Life continued quietly, almost blissfully, for Adrian and Celine. Days were filled with small, shared moments—morning breakfasts in soft sunlight, walks in the garden, whispered conversations by the fireplace, and evenings spent simply holding each other close.
Celine's pregnancy progressed steadily. Each kick, each tiny movement from their child reminded them both of the life they had created together—a life stronger than fear, stronger than Damien's shadow. With each passing month, they grew closer, their bond fortified by love, trust, and anticipation.
Another two months completing nine months of pregnancy passed without incident. The baby grew healthy and strong, moving within Celine with a rhythm that brought both joy and awe. Adrian remained vigilant, always alert, always protective, but he allowed himself to savor these quiet days with her.
Even Shadow seemed to sense the calm, curling at Celine's feet during long afternoons, a silent guardian alongside Adrian.
Though the threat of Damien still lingered somewhere in the distance, it felt for a time as if the world had slowed to accommodate their small bubble of peace. In those nine months, love, hope, and quiet anticipation became their refuge, each day bringing them closer to the moment they would finally meet their child.
Celine rested her hands over her belly one evening, smiling softly at Adrian. "Nine months," she whispered. "Can you believe it?"
Adrian held her close, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "I can. And I can't wait to meet our little miracle."
For now, at least, peace held them in its gentle embrace, and life moved forward in the quiet, steady rhythm of love.
One evening, Adrian had stepped out briefly, leaving Celine with a firm but gentle reminder.
"Stay inside, love," he said as he grabbed his coat. "Lock the doors when you're done, and I'll be back soon."
Celine nodded, but as soon as he left, she realized how restless she felt. The house felt quieter than usual, and the soft golden light of dusk spilling across the rooms called to her. She missed the feeling of air on her skin, the scent of flowers in the garden.
After a few moments of pacing, she couldn't resist any longer. Wrapping herself in a light shawl, she quietly stepped out through the back door, careful not to disturb the peace of the evening.
The garden was bathed in the fading glow of the sunset, shadows stretching long over the neatly trimmed paths. Celine took a deep breath, letting the cool air wash over her. She began to walk slowly, feeling the soft crunch of gravel beneath her feet. Each step was measured—careful for the baby, careful not to go too far—but liberating at the same time.
The scent of blooming jasmine filled the air, mingling with the distant sound of crickets and the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle evening breeze. For a moment, the tension of the day, the shadows of past dangers, and the knowledge of Damien's threat faded. She closed her eyes, letting herself savor the quiet, the freedom, the small miracle growing inside her.
Yet even in this peaceful moment, a part of her remained aware, alert. Something in her instincts whispered softly that the world outside wasn't entirely safe, and that vigilance—even in calm moments—was never to be abandoned.
Celine opened her eyes, gazing at the horizon where the sun had almost disappeared, and whispered to herself, "Just a little walk… just a little peace."
The garden seemed serene, but unseen in the shadows, something—or someone—was watching.
Celine continued walking slowly through the garden, savoring the fading warmth of the evening sun. She inhaled the scent of jasmine and felt the soft breeze brush against her face, completely unaware of the danger lurking nearby.
What she didn't know was that Damien had sent one of his wolves—a massive, black beast, silent and deadly—to watch them. The wolf had been stalking from the shadows, its glowing eyes fixed on Adrian and Celine from a distance, biding its time.
Celine rounded a small bend in the garden path, her mind elsewhere, when a sudden rustle in the bushes behind her made her instinctively shiver. She turned—and froze.
A massive black wolf stood there, its body coiled with tension, teeth bared in a furious snarl. Its eyes burned with an unnatural hatred, and its low growl vibrated through the air, sending a cold shiver down her spine.
Celine stumbled backward, her hands clutching her stomach instinctively. "No… no, stay back!" she whispered, terror overtaking her.
Her foot caught on the edge of the path, and she fell to the ground, heart hammering in her chest. The wolf advanced slowly, each step deliberate, teeth gleaming in the dim light. She scrambled backward, dragging herself along the gravel path, fear rooting her to the spot.
"Please… don't…" she whimpered, every instinct screaming at her to run, even as her legs trembled beneath her. The wolf followed relentlessly, its snarls growing louder, echoing in the still evening air.
Celine's breath came in shallow, terrified gasps. Her eyes darted around, searching desperately for a way to escape, but the path behind her was open, leaving her exposed. The black wolf prowled closer, its shadow stretching over her like a dark omen, teeth snapping just inches from her trembling hands.
Panic surged through her. She pressed her back against the ground, trying to make herself small, every nerve screaming as the creature loomed above her. Her heart pounded, and in that moment, she realized just how close danger had come—and how unprepared she had been to face it alone.
Adrian had been on his way back home, walking briskly, unaware that the evening had taken a dangerous turn. As he neared the house, a faint, trembling whisper reached him through the shadows.
"Adrian… please… help me… he's here to take our baby…"
Every word pierced him like a blade. He stopped, closing his eyes for a heartbeat, and focused entirely on Celine. He could sense the fear radiating from her—raw, pure, desperate. His pulse quickened, and without a second thought, he broke into a sprint.
Celine's eyes were wide with terror, her back pressed against the gravel path as the massive black wolf prepared to leap at her. She froze for a split second, paralyzed by fear.
But Adrian was faster. In the same instant the wolf lunged, a golden blur shot through the garden. Adrian had already transformed, his muscles rippling, claws extended, eyes glowing with fierce determination.
He collided with the wolf mid-air, knocking it off balance with a roar that shook the trees. The black beast snapped at him, but Adrian's strength and speed far surpassed it. He twisted, pinning the wolf against the ground, teeth bared, a low growl emanating from deep in his chest.
Celine watched, both terrified and awed, as Adrian stood between her and the wolf, his golden eyes locked onto the creature with unyielding resolve. Shadow appeared from the shadows, growling, ready to assist, but Adrian's power alone was already more than enough.
"Go… stay back, Celine!" Adrian barked, his voice a growl that resonated through the garden. He pressed his advantage, forcing the wolf to retreat, snarling and snapping but unable to break free from Adrian's dominance.
Celine's hands trembled as she clutched her stomach, tears brimming. "Adrian… you're… you're incredible," she whispered, awe mixing with relief.
Adrian's gaze softened for only a brief moment as he turned to her, though his stance remained defensive. "I won't let anyone touch you—or our child," he said, voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "Never."
The black wolf finally slunk back into the shadows, defeated for now, but its hatred burned like a promise. Adrian released a sharp growl of warning, ensuring it understood that the moment it came near again, it would face his full fury.
Celine sank to her knees, still trembling, and Adrian transformed back into his human form, kneeling beside her. He wrapped her in a protective embrace, holding her close against the pounding of his heart.
"You're safe now," he murmured, "I'm here. Always."
For the first time since the wolf appeared, Celine allowed herself to breathe, feeling the solid reassurance of Adrian's strength—and the certainty that, together, they could face any threat that came for their child.
Hidden deep in the forest, Damien watched through the shadows, his glowing eyes fixed on the garden. The wolf he had sent—strong, fierce, and loyal—had failed. His claws dug into the dirt as he ground his teeth, fury bubbling like fire beneath his calm facade.
"What?" he hissed under his breath, voice low but filled with disbelief. "Impossible… how could Adrian have arrived so fast?"
His mind raced, piecing together what he had sensed: Celine trembling, fear radiating from her very being, and then… Adrian, transformed, leaping like a golden shadow to intercept the attack. Damien's lips twisted into a snarl.
"They're stronger than I imagined," he muttered, pacing in the darkness. "The child… the Alpha bloodline… it makes him faster, sharper, unstoppable. And now my little spy failed."
He paused, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the house where Celine and Adrian stood safe—for now. His mind flickered with dark possibilities. "If I cannot take the child by stealth… then I will need a different approach. I will draw him out. I will separate them. And when I do…"
Damien's voice dropped to a whisper, almost reverent, tinged with madness. "…I will have what is rightfully mine. The hybrid. The heir. The one who carries the power I have sought for centuries."
A cold wind swept through the trees, but Damien barely noticed it. His focus was unyielding, his plans already forming like a storm about to break. He would not fail again. Not this time.
Shadow moved at his feet, sensing the darkness in Damien, but even the pack's instincts could not warn of the full fury and obsession burning in the Alpha's enemy. Damien's patience was a weapon, and Celine's evening walk had only stoked the flames.
"This ends soon," Damien whispered, eyes glinting with menace. "They cannot hide forever. And I will claim what belongs to me