Claire’s POV
I couldn’t shake off the shock when Ethan said he wanted to see this baby born before helping me avenge Nurse Alberta’s death.
“So you-already knew that-”
“I told you from the start, since the first time we met, that no matter how well you do it, you can’t hide anything from me. Besides, no Alpha would be unaware that their offspring is on the way,” he said, his eyes fixed on my belly.
I covered my stomach with both hands, hoping he’d stop staring.
“Why do you look scared? Shouldn’t you be proud that you’re carrying my child? Even though I don’t lead the largest pack like The Moon Fall Pack, I hold the title of the strongest Alpha. Isn’t that enough to make the baby proud?”
“There will never be pride for a baby born from me when I don’t have an Alpha by my side,” I said without hesitation. “No matter how hard I try, I’ll just see you marry Lucy Torrance, and then you’ll discard us once you get what you want from me. So, can’t you help me avenge the deaths of the nurses and orphans, and then be free from my life so you can take over everything?”
“And let you run away with my baby? No, I’ll never let that happen.”
“If it’s just a baby you want, wouldn’t it be better to get it from Lucy Torrance? A baby born from a legitimate couple is more advantageous than anything,” I said, but Ethan laughed. He covered his mouth as if his laughter would attract attention.
I quickly covered his mouth, trying to stop him from laughing and causing a scene.
“Stop! I said stop laughing!” I demanded, pressing my hands down, using my weight to apply pressure so he wouldn’t keep laughing. But because of that, he toppled over with me still on top of him.
“Ethan! You’re embarrassing! I don’t-”
“Hahaha… why do you always sound so funny?”
“I’m not joking!” I hissed again, not wanting my voice to draw everyone’s attention, but he wrapped his arms around my waist, balancing our position and keeping me comfortable.
“Do you think I want that?” he aksed me.
“What’s wrong? You and her are engaged.”
“If that’s the case, I should have had dozens by now, considering Lucy and I have been engaged for over five years.”
“Then why haven’t you?”
“Because I already got it from you,” he said, stroking my face.
This is so embarrassing. Not only did he do it in public, but he also made me feel this way while I’m pregnant with his baby. But does he really like this news? Will he really let me and this baby live?
“Stop thinking about things you shouldn’t.”
I flinched when Ethan said that. “You-read my mind again?!” I immediately pushed him away, stepping back so he couldn’t reach my waist again.
I had forgotten that Ethan could read my mind, with or without my consent. Knowing that, I quickly covered my forehead, as if he could see everything written there.
But he laughed again. “What are you doing?”
“Stop reading my mind.”
“I don’t need your consent to do it.”
“You-”
“I just want to say there’s nothing you need to worry about,” he said again. “If you’re thinking about killing Christopher Gale now, I’ll gladly do it for you, but give me a year to see my baby first. I don’t want to endanger you for something like this,” he said, sitting down.
His gaze showed no doubt, even though I had only known Ethan for a short time. But the bond between us made me feel like I knew him well. Is this what they call a fated mate?
However, this wasn’t my goal in joining Ethan. I wanted to find out who killed the nurses and orphans. Knowing that a dangerous Alpha like him is my fated mate makes me feel somewhat safe because he and his people will always ensure my protection. But how long will Ethan act like this? Or is he doing this because there’s a baby in my belly?
“From the beginning, I never intended to build a family with you,” I said, brushing his hand away from my face. “If you want the power, money, and glory that Christopher Gale has, you can take it all, but let me go after this is over.”
“What?”
“I just want to avenge my family’s death. After that, I’ll go and live my life as a lone wolf, whether I’m carrying your baby or not. Because from the start, you never acknowledged me as your Luna. Whether now or later, your mate is Lucy Torrance, not me.” I stood up, walking away from Ethan, who looked shocked by my words.
Everyone in the park was watching us. They looked at me with various expressions-dislike, curiosity, disgust, and hatred. I could feel it. Of course, they hated me because I was just an unwanted Luna.
As I walked towards the parking lot with everyone’s eyes still on me, a few Wolf Warriors approached me, asking me to get into a car with them.
Since I knew them, I followed their steps and left Ethan, who was just watching me go with his Warriors.
“Lady, do you want to return to the mansion, or is there somewhere else you’d like to go first?” the driver asked me.
“Why am I going with you? Isn’t Ethan coming back?” I asked, curious.
“The Alpha has several meetings today, one of which is with a noble family from the North, so he might not return until midnight.”
“Is that with Lucy Torrance?” I guessed. Although I already knew the answer, I wanted to hear it.
Of course, I knew the answer just by seeing my driver nod. There’s no way Ethan could do it alone. In public, he’s required to have a partner, and the whole world knows that Ethan’s absolute partner is Lucy Torrance.
So, it’s impossible for him not to place Lucy as his mate. And all his words earlier about family and peace, and about this baby, can’t be true. Because Ethan only wants Lucy Torrance by his side, not me, whom he never even saw as a woman.
“Hey,” I called the driver.
“Yes, my lady?”
“Is there anywhere else I can go besides the mansion? Like a tourist spot or somewhere more fun?”
“You’re bored of being at the mansion all the time, my lady?”
“Yeah, I guess I’m getting sick of being there all day. At least before I leave this Pack, I want to see more and eat well,” I said, looking out the window with my hands hugging my still-flat belly.