Kian's POV
"Kian, I've made a mistake."
The voice stopped me in my tracks. I turned, my heart racing, and there she was, Flora. My ex-wife. She stood in the doorway of my cabin, her blonde hair perfectly styled, her blue eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and panic.
"What are you doing here, Flora?" I asked, my voice cold. I hadn't seen her in years, not since she left me for another Alpha.
She stepped inside, her hands shaking. "I came to tell you the truth. About the test."
My stomach dropped. "What test?"
She took a deep breath, her eyes dodging mine. "The fertility test. The one that said you were… impotent. It was fake. I paid the doctor to lie to you."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared at her, my mind running. "What are you talking about?"
Flora's voice broke as she continued. "I did it because I was attracted to another Alpha, Kian. I wanted to leave you to meet the Alpha that is more powerful than you. But I was wrong. I've regretted it every day since."
I couldn't breathe. My hands clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms. "You… you lied to me? You made me believe I couldn't have children?"
She nodded, tears running down her face. "I'm so sorry, Kian. I was selfish and nasty. But I've changed. I want to make things right. I want us to try again."
I felt a surge of anger, hot and uncontrolled. "You think you can just walk back into my life after what you did? After you destroyed me?"
Flora stepped closer, her voice begging. "Please, Kian. I love you. I always have. Give me another chance."
I shook my head, my jaw tightening. "Guards!"
Two of my men appeared instantly, their faces grim. "Take her to the cells," I ordered. "And bring me the doctor. Now."
Flora's eyes widened in fear. "Kian, please! Don't do this!"
I didn't answer. I just watched as the guards dragged her away, her cries ringing through the house.
The doctor arrived shortly after, his face pale and sweaty. He knew why he was here.
"Is it true?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.
The doctor paused, then nodded. "Flora paid me to fake the results. I'm sorry, Alpha."
I felt a wave of sickness. All these years, I had believed I was impotent. That I couldn't have children. That I was less of a man. And it was all a lie.
"Lock him up," I said to the guards, my voice shaking with anger.
As the doctor was taken away, I sank into a chair, my head in my hands. The weight of the truth crushed me. Lila had been telling the truth. She was carrying my child, and I had rejected her. Pushed her away. Told her she was lying. The thought made me sick.
I stood suddenly, my chair scraping against the floor. I couldn't sit here, drowning in my guilt. I had to find her. I had to make things right.
"Nathaniel!" I barked, marching out of the cabin.
My Beta appeared almost quickly, his face worried. "Alpha?"
"I'm leaving," I said, my voice firm. "I need to find Lila. Take care of the pack while I'm gone."
Nathaniel nodded, though his eyes were filled with worry. "Be careful, Alpha."
I didn't answer. I just changed into my wolf form and took off into the bush, my heart beating with determination.
I ran for hours, following Lila's smell. It was faint, but it was there. The thought of her out there alone, carrying my child, made my chest ache. I had to find her. I had to tell her the truth.
Finally, I caught a stronger whiff of her smell. I followed it, my heart racing, until I heard voices. I slowed, my ears tingling.
"Lila, you don't understand. I'm trying to protect you."
It was a man's voice, smooth and calm. I crept closer, staying hidden in the shadows.
"Protect me?" Lila's voice was filled with disbelief. "From who? Kian? Or Hayden?"
I froze. Hayden? What was he doing here?
I peeked through the bushes and saw Lila standing with a man I didn't recognize. He was tall, with sandy blond hair and friendly brown eyes. Kael, I realized. The man who had been helping her.
But something felt off. The way he stood, the way he spoke, it was too planned. Too practiced.
"From both," Kael said, his voice soft. "Kian doesn't care about you, Lila. He rejected you, remember? And Hayden… he's dangerous. But I can keep you safe."
Lila shook her head, her eyes filled with doubt. "I don't know what to believe anymore."
Before I could step in, a low growl echoed through the trees. I turned, my heart rushing, and saw Hayden appear from the woods, his eyes sparkling with venom.
"Well, well," Hayden said, his voice brimming with sarcasm. "Looks like I've found the little runaway."
Lila's eyes widened in fear. "Hayden…"
Kael stepped in front of her, his expression calm. "You're not taking her."
Hayden smirked. "And who's going to stop me? You?"
I couldn't wait any longer. I stepped out of the darkness, my wolf form looming over them. "I will."
Lila's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of hope. But it was quickly replaced by anger.
"Kian," she said, her voice cold. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to find you," I said, changing back into my human form. "I know the truth now, Lila. About the test. I was wrong. I'm so sorry."
Her eyes filled with tears, but she shook her head. "It's too late, Kian. You refused me. You rejected our child."
Before I could react, Hayden lunged at me, his claws cutting through the air. I dodged, changing back into my wolf form, and we clashed in a rush of teeth and claws.
Kael grabbed Lila's arm, pulling her away. "Come on, we need to go!"
"No!" Lila yelled, fighting against him. "Let me go!"
I tried to reach her, but Hayden was persistent. He knocked me to the ground, his teeth biting into my shoulder. I howled in pain, but I couldn't give up. Not when Lila and our child were in danger.
With a burst of strength, I threw Hayden off me and lunged at Kael, who was still trying to drag Lila away. But before I could reach them, Lila pulled free and ran into the bush, her moves quick and desperate.
"Lila!" I shouted, but she didn't stop.
Hayden and Kael both turned to chase her, but I stopped their path, my body shaking with tiredness and pain.
"You're not getting her," I growled.
Hayden smirked. "We'll see about that."
Lila ran until her legs gave out, falling against a tree. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps, and her vision blurred. She could hear the sounds of the fight fading behind her, but she didn't stop. She couldn't.
As she stumbled forward, her body finally gave out, and she fell to the ground, her eyes closed as darkness took over.