My Mate....The Alpha (new version)

31. Preston

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silvery glow through the window of our cozy bedroom. The soft rustling of leaves outside blended with the gentle sounds of the night, creating a soothing backdrop that usually lulled me to sleep. But tonight was different. The weight of worry pressed heavily on my chest as I lay beside Ryker, my mate, and the father of our children.

I ran my hand over my round belly, feeling the gentle flutter of our second child, a reminder of the life we were building together. Ajax, our firstborn, was still so little, just a toddler discovering the world around him. The thought of raising him and our soon-to-arrive baby in a world filled with danger gnawed at me.

"I can hear your mind racing, love," Ryker said, his voice a deep rumble that vibrated through the air. He pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around me like a protective cocoon. I turned to face him, searching his eyes for comfort, but the shadows of my thoughts loomed too large.

"I promise that our children will live in a world where there is peace," he assured me, his gaze steady and unwavering.

"You can't promise that, Rye," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "Rogue attacks are part of life."

As I settled into the warmth of his embrace, I felt the familiar tug of sleep pulling me under. But instead of drifting into the comforting oblivion of dreams, I was thrust into a nightmare that felt all too real.

---

I stood on the edge of a clearing, the moonlight illuminating the chaos that unfolded before me. The scent of smoke and blood hung thick in the air, mingling with the sounds of growls and screams. My heart raced as I scanned the scene, searching for Ryker.

"Ryker!" I shouted, my voice lost in the cacophony of battle. Panic surged through me as I spotted him, his strong form fighting valiantly against a group of rogues. His muscles rippled beneath his skin, and I could see the determination etched on his face. He was a warrior, fierce and unyielding, but the odds were stacked against him.

"Preston!" he called out, his voice strained but filled with urgency. "Get Ajax and the baby to safety!"

The sight of our children—Ajax, with his bright eyes and infectious laughter, and the tiny life growing within me—flashed in my mind. I could see Ajax playing in the grass just beyond the clearing, blissfully unaware of the danger that lurked nearby. My heart ached at the thought of leaving them, but Ryker's command pierced through my fear.

I turned to run, but the ground beneath me shifted, and I stumbled. The world around me warped, the sounds of the battle fading into a haunting silence. I looked back just in time to see Ryker facing off against the largest rogue, its eyes glowing with malice.

"Ryker, no!" I screamed, my heart shattering into a million pieces. I rushed forward, but the scene shifted again, the ground beneath me dissolving into darkness.

I was back in our bedroom, but it felt cold and empty. The warmth of Ryker's embrace was gone, replaced by an overwhelming sense of loss. I could hear the soft whimpers of Ajax in the distance, his innocent voice calling for his father.

"Dada! Dada!" he cried, his voice tinged with fear.

I felt a surge of panic as I rushed to find him, but the house was a labyrinth of shadows. Every corner I turned led me further away from his cries. I could feel the weight of his fear pressing down on me, and I knew I had to protect him.

"Ajax!" I shouted, my voice breaking.

But the darkness thickened, swallowing me whole. I stumbled through the shadows, my heart racing as I fought against the suffocating dread. The cries of my child grew fainter, and I felt the walls closing in around me.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness—Ryker, standing tall and strong, but there was something different about him. His eyes were vacant, devoid of the warmth and love that I cherished.

"Preston," he said, his voice echoing like a distant memory. "You have to let me go."

"No! I can't!" I cried, reaching out for him. "You promised you'd be there with me when I had our baby. You promised me you'd be there to raise our children with me. You can't leave me. Please don't leave me!"

But he shook his head, the distance between us growing. "You have to be strong for them. You have to raise Ajax and the baby."

"Ryker, please!" I begged, tears streaming down my face. "Don't leave me!"

But the darkness swallowed him, and I was left standing alone in the void, the cries of Ajax fading into silence.

---

I jolted awake, gasping for breath, my heart pounding in my chest. The moonlight spilled into the room, illuminating the familiar contours of our bedroom. I turned to my side, and relief washed over me as I saw Ryker sleeping peacefully beside me, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

But the remnants of the nightmare clung to me like a shroud, the fear of losing him gnawing at my insides. I reached out, my fingers brushing against his arm, and he stirred, opening his eyes to meet mine.

"Preston? What's wrong?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

I swallowed hard, the weight of the dream still heavy on my heart. "I had a nightmare," I admitted, my voice trembling. "You... you were... gone."

Ryker's expression softened, and he pulled me into his embrace, holding me tightly against him. "I'm here, love. I'm not going anywhere," he whispered, his voice soothing.

"You promised you'd be there with me when I had our baby," I said, my voice breaking. "You promised me you'd be there to raise our children with me. You can't leave me. Please don't leave me."

He held me tighter, his warmth enveloping me like a shield against the darkness. "I promise, Preston. I will always be here for you and our children. No matter what happens, I will fight for our family."

I closed my eyes, allowing the warmth of his presence to wash over me. Deep down, the fear lingered—the fear of a world where rogues roamed free, threatening the family we had built together. But in that moment, as I lay there wrapped in his arms, I clung to his promise like a lifeline, hoping it would be enough to shield us from the shadows that threatened to encroach upon our lives.