Chapter 386
Chapter 386:
“Kade, just drive,” I said for the fifth time, my tone sharper than I intended.
He — Ryder’s loyal beta — glanced at me sideways and tightened his grip on the wheel of the sleek black SUV.
“Luna, with all due respect, the Alpha would not be pleased about this. You’re pregnant. You shouldn’t be going anywhere without him knowing p>
I exhaled through my nose and pressed two fingers to the bridge of my nose. “Kade, I didn’t ask for your opinion. I’m giving you an order. Take me to the Viper pack — quickly — and we’ll be back before Ryder even notices p>
𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗍𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗈𝗇
His jaw tightened, but I could see the moment he conceded. He was a loyal beta, yes, but he could not openly defy a direct order — especially when I was invoking my authority as Luna. Even so, the worry in his eyes was unmistakable, and part of me appreciated it more than I let on. He was only looking out for me, for Ryder, for our family.
“Fine,” he muttered, steering the car onto the familiar road toward my father’s pack lands. “But I don’t like this. Not one bit p>
Honestly, neither did I. My father’s message had been vague and unsettling, and since the moment I read it, a strange, persistent unease had taken root in my stomach. But I had to go. Something told me I couldn’t ignore it.
When we reached the Viper pack territory, the sight of the sprawling complex sent a chill crawling down my spine. Months had passed since I had last set foot here, and even though I had done everything I could to repair things with my father, that place still harbored old ghosts — memories I had never quite been able to shake.
Kade parked and turned to me immediately. “Stay close, Luna. I don’t care if this is your father’s pack. If I see anything that feels wrong, we leave p>
I nodded, grateful for his protectiveness even if I didn’t say it aloud. Together, we made our way to my father’s office, where he was waiting with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
“Jasmine,” he said, rising from his seat the moment he saw me. “You came p>
“Of course I came, Dad,” I replied, though my voice came out steadier than I actually felt. “What happened? Your message sounded urgent p>
He gestured toward a chair, but I shook my head and crossed my arms over my chest. “I’d rather stand. Just tell me what’s going on p>
His lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t push back.
“You’re pregnant,” he said, without preamble.
“Yes, I’m aware,” I replied flatly, glancing briefly at Kade, who stood near the door like a silent sentinel.
“That means your powers are growing,” my father continued, ignoring my sarcasm. “The child you’re carrying is not an ordinary child, Jasmine. He is the child of the prophecy. Which means you cannot afford to let fear or doubt hold you back p>