Akira's pov.

It all started with a small thing that made a wave of nausea in the mornings, the sudden exhaustion that pulled me down like a heavy anchor creating an overwhelming sense of unease.

For some weeks now, I have ignored the signs, chalking them up to stress or bad food.

But one special morning made another shocking experience as I leaned over the side of the stream to wash my face.

I realized I was pregnant. This came like a wave of lighting striking my heart and sending shivers around my body.

I was pregnant yet not happy; I couldn't be pregnant with a stranger I barely knew.

The world seemed to freeze, making my hands tremble as I placed them on my stomach; I was barely able to comprehend what this meant.

The previous night, I allowed myself to forget my pain and escape from its reality had left me with more than just memories. I could imagine myself carrying a pup.

“No, this can't be possible. How am I supposed to do this?” I whispered to the wind as tears began streaming down my face. “I'm an outcast rogue who's very lonely. So how can I raise a child in a world that wants us deaf?”

The silence of the wind did not answer, but it reminded me of what I already knew. I couldn't stay here and even let my past catch up with me or risk my pup growing up in the shadow of my failures.

Days turned into weeks as I prepared to leave the forest that had been my hiding place. Survival wasn't an easy thing but I managed, scavenging food and avoiding anyone who might recognize me.

Every step was filled with fear; coming out in public would take some longer processes of observation to avoid intruders or spies; I wasn't doing this for myself alone but for the tiny life growing inside of me.

One evening, as I rummaged through an abandoned cabin for supplies, I heard voices. My heart stopped.

“Did you hear what Caleb's planning?”.

The name alone was enough to make me freeze. “What would he be planning?” I whispered to myself, hiding myself to eavesdrop on more information.

The memory of Caleb's rejection kept flashing in my mind, my Alpha, my mate. The man who rejected me and threw me out like I was nothing.

“No,” Another voice replied. “But whatever could be his plan, is going to be big because the Nightshade pack had been gathering rogues, and they are not being subtle about it”.

“Rogues? Caleb hates rogues. What's he up to?”.

“That's one of the issues we need to figure out because he's not just gathering them; he is also leading them.”

A shiver ran down my spine. How could Caleb be the leading rogue? I was the same rogue he rejected.

This doesn't make any sense. The Caleb I knew despised anyone who wasn't part of the pack.

I pressed myself closer to the wall, straining to hear more, but the voices faded as the strangers moved on.

My mind raced. Whatever may be Caleb's planning it wouldn't be of good deeds.

The next morning, I sat by the edge of a cliff, staring out at the endless forest below. The wind carried the faint scent of pine and rain, but it couldn’t calm the storm inside me.

I had two choices: continue running and protect my pup from afar, or return to the pack that had rejected me and face whatever Caleb was planning head-on.

“This could be more dangerous than I think.” I stood still contemplating”. “But why does it have to be this way?” I muttered, running a hand through my hair.

“Akira! Is that you?” a deep voice said from behind me in excitement. “Waw!

I never thought I’d see you again”.

My heart was pounding as I whipped around. Standing there was a man I didn’t recognize, but his scent told me he was from the Nightshade pack. His dark eyes glinted with curiosity, and a smirk played on his lips.

“See me again, How? And Who are you?” I curiously asked, demanding an answer, keeping my voice steady despite the fear creeping into my chest.

“My name is Darius,” he said, taking a step closer. “And you’re the infamous Akira, the rogue who broke Caleb’s heart.”

“You must be joking. Do I break his heart, or he broke mine?” My anger rises but deafening.

“I'm sorry if I got you pissed off,” he swiftly apologized.

I stiffened. “What do you want?”

“Well, seeing you today has made my day, there's nothing much to be requested,” he said with a shrug.

“Ok, that's good for you, if you don't mind excuse me”. I said, trying to avoid him.

“Wait a minute,” he interjected, intruding into my space. “I Just thought you’d want to know that Caleb hasn’t forgotten about you. He’s been talking about you a lot lately.”

My stomach churned. “Why would I care?”

“You don't have to say that, Akira; Caleb still has you in mind.”

“And what's my business with that? If he did he wouldn't have rejected me”

“The Alpha had made, and he's ready to put things for your sake; I beg you, Akira, don't turn him down,” He said, his voice low and convincing.

“It's late, too late for an adjustment; tell him I say so.”

Darius tilted his head, studying me like a predator sizing up its prey. “Because whatever Caleb’s planning, you’re a part of it. Whether you like it or not.”

The words haunted me long after Darius disappeared into the trees. What did Caleb want with me? Why would he involve me in his schemes after everything he’d done?

As the days passed, I found myself unable to shake the feeling that I couldn’t run forever. My pup deserved better than a mother who was always looking over her shoulder. If I wanted to protect my child, I needed to face my past.

But as I packed my things and prepared to head back toward the pack I once called home, one question lingered in my mind:

Would I be walking into a trap?

Caleb's pov.

“Caleb, you’ve been brooding all day. What’s wrong?” Victor, my Beta, asked, his voice laced with concern.

I sighed, staring at the mountain range in the distance. “I don't know what came over me, I rejected her, Victor. I pushed Akira away, thinking it was for the best. And now…” I paused, the words catching in my throat.

“What happened now, sir?” He curiously asked.

“I heard Akira is pregnant,” I said, with much tension slotting through my mind.

Victor frowned. “You mean the rumors are true? She’s pregnant?”

“It's hard to believe but I don’t think so,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair. “But what if she is? What if I made the biggest mistake of my life?”

"It's true Sir, Akira is pregnant," Victor said, his voice low but firm as we walked through the forest near the packhouse.

I stopped mid-step, my heart thudding painfully against my ribs. The words struck like a blow, and I couldn’t hide the crack in my voice as I asked, "Victor... Are you sure?"

Victor nodded. "The rumors are everywhere. Some say it’s yours."

“Rumors? Then it is never true if it happens to be a rumor,” I swiftly corrected.

“It is not just a rumor, Sir. There's a truth beneath; I confirm the truth from Darius, who met Akira, confirming her pregnancy.”

“That can't be possible, How?” I said, my chest tightened, anger and regret fighting for control.

I had rejected her and pushed her away when the bond had called for me to hold her close. It was the hardest decision of my life, but I thought I was protecting my pack and my future. Now, the thought of her carrying my pup—it was too much to bear.

"She left because of you," Victor continued, his tone sharp. "But maybe you’ve got one last chance to fix this mess."

I turned away, my thoughts spinning. Could this be the reason for my nightmare? Is there any possibility of making the biggest mistake of my life?

"I did what is expected, I did what's right, what do you even expect me to do, Victor?" I growled, my voice laced with frustration. "I can’t undo what’s done."

"You can try," he said simply. "Or live with regret forever.”

The words hung heavy in the air. I turned away, staring out the window at the forest that bordered our territory. Somewhere out there, Akira was living a life without me. Was she happier? Did she miss me at all?

“Alpha!” A voice called from the hallway. One of the younger warriors burst into the room, breathless. “We’ve got news—about Akira.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What is it?”

“She’s been spotted near the Silver Fang pack,” he said. “And she’s… she’s pregnant.”

The room went silent. Victor’s gaze locked onto mine, and I felt the weight of his unspoken thoughts. My stomach churned. If the rumors were true, if Akira was carrying my child, I had to know.

“Prepare the warriors,” I ordered. “We leave at dawn.”

Victor stepped forward, his expression cautious. “Are you sure about this? Walking into Silver Fang territory uninvited could start a war.”

“I don’t care,” I said firmly. “If she’s carrying my child, I need to bring her back.”

“Your pride is going to get you killed one day,” Victor muttered under his breath, but he followed my orders anyway.

“My pride? What are you talking about, victor?”. I curiously asked.

“With due respect, sir, there are things you need to put into consideration, and you also need to consider the lives of the people in the pack”.

His words struck me; I kept mute, trying to reflect and clarify what he had just said.

“Do you think I’m doing the right thing? Or did I make a mistake?” I asked about pacing around in my office.

Victor leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed.

“You know this: you rejected Caleb for hunting after her,” He simply replied. “Akira deserves better than that”.

His words stung though I wouldn't admit it. As Alpha of the Nightshade pack, I must never show any form of weakness because it's never an option, but the rumors of Akira and her pregnancy and the fact she left the pack haunted me. What If I'd been wrong?

I ran a hand through my hair. “I had my reasons for doing that, and that's best known to me, Victor.”

Victor pushed off the frame and stepped closer with his sharp eyes. “Of what reasons are you hiding from yourself? Is it because Akira wasn't good enough for you? Or were you afraid of what the pack would think?”.

I glowed low, warning him to back off, but deep down, I knew he was right, especially when I rejected Akira as my mate. I had told myself it was for the betterment of the pack.

She was quiet, not the fierce Luna I expected her to be. But now that she's gone there was a hole in my chest that nothing could fill.

Victor softly signed. “Sir, You’ve been restless ever since she left; maybe it's time you face the truth.”

“What truth are you talking about?” I snapped, though I already knew the answer.

“The truth will always be revealed. To be sincere, Caleb, you made a mistake”.

The word struck me heavily, causing me more pain and nightmares. I didn’t sleep that night. Akira’s face haunted me—her soft, sad eyes the last time I saw her. She’d begged me to reconsider and pleaded with me to trust in our bond. But I’d let my pride win.

The next morning, I made my decision.

"Prepare yourself, we’re o

Leaving soon," I ordered my Beta, Victor, who was always ready to challenge me.

"Where are we going?" he asked, arms crossed, his eyes sharp with suspicion.

"To find Akira."

Victor’s lips tightened, but he didn’t argue. "If that’s your choice, Alpha. But you know this won’t be easy. She’s not the same woman you rejected."

I didn’t need him to remind me of that. I already knew I was walking into a storm.

“We've got to act quickly. I care not to know if she's now a beast; the most important thing is to secure my pup”.

“But sir, how do we find her? She might be in a hidden race?” He asked, although his questions prompted my contemplation but I resisted it.

“Stop asking too many questions and follow my orders” I defensively struck back at him.

The journey took us deep into rogue territory. Every mile that passed only added to my nerves. What if she refused to see me? What if the pup wasn’t mine? Worse, what if she’d moved on?