Chapter 7 Pregnant

Ariana

The words were like a dagger to my heart, a stark reminder of my own perceived insignificance. I knew she didn't mean to hurt me intentionally, but the impact of her words cut deep, leaving a wound that seemed to widen with each passing moment.

Before I could respond, my parents entered the room, their faces beaming with pride. "Darling, we've been so caught up with the wedding preparations that we almost forgot to check on you," my mother exclaimed, her voice filled with concern.

My father nodded in agreement. "How are you feeling, my dear?"

I offered them a small, tired smile, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll be alright. Just need a bit more rest."

My sister's laughter rang out once again, a sound that grated against my already frayed nerves. "Resting as usual, I see. Well, don't worry, Lucas will be able to take care of you once he's officially a part of the family."

Her words were a mixture of teasing and mockery, a reminder of my own perceived inadequacies. I felt a lump forming in my throat, the weight of unspoken emotions threatening to spill over.

My mother shot Seraphina a reproachful glance before turning back to me, her eyes softening with genuine concern. "Don't listen to her, dear. You're just as important to us, even if your path is different."

I nodded, grateful for my mother's words, even as they did little to quell the ache in my chest. The rain outside seemed to intensify, matching the storm of emotions that raged within me.

As my family lingered in my room, the impending wedding cast a long shadow over the space. I couldn't help but feel like an outsider, a solitary figure amidst a celebration that highlighted my own heartache. 

With the rain as my witness, I silently vowed to rise above the whispers of heartache and the shadows of doubt. As my family continued to discuss the upcoming wedding, I clung to that newfound resolve, knowing that the road ahead would be challenging, but determined to face it with courage and strength.

Two months slipped by, a blur of days marked by both physical recovery and emotional healing. As I slowly regained my strength, I was pregnant.

Panic gripped me, the realization of my situation threatening to engulf me in a sea of uncertainty. My mind raced with questions, each one more daunting than the last. How could I face my family? How could I raise a child alone? The weight of my decisions, the consequences of my actions, bore down on me with a suffocating intensity.

But even as fear gnawed at my insides, a fierce determination burned within me. I refused to let my child suffer for my mistakes, to be born into a world that would judge them based on the circumstances of their conception. I would protect her.

As the day of Lucas's wedding to Seraphina drew near, a sense of desolation settled over me. I watched from the shadows, hidden among the crowd, as they exchanged vows and sealed their union with a kiss. The sight left a bitter taste in my mouth, a reminder of the love I had hoped for but could never attain.

Tears streamed down my face, each one a silent testament to the pain that gripped my heart. I felt abandoned by the world, adrift in a sea of longing and regret. But amidst the turmoil, a new resolve began to take root.

For the sake of the life growing within me, for the child who would depend on me for their very existence, I knew that I had to make a difficult choice. 

As I slipped away from the crowd, the rain began to fall once more, a gentle reminder of the storms that had marked my journey. With every step I took away from the wedding, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose—a purpose that would guide me to the south, to a place where I could create a new life for myself and my unborn child.

Lucas

The grandeur of the wedding festivities had faded into the night, leaving behind a sense of accomplishment and alliance that I couldn't help but appreciate. The union of our two tribes held promise and potential, a step towards a more united werewolf world. As Alpha, it was a responsibility I took seriously.

My eyes had caught brief glimpses of Seraphina throughout the celebration, her presence as radiant as ever. It was only a month ago that we had shared a brief exchange, a conversation that had left an impression on me. Her independence, her strength—it was a contrast to the submissive role I had always expected from an Omega.

But it wasn't until the wedding night that I truly began to see beyond the surface. As Seraphina stood before me, her beauty evident even in the dimly lit chamber, something caught my attention.

There was no moon mark on her body, the mark that would signify her as my chosen mate. Confusion stirred within me as I took in her appearance, the realization settling heavily in my chest.

"Lucas," she murmured, her voice laced with a hint of seduction.

But my focus had shifted, my attention drawn to the subtle changes that had escaped my notice before. The scent that lingered around her—it was different from the intoxicating fragrance that had filled the air on the night we had met. It was tainted, the purity marred by the unmistakable trace of other wolves.

My gaze narrowed as I leaned closer, my eyes narrowing on the marks that adorned the back of her neck—a series of hickey marks, evidence of recent intimacy. My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of anger and disbelief flooding through me.

"What is this?" I demanded, my voice sharp and accusatory.

Her cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and guilt crossing her features. "It's nothing, just... a misunderstanding."

I took a step back, the weight of the revelation settling over me. This was not the same Seraphina I had encountered before, the strong and independent woman who had left an impression on me. This was a different version.

My jaw clenched as I struggled to process the information before me. 

"Where were you on your birthday?" I asked, my voice low and measured.

Seraphina's gaze faltered, her eyes avoiding mine. "I... I was with friends. Celebrating."

A surge of anger coursed through me as I pieced together the puzzle. Seraphina's claim, the marks on Seraphina's neck—it was a web of deceit, a scheme designed to deceive and manipulate.

"You're lying," I stated, my tone unwavering. "You are not her!"

Her facade began to crumble, the guilt and desperation evident in her eyes. "Lucas, please, let me explain."

But I had heard enough. My chest tightened, the realization hitting me like a physical blow. I had been played, manipulated by those I had trusted.

"No," I replied, my voice firm. "There's nothing left to say." I looked up at her forehead and there wasn't even a moon mark on it.

"Lucas, I command you, stop now！ We are married, in the presence of all werewolves. Anyway, we are now husband and wife.“

I turned away from her, the weight of the truth settling heavily on my shoulders. The room felt suffocating, the air thick with betrayal and deceit. I needed to get out, to clear my head and make sense of the chaos that had unfolded.

As I stepped out into the night, the rain came down in torrents, each drop a reflection of the storm within me. My thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and anger, my heartache mingling with a sense of remorse for the situation I had unknowingly become entangled in.

And then, amidst the downpour, I thought of Ariana—the Omega I had met only briefly, the one who had admitted to a mistake that wasn't hers. I felt a pang of sympathy for her, a recognition of the injustice she had suffered.

I couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that I had made a grave error, that I had let my own prejudices cloud my judgment. The image of Ariana's tear-filled eyes haunted me, I set off into the rainy night. I needed to find Ariana.