The Alpha's Betrayal, I Married My Family's Killer - Chapter 9: Chapter 9
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The moon hung low in the sky, bathing Ivan's manicured estate in an eerie silver glow. I stood by the window, my fingers gripping the sill as I stared at the dark forest line. A silent prayer formed on my lips. Damon. I had to find him. I had to—
A chill ran down my spine—not from the night air, but from the secret growing inside me. My child. My unborn baby had become both my greatest vulnerability and my fiercest strength. A weapon others would use against me, but also the reason I'd fight like hell to survive.
I pressed a hand to my stomach, feeling that miraculous flutter beneath my palm. This tiny heartbeat was my light in the darkness, but also the bullseye on my back. Ivan would use it against me. Helena would exploit it. They'd all see it as weakness.
But they were wrong.
The soft knock made me jump. Helena stood in the doorway, those emerald eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Still awake?" she purred, her sickly-sweet tone dripping with fake concern. "You should be resting. Big day tomorrow."
My birthday. Twenty-five. A milestone that tasted like ashes.
"I'm not tired," I lied, keeping my voice steady even as my pulse hammered.
She stepped closer, her gaze dropping to my stomach like a predator eyeing prey. "You should be more careful," she whispered, venom lacing every word. "Accidents happen."
My jaw clenched. "He's safe. So am I."
Her smirk made my skin crawl. "We'll see about that."
Her laughter followed her down the hall, echoing like a bad omen. I turned back to the window, nails biting into my palms. I needed Damon. Needed out of this gilded prison. Needed to protect my baby.
But how?
Every escape route I imagined slammed shut before me. Ivan's watchful eyes were everywhere. The clock was ticking, each second bringing me closer to disaster.
Pacing the room, my bare feet slapped against cold marble. The silence pressed in until all I heard was my own frantic heartbeat. I needed to move. Now.
Then—a flash of memory. Damon's voice whispering about a hidden passage. A tunnel beneath the gnarled oak that led to the forest.
My breath caught. It was insane. Dangerous. My only shot.
I glanced at the moon—still high. Still time.
Fingers trembling, I reached for my mother's locket, the silver cool against my skin. Inside, Damon's message burned in my mind. He was alive. Waiting.
Decision made.
The window ledge felt rough beneath my palms as I hoisted myself up. Moonlight transformed the garden into a landscape of twisted shadows, but I knew my path—that ancient oak with roots like skeletal fingers.
Twenty feet down. No room for error.
Damon needed me. Freedom called.
I jumped.
The world spun—cold air rushing past, the scent of pine filling my lungs. Impact sent shockwaves through my body, but I stayed still, letting the pain ground me.
Free.
Shaking, I stood. The mansion loomed behind me, its windows like watching eyes. I turned my back on it without a second glance.
The forest swallowed me whole, earth softening my footsteps. Towering trees reached skyward, their branches clawing at the night, but for the first time, I wasn't afraid.
With each step, hope flared brighter.
The road ahead wouldn't be easy. The fight was far from over.
But I was ready. I'd find Damon. I'd protect what was mine.
A chill ran down my spine—not from the night air, but from the secret growing inside me. My child. My unborn baby had become both my greatest vulnerability and my fiercest strength. A weapon others would use against me, but also the reason I'd fight like hell to survive.
I pressed a hand to my stomach, feeling that miraculous flutter beneath my palm. This tiny heartbeat was my light in the darkness, but also the bullseye on my back. Ivan would use it against me. Helena would exploit it. They'd all see it as weakness.
But they were wrong.
The soft knock made me jump. Helena stood in the doorway, those emerald eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Still awake?" she purred, her sickly-sweet tone dripping with fake concern. "You should be resting. Big day tomorrow."
My birthday. Twenty-five. A milestone that tasted like ashes.
"I'm not tired," I lied, keeping my voice steady even as my pulse hammered.
She stepped closer, her gaze dropping to my stomach like a predator eyeing prey. "You should be more careful," she whispered, venom lacing every word. "Accidents happen."
My jaw clenched. "He's safe. So am I."
Her smirk made my skin crawl. "We'll see about that."
Her laughter followed her down the hall, echoing like a bad omen. I turned back to the window, nails biting into my palms. I needed Damon. Needed out of this gilded prison. Needed to protect my baby.
But how?
Every escape route I imagined slammed shut before me. Ivan's watchful eyes were everywhere. The clock was ticking, each second bringing me closer to disaster.
Pacing the room, my bare feet slapped against cold marble. The silence pressed in until all I heard was my own frantic heartbeat. I needed to move. Now.
Then—a flash of memory. Damon's voice whispering about a hidden passage. A tunnel beneath the gnarled oak that led to the forest.
My breath caught. It was insane. Dangerous. My only shot.
I glanced at the moon—still high. Still time.
Fingers trembling, I reached for my mother's locket, the silver cool against my skin. Inside, Damon's message burned in my mind. He was alive. Waiting.
Decision made.
The window ledge felt rough beneath my palms as I hoisted myself up. Moonlight transformed the garden into a landscape of twisted shadows, but I knew my path—that ancient oak with roots like skeletal fingers.
Twenty feet down. No room for error.
Damon needed me. Freedom called.
I jumped.
The world spun—cold air rushing past, the scent of pine filling my lungs. Impact sent shockwaves through my body, but I stayed still, letting the pain ground me.
Free.
Shaking, I stood. The mansion loomed behind me, its windows like watching eyes. I turned my back on it without a second glance.
The forest swallowed me whole, earth softening my footsteps. Towering trees reached skyward, their branches clawing at the night, but for the first time, I wasn't afraid.
With each step, hope flared brighter.
The road ahead wouldn't be easy. The fight was far from over.
But I was ready. I'd find Damon. I'd protect what was mine.
End of The Alpha's Betrayal, I Married My Family's Killer Chapter 9. Continue reading Chapter 10 or return to The Alpha's Betrayal, I Married My Family's Killer book page.