Page 36 of Rejected and Pregnant by the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #52)
Julian
Dodging past the trees and carefully avoiding fallen logs, I keep my senses alert while racing back to Haven Trail land with Saben and Hannah on my back.
I can feel her worry and anxiety through the mate bond with her so close to me, and I reach out to the bond mentally, hoping to soothe and reassure her that our pup will be fine as long as we reach her cottage in time.
“We are almost home, baby,” I hear Hannah whisper to Saben as the magic of the Haven Trail border rushes over our small group, and I feel her perk up.
“Mavric, Fabian, and Mikos, take the dead hunter and the captured female to the pack house. Claira is waiting to help you bring them into the dungeons. Aidan, Julian, take Saben and me home to our cottage where our doctor is waiting,” she orders, the power within her blood spilling forth, daring any of us to object.
Thankfully, Fabian lets out three quick yips, indicating they understand, and with Mavric taking the lead, our group splits into two.
Fabian and Mikos follow Mavric to the Haven Trail pack house while Aidan and I take the route to Hannah’s home.
With her cottage close to the west border, we arrive in front of it just as Jiya and another she-wolf in a lab coat rush forward, taking Saben off my back with Hannah’s help.
Before I can lower myself to the ground, Hannah has already jumped off me, telling Theta Aidan to find me some clothes over her shoulder as the three she-wolves hurry into the cottage.
I quickly shift, getting ready to step into the cottage, but Theta Aidan moves to block the door, shaking his head as his ears flicker before he shifts back to his human form.
“Let me get us some clothes first. The cottage is small, and we need to wait for the go-ahead from Hannah to enter,” Theta Aidan says.
I snarl in frustration, clenching my fists and holding myself back from punching the man in the face.
“I know you’re frustrated, Alpha Julian. I would be too if it came to my daughter Claira,” he says, a look of sympathy crossing the older man’s face. “But we need to give Dr. Grace some room to run the tests needed on Saben.”
“I know that, but that’s my son in there.
I need to be with him!” I snap back, turning around and punching the sturdy oak tree from which a simple swing hangs.
“I just learned yesterday that I am a father, and today he was kidnapped by hunters. I feel useless,” I continue, my body shaking from pent-up rage and anxiety.
My son was injured because of these hunters, and all I can do is wait outside.
Five years. I spent five years unaware I had a child all this time.
It was my fault after all. I banished Hannah from the royal pack because I was a fool for believing rumors.
Five years of missing every first milestone my son had.
I should have been there when he was born.
Should have been there for every sleepless night and helped care for Saben as a newborn.
But I was so focused on avoiding any news about Hannah that I pushed aside every thought of her.
“Hannah is calling for the both of you,” a voice from the doorway calls out, and I turn to find Jiya standing there, her thick Indian accent unable to mask the relief she feels.
“Really!” I ask, feeling hopeful.
“Yes. Make sure to put on some clothes before you come in.” With that, Jiya turns and heads back into the cottage, and Theta Aidan steps forward, handing me a bundle of clothes.
I take them, thanking him, and quickly throw on the sweatpants and tank top he gave me, rushing into the cottage as soon as I am dressed.
Inside, I find Jiya in the kitchen just to the left of the entrance.
She is busy cooking what smells like soup.
Theta Aidan follows me in, motioning me to follow him, and I allow him to lead me deeper into the cottage.
We pass by a small living room with toys strewn about and head down the only hallway in the cottage.
“He should wake up within a day with this antidote. The hunters used too much wolfsbane on him, but thankfully, his blood burned it up quickly before lasting damage could occur,” a sultry voice says, and I pause at the scent of another vampire.
“Thank you, Dr. Grace,” I hear Hannah reply quietly.
Theta Aidan gives me an encouraging smile, pushing me forward. I stumble into the room, causing the two women inside to jump. I smile apologetically, taking a deep breath and finding the scent of mango custard and vanilla custard mixing together.
“Julian, come in,” Hannah says, standing from the bed and tucking Saben in. He looks so peaceful now and is no longer shivering thanks to the antidote’s effect, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“This is Dr. Grace Vaughn. She is our pack’s doctor. Dr. Grace, this is King Julian Christiansen, king of all werewolves,” Hannah introduces the vampire to me, and I extend my hand, feeling her cool skin against mine as she shakes it.
“Nice to meet you, Alpha King Julian,” Dr. Grace says with a smile, her fangs peeking from under her lips.
“Thank you for saving Saben,” I reply, watching her smile grow.
“I only gave him the antidote. You and Hannah saved the little pup,” she says, waving her hand dismissively.
“Hannah, I will be in my room at the pack house. Call me if you need me,” Dr. Grace calls out to Hannah before she vanishes from the room. I take a look around the space, finding drawings pinned to the wall and toys gathered in the corner under a large bay window. This is Saben’s room.
“Thank you,” Hannah whispers, catching my attention. Turning to face her, I find Hannah looking down at Saben, watching his steady breathing.
“I knew that your sensitive nose would help me find Saben, and you did,” she continues, her voice a soft whimper.
“I almost lost him today. I don’t know what I would have done if I lost Saben.
” Tears begin to fall down Hannah’s cheeks, and without thinking, I pull her into my arms. She doesn’t fight me.
Instead, her hands clutch at the tank top I am wearing, and she sobs into my shoulder.
I pat her back, feeling my own tears well in my eyes, threatening to spill from the loneliness and fear seeping out of Hannah.
Just like me, she is an orphan with no other family.
If she were to lose Saben to the hunters, Goddess only knows what would happen to her.
“He is safely in bed now. We rescued our son in time,” I say, feeling Hannah nod against me. We stand like this in Saben’s room, me holding Hannah while she lets out her tears, and as time ticks by, I sense that she is slowly calming down.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to break down like that.” Hannah sniffles, slowly pulling away from me and stepping back. She wraps her arms around herself and turns to watch Saben, her eyes red and puffy from crying.
“You held everything in until we knew Saben was safe,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “I think you deserve to cry a bit,” I add, earning a smile from Hannah.
“Are you hungry? I can smell Jiya’s soup from here, so it must be done,” Hannah asks, changing the subject.
I nod sheepishly, and Hannah motions for me to exit the room. She follows after me, turning off the lights before leading me toward the living room, where the smell of food awaits us.
“Claira linked me while you were with Saben,” Jiya calls as we round the corner.
“Both of the captured hunters are secured in cells. Dr. Grace checked on the female’s broken wrists and commended you on a clean break.
We can interrogate them tomorrow morning,” the Indian woman continues, placing bowls onto a small table in the corner of the living room under another large window.
“Good. Did they find anything useful from the gear that was confiscated from the four hunters?” Hannah asks, her ability to shift into an alpha mindset surprising me.
“They did. We can look at it all later,” Jiya confirms before pulling out a chair. “Now, both of you come eat. You worked hard today.”
Hannah takes the seat, thanking Jiya and letting out a sigh. I quickly join her, fumbling with the chair for a moment before managing to pull it out and sit down.
“Did you eat, Jiya?” Hannah asks.
Jiya nods, giving Hannah a reassuring smile. “I did, and I even have a thermos to take home with me,” she answers, and Hannah grins.
“Then you can head home if you want. Julian and I have some things to discuss.”
“Of course. I will come by tomorrow morning to check on Saben and keep an eye on him if you want. Have a good night, Hannah.”
With that, Jiya leaves the cottage, and Hannah immediately starts to eat. Taking the hint, I enjoy the meal prepared for us, deciding to wait and see what Hannah has to say to me, even though I want to beg her for another chance once again.