He paused for a moment, confusion evident on his face, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Zara... please. Come back."

Lukas touched my arm gently, giving me the support I desperately needed. "Zara, you don't have to make a decision right now. It's your right, not theirs."

However, before I could respond, Gralind stepped forward, his scornful gaze making my blood boil. “If you choose to stay here… I’ll make sure your life and your child’s life will never be safe.”

The threat left me frozen. My mind was in turmoil, and fear gripped my heart, forcing me to consider possibilities I didn’t want to imagine.

I looked at Alaric, searching for answers in his hard gaze, but nothing could dispel the doubt in my heart.

"You didn't come here out of love," I said, my voice filled with pain. "Only for your own interests."

He fell silent, and behind his stern expression, I could see a doubt I had never seen before.

We stood in a suffocating silence, a fiery internal battle raging between us.

And in that moment, I knew I had to choose. But before I could speak, Luna’s gaze turned cold, a terrifying smile curling at the corners of her lips.

“You have no choice, Zara. Go home, or you’ll lose everything.”

I fell silent, faced with a threat and a choice that seemed almost impossible. There was only one step I had to take, but for some reason, my entire body felt unable to move.

While Alaric and Luna stared at me with intense gazes, Lukas tightened his grip on my arm.

But before I could open my mouth to speak, a thunderous voice echoed from the distance, shattering the silence of the night.

“Zara, don’t!”

I felt my entire body freeze as I looked at their faces one by one: Alaric, Luna, and Lukas. The three of them stood waiting for my answer. But all I felt was fear coursing through my veins, mixed with hatred slowly burning in my heart.

My heart was already too burdened, and tonight was the peak. The choice I would make tonight would change everything, both for me and… for this child.

Slowly, I touched my swelling belly. Inside, there was a small life connecting me to Alaric, the only remnant of the love I thought we once had. But if they knew this baby belonged to Alaric…

I held my breath, the threat of Gralind flashing through my mind. He would never allow this child to be born.

For the first time in my life, I realize how much I have to protect, yet how dangerous my situation is now. Trembling, I step back, keeping my distance even from Lukas, who has always protected me.

Soon, Lukas finds me sitting at the edge of the forest, under the calm moonlight, as if it were the only witness to the pain I’m holding inside.

Without a word, he sat beside me. The night air was cool, but the silence enveloping us was heavy.

“Zara,” his voice was soft, full of concern. “You know you can trust me with everything, don’t you? I’m here for you. You don’t need to hide anything.”

I nodded slightly, though my heart was still filled with doubt. “Lukas… there are some things better left unknown. I don’t want to bring problems into your pack,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

Lukas looked at me intently, his gaze trying to pierce through my defenses. “What problem, Zara? Is this about your child?”

His words pierced straight into my heart. I took a deep breath, lowering my head so I didn’t have to meet his gaze. “Lukas, please… Don’t ask about who the father of this child is,” I said softly, my feelings a tangled mess.

"I can't say. The less you know, the safer you are... and your pack."

Tension was evident on Lukas's face. However, he said nothing for a moment. "Whoever his father is, you are part of my pack now. I will continue to protect you... and your child," he said finally, his voice soft but determined.

Gratitude flowed through my heart, but I knew that anyone who knew this secret would be in danger. I had to keep my distance to protect them, especially if Alaric or Luna started to suspect anything.

---

In the Gabring Pack, suspicion began to grow, especially from Gralind. Since Alaric kept disappearing, searching for my trail, Gralind, the Beta wolf, felt his position threatened.

His anxiety grew, and he began investigating, even sending spies to ensure my child wouldn’t become a threat to him.

That night, as I tried to calm myself in the forest, I heard soft yet dangerous footsteps behind me. My defensive instincts kicked in immediately.

I turned around, and there… Luna stood, her face framed in darkness, but her gaze was sharp, piercing through to my bones.

“Zara,” she whispered coldly. “Who is the father of that child? I think it’s time you shared your secret…”

My heart raced, fear creeping through my body. Gralind’s voice was sharp and full of threat, and I knew he wasn’t joking. I stepped back, protecting my stomach with trembling hands, but his gaze grew more piercing.

“Don’t drag my child into our affairs,” I said, my voice shaking. I knew my voice couldn’t hide the fear I felt. “This child isn’t your concern, Luna.”

Gralind smiled crookedly, with cold satisfaction. “Oh, you’re wrong, Zara. I decide what’s my business.

” Gralind’s hand moved quickly, gripping my arm tightly, pressing until the pain spread.

“Tell me who the father of this child is. Now, or I’ll make sure this baby never gets born.”

My vision blurred with deep fear. Truly, I had never felt this desperate.

If I didn’t answer now, Gralind might really hurt my baby. But if I told the truth, I knew Alaric would come for me, and the situation would become even more dangerous.

Just as I felt completely cornered, the sound of heavy footsteps approached. I turned and saw Lukas, his face tense, his sharp eyes fixed on Luna, who was still clutching my arm.

“What are you doing here, Gralind?” Lukas growled, standing between us.

“Let her go, now.”

Gralind slowly released his grip, glaring at Lukas with a thin, threatening smile.

“I’m just making sure that by bringing this weak Omega wolf with you, it’ll be a problem for your pack,” he said with a mocking tone.

“I decide who the threat is here, and Zara isn’t one of them,” Lukas replied firmly, standing firmly between us, protecting me from Gralind.

Gralind stepped back, his gaze still carrying a cold warning. “Alright, if you want to play with this issue, go ahead. But remember, this baby… and you, Zara, will never be safe as long as I’m here.”

After Gralind left, a sense of relief washed over me, but the fear hadn’t completely faded. Lukas looked at me, his face showing deep concern and curiosity.

“Zara…” he said softly, his voice tense.

“What Gralind said earlier… Is it true? Is the child you’re carrying the child of another Alpha?”

I fell silent, my entire body feeling weak. His question pierced straight to my heart, reminding me of the burden I had been hiding all this time.

My gaze met Lukas’s eyes, seeing the sincerity and trust he offered.

Lukas stepped closer, his face serious. “Tell me the truth, Zara… I have the right to know who the father of the child you’re carrying is.”

I opened my mouth to answer, but my throat was tight. All the feelings and secrets locked away in my heart for so long were pushing to come out. One part of me wanted to tell Lukas everything, to end all the lies and guilt. But another part screamed for me to stay silent.

Another voice echoed from behind the trees. Heavy, threatening footsteps.

“You??” My voice caught in my throat, as if I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.