Chapter 58 Who Are You?

Rachel's POV

My head throbbed with pain. Every part of my body ached as my eyelids fluttered a few times against the soft light filtering into the room.

I couldn't even remember where I was. My last memories were of fists and feet pummeling me relentlessly. All I could think about was protecting my baby, that tiny life inside me.

My baby!

The thought of my child made me snap my eyes open, emerald green irises wide with fear as I glanced down at myself. I wasn't in an alley anymore.

I was in a bedroom, though I couldn't see my stomach beneath the beautiful blanket covering me.

Confusion swept through me, but it didn't stop me from throwing back the covers to check my abdomen.

Though I could see bruises on my exposed arms and legs, when I lifted my shirt and pulled down the waistband of my pants slightly to see my belly, everything seemed intact.

Despite the pain radiating through my body, a sense of calm washed over me. I instinctively knew there was no reason to fear, because my child would be okay.

I could feel the mind-link with my little cub, faint but definitely there.

I readjusted my clothes and lowered the blanket, wondering where I was. If not for the pain and the unfamiliar surroundings, I might have believed everything that happened was just a dream.

This was a beautiful room with redwood furniture and large windows. The curtains were white, matching the bedspread and carpeting.

Across the room stood a large vanity with a wide mirror, though from my position, I couldn't see my reflection.

A bedside table next to me held a glass of water. My throat felt parched, and I longed to take a sip. The bed itself had a nice, soft mattress and plenty of pillows, large enough to fit at least two people comfortably.

It wasn't like the Moon Goddess Suite back at the castle, but it certainly wasn't a shabby place either.

So where was I—and how did I get here?

The door opened, and a man poked his head into the room.

Instinctively, I scrambled back against the headboard, knees pulled to my chest, arms wrapped around them. My copper hair fell around my face as I stared at the familiar face, ice-cold shock running through my veins.

Nathan!

So it's really him!

So after everything I've been through, I still couldn't escape him?

But as the man stepped further into the room, I realized it wasn't Nathan at all. There was no cold pine scent surrounding him.

Suddenly, I remembered what had happened when I first boarded the ship.

Why do I keep thinking I see him? What's wrong with me? Why do I think everyone looks like him?!

Yet as this man approached me, I couldn't help but notice the strong resemblance between him and Nathan. I wasn't going crazy after all.

He closed the door behind him. In a gentle, concerned voice, he said, "I'm glad to find you awake this time."

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice hoarse from disuse.

The man was tall and muscular, with the same chiseled jawline and dark hair, though his wasn't as black as Nathan's. The biggest difference was his smile—natural and warm, effortless in a way Nathan's rare, restrained smiles never were.

He didn't answer immediately, instead sitting on the edge of my bed and gently examining the wounds on my face. "Your face seems to be healing already. That's werewolf healing doing its job. I'm sure it still hurts, though. If you'd like, I can have Emma bring you more herbs."

"Who are you?" I asked again, instinctively flinching away from his touch.

I was still a breeder, a low-status werewolf, and I didn't want an unknown Alpha touching me freely.

The man smiled. "You can call me Carter."

I wondered if that was his real name or one he'd made up.

"Are you hungry?" he asked. "When you were brought here, your injuries were too severe. We just made sure you got water and Moon Goddess herbs, but now that you're awake, you should eat something to nourish you and the cub."

I still felt suspicious. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because..." Carter's voice softened, "I was furious about what happened to you. No one should do something like that to a pregnant she-wolf."

His sincerity was hard to believe, partly because he looked so much like Nathan, and Nathan would never express such gentle concern for anyone.

"A beautiful pregnant mother came to our territory, possibly to start fresh, and was attacked, robbed, and hurt by some rogue wolves," Carter explained. "It drives my Alpha nature absolutely crazy."

"How do you know I came here for a fresh start?" I questioned.

"Oh, that's why many lone wolves come here. Eclipse territory is a beautiful place to begin a new life. We welcome lone wolves seeking refuge."

I felt a flicker of warmth but remained cautious, knowing Madison might still be hunting me. I wrapped my arms protectively around my stomach, feeling the mind-link with my cub, reassuring myself it was safe for the moment in this environment.

"I'm not sure how long I'll stay," I said softly.

Carter looked disappointed, then explained, "As the territory guardian of Eclipse, I'm responsible for the safety here. I give you my Alpha's honor that whoever those bastards were who attacked you, I'll hunt them down and make sure they pay."

His tone gentled, his eyes flashing gold momentarily. "But that's not for you to worry about. You're safe in my territory. You can be sure of that."

I stared at him in shock, his protectiveness and scent reminding me of someone.

"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked.

"Just that you remind me of someone, that's all," I replied, my heart racing as my thoughts drifted back to Nathan.

Carter joked, "Some powerful, smart, devastatingly handsome Alpha, I bet." He struck a pose, raising one eyebrow, his scent radiating friendliness.

I couldn't help but laugh, my wolf also relaxing. "Um, someone smart and devastatingly handsome, yes..." I remained silent about the "kind" part, remembering Nathan's cold plans for me.

Carter placed his hand on my blanket-covered leg, but the gesture seemed comforting rather than possessive, with no aggressive Alpha scent, so I didn't feel uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry for what you went through," he said softly. "While you're in Eclipse, please know you'll be taken care of. I'll make sure every need of yours and your cub's is met. You can stay in my territory as long as you wish. If you came here looking for work, our territory always needs talented werewolves..."

"Thank you, but I've already troubled you enough..." My eyes reflected worry.

"It's no trouble at all. I insist!" Carter interrupted. "The Eclipse pack protects every mother wolf who needs help."

"But I'm sure I'm not the first crime victim in your territory," I said.

"No," Carter admitted. "But you might be the most special one."

My eyes widened, and Carter seemed embarrassed, clearing his throat. "I, uh, will have the kitchen prepare you something. Pregnant mothers need extra nutrition."

As he stood, I felt the room temperature drop a few degrees, as if his scent had been giving me a sense of familiar security, similar to Nathan's.

"Thank you," I said softly, my fingers unconsciously touching Nathan's moonstone pendant.

"Of course. Oh, I forgot to ask... what's your name?"

Remembering the identity I'd created earlier, I decided to keep my real name hidden for now. "Rose. My name is Rose."

Carter raised an eyebrow at the name, seeming slightly doubtful, but then nodded. "Rose. Beautiful name. Alright. I'll be back soon."

I waved as he left.

When he was gone, I sank back against the pillows, placing my hand on my stomach to feel my cub's faint heartbeat.

Carter seemed like a good Alpha, but I had a feeling I was missing something important—the similarities between him and Nathan were too obvious to be just physical.