Page 23 of His Sunshine Baby (The Silver City #2)

While we drive to the address, Daniel doesn’t stop saying how we will get in trouble for entering the Blood Moon clan’s territory, but I couldn’t care less. I’m still mind-linking Nora, silently feeling her anger, her sadness, and her distress.

We finally spot Nora, standing under the restaurant’s sign, and Moon Goddess, she looks like a mess. She gets in the car, soaked and crying loudly. Her black hair is stuck to her cheeks, and her makeup is running down her face. And why is she wearing an expensive-looking dress?

“Nora... What happened?” I ask, trying to calm her down.

“Wait, it smells like blood, babe,” says Danny.

I check Nora. Is she injured? She doesn’t look like she was fighting… I finally see her feet.

“Oh, my Goddess, Nora!”

Moon Goddess, how could she even stand like this! Her feet are covered in blood! Is that glass? Her white skin is cut in multiple places, it looks damn painful just by looking at it! But she acts as if she had only just realized it too, and keeps sniffling and sobbing the same, shaking her head.

“Danny, you think you can handle that?” I ask, looking at the injury. “Or do we take her to the hospital?”

Danny glances back a couple of times. I know this isn’t exactly his expertise, but his mom and sister are nurses, so…

“It should be okay,” he finally says, “but we need to disinfect it quickly.”

“My Goddess, Nora... What happened to you?”

She looks at me, and starts talking, but also crying a lot more.

“I… I thought there was something wrong with Damian, and… and Liam said there was this party… for the Black Corp, their… company… so I… I hid that I was going, and Liam took me there, and Bobo too, and…”

She starts crying a lot louder, breathing with difficulty. I pat her back, feeling as sad as her, trying to comfort her. She keeps trying to push her messy hair out of her face, with trembling hands and erratic moves.

“Damian was… there, with that woman, and they said she’s… his fiancée!”

What the actual fuck? Nora is his fated mate, isn’t she? He even made a whole ruckus about finding her for years, and now the King is getting engaged to someone else? What the hell is going on!

“That… that woman, King, she… she was acting like they were really close, and she was by his side, and Damian was okay with it, and… and he said it’s true… He’s… He’s engaged to her… Elena, I don’t get it! He said he loves me, but he doesn’t want me as his Luna… I don’t get it! She’s just… She was…”

But her words are lost in her crying, and it goes on for a while.

My gosh, poor Nora. How could he do that? The King is…

“Men are jerks.”

“Not helpful, Danny!” I growl at him.

Seriously, can he not make it about him for once? I take a deep breath, even though I’m probably as mad as he is at the King for doing such a thing. Engaged to Alexandra King, of all people? The Gold Moon clan Alpha’s daughter? That woman is known to be a mythic bitch! She’s crazy rich and so full of herself, too, from what I’ve seen or heard of her. So that’s the shitty alliance Clark mentioned.

I take a deep breath. I need to calm down, Nora is already enough of a wreck as it is.

“Nora, I’m so sorry about what you went through tonight, really. But don’t worry, okay? Tonight you can stay at our place, have a good sleep, and calm down. And we can talk about it tomorrow when you feel better, okay?”

She nods weakly, her cheeks still soaked with tears.

“What is there to talk about? She needs to ditch the guy and basta–”

“Danny, park the damn car and shut up!”

It feels like a short ride back to our place, but Nora manages to calm down a little. Her feet worry me, though, her shoes literally turned red from all the blood. I wrapped her in the blanket meant for me, but she doesn’t look good. She’s whiter than usual, if possible, and the rain keeps her all cold and wet no matter how much Danny turns up the heat in the car.

By the time we get back to our apartment, she has somewhat calmed down, and I suspect all this crying has exhausted her. We get her to the couch, and Danny runs to get the first aid kit his mom gave us. I can’t even look at her feet, all this blood makes me so nauseous.

“How is it, Danny?” I ask without looking.

“Well, bleeding. I’m going to have to make sure she doesn’t have any glass left in her foot, but it should be okay. Not a good idea to run around with your feet in that state, sweetheart.”

“Sorry... I didn’t realize.”

While Daniel starts to look at her feet and do whatever he can with a frown on, I get up and head to the kitchen to get her something hot to drink.

“I would love a cappuccino too,” says Danny.

“I wasn’t asking you!”

“Thank you, babe.”

I roll my eyes but of course, I make one for him too. I grab the coffee out of habit, but Daniel’s head turns like a hawk.

“No coffee for you, mama!”

“Crap, I forgot.”

I’ll just make myself some lemon tea then. We need to buy more soon; I’ve been drinking nothing but citrus tea lately. Suddenly, my phone vibrates.

“It’s Nate...”I sigh.

Why is he calling now of all times? Danny frowns, turning to me with his gloves covered in blood.

“They are probably looking for her,” he says. “You should answer before the whole Blood Moon clan rushes to our territory.”

Damn, he’s probably right. If they are intensely worried and searching, Boyan probably told them before it escalated. Of all places, this is the first one Nora could think of that is not within the Blood Moon’s domination. Nora is looking at me with her eyes full of worry and something that looks like… wariness. I take a big breath. Damn, I haven’t talked to Nate in ages, and we barely texted each other too. I was too busy hiding my pregnancy from him.

“Yes, Nate?”

“Hi, Elena. Are you okay?”

“I’m okay, thanks.”

“I haven’t heard from you in a while, I was… a bit worried.”

I bet. He probably thought we would be able to talk soon. Honestly, I hoped so too. I didn’t expect to be under Clark’s surveillance so soon, but since he discovered the truth about the baby… I take a look down at my little bump, hidden under my sweater.

“I know, sorry, I’ve been busy.”

Busy watching TV and eating pizza. I feel so damn useless now that I think about it. If only I wasn’t sick on top of being pregnant. Deep breath, Elena, it’s for your daughter’s health too. Moon Goddess, it’s so hard to hear his voice and not spill anything. But I still haven’t heard from Clark, and one wrong word could get me banished and penniless in a minute.

“Sorry if this question seems really out of the blue for you, but have you heard anything from Nora Bluemoon, by any chance?”

I frown. So Boyan did let him know about my relationship with Nora? How much did he say? Damn, I don’t know how much he knows.

“Yes, she’s here with me, at my place.”

“Really? How is she? Is she hurt?”

“Yeah, she’s okay,” I answer, a bit annoyed. “Well, a bit shaken up, but she is safe, and Daniel is taking care of her feet.”

Who got her in this state in the first place? I seriously hope the King is regretting being a damn idiot and doing this to my cousin. At least they do sound worried about her.

“All right. Good to know. I’ll dispatch someone to come and get her, and–”

I stop him right there.

“Not tonight, Nate. It’s not a good idea. Nora is still upset, she needs some time.”

A brief silence, and I wonder if he’s talking to or mind-linking someone else. Is he with his brothers? Does the King know? He’s probably with him, considering how Nate is not mentioning anything about our relationship. By the way, how much do his brothers actually know about us?

“Elena, do you mind looking after Nora for us? I understand if she feels better staying with you, at least for tonight.”

“Yes, of course. As long as she needs.”

She could stay a full month, I wouldn’t mind. I’m happy she’s here. I’m mad at her mate, King or not, for being such a jerk to her. To be honest, there are a few very impolite and disrespectful things I wish I could say to him but now is probably not the right time.

Finally, I hear Nate talking to someone, but then, his tone changes a little.

“Who is with you?”

“That’s none of your business, Nate.”

What, is he making this about Levi again, seriously, right now? I hear him sigh.

“It’s… Boyan wants to come over.”

Oh. Not what I thought then, well, I think Boyan is not to blame, but Nora needs some time away from the Blood Moon to think. Maybe not now, but at least tomorrow morning, when she feels better.

“Nora?” I call to her.

She was watching me all this time, but Daniel turns his head to me too.

“Yes?”

“Bobo wants to come and see you tomorrow morning... Is that okay?”

She hesitates for a while, but in the meantime, Daniel’s eyes are literally shining. To think he was mad at him an hour ago. I can’t believe him. He’s so childish at times! Finally, Nora nods.

“She said yes.”

“Alright, let’s do that then,” says Nate, with a bit of relief in his voice.

“Okay.”

He hesitates a while, and I wonder if I should hang up.

“Elena, you… Are you sure you’re fine?”

I immediately turn red. Why is he saying that? Did he sense something? He couldn’t tell just from my voice over the phone, right? I get really nervous. Is he just asking to be polite? Or does he suspect something? Boyan wouldn’t have told him, right? And he didn’t seem to notice anything at the fight either!

“Yes, I’m fine, I told you. Good night, Nathaniel.”

I hang up a bit quickly and let out a big sigh. Damn. Just five minutes on the phone and I’m such a mess already.

“Are you okay, babe?”

“I am,” I reply to Danny, “Anyway, Nora is the one to be worried about.”

I can’t have too much attention on me right now, and I want to focus on Nora anyway. At least Nate didn’t have the guts to get engaged to some other bitch.

“Well, she should be happy, Boyan is coming for her .”

“Oh, stop being a baby, Danny! Bobo is worried about Nora, as a friend! Now drop the jealousy act or, baby or not, I’m really kicking your scrawny ass!”

Nora suddenly looks at us with her eyes wide open.

“So, you’re Bobo’s mysterious boyfriend!”

Oh, right, she probably had no idea about those two until now. Daniel immediately turns red as a beet while I chuckle.

“Bobo’s mysterious boyfriend, what do you have to say for yourself?”

“I knew it! I always saw him texting someone, so I knew he had a partner…”

Danny’s embarrassed face is priceless. He pretends to be twice as focused on Nora’s feet, but his ears are red, very, very red right now.

“W-we need to disinfect t-this quickly, and–”

“You already disinfected it, Danny, stop pretending. Well, don’t you have some things to ask Nora?” I ask, taking the spot next to her on the couch. immediately

Nora frowns and grabs the hot tea.

“I’m sorry, Daniel, Boyan is always with me, you must miss him…”

“It’s fine, I understand.”

“Really? I thought someone was on the verge of breaking up with him…” I whisper behind my cup.

“Elena, shut it!”

I laugh. My gosh, now that he’s facing Nora, he is so embarrassed it’s kind of cute.

They talk about Boyan for a bit, and now that she is thinking of something else, Nora looks a lot better. It's the first time we've seen each other since we found out about our family ties. I see her more like a little sister, though. It’s hard, I can’t remember much, yet I have this feeling of closeness with her like we know each other from before. I wonder how Reagan would react to Nora, actually. She probably has no idea there’s another survivor from the Blue Moon clan.

Nora, Daniel, and I talk for a bit, mostly to distract Nora from her bad evening. She falls asleep quickly, though, and Daniel and I watch her for a while. She’s even prettier than before, somehow, despite her red eyes and nose.

“It’s funny,” says Daniel. “She doesn’t look much like you physically, but I still see how you two are alike.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I don’t know, like an impression or something. In the way she talks and moves. Is it a Royal thing?”

I sigh and shake my head.

“I’m not a Royal, Danny.”

“A part of you is. At a lesser degree than Nora, for sure, but… I want to see her results. If she is as pure-blooded as we think, it may explain why you are so different too. Your mind-linking ability, your slow healing…”

I put a hand on my belly, a bit worried. If I am any part Royal, my baby will inherit it. And her father is a pure Alpha, too. Will that reinforce her Royal blood? I have no idea how it works. I just wish she could live a normal, happy life. Her parents being from different packs is enough of a nightmare as it is.

“I will tell Nate. Next time I see him. Even if Clark banishes me.”

Daniel frowns, unable to hide his worry.

“I understand, babe. I hope he doesn’t, but… the King’s engagement confirms there is something bad going on. Damn, Moon Goddess, please prevent a war. I thought things had been calmer after the Black father's death, but…”

We both look at Nora, whose eyes still get teary in her sleep.

“She will probably be the first to be thrown in the middle of all this, you know. I don’t know why the King got engaged, but Nora won’t put up with it. She’s a Luna, deep down, she knows that.”

“Oh, I would pay to see her get rid of that bitch of Alexandra King,” sighs Daniel. “Damn the Gold Moon clan.”

“Come on, let’s get her to bed. Let’s think about this mess another day, I’m tired.”

“Alright.”

Danny carries Nora all the way to his bed and agrees to sleep on the sofa. Thank Moon Goddess she’s petite, Daniel’s muscles aren’t the most impressive of the pack. We finally get to bed, but I can’t find sleep for a while.

Hearing Nathaniel’s voice for the first time in a while made me feel a bit better. My wolf is yearning for him. I try to imagine how he’ll react to my pregnancy. Nate can be really sweet sometimes. I just hope he’ll take it well. If I’m rejected by both him and the White Moon clan, I really will have nowhere to go.

“ Babe. ”

“ Mmhmm? ”

Why is Danny mind-linking at such a late hour? I sit up in my bed, confused.

“ Look out your window. ”

I push my curtain aside, and it takes me a while to see it in the darkness. A wolf, sitting at the corner of the street, completely still. Damn it, it’s Diego.

“ How long has he been here? ”

“ No idea, I just spotted him. What the hell is he doing… ”

“ I don’t know, but it’s odd he won’t approach. ”

“ Clark may have put someone to watch you, don’t you think? ”

“ Or he knows I’m not alone. Damn it! ”

“ Babe, you really need to talk to Black. I don’t care about Clark’s decision, but I don’t want this guy to keep loitering around you. If he knows about your baby… ”

“ I know, Danny. ”

I growl unconsciously and keep watching. After a while, it starts raining outside, and Diego walks away, but I can’t settle down.

As I hoped, after a good night’s sleep, Nora already looks a lot better. Her eyes are still red, but she’s feisty enough to argue with Boyan about keeping silent on the King’s engagement when he arrives. Daniel is happy to see his lover again, obviously, but for me, Boyan’s presence is a strong reminder of Nate. He even passed along some fresh-baked croissants for us. He knows how I love croissants with my coffee in the morning…

The four of us decide to stay home and have a lazy day, as it’s a downpour all day long outside and Nora and I are tired. Nora talks a lot with us, sometimes crying, sometimes laughing when we share our childhood stories. We talk a lot, bonding over our werewolf selves, and I tell her about how I control my werewolf, as she still apparently struggles with hers. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so close with another woman around my age before, not even Bonnie or Iris. It’s like I found myself a little sister.

In the evening, Liam Black comes to see her, just so they can take some time to talk. He’s probably going to defend his brother’s actions. We let her go with him, as I’m in no condition to go anyway. I keep falling asleep, my pregnancy and the rain keeping me sluggish. I don’t even hear Nora get home.

I wake up to someone’s crying. Is it Nora? I get up from the couch to approach her. She’s curled up in a corner, breathing and crying loudly, a smartphone at her feet.

“Nora? What happened?”

But she keeps shaking her head, like in a trance. Gosh, what is wrong with her? Is she sick? Do I have to take her to the hospital? Moon Goddess, if anything happens to her here… I call Danny, unsure of what to do. Once he and Bobo arrive, they are the first ones to understand.

“Is she…”

“Yeah, Nora’s in… heat,” says Boyan with a frown.

“I gotta call Sylviana,” adds Daniel, grabbing his phone in a rush.

“Why?”

“There is no medical way to stop a heat, Elena, and I really don’t think it would be good to have the King’s fated mate in heat here!”

Okay, he’s got a point.

While he’s on the phone I try to take Nora to the couch, and Boyan walks away a bit. Oh right, he’s probably not doing great if he’s bisexual. I try to calm down Nora a bit, but as Danny said, there’s not much I can do. Her temperature keeps rising, and so do her pheromones, making Boyan leave our place soon after.

“Thank Moon Goddess for the rain,” says Danny. “It should cover the smell a bit. Damn, I don’t feel anything, I’m definitely gay.”

I chuckle. Who was doubting that?

Thankfully, Sylviana arrives incredibly fast. She doesn’t seem bothered by the downpour outside at all and rushes to Nora’s side very calmly.

“Her first heat. It’s surprising she hasn’t mated yet.”

“Well, the King might not be as much of a jerk as we thought he was… At least he’s got some self-restraint.”

I give him that too. If Nora is his fated mate, the man must be really patient for not touching her, and from what I’ve seen of him, he didn’t seem like a very patient man at all.

Sylviana puts her hands on Nora’s forehead and chest, closing her eyes, and starts whispering something. I can’t hear, but from the way her lips are moving, I don’t even think I could understand anything anyway. Is it a secret witch language of some sort? At least it seems effective. Nora progressively calms down, and from her previous agitated state, she falls into a deep slumber, peacefully sleeping as if nothing happened. It takes a few minutes until Sylviana stops, everyone in the room totally speechless.

“She does smell weird now,” says Daniel.

“That is because I covered up her heat with my power. You feel my magic on her, and her wolf is smelling it too, that’s why she is calm. Her heat is still there, only toned down. It will stay that way until it ends, so don't worry about that.”

I can’t help but let out a long sigh of relief. I really didn’t expect that… I’ve seen female wolves having their heat a couple of times before, but I didn’t think Nora would still be a virgin. Sylviana nods, visibly satisfied, and turns to us.

“Thank you for that. It’s my first time seeing her from up close!”

“You sound like a kid going to Disneyland,” says Daniel with a frown.

Sylviana chuckles.

“Nora is somewhat special. Her aura is like… a warm fire, radiating with Moon Power. I can feel it so clearly.”

“They haven’t confirmed she’s a Royal yet,” I say.

“I strongly believe so. Her power is so pure. Your baby’s aura is the same, Elena.”

I frown. What? She never mentioned anything like that before, but Sylviana keeps staring at my belly and nods.

“It’s different from yours. I think her father’s strong alpha blood might have awakened a power that was dormant within you. Have you talked with Reagan yet?”

“No. I was confined here, remember? But I plan to. And Nate, too.”

“If Elena’s baby is a Royal, just like Nora…”

I know we are thinking the same thing. If the vampire attack was targeting Nora because of her special blood… Sylviana nods sadly.

“She will become a target too.”

“Sylviana, that vampire attack. It wasn’t just a vampire attack, right? A dark witch was behind it, and she wanted Nora. You said bad witches will target werewolves.”

She looks at me with a sad expression, and slowly nods.

“Yes. Nora’s power is very attractive.”

I start to lose patience and growl, annoyed.

“Sylviana, if you know things, spill it. I have enough things threatening my baby, I would rather have the full list now.”

Of course, she is not impressed in the slightest, and shrugs.

“It is as I said, Elena. The dark witch who attacked the city is most likely after Nora’s tremendous Moon Power… and once she knows of its existence, she might go after your daughter too. For now, it’s like having a candle next to a firepit. Nora’s aura is much stronger; she won’t even be able to notice your baby while you carry her.”

“You mean until she’s born,” says Danny.

“Yes. I can’t quite understand it, but somehow, Elena’s aura is acting as a shield and hiding her baby’s. That’s why even I couldn’t see her aura until I got close.”

I don’t know if I should feel good about that or not.

In other words, something we can’t figure out about me is shielding my baby from Sylviana and that dark witch’s powers, though we still don’t know why until I talk with Reagan.

But once my daughter is born, she will become a target. Like Nora’s firepit aura.

I take a deep breath. I’m going to need a lot of help to get through this. I need Reagan to spill the beans about whatever’s unusual about me, and finally know the truth about my parents.

But first, I need to talk to Nate.

“What’s next?” I ask Sylviana. “How much of a threat are we talking about here?”

“It will depend on how many packs Nora and the King can rally.”

I exchange a look with Danny. Rally the packs? Like, an actual alliance? Is she nuts? We barely see eye-to-eye let alone talk to some of the other packs!

“Sylviana, I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but… that sounds very crazy.”

But the witch chuckles.

“I think Nora might surprise us. Anyway, I have things to do on my side too. I’ll get going.”

“Don’t you want Nora to meet you? Like, officially?” I ask, surprised.

Sylviana shakes her head.

“It is not a good time. If I reveal myself now, it will be harder for people to trust Nora and follow her. Each thing should happen at the right moment.”

Oh, right, I forgot she’s some sort of seer. Before we can add anything, Sylviana exits our apartment, leaving us there like idiots. I growl.

“Damn, can we get some good news once in a while?”

“Speaking of good news, Reagan is back in town, and you’ll get to talk to Black soon, babe.”

“I’d better.”

A few hours later, Nora wakes up, feeling fine as if nothing happened. She has no recollection of her heat, it seems, and of course, no clue about Sylviana.

Can my cousin really find a way to rally the packs against that Dark Witch? Before my baby is born? It’s not that I don’t want to believe in her, but right now, Nora’s only an eighteen-year-old, heartbroken girl on my couch!

Though, my cousin seems to get stronger every time I see her.

On Monday, she goes to work, looking perfectly fine, and I know she won’t come back here. She looks like someone who’s ready for a fight rather than a work shift. I hope she can work things out with the King and have him cancel that alliance with the Gold Moon.

As for me, I’m back to my routine of resting, attending check-ups at the hospital, and waiting for Clark’s decision… Though I know it’s taking too long. It doesn’t seem good.

One evening, he finally shows up, visibly annoyed. Daniel is by my side on the couch and Levi is standing behind us with his arms crossed. My godfather is in a bad mood.

“I’ll take it you didn’t find a satisfying solution,” I sigh.

“Oh, I did, Elena. But I know you’re stubborn and won’t listen to what I tell you no matter what, and that’s what’s bothering me.”

“What is it?”

Clark takes a deep breath in.

“I spoke to the elders. They agreed to offer you a choice. I already told them you wouldn’t give up your child, and they understood that much.”

“Right.”

“I don’t... fully understand how things are between you and… the Blood Moon clan at the moment, but this is the White Moon we are talking about. So, you have a choice.”

I’m getting nervous. What could get Clark so annoyed? He knows what decision I would make, so why did he still manage to get me a choice?

“You have to give up any of your rights as the Alpha heir, but the elders agreed to let you have your child as long as its existence is concealed from its biological father. They don’t care what story you want to tell, but no one else should know that it is Black’s child.”

I clench my fist. Those damn assholes.

“Elena, think about it. You haven’t told him yet, so…”

“What’s the other option, Clark?”

He sighs.

“Banishment. From both the Opal and White Moon clans.”

“So that’s it? Either Elena keeps it a secret from her baby’s father, or she is banished? Are they fucking serious?” says Daniel, furious.

“It’s not like she had a child with just anyone!” says Clark. “Trust me, I hate it as much as you do, but that’s the best they agreed to! No one wants the King involved in our business, and they certainly do not want his nephew or niece in our pack! Elena, we already forgave you after that episode with Diego, this time you–”

“Forgave me?”

I look at my godfather, so shocked I don’t even know how to respond to that. I get up, looking at him, disappointed. I see in his face he’s already regretting his words.

“Elena, that’s not what I–”

“I went to jail, and you think you can call it forgiveness, Clark? After losing my baby? After you only banished Diego for 5 years?”

“Babe, calm down,” says Danny, worried.

But I don’t care. I’m too disappointed and shocked to stay quiet now. I’ve always believed in Clark, I can’t actually believe what I just heard from him. I stand in front of him, trying to hold my tears in.

“When Diego tried to rape me and made me lose a baby, you banished him for five years. Now, I’m having a child with a man who loves me, and you’re asking me to choose between him, my baby, and banishment? Look me in the eye and tell me why I should accept that, Clark!”

“This is bullshit, Clark,” adds Levi’s furious voice behind me.

Our Alpha is clearly uneasy and angry about this, trying to find his words, shaking his head.

“Elena, we are talking about one of the most dangerous men in this city. Nathaniel Black is this city’s number two, and you are someone important to our pack, too. You getting pregnant by that man is not something we can celebrate like some happy news.”

“I never cared about being Alpha of the White Moon or Opal Moon, Clark, I don’t care even if I’m the last omega! I’m grateful my parents adopted me, I’m grateful to you for being my godfather, but I never asked for any of these responsibilities you’re pushing on me! You all made those choices for me!”

Clark suddenly goes silent, visibly shocked. The words stay stuck in his throat for a while, before he addresses me, looking furious this time.

“You think we made this decision, Elena? Really? You think I chose to be an Alpha? If you’re unhappy with your position, you can blame the Moon Goddess! But when Reagan brought us a Royal’s child, you think we could have treated you any differently than we did?”

I’m speechless.

“What… did you say?” I ask, completely taken by surprise.

“Yes, Elena, you have Royal blood. We’ve known since the first day Reagan brought you here.”

“You said you didn’t know about my parents.”

“She didn’t give us details about your parents, Elena. We just knew. You had a crazy Alpha Aura for a child your age, and she said you were from a Royal family. We had no choice but to believe it, but as soon as we did, we hid it.”

I exchange a look with Daniel and Levi, completely taken by surprise. How the hell did Clark keep this hidden from me all this time? He knew so much!

My godfather sighs.

“That’s why Samuel and Ivy, of all people, took you in. We knew we would need a strong Alpha couple to take care of you. Until you were an adult, we hid you from the other packs, and even your lineage had to be kept a secret. We thought…”

He pauses.

“We thought having you take over the White Moon clan someday, as my goddaughter and Samuel’s daughter, would seem natural. Werewolves naturally look up to the strongest individuals. As an Alpha of Royal blood, you would make a great leader for us. At least that’s what we thought, until…”

“Until Diego?” asked Daniel, disgusted.

Clark nodded.

“Strong Alphas in the same pack always end up looking for strong partners or fighting each other. I just didn’t think it would get so bad, or make you lose a child. I admit I may have treated you more as a female with Royal blood than a woman, Elena. But I never, ever thought you would do the same thing again!”

Moon Goddess, it’s my godfather standing in front of me, but I feel like vomiting right now. And I swear my pregnancy has nothing to do with it.

“I’m sorry your… weapon is not living up to your expectations, Clark.”

“Elena, that’s not–”

“Shut up. Shut up, and listen to me, for once. I respected you, as an Alpha. I really did. But now I realize you’ve only been grooming me like the rest of your warriors. You never actually listened to my feelings, you just thought about the pack. I get it. You may think this was your duty as an Alpha, but honestly, I don’t care anymore.”

I see the sadness in his eyes. I know he must feel guilty after realizing what he has done, but this time, I’m not going to stay silent and take it anymore. I step up to him, trying to calm down and control myself.

“So from now on, I’m going to be my own individual and make my own decisions. Not for this pack, but for myself. I will find out the whole truth about my origin from Reagan, and I will tell Nathaniel Black I’m carrying his child. That is my decision, so now you can go and do whatever you want with it, Clark.”