Crimson Moon Redemption: My Alpha's Brutal Mistake
Chapter 57: It’s Zeke (Annabelle)

Chapter 57: It’s Zeke (Annabelle)

Zion returned as promised, and though he didn’t disclose where he had been, he appeared content.

"We should head back to the pack house now," he said, lifting me into his arms. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck, a familiar gesture as he had carried me like this before.

Besides, he didn’t have a mate, so there was nothing to fear. My pup, whom I had agreed to be named Zeke, lay peacefully in the cot prepared for him. A month before my labor, Apphia, Alpha Zach, and Beta Madai had helped me set up this room.

My only sorrow was that Zeke didn’t want my breast milk, and for some reason, it saddened me. Like every she-wolf, I longed to hold my pup and provide him with breast milk, but things were different now.

"Bella, there is something I need to tell you," Zion said after we had dinner together. I hadn’t fully recovered but was feeling better than before.

"Beta Gaius approached me," he continued, and unease washed over me, though I pretended not to understand what he was referring to. "I don’t see how that concerns me." He smiled, but his expression turned stern.

"Well, he’s the protective wolf you didn’t tell me about, but it’s okay. He asked me to tell you to take good care of yourself and assured that he will do everything possible to clear your name."

What could have bonded them so closely for Beta Gaius to share such sensitive information?

"Was he here?" I inquired, noticing his change in expression as he forced a smile. "You need rest. I’ll have the maids prepare plenty of carrot juice for the pup. We can also try other foods you enjoyed during your pregnancy."

I sensed he was hiding something, but I trusted that Zion had my best interests at heart.

The following day, I was surprised with a party to celebrate my pup, and it was a beautiful gesture.

Since it was a workday, the celebration only lasted a few hours. Zeke didn’t open his eyes once, only sleeping after having his carrot juice.

While Zion fed him, he was speaking to Beta Madai, but he fell silent as soon as I approached.

"You’ve been keeping secrets lately," I observed after a couple of weeks of noticing his behavior. He smiled and replied, "Trust me, you wouldn’t want to hear about Zach, would you?" The mere mention of his name soured my mood, but he persisted. "You won’t prevent him from seeing his pup, will you?"

My throat constricted at the request, contemplating how I would feel encountering the monster again. It was still difficult for me to accept that he was the man from that fateful night when he showed an aversion to she-wolves.

However, the undeniable bond of being mates settled the matter. "I want to see him," I asserted, causing Zion to stare at me in disbelief. "Are you certain about this?"

I offered a bitter smile. "I initiated the rejection in the dream," I recounted, but he chuckled. "That doesn’t count, but I wouldn’t recommend visiting his tribe anytime soon."

He was right. I still questioned my readiness to confront him, but the truth remained that I didn’t want him near my pup. "Then I don’t want him near Zeke. He sought to harm him upon learning of my pregnancy, so he doesn’t deserve to be a father."

Zion nodded as I tended to Zeke, and I was granted months away from work and training. When it was time for me to return to work, Beta Madai introduced a she-wolf whom I didn’t particularly like.

"Bella, Alpha instructed me to find you a professional nanny. Abbia is great with kids," Beta Madai explained.

The nanny wore a sweet smile, but Sai and I were both hesitant about this arrangement. ’What could go wrong with caring for our pup ourselves?’ Sai remarked.

’For once, I agree with my rival,’ May chimed in, confirming my initial instinct.

"Thank you, but I feel the need to bond with my pup, so I will bring him to work and training. Zeke is well-behaved," I asserted.

Abbia’s smile faltered briefly but quickly returned. "I understand how difficult it can be for mothers to part with their pups, but trust me, your pup will be in good hands."

Just as I was about to protest, Zion intervened. "Bella, you’ve already met Abbia. It was challenging to find a professional nanny, but with your skills needed at the factory, I went the extra mile."

Due to his considerate nature, I didn’t want to cause any trouble and reluctantly agreed.

"Alright, but she can start tomorrow. As for today, I’m mentally prepared to work with my pup," I explained. He didn’t argue and turned to Abbia.

"Beta Madai will show you to your room."

I left with Zion for the office, putting Zeke on a leash. He was so well-behaved that the other workers commended me, but I was surprised myself. Mentally, I had prepared myself for stress, but things turned out better than I had anticipated.

The Lunar Echoes Tribe had grown since my arrival, and the production had increased to meet the demands from other tribes.

This also meant that Zion had become wealthier. The more time we spent together, the more my heart yearned for him, and I waited to hear him propose again, but that never happened.

However, he had been quite secretive, and I stopped asking, knowing it was related to that monster. The next day, Abbia came to take Zeke from his room after I finished feeding him.

His food was centered around anything red, and at four months, he’d consume tomatoes, beets, or grapes. His favorite meat was venison, something I heard the monster liked too, and I couldn’t understand why, after everything, it felt like he was right in front of me.

’You are making a big mistake," Sai cautioned as I was leaving for work, and May agreed, ’Your wolf is wise, but it doesn’t mean I like her.’

I had grown accustomed to both of them, but I knew that eventually, one of them would have to leave. I was certain it would be Sai because, no matter what, I would never accept Alpha Zach.

Upon reaching the office, I was swamped with work, ignoring the warnings from my wolf and Lycan. Suddenly, an angry mindlink invaded my thoughts.

’Bella, you have to head back. It’s Zeke.’