Chapter 89
Alexander’s POV
The early morning sunlight filtered through the training room windows as I watched Felix attempt the breathing exercises I’d shown him. Despite his frail condition, determination burned in his one good eye. Summer had stepped out to speak with Dr. Martens about Felix’s medication schedule, leaving us alone for the first time since bringing him home.
“You’re doing great, Felix,” I encouraged, adjusting his posture slightly with gentle hands. “Remember, strength isn’t just about muscles. It’s about control, patience, and knowing when to use your power.”
Felix nodded seriously, his small face scrunched in concentration. After a few more breaths, he suddenly looked up at me, his expression shifting to something more vulnerable.
“Alpha Alexander?”
“Just Alexander is fine when we’re alone,” I told him with a smile.
He hesitated, biting his lower lip–a gesture so like his mother it made my chest tighten. “Will you take care of my mom? Even if I’m… not here?”
The question hit me like a physical blow. I carefully masked my reaction, not wanting him to see how deeply his words affected me. This child, facing his own mortality, was worried about his mother’s future. It broke my heart and filled me with fierce admiration in equal measure.
“Felix,” I said, meeting his gaze directly, “I need you to understand something important.” I moved closer, sitting cross–legged directly in front of him. “Your mother is the strongest person I’ve ever known. But everyone needs someone in their corner sometimes. I promise you–I swear on my life and on my position as Alpha–that I will always protect and care for your mother.”
Felix studied my face with that unnervingly perceptive gaze of his. “Do you love her?”
The directness of the question caught me off guard, but I didn’t hesitate. “Yes. I’ve loved your mother since we were younger than you are now. I never stopped, even when we were apart.”
“Good,” he said, satisfaction coloring his voice. “She deserves someone who loves her. My dad-” he stopped, correcting himself, “Foster never did. He pretended, but I could tell.”
I fought against the wave of rage that always threatened to surface at the mention of Foster. “Your mother deserves the world, Felix. And so do you.”
He nodded, seeming satisfied with my answer. “I like it when you call me ‘son,“” he admitted quietly, dropping his gaze to his hands. “I never had a real father before.”
My throat tightened. “Then I’ll be honored to be that for you, for as long as you’ll have me.”
1/3
Our moment was interrupted by a commotion in the hallway. I recognized Beta Ethan’s voice, along with Lyra’s higher, distressed tones. Felix looked toward the door with concern.
“Stay here,” I told him gently. “I’ll see what’s happening.”
I stepped into the hallway to find Ethan gripping Lyra firmly by the arm while she struggled against him. Summer had just arrived as well, her face clouded with worry.
“What’s going on?” I demanded, my Alpha tone causing both Ethan and Lyra to still immediately.
“Alpha,” Ethan inclined his head respectfully. “I caught Lyra attempting to leave Pack grounds without permission–again. This is the third time this week.
Lyra’s face was tear–stained, her normally confident demeanor crumpled with distress. After her
involvement in helping Summer escape to Silver Creek pack,I’d restricted Lyra from leaving pack grounds without an escort. The punishment had been necessary, though I took no pleasure in confining my sister.
“Let her go,” I ordered Ethan, who immediately released her arm. “Lyra, explain yourself.”
She wrapped her arms protectively around her midsection, refusing to meet my eyes. “I just needed some
air,” she mumbled, the lie obvious to all of us.
“In my office. Now,” I said, my voice brooking no argument.
Ethan escorted her downstairs while I turned to Summer, whose concern was evident in her beautiful
eyes. “I’ll handle this. Will you stay with Felix?”
She nodded, though I could tell she was worried about Lyra. “Don’t be too hard on her, Alexander. She’s
been through a lot.”
I squeezed her hand reassuringly before heading to my office, where Lyra stood trembling before my
desk. I dismissed Ethan with a nod, waiting until the door closed behind him before I spoke.
“Sit down, Lyra.” When she complied, I leaned against my desk, studying her closely. “This is the third time you’ve tried to sneak off pack lands. What’s so urgent that you’re willing to defy my direct orders?”
“Nothing,” she muttered, still not meeting my gaze. “I told you, I just needed space.”
I caught the subtle change in her scent–something I’d noticed over the past week but hadn’t fully registered until now. The slight hormonal shift, the protective way she held her body…
“You’re pregnant,” I stated flatly.
Her head snapped up, eyes wide with shock before she quickly looked away again, tears spilling down her cheeks. Her silence was confirmation enough.
I sighed deeply, leaning back against my desk. “Who’s the father?”
2/3
“It doesn’t matter, she whispered. “He doesn’t want anything to do with me or the baby.”
“It matters to me,” I countered, struggling to keep my rising anger in check. “No member of my pack abandons their responsibilities like that.”
“He’s not from your pack,” Lyra admitted, her voice barely audible.
“Is that why you’ve been trying to leave? To find the father of your child?”
Lyra shook her head, more tears falling. “I was trying to find a clinic… to take care of it.” She paused, her voice breaking. “I want to keep it, but I was afraid of what you’d say when you found out.”
I frowned, confused by her admission. “Why would you be afraid to tell me? You’re my sister, Lyra. I’ll always protect you.”
“Because…” she choked back a sob. “I thought you’d make me get rid of it. That you’d be ashamed of me.”
My expression softened as I moved to kneel in front of her chair. “Lyra, look at me.” I waited until she reluctantly met my eyes. “I would never force you to terminate a pregnancy. This is your choice, and I’ll support whatever decision you make. But I do need to know who the father is. If he’s mistreated you-”
“He didn’t,” Lyra cut in quickly. “It was just a mistake. A one–time thing during a full moon. He made it clear afterward that he wasn’t interested in anything more.”
My jaw clenched. The urge to track down this Alpha and teach him a lesson about responsibility burned through me. Tell me his name.”
Lyra shook her head stubbornly. “I won’t. And you can’t make me.”
“Actually, I could,” I reminded her, my Alpha authority a subtle pressure in the room.
Then the door opened suddenly.
