CHAPTER 08

Irish's heart pounded wildly against her ribcage as her breath became hot against Adrian's body.

"What am I doing?" She screamed silently at herself.

Elsa urged her to surrender to her instincts, but Irish knew she had to resist or risk losing her life. Especially to Adrian's manipulation.

The man holding tightly to her waist was the same man who had humiliated and disregarded her in front of his wife. She couldn't simply forget that now, could she?

The memory of Adrian's cruel humiliation still burned in her chest. It was a harsh reminder that she was nothing more than a mere pawn in his game of power and a tool to produce an heir for his precious wife.

Adrian saw the blazing fire in Irish's eyes as the desire in her eyes turned to pure rage. He wanted to care, and ask what had happened but instead, decided not to push further about it.

"What do you want from me?" Irish suddenly put forth her hand in front of her and pushed Adrian away as she went to stand on the opposite side.

"I want to know the truth. Did you cut her wrist?" His facial expression turned terrible as if he could feel Ashley's pain. The veins on his forehead were almost visible.

Irish almost laughed at how ridiculous this sounded. He could feel Ashley's pain but couldn't feel hers. He didn't even care that she was hurting. That her mother was dead, that she had been abandoned, that...

"You knew that hurting her would hurt me. Didn't you? Was that why..."

Before Adrian could say another syllable, Irish had already picked up a vase and threw it with force at the opposite wall.

The sound of a glass vase crashing on the wall interrupted Adrian's speech, Irish knew of the consequences but now, she hardly cared.

The tears that had long sprung from Irish's eyes fell, her lips quivered and her heart shook in a mix of hurt, fear, and humiliation.

Tension filled the room as silence, as thick as a dome covered the room.

Adrian's eyes darkened as he began taking menacing steps towards her. His gesture almost sliced through her composure but she kept calm.

Her heartbeat increased. She had been shocked at her own action too.

"Answer me." Adrian's words were calm, and his tone was icy.

"I didn't hurt your fucking asswipe of a wife. She cut herself. Why do you even ask if you won't believe me!" Irish yelled, her eyes fierce.

Thanks to the soundproof door, Ashley would have run there because of the sound of their voice.

"The pack run is tomorrow. Don't join us. That's your punishment." He said and put his hands into his pants pocket again, and began leaving the room.

"No, no, you can't do this to me. The pack run is..." She stopped speaking because Adrian had already left the room.

Then she slumped back on the bed, gave an exasperated sigh, covered her hands with her face, and cried.

Adrian knew how important the pack run was to werewolves, yet he was doing this to her, especially now that she was pregnant.

A pack run was an extensive training for all wolves which helped them to defend themselves in the face of danger.

But to a pregnant woman, it was different and compulsory. It helped them breathe well, it eased back pain, as well as constipation.

That was not all the reason Irish felt sad. She didn't like the fact that she would be locked up in this house while everyone was away. Giving a sense of loneliness, her pregnancy hormones didn't help either.

Soon after, Cynthia entered the room and rushed straight to the bed where Irish lay.

"Why is she so excited," Irish asked herself as she wondered why Cynthia was smiling from ear to ear.

"You're still awake this late?" Cynthia asked.

"Yes. I was speaking to Alpha." Irish wiped the tears on her face and folded her arms under her breast. She tried to hide her hurt but Cynthia already caught her.

"I'm sorry," Cynthia said. She must have grown accustomed to the fact that Alpha Adrian always left Irish in an emotional mess, hence her smile slowly vanishing as it was soon replaced by a look of pity in her eyes.

"I'm sorry you feel sad," She paused, then, observing Irish's face, she took her hands and squealed with excitement, "We have the ball ceremony coming after the pack run, I'm sure you don't want to miss. I must doll you up for that event."

Irish's didn't appear excited by the news. Her sad eyes lingered on the spot where Cynthia held her hands, and she muttered, "Thanks."

Cynthia seemed disappointed, at the same time, she wanted to cheer her up.

"What's the matter? People die to go to these events yet you're not even the least excited."

"Alpha Adrian forbids me from going for the pack run and I have no idea for how long he would keep me grounded," Irish replied, her tightly knit brows, almost meeting in worry lines.

"If that's the problem. Then I can still make you go to the ball."

Irish suspiciously narrowed her eyes at Cynthia, "You always seemed to be about the Alpha's orders. Why do you want to violate it now?"

Cynthia shrugged, smiling briefly, "Well, life is no fun without a little bit of rebellion." Cynthia said and burst out laughing and Irish followed suit.

"You can?" Irish chuckled, marveling at Cynthia's braveness.

Cynthia nodded. "But you have to promise me one thing; I was never a part of this."

Irish nodded excitedly, "I can't wait! And oh, I have a plan."

She folded her arms across her chest and pouted cutely, "Let's just say Adrian won't know what hit him."

"What plan do you have?" Cynthia asked, her eyes following Irish.

"Oh, nothing." Irish smiled innocently. She didn't know that she had been thinking aloud.

"Oh, I can't wait!" Irish muttered again, got under the sheets, and covered herself to sleep.