SECRETS OF NIGHTSHADE PACK

Caleb's pov.

“Caleb, you’ve been brooding all day. What’s wrong?” Victor, my Beta, asked, his voice laced with concern.

I sighed, staring at the mountain range in the distance. “I don't know what came over me, I rejected her, Victor. I pushed Akira away, thinking it was for the best. And now…” I paused, the words catching in my throat.

“What happened now, sir?” He curiously asked.

“I heard Akira is pregnant,” I said, with much tension slotting through my mind.

Victor frowned. “You mean the rumors are true? She’s pregnant?”

“It's hard to believe but I don’t think so,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair. “But what if she is? What if I made the biggest mistake of my life?”

"It's true Sir, Akira is pregnant," Victor said, his voice low but firm as we walked through the forest near the packhouse.

I stopped mid-step, my heart thudding painfully against my ribs. The words struck like a blow, and I couldn’t hide the crack in my voice as I asked, "Victor... Are you sure?"

Victor nodded. "The rumors are everywhere. Some say it’s yours."

“Rumors? Then it is never true if it happens to be a rumor,” I swiftly corrected.

“It is not just a rumor, Sir. There's a truth beneath; I confirm the truth from Darius, who met Akira, confirming her pregnancy.”

“That can't be possible, How?” I said, my chest tightened, anger and regret fighting for control.

I had rejected her and pushed her away when the bond had called for me to hold her close. It was the hardest decision of my life, but I thought I was protecting my pack and my future. Now, the thought of her carrying my pup—it was too much to bear.

"She left because of you," Victor continued, his tone sharp. "But maybe you’ve got one last chance to fix this mess."

I turned away, my thoughts spinning. Could this be the reason for my nightmare? Is there any possibility of making the biggest mistake of my life?

"I did what is expected, I did what's right, what do you even expect me to do, Victor?" I growled, my voice laced with frustration. "I can’t undo what’s done."

"You can try," he said simply. "Or live with regret forever.”

The words hung heavy in the air. I turned away, staring out the window at the forest that bordered our territory. Somewhere out there, Akira was living a life without me. Was she happier? Did she miss me at all?

“Alpha!” A voice called from the hallway. One of the younger warriors burst into the room, breathless. “We’ve got news—about Akira.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What is it?”

“She’s been spotted near the Silver Fang pack,” he said. “And she’s… she’s pregnant.”

The room went silent. Victor’s gaze locked onto mine, and I felt the weight of his unspoken thoughts. My stomach churned. If the rumors were true, if Akira was carrying my child, I had to know.

“Prepare the warriors,” I ordered. “We leave at dawn.”

Victor stepped forward, his expression cautious. “Are you sure about this? Walking into Silver Fang territory uninvited could start a war.”

“I don’t care,” I said firmly. “If she’s carrying my child, I need to bring her back.”

“Your pride is going to get you killed one day,” Victor muttered under his breath, but he followed my orders anyway.

“My pride? What are you talking about, victor?”. I curiously asked.

“With due respect, sir, there are things you need to put into consideration, and you also need to consider the lives of the people in the pack”.

His words struck me; I kept mute, trying to reflect and clarify what he had just said.

“Do you think I’m doing the right thing? Or did I make a mistake?” I asked about pacing around in my office.

Victor leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed.

“You know this: you rejected Caleb for hunting after her,” He simply replied. “Akira deserves better than that”.

His words stung though I wouldn't admit it. As Alpha of the Nightshade pack, I must never show any form of weakness because it's never an option, but the rumors of Akira and her pregnancy and the fact she left the pack haunted me. What If I'd been wrong?

I ran a hand through my hair. “I had my reasons for doing that, and that's best known to me, Victor.”

Victor pushed off the frame and stepped closer with his sharp eyes. “Of what reasons are you hiding from yourself? Is it because Akira wasn't good enough for you? Or were you afraid of what the pack would think?”.

I glowed low, warning him to back off, but deep down, I knew he was right, especially when I rejected Akira as my mate. I had told myself it was for the betterment of the pack.

She was quiet, not the fierce Luna I expected her to be. But now that she's gone there was a hole in my chest that nothing could fill.

Victor softly signed. “Sir, You’ve been restless ever since she left; maybe it's time you face the truth.”

“What truth are you talking about?” I snapped, though I already knew the answer.

“The truth will always be revealed. To be sincere, Caleb, you made a mistake”.

The word struck me heavily, causing me more pain and nightmares. I didn’t sleep that night. Akira’s face haunted me—her soft, sad eyes the last time I saw her. She’d begged me to reconsider and pleaded with me to trust in our bond. But I’d let my pride win.

The next morning, I made my decision.

"Prepare yourself, we’re o

Leaving soon," I ordered my Beta, Victor, who was always ready to challenge me.

"Where are we going?" he asked, arms crossed, his eyes sharp with suspicion.

"To find Akira."

Victor’s lips tightened, but he didn’t argue. "If that’s your choice, Alpha. But you know this won’t be easy. She’s not the same woman you rejected."

I didn’t need him to remind me of that. I already knew I was walking into a storm.

“We've got to act quickly. I care not to know if she's now a beast; the most important thing is to secure my pup”.

“But sir, how do we find her? She might be in a hidden race?” He asked, although his questions prompted my contemplation but I resisted it.

“Stop asking too many questions and follow my orders” I defensively struck back at him.

The journey took us deep into rogue territory. Every mile that passed only added to my nerves. What if she refused to see me? What if the pup wasn’t mine? Worse, what if she’d moved on?