Page 53 of Impregnated By the Alpha

He sat down to wait, vigilant in case Evans returned. Moira sent up her own howl, then joined him and with her pressed tightly against his side, he felt some of the pain and disorientation start to fade. When the wolves began to trickle in, his thoughts were clear.

Evelyn shifted the moment she reached them, eyes wide with horror, when she caught sight of Mrs. Alden’s body.

“I had nothing to do with this, I swear,” she pleaded, and Jonah was tempted to believe her. It was far enough into the yard, well-hidden by the grass, and judging by the state of things the yard was not a spot often visited by Evelyn.

“But you let Evans stay here with you,” Moira stated, continuing when Evelyn gave a nod of confirmation. “And he never raised any suspicions? Coming in at all hours?”

Evelyn twisted her hands together like she was wringing out a towel. “I’ve been in and out so much between classes and work, I wouldn’t have noticed anything. And I didn’t, I promise you.”

Jonah had seen the way Evans seemed to slip away like a ghost. He seemed to have a knack for letting eyes slide off of him, for sneaking around unnoticed. Until he pushed it too far.

Evelyn’s gaze kept darting to Mrs. Alden, and each time, her skin turned a deeper shade of green. “Why would he do this?” She asked, voice small.

“It seems he realized the best way to hurt me was by hurting Moira,” Jonah said, careful not to look at Moira. He was revealing too much of himself with that statement.

Moira pressed closer to him, letting him feel her soft warmth. It was a balm against the wound pounding in his head.

“What do you need from us?” Rami approached Jonah, and he realized they were all looking to him for answers and direction. It was as if he’d already stepped into the role of alpha.

Vera pushed her way to the front and caught Moira in a hug. Her arm was bandaged, but she paid it little mind as she examined her sister for any sign of injury.

“Let’s give Mrs. Alden a proper burial.” He directed Evelyn and Rami, the youngest and strongest of the Silversand wolves, to take care of that job and sent the others to convene in a safe location. “He knows he’s caught now. The truth is out. He won’t need the pretense of his bid for alpha anymore.”

Moira pushed Vera gently off of her. “Do you think he’ll attack you directly? Is he just looking for revenge?”

“It seems likely, but he’s unpredictable. I think it’s best if no one moves around alone until he’s caught. We know what he’s capable of and the lengths he’ll go to. Be wary.” Jonah pressed two fingers to the lump on his head, hidden by the mass of curls. It was tender enough to make him wince.

Spencer absorbed the news and turned to direct his own pack, sending wolves off in pairs in all directions. “We’ll scout and send news of anything we find. Moira is a target here, and she’s one of our own. We’ll protect her.”

He didn’t want to need another wolf’s protection to keep his mate safe, but Jonah wasn’t too proud to accept the help. Moira’s life, and the life of their unborn baby, was more important than his pride.

“Thank you,” he said, accepting the offer.

With the others dispersing, he turned to Moira. “I know you won’t stay behind in safety somewhere if I ask you to.”

Moira snorted. “I’d be insulted if you’d asked. I want to be there. With you.”

Sometimes, he was grateful for her stubbornness. All he would have done without her by his side is worry. He needed to keep her close to know she and the baby were safe. She was his mate as far as the packs were concerned, so he ignored the eyes on them and drew her close, touching the curve of her stomach.

The rage that filled him at the thought of someone putting her in danger burned like nothing he’d ever felt before. He barely recognized himself in that heat. Was this what it meant to love? The need to protect her was a monstrous thing, almost outside of his control.

“How are you feeling?” He searched her eyes for the answer, knowing she’d say whatever she had to in order to follow him into danger.

“We’re fine,” she reassured him, covering his hand with her own. “A little tired, but we’ll manage.”

He had to trust her. “Come with me, then. I think I know where Evans will go.”

Chapter 18 - Moira

It was too late by the time they reached the lighthouse. Moira fell silent when Jonah pushed the door open and laid bare the wreckage inside. Evans had returned, as he’d predicted, but he’d done what he’d came to do and left again, leaving behind the destruction of everything they’d worked together to rebuild.

Tears sprang to her eyes. It had been one of the first tender moments she’d shared with Jonah, back before she’d trusted him, and to see it crushed and splintered felt like a violation.

“I’m so sorry, Jonah,” she said, reaching for him. She thought he might brush her aside, but he collapsed into her touch and gave her a shuddering breath. “We’ll rebuild it. Together.”

When he spoke, the vehemence in his voice was a rumble, a crack that revealed the passion beneath his calm exterior. “I should have killed him when I had the chance.”

She didn’t pull back from him, even if the anger startled her. “You’re not like that.”

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