Run Away from My alpha a thousand times

Days blurred together like rain streaking down a forgotten window. Lucia had lost track of how long she'd been locked away in the same room—four days, maybe five. The curtains remained closed, the door always locked. And though food was placed on a tray three times a day morning, afternoon, and night. Lucia could barely bring herself to touch it.

She forced herself to nibble here and there, for the baby's sake. But her stomach rejected everything. The stress, the fear, the suffocating silence, it drained every ounce of her appetite.

She missed the world. She missed walking through her quiet neighborhood. She missed Cassandra's constant voice notes. She missed the smell of street food and the freedom of waking up without fear.

Worst of all, she missed Will.

Was he looking for her?

Did he hear her cry his name that day?

Did he believe she was still out there… or had he moved on?

Her only company had been the cold air, the soft hum of distant footsteps beyond the door, and her own thoughts sharp, bitter, haunting.

Then, one afternoon, the heavy door creaked open.

She didn't bother to look up. The servants never stayed long.

But this time, they didn't leave immediately.

Lucia slowly turned her head and froze.

Kaiden Cross stood in the doorway.

Her captor. The father of her child. The man who scared her… and confused her even more.

She turned her back to him without a word.

Kaiden stood silently for a moment. Then, without warning, he walked over to the bed and sat at its edge.

Lucia's body stiffened when she felt the bed dip. Then came something even more unexpected.

A soft touch.

His fingertips gently brushed through her blonde hair.

She hated herself for the way her body reacted. That small warmth that bloomed across her scalp and spread downward. She closed her eyes, reminding herself of who he was.

"I heard you've been avoiding food," Kaiden said quietly, withdrawing his hand.

Lucia didn't answer.

She just stared into the empty wall, trying to silence the sudden thunder of her heart.

A heavy pause settled between them.

Then, without warning, Lucia's vision spun. The walls twisted, the ceiling dipped, and a crushing wave of dizziness washed over her.

Her fingers slipped from the sheets as her entire body gave out. Darkness pulled her down before she could even call out.

Kaiden hadn't even turned his head when he noticed her stillness.

Something felt wrong.

She wasn't curled up like usual. She wasn't trembling. Her soft, choked sobs were gone.

He reached out to turn her over and his breath caught in his throat.

She was limp.

Her body lay heavy, her skin pale, her eyes shut tightly. He leaned in and touched her cheek. Ice. Her lips were slightly parted, but her breaths were so shallow they barely stirred the air.

"Lucia?" he whispered.

Nothing.

A strange panic seized his chest.

"Lucia!" he said louder, shaking her by the shoulders.

Still no response.

He had always been a man of control, a man who calculated every outcome before making a move. But now, he was spiraling.

His hands trembled as he shook her again. "Wake up. Wake up!"

No answer.

His voice cracked.

Not her. Anyone but her.

Kaiden froze, watching her face closely. A flicker. Had her brow moved? He wasn't sure. He leaned down, close to her ear.

"Wake up," he whispered. "Wake up for me."

His breath brushed against her ear, soft and warm.

Lucia frowned faintly and shifted slightly, turning her face away.

She was alive.

Relief flooded Kaiden's chest so fast it made him feel lightheaded.

She was alive.

Thank the moon goddess.

A strange warmth filled his chest, a feeling he hadn't felt in years relief, joy, and… protectiveness.

Still, something was wrong. Even though she was breathing, she was too weak. Too cold. He couldn't afford to risk it.

Kaiden stood up, pulled out his phone, and called the pack doctor immediately. While they waited, he sat by the bed, watching her every breath like it was the only thing that mattered.

Minutes later, the doctor arrived and went to work. After checking her vitals and running through some minor tests, the doctor turned to Kaiden.

"She fainted from extreme fatigue and lack of nourishment. But the baby is unharmed," he said with a cautious look.

She would be happy to hear that.

Kaiden's jaw tightened. "And her mental state?"

"She's likely overwhelmed, Alpha. And homesick." He paused. "She needs care. Rest. Gentleness."

Kaiden said nothing. He simply nodded and sat back down beside her, silent and still.

Lucia woke up to the sting of sunlight pressing through half-closed curtains and a sharp, stabbing pain in her head.

Her mouth was dry. Her limbs heavy. Something pinched at her wrist. She looked down and noticed the IV drip attached to her hand.

So it wasn't a dream.

The room was the same.

The door was still closed.

She hadn't been rescued.

Her stomach clenched in frustration and despair.

This is my life now?

Her hand instinctively went to her belly. Was the baby okay?

That's when she noticed him.

Kaiden.

He was sitting in the corner of the room, arms crossed, watching her with those unblinking green eyes.

Their gazes met.

She moved to close her eyes again, to pretend she hadn't noticed but it was too late. He had seen.

"You're awake," he said, his voice calm, almost relieved.

Lucia slowly sat up, still a little dizzy. She didn't respond.

"You've been skipping meals," he added in a more serious tone.

"If I was in my own house," she replied coldly, "I wouldn't have a reason to skip meals."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

She looked away, pressing a protective hand against her belly.

A flash of worry crossed her face but she quickly removed her hand before he could notice or ask. She did not want anything from him.

She couldn't let him find out. Not now. Not ever.

If he knew she was pregnant… if he found out the child was his…

She swallowed hard.

Kaiden stood slowly and approached the bed.

Lucia stiffened but didn't move.

He sat on the edge of the mattress again, his presence both magnetic and terrifying.

"I didn't want this," she muttered. "Any of this."

"I didn't want a wife ," he answered simply.

She looked up at him, startled by his honesty.

"But now that I have one," he added, "I'll keep her."

Her breath caught.

"You can't just… keep people, Kaiden. I'm not some possession."

"No," he said, his voice low. "You're something much more dangerous."

She blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He leaned forward, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. The gentle motion made her shiver.

"It means," he said quietly, "that you're the only person who's ever made me feel anything."

Lucia's throat tightened.

Her heart shouldn't be beating faster. Her stomach shouldn't be fluttering. But it was. And she hated it.

"You locked me in a room," she whispered. "You had people watch me. I'm not some broken doll you get to play with."

Kaiden stood and walked toward the window, drawing the curtains wide. The light poured in, illuminating the elegant roomand Lucia's pale face.

He turned back to her.

"I don't understand how to… care for people," he admitted. "But I can learn. If you give me time."

Lucia didn't speak. Her fingers clenched the bedsheet.

"I'm not asking for your trust," he said softly. "I'm asking for a chance to earn it."

She stared at him, unsure of what to say.

He moved closer again, slowly, and this time, knelt beside the bed.

"I'll have food brought to you," he said. "Anything you want. I'll stay away if it helps you eat."

Lucia looked down. She was too tired to argue.

"Fine," she muttered.

Kaiden didn't smile, but something in his eyes softened.

He stood and walked to the door. Just before exiting, he glanced back at her.

"I'll protect you, Lucia. Whether you want me to or not."

The door closed behind him. After all the reassurance he still couldn't let her out.

And for the first time in days, Lucia didn't feel like crying.

She still hated him.

Still wanted out.

But a small, quiet part of her—the part carrying a secret heartbeat—felt… less afraid.