Chapter 4 Whose Baby Is She?

Alexander's POV

The phone buzzed in my pocket, interrupting my talk with Lucas about security plans. The name on the screen made me shocked. Arabella. It had been two years since she left after bonding with that Black Moon bastard, and she'd never once called me.

I stared at the screen before answering.

Her voice shook, barely recognizable, but I'd know that voice anywhere. It still showed up in my dirty dreams. "I need your help. Please."

She never sounded so vulnerable, and I felt my Alpha instincts going crazy.

If Wesley had hurt her... , I would rip his throat out with my teeth.

I pulled into the clearing, my headlights lighting up her SUV standing alone in the moonlight. She was actually here. But why choose such a dangerous spot, right at the edge of our territories?

I parked next to her car and got out. When she came out of the shadows, my wolf nearly broke free.

For two years, I'd tried everything to forget her—fucking random women till I couldn't remember my own name, drowning in pack business, territory fights. But every full moon, my wolf would howl for her.

Why had the Moon Goddess chosen that weak pup as her mate? She belonged with me. She belonged with the Blood Moon Pack. I should have claimed her before that bonding ceremony three years ago, taken her virginity and marked her as mine.

She was still gorgeous now and her curves remained—those perfect tits still straining against her shirt, that ass that had tortured me for years. But she moved carefully, like she was hurt. Her eyes—those warm brown eyes I remembered—were now filled with fear and tiredness.

What made my wolf howl with rage was the bruise on her cheek, poorly hidden with makeup, and the cut at the corner of her lips. I clenched my fists, fighting to control the anger rising in me.

Then she turned to get something from the back seat, and I felt like I'd been gutted as she pulled out a baby carrier. She had a child. My wolf thrashed inside me, jealousy and rage burning through me. Wesley's brat. The product of their fucking. The thought of that worthless piece of shit being the one to take her virginity, to fill her with his seed, made me want to tear something apart.

"Is the car broken down?" I asked, my voice a growl that made her shiver.

She flinched slightly. "No, I just... I can't drive anymore. I'm too tired."

She was lying. I could smell it on her, along with the fear clinging to her like a second skin.

"I could have someone tow it back to pack territory for you." I stared at her, my eyes eating up every curve, every change since I'd last seen her.

Something primal in me approved—she looked like a female meant to be bred.

Her hand moved to her neck, to the mating mark I knew was there. I didn't miss how her face twisted in pain when she touched it. That mark should have been mine on her skin, my teeth breaking that delicate flesh.

"You're worried someone might track your scent here?" I asked directly, stepping closer until I could feel her warmth. "Your mate?"

Her eyes widened, filled with fear. "We should go. Now."

"So my little pup has finally decided to come home?" I couldn't keep the smugness from my voice, reaching out to brush hair from her face. Whatever brought her back, she was on my turf now, playing by my rules. And my rules would eventually have her begging for me.

I led her to my SUV, opening the door for her while she got the baby carrier in the back. I couldn't help staring at her ass as she leaned into the car. As we drove away, I glanced at the sleeping baby in the mirror.

"So, who's this?" I asked, though I already knew the fucking answer. Part of me didn't want to hear about Wesley's kid, while another part needed to know everything.

"Alice," she said softly. "My daughter."

Alice. It fit her, this tiny thing with Arabella's features.

"How old is she?"

"Eight months."

I looked at the sleeping baby in the mirror. The image of Wesley rutting between her legs flashed through my mind, and my hands gripped the wheel tighter.

"She has your eyes," I said, trying to sound normal.

For the first time, I saw her relax a bit. "Yes," Arabella said, sounding proud. "She takes after me more than..." She stopped, clearly not wanting to mention that piece of shit.

I wanted to ask about him, about what he'd done to leave those marks on her, but seeing how tense she was, I decided to wait. My time would come. Instead, I drove in silence toward our healing place, her scent filling my car and driving me crazy with lust.

I parked in the most hidden corner of the sanctuary's lot, making sure other pack members wouldn't spot her right away.

Under the bright lights, I could see her injuries better. Hot rage burned in my gut, my wolf wanting to hunt down the bastard.

"You should let doctor check on you," I said.

"No," she cut me off. "Please, I don't want anyone to know I'm here. Not yet."

Before I could argue, Alice woke up and started crying.

"I need to buy something." She hesitated, licking her lips nervously.

She bit her lip. "Could you...?" She sounded uncertain as she looked at the crying baby.

I wanted to say no—this wasn't my thing.

But looking at how tired she was, I found myself nodding. "Don't be long," I warned. "I'm not good at this."

When she went inside, I stared at the crying baby in the back seat, feeling awkward and pissed off. This should have been my seed growing in her belly, my kid she gave birth to. This was Arabella and Wesley's child, proof that he'd had her in ways I'd only dreamed about.

I unbuckled the carrier straps awkwardly. "Alright, little one," I tried to keep my voice calm. "Neither of us is happy about this."

I picked up Alice carefully, trying not to think about who her father was. She kept crying, but not as loudly now.

"You'll be safe here," I told her, even though she couldn't understand me. "No one will hurt either of you on my territory. I'll tear apart anyone who tries."

Her tiny hand grabbed my finger, and I noticed again how much her eyes looked like Arabella's. The similarity stirred up mixed feelings in me, making my wolf unexpectedly protective of this small bundle.

As she settled into my arms, eventually quieting, I sighed.

"Hope we get along well," I murmured.