Chapter 6
Kieran hesitated. When the pack healer called, he’d been dining with Aurora’s family elders. He’d abandoned them immediately, terrified for Thea.
“I was with important pack allies, discussing territory expansion. When I heard about the accident, I rushed here.”
“Just returned from the allies?” Thea’s eyes bore into him.
“Yes, love. Exhausting negotiations.” Kieran rubbed his temples.
Thea closed her eyes silently. His phone buzzed insistently. After declining several calls, he sent a quick message, then made an excuse to leave.
Sarah arrived moments later, her face grim. “Guess who I saw in the elevator?”
“Kieran?”
“The third floor is the fertility wing. I saw him with Aurora, both grinning over fertility test results. He kept muttering about becoming a father.”
Thea’s expression remained eerily calm. “She’s with pup?”
Sarah touched her forehead, concerned by her lack of reaction. “You’re not angry?”
“Kieran is sterile,” Thea said softly. “The pack healers confirmed it three years ago.”
They’d tried for a year to conceive. Worried about her stress, Kieran had undergone testing too. The results showed he could never sire pups. That night, Thea had accepted their fate, asking the healer to keep it quiet to protect Kieran’s alpha status.
Now his excitement over Aurora’s pregnancy made her careful secrecy seem foolish.
“By the moon!” Sarah’s eyes widened. “Wait until after you’re safely in Norvaria, then we’ll send him the medical records. Let’s see his reaction when he realizes…”
3.9%
The next afternoon, Thea’s secretary reported hesitantly. “Alpha Kieran asked me to deliver documents to your den. Asrora was there, wearing sleeping robes, lounging in your living
space.”
Ice filled Thea’s veins. She was still in the medical wing, and Aurora had already claimed her territory?
She checked the den’s protection runes – all disabled. Kieran had deactivated them.
“Have new runes placed tonight, secretly, when they’re away,” Thea instructed.
Late that night, Kieran visited. “Love, you called for me? I’m sorry I was busy…”
“Planning my birthday celebration, I know,” Thea cut in, offering him an excuse.
“You know me so well,” Kieran smiled, taking her hand.
“Yes, I know everything you do.”
Kieran’s heart skipped. “Thea…
The healer’s arrival interrupted them.
The next day, through the new runes‘ vision, Thea watched Aurora and Kieran share lunch in her den. Aurora sat in Thea’s place, whining about pregnancy cravings while Kieran patiently fed her.
“Once the pup arrives, we’ll ask Thea to be its ceremonial guardian,” Kieran said.
Later, he instructed the pack servants: “Aurora is with pup. Tolerate her moods. And don’t tell Thea she’s living here!”
Thea watched impassively, then turned to her secretary. “Prepare the mating ceremony invitations. I’ll provide the guest list today.”
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