CHAPTER 146: YOUNG LILITH XVIII

*~Young Lilith’s POV~*

Another month slipped by, and my stomach had grown heavy, round, and impossible to ignore. I was now well into my third trimester. Six months had passed since I’d been with Wendy, and in that time, we had grown closer than I ever thought possible.

I knew her daily routine by heart—the way she hummed when she prepared herbs, the exact time she rose to check the garden—and she knew mine, right down to the hours when my body begged for rest.

But still, I had never told her the truth. She knew nothing about my crescent blood, nothing about the shadows of my past. I hadn’t dared cast spells in front of her, partly because my body was too weak to even attempt such things, but also because I wanted to keep her safe. And yet, despite my silence, Wendy cared for me with a devotion that almost felt maternal. She studied me carefully, always providing the right mixture of herbs, always ensuring I ate enough to keep the child inside me strong.

Sometimes, my baby would kick hard, just as it was doing now. I was crouched beside the fire, helping Wendy stoke it, when the sudden thump from inside made me gasp. My hand flew to my stomach.

Wendy rushed to me instantly, worry in her eyes.

"Oh my God, are you all right?"

I exhaled and gave her a strained smile. "It’s kicking again."

Relief softened her face, and then she laughed warmly. "I can’t wait to know the gender of this child."

I nodded, rubbing my stomach. She guided me back inside the house and eased me onto the bed. "Very soon," she said with a twinkle in her eye, "in just a few weeks, our baby will be here. Have you thought of any names?"

I hesitated, then answered softly, "If it’s a boy, I’ll call him Henry. If it’s a girl... Hazel."

She smirked. "That’s a lovely choice."

But before I could reply, a sharp noise cut through the calm. A sound from outside—sharp, heavy, unmistakable. My heart froze. I struggled to my feet, my instincts pulling me toward the doorway.

What I saw made my blood run cold.

An arrow was buried deep in Wendy’s chest. She staggered, her eyes wide in pain. Behind her, figures moved through the shadows—sniffing, prowling. Wolves. My heart sank. Not just any wolves. Blue Moon wolves. I recognized their faces.

Panic surged. I ran back into the house, whispering the only spell I could still manage. "Versa." My body flickered, and I vanished into invisibility just as they entered.

"She isn’t here," one of them growled. They searched briefly, then left, their scent lingering long after their footsteps faded.

The spell broke, and I collapsed to the floor, gasping. Slowly, I pulled myself to my feet and stumbled outside.

Wendy’s body lay crumpled in the dirt.

I knelt beside her, tears spilling freely. "I knew I shouldn’t have stayed. Now you’re dead... all because of me." My voice cracked. I whispered the spell again. "Versa."

The ground opened, six feet deep. Gently, I laid her body inside, my hands trembling. Then I covered her back with earth. "Rest in peace, darling. You were such a sweet soul."

That night, I packed my things. I had no choice. I had to return to New Orleans. To my Crescent. They might not want me, but with my pregnancy... they would help.

The familiarity of New Orleans struck me first...My heart thudded with each step as I crept closer, hidden by the cover of thick bushes.

I dared not approach the High House. Not yet. Instead..I went inside the thick bushes where crescents are hiding..My stomach ached with each movement, sharp pains biting at me, but I pressed on, clutching the edge of my gown like it could steady me.

Then, suddenly, a figure stepped into my path.

I froze. My breath caught. Instinctively, I ducked behind a tree, though I knew it was too late. Whoever it was had already sensed me.

"Hello? Who’s there?"

The sound of her heartbeat told me before her voice did. Steady, fast, burning with recognition. Alice.

I leaned forward, peering around the tree, and saw the unmistakable blaze of red hair, the fury and sharpness of her green eyes scanning the woods. My chest tightened. Slowly, carefully, I stepped out, revealing myself.

Her mouth fell open. Her hands flew up to cover it. For a moment, she just stared, trembling.

"Oh my God... Lilith? Is it really you?" Her voice cracked with disbelief, her body shaking as tears welled in her eyes.

My own vision blurred as I nodded, tears slipping silently down my cheeks.

She ran to me, arms open wide, but stopped short, careful of the heavy swell of my stomach. Her embrace was gentle, trembling with both joy and sorrow. "I’ve missed you," she whispered against me. "I’ve been looking for you. Why did you leave me?" She tapped my forehead lightly, chiding through her sobs. Then she drew back, staring at me fully.

Her eyes dropped. Her hands pressed to her lips. "Lilith... you’re pregnant. You’re really—pregnant." Her voice broke, cracking into frantic questions. "Who? Who is the father? When did this happen? Why did you leave without telling anyone?"

Her words stabbed at me like knives. I wanted to answer, but my lips trembled, no sound escaping.

And then... I felt it.

Behind Alice, a shadow moved....Jonathan.

The moment his eyes found me, something inside me shattered. The warmth in his gaze—the gleam that once followed me everywhere—vanished in an instant, replaced by cold steel. His jaw clenched, and I could feel the distance stretching between us like a blade at my throat.

Fear gripped me. My hand tightened on Hallie’s sleeve, my body shaking. She glanced at me, realization flashing across her face.

She stepped forward, shielding me with her body, her arms spread wide as if to block his stare.

"Lilith," Jonathan said at last. His voice was sharp, controlled, but it cut through me like ice.

My knees weakened. My lips parted, but all I could manage was a whisper—half plea, half confession.

"...Jonathan."