The Alpha’s Purchased Glave
Chapter 250
Rachel’s POV
“What do you want now?” I asked, my voice more tired than angry.
The past weeks had drained me of the energy required for rage.
His eyes moved from me to our son, sleeping peacefully in the wooden cradle he’d carved:
Something in Nathan’s expression softened as he gazed at our child, the hard lines around his mouth asing into something almost tender.
It was moments like these that confused me most—glimpses of the man I’d fallen for, buried beneath the tyrant who’d imprisoned me.
Then he looked up at me tenderly.
“You look better,” he said finally, studying my face. “You have more color. More energy.
I let out a humorless laugh. “What did you expect? I’m a prisoner held against my will, only recently allowed to see my friends, and barely reconnecting with my child who’s hardly seen me since I arrived. Should I be grateful? Is that what you
want?”
I could see him fighting back a retort, his jaw clenching briefly before he controlled himself. I’m glad you’re eating, babe.
Babe…
“Well, a promise is a promise,” I replied. “At least to me.”
The barb found its mark–Nathan’s eyes flickered with something like guilt before hardening again.
“Things have been changing too quickly to predict,” he said defensively.
I turned away, unwilling to engage in another circular argument about his justifications. We both knew he’d broken his promises to me, one after another.
“We have a battle coming,” Nathan said, his tone shifting to something more urgent. “There are multiple forces surrounding the camp. Many rogues and others–possibly trained soldiers hired by the king.”
I frowned, turning back to face him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean we’re in danger,” he said flatly.
My eyes darted to our sleeping son, anxiety rising in my chest. “The baby and I would be safer in the castle.”
“Rachel, it’s too dangerous for you to go there.”
“It’s too dangerous for us to stay here,” I countered.
Nathan’s expression darkened with suspicion. I recognized the look–he was afraid I might run, might even convince some of his supposedly loyal rogues to help me.
1/4
Chapter 250
It explained why he’d been limiting my contact with others as much as possible!
With a sigh, he sat down on the edge of my canvas cot, and I pulled my feet back, unwilling to let him touch me.
He whispered, “You can’t leave, Rachel.”
I fell silent, staring into the distance beyond his shoulder.
What a jerk. Now he acts like he can’t live without me, but wasn’t he trying to kill me before?
“I have to go out and fight,” Nathan continued, his voice lower. “I’ll be responsible for many lives, including your friends- Tyler, Victoria, Gina.” He paused, watching me carefully. “I know you care about them, right?”
I didn’t respond, but we both knew I was listening.
“I need to focus on what’s happening on the battlefield around us. I can’t afford distractions.” He placed his hand gently on my ankle, and I resisted the urge to pull away again. “If I’m thinking you might be gone when I return, I’ll be very distracted during the fight. That would be unsafe. Bad for my men as well. I need to know, with certainty, that when this battle is over and I return to camp, you’ll be here.”
“What do you want me to say, Nathan?” I asked, finally meeting his gaze. “You’re keeping me here against my will. Do you want me to agree not to take any opportunity that might present itself to leave?”
“I know you don’t want to be here, Rachel,” he said, his voice strained. “When it’s safer, I’m willing to discuss it, but for now, please promise me you won’t leave during the battle? For your friends‘ sake? For our child’s sake? Please…”
I looked at him and saw something I hadn’t expected.
I can hardly recognize Nathan anymore. He used to be so cold–hearted and arrogant, but life has really humbled him.
He was pathetic.
Probably…
“Fine,” I said flatly.
“What?”
I stated, “I said fine, Nathan. You want me to promise not to leave during the battle? Fine. I won’t. I won’t disappear without saying anything. But when this is over, we need to talk about this situation. You can’t keep me here indefinitely.”
Relief washed over his face. “Thank you.”
“Whatever,” I replied.
Nathan’s gaze drifted back to our sleeping son, and a strange expression crossed his face–as if he’d just realized something important.
“Rachel,” he said suddenly, “I just realized–what’s our baby’s name?”
The question caught me off guard. I hesitated, unsure how to respond. ‘I… I’ve been trying to decide.”
2/4
Chapter 250
His brow furrowed. “But you said you’d already chosen one. Now you’re saying…
“I don’t want to say.” I admitted, looking away.
“Seriously, Rachel, it’s just a name,” Nathan said, his tone lightening as he attempted a joke. “Unless you’re going with ‘Kevin‘? He does sound like an exploding coffee machine every morning-
I stared at him in disbelief, then couldn’t help but protest, “First of all, Kevin is innocent, and second, if I really chose that name, Pam would be at the door with a cheesecake to smack me with.” Despite myself, a laugh escaped my lips.
Nathan’s eyes lit up at my response. “So I’m guessing it’s ‘Luke‘? May the force be with his burps–”
The ridiculous suggestion made me shake my head, but I couldn’t completely suppress my smile.
“Seriously, Rachel,” Nathan said, his expression growing earnest. “What are you planning to name him?”
I looked down at our son, watching his tiny chest rise and fall with each breath. “When he was born, the light was shining on his eyelashes… I suddenly thought of ‘Mateo.‘ It means ‘gift of God‘ in Spanish.”
Nathan went very still. “Mateo?” he repeated, as if testing the name on his tongue.
I watched his reaction carefully, surprised by the raw emotion that flashed across his face before he quickly composed
himself.
Nathan smiled. “I like that name. It gives the impression of sunshine, confidence, warmth–perfect for a boy who’ll grow up to be handsome and responsible. Our son will definitely be both.”
I bit my lip, suddenly uncertain. “I don’t know, I was thinking maybe there’s a better name—‘
“I think it’s a perfect name for a future king,” Nathan interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. “Rachel, it’s a good name.
Trust me.”
I looked down at our son feeling a wave of emotion wash over me. “He was conceived when I loved you, and I’ve tried to love you every day since, but then… Anyway, whatever else happened, our child is a product of love.”
“I’ll figure out how to fix this, Rachel,” he promised, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at him again.
A small cry from the cradle drew our attention. Mateo had awakened, his tiny fists waving in the air.
“I want to hold him before I go,” Nathan said, lifting our son carefully. Mateo nestled against his shoulder, looking impossibly small in his father’s arms.
I felt tears welling in my eyes at the sight.
“What’s wrong?” Nathan asked, noticing my expression.
I shook my head. “Nothing. Give Mateo to me.”

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
Summary & Review: By Werewolf