Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Elena’s POV

I just barely made it back to my room in time. I had only just leapt onto the bed, grabbing a book and opening it on my lap, when the door opened and my guard poked his head into the room. I prayed he couldn’t tell how fast I was breathing. How pale I was now that I had found that bassinet.

My guard stared at me for a moment, eyes narrowed with distrust. I flipped the page of my book and looked up at him. “Did you need something?”

He hesitated for a moment, then opened the door fully and stepped inside. “You have a visitor.”

I perked up at that and set aside the book. “A visitor? Who-”

My words cut off as the guard stepped aside, allowing a familiar figure to enter the room.

“Tyler,” I breathed, shooting to my feet. His eyes were wide as saucers as he stooped to fit his tall form through the doorframe, and froze, staring at me in complete shock.

“The Alpha said you have five minutes,” the guard said, then left.

}

The moment we were alone, Tyler surged toward me. I flung myself at him, collapsing into his arms. The sensation of his warmth surrounding me-I hadn’t realized just how much I missed it. How much I craved it. I leaned into him, savoring the first sensation of true safety that I’d felt in far too long.

“Elena, I’ve been so worried,” Tyler said, holding me closer. His breath tickled my hair as he spoke. “So has Father. We thought…”

His words trailed off, unable to bring himself to say more, but I knew what he was implying. They thought I was dead. That the wilds took me.

I pulled back just enough to look at him. “Did your mother not tell you?” I asked.

“She said you went to check on your child, but you never made it to the escort car. She blames herself, you know. She’s been inconsolable. She and Father will be so happy when I return with you.”

Of course Natasha said that. Of course she “blamed herself”. I still wasn’t entirely certain if she had ever truly intended to escort me to Crescent Hollow or if the entire thing had been a setup just to get me out of the picture. But now wasn’t the time for that. I had much bigger fish to fry right now than a woman who senselessly hated me.

“I came with warriors,” Tyler went on, looking at me imploringly. “Just say the word, and we’ll raze this place to the ground if that’s what we have to do to get you home.”

“No!” I blurted out. Tyler blinked in surprise, and I went on, “I can’t leave. I came for a reason, and I’m not leaving until I get what I came for.”

Tyler’s face fell. “Your child.”

“I think she’s here. I think they’re hiding her from me.”

“Elena… If the child truly exists, it’s the heir of an Alpha. Kade will protect her with his life. You know that, right?”

Did I know that? I wasn’t sure if I knew anything when it came to Kade.

“Well, if he does, then I’ll gladly sacrifice him to get my child back,” I said firmly.

1/3

Chapter 77

+25 Bonus

The irony wasn’t lost on me, and I knew that. When I’d been pregnant, I was never truly certain if I wanted to keep the baby. But now… Now I knew.

Ivy. That was the name I’d overheard Kade and Serena saying that night I’d snuck in. Was that my child’s name? Ivy? A sweet little girl with a name of poison… It was better than anything I could have ever wanted. I needed her. Needed to protect her.

“I have to get her,” I said to Tyler, digging my nails into his arms. “So I can’t leave. And you can’t attack. It could put my child in jeopardy. If Kade suspects my true identity and why I’m here, then he could retaliate, and then I’ll never have a chance to save my child.”

Tyler pulled his head back and looked down his nose at me with disbelief. “So you’re going to stay here,” he said. It wasn’t a question.

I nodded slowly.

He looked at me for a long time, and I could feel the emotions swirling through the bond we shared. Anger, frustration, terror… but there was also a thread of acceptance running through it.

“You’re not going to change your mind?” he whispered.

I shook my head. “When I’m ready to leave, I’ll find a way to do so on my own. But I’ll go when I’m ready.” For the first time in my life, I felt like I was truly making a decision on my own-not letting anyone else influence it.

This was what I wanted. My child.

Nothing else.

And I’d be damned, after what I just saw in Kade’s room, if I left without her in my arms.

I had rolled over and taken too much throughout my life. I had put aside my wants and needs for others–but no more. I would dig my heels in until my child was in my arms-or until I saw her dead body, although I desperately hoped that wouldn’t be the case.

Until one of those things happened, I wasn’t budging an inch.

Tyler looked at me for another long moment before resignation seemed to shadow his face. “If that’s the decision you’re making, then I won’t stand in your way,” he said. He released me and took a step back. “But if I don’t hear from you within two weeks, I’m coming back with the entire fucking military.”

My cheeks flushed faintly at that, and I smiled. “I don’t doubt that.” I reached out to touch his face. He leaned into my palm and shut his eyes briefly.

“I’ve been so worried, Elena. How did you survive the wilds on your own?”

“That’s a story for another day.” I dropped my hand back to my side and stepped away. “Now go. Before Kade gets pissed.”

Tyler looked like he wanted to argue, but he didn’t. He knew it would be useless.

On cue, the door opened and the guard stepped in, signalling the end of our five minutes. Tyler gave me one last uncertain look before he left. This time, the guard made sure to lock my door.

I didn’t hear a peep for two hours.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify