Escaping Rogue

twenty five

We walked out the doors together, my arm linked through Christians. The loud talk slowly died out as we reached the center of the platform, everyone waiting for their alpha to start his speech. Mario waited on the other side of Christian, giving me a small nod to which I returned.

I could see some people mutter in my direction, my name slipping sneakily in and out of their mouths. Some pointed to my rounded belly, the swelling that nobody had been able to notice before. Some noted that I had finally left the confines of my bedroom, and some only mentioned how frail I looked. Instantly I regretted agreeing to do this and wanted only to be back in bed.

Christian squeezed my arm before starting his speech.

"As we all know, these past few weeks have been extremely tough. Not only on myself but as a pack, we have all struggled at the loss of our Luna and Beta. However, with their safe return home and the elimination of the rogue threat at its source, we can all rest once and for all. No more tension, no more anticipation of an attack. It's over, it all is." He looked at me, letting go out my arm and placing a hand on my stomach. "And with the end of this era comes an even better one. My mate is pregnant as I'm sure you can all see," everyone chuckled. I even smiled slightly, grabbing the hand he placed on my torso. "And this child will be your next leader. We will finally have an heir to our pack, a great Luna or Alpha to take my place when the time will come. But, until then, we will celebrate."

He grabbed a glass of champagne from Mario and raised it. Everyone followed suit, waiting for him to make his toast. I only stood there, cradling my stomach and my baby.

"Celebrate our success, their safe return home, and my child and our future."

Everyone cheered to his words, raising the glasses of whatever drinks they had to their lips. I watched everyone before turning to Christian, who only took a small sip of the bubbly drink before smiling at me.

"I love you." He whispered. The corners of my lips perked up slightly as he uttered those words.

"I love—"

"You won't be celebrating when I'm through with you!" A sharp voice boomed across the field.

Our heads snapped in unison, facing the one man I thought if never have to deal with again. Christian stepped in front of me, covering my body from Theo's view. As if he hadn't seen me already. The fact that he had escaped was just a taunt, but this, him showing up. It was brutal.

And to worsen the blow, he had an entire army at his side. Bigger than the wolves in the house, bigger than any army he owned before.

"Lena, get out of here." Christian muttered, squeezing the champagne glass in his hand so hard it completely shattered. I grabbed his arm, shaking my head.

"Chris, please."

"Mom, get Alena out of here!" His voice was sharp, it was deadly. Dark veins began to form in his arms, and his eyes flash a dangerous shade. He was angry—more than that: livid.

I felt Nancy's hand wrap around my arm, my own still gripping my mate. Quickly, as wolves launched themselves towards the rogue, I pulled myself towards him.

I couldn't leave him. Not his side, not our pack. I won't abandon him in what could be the defining moment between the rogues and the Bade pack. We could win or lose. We could be at peace or ruined forever. I could have my family, or I could lose my soul.

"Please don't die," I whispered, grabbing his head and pushing our foreheads together. "Please, for him." My hand lead his to my stomach. The raging eyes softened for one second, settling back to the silver I knew.