Maeve's POV
The plate crashed to the floor, breaking into a dozen pieces. I froze as every eye in the diner turned to me.
"Sorry!" I called out, my face burning with embarrassment. I knelt down to pick up the broken pieces, then felt a weird flutter in my belly. My hand flew to the small bump that was now clearly visible under my waitress apron.
"Leave it, honey," said Martha, the diner owner, rushing over with a broom. "You shouldn't be bending down in your condition."
"I'm only four months along," I argued, but stood up anyway. The baby moved again, stronger this time. Like tiny butterfly wings inside me.
"Go take your break," Martha insisted, shooing me toward the back door. "You look pale as a ghost."
I didn't argue. The dreams had kept me up most of the night again. The same ones that had been bothering me for weeks now.
In the small break room, I sank into a chair and closed my eyes. Three months had passed since I'd fled from Ariana in the forest. Three months since I'd left everything behind and somehow found my way to this small human town called Pinewood.
I still couldn't believe I'd escaped. One minute Ariana had been there in wolf form, teeth bared and ready to attack. The next minute, a huge black wolf had burst from the trees, tackling her. In the chaos, I'd run as fast as I could, following the north star just as Luca had told me.
I never saw who the black wolf was. Raiden? Luca? Someone else? I'd never know. All that mattered was that I got away.
Now here I was, working at Martha's Diner, living in a tiny apartment above the town shop, and trying to pass as a normal human woman. A pregnant widow, I'd told everyone. My husband died in an accident. No family left.
The lies tasted bitter on my tongue, but they kept me safe.
"You OK in there, Maeve?" called Jeff, the cook, through the door.
"Fine!" I called back. "Just resting!"
I pulled Luca's crescent moon charm from my pocket and ran my fingers over its smooth wooden surface. I carried it everywhere. It was my only link to my old life—that and the tiny life growing inside me.
The baby kicked again, stronger this time.
"I know," I whispered, rubbing my belly. "I miss them too."
But which "them" did I miss? Raiden, who had called our baby a complication? Or Luca, whose green eyes still appeared in my dreams?
I shook my head and went back to work. The afternoon rush kept me busy until closing time.
"Need a ride home?" Martha asked as I hung up my apron.
"No thanks. The walk is good for me."
"Be careful," she warned. "There's been talk of wolves in the area. Not like regular wolves—bigger."
My heart stopped. "Wolves?"
"That's what the hunts say. Tracks too big for normal wolves. Sheriff thinks it's just talk, but better safe than sorry."
I nodded, trying to hide my fear. "I'll be fine. It's not far."
Outside, the fall air was crisp and cool. I walked quickly, scanning the edge of the forest that circled the small town. Were they here? Had they found me?
My room was small but clean. I locked the door behind me, checked the windows, then fell on my bed, exhausted.
Sleep came quickly, and with it, the dreams.
I was running through an old forest. Not as a human, but as a wolf. The moon above was blood red, casting everything in a crimson glow. I could feel my paws on the ground, the wind in my fur.
Ahead of me ran a small white wolf pup, glowing with strange light. My pup. I had to protect it.
"This way," called a familiar voice. Luca stood at the edge of a clearing, his green eyes sparkling in the darkness. "Hurry, they're coming!"
I ran faster, but the pup was getting farther away.
"Maeve!" Another voice called. Raiden's voice. "Give me back what's mine!"
A shadow fell over the trees. Looking up, I saw Ariana floating above the trees, her eyes burning blue fire, her hands dripping with blood.
"The child belongs to the ritual," she hissed. "The blood moon demands it!"
The pup howled, a sound of pure fear that tore through my heart.
"Run!" Luca shouted. "Run, Maeve!"
But my paws were stuck to the ground. I couldn't move as Ariana descended toward my glowing pup, her bloody hands reaching out— I woke with a gasp, my heart beating. My shirt was soaked with sweat, and the baby was kicking madly.
"Just a dream," I whispered, rubbing my belly. "Just a dream."
But it had felt so real. I could still smell the trees, feel the earth under my paws.
I got up and went to the window, looking out at the dark street below. The full moon cast silver light over the quiet town.
Was it really just a dream? Or was it a warning?
I touched Luca's charm in my pocket and felt it warm against my skin. For a moment, I thought I heard his voice whispering my name.
The next morning came too fast. I dragged myself to work, dark bags under my eyes.
"You look terrible," Martha said as I tied on my apron.
"Thanks," I mumbled.
"More dreams?"
I nodded. Martha didn't know I was a werewolf, but she knew about the dreams. She'd heard me screaming one night when she came to check on me.
"Maybe you should see Dr. Collins," she offered. "He might give you something to help you sleep."
"I can't take medicine," I said, feeling my belly. "Not with the baby."
"Well, at least eat something. You're too skinny for a pregnant woman."
I smiled at her worry. Martha had taken me in when I arrived in town, alone and desperate. She'd given me a job and helped me find a place to live. She was the closest thing to family I had now.
The morning rush kept me busy, but by lunchtime, my energy was fading. Martha sent me on a break again.
I was having tea in the break room when I heard the bell over the diner door jingle. Then Martha's voice called out: "Maeve! Someone here to see you!"
My blood ran cold. No one knew me in this town. No one except...
I peeked through the kitchen door. A man stood at the counter, his back to me. Tall, with broad shoulders and dark hair.
My hand went to my throat, where my pulse raced like a trapped animal's. Was it Raiden? Had he found me after all this time?
The man turned, and I gasped.
"Hello, Maeve," said Marcus, Raiden's loyal guard. "You're looking well."
My legs turned to water. I gripped the doorframe to stay upright.
"How did you find me?" I whispered.
Marcus smiled coldly. "You can't hide your scent, omega. Especially not now." His eyes dropped to my swollen belly.
"What do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"The Alpha wants what's his," Marcus said simply. "Both of you."
I backed away. "I'm not going back."
"You don't have a choice." Marcus stepped toward me. "The blood moon is coming again. In three days. And you need to be there."
The blood moon. Just like in my dream.
"Why?" I demanded. "So Ariana can use my baby for her ritual?"
Surprise flashed across Marcus's face. "How did you—" "Tell Raiden he'll never get his hands on my child," I said, finding my courage. "Tell him I'd rather die."
Marcus's expression hardened. "That can be arranged."
Martha appeared beside him, frowning. "Everything okay here, Maeve?"
"Fine," I lied. "An old friend from home."
"Not just a friend," Marcus said smoothly. "Family. I've come to take Maeve home where she belongs."
Martha looked between us, suspicious. "Maeve said she has no family left."
"She lied," Marcus said. "But we've found her now. Her husband will be so relieved."
My husband? Did he mean Raiden?
"I need to get back to work," I said, desperately trying to think of a way out.
"Of course," Marcus smiled. "I'll wait. We can talk more after your shift."
I retreated to the kitchen, my mind racing. I had to run again. Now. Before Marcus could stop me.
I slipped out the back door of the diner and ran to my apartment. Throwing a few things into a bag, I grabbed what little money I had saved.
Just as I reached for the door, it swung open.
"Going somewhere?" Marcus asked, leaning against the doorframe.
I backed away. "How did you—"
"I told you. Your scent." He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. "Did you really think you could escape the pack? Escape him?"
"I already did. For three months."
"Because he let you," Marcus said. "He wanted you to think you were free. But now it's time to come home."
"I don't believe you," I said, though doubt crept into my mind. Had Raiden known where I was all along?
"Believe what you want," Marcus shrugged. "But you're coming with me. Now."
"No!" I grabbed a lamp and threw it at him. While he ducked, I ran for the window and climbed out onto the fire escape.
I had nearly reached the bottom when a hand grabbed my ankle.
"Don't make this harder than it needs to be," Marcus growled from above me.
I kicked free and jumped the last few feet to the ground. Pain shot through my ankle, but I ignored it and ran.
The forest was my only hope. If I could reach it, maybe I could shift and outrun him.
I had almost reached the trees when a voice called my name. Not Marcus's voice.
"Maeve!"
I turned and saw someone
running toward me from the other side of the street. My heart jumped to my throat.
It was Luca.