I need to find somewhere safe, reminded myself. My kid comes first
The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets as I wandered further from the docks.
98%
Though I’d been walking for nearly an hour, I still hadn’t found suitable accommodations that seemed both safe and within my budget.
A soft sobbing caught my attention. Looking down a narrow side street, I spotted a small girl, perhaps seven or eight years old, crouched against a wall with her face buried in her hands
My maternal instincts immediately kicked in. I approached her carefully, not wanting to frighten her further.
“Are you okay, little one?” I asked, bending down to her level.
She looked up, revealing tear–stained cheeks and wide, frightened eyes. “I… I can’t find my mom,” she whimpered.
“Don’t cry,” said softly. “I’m sure she’s nearby somewhere. Can you smell her scent?”
The girl sniffled. “I can’t smell her… Can you help me find her?” Her eyes shone with innocent desperation.
I’m not sure, sweetheart. This is my first time at this harbor too,” I admitted. “Maybe one of the werewolves working at the docks
could help you find her.”
Her eyes widened with fear. “Those men at the docks are scary. Please don’t make me go with them. Could you please take me to find my mom yourself?” Her voice was pleading, tugging at my heartstrings.
“Of course I can,” I agreed, maternal protectiveness overriding any caution I might have normally exercised.
I offered my hand, which she took with surprising strength. We walked together for several minutes, turning down increasingly
narrow streets.
Suddenly, she let go of my hand and darted around a corner.
“Wait!” I called, hurrying after her.
When I turned the corner, I found myself in a deserted alley. The little girl had vanished.
Something’s wrong, my mind warned.
As I turned to leave, my path was blocked by three large male werewolves. Their scents were unfamiliar and threatening,
“Well, well, what do we have here?” The largest one sneered, his eyes traveling over my body and lingering on my slightly swollen belly. “A lost little she–wolf, and pregnant too? Aren’t we lucky, boys?”
I backed away slowly, panic rising in my throat. “Please don’t come any closer. I don’t have anything you want. Just let me go.”
“Oh, but you do have something we want,” another said, stepping forward. “That nice little pouch of money I saw you carrying earlier, for starters.”
With trembling hands, I reached for my money pouch. “Take it. Take it all,” I said, tossing it toward them. “Just let me leave.”
The leader caught it effortlessly and peered inside, whistling at the cash and jewelry I’d taken from David. Then his eyes fixed on something else–the moonstone pendant hanging from my neck.
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Chapter 79
“That’s a pretty necklace,” he said, stepping closer. “Hand it over.”
My fingers instinctively closed around the pendant. “Please,” I begge. “Not this. Take everything else, but not this.”
His eyes narrowed. “Did you hear that, boys? The little mother doesnt want to share.”
Before I could react, a vicious backhand sent me crashing against the wall. Pain exploded through my side as I crumpled to the ground.
My baby! Instinctively, I curled into a ball, protecting my abdomen with both arms.
“Please,” I sobbed. “I’m pregnant.”
“Should have thought about that before you decided to be difficult, he growled, reaching down to grab my pendant.
I closed my eyes, waiting for more pain to come.
Instead, I heard a terrifying growl that made the air itself vibrate. A powerful scent suddenly flooded the alley, as fierce and cold as
a winter storm.
My eyes flew open in disbelief.
The attackers froze in place, their expressions shifting from confidence to terror as a wave of Alpha command washed over them.
Then I saw him–tall and imposing, his eyes blazing with fury, his entire body radiating deadly intent.
Nathan!!!
His name fell from my lips as darkness began to claim me, a strange mixture of fear and relief washing over me as consciousness slipped away.
The last thing I saw was Nathan’s face, twisted with rage yet somehow beautiful to my fading sight, before everything went black.
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