Rebecca’s POV
I sat by the window in the room, scrolling through a pregnancy app on my phone. Two weeks pregnant with a werewolf’s baby. The thought still seemed surreal, like something from a fantasy novel rather than my actual life
The app showed a timeline of fetal development, but I wondered how accurate it would be for my situation. The doctor had mentioned accelerated development with mixed genetics“-her careful euphemism for a human–werewolf pregnancy. Would my baby grow faster? Develop differently?
I gently placed my hand over my still–flat stomach. “What am I supposed to do for you?” I whispered.
The sound of footsteps in the hallway made me quickly close the app and open a fashion website instead. My heart pounded as 1 tried to appear casual.
Raymond appeared in the doorway, his expression carefully neutral. “Ms. Brown, Mr. Sterling had to step out to handle an urgent matter. He asked me to check on you.”
“I’m fine,” I said, attempting a smile. “Just browsing some design ideas.”
Raymond nodded but didn’t leave immediately. “Would you like something to eat? Diana left some dinner for you in the kitchen.”
The mention of food made my stomach turn slightly–another new pregnancy symptom–but I nodded anyway. “That sounds nice. I’ll come down in a minute.”
In the kitchen, I picked at the beautifully prepared meal while Raymond moved around the space, seemingly finding reasons to stay nearby. He was watching me, I realized. Had Dominic asked him to monitor me? Did he suspect something?
My hand instinctively moved toward my stomach before I caught myself and reached for my water glass instead. Raymond’s eyes tracked the movement, and I felt a flutter of panic. Did werewolves have some way of sensing pregnancy? Could they smell hormonal changes?
“Raymond,” I began cautiously, “has Dominic mentioned when he’ll be back?”
“He didn’t specify, but I don’t expect him to be long.” Raymond’s tone was professional, but something in his eyes made me think he knew more than he was saying.
My anxiety must have been broadcasting through the mate bond, because just as I was finishing my meal, the study’s door opened. Dominic and the two werewolves I had seen in the jewelry store strode down, expressions
serious
“We need to leave,” he announced without preamble,
his eyes finding
mine across the room. “Now.”
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Chapter 151
I stood up, alarmed. “What’s happened?”
“Dylan Hurst has set a trap for you and Sofia. His voice was grim. He planned to kidnap her to get to you.”
The blood drained from my face. “Oh my god. Is Sofia okay?”
“She’s fine. We intercepted the men he hired before they could act. Dominic moved closer, his eyes scanning my face. “But we need to move you both to a secure location until this threat is neutralized.”
My mind raced with implications. Another threat. More danger. And now, not just my safety at stake, but my unborn child’s as well.
“I need to pack,” I said, moving toward the stairs.
Dominic nodded. “Only essentials. We leave in twenty minutes,”
I hurried up my room and began throwing clothes into a small suitcase. My hands trembled as 1 considered what to take. As I reached for my toiletry bag, I hesitated.
“Dominic, I called, hearing him enter the room behind me. “I need to stop at a pharmacy on the way.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What for?”
I swallowed hard. “I need… some vitamin supplements.” It wasn’t exactly a lie.
Something flickered in his eyes–suspicion, perhaps–but he nodded. ‘T’ll have Raymond take care of it. Just tell him. what you need.”
Before I could respond, three women entered the room, all with similar height and build to mine, all with chestnut hair styled similarly to mine. I stared in confusion.
“Decoys,” Dominic explained. “They’ll stay here, pretending to be you.”
One of them smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Ms. Brown. I’m a trained Delta. I can protect myself if anyone comes looking.
The realization of how serious the situation was hit me full force. Dominic wasn’t just being paranoid or overprotective–this was a genuine threat requiring elaborate countermeasures.
Twenty minutes later, I found myself in the back seat of a luxury SUV, watching the villa recede in the distance. Dominic sat beside me, his expression vigilant as he scanned our surroundings.
“Three identical SUVs left from different exits,” he explained, noting my questioning look. “It will scatter their attention if anyone’s watching.”
I felt a pang of guilt. “I never meant to bring all this trouble to your pack.”
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Chapter 151
Dominic’s expression softened slightly as he took my hand. This isn’t your fault. Dylan has been a problem for a while. This gives us an opportunity to deal with these threats decisively.”
Despite his reassurance, anxiety gnawed at me. “Will it always be like this? Because I’m human? Because I’m with you?
His eyes met mine, intense and unwavering. “No one will harm you, I promise you that.”
As buildings gave way to countryside and finally to densely wooded areas, I realized we were heading into the mountains. After nearly an hour of driving, we turned onto a private road that wound through a forest of tall pines.
“Where are we going?” I asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between us.
“Somewhere safe, Dominic replied. “Do you remember the lake forest? There’re a property that belongs family. It’s not on any public records.”
sto n
my
Eventually, the trees parted to reveal a modern structure built into the hillside, overlooking a serene lake. The architecture was sleek and minimalist, with large windows that reflected the moonlight.
As we pulled up to the entrance, I saw Sofia waiting, her face lighting up with relief when she spotted me. Dominic helped me from the car, and Sofia immediately rushed forward to embrace me.
“Thank god you’re okay,” she said, squeezing me tight. “When Marcus told me what was happening-
“I’m fine.” I assured her, though my voice wavered slightly. “Are you alright?”
She nodded, pulling back to look at me. “This place is amazing. Like something out of a movie.”
Dominic led us inside, where the interior was just as impressive as the exterior–open–plan living spaces with hight ceilings, modern furnishings, and state–of–the–art security systems visible at every entrance.
“You’ll be safe here,” he said, his phone already buzzing with incoming messages. “Excuse me, I need to take this.”
As he stepped away to answer the call, Sofia leaned close to me. “You look pale. Are you sure you’re okay?”
I managed a weak smile, conscious of the fact that werewolves might be listening. “Just tired. It’s been a long day.”
Sofia seemed to accept this, but her eyes held concern. I wanted desperately to confide in her about the pregnancy, but not here, not with so many werewolf ears potentially listening. That was a conversation that would have to wait.
As I gazed out at the moonlit lake, one hand unconsciously drifted to rest protectively over my stomach. Whatever dangers lay ahead, I now had more than just myself to protect. And somehow, I would find a way to tell Dominic the truth–before he discovered it himself.
3/4
Mated by Contract to the Alpha.
Chapter 152
Rebecca’s POV
