Page 58 of Surprise Baby for My Fated Alpha

“This is where you belong,” he whispered darkly, fastening the ropes around my wrists. “You’re mine now, Luna.”

“I will never be yours!”

“Drink this.” Marcosias forced potion into my mouth as I struggled, but I couldn’t overpower him.

As I drank it, my vision became blurry, and I passed out.

Chapter 20

Orion

Iglanced over my shoulder at Jake and the others trailing behind me, their eyes constantly scanning the tree line for any threat. "Stay sharp," I muttered, my voice low. "We’re getting closer, but something feels ... off."

Jake, ever the loyal one, nodded.

"Yeah, boss. It feels like the mountain itself is watching us."

I gripped my jacket tighter as the wind picked up, colder now, biting at our faces. "You’re not wrong. The trees ... look at them. They’re twisted, almost like they're trying to warn us."

One of the men, Davis, spoke up, his voice tense. "It’s eerie. Like the terrain is shifting, trying to push us back."

I didn’t respond, but the unease gnawed at me. Each step felt heavier, more deliberate. "We’re close. Just a little further, and we’ll reach it."

Even the birds had gone silent. I looked back again, locking eyes with Jake. "Whatever’s waiting for us up there, we face it head-on. We didn’t come this far to turn back now."

Jake smirked, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Wouldn’t dream of it, boss. We’re with you, all the way."

As we trudged higher, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something – or someone – was waiting for us at the top. "Stay ready," I warned, my hand instinctively reaching for my weapon.

I stopped at the mouth of the cave, the mist swirling around us. The entrance was gaping, dark, like the cave itself was daring us to step inside. I glanced at Jake. "This is it. Stay alert."

Jake nodded, his eyes narrowing, as he peered into the darkness. "Feels like we’re walking into a trap."

"Maybe we are," I muttered, gripping my weapon tighter.

We moved forward, the dim light barely cutting through the blackness. The walls were jagged, rough. I could hear our footsteps echoing, each one heavier than the last. My gut screamed caution, but I kept moving, pushing deeper into the cave.

Finally, we reached a massive chamber. It was cold, eerily quiet. In the center, on a stone pedestal, sat the artifact. An ancient, twisted relic, glowing faintly, like it had a life of its own. My heart pounded in my chest as I took a step closer.

"There it is," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

But just as I approached, the air shifted again. I froze, instinctively raising my hand to signal the others. "Wait," I hissed, my eyes scanning the room. "Something’s here."

From the shadows, a figure began to emerge—slowly. Deliberately. My breath caught in my throat. The figure stepped into the dim light, and I felt my blood run cold.

"You’ve come a long way, Orion," the figure spoke, his voice deep and resonant. "But are you prepared for what lies ahead?"

"Who are you?" I demanded, my heart pounding, but I already knew. Recognition washed over me, and I took a step back, disbelief flooding my mind.

The figure stepped closer, his face now fully visible.

"Father’s old friend ..." I muttered under my breath, unable to believe my eyes. The guardian of the artifact wasn’t just some mystical force—it was him.

"Orion," the spirit said, his voice carrying both warmth and sorrow. "It's been a long time."

My breath caught in my throat. "No. It can't be."

The spirit stepped closer, his form becoming clearer. He was unmistakable. My father’s best friend. A man who had been like an uncle to me growing up. "Gideon?"

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