Chapter 287

Chapter 287
Nathan's POV

I stood there dumbstruck, my hands involuntarily sliding from her shoulders as I instinctively stepped back. "What?"

A child? My child? I never imagined I could be a father again. My mind went blank while my heart pounded like it might burst through my chest.

Seeing my reaction, Lira's face fell, a chill spreading across her features. I immediately realized how my response might be misinterpreted.

"We should confirm it," I quickly said, trying to compose myself. "You bought a test, right?"

She nodded, holding up the pharmacy bag.

We headed upstairs to the master bathroom together, my thoughts racing. If she really was pregnant, what would that mean? God, was I... really going to be a father again?

Lira entered the bathroom alone, leaving me anxiously waiting in the bedroom. Those few minutes felt like an eternity.

The timer's beep snapped me back to reality. I gently knocked on the door. "Lira? Is the result ready?"

"I can't look," her voice trembled from behind the door. "Can you come in?"

I pushed the door open to find Lira frozen in front of the sink, her gaze avoiding the small plastic stick.

"Do you want me to check?" I asked softly.

She nodded, tears glistening in her eyes.

I picked up the test, my heart thundering. When I saw the two clear lines, an indescribable feeling washed over me. "Lira," I said quietly, my throat tightening, "you're pregnant..."

She gasped, tears immediately spilling down her cheeks. A small whimper escaped her lips.

"I'm sorry..."

"Sorry?" Lira's head snapped up, pain and disbelief flashing in her eyes. "Are you apologizing for getting me pregnant? Do you really not want this baby?"

"NO! God, that's not what I meant," I immediately knelt before her, holding her hands tightly. "Becoming a father is a miracle I never dared imagine... but I'm worried this puts you in even greater danger." I took a deep breath, looking straight into her eyes, "Lira, I love you more than anything. The idea of starting a family with you—it's everything I didn't know I wanted."

"I want it too," she whispered, falling into my embrace. "A family with you."

---

Lira's POV

The next day, Nathan and I visited Sophie at the werewolf training camp. I couldn't wait to share our news with her.

The camp's massive gates slowly opened before us. Robert greeted us personally, his sharp eyes scanning me. "She's waiting for you," he said briefly, leading us through the corridors.

When we entered the conference room, Sophie practically jumped from her chair, her face lighting up. "Lira!" she squealed, rushing toward me, but just before embracing me, her body suddenly stiffened, her nose twitching slightly. She had detected the change in my scent.

Nevertheless, she hugged me firmly, just more carefully than usual. Robert nodded approvingly: "Well done, Sophie. Your self-control is improving rapidly."

"Thanks," Sophie smiled. "Could I speak with my friends alone?"

After Robert nodded and left, Sophie immediately pulled us to sit down. "GOD, I've been going CRAZY! I've missed you so much!" She squeezed my hand tightly. "How have you been? Is your work in New York going well? Is it super cool like in the movies—"

"Sophie," I took a deep breath, gently interrupting her. "I have something to tell you."

Sophie instantly quieted, eyebrows rising. "What is it? From your expression, is it good news or bad news?"

"I'm pregnant."

Sophie's eyes widened, completely freezing for a second. Then—

"WHAT? You're PREGNANT! OH! MY! GOD!" she screamed, leaping across the table like a spring to give me a massive bear hug.

"I'm going to be an AUNTIE! This is just—wow—INCREDIBLE!" She pulled back slightly, tears glistening in her eyes while her smile stretched ear to ear. "This is INSANE! I'm already thinking about what color to paint the nursery. Oh, I can teach this little one everything about—"

Her words cut off abruptly. Her eyes suddenly widened, her body stiffened, and her face turned paper-white in an instant.

"Sophie?" I nervously grabbed her arm. "What's wrong?"

But her eyes had already lost focus, her body beginning to shake violently.

"Sophie!" I clutched her hand in terror. "What's happening?"

Nathan moved quickly, supporting Sophie as she began to collapse, gently lowering her into a chair. "She's having a vision. Don't interrupt her."

Minutes later, Sophie snapped back to awareness, her eyes finding mine, filled with terror. "Your father," she gasped, her voice shaking. "Your father will be... killed!"

I felt a cold wave of fear. "What? Sophie, what did you see?"

But Sophie seemed unable to coherently describe everything she'd witnessed, her body still trembling, her eyes alternating between clarity and confusion. An idea flashed through my mind.

"Sophie," I said softly, cupping her face in my hands. "Look at me. I want to try something, okay?"

She nodded hazily.

I closed my eyes, pressing my forehead against hers, trying to recall the basics of mind magic that Stella had taught me. Suddenly, a powerful surge of energy flooded my mind, and the darkness before my eyes was replaced by vivid images—

I saw my father's ranch at sunset, the silhouette of the stables looking eerily peaceful in the twilight.

My father's voice called out: "Linda? Where are you? I'm back."

The scene shifted, and I saw myself entering the stable—no, seeing through Sophie's eyes—the interior was dim, but bright enough to see blood on the floor and a dead horse.

Linda knelt there, covered in blood, and when she looked up, I saw her eyes glowing an eerie gold.

No! Her eyes! Those were werewolf eyes!

My father walked into the stable, frozen in shock at the sight before him. "My God, Linda, what happened? Are you hurt?"

Linda's voice was low and raspy: "I need more... I can't control myself..." she trembled. "I need the drug! Damn it! Bruce is dead, and now no one can help me..."

Was she saying Bruce gave her drugs? What drugs?

My father confusedly stepped back: "What drug? What killing urge? Linda, what are you talking about?"

Linda smiled distortedly: "You don't even know my real name. Did you really think I loved you? Alan Anderson, you were just a cover for me, a tool."

Then I witnessed the most horrifying sight—Linda's body began to twist and transform, bones making skin-crawling cracking sounds, something moving beneath her skin. She transformed into a massive werewolf, golden eyes flashing with bloodlust.

No no no! Stop!

My father backed away in terror, but it was too late. Werewolf Linda lunged at him—

Dad! RUN!