Chapter 176

Chapter 176
Layla's POV

"Wait." Kael's eyes dropped to my stomach, where our baby grew. "Maybe it's not just you. What if it's recognizing the bloodline?"

I placed my free hand on my belly, feeling a flutter of movement. "You mean our baby? The child of the Soulless Pack Alpha and..." My voice trailed off as realization dawned. "And the daughter of the Rainier Shadow Pack Alpha."

"Exactly." Kael's expression softened. "Two powerful bloodlines combined."

I could see he was trying to rationalize it, maybe even comfort himself about not being able to draw the sword. But something felt off about that explanation.

"I don't think that's it," I said gently. "When I touched the hilt, I felt something... recognize me. Not our baby, but me."

Kael's jaw tightened. "Then why? Why you and not me or my father?"

I carefully set the sword back on its pedestal, the blue glow dimming slightly but not disappearing. "I don't know. Maybe it's not about bloodlines at all."

"What else could it be?" He wasn't angry, just confused and a little hurt.

I stepped closer to him, placing my hands on his chest. "What if it's about who you are, not who your parents were? Maybe Soulrend doesn't care about Alpha bloodlines. Maybe it cares about..." I searched for the right words. "About heart. About intention."

"Are you saying I lack heart?" His voice had an edge now.

"No! God, no." I pressed my forehead against his chest. "You have the biggest heart of anyone I know. But you also carry the weight of the Soulless Pack. You've been raised to be ruthless, to make hard decisions, to put the pack above everything."

"And you haven't?"

I looked up at him. "I wasn't raised as an Alpha or even in a pack. I grew up in an orphanage, fighting for scraps. I never had power to corrupt me."

Kael was quiet for a long moment, his green eyes searching mine. "You think the sword chose you because you're pure?"

"Not pure. Just... different. I don't know." I shrugged. "Or maybe the sword is broken and it's all bullshit."

That made him laugh, the tension breaking. He pulled me into his arms. "If the sword chose you, there's a reason. You're strong, Layla. Stronger than anyone gives you credit for, including yourself."

His words warmed me from the inside. "So what do we do now?"

"Now," he said, his expression turning serious, "we train. If Soulrend has chosen you, you need to learn how to use it."

"You want me to become a sword-wielding pregnant lady?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I want you to survive." He cupped my face. "Alex wants you dead. Olivia wants you dead. If they find out you can wield Soulrend..." He didn't finish the sentence.

"They'll want me dead even more," I completed for him.

"Exactly. So we stay here, we train, and we tell no one about this. Not until after the blood moon ceremony."

"No one? Not even Ruby?" I asked, thinking of my loyal friend.

"No one," Kael repeated firmly. "Not Ruby, not Thor, not anyone."

"Speaking of Ruby..." I suddenly remembered. "I haven't messaged her all day. She must be worried sick."

I turned to head upstairs, but Kael caught my wrist. "Wait. Let's go up together. I need to talk to you about something."

Back in the main room of the cabin, I grabbed my phone from my bag while Kael pulled on a t-shirt. When I unlocked my screen, I gasped.

"Shit. Twenty-three messages from Ruby and eleven from Thor." I scrolled through them quickly, my stomach knotting with guilt. "They're freaking out."

Kael sat beside me on the couch. "Layla, you can't respond to them."

"What?" I looked up from my phone. "They're worried about me!"

"I know, and I'm sorry." His face was sympathetic but firm. "But we can't risk it. This cabin is protected—magically and physically. No one can track us here. But the moment you send a message..."

"Our location could be compromised," I finished, understanding dawning. "But it's just Ruby and Thor."

"Is it?" Kael's eyes were intense. "Ruby's phone could be monitored. Conrad has access to Thor's pack. We can't be sure."

"So I'm just supposed to ignore them? Let them think I'm dead or something?" My voice rose.

"For a few days, yes." He reached for my hand. "It's not just about us anymore. It's about our baby."

I pulled my hand away. "Don't use our baby to manipulate me."

"I'm not manipulating you. I'm trying to protect you both." Frustration edged his voice.

"By isolating me from my friends? That's exactly what Olivia tried to do!"

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Kael's face hardened.

"I am nothing like Olivia." His voice was low and dangerous. "I'm trying to keep you alive, not control you."

"I know. I'm sorry." I sighed, setting my phone down. "I just hate this. All of it."

Kael's expression softened. "Me too." He ran his hand through his hair. "But we only have to hold out until the blood moon ceremony. After that, if we survive, you can message anyone you want."

"When you put it that way, how can I refuse?" I tried for a smile, but it felt weak.

"Come here." He opened his arms, and I slid into them, resting my head on his shoulder. "I promise, this will be over soon."

"One way or another," I muttered into his shirt.

"Hey." He tilted my chin up. "We're going to make it through this. You with your magic sword, me with my charming personality."

That got a genuine laugh out of me. "Your charming personality might be more dangerous than any sword."

"See? That's the spirit." He kissed the top of my head. "Now, let's get some rest. Training starts tomorrow."

That night in bed, I couldn't stop thinking about everything that had happened. Kael's warm body was pressed against my back, his arm draped protectively over me. I should have been exhausted, but my mind wouldn't shut off.

I turned to face him, surprised to find his green eyes open, watching me in the darkness.

"Can't sleep?" he murmured.

"Too much in my head." I traced the line of his jaw with my finger. "How are you so calm about all this?"

"Who says I'm calm?" He caught my hand and kissed my palm. "I'm terrified."

"You don't look terrified."

"Years of practice." His eyes crinkled at the corners. "Alpha 101: Never let them see you sweat."

I ran my hand down his chest to his abs, feeling the ridges of muscle. "No wonder Olivia's obsessed with you. Look at you."

He caught my wandering hand. "Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't bring her into our bed." His voice was soft but serious.

"Sorry." I sighed. "It's just... you're so beautiful it hurts sometimes. And rich. And powerful. You could have anyone."

"I only want you." His intensity made my breath catch. "I've only ever wanted you."

"Liar." I poked his side, making him flinch. "You wanted Olivia once."

"I wanted what I thought she was," he corrected, squirming as I poked him again. "Stop that. It tickles."

I grinned wickedly and attacked his sides with my fingers, making him jerk back.

"Layla! Quit it!" But he was laughing now, trying to catch my hands.

"Make me," I challenged, continuing my assault.

In one smooth motion, he flipped me onto my back, pinning my hands above my head. "I said quit it."

The playfulness in his eyes had been replaced by something darker, hungrier. My breath quickened.

"Or what?" I whispered.

He lowered his head, his lips brushing my ear. "Or I'll have to teach you a lesson about respecting your Alpha."