Prologue
Twenty Eight Years ago...
Tara sprinted through the dense forest, battling against the relentless rain and howling wind that threatened to hold her back. Suddenly, her foot caught on a hidden branch, causing her to stumble. With sheer determination, she reached out and clung onto a nearby tree, seeking refuge and a moment to catch her breath. Her gaze drifted down to her swelling stomach, a testament to the life growing inside her. It was a moment of profound love and anticipation. Sensing her hesitation, Tara’s brother turned back, his concern etched on his face, and swiftly made his way back to her side, “Tara. Come on. We’re not far.”
Tara shakes her head, “I can’t, Tobias. My water broke hours ago. I’ve been holding on, but I can’t anymore. She’s coming. Now. the baby is coming.”
He locks eyes with me, his gaze shifting from my face to my belly. A resolute nod escapes his lips as he turns his attention to his trusted Beta, gesturing towards something behind him. The unspoken determination in his actions spoke volumes, “Andrew. We’re gonna have to do it here.”
His eyes widen in sheer horror as he takes in the sight of the siblings before him, “Here?! You have got to be kidding me. If we don’t keep moving, they’ll catch up to us.”
He swiftly removes his jacket and carefully lays it on the floor. Then he turns to his Beta, giving them a determined look, “We don’t have a choice. Hand over your jacket.”
He shakes his head and takes off his jacket. Tobias lays both jackets on the ground, and Tara rests on them. Then, Tobias positions himself behind his sister, placing his legs on either side of her and firmly holding onto her hands. He looks up at his Beta and nods his head.
Andrew kneels down, pushes Tara’s skirt up and starts to feel between her legs, “I’ve got a head.”
He looks at Tara, “Listen to me, Tara. I need you to push with every contraction. Got it.”
Tara tightly holds onto her brother, their bond providing strength and reassurance. As the contractions become more intense, she pushes with all her might, feeling the weight of each contraction as if her life depended on it. Time seems to stand still as they endure the labour together, the anticipation building with each passing moment.
And then, finally, sweet relief washes over Tara as she pushes with all her might, and the baby makes its grand entrance into the world. Exhausted yet elated, Tara collapses onto her brother, feeling a mix of emotions flooding through her. She hears the beautiful cry of her newborn, a sound that brings tears of joy to her eyes.
Looking up, Tara sees Andrew wrapping her in his jacket, providing warmth and comfort in this precious moment. His smile radiates love and support as he hands her the baby, “Tara, meet your beautiful baby girl.”
Tara’s eyes welled up with tears of love and awe as she looked down at her precious daughter. The soft, delicate touch of her little fingers covering half her face fills Tara’s heart with tenderness. She gently glides her finger down her daughter’s face, revelling in the sensation of the baby-soft skin beneath her touch.
In that profound moment, Tara’s entire world revolves around her daughter. The overwhelming joy and love she feels for her little one is beyond words, transcending anything else in existence. It’s a love that knows no bounds, a love that stretches across time and space.
As Tara cherishes this precious moment, a bittersweet realization tugs at her heart. She knows that her daughter is in danger, and it ignites an unyielding fire within her to protect her at all costs. With every fibre of her being, Tara is determined to shield her daughter from harm and provide a safe and secure future.
But in that fleeting instant, as Tara looks into her daughter’s innocent eyes, she yearns for time to stand still. She wishes she could freeze this moment, encapsulating the pure love and joy they share forever. Reality beckons, and with unwavering strength and a mother’s love, she asks for the impossible from her brother. With tears streaming down her face, she grabs her brother’s hand and looks up at him, “Tobias, I need you to listen to me. I need to take her and keep her safe.”
He nods his head, “I’m going to keep you both safe.”
Tara shakes her head, “No. I can’t go with you. You have to leave me here.”
Tobias looks down at his sister in horror, “The fuck are you talking about. You’re talking absolute rubbish. We’re all going to get out of here. Alive.”
Tara places her hand on her brother’s face, “Listen to me. I don’t have the strength to keep going, and if you carry me, I will slow you down. You need to leave me here…”
Tobias starts to shake his head, but she stops him, “You don’t have a choice. You need to take her and keep her safe. If I go with you, they will know where she is, and they will come for her.”
Tara sees the unshed tears in her brother’s eyes, “Please, Tara. Don’t ask this of me. I just got you back.”
She smiles up at her brother in sadness, “I know, but there is nothing more important than keeping her safe and alive. He won’t hurt me. Even after all the horror and atrocities he’s committed, he won’t hurt his mate.”
Tobias grabs onto his sister’s hand and kisses her palm, “Please.”
She gives her brother a bittersweet smile, “Go.”
They all suddenly shift their attention towards the sound of the ground crunching. It’s a clear sign that wolves have ventured into the depths of the forest.
They were found.
Tara looks down at her daughter and places her forehead on the baby’s. “My sweet baby, you’ve got that powerful Alpha blood flowing through your veins! You’re destined to be a natural leader, strong and unstoppable. The love you’ll receive in life will be boundless, shaping you into an incredible individual. One day, you’ll become a remarkable leader, showing love, mercy, and fairness to your people. Mama wants you to always remember this: she loves you with all her heart, my sweet girl.”
She gives one final kiss to the baby, her heart filled with love and a touch of sadness. With gentle care, she places the baby in her brother’s arms, trusting him to protect and care for their little one. As she looks up at her brother, a mixture of emotions dances across her face, “Protect her. Love her. She can’t ever find out about me or where she came from. Please, Tobias.”
With determination and love, Tobias looks down at his sister, a glimmer of pride in his eyes, “I’ll protect her.”
Tobias leans down and kisses his sister on the head, “I will find you again, Tara. I promise you that. I love you.”
Tears streaming down Tara’s face, she gives one final smile, “I love you too, little brother.”
Tara stares at her daughter, her gaze filled with a mixture of love, pride, and a touch of bittersweetness. She takes in every detail, wanting to capture this moment forever in her heart. With a final look, she whispers, “And I love you, my sweet Amelia.”
