Pregnant

Chapter 28

Nathan

“Another day survived,” I muttered, rubbing my temples as the heavy oak doors of the conference room closed behind me. The sharp click echoed with finality in the marble-floored hallway.

Father chuckled, falling into step beside me. “Now, it wasn’t as interminable as all that. I distinctly remember you managing not to snarl once.”

I cast him a wry half-smile. “A monumental achievement, to be sure. But after five hours of pedantic debates over make- believe crises, even my patience wears thin.”

“The curse of leadership one must feign interest in the concerns of those they serve, however trivial,” Father remarked sagely as we exited the bustling municipal building into the brisk winter afternoon.

I nodded, inhaling deep cleansing breaths of the crisp air. The subtle scents of pine and snow carried rejuvenating power, sweeping the stale political atmosphere from my lungs. Out here surrounded by the natural city, priorities realigned.

We meandered unhurriedly through the winding parkland paths dusted white with the season’s first snowfall.

Ice-limned branches arched overhead, creating an air of removed serenity curiously lacking in the circles of power we departed.

No sound but the crunch of boots puncturing fresh powder and distant trills of adventurous birds.

The simplistic purity of this hushed scene reminded me what truly mattered-guarding the trust my people placed in me through service, not empty posturing.

Leadership meant setting aside pride to tackle unglamorous but essential tasks that safeguarded the pack’s future. We were all links in a chain strengthened by compassion far more than fear or force.

After we paused to rest on a stone bench backing the sparkling frozen pond, I turned to Father. “Thank you again for insisting I remain patient and keep perspective today. The goddess knows I need frequent reminding.”

Father smiled, clapping my shoulder. “You underestimate your capacities, Nathan. The challenges you’ve faced since taking on the mantle would have crushed a lesser wolf. Yet here you stand, ever learning.” Pride warmed his tone.

I glanced down, unsure I deserved such effusive praise. But Father tilted my chin up firmly.

“Leadership is a ceaseless slog up mountainous terrain. Take satisfaction in how far you’ve already climbed. And keep placing one foot ahead of the other.” His steadfast gaze reminded me I did not walk alone on this steep path. Though my doubts towered as high as the snow-dusted pines surrounding us, I would scale them and see the vista beyond.

Buoyed by Father’s bolstering words, we walked a bit farther, planning to purchase spiced ciders from a beloved bakery before returning to the penthouse.

Shopkeepers called cheery greetings as we passed, no artifices of ulterior motives poisoning the exchanged smiles and handshakes here. I stood a bit taller.

Until a fur-bundled figure emerging from the bakery stopped me short, my pleasant mood evaporating instantly. Jade.

Her gloved hand rested possessively on the arm of a powerfully-built blond wolf I didn’t recognize. They both turned looks of comically exaggerated-shock on me.

“Oh, Nathan! What a surprise running into you here,” Jade exclaimed with patently false delight. Her companion’s grip tightened on her elbow almost imperceptibly.

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09:44 Fri, Aug 23

Chapter 28

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I inclined my head in perfunctory polite greeting, not trusting my voice yet. Jade’s beauty had not diminished, but neither did it stir me at once. Her feline eyes held only cold calculation now, any hint of genuine emotion reserved for the wolf at

her side.

“Good to see you both looking well,” I managed after an aching pause. “Enjoy the cider.” Without another glance, I grasped. Father’s arm and steered us brusquely away.

Jade’s grating laughter chased after us, scraping harshly on my ears until the bakery door snapped shut, cutting it blessedly off. We walked another block in tense silence before Father gently extracted his arm from my white-knuckled grip.

“Come. Let us take the long route back.” His tone brooked no argument. I trailed him numbly, focused on regulating each harsh breath. But the black miasma of past betrayal threatened to choke me nonetheless.

Once we reached a secluded section of running paths, Father nodded his approval. “Shift. Run. Release it, son

Too upset for words, I simply obeyed, shedding human form hastily. Snow dampened my paws as I surged into the woods. running full out. I outpaced the bitterness, fury and humiliation roiling within, reducing my world to the rhythmic pounding of heartbeat and paws.

By the time I rejoined Father, trotting on four legs back to the path, the tempest had blown its worst force,

He smiled gently down at my wolf, no lecture or analysis needed

Thank God no humans are in sight.

Together we walked slowly back to the penthouse as dusk’s violet shadows stretched long across the snow.

I took longer soaking in the vast bathtub that evening, m**y and physically exhausted. But the day’s trials had burned away some accumulated weakness, like a forest fire making room for fresh growth. I could not control others’ choices. My integrity alone defined me.

After redressing. I found Father reading by the c**g fireplace, two glasses of brandy already poured. He gestured to me silently.

Had it been grandma didn’t bring Jade to me, I would have been with Terra. I would have been happy.

No further words were needed between us. The day’s experiences would shape me if I let them.

I woke the next morning feeling surprisingly well-rested and clear-headed.

Over a leisurely breakfast with Father, we discussed my agenda for the day ahead. With the bulk of tedious political meetings finally concluded, I now planned to walk the city speaking with various common pack members about their lives and concerns.

Too long I had been sequestered away with the privileged few. Rubbing shoulders with ordinary workers and families brought much-needed perspective on the deeper issues facing many beneath the surface. I sought not to judge but simply

listen.

Donning my plainest cloak and gloves, I set off alone as requested. The cold air’s bite felt invigorating, not harsh.

For hours I wandered the sprawling city undisturbed, marvelling at the simple joys and trials of everyday life.

Children laughed and played, adults laboured proudly at their trades, elderly told stories of times long past. Away from the estates and halls of power, true living transpired.

As I Painted the cobblestones crimson, I wearily climbed the steps to the penthouse, strangely more energised than depleted by the long day’s walking. A doorman rushed to relieve me of my snow-dusted cloak.

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After warming myself by the lobby’s great hearth, I headed upstairs reflectively.

09:44 Fri, Aug 23

Chapter 28

But my quiet evening routing was unexpectedly interrupted by raised voices emanating from Father’s study as I passed. hesitated, not wishing to intrude. But worry for his health overcame manners. I knocked lightly before pushing the door open. “Father, is everything alr-”

The question died on my lips. Every muscle locked in stunned disbelief at the sight greeting me. Father stood behind his desk, posture radiating anger barely contained. Before him, head arrogantly high and eyes flashing defiantly, stood Terra.

“What is the meaning of this?” I bit out through clenched teeth, barely recognizing my own voice. Blindsided shock

unflinching. thunderously gave way to roaring accusations. Terra levelled her piercing gaze at me,

“I returned to provide essential updates on the pack’s protection enchantments. Your father deserved to know their weakened state.” Her clipped tone betrayed no hint of guilt or shame at being discovered here after weeks vanishing without explanation.

I stalked closer, hands fisted to resist grabbing her d**bly arrogant shoulders and shaking the truth free. “You presume to lecture on responsibility? After breaking trust so callously by disappearing with no cause or word?”

Terra glanced away, jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. But her voice remained steady. “I apologise for the abrupt departure. But there were urgent reasons.”

A scathing rejoinder blistered my lips but I bit it back with monumental restraint. Terra’s infuriating evasions hardly mattered now. I turned my full fury on Father instead.

“And you saw fit to allow this deception? I expect far better of your judgement.” The harsh words escaped before thought, my glare accusing

But Father met my temper c**y. ‘Mind yourself, Nathan. Terra acted only from necessity. There are situations you know not of” His chastisement stung, but could not quell the maelstrom raging inside me. I stabbed an accusatory finger at her.

“I know enough. This woman has done naught but lie and manipulate all who foolishly trusted her. Terra flinched almost imperceptibly but lifted her chin higher. “She is a threat to our pack, and will be made to answer for it.”

I advanced toward her, ready to forcibly drag her down to the holding cells for interrogation by our finest trackers on how she had slipped past their supposedly impenetrable security. Let her haughty facade finally crack before their skilled coercion. I was done being made a fool of by this scheming she-wolf.

But quicker than blinking Terra whirled into a fighting crouch, emerald eyes dangerously narrowed. “Touch me and you will draw back a bl**dy stump.” Her tone held not an ounce of bluster.

I nearly laughed aloud at her audacity. She stood cornered, outnumbered and overpowered.

Yet still those fierce eyes burned defiantly, ready to battle to the last rather than surrender.

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