STARLETTE
“That bitch.” Bella hissed, her nose wrinkling with disgust. “I always knew
She had something up her sleeves. But I didn’t think she’d be desperate and audacious enough to pin a pregnancy on the Alpha.”
My eyes narrowed at Bella’s statement, and she rolled her eyes at me.
“Don’t look at me like that. I know you are also having the same thoughts. She’s been with the Alpha for years and couldn’t conceive. It was even prophesied that you were the only one who could bear his child. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, she’s pregnant? It didn’t make sense to me at first, but now it does. The pup isn’t his.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions yet.” I cautioned, clearing my throat. “We don’t have any evidence. Yet.”
“If you say so.”
“Let’s get back to what we came here for,” I said, steering the conversation back to the task at hand. That was my top priority at the moment.
“Okay.” She shrugged, and as she spun around, my eyes caught the book she was holding. It looked very familiar.
“Bella.” I called, my gaze pinned on the book.
She turned to look at me. “Yes?”
“Let me see that book.” I said, extending my hand.
She handed it to me, and I quickly flipped through the pages. My suspicions were right. This was the book I’d been searching for-the one that had given me the little information I knew about wolf trapping. There should be more written in it.
“This is it!” I exclaimed, finding a seat and settling down with the book on the table as I flipped through it.
“I hope we get answers we need.” Bella said, sitting beside me.
The more we read, the more shocking every piece of information became. We discovered that in situations like this, the wolves were usually trapped from birth. I couldn’t help but wonder who could be so cruel to do something so evil to a baby.
“The person who did it must have been someone close to the parents.” Bella remarked. “According to the book, it could only happen if the baby was present.”
“Yes.” I nodded, my heart full of pity for Lucius. Whoever did that to him, for whatever reason, he didn’t deserve it.
“Who could have done that?” She wondered out loud.
I didn’t bother replying as we continued reading. We learnt that a witch had carried out the trapping process. And to break the curse…
“A witch is needed to free him.” I whispered, staring at the page where it was written.
“How is he going to get a witch now?” Bella asked.
“We’ll get one for him.” I told her, and her eyes widened.
“Ho-how?” She stammered. “Where do we find one? Even if we eventually find one, how do we get them to cooperate? Those witches never want to cooperate with other species.”
“We’ll go to their lands.” I said, and her mouth dropped and opened even wider.
“Starlette!” She exclaimed, looking at me like I was out of my mind. “Do you really think we can just go there and drag a witch back here?”
“No,” I shook my head, remembering a witch I met a few years ago by a river not far from my former pack. I had run away from home seeking for a breath of fresh air when I encountered her. She seemed nice; we talked for a while and even exchanged names before returning to our respective homes. I just needed to find her in their lands, and hopefully she would be willing to help.
“Then what do you intend to do?” Bella asked me.
“I know someone there. All we have to do is find her.” I told her.
“Even so, that’s too risky! Lucius should go instead. He’s the one who needs help.” She argued, her voice filled with worry.
“You don’t have to go with me, Bella. I’ll go alone.”
“You know I can’t let you go there alone.”
“Then go with me.”
“You’re putting me in a difficult situation.” She murmured.
“I’m sorry.”
My stomach suddenly rumbled, and I placed my hand on it as I said, “I’m hungry. Let’s go and find something to eat.”
“You really need to rethink that decision. It’s too risky.” She said as she stood up and led the way.
I followed. “My mind is made up.”
I knew she was right. Going to the witches realm was a very risky and stupid decision. But Lucius was worth the risk.
As we walked through the corridors, a few pack members bowed slightly as they passed.
“Isn’t it odd that they are bowing to me?” I asked, puzzled.
“Told you. A lot of the pack members are truly onboard with you being a Luna.” Bella said.
“I’m not even capable. I don’t have the qualities.”
My sentence caused her to stop, then turned to look at me, her voice reassuring. “You have all the qualities, Starlette. You are caring, smart, and undeniably beautiful. What other quality do you need to be a Luna? You’re even willing to risk everything to save a pack member, even though I’m not fully onboard with that.”
“That-” I trailed off, at a loss for words to say. I didn’t know whether to thank her for the compliments or argue that I lacked the capabilities. My self-esteem was low-perhaps a result of all the years of abuse. I still suffered from that trauma, no doubt.
Sighing, I continued walking without giving her a response. I saw the disappointment that flashed in her face, but instead of pressing me, she followed quietly.
We reached the kitchen, and luckily, a few toasts were left over from breakfast. I devoured them like someone who hadn’t eaten in days. I didn’t say a word until I was done.
“Your appetite has increased lately.” Bella observed.
“Is that so?” I asked, raising a brow.
“Yes. You now eat double the portion you used to.” She said.
I stood up and walked out of the kitchen, with her beside me.
“It’s a good thing I ate a lot. It might restore the energy I lost. I’ve been feeling strangely weak since yesterday.” I told her.
“You should see a doctor, then.” She suggested.
“No. I’ll just rest in my room.” I said.
To be honest, it didn’t just start yesterday. I had been feeling weird, but it only got worse after the ties to my former pack were broken yesterday. Should I really see a doctor, as Maximus and Bella had suggested? I wondered but ultimately decided to just take an intense rest. If it didn’t get better by tomorrow, I’d definitely see a doctor.
We arrived at my room, and I lay down, hoping for sleep to come. Bella kept staring at me oddly, and I raised an eyebrow at her.
“What?”
“I have been observing you.” She said.
“And?”
“I’m not sure, but I think you’re pregnant.”
Her words caused me to pause for a moment; my jaws dropped before I burst into hysterical laughter. “What a comedian. Come on.”
“I am serious, Starlette.”
The smile on my face quickly faded when I noticed how serious she was. I realized she wasn’t joking, and my heart dropped to my stomach, my eyes widening in shock.
“Why-why-do you think so?” I stammered, struggling to process her words.
“Just by looking at you. I can tell when a woman is pregnant. I’m not entirely sure, but I can confirm it if you let me.”
“How?” My voice was barely above a whisper.
“You would have to take off your blouse. I need to access your breasts.” She told me.
Fear crawled up my skin, biting every inch as I slowly took off my blouse. I wasn’t sure what exactly I was afraid of-having a baby or having a baby with Maximus. The Alpha King.
Bella came closer and placed both hands on my breasts, observing them. Then she pulled my lower eyelid down and examined my eyes before taking my hands and studying my palms.
Straightening back up, she sighed. I looked at her expectantly, my eyes wide as I awaited the words that would follow.
“Bella?” I called when she just kept staring at me without saying anything.
Silence again. The suspense was killing me.
“Bella, please say something!” I urged.
She suddenly spread her lips into a wide smile, excitement lighting up her face as she leaped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around me.
“Congratulations! You are pregnant!”
What?!