Chapter 4: Chapter 4

"What's her problem?" Ethan asked, looking at the front door, which Lou had slammed shut behind her.

"I have no idea."

I really had no idea and I hoped it had nothing to do with our little argument. Even I couldn't get this mysterious piece of paper out of my head. I would have loved to tell my boys about it, but they couldn't help me either, so I concentrated on keeping the fire going and drank a few more bottles of beer before the boys said goodbye and the night slowly came to an end.

After putting out the fire and collecting the empty bottles, I made my way to the hut to enter and take off my shoes. I figured she must be asleep, so I crept down the hall and peeked into the bedroom, but she wasn't there.

"Lou?" I asked quietly, knocking on the bathroom door.

"Yes?"

Her voice sounded awful, like she had been crying, and that made me anxiously answer the door without further questions.

The bright light briefly blinded me, but once I got used to it, I could see her clearly, sending shivers down my spine.

She sat wedged between the wall and the toilet and looked at me for help while tears ran down her tender cheeks and made me realize that something must have happened. My Malou wasn't a girl who wanted attention for no reason. If she cried, it was because something really hurt in her heart.

"What's going on?" I crouched down in front of her and took her cold hands in mine.

"Nothing," she croaked, and she had to clear her throat to even find her voice. "I was just sick."

I looked from her to the toilet and immediately my heart stopped. I got so dizzy I almost fell over backwards at the thought that she might be pregnant. Of course I loved her more than anything and that's exactly why I wanted to spend the next few years alone with her. Not that a child would mind, but I wouldn't enjoy going to a party without them. It wouldn't be the same and I wasn't ready for a family yet.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked in her small voice and it broke my heart to see her so weak.

"I don't have anything, but I'll put you to bed now. Hold on."

I picked her up by the waist and immediately she wrapped her arms and legs around me so tightly that even I felt a little pain. It was a good pain though, which just showed once again how much she loved me.

I carried her carefully to the bedroom and gently eased her into bed before trying to change clothes, but she wouldn't let me. She pulled me by the arm and snuggled tightly against my chest. Her soft, satisfied sigh brought me inner peace again and I pulled her closer to me to gently stroke her back.

"Sleep tight," I breathed, pulling the covers over her petite body, which was moving up and down evenly with her breath. There was no more answer from her and so I could now calmly close my eyes.

The question of pregnancy immediately crossed my mind and I just couldn't imagine it. Above all, she took that weird pill, or had she forgotten it? Shouldn't Ludwig see if she was pregnant? Where was Ludwig anyway?

All the questions cycled through my mind, already making my head pound. I tried to concentrate on her soft heartbeat and luckily fell asleep before the sun could start to shine through the window.

***

"Good morning darling."

I felt her hand on my chest and smiled and placed mine on hers.

"Good morning," I breathed back and already I felt her small, cold tip of the nose gently brushing against mine. I immediately pulled her to me and buried my face in her hair to take in her lovely scent deeply.

"Are you pregnant?" I whispered, pulling away from her to look into her warm brown eyes.

"No, what makes you think that?"

"Well, you were nauseous and moody yesterday."

She shook her head and looked at me seriously.

"I'm on the pill and I would never go off it without talking to you about it. It was just... oh that note messed me up."

I listened to her carefully and then nodded.

"Yes, I can understand that, but it certainly wasn't aimed at either of us," I tried to calm her down, but suddenly I could see fear in her eyes.

"And what if it's your mate?"

"Oh, Lou. What-"

A loud knock interrupted me and Lou immediately jumped up to hurry to the door.

I jumped out of bed excitedly hoping that the mystery would finally be solved and then when I threw open the door I got the shock of my life.

In front of me was a guy who seemed even taller than Chace. His arms were covered in tattoos, I noticed a silver watch on one wrist and his pecs were clearly visible through the white shirt.

I hesitated for a moment, but then looked up into his face and I immediately noticed his irises. One was grey, one was blue. A strange mixture but somehow they attracted me magically, so that my gaze lingered on him. My heart was racing as I took in his black hair and I was glad that Chace pulled me from that rigidity.

"Hey, can we help you somehow?" he asked the stranger and protectively placed himself a little in front of me.

The guy didn't say anything. He fixed me silently with his eyes and only after what felt like minutes turned to Chace.

"Sorry, my name is Alec and I came here with some of my pack. I just wanted to introduce myself personally to the Alpha."

His voice was dark, almost menacing, and when Chace shook his hand and then the guy gave it to me, I reluctantly took it.

"Lou," I whispered, and when our fingers touched, my entire body immediately started vibrating. Startled, I jerked my hand back and looked at Chace with wide eyes. I got hot and cold and felt like throwing up again.

The brunette looked from me back to Alec and then I saw that he knew exactly what had just happened here. He growled menacingly and turned his back on the stranger to usher me into the hut in front of him and slam the door behind us.

He didn't say anything, just paced back and forth angrily and then looked at the rose that was still lying on the table and desperately threw it against the wall. My whole body was shaking with excitement as I watched him. Before he could get lost in his anger any more, I ran over to hug him tightly.

"Calm down please," I whispered, rubbing his back soothingly. He pulled me tight to his quivering chest, almost choking me off. He didn't answer me, didn't say a word and we stood there like that for a long time until my brother came in the door in a good mood.

"Look who wanted to see you," he smiled, pretending to wave Darya's little hand while he held her in his arms. I looked into Jayden's eyes and he immediately looked at me with concern when he realized that Chace had stopped moving in my arms.

I did not know, what I should do. I was overwhelmed myself, but I knew one thing for sure. I would never leave Chace in my life. Hell would sooner freeze over.

Jayden came up to us and carefully put his hand on the brown-haired man's back so that he slowly broke away from me and I got a glimpse of his angry face.

"Go for a walk with Darya," my brother asked me and carefully handed her to me. I didn't understand anything anymore. I was completely exhausted myself and should take care of my niece in this state.

Without giving it a second thought, I left the hut with her in my arms and walked a little way into the forest, which looked absolutely beautiful with the sunbeams falling in. After a few minutes I found a cozy spot and sat on the ground, leaning against a tree with the little one on my lap, who had fallen asleep peacefully.

My thoughts revolved around Chace and it hurt me a lot not being able to be there for him, but what was he thinking? He knew me and my take on wolf instincts. He knew I wouldn't leave him for my mate, and without meaning to, I suddenly had to think of Alec. His brown skin, the different irises and his intoxicating voice, despite my reluctance to do so.

I immediately closed my eyes and banished the stranger from my mind. I wasn't a wolf, had rejected it wholeheartedly and was so content with my life. Why did this have to happen? I was sure Chace would calm down and we'd just forget about the stranger, but could I still?

Before I had an answer to this question, I heard a rustling behind me and opened my eyes in shock.