Chapter 186

My heartbeat thumped rapidly. I was sure I would lose him in a matter of minutes if I kept to the forest trees.

But I didn’t.

The faster I walked, the more Ryker tried to keep up. At one point, I began to slow down. My energy level began to drop, and I couldn’t walk as fast as I wanted.

I heard Ryker coming behind me, his steps were almost too quiet on the forest ground, but I heard him clearly.

I swallowed hard to ease the dryness in my throat. My heartbeat was faster, and my hands went numb from exhaustion.

“What is happening?” I mumbled“Why can’t I walk faster? Tiara?”

“Our child. We need to protect it.” Tiara said.

I frowned, placing one hand on my belly. “What?”

“We are pregnant, Eden.” Tiara said with excitement. “We have a pup. We need to tell our mate.”

I stopped.

“Wait- a child? How can I be pregnant already? I would know if I was pregnant.”

“You are pregant, Eden, and we much protect it.” Tiara answered.

I was speechless. Then I remembered the good sex I had with Eros in my room, just before Lord Shevek came into the picture.

I felt my stomach clench a little and I was nervous. I wasn’t sure I was ready to be a mother.

Not when I wasn’t sure if I would get Eros back or not. I don’t want to have a child without a father. I wanted my child to enjoy the bliss of having parents.

However, a certain depth of joy overwhelmed me. No matter how anxious I felt, I was happy to journey on the path of motherhood.

A protective instinct sprang from within me, and I imagined holding a baby in my arms. I remembered the words of the moon goddess.

She said my child would be great; I had to protect him no matter what.

But I still had no idea what she meant by danger. Was Lord Shevek the danger?

Suddenly, a twig snapped behind me. I turned sharply and saw Ryker.

“I was beginning to think I would never catch up with you,” he said as he stepped out from behind a tree, his hands clasped behind him.

I sighed.

“What are you doing here?” I kept walking, more slowly. I might as well try not run away from him. “What do you want?”

Ryker chuckled.

“I should be asking you what you are doing here.” Ryker said. “Last I remembered, you were supposed to be getting ready for the initiation ceremony.”

I scrunched my

face.

“It’s none of your business.” I snapped.

Ryker chuckled. “I saw you when you sneaked out of the house. And I decided to follow you.”

I stopped and looked at him in surprise. “You followed me?”

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He nodded.

How did I not notice?

As if he read my mind. Ryker smiled. “I’m good at getting unnoticed. If I didn’t want you to know I followed you, you wouldn’t

know.”

Once again, I was struck by how similar he looked to Eros.

I looked away and continued walking. I wasn’t pleased that Ryker had invaded my privacy in such a manner.

“So why did you sneak out of the mansion to use a pay phone? You could have asked for a phone in the mansion.” He said.

I eyed him. Could it be that he didn’t hear my conversation?

It was possible; despite the heightened ability to hear from afar, the distance between us when I made the call was a lot. Did he do it deliberately?

“Didn’t you listen to the conversation?” I asked just to be sure.

He shrugged. “I didn’t. I wanted you to tell me yourself why you stepped out of the house.”

I felt a little bit of relief. “It’s nothing. I just needed fresh air and decided to walk around and talk to my friends too.”

“Why did you sneak out? You could have just used the front gate.” He raised a brow.

I shook my head. “I didn’t think Lord Shevek would have let me go, and I needed a walk.”

Ryker nodded.

There was a small pause between us before he asked. “Do you have a mate?”

“Yes. I do.” I didn’t look at him.

Suddenly, I heard a low growl, followed by a strong grip on my arm. I gasped when Ryker spun me around.

“I didn’t think you would have a mate,” he hissed, his eyes narrowed on me.

He looked angry. I frowned. Why would he be angry? Feeling discomfort, I wiggled my arm away from his grip.

“But I have one. Besides, you should have a beloved too.” I said.

Ryker’s lips set into a straight line. “I don’t have a beloved.” He moved closer. “But I want to make you mine. My beloved.”

I coughed. My eyes grew wide from his words. I was taken aback and couldn’t reply immediately, but then I shook my head quickly.

“No! I have a mate. I would never betray him. I am loyal to him.” I said more firmly.

“Then where is he?” Ryker yelled.

I was taken aback as he continued; his voice became louder and bitter, and his eyes turned red from anger.

“I want you, and I would treat you better than he does.” His breaths became heavier, and his fangs were out.

I stepped back, scared. He soon realized what he had done and gasped.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted at you like that.”

I didn’t bother to reply. I was desperate to get out of there, and so I turned and started walking as fast I could through the

forest.

Ryker and I were the only ones here, if anything happened, no one would be able to come to my rescue.

Soon, I was on the same path that took me through the maze, and I saw the mansion up ahead.

I needed to get away from him into the safety of my room.

2/3

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Ryker suddenly appeared himself in front of me, and I came to a startled stop.

“What do you want from me?” I sneered.

Tiara was already uneasy. She was protective of our pup, and Ryker looked like a serious threat.

Ryker sniffed. “I can smell it.”

“Smell what?” I frowned.

“The pup.” He looked at my stomach. “You are pregnant.”

1 gasped. I quickly placed a hand over my stomach and shielded it from his view.

I stepped back quickly. “Stay away from me.”

He didn’t listen. “I don’t care about your child. We could raise it together.” His eyes stared at me with so much intensity. “All 1 want is you. I don’t care if you carry a child or not.”

“You are insane.” I growled

I turned away from him, but Ryker pulled me back immediately and forced me to himself. He wrapped his arm around my waist. I was trapped.

I opened my mouth in shock, and Ryker used that opportunity.

Before I could stop it, he swooped in and captured my lips with his. He kissed me hard, desperately.

I went still from shock

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