Broken Souls

Blaire White

I opened my eyes to a dark, damp cell that reeked with the stench of blood and death. I blinked several times to be sure I wasn't having a nightmare, but the rusted bars stared back at me, and the only sound I could make out was of water dripping somewhere.

I tried to move my arm, only to realise it was chained to the wall, as were my feet. Looking down, my eyes widened in shock at my very pregnant belly. I began to hyperventilate, my heart beating out of control, when it finally dawned on me that it wasn't a dream after all. Maybe London had only been a good dream, my mind conjured up to keep me sane.

“H-hera,” my voice cracked as I tried reaching out to my wolf but received no answer.

I tried over and over again with no success, wailing over the feeling of emptiness that overcame me.

I shivered when I felt the temperature drop a few degrees lower, scrunching up my nose as the smell of decaying carcasses permeated the air. I gasped in horror when a hooded figure appeared before me, its pale, bony fingers tracing from my neck down to my racing heart.

”Who are y–,” A piercing pain overtook my senses, and I screamed for a full minute, my breath coming out in short pants when the pain seized. I raised my head slowly, my teeth chattering as fear churned in my stomach, when I saw a dagger in his hand.

My pleading eyes did nothing to faze him as he moved to my side. My eyes followed his every move as fear overcame my senses, and I felt warm liquid running down my thighs. Looking down, I realised it was blood. My heart hurt looking at it; the pain was unlike anything I had ever felt, like I was losing something I didn't know I had.

I raised my head slowly, my eyes meeting steel grey orbs, knowing it was only a figment of my imagination and that none of it was real to begin with. This moment was my reality, not London.

I felt my tormentor drag the sharp edge of the dagger down my chest, earning a painful gasp from me. The next second, he slashed the dagger across my shoulder blade, and I screamed, feeling my blood soak through the fabric of my tattered shirt.

He suddenly stabbed the dagger into my left thigh, ripping it out ruthlessly, and I could only manage a wheeze as I felt dizzy from all the blood loss. With bated breath, I watched him raise the dagger coated in my blood over my heart.

I closed my eyes in anticipation, unable to take the pain anymore and just wanting to die.

The sound of the dagger clattering to the ground had my eyes snapping open, only to be met with feral orange eyes. I screamed, but it was drowned out by water clogging my senses as I felt myself slowly drifting to the bottom of the ocean. Bubbles formed as my last breath escaped my burning lungs, my body feeling like it weighed a tonne as I was slowly dragged down to the dark depths.

My eyes fluttered shut, and in an instant, I saw my whole life flash before my eyes. Meeting London, getting rejected, his cruelty, and everything in between playing in a loop.

***

I jolted awake, gasping for breath as I felt myself choking. My body shook in fear as I slowly came to realise that the incessant beeping of the heart monitor was bringing me back to reality. I found myself in a hospital room, and the soothing touch on my forearm drew my attention away from the white ceiling I had been staring at to slowly meet London's familiar grey orbs.

I gasped, snatching my hand back and quickly backing up against the headboard of my hospital bed.

“My love, it's just me,” he spoke in a soothing tone, holding his hand up in surrender to show he meant no harm.

“Are you real?” I asked slowly, wanting to be sure it wasn't just another nightmare where he was a monster.

“Yes, my love,” he answered quickly, his brows furrowing in concern.

“It wasn't a nightmare, Blaire.” Hera's voice sounded deep within the recesses of my mind, and I furrowed my brows.

“What?” I whispered.

“Everything you saw was real; only it was in another life,” Hera whispered, her eyes filled with pain. I slowly lifted my gaze to London's, seeing concern mirrored in his eyes.

“Fuyu knew about it, so I'm sure London knows too,” Hera said, her voice trailing off as she retreated into the depths of my subconscious, leaving me confused and hurt.

“Did you know about our first life together?” I asked carefully, searching his eyes for any hint of deceit but finding none. He sighed and nodded, then took a seat on the stool close to my bed, gently taking my hand in his and caressing the back of my palm with the pad of his finger.

“I only found out today, and yes, it was real,” he answered, his gaze never wavering from mine.

“My love, I know there is nothing I could do to erase the pain I caused you in the previous lifetime, but I will try to make up for my sins every single day I am with you in this lifetime,” he murmured, his deep baritone thick with emotion.

Make it up? He was a heartless beast. What if he doesn't change?

I exhaled shakily, trying to come to terms with everything that had happened within such a short span of time.

“I love you so much, Blaire. I can never live without you by my side,” he rasped, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. I stared at the Alpha King, whom the world knew as the White Conqueror, shedding tears in front of me.

Despite my doubts, I knew I had to give him a chance. London seemed genuine in his remorse, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes.

"I believe you, London," I said softly, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"But for now, we have to take things one step at a time. However, I forgive you," I whispered, a small smile stretching my lips as his grey eyes lit up like lightning streaks in the dark sky.

“But what about Freya?” I asked, slowly looking down. He lifted my chin to stare into my eyes with warmth.

“She was nothing to me before, and she's nothing even now,” he responded.

“I'm sorry I didn't tell you about her sooner, my love," he apologised, and I nodded. He grinned, pulling me into a warm embrace that felt like home. Pulling away, he caressed my chin, staring into my eyes as if I were the most precious thing he'd ever seen.

A knock on the door interrupted our tender moment, and the door opened to reveal a young brown-haired man clad in a white lab coat. I assumed he was the pack doctor. He bowed as soon as he walked in, smiling when he noticed I was awake.

“How is she, Miller?” London asked in a serious tone when Dr. Miller came to stand beside my bed with my chart in his hands.

“She is a little dehydrated, but she will be fine. All in all, they're both in good health,” he said, looking down at his chart and scribbling something.

Wait, they?

I thought with furrowed brows, but before I could voice my thoughts, London beat me to it.

“What do you mean 'they'?” he asked, tilting his head. Dr. Miller paused his scribbling to stare at him with a raised brow before his eyes slowly met mine. When I continued to stare at him in confusion, his face broke into a wide smile, and he slowly lowered his chart.

“The Luna is expecting," he smiled, and I stared wide-eyed, stunned at the news. That explained my fatigue and why I couldn't keep food down. But the question remained: Was I ready for a child, especially after finding out about my past life?

“Are you certain of this?” London whispered in disbelief. When Dr. Miller nodded enthusiastically and replied, “Yes, My King,”

London beamed, throwing his arms around me and embracing me, running his fingers through my hair as though I were some fragile porcelain doll that could break easily.

When he pulled back, his eyes were filled with unshed tears, and I smiled as tears also filled my eyes.

“There is another thing,” Dr. Miller said, and we turned to him with furrowed brows.

“The Luna is carrying twins,” I gasped, while London's eyes widened in surprise. Then he slowly blinked and looked back at me.

“I'll leave you to it.” Dr. Miller excused himself, slowly shutting the door behind him.

"We're going to be parents," he murmured, his voice filled with wonder. I managed a shaky smile, still trying to process the news.

Becoming a mother was something I had never imagined for myself, especially considering everything that had happened. But as I looked into London's eyes, I knew that it was nothing but a blessing to have his babies.

“I have no clue what it takes to be a father because I had a shitty father figure,” London confessed, staring into my eyes with a small smile.

“But now I not only have one but double the opportunity to be a better father,” he whispered, and I couldn't help the tears that rolled down my cheek. Watching this man be vulnerable in front of me, my heart felt full.

"I know you will be a great father to our children, London, just like how you are trying to be a good mate, and I can't help but love you for that," I replied with a smile. His lips met mine instantly, and my eyes fluttered shut as he kissed me slowly and passionately. It was a kiss that obviously could never erase our past mistakes but could surely heal our broken souls.

As our lips parted, London gazed into my eyes with a tenderness that melted my heart.

"I promise to cherish you, Blaire, for as long as I live," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.