Destroy My Life In You
Chapter 82: Good News Amidst Doom: Their Child

Chapter 82: Good News Amidst Doom: Their Child

In a spun, almost two weeks had gone by. The sun was high in the sky, yet despite the bright warmth of the day, neither Ravenna nor Alaric had left the bed.

Alaric lay shirtless, sprawled across the bed, his head resting against Ravenna’s bare stomach. His arm was lazily draped over her hip, holding her close as if afraid she might vanish.

His eyes were closed, allowing himself to exist in the moment, as he let himself drown in her scent. But then, something shifted the more conscious kicked in. He heard a faint heartbeat.

Alaric’s eyes snapped open. He held his breath, listening carefully. There it was again. The heartbeat.

It was subtle, almost imperceptible, as an old experienced vampire, his senses were sharper than anyone’s.

Now, it was the second day he was hearing it. It was so faint that he had thought it was an echo of his own mind. He had even checked the island, searching for any unknown person, but found nothing. Yet now, lying with his ear pressed against Ravenna’s stomach, the heartbeat was slightly louder than the previous day.

Alaric slowly sat up, his eyes narrowing. His instincts flared up, demanding to find the intruder. He swang his legs over the edge of the bed and stood, staring at the window, but the sound started fading away. Frowning, he sprang to the window, pushing aside the curtain. He strained his eyes and ears, but the heartbeat had completely faded.

A sigh escaped his lips, and after a moment of contemplation, he turned back toward the bed, intent on curling back against Ravenna. He was about to lay his head on her tummy again, but then...

Thump.

Thump.

Alaric froze. His gaze snapped on Ravenna’s face, as realization dawned on him like a bolt of lightning. The faint heartbeat was coming from inside her. Her tummy.

For a long moment, he did not move, did not breathe. His entire world tilted.

A child. She was... carrying their child. The faint heartbeat, it was their child’s heartbeat.

Shock coursed through him like wildfire, leaving him frozen in place. Slowly, cautiously, he lowered himself onto the bed, pressing his ear against her stomach once more.

Thump. Thump.

His breath hitched. It was real. The heartbeat was steady, quiet but strong.

Alaric’s chest tightened as realization dawned deeper into him. He was going to be a father.

His mind reeled further. Never, not in his long, cursed existence, had he ever considered the possibility of having a child, as vampires could not reproduce. But he had forgotten a part of him was a wolf. And that part had defied the impossible.

He slowly sat up, his hands running through his hair. His heart pounded erratically in his chest as a storm of emotions surged through him. Fear, confusion, disbelief. But above all, an indescribable joy.

He was going to be someone’s father. His and Ravenna’s little one would be born in just a few months.

The words felt foreign in his mind, yet he could not stop them from settling deep within him.

Alaric abruptly stood from the bed, pacing back and forth. His thoughts raced wildly, trying to make sense of this new reality.

Ravenna stirred slightly but did not wake up.

Alaric paused, his gaze softening as he looked at her. How would she react? Would she be happy, scared and confused like he was? After all, they had never talked about such things.

Alaric clenched his jaw, hands balling into a fist, countless thoughts running wildly on his mind. It was then it also dawned on him the risks following him. He had enemies. Many of them. And currently, one of them was on the move. If they learned of this, they would stop at nothing to destroy what he held dear.

His expression darkened. He had to get this done immediately. Find that person and finish him off before he got to them again.

He sat down on the bed side. "I’m such a mess," he murmured gazing at Ravenna guiltily. "But one thing I know, I’ll protect you both with my life." His voice was quiet vow to her, their child and to himself.

Ravenna stirred again, this time her brows furrowing. A small pout touched her lips as she shifted, then her eyelids fluttered open.

Alaric quickly masked his emotions, forcing a smile onto his lips.

Her eyes met his, still laced with sleep. "What are you mumbling about?"

Alaric chuckled, reaching up to brush her hair from her face. "Nothing you need to worry about, love. I was just thinking of what I should make for you."

She narrowed her eyes at him but didn’t push. Instead, she smiled and curled closer into his warmth, taking advantage now that he was being super sweet. She didn’t know when he would go back to his cold zone.

For a moment, he simply held her, listening to the faint heartbeat he now knew was their. It rhymed with hers, filling his heart with complex emotions. He now had two people to give his love to. He was already getting impatient to hold their little one in his arms.

With a soft chuckle, he kissed the top of her head tightening his hug.

Ravenna raised her head smiling knowingly. "You’re being extra sweet today. Is it because of tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?"

Ravenna rolled her eyes. "My birthday, you idiot."

Alaric stiffened. He had completely forgotten about it. He was failing her already. The following day was hntold of what would happen. It was uncertain if it would be end peacefully or chaos would arise.

"You forgot, didn’t you?" Ravenna laughed soft, pressing her face into his chest.

"Of course not." He replied, then smirked.

Ravenna arched a brow but didn’t call him out on his obvious lie. Instead, she simply sngmuggked closer, sighing contentedly. "Good. I expect something special." She giggled childishly and closed her eyes.

Alaric’s heart ached. She had no idea. Tomorrow was not just her birthday. But the day trials would begin.

He was conflicted. He didn’t want to hide anything from her as he had promise, but some things were better kept hidden to avoid deeper heartaches. As for her pregnancy, he would tell her once tomorrow was over.

He lowered his lips to her forehead, placing a lingering kiss there. "I’ll protect you," he murmured.

Ravenna smiled sleepily, unaware of the deeper meaning behind his words. Her voice was soft when she whispered, "I know."

No matter what came their way, he was prepared. He was not just fighting for her, but also for little life they had unknowingly created. He knew she would also do the same if she were in his position.

*****************

Finn paced back and forth, his fingers clenching as frustration boiled beneath his skin. His phone was pressed tightly against his ear. The screen dimmed before he pulled away, staring at it angrily.

"Still nothing," he muttered, shoving the device into his pocket. "I’ve tried calling Alaric countless times. No response. "

Zander stood up from the sofa, his expression anything but calm. "Then we don’t have to wait. We need to head to the island before it’s too late." His voice was sharp, leaving no room for argument.

The other, Finn, Nyx, Luke, Zeke and Seth agreed.

Zander didn’t hesitate. Pulling put his phone, he quickly dialed a number. "Lysander," he spoke firmly, "gathet the others and head to the location I’m sending you. Now." He ended the call swiftly.

"We need to get there before nightfall.

Nyx narrowed her eyes, asking, "Is this all a coincidence or do the werewolves also know the truth?"

Her words sent a ripple of unease through the room.

"We can’t be sure. They have been tracking Ravenna for months now."

"Whatever the case, we need to make sure she’s protected until the shift is over." Zander added.

Zeke and Seth were looking back and forth wondering what they were speaking about. All they knew was the werewolves would be attacking the island Ravenna and Alaric were in. But it seemed there was something else.

"What’s with all this secret talks?" Zeke enquired with a frown.

"Yes, I was about to ask the same." Seth added.

Finn sighed deeply while gritting his teeth in annoyance. "There’s no time for explanations."

The two frowned but dared not ask more. They could sense the thick air around them and knew whatever the mayyer was, it was not light. Hence, they held back their curiosity.

Zander was the first to make a move. In a blink, he disappeared. Finn smirked and walked towards Nyx and without a warning, he unceremoniously scooped her into his arms and took off, following Zander in a blur.

Luke, Zeke and Seth wasted no time. Their bones cracked and shifted, body morphing into black wolves. Their eyes glowed as their claws dug into the floor. Then, with a final glance, they launched forward, sprinting after the others, their powerful limbs propelling them faster than normal wolves.