Chapter 74 Suspect

Chapter 74 Suspect
Ava pov
It took a few days before my strength returned. I still felt a dull ache inside me, the kind that no herbs could ease, but at least I could walk around again without Raven or Cain worrying over every step I took.
I went back to making my herbs almost immediately. It kept my hands busy and my mind steady. I ground leaves, boiled roots, and mixed salves with slow movements, keeping my eyes sharp. I watched everything now, every hand that came near my herbs, every jar that seemed slightly moved.
Someone wanted to harm me.
Someone had already tried.
And I refused to be blindsided again.
Cain was always around. If he wasn’t standing by my door, he was sending guards to check on me. He tried not to show how worried he was, but I saw it in the way he watched me whenever he thought I wasn’t looking. I saw it in how he stood closer than usual, ready to catch me if I even swayed a little.
I appreciated it, but it also made the guilt inside me grow heavier.
One afternoon, when I finished packing a few herbs for the pack hospital, I went to the throne room to see him. The guards bowed as I walked in, and Cain looked up from the scroll he was reading.
The moment his eyes landed on me, he straightened.
“Ava,” he said softly.
He signaled the guards with one hand, and they immediately stepped out, closing the doors behind them.
We were alone.
I stepped forward slowly, my fingers twisting together. My chest felt tight. I didn’t want to say the words, but they had been sitting inside me since the moment I opened my eyes after the pain.
“Cain,” I whispered.
He stood and came closer. “What is it?”
I swallowed, my eyes dropping to the floor for a moment. “Am I… a failure?”
He paused. “What?”
“For losing the pregnancy.” My voice cracked. “I know you wanted it. I know it meant something to you. And I…” My throat closed, and I forced the words out. “I couldn’t keep it.”
Cain’s jaw tightened, but not in anger. More like something hurt him deeply.
“Ava.” He reached for my chin and lifted my face gently. “You are not a failure. Not even close.”
Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them back.
“You are a blessing to me,” he said firmly. “A blessing to this kingdom. Do not ever say that again.”
I looked at him, feeling my heart twist. He meant every word.
But something else had been sitting inside me, heavy and stubborn.
“I want to try again,” I whispered. “With the pregnancy.”
The shift in him was instant. His shoulders stiffened. His arms dropped to his sides. His eyes moved away for a second as if he needed to think before speaking.
“Ava… no,” he said quietly.
“No?” I stepped closer. “Cain, I want this. I’m ready. I—”
“Ava.” His voice was firmer now. “It’s not time.”
“I’m fine now—”
“You’re not.” He moved closer and put his hands on my arms. “You need to recover fully. Your body… Ava, you almost—” He stopped, swallowing hard. “I can’t risk losing you.”
“I won’t break,” I whispered.
“You’re human,” he said, his eyes pained. “And I’m an hybrid. Our world is different. Your body needs time. You can’t jump into trying again immediately.” He let out a slow breath. “It will happen. Soon. But not like this.”
I knew he was right. But part of me couldn’t stop thinking about the child I lost. The space it left inside me felt too cold, too empty.
Cain pulled me into his arms before I could argue again. His warmth surrounded me, strong and steady. His chin rested against my hair.
“I’m not saying no forever,” he murmured. “I’m saying… not yet.”
I nodded slowly against his chest. My hands clutched the back of his shirt for a moment before I forced myself to step away.
“I’ll go check on Raven,” I said, trying to push my emotions back where they wouldn’t spill out.
Cain brushed my cheek gently. “Don’t stay out too long.”
I smiled weakly and turned toward the door.
Raven was lying on her bed when I entered her room. Her baby was sleeping in a small cradle beside her, wrapped in warm blankets. Raven looked tired, but there was peace in her eyes as she watched her child.
“How are you?” I asked softly.
She looked up and immediately tried to sit straighter. “Better, now that you’re here.”
I walked to the cradle first and smiled at the tiny sleeping face. Raven’s baby was beautiful. Soft cheeks. Tiny hands curled into fists. A calm sleeper, unlike most newborns in the pack.
“I brought herbs,” I said, setting a small bag on the table. “These will help you regain strength faster. And there’s one for the baby in case he starts coughing at night.”
“Thank you.” Raven squeezed my hand.
But then her expression changed, sharper, more serious.
“Ava… you need to be careful.”
I raised a brow. “About what?”
“Not what. Who.” Her eyes darkened. “Emma. You cannot trust her.”
“I know,” I said quietly.
“No, Ava.” Raven leaned forward. “I mean it. She’s dangerous. Something about her has always felt wrong, but after what happened to you…” She shook her head. “I don’t believe it was an accident.”
“It wasn’t,” I said simply.
Her eyes widened. “So you know?”
“I don’t have proof,” I replied. “But I know she’s involved. And I’m going to catch her myself.”
Raven grabbed my shoulders gently. “Don’t face her alone.”
“I won’t confront her until I have evidence.” I squeezed her hand. “But I’m not letting this go. She hurt my child. She hurt me. She won’t get away with it.”
Raven pulled me into a tight hug. “Just be careful.”
“I will,” I whispered.
I left her chamber after a few minutes and stepped into the hallway. My mind was clearer now. My steps were steady. I walked toward the pack hospital, holding the herbs close to my chest.
There were still things to do. Still people to protect. Still threats hiding in shadows.
And I intended to face every single one of them