Chapter 142

Chapter 142
Seraphina's POV

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the treatment center's floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating herb charts on the walls. Ember and I arrived at Donny's invitation.

"Come in, sit." Donny looked up as we entered, gesturing to chairs. He was carefully reviewing a parchment spread across his desk. "Seraphina, you look better than yesterday."

I nodded, sitting down, instinctively placing my hand on my slightly rounded belly. The cub seemed to sense my tension, moving gently.

"I've consulted all ancient healing texts," Donny said, pushing a parchment toward me. "Finally confirmed the complete purification ritual herb formula."

I took the parchment, reading carefully. Seventeen herbs, each with detailed collection requirements. My gaze stopped on three, brow furrowing slightly.

"Moonlight Vine, Star Tear Flower, Silver Vein Root." I read the names aloud quietly, heart sinking. "These three... only Howling Hall has them?"

"Correct." Donny sighed, explaining the rarity of these three herbs in detail. He walked to the window, gazing at the distant forest, voice turning grave. "But there's a problem now—tensions between packs have escalated recently. Though Howling Hall is neutral territory, security in surrounding areas has deteriorated significantly."

"Rogue wolves?" I asked, unease stirring.

"Not just rogues—exiled traitors too." Donny turned back. "They rob caravans, attack solitary wolves. Last month, a healer team was ambushed with heavy losses."

My hand unconsciously tightened, protecting my belly. I thought of the cub, that unborn life already facing mortal trials.

Donny returned to the desk, looking at me seriously. "I recommend you stay at Northern Peak to rest. I'll personally lead the team."

"No." I refused almost immediately. "I must go myself."

"Seraphina, you're pregnant—" Ember said worriedly.

"Precisely because I'm pregnant, I must go." I interrupted, standing and approaching Donny. "This concerns my cub's life. I can't entrust something this important entirely to others. My sense of smell can distinguish the subtlest herb quality differences. Moonlight Vine has genuine and fake varieties, Star Tear Flower petals must be processed immediately after picking, Silver Vein Root requires examining root vein patterns. These details can only be accurately judged through scent."

Donny fell silent momentarily, finally sighing. "If you insist... we'll need strong guards."

"I can request Northern Pack warriors—" I began.

"They're not as strong as Lucian."

The room fell into brief silence. I bit my lower lip, knowing they spoke truth.

"I'll consider other options." I finally said stiffly.

Donny looked at me, helplessness in his eyes. "Regardless, we must depart by the day after tomorrow at the latest. Think it over today."

I nodded, turning to leave. Just then, dizziness struck. My body swayed.

Ember quickly steadied me. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just tired." I waved it off, though my face had indeed paled.

Donny approached to examine me. After a moment, he frowned. "Your life force fluctuations are unstable. The cub is drawing your energy. You need your mate's life force support."

"I can supplement with herbs." I withdrew my hand.

"Herbs only alleviate, not cure." Donny said seriously. "Wolf cubs naturally need both parents' life force nourishment. Without the father's support, the cub will instinctively draw more from the mother. This severely damages your body."

I remained silent.

"At least consider letting him accompany us." Donny finally said. "Not just for safety, but for yours and the cub's health."

Leaving the treatment center, Ember carefully asked, "Will you really let Lucian come with us?"

I gazed at the distant forest, where a gray figure was faintly visible—Lucian still guarding.

"For the cub," I said quietly, "I can endure anything, including his presence."

But my voice still carried a barely perceptible tremor.

---

Sunset painted the sky brilliant orange-red. I sat at the wooden table inside my cabin, Donny's herb list spread before me. But my thoughts had long drifted away.

I'd been staring at this parchment for two hours without reading a single word. Echoing repeatedly in my mind was Donny's statement: "You're not one wolf now, you're two lives."

My hand gently stroked my belly, feeling the cub's faint but steady life force.

"I'm sorry, baby," I said quietly. "Mama will protect you, no matter the cost."

Just then, footsteps sounded outside. I looked up alertly, nose twitching—Lucian's scent.

I stood, walking to the window to look out.

Lucian stood outside my cabin. He wore formal Alpha leather armor, black leather inlaid with silver wolf head emblems. His hair was immaculately styled—clearly specially prepared.

But what shocked me most was his posture—kneeling on one knee, right fist pressed to his chest, head slightly bowed.

My heart pounded violently. I knew he was waiting for me to come out, but I didn't want to... didn't want to face him...

Yet he remained kneeling like that. Five minutes, ten minutes...

"He... how long has he been kneeling?" Ember emerged from the kitchen, staring shocked out the window.

"I don't know." My voice sounded distant.

"Seraphina, won't you go out? Letting an Alpha kneel like this?"

"That's his choice." I said this, but my fingers gripped the curtain tightly.

Another five minutes passed. The sky gradually darkened, the first star appearing. Lucian maintained his kneeling position.

I finally couldn't bear it. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and walked out.

"What... what are you doing?" I stood on the porch, maintaining distance from him.

Lucian raised his head, those amber eyes gleaming in the twilight. Obvious fatigue marked his face, eyes bloodshot.

"Seraphina," his voice was low and hoarse, "I heard you're going to Howling Hall."

"So what?" My tone was cold.

"Please allow me as a guard to accompany you." He said, each word slow and clear. "I promise to keep my distance, not disturb you, only ensure your safety."

"Not necessary." I refused almost immediately.

"Seraphina, I'm begging you." His voice carried pleading. "I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but the cub is innocent. Let me... let me at least protect our cub."

"Our cub." These words made my heart clench. I instinctively wanted to object—this is my cub! But the words stuck in my throat.

"The journey is dangerous," Lucian continued. "Rogue wolves prowl near Howling Hall. Donny is a healer, Ember has limited combat experience, and you..." His gaze fell on my slightly rounded belly. "You're pregnant. If attacked, you'd have no way to defend yourselves."

I bit my lower lip. Reason screamed: Don't agree! But my hand unconsciously rested on my belly. The cub moved gently.

Just then, Donny appeared from the path. "Seraphina, let him come. For the cub's safety."

I closed my eyes. Everyone kept saying "for the cub."

"If... if I agree," I opened my eyes, voice icy, "you must follow my rules."

Hope flashed in Lucian's eyes. "Any rules—I'll follow them."

I listed four rules—don't speak proactively on the road, keep distance, don't interfere with my decisions, don't mention anything about us.

To each one, he agreed. Even as obvious pain flashed in his eyes, he still nodded. "Alright, I promise you."

I stared at him long, confirming no deception in his eyes. Finally, I nodded stiffly.

"We depart at dawn tomorrow. Don't be late."

With that, I turned and entered the cabin, shutting the door firmly.

Leaning against the door, hand pressed to my chest. My heart raced, nearly bursting from my ribcage.

"Did I do right?" I asked the cub in my belly quietly. "Letting him come with us... did I do right?"

The cub moved gently, as if comforting me.

I smiled bitterly. "You little one—do you really want to see your father?"

Outside, the moon rose. Silver moonlight bathed me and that guarding figure beyond the door.