The Monster Within - Book 1

Chapter 30

A couple of days go past while I process the information. This is happening to me whether I like it or not. I'm not ready for a baby, but I couldn't bring myself to hurt Apollo by putting an end to this pregnancy. I know I was reckless when it came to having sex with him, but I didn't expect to get pregnant this quick. So many people struggle to get pregnant in the first year and I managed to do it in a month. I'm so angry with myself and also at Apollo. He knew I didn't want this, but he played on my inability to resist him. This damn mated bond made sure of that.

'How are you feeling today?' Apollo asks me, pulling me out of my own mind.

'Fine, I guess.'

'I'm sorry it had to be this way Cassandra.'

'No your not.'

'I am.' He starts. 'The hunter who killed my family, he killed so many others like us. Archer and I haven't seen another werewolf in years. It's our duty to ensure our kind doesn't end with us.

'Why can't you just make more?'

'It's not as easy at that. Most humans aren't strong enough to survive the transformations. We only turn people in known bloodlines who we know will survive the change. It's hard enough to watch someone go through the first change without having the risk of them dying.'

'So what's that got to do with me?'

'You're part of one of the oldest bloodlines around. And one of the few surviving members of one of those families. You're going to give birth to the next generation of wolves. You must understand how important you are to this family... To me. We've almost been wiped from this world. You are going to allow us another chance.'

His words don't make me feel any better. They just add a whole new level of pressure I wasn't aware of before. I feel so powerless as my life has been decided without me having any input. Decided by people who I'd never met. Did my nan know this would happen to me when she asked me to return to care for her? There are so many questions I don't know the answers to yet. Questions I think I deserve the answers to. But I don't know where to start.

'Why did my mum take me away?'

'Ester told my father that she wouldn't let you be dragged into our world. She didn't know the deal my father made with yours before you were born so your mother ran away with you because she didn't want this life for you.'

'My nan didn't agree?'

'No. She was very loyal to my father. She wanted our families to join for a long time. She wanted your mother to marry my father, but Sarah refused. Then when Ester found out about the promise your dad made she tried to make your mother see sense. She tried to talk her into letting it happen. But they had a big fight and your mother left, taking you with her.'

'Did Ester get me to come back knowing this would happen then?'

'I honestly don't know. I Hadn't seen her in years. I was very surprised when I saw you had returned.'

'This is all so strange. It's like a fantasy story. I knew nothing of this growing up.'

'No, It seems your mother hid this from you very well.'

As I try to process answers to some of my many questions, I can't help but feel curious about my father. My mum refused to speak of him when I was a child. She told me he was dead. But everything Apollo has said about him makes me feel like he could still be out there. I might have family, somewhere out there.

'What was he like. My father?'

'Your father was... a stray. He didn't belong anywhere. He owed my father a lot of money that he had no way of being able to pay back. So he charmed your mother into bed just to get her pregnant so he could give you to my father as payment. He caused a lot of problems when he was around. Then one day he was just gone. He left your mother just before she had you. He was a coward with no honour.'

'My mother told me he died. Could he still be alive?'

'Maybe.' He shrugs. 'But he had a way of upsetting people, so it's hard to say.'

I let out a little sigh, feeling any hope I had of him still being alive, being dashed.

'Anymore questions?' He asks.

I sit and think for a second. There are so many swirling around in my head. Then my eyes drift down to my stomach, realising the full moon is approaching.

'What will happen to the baby during the full moon... when I change?'

'He'll be fine. Your body will change around him and adapt to allow the baby to thrive.'

'He? You think it's a boy?'

'Yes.'

'Why?'

'Because I can feel it.'

'Is that another werewolf thing?'

'No.' He chuckles 'I just know.'

'What if it's a girl?'

'Then We'll have to keep going. Our pack needs an Alpha after I'm gone.'

My stomach drops at the expression on his face. He's not joking.