The pastel room didn’t bother her three days later. She loved it, the bright colors cheering her up.
Karen was starting to transition into Life with Shelly. She found out that Shelly was real estate mogul. She lived in a busy part of the city where there was always some sort of noise. Karen quite liked it. It was different from the pack house that was secluded in the woods.
A few days later and she was fully back on her feet. As she observed herself in a mirror she noticed some differences in her body. Her hair had grown very long, passing her waist at this point. Her eyes were livelier, and her skin’s glow was back. Her curves looked way fuller. She looked the same, small, demure, soft.
She decided she needed a new look if she was going to avoid Kai as much physically possible. That was if he even decided she was worth the trouble of looking for and came after her. Which was highly unlikely by her.
She waited in the living room for Shelly to return from work.
“May I ask a favor?” Karen asked after they had exchanged pleasantries.
“Whatever it is.” Shelly replied with a kind smile.
“May I have some hair dye and colored contacts.”
Shelly instantly understood what she was asking for and why. She nodded and smiled softly. “What color?”
“Black hair dye. Brown colored lenses.”
“I’ll get it tomorrow for you. What would you like for dinner?”
“I’ll be cooking today.” Karen said with a bright smile. “Freshen up, by the time you’re done dinner will be ready. I’ll make chicken noodle soup. It’s one of my favorites.”
Shelly smiled brightly. “Thank you, you’re an amazing person.”
That was the first time anyone had ever said that to her. Karen blushed and mumbled a shy thank you.
The next day Shelly Bought her the dye and contacts as she had requested.
Karen cut her hair with scissors she found in Danika’s vanity. She had always been the one to take care of herself ever since she was young, cutting her own hair was one of them.
She gathered the strands of hair and disposed of them.
Staring at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, she decided to get over with it. She put the dye in her hair, watching as her golden hair turned black. She made sure to get her roots as much as possible. Halfway through the procedure she realized she was already starting to look like a different person.
She waited for the dye to cure.
As she washed it off, she unveiled her new personality. Black haired Karen. She Loved the new look.
***
Karen rushed to the bathroom, hunched over the seat and emptying out the contents of her stomach. She rinsed her mouth with water and brushed her teeth, the second time that morning.
She did the math in her head. It had been a week since she came to live with Shelly. In the past two days she had been throwing up in the mornings, feeling general tiredness and nausea.
“Karen?” She heard Shelly’s voice call from the door.
“Come in.” Karen said weakly.
The door opened and Shelly walked in. “Is anything the problem?”
“No I’m fine. Just a little sick.” Karen said her hand going to her stomach. Shelly noticed this but kept mute.
That evening she returned from work with a pregnancy test kit.
Karen already knew that she was pregnant. She knew right from the time the healer had to take care of her broken bones.
“You’re pregnant.” The healer had said to her. Karen had pleaded with the woman not to tell Kai. It had taken a lot of tears and pleas for her to agree.
Nonetheless, Karen took the pregnancy test. She waited in the bathroom, staring at it till it showed two lines. She exhaled softly.
Cast aside and then discovered to be pregnant. Her life was taking a turn for the worst at every angle.
She emerged from the bathroom and showed the result to Shelly.
“Oh my goodness,” Shelly gasped. “You’re pregnant!”
Karen nodded.
“Do you…. do you know the father?”
Karen knew who the father was. Kai. Who else would it be? It crossed her mind that maybe she should have told him that she was pregnant. But then if he spared her life because of the baby what he do once she had given birth?
Probably execute her twice.
So she kept the secret to herself.
“Are you going to keep it?” Shelly asked softly. “I know it must have been traumatic for you and with everything…”
“Yes.” Karen said. “I’m keeping this baby. It’s mine as much as it’s his.”
Shelly looked at her sadly.
“I’ll get a job.” Karen announced. “I’ll do anything I can to make sure I give this child a good life. Please Shelly, I’ll do anything.”
Shelly pulled her into a hug. “I know you will, and I’m fully in support of you. Don’t worry okay, I’ll make sure every thing is in order.”
Karen hugged her back. “Thank you so much Shelly. I’m so glad your car knocked me down.”
Shelly Laughed heartily. “That was a very bad joke.” She said and pulled away, staring into Karen’s eyes. “I could get arrested for that.”
“But you won’t. I’ll make sure that….” Karen trailed off, her voice breaking as she did. Her throat suddenly felt clogged and tears blurred her vision. “I’m sorry… I…”
Shelly held her close as she burst into tears. She had no idea why she was crying. Maybe it was because of the huge secret she had been carrying that was finally off her chest? Maybe it was her loneliness? Maybe it was everything else? But the tears came and they came long and hard.
Shelly held her close, her voice calming as she whispered soothing words to her.
“I hate him…” Karen whispered under her breath. “He should have just killed me…”
“You’re safe now, you’re with me. He won’t find you here” Shelly said, wiping tears off her eyes.
Shelly held her till the tears stopped flowing and all that was left was spasms.
“Do you want Ice cream?” Shelly asked.
“Yeah.” Karen replied. “I want chocolate and vanilla.”
“Me too.”
***
The weeks passed by turning into months.
Shelly signed Karen up for online marketing classes from a reputable university. Karen attended her classes diligently, fueled by the desire to provide for her child the life she never had. Shelly forbade her from finding a job telling her that that can come later after the child was born and older.
Karen was slowly adjusting to her new life. Most times as she walked past a mirror she couldn’t recognize herself. Her short black hair and brown eyes gave her more mature look that she liked. That was how drastic her look change was.
As the weeks rolled by, her belly grew and grew.
Thoughts of Kai and alphas and werewolves were banished to the back of her mind. She embraced life fully as a human, accepting it as easy as anything. There was no need for her to ever shift again.
Shelly as there for her all the way. From taking her to the hospital regularly to paying for everything, it was like Karen had a mother, one she had never had before.
Her father’s bank cards were stored in the back of the pastel filled dresser, pushed to the back of her mind.
Karen was a new person now. Karen Osborne. And she declared her past dead.
Before she knew it nine months had passed, and it was time for her delivery. It was a Saturday night. She and Shelly were watching their usual Saturday night drama when her water broke.
Shelly was quick, grabbing the duffle bag that had been packed for the emergency. She helped Karen into the car and drove to the hospital.
Given the nature of her body, her birth didn’t take long. She could feel her body already starting to heal itself even as her labour proceeded.
“Congratulations ma’am,” The midwife said with a beaming smile. “You have a son.” She held up the tiny baby wrapped in a blanket.
Tears filled Karen’s eyes. The midwife gently laid the baby on her chest. Karen peered at his small face, unable to believe that this little person was her son.
“He’s a beautiful boy ” The mid wife said.
Karen nodded sadly. “He takes after his father.”
“And where is the proud father?”
Karen shrugged. “Dunno…” She said with a yawn. The side effects of the healing was starting to take a toll on her. She held her baby close to her chest, a smile on her face. “We’re fine without him. Me and my little David…”
As she drifted off to sleep the mid wife gently took the baby from her.
“David.” She said and smiled at the baby. “A beautiful name.”