Page 62 of The Alpha's Forsaken Vow

When I shake her a bit, getting no response, my throat closes up, alarm and adrenaline dancing in my veins like bitter rivals.

I have no time to cry. No time to panic and no time to call for help, because I doubt my neighbor is even here.

My body jolts into motion. I scoop her up, cradling her limp form, and bolt for the door.

The tears I’ve been trying to hold back drop down my cheeks like they’ve been unleashed after being trapped for eternity.

All I know is, I'm running to the entrance, out to the darkness with no clue but a sliver of hope that the man who looked after me as I entered my apartment is still waiting for me outside.

I bank on that hope.

I need him.

My baby and I—

“Alaric!” I scream his name in a choke of sobs because he-he didn’t leave.

He’s still here, leaning against his car and looking at me, then at the girl in my arms with bewilderment.

“Lila?”

“Help! I need your…help. She’s not waking up. P-please help my daughter!”

Chapter Sixteen

ALARIC HELLS

I don’t think I’ve ever driven like this.

The streets blur past in frantic streaks. Horns blare. Tires squeal.

I’m vaguely aware that I’ve already run at least three red lights and nearly clipped a cab back there, but I don’t give a damn. I don’t have the luxury to.

My hands have a death grip on the steering wheel, my knuckles white, my breath shallow, and my pulse pounding in my ears.

Because every time I look at Lila and every time I see the pale, limp little girl she’s clutching to her chest like her life depends on it, I feel something inside me unravel.

Lina.

Her name is Lina.

And she’s Lila’s daughter.

The second I saw her face, something inside me fractured.

I knew.

Not just because of how Lila held her, like the world would end if she let go, but because I’ve seen that little face before.

That soft pout when she told me about the cookie story in the hospital. That tiny wrinkle between her brows. The stubborn little tilt to her chin. The way her dark lashes fan over her cheeks. I noticed those details back then and thought, huh, she reminds me of someone.

It hits me now like a goddamn sledgehammer.

She looks like Lila.

She is Lila’s.

And my wolf? Fuck, he’s losing his mind.

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