Page 25 of Alpha's Redemption

"Why did you rush off in a hurry?"

"I want to shower; I feel gross," I tell him, retrieving my pajamas and walking out to the ensuite. He follows and leans on the doorframe while I get undressed.

"I saw the news. I wonder how they got that information?" he chuckles.

"No idea. But I heard the Blood Alpha has an excellent hacker. I should ask him," I laugh, turning the shower on.

"Valarian said your father was downstairs?" Valen asks me, and I nod. Stepping under the water spray, I tell him what my father told me.

"Your father could be lying. But at the same time, why would he? Can he get evidence of this? It could also be a reason to make you to back out of the challenge. He may be trying to scare you?" he says, and he has a point. However, with the way Dad was and his nervousness, I know he wasn't lying.

"Are you nervous about the challenge?" he asks, and I swallow.

"Nope," I tell him, but Iamnervous. Not because I don't think I can beat him, but worried Macey or Zoe might tell Valen I’m pregnant. I know I can beat my father in this form, but Valen won't care about that. He’ll only care about the risk to our unborn baby.

"You sure you’re ok? You feel off," Valen says, and I turn to face him while rinsing the shampoo out.

"Yep, fine, I’m just tired," I lie.

ChapterTwelve

Everly

Avoiding Valen's watchful eyes in the past 24 hours has been near impossible. It doesn't help that morning sickness decided to rear its ugly head. Now I know I'm pregnant, every pregnancy symptom has suddenly decided to spring forward with an ugly vengeance, trying to screw me out of hiding it.

Zoe and Macey have been at me all day about it. I've been hiding in my makeshift office in the event building—thanks to Alpha Nixon, it used to be a storage room for tables and chairs that's been repurposed to be my new office—but now, just when I thought I finally escaped them, it's nearly time to clock out and head home. Valen knows something is up because I have no doubt he can feel it. Apparently having confused my fear of him finding out with nervousness about the upcoming challenge, he said he would pick me up tonight, worried I would run myself off the road.

But Macey and Zoe aren't giving up so easily. They burst into my office, blocking the door as I switch my desk lamp off—I have to run the damn thing off an extension cord from the main room. I roll my eyes as they stop my exit and glance at the clock above the door, then pin them both with my glare. They know Valen will be here any minute, or maybe that’s their plan so they can out me.

"Everly, you aren't leaving us much choice," Macey says as if reading my mind, folding her arms across her chest.

"That's because it isn't your choice. Ihaveto challenge my father. The entire city knows about the challenge. I back down now, the rogues will think I’m running. I need to do this," I tell them.

"But the risks! You can't shift!" Zoe says, her hands reaching toward my non-existent bump like she pictures it round and full of limbs.

"I'm durable. I know what I’m doing, I won't let him harm me. Besides, he knows," I tell them, chewing my lip nervously.

"Your father knows, yet you haven't told your mate!" Macey growls at me.

"I didn't tell him, he found out. Listen, Valen reigns over half the city; Slasher pack, Shadow pack, and Crescent pack, which belongs to Nixon, together hold the other half; therefore, all three hold equal votes to Valen within the council. Valen doesn’t hold enough to change the laws himself without my father’s pack. We only need to tip the scales a little more. This will make it happen."

"Yes, but not at risk to your… child. Think, Everly! If you do this, you are putting yourself at risk," Macey argues.

"I'm already at risk. But this is bigger than me. For all those in the city, my life seems a no-brainer. But don't worry, I’m not planning on losing, so it will mean something. Valen can't challenge for the title, only an heir can. My father holds the land titles to his pack. I need these land titles transferred over to me before Nixon gets his hands on them. This needs to be done. It’s the only way to set everything right; back to the way Valarie intended," I retort.

"The city can wait!" Macey says. I shake my head and push past them.

"I won't blow my chance. Every fucking step we take, we get knocked back four. I am sick of playing this yoyo game of cat and mouse. I am done being the mouse! The laws pass when I beat him. For the first time, I hold power—the fucking rogues hold power for once!" I yell at them.

A couple of the workers in the event hall rush out, thinking we’re about to come to blows. We never have and never will, but this shit is getting to me.

"Everly, please," Zoe murmurs.

"I'm tired. I'm so fucking tired of battling. Don't you get it? How many girls have come through our damn doors looking for a place to stay and work? How many?" I ask them. "How many times have we had to scrape them up off the floor when their families abandoned them, their packs shunned them? How many hungry mouths do we have to feed before we suddenly can't anymore?"

"It's not your battle, Everly," Macey says.

"IT IS!" I scream. Everything suddenly becomes too much—everything crashing and smashing relentlessly—and erupts in anger. Something's gotta give! I am drowning here; drowning in grief, responsibility, obligation, and the restraints are so heavy—so, so heavy. And everything is just adding more weight. I can't keep fighting. I am done fighting. I just want to rest, and if this is what I have to do to get it, then so be it.

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