Only Her- ON HOLD

Chapter 56.

Dani's POV

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, rubbing my hand softly across my now rounder stomach. Thoughts of what the future held for our child ran through my mind. Would our baby be male, set to run our pack after his father? Or would she be a female? If she was a female, would she shift like me? Would she become a leader in her own right?

I felt Noah's hand against my hip and I pulled out of my thoughts as I looked up to see him staring back at me with a look of pure love.

"What are you thinking about so hard in here?" He asked with a soft smile. His hand absently began to stroke against my stomach as he pulled me back into him.

I smiled and relaxed within his arms. "Just wondering what our baby will be. And, if she's a girl, wondering if she'll shift."

He chuckled and nuzzled my neck, placing a kiss on my mark and sending shivers down my spine. "If it's a girl, she'll be just as strong and incredible as her mom. Her future will be whatever she desires."

I hummed in response and smiled. "What do you want?"

He scoffed and held my tighter. "I want whatever incredible gift you and the moon decide to give me."

I shook my head and laughed. "You don't have a preference? Isn't it every Alpha's dream to have a strapping young Alpha pup to inherit your legacy?" I said with a raised brow.

He turned me slowly to face him and dropped his hand between us to my stomach. "After nearly losing you both, I wouldn't care what he or she is or what they become in the future. I'm just thankful to have you both alive and healthy here with me."

I felt tears prick my eyes and I choked back the emotion, but I knew he felt it overwhelming me. "I love you, Noah." I whispered as a lone tear dropped down my cheek.

He kissed it away and stroked softly against my stomach. "I love you, baby. Now let's go find out what we're having." He said, smiling against my skin before placing a soft kiss on my lips.

We took our time walking to the healer's cabin. Enjoying the moment and trying to soak up the last few days of peace. His hand intertwined with mine and I let him slowly guide me down the path until we finally stood at the doorstep of the little cabin.

I went to knock when the door slowly opened where it hadn't been latched shut. Just inside the door, the healer was lying in a pool of blood on the floor, her face turned away from us. I rushed to her to check for a pulse but there was none to be found. She was already gone.

Noah stepped closer in behind me and then a low growl came from the back of his throat. I looked back at him in confusion, and then I sensed it at the same time. We were not alone.

Noah's eyes glazed over as he quickly mindlinked my father and I sent my own message through the pack link to alert him of danger as a dark figure jumped from the shadows behind the door. Noah lunged, throwing a hard punch to step away from him and stepping back in front of me to separate the intruder from me.

Noah snarled and lowered into a defensive stance as he stood in front of the male. "Did my father send you?" He said.

The male laughed darkly and sneered. "You already know that answer stupid pup."

"Fuck you." Noah replied.

He paused to allow the intruder to draw the first punch, evading his swing and landing a hard hook to the side of his head. The male staggered sideways and as he went to stand, Noah kicked him hard in the chest, knocking him off balance. The intruder was quick to recover and rushed Noah, tackling him to the ground and eliciting a small cry from me.