Page 34 of Fated to the Enemy Alpha

“Lina, Betty’s been up all night with a fever. We didn’t want to worry you. We thought it would get better by the morning, but she’s agitated and keeps asking for you—”

“I’m on my way,” I exclaimed. “Keep me posted if anything changes,” I added, already climbing out of bed.

In a moment, I was dressed and out the door. Luckily, at this time, Magnus hadn’t risen yet, and I was able to sneak out of the house and into my car without any questions—something I was immensely relieved about, given that the only thought in my mind was Betty. I didn’t think I’d be able to keep the worry tearing at me from showing.

Yet, even as I drove away from the Hamptons and into New York, I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of Magnus’s men. They’d tailed me the first few times I’d come into New York on the weekend to go to Macy’s, but today, this early, there was no sign of them.

Once out of New York, I settled into the drive, feeling both anxious about my little one and relieved as I’d finally get to hold her after so long. Four hours later, when I pulled up outside my villa, with only a text from Emily to say that there wasn’t any change in Betty’s fever, I felt as if I’d been driving for days.

Emily was at the door as I arrived, her face a picture of relief as she shut the door. “She’s been asking for you all morning.”

My chest ached, and I hurried up the stairs to Betty’s room before I’d even shucked off my boots. Matt was bathing Betty’s forehead with a washcloth.

He glanced at me with a smile and said, “She’s been a little trooper.”

Betty’s face was clammy, but some brightness returned to her eyes as she caught sight of me. “Mommy?” She asked, her face crumpling as she cried. “I missed you so much. I’m so glad you’s back.”

Every word seemed to wrap itself around my heart, squeezing tight until it felt full to bursting.

“It’s okay, sweetie. I’m here,” I soothed, climbing into bed with her.

“Mommy,” she sobbed, her tiny hands clutching at my shirt.

In a moment, Matt had given me the washcloth for her forehead. There were deep shadows under his eyes.

“Go get some rest,” I told him.

He nodded, leaving me with my daughter, who I relished just holding, her earthy scent giving me a peace I hadn’t known in weeks.

“I missed you, Mommy,” Betty murmured, sounding more relaxed despite her groggy voice.

“I missed you, too,” I said, smoothing back her hair and dabbing her brow and cheeks, my worry melting away as I saw that she was okay.

It was a typical shifter fever, the kind I had suffered from as a kid. Our temperatures always ran hotter than humans, and I could see the worry etched into Emily and Matthew’s exhausted faces. They were shifters like me, but the early shifter fevers were notoriously tough on both the young and their caregivers. The sleepless night had clearly worn them down, and I was grateful they’d done the sensible thing and called me.

It couldn’t have been more than twenty minutes after arriving back when I softly sang a lullaby to Betty, my voice a gentle murmur in the dimly lit room. The rhythm and melody coaxed her into sleep.

But just as I was lost in the comforting routine, Emily poked her head around the door, whispering, “Lina. You better come here.” Her voice was strained, and the weariness was evident in her eyes.

Reluctantly, I maneuvered myself away from Betty, hoping the lullaby would keep her sleeping while I was gone.

I tried not to disturb her. She stirred, but then her breathing settled back into its peaceful rhythm.

Hurrying downstairs, I found her peering out the living room window. My blood ran cold as I followed her gaze to Stephen’s car parked on the driveway.

“Fuck,” I whispered, panic coursing through my veins. “What if he sees Betty?” My gaze darted around, honing in on each of the toys in the room, evidence of the life that was about to be exposed. What the hell do we do, Emily?”

“Tell him she’s mine,” Em suggested, her tone serious.

“What?” I blinked, unsure I had heard correctly.

“Tell Stephen that Betty’s my child. You came to visit me when you heard she was ill. You are Auntie Lina, her favorite aunt, after all.”

It was a risky idea, yet hadn’t Betty just gotten into playing house these past few weeks at nursery? If I could get Betty on board, this might actually work.

I saw Stephen had caught sight of me and Emily through the window. “Stall him for a moment while I make sure Betty knows the game. Okay?”

“Yep, ahead in the game, Lina,” Emily agreed.

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