Chapter 6

“Cassandra. Cassandra. Cassandra.” Darcia says my name over and over again as if chiding a pup. Her sharp glare and disdain for me are clear as day in this small waiting room. I feel suffocated as she walks closer to me, her sneer marring that face of hers. To think people call her a good and gentle she-wolf. What I see before me is a spiteful bitch.

“What do you want, Darcia?” I spat out, crossing my arms over my chest. She scoffs, taking a seat as if she has no cares in the world, crossing her slim legs.

“Just to talk to you about your pregnancy.” She answers with disinterest. Shocked, my hand moves to cover my small stomach. I nearly lost the pup because of her earlier, I won’t let her cause me more harm to lose it before Riker and I can talk.

“My child is of no concern to you.” I snap back, growling at this bitch.

“Oh, but it is.” She smiles coldly at me, bringing her left hand up and showing off a glittering ring. One I have seen many times on Annabeth’s hand.

“You see, Riker and I are engaged. Annabeth even gave her son a ring to propose to me with.” She gloats. I want to doubt her words. Want to refute her statement. But this is one of Annabeth’s cherished rings. She wouldn’t have parted with it unless Riker asked his mother for it.

“I know you know this ring. Know that it means I have Annabeth’s blessing and the support of the Wraith family.” Darcia continues to taunt me as a dull ache acts up in my stomach. I shake my head, trying to remain calm as the doctor told me to. For all I know, Annabeth could have just been nice to Darcia.

“Soon, Riker and I will have a lavish wedding and he will Mate and mark me as his Luna. We will rule Solar Wraith in no time.”

“And what does this have to do with my pregnancy?” I ask, glaring at this spiteful bitch.

“Everything, you see.” Darcia stands from her chair and slowly walks towards me once again, coming to stand before me.

“As the future Luna of Solar Wraith, I can’t have any stains to mar the family. This includes that bastard growing in your belly.” She pokes her finger against my hand that blocks her from my stomach and I snarl, taking her wrist in mine and shoving her away from me.

“Don’t fucking touch me whore.” I snarl out, watching her hatred for me appear before my eyes. It seems her act as a king woman was just that, an act.

“Watch yourself bitch.” She warns lowly, her blood humming with the power of an Alpha.

“Why should I. You and I both know family is everything to Riker.” I snap back, watching a smirk play on her lips.

“If it did, why would he send me here instead of coming to talk about the pup himself.” Shock replaces my anger as her words sink in. Darcia is right. Riker would have come rushing in to see me after receiving that text. Instead, Darcia is here, gloating and taunting me.

“Riker wants that pup to disappear just like I do. So hurry up and have an abortion to get rid of that little bastard.” With that, Darcia leaves me as I fall into one of the waiting room chairs. Riker saw my text and ignored the face he impregnated me. He sent Darcia to see me instead.

On the verge of tears, I decide right now the best course of action I can take is to head to my house and call my friend Grace. She will know just what I need to do seeing as she is not a part of Solar Wraith, but a part of the pack Storm Snarl that is situated on the other side of the city and ruled by Alpha Brennan Storm.

Shakily climbing to my feet, I make my way out of the hospital on shaky legs. After passing the doors, I am once again rendered speechless to find Riker casually leaning against the wall, a cigar in his lips.

“Oh, Cassandra.” He says in a monotone, his tone so cold I wonder if the person I saw being tender with Darcia was not him at all.

“What brings you here?” I frown at his question and scoff. It’s not like I didn’t text him my intent to head to the hospital over an hour ago.

“It’s not like you didn’t see me severely burned earlier.” I state equally coldly, lifting my bandaged arm.

“But all you cared about was Darcia.” I add, letting the bitterness I feel seep into my words. Riker’s eyes narrow, but I don’t care. He can be angry at my disrespect all he wants, but he disrespected me first. Not only that, but he wants me to kill our unborn pup and hasn’t even told me himself.

“I –”

“Riker!” His words are cut off as Darcia pushes past me from the entranceway, a pout on her perky lips. She looks so innocent and kind but I know the vile bitch that lies behind that façade of hers.

“Riker, I don’t feel so good. Can you take me home?” She pleads, ignoring my presence as if our meeting in the waiting room never occurred. Riker smiles helplessly at her, his eyes softening as he tenderly pulls Darcia close.

“Okay. Let's get you home to rest.” He agrees, turning to walk away from me. Darcia sends me a victorious smile and I snarl, marching towards the two and grabbing Riker’s free arm.

“What about me?” I demand, watching his gaze turn cold as Riker shakes my hand off of him.

“What about you, Cassandra?” He asks, leaving me speechless.

“Last I remembered you are the reason why Darcia was burned in the first place. You can take care of yourself since you came here on your own.” With that, Riker continues walking away with Darcia nestled in his embrace. My heart shatters for the umpteenth time today as the man I love and have taken care of for the last three years ignores me coldly like some annoying pest to be thrown aside.

Feeling deflated, I make my way to the car park and climb into my car. After paying for my parking at the small toll booth, I make the familiar drive home in a hazy daze. It isn’t until I am inside my small home that I notice the wetness seeping down my legs. Pressing my fingers to it, I find blood coating my fingertips and despair takes hold of me.

Blood during pregnancy can only mean one thing – that I am losing my baby.

Pain wrecks my stomach and I collapse onto the floor, curling in on myself. I cry at the thought of my first pregnancy ending in miscarriage while I try to stay awake. Reaching for my purse that fell beside me, rummaging inside for my phone and dragging it out triumphantly.

Finding Grace’s number, I listen to the dial tone as the pain intensifies. My vision grows dark and as the call finally connects and Grace calls my name, I hear the sorrowful howl of a wolf in my mind.

Darkness consumes me and only one thought fills my mind before I fall unconscious.

I had lost my baby.