Oops… I Went Into Heat and My Alpha Daddies Claimed Me

Author’s POV

Callum seemed stunned for a moment. Then he regained himself. "What the hell were you thinking by doing that? I didn’t ask for your help, Vera. What are you even doing here?"

Vera did not answer Callum’s question. She held his gaze for a moment, then turned toward the windows overlooking the estate as though the sight beyond them was far more important than the accusation he had just asked.

"Whatever you were about to do here when they asked you that, you shouldn’t do it now," Vera said, keeping her voice calm. "The elders already have enough reasons to create problems, and with the Duskfen sitting outside our borders, the last thing you need is to give them another subject to fight over. If they are truly preparing for war, then every decision you make from this moment needs to be about keeping this pack standing."

Callum’s eyes narrowed. "You avoided my question."

She turned to him. "I did, because I don’t think the question matters as much as what is happening outside these walls. You have warriors waiting for orders, supplies that need to be moved, families who need to be protected and an enemy who has already made a move against you. If you allow yourself to get dragged into a council argument over rumors right now, you’ll be giving them exactly what they want."

Callum took a step toward her, his expression hardening. "Don’t tell me what matters. I decide what matters in this pack."

"And I’m not challenging that," Vera replied, remaining composed as ever. "I’m reminding you that the Duskfen won’t wait for you to finish dealing with your council. They’re already positioned outside your territory, and if they’re preparing to attack, they’ll be watching every mistake you make. Whatever the elders think about Keisha, whatever they think about you, that can be dealt with afterward. Right now, you need to prepare."

Dane, who had remained near the doorway, watched the exchange without interrupting.

Before Callum could respond, the doors opened again and a guard hurried inside. His face was pale, and there was something in the way he approached that immediately made Callum’s expression change.

"Alpha," the guard said, breathing heavily as he stopped several feet away. "You need to come outside."

Callum’s voice became sharp. "Why?"

"We received something at the outer gate. It’s a body."

The room went silent and Callum stared at him for a second before walking past him. "Take me to it."

Dane followed immediately, and Vera came behind them. The guard led them through the estate toward the entrance, where several warriors had gathered around something covered with a dark cloth. Nobody spoke as Callum approached and the soldiers standing around the body stepped aside, their expressions grim.

Callum stopped. "Move the cloth."

One of the guards hesitated before obeying.

The moment the face was revealed, Callum’s expression became completely still.

It was the messenger. The same guard he had personally assigned to carry his letter to the Duskfen.

For several seconds, nobody said anything. The man’s clothes were torn and his body carried obvious signs that he had not simply died on the road. The letter Callum had sent had been intended to open a conversation. Instead, the Duskfen had returned his messenger dead.

Dane stepped closer, his jaw tightening. "They sent him back."

Callum stared down at the body. "He was carrying a message from me. One that could have solved this growing tension. They could have sent a response."

Dane looked at the body again. "They chose not to."

Callum’s hands slowly curled into fists. "So that’s their answer."

Nobody spoke and Callum looked toward the guards surrounding them. "Get him cleaned and prepared properly. He was one of ours, and he will be buried with the respect he deserves. His family is to be informed personally, and whatever expenses they have from this point forward will be covered by the pack."

The guards immediately bowed their heads. "Yes, Alpha."

Callum turned away from the body, but the anger on his face had not disappeared. "They’ve made their choice."

Dane watched him carefully. "Callum—"

"No." Callum’s voice became harder, his expression filled with barely suppressed fury. "I offered them peace. I sent a messenger to ask why they were sitting outside our borders with an army. They answered by murdering the man carrying my words back to them. I’m done waiting for an explanation."

Dane understood what that meant. "We’ll prepare."

"We’ll do more than prepare." Callum turned toward him. "I want every border tightened. No one gets through without being identified. Increase the patrols, bring the warriors into their assigned positions and make sure the armories are ready. If Cael wants a war, then he’ll get one."

Dane nodded. "I’ll handle it."

He turned and began giving orders to the guards nearby. Vera followed him a few steps behind, leaving Callum standing near the entrance.

Before he could follow them, another guard approached with a sealed envelope. "Alpha, this arrived while you were outside. It was brought by a messenger from Ashveil."

Callum took the letter and broke the seal and his eyes moved across the page.

The message was from Alpha Riven of Ashveil.

Riven had heard about the Duskfen presence and the death of the messenger. He had not waited for an invitation. His warriors were already preparing to move, and Ashveil was offering its forces to stand alongside Callum’s pack against Cael.

Callum read the final lines twice before lowering the letter. "They’re coming already," he said quietly.

The guard nodded. "That’s what the messenger said, Alpha."

Callum looked toward the borders.

Why would Riven want to help Coldridge now? He couldn’t turn them away. Not when they were already at risk of losing the war.

*********

Dane had barely reached the next corridor when Vera caught up with him. "Dane." She called out, her vkicd sharp.

He stopped and turned. "What is it?"

She glanced around before stepping closer, making sure none of the nearby guards were within hearing distance. ""What happened in the hall cannot continue."

Dane’s expression hardened. "What exactly are you talking about?"

"The rumor about Keisha." She clarified.

He stared at her and Vera lowered her voice. "If the elders continue asking questions, you need to deny it. You cannot allow the pack to believe that Callum is involved with her."

Dane’s face became colder. "You’re asking me to lie."

She folded her arms. "I’m asking you to protect the pack during this time. The elders will remain curious."

Dane looked confused. "By throwing Keisha under the carriage?"

Vera shook her head. "By preventing a scandal from destroying the Alpha’s authority in the middle of a war. Think about what happens if the truth comes out now. Callum is already facing a rebellion, the Duskfen are preparing to attack and the council is looking for any excuse to challenge him. If the pack believes their Alpha has secretly taken an Omega as his mate and gotten her pregnant, what do you think happens when those rumors spread through every household?"

Dane didn’t answer.

Vera continued, watching him carefully. "And if they ask about you, you deny it too. Say that whatever happened between you and Keisha was something she pursued. Say she forced herself on you if you have to. Don’t admit to being her mate willingly. Don’t admit anything that gives the council another weapon."

Dane’s eyes narrowed. "You expect me to stand there while they destroy her reputation? So what if they know about her and Callum too? And what? I tell them my mate bond with her is a lie and wasn’t done of my free will?"

"I’m asking you to stop them from destroying the entire pack. It’s also going to protect her, you’re not seeing the reality of this."

"Those aren’t the same thing. You know damn well it won’t help her." Dane hissed.

"Let me remind you what would happen if the council uses her against Callum. You know how quickly people turn when they become frightened. Right now, they need an Alpha they can trust to lead them into a war. If they start questioning his judgment because of Keisha, you won’t be able to control what happens next." Her voice lowered and her eyes remained locked on him.

Dane remained silent, but his expression made it clear that he wasn’t convinced.

Vera sighed and softened her voice. "I’m not telling you this because I want to hurt her. You care about Keisha, and that’s exactly why you need to understand how dangerous this can become. If the council realizes how important she is to both of you, they’ll use her as leverage."

Dane looked away briefly before meeting her eyes again. "I understand what you’re saying."

Vera studied him. "Then do the right thing when you’re questioned."

Dane gave her no promise but Vera seemed to accept that, stepping back and adjusting her expression before turning away. "I trust you’ll make the sensible choice."

Then se walked off, leaving Dane standing alone in the corridor.