Page 15

The letters on the page began to blur slightly, and I rub my eyes. The tiny ancient text is hard enough to read at the best of times. Running on so little sleep, and with my hormones going wild, I know I can’t keep going tonight.

My stomach rolls and I realize I haven’t eaten all afternoon. Grabbing my empty mug, I walk down to the cafeteria. The lab is half shrouded in darkness as people trickle out into the evening, and I try not to let the shadows disturb me too much. Truth be told, I prefer it when Rowan or Griffen is around, but I know they needed to help get the new security cameras in place quickly. There’s no point if the traitor knows they’re doing it.

The lab has been relatively quiet since the data and slides were stolen. I’ve done my best to track the data personally and move everything to hard copies where possible. That hasn’t gone down well with everyone. Rian, in particular, has complained about the extra paperwork and security issues. He seems to take issue with Griffen's presence, saying that he’s a beta, too, and should be enough.

I suspect there are bigger issues there, but Griffen says Rian is just trying to assert his position, having inherited it. He’s a strong young wolf who just wants to prove himself.

As I pass, I look toward his station and note the monitor is still on, but he’s not at his desk. Some of the newer technicians are heading for the door and calling out to say goodbye. I wave and carry on down the corridor. Despite my concerns over the missing data, the lab itself is thriving. Our close links with Sara and the clinic have already proved fruitful, with one of our research projects yielding a new possible treatment for the sudden onset of weakness in some of the elders, which looks promising.

And I like the people here. I still miss Forrest and the lunas, who have gone out of their way to build friendships with me, but this place is starting to feel like…home. I touch my stomach gently, imagining what home might look like.

I have come close to telling Rowan my secret a couple of times, but something always stops me. I was determined to tell him after he got back from the alphas’ meeting, but he seemed so preoccupied. Deep down, I know I’m just being a coward, afraid of what he’ll say. We haven’t spoken about the future; he talks about the bond, and I feel his desire, but we haven’t talked about our feelings or what the future would look like. We certainly haven’t talked about children.

I sigh as I wait for the water to boil, adding extra chocolate to my cup. As I pour the water in, the sweet smell and warmth soothes my soul and settles my nerves. I know I can’t keep this secret much longer. Looking down, I can see my breasts have already filled out considerably. I’m naturally curvy, and I’m sure it won’t be long before the changes to my body become undeniable—especially to Rowan, I think, blushing.

I walk back to my office, take a sip of the hot chocolate, and let out a contented moan. It's rich and smooth, just how I like it. I settle on the couch with my laptop and take out my latest results from the clinic. Comparing them to Kenzie's recent pregnancy makes me feel better, knowing that she was okay, too. But looking at my own results, there are some startling differences appearing—mutations in my DNA that weren't there before. Mutations that look a lot like Rowan’s, which is not surprising, but I don’t know what they mean yet.

Suddenly aware of the silence all around me, I check my phone. Rowan and the others should be finished soon, and he’s going to pick me up. With all the additional security here, it really is the safest place in town, but I can’t shake the uneasy feeling that’s starting to build.

I hear footsteps coming from the hallway, but the light sensors don’t come on, which is strange. I put my laptop down and move to the corridor. Rian is back at his workstation, his face illuminated by the screen. I look around and realize we must be the only people here until another man steps into view. I try to pick up on his scent, and it appears he’s human; bizarrely, though, I can’t scent Rian even though he’s right there. It’s like he doesn’t exist.

His scent is masked. It was Rian on the trail.

I look at my phone again and notice there’s no signal—none. Rian and the man appear to be arguing. My shifter hearing is enhanced, but I can only make out a few words.

“I’m not ready yet,” comes Rian’s voice.

“You’ll have to be,” the other man says. “If you want this, it’s now, or we’ll take you all out.”

What have you done, Rian?

Why would they be here now? Even if Rian is mixed up with the hunters, bringing them here to the lab is crazy. They’ll get caught. I just need to keep my head down and wait for Rowan and the others. There are only two of them, and surely Rian won’t fight against his pack? This has to be some kind of mistake.

I can hear my heart racing as I listen to them move around the lab. They seem to be collecting the boxes of paperwork. I glance at my phone again; there is still no signal. They must be jamming the network. I hear a door opening in the distance and then the scent of more humans; I can’t see how many, but this can’t be good.

I look at my laptop on the couch, full of data about my pregnancy—and all the Volva pregnancies. I can’t let anyone see it. Moving quickly, I crawl to it along the floor, staying low to avoid the window. I quickly connect the USB stick on my keychain and start a transfer, deleting files as soon as they’ve uploaded. I feel sick as I listen to the men moving around outside, praying they don’t come in here, but I know it’s only a matter of time, surely.

The transfer is almost complete; I try to steady my breathing. I know I need to get out of here, but the closest exit is through the main lab, which would mean risking getting seen.

I don’t even have time to think, because the door suddenly flies open, and I’m face-to-face with one of the hunters. He’s dressed in the same tactical gear I’ve seen them wear before, his eyes reflecting the same menacing glare filled with hate as he raises a gun in my direction.

I don’t have time to react.

But then, Rian bursts in, pushing the hunter aside. “Don’t shoot her,” he shouts, his voice a growl. “She’s half-human.” He looks at me, his eyes scanning me up and down. “She can help us.”

“What the hell are you t-talking about, Rian?” I stammer, my heart racing. The gun is still pointed straight at me, but the hunter hesitates for a moment before lowering it slightly.

Rian ignores my question and takes a step forward. He's dressed similarly to the others. "She's not one of them," he says. "Not really. She has no wolf at all. And we’ll need more like her if I’m going to rebuild the pack." His voice is low and intense, as if trying to convince himself more than anyone else in the room.

“Rebuild?” I say, not hiding the shock in my voice. “What have you done? Where’s Rowan?”

Rian glares down at me, “Don’t, Willow. Just shut the fuck up.” Then, turning to the hunter, he adds, “She’s the top scientist here; she’ll be useful.”

The blood rushes in my ears. Not for the first time, I wish I could shift and fight properly. Not that I could anyway, with the pregnancy…

The thought of my baby and the reality of what Rian’s betrayal means slams into me. What it means for Rowan. I can’t let this happen.

“He’s my mate, Rian. You can’t think I’d betray him, that I’d help you,” I say.

The hunter’s eyes shoot back to me, and he growls at Rian, “She’s the halfling alpha’s mate?” He raises the gun again. “I don’t care if she’s useful or half-human; she’s been fucking a monster.”

I don’t understand what he’s saying, but I know I have to do something. I realize I’m still holding my laptop; jumping to my feet, I move at an unnatural speed and slam it into the hunter's face. The crack of his nose splintering under the impact echoes through the room as he stumbles back.

Rian's eyes widen, and he snarls, "You stupid bitch."

I don't have time to respond as the hunter roars and charges at me. We hit the ground, rolling around on the cold tile floor. His hands are everywhere, trying to pin me down. I slam my knee into his groin, feeling a satisfying crunch. He howls in pain and rolls off me, clutching himself. I push him into Rian, and as they both fall, I run for it.

I can hear the shouts behind me as I flat-out sprint for the exit. Suddenly, I hear a growl right behind me. It's Rian. Without thinking, I turn around to face him, ready to fight. But one look at his eyes tells me he's completely lost control; they’re red and feral. His mouth opens in a snarl as he bares his teeth at me, revealing long canines. Then, he lunges forward.

I try to dodge him but am not fast enough; pain explodes in my ribcage as he tackles me to the ground. His weight pins me down, making it hard to breathe, his hot breath on my neck sending shivers down my spine. My heart races as I feel his hand clench around my throat, squeezing tighter and tighter.

All I can think about is my baby and Rowan. I can’t let Rian do this. I frantically reach for anything that can help, my fingers touching something in the mess on the ground that feels metallic and long. I smash it over Rian’s head, and he falls to the side. I’m barely on my knees before he rounds and kicks me hard in the side. I vomit with the impact, instinctively trying to shield my stomach from the second blow. The whole world starts to go dark, and I hear someone calling for Rian in the background. A third blow doesn’t come, but I can’t move.

Rowan?

I’m screaming for him in my mind. I’ve never been able to establish a connection with him. It has always been the other way around. But it feels different now. I feel my mind desperately reaching for him, the tendrils of our bond drifting through the night air, searching for him.

Rowan — our baby.

The pain in my side is unbearable as I curl into a ball, fighting the urge to vomit again. I can hear the hunters moving around in the distance, but the searing pain clouds my vision.

Rowan.

I don’t know whether I’m delirious or the bond is working, but suddenly, it feels like I’m in one of the dreamscapes. Rowan runs to me and picks me up, holding me close. He soothes the pain in my stomach, and it feels like everything is going to be ok. I feel his voice, calm and determined.

I’m coming, love. Hold on.

I feel as though I’m smiling as I roll onto my other side. I open one eye and see the hunters have gathered along the hall. There are more of them than I thought, and they’re centered around Rian, who’s talking anxiously to what appears to be their leader.

“He’ll be here soon. You can take out three alphas,” Rian says, pacing. “And then you’ll go, right?”

The hunter looks disinterested as he turns to Rian. “If you can rid this pack of the halflings and monsters, you can run things quietly. With our say-so.”

Rian nods, “I’ve got all the names here,” he says, pointing to the data. “As you can see, there’s hardly any vampire DNA; it’s all in the elders. Once they’re gone…”

Vampire DNA…

I must be delirious, I think. I must be. My mind tries to override the pain shooting through my body as I attempt to understand what I’m hearing: the DNA, the strange mutations, my baby.

I can barely focus as I hear a huge crash near the front entrance, and the hunters begin to shout. I can make out the sound of claws scraping against the floor, and an inhuman growl sends chills down my spine as I feel my mate’s presence.

I see the hunters draw their weapons, but it’s too late. Before they can react properly, Rowan and Griffen burst into the room, shifting into wolves as they charge them. Their fur is glistening, almost silver in the dim light, and their eyes are fierce with rage.

Jet and Kaiden follow suit, changing shape just as swiftly. It’s like watching a dance as they leap and twist around each other in perfect synchronicity as the hunters scramble.

I try to move, wanting to let Rowan know where I am, but the pain makes my stomach roll again, so I push myself against one of the desks and stay low. From where I am, I see the hunters at the back holding some kind of pointed lamp.

I open my mouth to say something, but no words come out. Suddenly, the whole room lights up as if from the most brilliant daylight. It feels uncomfortably bright, but as my eyes adjust, I see Rowan and Griffen’s wolves on the ground, howling in pain.

I feel Rowan’s pain through the bond, and it’s too much; my vision fades to black.