ARTEMISIA “Pregnant?!” That was what I could stutter as I gazed at Emma in disbelief. Also, I didn't think I heard everything she said right. How could she be pregnant? I had nothing against it; I had never imagined she was that careless. I heard Sin's name, followed by a cackle from her. My brow tilted, and I folded my hands in front of me. “Who is the father? And do you think you are free to do whatever you want…” “Oh, please,” Emma cut me off with a wave of her hand. “I don't think you heard me right. Perhaps the initiation ceremony made you dumber. I said that your husband is the father of my unborn child!” My world crumbled faster than it should have. I was glad my hand still held the swivel chair because I was certain I would have collapsed from the shock. “W-what?” I gasped out. My breath stuck in my throat and I struggled to form sentences. My eyes flickered to Julie, who didn't look as shocked as I was. Perhaps she had heard the first word before I did. “What do you
ARTEMISIAI did not know how long I had been in the crossed-leg position, my favourite position now. All I knew was I didn't feel like standing from the spot I sat in.I let out a deep breath and clasped my palms in front of me.I felt nothing. Only the soft whistling of the wind that rustled the curtain and the warmth from the surrounding candlelight were the feeling that enveloped me.I was alone with no one to lean on.Yet, it was relaxing to know I was away from everyone. Away from the outside world and the reality of what my life was.The lies, betrayal, and all.Then it all came back to me.My teeth clenched as the memory I had been trying to shove aside surfaced. I bit my bottom lip as it trembled.Sin had cheated. He had freaking cheated on me with my little sister.I wanted to push out the thought, but it wasn't as easy as I expected.I had naively trusted him. Likewise, I thought he was different. He had shown me how callous he could be.I didn't know how I came to prefer him
ARTEMISIAA loud bang woke me up from my slumber, and I sat up on the bed. I rubbed at my eyes, letting out a moan as my temple throbbed.My eyes were puffy. I didn't need a mirror to see how horrible I looked at the moment, and it seemed like I had cried myself to sleep.Gazing around the room, my brows creased as I noticed the curtains were up. Because, most times, I often slept with my windows covered.Perhaps it was Julie. I was certain she had been in the room as I slept.I lurched as the door went ajar abruptly.“Julie!”“What now?” I murmured with a glare.“We are under attack.” She said breathlessly.“A-attack?” I stuttered, sitting up straight on the bed.“Ye…”The door unhinged before she could finish her statement.I tilted my brows as I gazed at her, then at the people who had barged into the room.Five men stood staring back at me.Why was it all the time I had a problem with Sin that we'd be under attack?Out of the five men that barged into the room, two surged forward.
ARTEMISIA“I believe there are a lot of humans here with extraordinary abilities. Wow, it's so nice to see a shapeshifter." The man with the buzz-cut asserted.A Shapeshifter?I knew what it meant. But how was Julie a shapeshifter?I had been with her my whole life, and I hadn't for once thought of her having supernatural power.Also, it didn't seem like she was just knowing as well because she was so comfortable shifting!And I recalled the several times she came into my room saying she'd protect me and I had laughed it off.I had brushed it off as well and thought her to be powerless.But she wasn't the person I thought she was. She wasn't powerless.“Shapeshifter or not, you stand no chance, b*tch!” The lanky blond yelled and charged.Julie did the same as well. I heard a howl after they collided with each other. Also, a bone-crushing sound. Maybe Julie had broken a bone, or the person she was facing had. I didn't know.Startled, my eyes rounded and followed the movement of all that
SINThe moment Artemisia's eyes shut, it felt as though it was the end for me.I wanted to let go of everything and freaking go to the werewolf Pack that had cost me my mate.But I couldn't go unprepared, and I was aware it was my fault. Everything that happened was my freaking fault. I had let her down.I grunted and yanked at my hair in frustration.Not only that, but I had let her be in harm's way. Whereas I could have easily protected her.And I was the Alpha for crying out loud!It was pathetic. I kept on shoving her in front of the danger. Although I did not hurt her on purpose, I couldn't help but feel I was the one who orchestrated everything.It wouldn't be the first time she was getting hurt.And each time it happened, I had the power to not let it.Gazing at her pale face, I recalled the attack.They warned me before it occurred. Nico had f**king informed me to get prepared, as they were coming for Artemisia.They had the information beforehand, and he had relayed it to me,
ARTEMISIAAnguishIf there was something better to describe the way I feel at the moment, I would gladly be use it.Not only did it feel as though I was carrying a weight which wasn't mine, but also, in between, my legs throbbed and my stomach ached.It felt as though something had been ripped out of me forcefully.My back was another story. I couldn't describe the aching feelings that shot through me at intervals whilst I turned.It even made me wonder if the bed I was on was made of spikes.But then, I knew it wasn't.Also, all I desired was for the aches within me to end as soon as they could.I tapped on the bed and gripped the duvet whilst attempting to lift myself.“Artemisia…”My eyes flickered open as I heard my name. It was more like a whisper but due to the proximity of the voice, I heard it clearly.Sin.He was holding my hands, and his head bowed. I heard him sniffling and wondered if he had been crying. When his head came up as my hand brushed his messy hair, he stared at
ARTEMISIA“No, it can't be,” I croaked out as soon as I regained my sanity.My throat was sore from having yelled too much, and I clenched my hands into fists.I was certain I was hearing things.There was no way Sin could have said those words to me.He didn't look as though he was joking, nor did Julie look like she was.The tears streaming down her cheeks were a signal that it indeed happened.Also, I didn't think any of them could play a joke as expensive as that on me.“It's my fault.” Sin said.“It is,” I replied, turning to him.My eyes narrowed, and I gritted my teeth. “It is your f**king fault, Sinclair!”It was my first time saying his name in full, and it sounded awful.I hopped down from the bed, and snapped. Or rather, something inside of me snapped.I stretched out my hands and shoved Sin into the wall with all the strength that was left in me.“Artemisia!” Julie yelled. “What has got into you? It isn't his fault. You should let him go.”Despite Julie's plea, I didn't let
SIN“What do you want now? Are you ready to apologize for what you did earlier? If yes, just know I am not having it.” I said, not turning to glance at him.“Apologize?” Laurent scoffed. He strode from the door post into the room. “That's the last thing I will ever do.”“Then what the fuck do you want from me? From Artemisia?!” I shouted.I couldn't help myself. The anger was still in me. And now, Artemisia was sleeping. I believed it was the right time to finish what we started.“Whatever is going on in your mind, I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Laurent said.I halted in my tracks, glaring at him. “You need to stay away from Artemisia. She isn't even your mate. I don't know the number of times we are going to fight on this. She is freaking mine.”“She isn't mine,” Laurent affirmed with a nod. “But you don't deserve her, either.”I let out a relieved sigh. At least he wasn't claiming to steal her away from me. I don't care what he says.So far, it wasn't about Artemisia. I believe w