Tangled Hearts - The Alpha's Baby Mama

POV The moment Kragen’s father laid eyes on me, I felt the air in the garden shift. His eyes, so cold and sharp, bore into me with a disdain that was impossible to miss. It felt as if my very presence had offended him like I didn’t belong here—in this place or in Kragen’s life. I took a small step back instinctively, but before I could retreat further, Kragen moved.

In one fluid motion, he stepped in front of me, tucking me behind him protectively. His broad shoulders blocked my view of his father, but I could still feel the weight of the man’s stare lingering over me like a dark cloud.

"We’re just here to ask some questions," Kragen said, his voice calm but tense. "Once we’ve gotten what we need, we’ll be on our way."

His father scoffed, the sound bitter and filled with derision. "Questions?" he repeated, his tone dripping with scorn. "You think you can just waltz in here and ask questions like everything is normal? Do you even realize the risk you’re taking? Do you know how worried your mother has been? How the ’Fates’ have doubled their search because of your idiocy?"

Kragen stiffened in front of me. "I know the risks," he replied, his voice dangerously low. "I don’t need a lecture from you about what’s at stake."

The older man’s eyes flickered with anger. "Oh, you don’t need a lecture, do you?" His words were sharp, cutting through the tension. "You’re risking everything—for what? To prove you’re some kind of hero to this mere werewolf?" His eyes darted toward me again, and I felt the sting of his contempt like a physical blow.

The words stung, and I fought the urge to speak, to defend myself, but I stayed silent. This wasn’t my battle. Not yet.

Kragen’s fists clenched at his sides, the muscles in his arms tightening with barely suppressed rage. "Don’t call her that," he growled. "She’s not just some werewolf."