CHAPTER FOUR

ARIA’s POV….

“Alpha Raymond.” How much it stung to address the man I was in love with, the only man who’d taken me to heaven and back, by his title.

He furrowed his brows as he stared at me, like he could tell something was wrong, but I knew better than to have extremely high hopes when it came to him. “I asked something. What are you doing here?” His tone was still cold.

“Stomach flu.” I lied as I held on tighter to the drugs Eric had handed me. “It’s not a big deal. I’ll be fine.” Another lie. How could I be fine being having a baby I couldn’t give up and at the same time, couldn’t afford the father knowing of—yet?

He was silent, staring at me, as if trying to confirm whether my words were true or not. Such little trust. “Hmm.” He finally made a sound as he nodded in a rather suspicious way. “I hope you’re not lying to me or doing something stupid.”

“I’m not.” Yet another lie. What was going on with me? How could I tell these lies without so much as even blinking? My eyes traveled between Raymond and Ashley. I was acting like a few days ago, this man wasn’t buried inches deep in me, making me orgasm in ways I never could, so what were a few lies I was telling to keep my baby safe?

“Good. Now, return to the pack and finish with your work.” His voice held so much anger laced with bitterness of my presence.

I let out an exhale as I bowed out of courtesy, wanting to turn and leave when Ashley grabbed my hand. 

My heart dropped when I saw one of her arms was still interlocked with Raymond’s. Why wouldn’t she be happy? She had everyone’s—my— dream man with her and they seemed happy together. She definitely had what many would kill for and it was a good reason to be happy.

“No need to be in a hurry, Aria.” I hated how I was the only one who could tell the mixed emotions in her voice whenever she called my name. On the outside, she sounded like she liked me, like she was excited to be around me, but deep down, I knew she hated me and would do everything in her power to put me down.

She cleared her throat. “Actually, Raymond and I came for a physical exam today. I’m so excited to be preparing for an heir with him.” Her voice squealed genuinely at the last sentence and turning to Raymond, he didn’t seem to be denying it.

I took in a deep breath as I forced a smile even though my heart was going to come right out of my chest at any moment. “Congratulations in advance.”

She let out an excited exhale as I kept my eyes on Raymond, hoping he would pull his hand out of hers and cup my face, telling me it wasn’t real. That couldn’t be more than a wish, though. Something I couldn’t even dream about because the reality was— he was with Ashley and together, they were unstoppable.

“This will be the fruit of our two great packs. A union, one that’ll be unbreakable.” She shook her head like she’d just imagined something out of this world. “Merely thinking about it thrills the hell out of me.”

I felt a knot form in my chest as I forced a smile, refusing to let either of them see the pain I was in. I was dying, it was like I was at the edge of the sword, merely waiting for my head to cut off, but I refused to give any of them the pleasure of seeing me weak.

“I’m really happy for both of you. I wish you both the best with your future and I hope it comes out well.” I’d been telling lies all day to them, but this was the biggest lie I’d told all day.

When I saw that there was nothing left to say, I excused myself as I steadily made my way out of the hospital’s building.

I took on my heels, running till I got into my room at the pack house, going straight into the bathroom as I shut the door behind me, the drugs on the sink as I stared at myself in the mirror, waiting for my tears to start pouring, but there was nothing.

Looking into the mirror, I saw nothing but my reflection. My reflection with no emotions in my eyes. Sadness, heartbreak, depression, disappointment, hurt— none of it was present. I just felt like I’d been trapped in a body without a soul.

I’m so excited to be preparing for a little one with him.

Even Ashley’s words didn’t so much as strike emotion in me and I gulped as I stared at the medication Eric had prescribed me.

“Make sure you take care of yourself, Aria. Avoid stress and anything that’ll make you unhappy because the baby’s mood depends on you.” He cast me a worried look before continuing. “Since you don’t want anyone finding out about the baby, I’d suggest you transfer the content of the medication into these containers.”

As I recalled his words, I stared at the nameless containers and drug wrappers. With these, per adventure, anyone came across the drugs— I doubted anyone would since no one gave a flying shit about me now— they would just assume it was for my stomach flu.

I took the prenatal drugs as I started to transfer them into the container Eric had handed me and as I did, I felt my wolf start to jump within me, my scenting senses become heightened.

“Ashley!” I heard that baritone voice call out my name.

I bit my lips as I quickly finished up with what I was doing, grabbing the prenatal containers as I threw them into the toilet, flushing immediately without even thinking straight and just then, the door came open, causing me to freeze as the air around me suddenly became so suffocating due to the presence of the man who’d just walked in.

I had my back turned to him but I could see part of his reflection from the mirror above me. He eyed me warily. “What were you doing so sneakily?” He raised his brow. “What did you throw away?”