Chapter 19

The days following the revelation of my pregnancy were a whirlwind of emotions. The joy of carrying Liam's child was overshadowed by the necessity of secrecy. We couldn't afford to let anyone know, not with Isolde and Ren lurking in the shadows, waiting for any sign of weakness.

Liam became more protective, his eyes constantly scanning our surroundings, his hand never far from mine. He insisted on accompanying me to every training session, every meeting, every moment outside our private quarters. I appreciated his concern, but it also made me feel like a prisoner in my own life.

One afternoon, as we walked through the palace gardens, I turned to him. "Liam, I need some space. I can't live like this, constantly looking over my shoulder."

He stopped, his gaze intense. "Lola, I understand, but we can't take any chances. If they find out about the baby…"

"I know," I interrupted, placing a hand on my still-flat stomach. "But I need to feel normal, even if just for a little while."

He sighed, pulling me into a gentle embrace. "Alright. But promise me you'll be careful."

I nodded, grateful for the small concession.

The next morning, I resumed my training with the other she-wolves. I kept my movements controlled, avoiding any strenuous activity that might harm the baby. Despite my precautions, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

During a break, Rhea approached me, her brow furrowed. "Lola, are you feeling alright? You've been off lately."

I forced a smile. "Just a bit tired. Nothing to worry about."

She nodded, but her eyes lingered on me, concern evident.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the training field, I felt a sudden wave of dizziness. My vision blurred, and the world tilted. I stumbled, catching myself before I fell.

Rhea rushed to my side. "Lola! Are you okay?"

I nodded weakly. "Just need to sit down."

She helped me to a bench, and I took deep breaths, willing the world to stop spinning.

Later that evening, Liam found me in our quarters, his face etched with worry. "Rhea told me what happened. Are you sure you're alright?"

I nodded. "Just a dizzy spell. I think I overexerted myself."

He knelt before me, taking my hands in his. "Lola, we need to be more careful. Maybe it's time to step back from training."

I looked into his eyes, seeing the fear behind his words. "You're right. I'll take it easy."

He kissed my forehead, holding me close. "We'll get through this together."

As the days passed, the tension in the kingdom grew. Reports of Isolde and Ren's movements became more frequent, their forces gathering strength. Liam spent more time in strategy meetings, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

One night, unable to sleep, I wandered the palace halls, seeking solace. I found myself in the library, the scent of old books comforting. As I browsed the shelves, a voice startled me.

"Can't sleep either?"

I turned to see Rhea, a book in hand.

I smiled. "Seems like it."

She joined me, her eyes searching mine. "Lola, if there's anything you need to talk about… I'm here."

I hesitated, the weight of my secret pressing down on me. But I couldn't risk it. Not yet.

"Thank you, Rhea. That means a lot."

She nodded, sensing my reluctance, and we sat in companionable silence, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows on the walls.

The next morning, as I prepared for a walk in the gardens, a messenger arrived with urgent news. Isolde and Ren had been spotted near the northern border, their forces larger than anticipated.

Liam convened an emergency meeting with the council, and I joined him, the gravity of the situation evident on every face.

"We need to strengthen our defenses," Liam declared. "Double the patrols and fortify the borders."

The council members nodded in agreement, their expressions grim.

As the meeting concluded, Liam pulled me aside. "Lola, I want you to stay within the palace grounds. It's not safe beyond the walls."

I nodded, understanding the danger.

That evening, as we sat together in our quarters, Liam took my hand. "I know this isn't how we envisioned our future, but I promise you, once this war is over, we'll have the life we've dreamed of."

I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "I believe you."

We sat in silence, drawing strength from each other, knowing that the days ahead would test us in ways we couldn't yet imagine.

The sky was gray the next morning, heavy clouds stretching across the horizon like a warning. The air was thick with silence, that kind of silence that makes your chest feel heavy and your heart beat louder than usual. I sat by the window in our chamber, staring at the trees swaying gently in the wind. The palace was quiet, too quiet, as if even the walls were holding their breath.

I rested a hand over my stomach, still flat, still not giving anything away. But I could feel it — life, new and fragile, growing inside me. I should've been smiling. I should've felt joy. But instead, there was this constant knot in my chest, like something bad was just around the corner.

Liam walked in without a sound, closing the door softly behind him. His shoulders were tense, his jaw set. He was dressed in black, as always, but something about him felt darker today.

"They've crossed the border," he said, his voice low and tight.

I stood slowly, my breath catching. "How many?"

"Too many. At least two hundred that we've seen. And that's not counting the ones hiding in the trees."

My knees felt weak. "Isolde and Ren?"

"Both of them. They're leading it." He walked to me and cupped my face gently. "Lola, I need you to stay in the palace. No training. No meetings. Promise me."

"I already promised," I whispered. "I'll stay. But what about you?"

"I'm going to the border," he said. "Just to oversee the defense. I won't fight unless I have to."

"You'll have to," I said, my throat tightening. "You know they won't back down."

"I know," he whispered, kissing my forehead. "But I'm coming back. No matter what."

Hours passed after Liam left. I sat in the war room for a while, watching the maps, listening to the faint sound of orders being given outside. Warriors moved back and forth, sharpening blades, preparing bows, fitting armor. Everyone was bracing for what we all knew was coming — the first real strike of war.

But inside me, something else was growing. A different kind of storm.

My body felt strange that evening. My lower back ached. My head throbbed. I tried to eat, but nothing stayed down. I paced the room, sat by the fire, lay on the bed, and stood back up again. Nothing made the discomfort go away.

By midnight, the pain faded just enough for me to fall asleep. But in my dreams, I saw fire. I saw wolves fighting in blood-soaked snow. I saw Liam fall. I screamed in the dream, and I must've screamed out loud too, because when I opened my eyes, Rhea was beside me, her face pale with worry.

"Lola, what's going on?" she asked.

"I—I had a dream," I whispered, sitting up. "It felt so real."

"Liam?" she asked.

I nodded.

The next morning, I ignored Liam's warning. I pulled on my training gear and walked to the field, even though my stomach still felt tight and sore. I just needed to feel like myself again. I needed to move. To breathe.

The wind was cold. The sky was still gray. Rhea met me halfway across the field.

"I don't think this is a good idea," she said quietly.

"I'll take it easy," I replied. "I just need a little time."

We trained slowly. Light stretches. Controlled movements. But halfway through a simple exercise, the dizziness came back. Hard. My knees buckled, and the ground rushed up to meet me.

The last thing I heard was Rhea screaming my name.

When I opened my eyes, I was in the pack hospital. The walls were white, the scent of herbs and steel in the air. My head throbbed, and my lips were dry.

"Lola," a soft voice said beside me. I turned and saw Liam. His hands trembled as he held mine.

"You fainted," he said, brushing the hair off my forehead. "You scared me."

"What happened?" I whispered.

"The healer checked everything. You're okay," he said slowly. "And… so is the baby."

I looked at him, eyes wide. "You told them?"

"No," he said quickly. "Only the healer. I made her swear not to say anything. No one else knows."

I relaxed just a little. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

"No, don't be," he said, pulling me into his arms. "This is my fault. I should've never let you train."

"I just wanted to feel normal."

"You don't have to be normal," he whispered against my hair. "You're mine. You're carrying my child. That's all that matters now."

Tears stung my eyes. I buried my face in his chest.

"I want to tell people," I said quietly. "I don't want to hide forever."

"After the war," he whispered. "When we've won. When it's safe."

I nodded. But deep down, I was afraid. What if it never became safe?

The next few days passed in silence. Liam barely left my side. He canceled meetings. Postponed battle briefings. The warriors whispered, confused. But no one dared question the Alpha.

I stayed in bed, feeling more tired every day. My heart longed to help, to fight, to be part of the decisions. But I had someone else to protect now. Someone I hadn't even met yet but already loved more than life.

The threat of Isolde and Ren grew with each passing hour. Scouts returned with stories of dark magic, of wolves with red eyes, of spells that twisted nature itself.

But inside these walls, Liam kept the secret between us. And I let him.

Because love… love sometimes means staying silent. Love means protecting what matters most.

Even when the world is falling apart outside.