Page 75 of Princess Redeemed

“But how can love defeat a flesh-and-blood enemy?”I ask, my voice shaky.“How can I protect my child?”

“Think back to your fight with the phantom,” Alara says, her tone gentle yet firm.“Remember the power you harnessed when you thought of your child, of Rogan?You channeled your emotions into a tangible force.That is the secret, Hannah.Your love, your desire to protect those dear to you is powerful.You’ve seen it with your own eyes.Felt it in your soul.Before you can take on your father or your stepfather, you must get rid of Eris.”

“Eris?”

“That is her name.The she-wolf.”

“I thought you didn’t know much about her.”

“I don’t.Only what I will tell you now.”

“And she is truly Rogan’s fated mate?”

Alara sighs.“I wish I could tell you that she isn’t.But she is.Nature and what it bestows upon us is more powerful than any being it creates, and nature has decided that Eris is Rogan’s mate.But don’t underestimate your own power.Eris may be his mate, but Rogan lovesyou.He loves his unborn child.And Eris is not who she seems to be.”

“What do you mean?”I ask, my heart pounding in my chest.“Who is shereally?”

“Appearances can be deceiving, Hannah,” Alara responds cryptically.“She is a wolf, yes, but she is also something more.”

I’m about to press Alara for more information when a sudden sharp pain shoots through my stomach.I gasp and clutch at my belly.

“Hannah!”Alara gasps.“Are you okay?”

“I… I don’t know.”Perspiration beads on my forehead.

The pain subsides as quickly as it came, leaving me panting and shaky.

“We should get you back to your place,” Alara says.“You need to rest.”

“But what about…”

“Later,” Alara insists.“Your health and the health of your child come first.Eris can wait.”

Images blur around me, and in a moment, I’m back at my apartment.

I can’t help but think about Alara’s foreboding words.That Eris is not only a wolf but also something more.Something potentially more dangerous.This is a woman who cut out the hearts of two dead vampires.

I touch my abdomen.

My God…

What if she…

The thought sends shivers down my spine, but I push the unease aside.

I will face whatever comes.For the child growing inside me and for Rogan.

Alara sits me down and wraps a warm blanket around my shoulders.

“I will stay with you tonight,” she says.

“That’s not necessary.”

“It’s what your father would want.Your feelings about him notwithstanding, he is still my king.”

I glance at Alara.Her loyalty toward my father is something I respect, even if I can’t fully understand it.Though I’d prefer to be alone, what I want more than anything is to protect my child.Having Alara here can’t hurt.

“Yes,” I say after a moment.“Please stay.”