*AALIYAH* I'm not sure how long I slept for hours on end, but right now my body feels rested. Still lying in Nikki's bed, Linda and Nikki are keeping watch over me as I awaken."Hey, guardian angels." I smile in jest. "Hey, sleeping beauty." My shoulder is rubbed by Nikki. "How was your beauty sleep?" "Splendid." My scratchy eyes itch. I haven't had one in a very long time. I speak slowly.“I understood you required that.”“Will you not seek evacuation? You're aware that your fetus is dead, right?” Linda's eyes are fixed on me."What?" Nikki scoffs. "Linda, I know you're direct, but not as direct as I am, trust me. There are better ways to say things. I'll go violent with you.”“Don't misunderstand me; I had no malicious intent.”“Oh, like now is the appropriate time to act insensitively?”"Don't you think now is the safer time?"Nikki turns around and looks back at me; she can see that I'm relapsing since my arms are now across my chest. She is the only person who has ever seen

THIRD PERSON’S POV In a bushy area, concealed beneath a verdant canopy. The foliage, a tapestry of vibrant greens, is woven together to form an impenetrable fortress. The air hung heavy with the earthy scent of damp soil and the chorus of unseen creatures added an eerie ambiance to the scene.The three alphas are scattered like sprinkled seedlings, each of them looking exhausted, the colour of their shirts dark shade because of profuse sweating and their sword sheathed to their sides.“Could you both at least wait?” Hunter yells baritone echoes in the air. "It's getting dark and we still need to find a shade while we still can.” He gasps with his mouth open, trying to catch his breath.“We? I’m afraid you're alone in this. I didn't come this far to give a cute little bro speech in the woods. Save it for when I become alpha.” Hector's voice is void of emotions.“In your dreams brother. Quit being delusional, it doesn't suit you, I can tell you for free.”Hector turns to face Hunter,

THIRD PERSON’S POV As darkness falls and the night sky looms overhead, obscuring all visibility, a sense of trepidation washes over them. The situation is dire, worsened by the fact that the rogue they were up against is dressed entirely in black, blending seamlessly into the shadows.The three alphas, masters of their lupine heritage, embrace their primal instincts. Their bodies contort, morphing into their half-lupine forms. Their once-human eyes now shimmer in various shades, their hands sprouting fur and extending into formidable claws that tightly grip their swords. Their heightened senses sharpen. With a sudden onslaught, the rogues pounce, launching their assault upon the alpha brothers. The clash of swords reverberates through the air, the metallic symphony amplifying the eerie ambiance of the night. The alphas, skilled in the ways of combat, assumed their defensive positions, parrying each strike with precision and grace.The rogue adversaries, on the other hand, fight with

NIKKI I watched Lady Sasha push Aaliyah away, with her hands in chains like a common thief. Even though she is an asshole of late, I failed in my aspect, not offering her the protection I promised. If not for her, for the innocent unborn at least, I weep again. I fucking failed them. It was my one mistake that got her into that mess, I should have known and done better. My silent prayers go to the child, hoping it would survive like the hero it is.I get off the bed, pacing restlessly, contemplating on the first step to take. I need to fix my shit.Linda is not in the room, I had checked everywhere for her, but to no avail, not even in the kitchen or laundry room. More like she eloped, only that her belongings are still intact.Still pacing, I think of lots of ways to help my friend out, she will be in dire danger if she shifts and Lady Sasha won't hesitate to hang her evil on that slim thread. Linda walks in, and then she turns around to leave like I am the plague.“Linda!” I s

AALIYAH Pain stings all over my body, worse than I had experienced as a destitute. The beatings I received in just one night, from Boney and other guards and the bruises on my knees are taking a toll on me.Not to mention that my baby is thriving on me. The constant sapping of my energy had doubled the night I found out it is alive, while Lady Sasha made sure I didn't get any food, nor a drop of water. My wolf is weak and restless, its fur creeps all over my skin like shrubs and disappears the next minute, same with the twinkling changes of my pupils. It is too weak to shift me completely and I am too weak to stop it at all.What is life out there like for the alphas? It worries me that none of them is back with the hell-forsaken artefact. Would it ruin my plans? Yes, but what other options do I have? Has something happened to them? Do I hate them? Yes. Do I only want them as fuck mates? Yes. But the feelings of concern and worry are overwhelming, it scares me. Perhaps I just nee