EPISODE 13/
That question had been sitting quietly in the back of my mind ever since I found out I was pregnant. I asked my wolf, hoping for guidance, but she remained silent. Not a single stir, not even a whisper. It was unsettling, how even she seemed unsure.
Valor didn’t press when I failed to answer. He just offered me a gentle look and told me not to worry. He said that as long as I was pregnant and staying near him, he would keep me safe. Whether Ronan came to visit or not, whether the truth unraveled tomorrow or years from now, he would prioritize my health and the baby above all else.
I had looked at him then, trying to understand what made him so calm, so steady, while I felt like my world was on shaky ground. I thanked him quietly, and together we walked to his house.
True to his word, Valor had made sure a room was prepared for me. It was his siblings who had done most of the cleaning. They were noisy and quite chaotic, but the room ended up spotless, warm, and surprisingly cozy.”
His house was large, with high ceilings and thick walls that spoke of strength and tradition. As the Alpha leader, it made sense. His presence lingered in every corner, yet it didn’t feel overbearing
His father, the old Alpha, seemed overjoyed when he heard I’d be staying. Even though Valor and I had nothing romantic between us, at least not yet, his father grinned knowingly, claiming that fate had brought me here.”
Valor rolled his eyes and brushed the comment off, but I noticed he didn’t deny it. Instead, he returned to his usual quiet rhythm, working hard, treating me gently, never stepping over the lines I hadn’t drawn yet.”
A week has passed. Just one week, and somehow the heaviness in my chest began to lift.
Life in Valor’s pack was… surprisingly peaceful. The people were warm and welcoming, and once they realized I was pregnant, they treated me like one of their own.
The older women brought me food made especially for pregnant wolves, such as soups rich with meat and herbs, soft breads, and sweet fruits I hadn’t tasted in months. They gave me supplements, too, explaining the benefits with motherly authority, and although they must’ve been curious, not one of them asked who the father was.
I was deeply grateful for that silence.
Living in Valor’s house meant I saw more of him. I noticed things I hadn’t before. How he always woke before everyone else, moving through the house like a shadow as he made coffee and quietly gathered his things for patrol. How he never raised his voice, not even when his siblings argued over ridiculous things like who ate the last cookie or who left muddy footprints in the hall.”
Valor, for all his strength and position, had a surprisingly goofy side.
Wise Mona, for example, scolded him frequently for forgetting herbs or mixing up bottles. He never talked back and just took the lecture with a lowered head as if he was child being wronged.
His father annoyed him relentlessly, asking him when he would give him a grandson or what the status of our relationship was. Valor never pushed him away, never snapped. He simply endured it all with quiet patience.”
His siblings were loud, full of energy, and constantly looking for trouble. But I saw the love behind their chaos. They admired him, even when they tried to get his attention by making a mess. They were just younger wolves wanting to be seen.”
And Valor… Valor saw them. He never missed a thing.”
And on that one night, seven days after my stay, everything shifted.}
Just a little.
I had just returned from a slow walk around the perimeter of the house. My appetite had grown with each passing day, and after a huge dinner, I needed to move.
Wise Mona told me that walking was good now that I’d entered the second trimester. She’d added new herbs to my tea and given me simple stretches to help with the back pain that had started creeping in.
When I stepped back inside, the house was quiet except for the soft scraping sound of metal.
Valor was seated in a large wooden chair near the hearth, sharpening a blade with steady, practiced movements. His brow furrowed in concentration, the muscles in his arms flexing as he worked. I hadn’t meant to disturb him, but the floor creaked beneath my feet.
He looked up. “Done with your stroll?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
He gave a small nod in return and went back to his work.
I started toward my room, which meant walking past him. I wasn’t rushing, just moving carefully as always, but somehow, whether it was my growing belly or plain clumsiness, I tripped.
Before I could fall, Valor shot up and caught me.
His arm wrapped around my waist, strong and secure, and I gasped at how fast he’d moved. His scent hit me, something like a warm pine and earthy like on a rainy day, and I felt the air shift between us. When I looked up, I found his face inches from mine.&
His eyes met mine, steady and clear, like frozen lakes under moonlight. There was strength in them, but something softer, too. Something open
Time slowed.
Neither of us spoke. We just looked. I felt warmth spread across my chest, curling down to my fingertips. It wasn’t desire. Not entirely. It was, connection Recognition. Something ancient and quiet that stirred beneath my skin.Z
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Valor seemed just as frozen, his lips parted slightly, his pupils widened. For a heartbeat, the whole world shrank to that moment Then he cleared his throat and gently helped me stand upright.
“You should be more careful,” he said, trying to sound firm, though his voice cracked just a little. “You managed to trip on flat ground” I laughed, embarrassed but strangely happy. “Sorry I guess I’m getting clumsy.”
He shook his head and muttered something under his breath, probably about me being clumsy as a pregnant woman, and turned away quickly. But I saw it: the faint blush rising on his cheeks.N
For some reason, I wanted to tease him.
Maybe he sensed that. He gathered his things quickly, like a man escaping danger. “I’m heading out to check the borders,” he said. “The usual patrol. My siblings will be in the house, though. If they get too noisy, tell me. I’ll straighten them out.”
I raised my brow. “You’re leaving me with your wild siblings?“N
“They’re harmless,” he said, backing toward the door, the red in his ears now undeniable. “Just loud.”
I smiled. “I think I can handle them.“N
He nodded once, too quickly, and slipped outside. The door shut behind him. For a long moment, I stood there in the silence he left behind, one hand resting on my stomach. I could still feel the warmth of his hand on my back, still see the look in his eyes. There was something between us.
And somehow, I didn’t dislike it.N
Not at all.
Valor was convinced he was going insane.
