Page 5 of Impregnated By the Alpha

Unfortunately, they found us first.

Lavender and I were strong but young and untested. And more importantly, we were alone.

“Look, boys, a delicious dessert just fell into our laps,” one of the men teased, transforming into his human form to taunt us. “I’ve always loved the taste of honey.”

Lavender did have honey-colored fur, but my wolf was far from sweet as she stared down the menacing group of interlopers. She bared her teeth, growling in warning as one of the wolves stepped forward.

Far from dissuaded, the man laughed at us. “Don’t worry, darling. We’ll be quick. We have far better places to betonight than wasting time in the woods with a little thing like you.”

Springing into action, I pounced on the man, hoping I could take him out before his companions prevented me. I had always been quick and spry, but before I could deliver the killing blow, I was toppled over by the others, allowing him time to transform into his wolf.

The next few minutes were a rush of teeth, fur, and claws as I battled for my life against my four attackers. It was a hopeless endeavor, but Lavender and I refused to give up and die quietly. We continued to fight back, ignoring the pain of our injuries as we became weaker and more damaged with each passing moment.

Just when I thought all hope was lost, I heard snarling and gnashing from the trees behind me. In a moment, a rush of wolves darted out of the forest and fought against my attackers. Led by a pure black wolf, my saviors decimated the rogues and rescued me from their attack.

I was far too weak to get myself back home, but I needn’t have worried. Nile appeared where the black wolf had just stood, assuring me he would get me to safety. I had no choice but to trust him as I gave in to my exhaustion and passed out.

By the gift of the moon goddess, he had been telling the truth. Nile had left behind his band of rogues and brought me back home to Sparkle Hollow, where he told the alpha about my encounter in the woods and made sure I was taken care of.

I awoke the following day, safe in my own bed and insistent that someone find the man who had saved my life. I demanded that they return him to my side so that I could thank him for stepping in when he wasn’t duty-bound to do so.

From the moment he was summoned to my side, we became inseparable. Now that I was conscious, I made it clear that I didn’t want him to leave, and he felt the same way. Sometimes he would disappear for a few hours, but he always returned. Day and night, he tended to me, ensuring that I made a full recovery.

And when I was healed, I showed him all my favorite places.

The wishing well—our first kiss.

The covered bridge—he said he cared for me more than anyone he had ever met.

The wildflower meadow in the starlight—I told him I felt the same.

I was sure he was my true mate, and I gave myself to him, body and soul. It was a whirlwind romance that felt as if it were straight out of a storybook.

We fell asleep under the stars, wrapped in each other’s arms, and I felt blissfully happy and at peace with my world. I decided right then that when the sun rose the next day and kissed our faces, I would draw my fingers through his hair, wait for him to open his eyes, and confess my love to him.

But it wasn’t to be.

I woke up in the morning to the sunlight on my face, but Nile wasn’t with me. He had left me naked and alone on the ground. I searched for him, scouring the surrounding forest until my legs grew too weary to carry me.

Collapsing, I cried until my throat was sore and my eyes were swollen.

Something had gone wrong between us, but I would never find out what it was. He had left me with no way of contacting him. No answers—no closure.

The entire life I had planned for us had disappeared without a trace, along with the man I thought I had loved.

I came back from the forest a changed woman, unwilling to open my heart up to anyone. I sank deep inside of myself. I had loved him freely, and he had broken my heart. Never again would I allow myself to be wounded in that way.

My vow to myself to never get my heart broken again rang in my head as I looked into the eyes of the only man who had ever been given the power to hurt me.

Somehow, the rogue I had met had managed to become the alpha of Pinedale—a fully settled pack not far from where I had lived my entire life. The irony of his abrupt departure ending with him making a home just a few hours away wasn’t lost on me. The fact that he hadn’t even bothered to leave the region before finding happiness allowed me to resist the pull he still undoubtedly had on me.

All I had to do was reject him, and I could go back home. I would have to explain why the peace negotiations had failed, but that might be worth it if I could just get away from the memories of our past. Get away from him.

“Daddy!” a child’s voice rang out from the hallway, breaking my reverie.

Nile winced slightly, looking at me apologetically before responding. “In here, baby,” he called.

A young girl came into view, bounding toward Nile. Her head just about reached his waist as she threw her arms around him.

---