Chapter 4 - A Big Surprise

I let Stefan carry me into our bedroom's bathroom where he places me on top of our sink counter as he removes my clothes. 

There was urgency in his movements and even though this wasn’t how I wanted to spend a night with him, this was the only way to remove the gap that was slowly forming between us. 

I knew from the moment that his eyes flickered, that his wolf wanted nothing more but to claim me. I was his fated mate and yet until now, there was no mark left to prove to anyone who approached me that he owned me. 

Stefan allows his wolf to join him as he takes over my body, which my wolf loves so much. Unfortunately, by the end of such a hot and steamy night, Stefan will take over and stop his wolf from marking me. A true Alpha King who’s always in control. 

He picked up my naked body as he placed us under the shower where I let him take me. Under different circumstances, I would have wanted this to be more than just heat coming from our wolves. I wanted so many times for this to be more than that. But for now, I am just glad to have him wrapped his arms around me like I was his whole world. And let him take what I could give him in the hopes that he would finally see me not just as someone he was stuck with but as someone he wanted to be with. 

I was still in the shower when Stefan wrapped himself with a white towel by the waist.

“Come to the office tomorrow,” he said.

“Why?” I asked in confusion since he doesn’t usually want me to be there.

“There will be a lot of guests coming here in our pack and I want you to be where I can always see you,” he replied. 

My untrustworthy heart skipped a bit as his words made my wolf giddy. 

“And another thing,” he said as he turned and looked at me, “I want you to stop taking those contraceptives. I want you to start working on giving me an heir.” 

I had a lot of questions to ask him but he never gave me a chance to voice my question as he turned around and left me in our bathroom.

I was excited that he was starting to think of me. Excited that he was finally wanting to start a family with me. 

But the logical part of my brain never gave me the chance to feel excited as it began to bombard me with difficult questions. I know that the questions it asks are the important ones like why did he suddenly want me to be with him always? Or why does he suddenly want to have an heir?

At that moment, my heart trampled my brain as it overpowered me with happiness that I had never felt before. 

The next day, I made sure that I looked presentable as I arrived in front of Stefan’s office. 

I knocked at the door but was surprised to see Claire’s little sister opening the door for me with a big smile on her face that quickly vanished the moment that her eyes met mine. 

“What the hell are you doing hear?” She asked under her breath as she threw daggers from her eyes to mine. 

I smiled at her. But before I can give her an answer, Stefan already beat me to it. 

“Let her in, Clarisse,” Stefan orders. The disbelief on her face just made my eyes grow bolder and wider. 

“Take a seat,” Stefan said as he pointed to an empty seat not far from his desk. 

I gracefully walked toward the seat that Stefan had reserved for me as the eyes of those seated on the couch in front of his desks watched me in silence. As I turned around and sat down on the chair, I saw a glimpse of Claire, who was seated the closest to Stefan, but not close enough. 

I can see the disapproval in her eyes. She may not be happy with my presence, but unlike her little sister, she never said a word. 

Stefan continued with the meeting and I listened closely to everything that all of them said. It was about improving the pack’s facility which includes the orphanage. I wanted to join and tell them more about how to improve the orphanage but I never said a word. I was so afraid to voice out my opinions because I remember how they treated me before. Whenever I suggest something someone will either speak more loudly or cut me off. 

I was so used to being ignored and unimportant that I just stayed silent.

I watched with fascination how Stefan took every suggestion given to him before making a decision. Stefan’s serious mode was so captivating that I didn’t realize that he was calling me. 

I stood up from my seat and walked to him only to be surprised when he pulled me to sit on his lap. It reminded me of those times when I was still new in his pack and he can’t get his hands off of me. I wrapped my arms around his neck but my heart fell the moment that I saw where his eyes were looking. 

I followed the direction of his sight only to make my heart sink deeper than before. His eyes were focused on the one person I didn’t want him to be focused on, Beta Claire, and a guy she was laughing with.

I looked at Stefan in the hopes that I was just imagining things, but what I saw just confirmed what I wanted to deny. And as much as I hate to admit it. I know that I was on the losing end especially since he never looked at me the same way he did with Beta Claire.

Pain and sadness filled my heart as I realized that having me on his lap was not us reminiscing about the old times but his failed attempt to make Beta Claire jealous.

As I was about to stand up from Stefan’s lap, one of the statements blurted out by one of Stefan’s councilmen caught my attention. 

“By the way, I heard that Alpha Ethan is looking for someone named Claire,” the councilman said, but he was looking at Beta Claire. “Did you meet with him?” He asked Beta Claire. 

“No,” Beta Claire replied in confusion.

“You met with Ethan?” Stefan asked accusingly as he looked directly into Beta Claire’s eyes. 

“No,” Beta Claire said defensively as she looks back at him, “I don’t even know the guy,” she added. 

“Then why is he looking for someone with your name?” He pressed which annoyed Beta Claire more.

“My name is such a common name,” Beta Claire retorted. “I am not the only Claire in the world.” 

I can see the tension between them building. But I never spoke a word. Stefan was definitely not in a good mood and despite the pain that I was feeling, I was still afraid to face Stefan’s wrath. 

“I think it’s not my sister,” the annoying voice of Beta Claire’s sister, Clarisse said. “My sister and I are so loyal to you, Alpha. We wouldn’t dare do something that would make you angry. But I know someone who could betray you. What if it’s Angeline? What if she used my sister’s name to get her in trouble with you? Besides, she doesn’t really belong to our pack. I just don’t understand why she had to stay with us?”

Stefan looked at me as he said, “She wouldn’t dare do something to piss me off.” 

I can feel his possessiveness on me. But it was not the kind I have wanted. Because this was more intimidating, my knees grew weak at the sight of him.

I could feel all eyes were on me now, and I couldn't help but feel the pressure on their stares.  Out of all the eyes that were looking for answers there was one pair of eyes that stood out—snickering evil eyes that I hated so much. 

With anger, betrayal, and so much pain running through my veins, I hurriedly stood up and planned my escape. But before I could even take a step forward, the ground I was stepping on seemed to sway and my hands reached out for the table for support.

Stefan was already on his feet supporting me. 

“Are you okay?” He asked worriedly as he helps stand up on my feet. 

“Yes,” I replied as I regained my balance, “Just felt a little nauseous.”

“Maybe she’s pregnant,” one of Stefan’s councilmen said as we all turned around to look at him. The surprised look on his face indicates that what he said was not intended to be said out loud.

“Apologies Alpha,” he said with a face as red as an apple, “I didn’t mean what I said, but it’s one of the symptoms of pregnancy.” He added. 

Stefan nodded silently at him as his attention first went to my face and then down to my stomach. 

But right before I could say anything to him, as my anxiety grew, I felt everything I ate wanting to get out of my mouth. I almost threw up right then and there that I covered my mouth but thankfully nothing came out as I rushed out towards the powder room near Stefan’s office. 

My heart raced as I closed the door behind me threw my body at the sink and watched my breakfast get flashed by the drain with only one thought in my head. 

Am I really pregnant?