Chapter 58 Three Days
Lulu
The baby was still red and scrunched up when Sandra placed him in my arms. He cried loudly, tiny fingers spreading as if reaching for my chest.
He was so small. But the gratitude I felt for bringing him into the world was enormous.
His little hand moved slowly, searching. Reflex. I stared at him without blinking. My heart hammered hard in my chest, and this strange fear crept in—like he might stop breathing if I stopped watching him.
“Feed him, Lulu,” Sandra said softly. “He needs to bond with you.”
I nodded. My hands trembled as I adjusted my clothes. The moment his tiny lips touched my skin, my whole body tensed. Then something shifted.
He sucked weakly at first. Then stronger.
The warmth in my chest didn’t hurt. It felt like energy flowing from me into him. I held my breath, feeling the soft movement of his tongue.
His fingers gripped my clothes. My eyes filled with tears.
“He’s hungry,” Sandra whispered. “That’s a good sign.”
Caspian stood beside the bed, watching us. For once, he didn’t have one of his usual teasing or soothing remarks ready.
There was dried blood on his sleeve. He hadn’t even bothered cleaning it off before sitting down near me.
“You look like you’re ready to kick anyone who so much as touches him,” he said quietly.
I glanced at him. “I’m a vicious woman. Just so you know.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Oh, I’ve known that for ages. Though right now your heart’s beating like mad because he’s feeding. Looks like I’ll have to share you for a bit.”
I nearly snapped at him. Nearly. But I knew he was trying to ease the tension, so I just let out a long breath.
“I’m serious, Caspian,” I said quietly. “Don’t joke about this.”
“I’m serious too,” he replied, voice lowering. “You need time to bond with him. Sandra’s right.”
Outside, footsteps echoed. The Gammas were moving. Caspian’s aura shifted—colder, sharper.
\[I want the perimeter tightened,\] he said through the mind link. \[Two at the front. Two at the back. No one comes near without permission.\]
\[Yes, Alpha,\] Gamma Oliver answered.
Caspian turned to Gamma Timothy. “You leave now. Secure the route to Cinderbloom City. Make sure there’s no ambush. Send word once it’s clear.”
I looked up sharply. “Cinderbloom?”
“We can’t stay here long,” he said. “It’s safer there. Only three miles from here. There’s a fortress and proper protection.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I said firmly.
The room fell silent.
“Lulu.”
“I’ve just given birth,” I said. “My body hasn’t recovered. My baby’s barely opened his eyes. I’m not dragging him on some journey.”
“The longer we stay, the bigger the risk,” he replied. “Three miles isn’t far.”
“I don’t care.”
I held my baby closer. He was still feeding. His breathing was slow and steady.
The old woman who’d helped us earlier stood by the door. Her hair was completely white, but her eyes were sharp and calm.
“You can’t move a mother and newborn in this condition,” she said quietly but firmly. “Her body’s still weak.”
Caspian looked at her. “The risk is still there.”
“There’s always risk,” she answered. “But travelling now could exhaust her. That won’t be good for the baby, Alpha.”
I held Caspian’s gaze. “I’m not going. Say what you like.”
His aura intensified. Cold. Dominant. His Alpha instinct rising.
And something inside me rose to meet it.
Heat spread through my chest. Not wild—but powerful. Tight.
“Don’t force me,” I said softly.
His eyes narrowed. “Are you challenging me?”
“No. I’m asking you to see what’s in front of you instead of acting on predictions. I’m protecting my child.”
A few long seconds passed.
Gamma Timothy waited for orders. Sandra held her breath. The old woman remained steady.
Finally, Caspian spoke, voice lower. “How long do you need?”
“Three days.”
“That’s too long.”
“Three days.”
The old woman stepped closer. “My name is Maera,” she said. “This house is large enough. You can stay here for now. No one in this village asks questions.”
Caspian studied her.
“Fine,” he said at last. “Three days. No more.”
Gamma Timothy received new instructions to continue securing the route in case we had to move.
I exhaled slowly. Some of the tension in my shoulders eased.
Maera’s house was simple but warm. Old wood, clean floors, the smell of burning logs in the hearth. A dud wolf who lived with her stood near the fireplace when we entered.
Maera introduced Rhea to me.
She was a grown woman with dark brown hair and soft, sorrowful eyes. There was no wolf aura around her. Empty. As though a part of her had never formed.
“I’ll prepare a room,” she said quietly.
Maera explained that Rhea had never been able to shift. Never found a mate. Never had a child.
I looked at her longer than I should have.
For a moment, Leia flashed through my mind. Even if she’d betrayed me with my baby’s father, she’d been a dud wolf too—like Rhea.
“He’s handsome. Must take after his father,” Rhea said gently, glancing at the baby and then at Caspian. “May I come closer?”
“It’s alright,” Sandra said. “His temperature’s stable now.”
I nodded. “Slowly. And just so you know, Caspian isn’t his father.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.”
Rhea approached carefully. She didn’t touch him straight away. Just looked. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
“He’s strong,” she whispered.
“He’d better be. He takes after his mother,” I replied.
That night, Maera offered to watch the baby while I rested.
“I’ve helped deliver many babies,” she said. “I know how to hold one who runs warm like this.”
I looked at Caspian.
He didn’t answer immediately.
Sandra, carrying blankets down from upstairs, spoke gently. “Your body needs to recover, Lulu. I’ll give you Elaria’s herbal remedy to speed the healing.”
I finally nodded. Reluctantly. But I couldn’t afford to collapse from exhaustion.
Rhea sat beside Maera, watching every movement as the baby was cradled. There was longing in her eyes.
Caspian came to my side as I lay down. “Are you sure?” he asked softly.
“I can still hear him breathing from here,” I murmured.
He sat beside the bed, brushing my hair carefully. “I never planned any of this,” he said quietly. “But I’ll learn.”
“What?”
“How to be a father.”
I looked at him.
“He’s not my blood,” he continued. “But that doesn’t matter. If he’s yours, he’s mine.”
My chest tightened. Something warm and unsettling flowed through me.
“Don’t say that if you’re not certain.”
“I’m never half-hearted. You know that. You accepted me as I am. I’ll do the same for you.”
He helped me lie back more comfortably, following Sandra’s advice so I wouldn’t strain myself.
The second day passed without incident. Security remained tight. Caspian barely slept, checking every corner of the village.
I fed my baby. Rested. Drank Sandra’s bitter potion and Elaria’s healing brew. My body slowly felt lighter, though still weak.
Rhea helped Maera change the baby’s cloths. She smiled more often now.
On the afternoon of the third day, I held my baby alone in the room.
Caspian was outside with the Gammas.
I gently pulled down the small cloth at the back of my baby’s neck. The fire-shaped birthmark was clear.
Suddenly, it glowed.
I froze as I reached to touch it. Heat flared in my chest the moment my finger brushed the mark.
The light pulsed.
And the world shifted.
I wasn’t in the room anymore. I saw the forest.
The bodies of the fallen Pyromancers lay scattered across the ground. Blood soaked into the soil. Ash drifted in the wind.
Then a shadow appeared. A hooded figure. I couldn’t see the face.
Their hand lifted. Dark red flames erupted from the earth.
The bodies moved. Their eyes opened. They breathed.
They rose.
By the Moon Goddess… I couldn’t even think straight.
I tried to scream. No sound came out.
The hooded figure turned slightly towards me. As if they knew I was watching.
Then everything vanished.
I was back in the room.
My baby whimpered softly in my arms. The birthmark stopped glowing.
My breathing was ragged.
They’re alive. The Pyromancers are alive. And someone brought them back.
I clutched my child tighter.
Three days won’t be enough.
“Alpha Caspian,” I called out, my voice shaking slightly. “There’s something you need to hear.”