The Alpha's Betrayal, I Married My Family's Killer - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

The basement walls seemed to shrink around us, the air heavy with dust. The only light came from a flickering lantern in the corner, casting long shadows as we waited—hours now—for Ivan's sentinels to give up and leave.
Above us, faint howls echoed, claws scraping against the cabin's wooden floorboards. They were still searching.
Damon sat beside me, his back pressed against the cold stone wall, one arm draped over his bent knee. He hadn't spoken in a while, but the tension in his shoulders gave him away. He was always on edge—especially when it came to me.
His dark eyes flicked toward me. "How are you holding up?"
I exhaled slowly, pressing a hand to my belly. "Tired. But I'll manage."
Damon frowned, his gaze lingering a beat too long. "You should rest."
I shook my head. "Not while we're trapped like this."
His jaw tightened, but he didn't argue.
Amara had been pacing the room, murmuring incantations under her breath, reinforcing the magic that kept us hidden. Finally, she stopped and faced us.
"They'll give up soon," she said. "But not for long. Ivan will send more."
Damon clenched his fists. "Then we can't stay here."
I met his gaze, my chest tightening. Where would we even go?
"We move at dawn," Amara continued. "I have contacts in the south—people who hate Ivan just as much as you do. They'll help."
A flicker of hope stirred inside me. "People who'll fight against him?"
Amara nodded. "If we make it to them, we'll have a real chance."
Damon's expression hardened. "Then we leave at first light."
I leaned my head back against the stone, exhaling. Finally—a plan, a direction.
But deep down, I knew the truth. Ivan wouldn't stop hunting us. Not until he got what he wanted.
Not until he had me.
The moment dawn broke, we moved.
The forest was wrapped in mist, making it harder to see—but also harder to be seen. Damon stayed close, his hand hovering near my waist, ready to catch me if I stumbled.
Amara led the way, her steps unnervingly silent.
I tightened my cloak around me, shivering against the cold. My belly felt heavier with every step, a constant reminder—I wasn't just carrying myself anymore.
Damon slowed his pace to match mine. "Tell me if you need to stop."
I glanced up at him, my heart doing that stupid little flutter again. "I'm fine."
He didn't look convinced.
We moved quickly, deeper into the trees, following a hidden path Amara swore would lead us to a safe house.
Then—
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
I froze.
Damon's grip on my wrist tightened. "They found us."
Amara cursed under her breath. "Move!"
We ran.
My heartbeat pounded in my ears as we weaved through the trees. My legs ached, my lungs burned, but I pushed forward.
Branches snapped behind us—too close.
Damon suddenly veered left, yanking me with him. "This way!"
I barely had time to react before we were tumbling down a rocky slope, hidden by thick undergrowth. I landed hard, Damon's arm locking around me as we crouched low.
Boots thundered past us—Ivan's men.
I held my breath, pressing a hand over my mouth to keep from gasping.
Damon's palm rested on the back of my neck, steadying me. Protecting me.
I turned slightly, our faces inches apart. His breathing was ragged, his eyes sharp—but there was something else there, something I couldn't name.
Something that made my stomach twist in a way that had nothing to do with fear.
The voices above faded. The sentinels were moving on.
After a long moment, Amara whispered, "They're gone. For now."
Damon released me, his touch lingering just a second too long before he pulled away.
"We need to keep moving," he murmured.
I nodded, ignoring the way my heart was racing for an entirely different reason now.
By the time we reached the abandoned cottage Amara had mentioned, exhaustion had settled deep into my bones.
The place was small, half-buried in overgrown vines, smelling of dust and damp wood—but it was safe. Damon insisted on checking the perimeter before letting me rest.
"You're always watching over me," I murmured as he helped me sit by the fireplace.
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Someone has to."
My chest ached. "Damon—"
He didn't look at me. Not at first. But then, slowly, his gaze met mine.
Something unspoken passed between us—a fragile, dangerous truth.
I wasn't sure who moved first—him or me.
But suddenly, his forehead was resting against mine, his breath warm against my lips.
My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. I shouldn't feel this way. But I did.
He had been there when I was broken. He had fought for me when no one else had.
And now, I was falling for him.
Damon swallowed hard, pulling back just slightly. His voice was barely a whisper. "We can't."
I knew what he meant.
I was pregnant with another man's child. A man who wanted us both dead.
I let out a shaky breath. "I know."
But the truth was—it was already too late.
Amara stepped into the room, her face grim. "We have a problem."
Damon straightened immediately. "What is it?"
She hesitated before saying, "Ivan knows where we're going."