Zara

In time, I might forgive Alpha Kane.

Because...

With all his flaws, all his weaknesses, all his secrets, and all that controlling behavior, I still loved this Icicle, who at that moment seemed more like a warm, cozy blanket to me.

He hugged me, caressed me.

But how can I tell him that my father now hates him to the core and that after everything that happened, he will never approve of him?

’And then there’s this child in our belly.’ Nova rolled her eyes.

’What if it’s a boy?’ Nova was curious.

’He won’t be able to grow up and become the successor to the Alpha King.’ I said to my wolf.

’Children need a healthy environment to grow and develop. Not places overrun by men and guns.’ Nova agreed.

"I don’t know when or if I’ll be ready," I sighed in his arms, soaking up his warmth, which eased some of that terrifying anxiety.

His thumbnail rested under my chin, and he lifted it. Our exhausted gazes met, and I simply stared at his mesmerizingly handsome, yet haggard, face.

"I tried to keep our lives separate. I tried to shield you from the mess I live in, but I couldn’t... I shouldn’t have dragged you into this mess, Zara."

"Technically, it was Marcus. He threatened Sophia by kidnapping her six-year-old niece," I confessed to Kane.

Finally, I realized my heart had been right all along. Alpha Kane wouldn’t harm a child. Does that mean he’ll accept ours? Is he ready for that?

"That bastard didn’t even spare a child." His jaw clenched beneath his stubble.

"And he sent Sophia a voicemail, using your voice through a voice-over converter. Andy told me about it and played the recording for me at the Winter Gala. Marcus got hold of the invitations and invited him just to prank me," I confessed, my heart clenching in pain.

Alpha Kane drew small circles on my chin with his thumb. It calmed my frayed nerves. This man wielded a level of influence and control over me that I knew no one else could ever achieve.

Either way, I was fucked.

I couldn’t be with him, not after the chaos our lives had plunged into because of this secret relationship we’d created.

"I knew you’d met someone, but I wasn’t sure. Thank you for trusting me." He looked deeply into my eyes, as if trying to decipher what was going on in my head.

Quietly, his hand slid between us and rested on my belly with such tenderness, as if he were touching the most precious thing in the world to him. His touch sent a mixture of feelings and emotions swirling within me.

Pregnancy was supposed to be something beautiful, uniting two souls. But here, I wasn’t even sure where we were.

"Will you tell me the truth?" he asked, his voice heavy, showing he was afraid to ask.

Up close, I could see how tired Alpha was, as if he hadn’t slept for days...

"Yes!" I said, feeling the warmth of his palm and fingers penetrate my belly. This simple act made me feel safe and protected again.

"Will you at least consider keeping the baby?" he begged, his hand protectively wrapped around my belly.

My heart pounded in my chest. He wanted me to keep the baby? But I’d never wanted to get rid of it.

"Did you think I’d have an abortion?" I asked solemnly.

Pain, so real, was reflected in his obsidian eyes.

"I was afraid. When I couldn’t find you, I thought you’d gone to have an abortion." Alpha Kane closed his eyes, hiding his agony. "Even now, I’m not sure if you want to keep him."

A sharp pain flared in my chest. I could imagine what he must have gone through when I disappeared, but the thought of trying to get rid of the life budding inside me was absurd.

"I would never kill a life that was just beginning to form, Kane. You betrayed my trust, and even if you had turned out to be the person I mistakenly believed you were, a stalker who wanted to torment me, I would have kept the baby. He’s mine. And I’ll leave him," I told him bluntly. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

He opened his eyes, and a light shone in them, the light of hope.

"I want to be a part of this baby’s life, Zara. He’s mine as much as he’s yours. Don’t, please, don’t push me away." His hands touched my face again, squeezing it with a sincere, desperate plea.

At that moment, I had no answers for him. Everything that had happened had shattered my psyche. I needed time, away from all this chaos, away from him, away from his new reality.

I lowered my gaze and said quietly, "Give me time, Kane. Give me time to heal..." I didn’t want to make him false promises, at least not in this state.

He nodded in understanding, but pain and guilt pierced the very fabric of his being. And I clearly saw how he struggled to control his emotions.

"You can take as much time as you need because I love you and only you." His thumbs gently touched my wounded lips like a balm, and his words made my heart bloom like a spring flower awaiting butterflies.

How I’d waited for these words from him, and now that he’d spoken them... they frightened me.

"Your... Your heart, your soul, your sharp tongue, your clever mind, your..." His gaze slid over my hair, and I understood what he wanted to say, but I kept silent for my own sake.

"I love you, my Blue Rose. Please! Forgive me." Closing his eyes, he pressed his forehead to mine, and we seemed to merge.

I burst into tears, unsure of what to say, so he spoke again.

"You don’t have to say anything... so don’t feel forced. I just wanted to get it out, the guilt will kill me," he sighed.

"I understand..." I began, but the pain his words caused me clung to me.

He opened his exhausted eyes and asked with a greedy plea. His gaze moved to my lips. "Can I at least kiss you? After that, I’ll leave, giving you space. But I can’t do without it."