31

Claire and the brunette girl transformed into their wolf forms and began a fierce fight in the arena. The excitement of the battle filled the entire space.

The lingering mystery of the other packs fighting for the position of Luna in our pack made me wonder about its significance. The loud cheers echoed in the arena, intensifying the atmosphere. I grew impatient, thinking about Edward.

As I tried to leave, Alex grabbed my wrist and pulled me into an embrace, resting his chin on my shoulder, and holding me close.

"Don't leave," Alex whispered, his arms tightening around me.

"If we stay here, there will be rumors. I'm sure you wouldn't want that after everything with Zen," I said calmly.

Alex let go of my body, and I spun around to see a conflicted expression on his face. A glimmer of hope sparked in my heart. His vulnerable look gave me an idea - maybe I could use it to escape from this pack once more.

The thought made my chest tighten. I didn't want to manipulate someone on purpose. It wasn't in my nature. But I had to protect my child. The thought continued to linger in my mind as we returned to the arena.

Back in the arena, Zen's intense gaze followed my every movement, as if he had been searching for me all along. Meanwhile, Edward was slouched in a corner, looking drained of strength.

When Edward noticed my presence, he tried to stand up, only to be restrained by the guards once more.

As the guards struck Edward in the back, forcing him to the ground once more, I couldn't help but cry out silently. Meanwhile, Claire's ruthless, brutal blows inflicted fatal wounds on the other wolf, engaged in a fierce battle.

The brunette fought back without hesitation, drawing cheers from the spectators on both sides. The smell of blood and the loud cheers made me feel nauseous.

The intense atmosphere overwhelmed me, causing me to fall to my knees in a dizzy state. Edward tried to reach me in a panic, but the chains held him back. Alex quickly grabbed me, looking confused.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked with concern in his voice. "What happened? Are you suddenly feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine, don't worry," I reassured Alex, not wanting Edward to leave my sight again. "It's somewhat normal in times like this," I muttered under my breath.

"You don't seem fine. You need to rest. Let me take you to the alpha's bedchamber," Alex offered.

"No!" I immediately refused.

Despite my protests, Alex effortlessly carried me once again, paying no heed to my objections.

"Let me go!" I shouted, trying to break free. Ignoring my struggles, Alex continued to walk with me in his arms. The chaos of the arena had captivated everyone's attention.

Silently, Alex made his way towards the exit, with Edward fighting against the guards in an attempt to reach me. A cold voice cut through the noise, stopping Alex in his tracks.

"Where do you think you are taking her?" Zen's disapproving gaze fell upon us as he asked.

Turning around while still holding me, Alex faced Zen, who wore a disapproving expression. Zen's brows knit together as his gaze swept over my body where it came in contact with Alex.

"Ella needs to rest," Alex replied calmly. "I'm just taking her to your room. There's nothing untoward about it."

"Ella should stay here tonight. Set her down," Zen stated with a calm yet icy demeanor.

"I will bring her back once she's feeling better. And shouldn't you be more concerned about your mate who's in trouble out there?" Alex retorted sarcastically.

Before Zen could retort, Alex swiftly exited the arena, leading me back to a spacious room within the packhouse. Carefully, he positioned me on the king-sized bed, his hands gently resting on my thighs as he knelt before me.

"Do you feel better now?" Alex inquired, his captivating gaze roaming over my body.

"I was perfectly fine out there. You didn't need to bring me here," I insisted, attempting to rise. However, my knees buckled beneath me, causing me to collapse back onto the bed.

Alex's hands moved swiftly to support me, ensuring no harm befell me. Our eyes met, and I couldn't help but be reminded of the intense moment we had shared not long before.

A wave of apprehension washed over me as memories flooded back. The last time we found ourselves in this position, Alex had nearly lost control, and I wasn't prepared to endure another such episode. With trembling hands, I pushed against Alex's chest, attempting to create some distance between us.

But Alex seemed to anticipate my reaction. He remained unmoved by my feeble attempts to push him away, gently caressing my face as he leaned in closer.

"Why are you so afraid of me? I would never do anything that you don't want," Alex murmured softly.

"Says the one who has already crossed boundaries, marking me without my consent," I muttered, my exhaustion evident in my voice.

"What happened?" Alex inquired innocently, his gaze searching mine for answers.

"Pregnancy happened," I replied calmly, the weight of my words hanging heavily in the air.