silence.
Finally Cabir spoke again.
"You think they'll come looking for her?"
"If they do," I replied calmly, "they will learn very quickly that Blood Moon territory is not a place they can threaten."
Shadow stirred within my mind at the thought.
My wolf had already accepted Nandini as someone under our protection. And anyone who threatened what belonged to the Blood Moon Pack would face consequences.
The rumours had spread faster than I expected.
By the time evening fell over Crescent Valley, at least three different patrols had reported hearing the same story from neighbouring territories. A woman had been seen entering Blood Moon land several days earlier.
Some claimed she was injured when she arrived. Others said the Blood Moon wolves had taken her in immediately.
I paced across the training yard, trying to force my thoughts into order.
"It could be anyone," one of the warriors suggested cautiously.
But my instincts told me otherwise. The pain in my chest had grown stronger since the rumours began.
Not the sharp tearing pain of rejection.
Something different.
Something unsettled.
"What did the patrol actually see?" I demanded.
"Nothing directly," the wolf admitted. "Just second-hand reports."
I clenched my fists.
The idea that Nandini might be alive had never seriously crossed my mind before. After the pain she received the day I rejected, I had assumed she would either leave the territory or disappear entirely.
Yet if she had reached Blood Moon land...
The thought made my jaw tighten.
Blood Moon Pack was powerful, led by one of the strongest Alphas in the region. If Nandini truly had found protection there, retrieving her would not be simple.
Still, the strange ache in my chest refused to fade.
Whether I wanted it or not, the past was beginning to return.
And for the first time since the rejection, I was starting to realise that some decisions could not be undone.