Lycan Prince’s Secret Baby (Moonlit Forbidden Love #1)

Chapter 9

Leah

I lay on the infirmary bed, feigning sleep as my heart squeezed painfully in my chest, listening to Kyle’s footsteps fading into the distance. I’d heard everything he’d said.

Everything.

His words seared like hot coals in my chest. Each syllable burned more of me away. “I don’t need her any longer.”

We’d just shared a passionate moment, but he’d denied caring about me at all. Devastation crashed through me. My wolf cried out, yearning to howl in sorrow, to sprint into the night and run until exhaustion silenced her pain. Instead, I remained trapped in this bed, Kyle’s words haunting and hollowing me, “I don’t need her any longer. ”

He’d said he would be sending me away once I was discharged from the infirmary. I imagined I would be going back to the kitchens. I pictured myself returning to my duties in the kitchens, scrubbing grimy pots and pans, the scents of grease and burning food clinging to the walls. Yet, the thought of drudgery didn’t darken my mood, it was the possibility that I’d never look into Kyle’s vibrant green eyes again.

Will I ever see him again? The pack compounds were large enough that in the month since he’d returned from university, our paths hadn’t crossed until the night I’d been dragged into the council chamber. Would it be another month or longer? The thought weighed me down, making it difficult to breathe.

“So, you’ve been eavesdropping, have you?” Healer Maria’s voice cut through the silence.

The tremor in my breath or my madly thumping heart must have given me away to the healer. I muffled a groan as I blinked my eyes open. They felt leaden, my head foggy. Yet, as I focused, I found Healer Maria looming over me.

Defiance flickered within me. She’d been talking about me. After all, my well-being was my business, too. “Yeah, I heard,” I replied, my voice sharper than intended. “Seems like you’re not my biggest fan.”

Maria’s eyebrows knitted together. Her weariness was evident rather than anger. “You and Kyle are from enemy packs. He’s the Moonlight Alpha heir. You two can never be together, Leah. My advice is a kindness in the long run.”

A dark smile turned up the corners of my mouth. “Kindness? Yeah, because you Moonlights are really known for that, aren’t you?”

Maria’s demeanor shifted as she looked me over intently, her hazel eyes softer now, as if searching for understanding. “Kyle's mission is an arduous one. No matter what you feel, becoming entangled with him will only hinder his career and ideals.”

For a fleeting moment, I drowned in the memory of being entangled with Kyle. His strong arms had lifted me effortlessly, laying me down on his desk, where his hands, lips, and tongue had swept my body with a fire that had matched mine. I longed for his embrace now, to feel that overwhelming sense of intimacy envelop me.

But Maria’s words lingered like a bitter aftertaste. Nor was she done. “You must see that with the grievances between our packs, becoming involved with each other will only endanger yourself and the Blood Moons.”

My throat tightened, and the truth of her warning clawed at me. My wolf’s defiant spirit whispered that we’d risk everything to be with our mate . Maria had a bond with Kyle; he’d called her Tlaak’w , Auntie. They’d used the ancient language of the moon goddess. And she’d even called him Irniq , son. I yearned to know their history, to understand that closeness. In a kinder world, I imagined Kyle’s low voice calling me Ilak , mate. But in this world, with all its complexities, wasn’t Maria right? Such a hope was foolish.

“Some of the Moonlights, especially the traditionalists on the council, believe that Kyle’s reforms toward your pack are only the result of your influence,” Maria continued, her eyes earnest and imploring.

Confusion and anger whipped through me. “Kyle’s a good man who believes in the reforms he’s implementing,” I defended, my voice growing stronger now.

“I know that, Leah,” she replied, her tone softer again. “But you must see that his reforms will be easily dismissed, even destroyed, if it becomes known he was involved with a Blood Moon.”

I ground my teeth, restlessness running through my body. The pulse of anger surged, desperate for an outlet, yet Maria’s warning about the repercussions for my people gripped me tight. I clamped my mouth shut, the truth of her words quelling my urge to argue.

For a moment, silence enveloped us, the air thick with emotions. I watched as Maria pottered around the infirmary, performing her routine tasks before returning to my bedside, this time bringing me medical rather than relationship advice. “Your estrus, Leah, needs to be controlled. I’m prescribing you three capsules daily.” She held out a small bottle, her voice unwavering. “It’s vital if you don’t want to be ruled by your wolf’s urges not to forget to take them. I can give you a month’s supply, which is the highest dosage that the council currently allows me to prescribe to Blood Moons. I’ll book you in for a month’s time to come back and get a refill. You’ll need to take this high dosage to suppress the symptoms this first heat cycle, then we’ll work on lowering the dosage for next month.” She paused and then added, “This will help you manage your estrus symptoms and prevent anyone from discovering your relationship with Kyle.”

My heart thudded against my ribs. I remembered Maria’s earlier words to Kyle regarding the high level of hormones coursing through my veins—signs of my readiness to mate. The reality sank in that Maria understood that Kyle and I were fated mates. With this medicine, she intended to preserve our secret for the sake of our packs.

Although her advice pierced me, I sensed something kinder beneath her stern exterior. Resignation settled in as I silently accepted her goodwill.

As I lay in recovery over the next few days, the medicine slowly dulled the effects of my estrus, and acceptance washed over me. I could endure this. The knowledge that the pills would help me manage my symptoms brought me comfort, even as the thought of not being near Kyle left an ache in my heart. Perhaps this separation would give me the clarity I needed. Without his intoxicating presence nearby, I could grow strong again.

Soon enough, Maria deemed me well enough to leave. She informed me that my belongings had already been gathered from Kyle’s home and returned to my cabin in the Blood Moon territory.

Pushing open the door to my cabin felt like stepping through time—both an eternity and a fleeting moment since I had been her last. The familiar, well-worn space greeted me, steeped in memories like a sunlit day. It wasn’t the only greeting either.

“Oh my goddess!” Lucy squealed, her slim arms almost immediately around me as I entered.

Phoebe lowered her wooden flute from her lips, her face lighting up, too.

But my heart caught in my throat as I spotted Mary. She sat cross-legged on her bed, aglow with health, wearing her beloved Minerals Are Magic jumper, a remnant from happier times before the war. Mary was skilled in metalwork and had loved making jewelry from unique minerals and metals gleaned from our lands and the surrounding pack lands. The Nightwing Pack’s lands were her favorite place to get her materials. Some of the rarest ores were found there—not that she’d been able to indulge her craft since the start of the war.

Mary was halfway through plaiting her golden hair, and the braid fell slack from her fingers. “Leah!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with joyful disbelief.

In an instant, I was across the room, pulling her in for a fierce hug. Tears glistened in our eyes as we breathed in the familiarity of each other.

“You look so good,” I murmured, slowly releasing her.

“All thanks to you,” she said, her face warm with gratitude. “If you hadn’t—” she began.

“You’re safe and well. That’s all that matters,” I interjected, not wanting to think about what might have happened or about how Kyle had been the one to help save her. If it hadn’t been for his order for Blood Moons to get medical treatment, Mary likely wouldn’t be here.

The shadow must have shown on my face though because she asked, “What’s wrong, Leah?”

I shook my head, the last thing I wanted to do was go into what had happened over the past month between Kyle and me. Besides, Maria’s serious words about keeping my relationship secret from others was foremost in my thoughts. So, instead, I explained, “I had to go to the infirmary because of complications due to malnourishment.”

“That asshole,” Phoebe exclaimed.

I took in her indignant expression. “What do you mean?”

“That Alpha heir, while reforming the portions for the rest of us, has been starving you,” Phoebe said.

I shook my head vehemently. The soft thought of how Kyle had lingered in his study door, surreptitiously checking that I was taking my full meals, came back to me. “It was complications from long-term malnourishment,” I explained. “Like you, I’ve been eating well. Healer Maria has given me extra vitamins to take every day, so as long as I remember to take them, I’ll be fine.”

“Are you staying then?” Lucy piped up, her excitement infectious as she bounced on her toes.

I nodded, my smile returning as she laughed in delight. “We’re going to have a party! We’ll braid each other’s hair.” It was a childhood tradition. Early on, we shifter females developed the ritual of grooming one another that would transfer over into our wolf forms when we groomed one another, too.

“And Leah, you’re gonna tell us everything that’s happened the last month,” Lucy added, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Anxiety flickered in my chest. I wanted to delay this inevitable discussion, knowing it would require me to weave a web of half-truths and omissions. “That sounds amazing. But first, I’m going to unpack and get changed. I’ve been lying in the same clothes for the last couple of days.”

I began to empty my belongings from the bundled sheet onto my bed. Once I’d moved my clothes to the floor under the bed and remade it, I pulled off my vest, and something tumbled onto the bed. A familiar glimmer caught my eye. A bronze rune-mark pendant on a long black cord lay on the cover. The full moon framed by two crescent moons was the Moonlight Pack’s symbol. Disbelief coursed through me before heat flooded my cheeks. It must have been Kyle’s and slipped into my vest top when—

Flashes of our bodies entwined surged back to me: his strong hands tugging my hair, his lips on my neck, his hands kneading my breasts. I fought to control my breathing as I clutched the necklace, shoving it into my jeans pocket, desperate to block out the memories that threatened.

The rest of the evening unfolded calmly as I settled back into the comfort of my friends’ chatter, song, and caring touch. Mary plaited my hair, and I did hers. Her fingers on my scalp and mine running through her hair in the familiar movements calmed me and gave me a feeling of kinship I’d so desperately missed.

The days once more turned into a blend of work in the kitchens and precious moments spent connecting with my friends. Mary’s radiant health served as a constant reminder of how improved things were for us. It continued to give me contentment to see Elderly Tom and all the rest of my pack members becoming stronger and more able.

I took my medicine daily, effectively controlling my estrus symptoms. It felt almost as if my time with Kyle had been something from someone else’s life. The ache in my heart felt muted as I focused on the present and all it offered.

Yet, a month later, the decision came upon me with sudden resolve. I needed to return Kyle’s necklace. I was in control now, free from the uncontrollable impulses that had dictated my thoughts. I had the scheduled appointment with Healer Maria, which would take me to the infirmary, only a couple of buildings from Kyle’s house. Whereas working in the kitchens on the outskirts of the Moonlight area, the only place I’d gone for the last few weeks, hadn’t given me any opportunity to see Kyle and return the necklace. I’d been right in my supposition that I wouldn’t see him. We never had any cause for our paths to cross now. With that in mind, I decided to kill two birds with one stone, and while I went to my appointment to see Healer Maria, I’d visit Kyle and return his necklace.

I took my medicine on time, effectively controlling my estrus symptoms, too. It was almost as if the time I’d spent with Kyle never happened. With my estrus symptoms being suppressed, I felt so much more in control of myself and my body.

As I approached the infirmary, a sinking feeling tugged at my stomach. A sign taped to the door read: “Sorry, emergency, away for three days.”

Panic surged through me. She must have forgotten about my estrus medication refill. The tightening in my chest amplified as I realized I wouldn’t receive my prescription for another three days. Maria had only been able to provide a month’s worth because that was the maximum the council allowed for Blood Moon patients. I had finished the last three capsules this morning.

Starting tomorrow, I’d be susceptible to my estrus symptoms, and my wolf’s instincts would erupt again. But I still needed to return the necklace. My medication from today still protected me from my symptoms flaring now.

Determination coursed through my veins. My heart thundered as I fought to reach Kyle’s house, the path winding before me. As I walked to his door, memories washed over me—his presence beside me and the security of his grip around my wrist as we’d returned from the Blood Moon quarters together. But I pushed those thoughts aside, clinging instead to the harsh words he’d uttered, “I don’t need her any longer.” I wouldn’t need him either—not once I’d returned the last token I had of him.

I hesitated as I reached the front door, considering knocking, but Maria’s warnings twisted in my mind. “ Prevent anyone from discovering your relationship with Kyle .” It was dangerous to linger out here too long. So, instead, I pushed the door open quietly, slipping into the hushed hallway. All was quiet, but I knew I’d find him in his study, buried in work like always. This was my chance—a final opportunity to return the necklace and reclaim my independence once and for all.