04. Pregnant

CYRUS….

“Cyrus, do you know what happened? I just saw Melania leaving with a man.” Athena suddenly barged into my study and told me.

“So what? She can go with anyone she wants. It has nothing to do with me. She's not my wife anymore.” My voice was dangerously calm but I wasn't calm from inside. I felt restless.

I don't know why seeing her leaving made me feel restless when I should feel at ease knowing that she's out of my life now and I can live my life with Athena. My Mate. The girl I love. But I felt empty inside.

“You are saying this because you don't know who she left with just now.” Athena banged on my desk and her voice was serious. Her behavior made me curious to know who did she leave that made Athena behave so strangely.

"Who did she leave with?" I asked curiously.

“The CEO of MS Group, Adriel Carter."

Her words hit me like a bomb. What?

Melania came from a small pack. She was kicked out of her pack because she had a conflict with the Alpha and had been living with the humans in the city, working in a salon. How did she manage to get acquainted with Adriel Carter?

“Was she cheating on you, Cyrus?" Athena gasped covering her mouth, asking me that.

“No, it's not possible. Maybe she knows him." Though I just brushed her off by saying that my mind wasn't at ease thinking how Melania knows Adriel. He's not someone anyone can know just like that. I couldn't even meet him after several failed attempts.

“Don't talk nonsense, Cyrus. You know who we are talking about. It's Adriel Carter, not any random person you can just hang out with. Maybe, she was having an affair with him behind your back. You're always busy with work. How would you know…”

"Enough.” I cut her in between not being able to hear something so absurd against Melania. I know I never cared about her but I knew her for three years. She could never do something like that. Even though we were in a contract marriage she was always loyal to me.

“Don’t talk nonsense about someone when you don't know them properly. She's not like that type of person. I know her very well.” I didn't realise I was defending Melania until I saw a disbelief expression flashed on her face.

“I've got work to do. Go and get some rest. You must be tired.” I tried to cover up my reaction and notice how her face became gloomy as I just pushed her away.

“Do you care about her?” Athena suddenly asked, taking me aback. It took me some moments to get over the shock.

“We lived together for three years, I know how she is. If you defame her like this by spreading false accusations then it's natural of me to defend her. I'm defending her not because I care about her. Because I can't see injustice.” I clarified my intention behind my action to her. And from her expression I can tell that she's convinced.

Thanks to the Moon Goddess.

“Now go to bed. It's late.” Saying that I continued my work.

“Why are you working late at night? You should also go to bed.” Her voice was filled with concern as she said that.

“I’ll quickly wrap it up and go to sleep. Don't worry about me. I'm used to it.” I didn't look up from the papers before me.

“Okay, whatever you say.” Saying that she walked out of the study, closing the door behind her.

I sighed leaning on my chair and closed my eyes. I always have trouble sleeping. So Melania used to make me some herbal tea to help me sleep. And it worked. And I became used to having tea before sleeping. But now no one will bring me tea. I forgot to ask her about the recipe.

I shook my head to get rid of the thought of Melania. Because now she's out of my life. I shouldn't be thinking about other women when I'm going to get married to my Mate.

I finished my work and went to my room to sleep. When I pulled my duvet to slip into my bed, a voice startled me.

“Surprise.”

I was shocked to find Athena laying on my bed wearing a bright red satin nightwear set with lace details. It was really sexy. I should be excited to see her like that but I wasn't. And it bothered me thinking why I don't feel this way.

I used to get excited seeing Melania in this kind of nightwear but I always restrained myself from going near her to keep our contract relationship intact until one night when I was drunk and slept with her.

“What are you doing here, Athena?” I asked her, surprised.

“Why can't I be here, Cyrus? I'm your Mate. Your room is my room. I’ve full right to stay in your room.” She told me while sitting up. And she was right. It's been so long that we are apart that it feels awkward to sleep together now.

Athena got up and encircled her arms around my neck and gave me a seductive look. “It's been so long, Cyrus. I missed you a lot.” Saying that she leaned in to kiss me. I closed my eyes and felt her soft lips against mine as she kissed me. Suddenly Melania’s smiling face flashed in my mind, leading me to push Athena away from me.

“What happened, Cyrus?" Athena looked shocked. And I was flushed thinking what just happened to me.

‘Why am I thinking about Melania?’

“Umm… I'm tired, Athena. Let's sleep now." Saying that I removed her arms from my neck and walked to the other side of the bed to lie down.

I faced my back towards Athena after lying on the bed as I couldn't face her after what I just did. I was even confused why I was feeling that way.

Suddenly I felt a hand slipping around my waist. “What happened Cyrus? Is everything alright? You don't look good. Is there something bothering you? Let me know if there's anything I can help you with."

“It's nothing. I'm fine. It's just that I'm tired. I will take you shopping tomorrow. Okay?” I tried to make her mood better.

"Really!” She exclaimed happily.

"Yeah. You can buy whatever you want. Are you happy now?" I asked and she hugged me tightly from behind.

“You're best, Cyrus." She squealed happily.

“Now sleep.” I patted her hand that was resting on my stomach.

And she responded softly, “Hmm.”

~~°~~

“What am I hearing this, Cyrus?” I was in the training ground watching them train when suddenly Mom encountered me with her question.

“What are you talking about, Mom?” I asked her in confusion.

“I heard you are treating Athena indifferently? You don't let her come near you. Have you any idea how much she cried saying that you don't love her anymore.” She complained in pure disappointment.

“It's nothing like that Mom. You’re thinking too much. Don't worry, I'll talk to her.” Saying that I walked away from there looking for Athena.

“Have you seen Athena?” I asked a maid who was cleaning the stairs.

She said with her head down. “Alpha, I saw Lady Athena heading toward the garden.”

So I headed there only to find her standing in the garden holding a rose in her hand. “What are you doing here, Athena?”

Athena flinched at my voice. And turned around to face me. “You scared me.”

I walked near her. “Are you sad?” I held her face tenderly and she looked down.

“I didn't like it the way you pushed me away last night. I felt you don't love me anymore. It's been three years since we were apart. It's natural for your feelings for me to fade away in my absence.” Her gloomy voice broke my heart.

“Don't talk nonsense, Athena. I always loved you and still love you. Don't let stupid thoughts cross your mind.” I leaned in to peck on her forehead and she smiled.

“I’ll go and get ready to go shopping.” She beamed and stormed inside. I sighed looking at the way from where she just left.

I should treat her well. She had endured a difficult life over the past three years. If I wouldn't get into the accident then she wouldn't have to get married to that bastard.

It's all because of her father. It was him who forced her to marry him. After I became vegetative her father refused our relationship and forced her to marry someone else. That time I didn't know her husband would turn out to be abusive. Until that fateful night some days ago when I went on a business trip and got drugged by someone.

I called my assistant to take me to the doctor. I was in my room sitting on the floor leaning against the edge bed.

I got rid of my tie and shirt as I was feeling so hot. I got up to go to the bathroom to pour cold water on me when suddenly someone barged into my room. I watched a girl walking towards me with my blurry vision. She moved closer, her lips were forming words but none of them reached my ears.

I was so affected by the drug that I just lifted her in my arms and threw her on the bed. Then I don't remember what I did. I just remembered when I woke up the next morning I saw Athena lying next to me. I couldn't believe my eyes that I finally found her.

Then she told me how her husband sold her to someone and she ran from that man to save herself. Then I brought her with me. I'm glad that I found her and now she doesn't have to live that hard life. I will always treat her well.

We went shopping together. She was choosing her dress all on her own. “Mam, red suits you well. You should take it. You're looking gorgeous in it.” I looked at her as Athena stood in front of the mirror observing her reflection in it.

“Okay, I'll take it then.” Saying that she went to choose something else.

Suddenly that scene reminded me of Melania. When I used to bring her to go shopping. She would always ask me about my opinion about the dress she chose for her. If I said I didn't like it, she would place it back. Once she liked a red dress for her. But I said red looks tacky. She chose a white dress and asked for my opinion. I didn't say anything, I just went out to take a call.

She took that as my approval and from that on she started to wear light color dress. She looked beautiful in anything. I felt a tightness around my heart and shook my head to get rid of the thought. Why do I always think about her only?

It was night time, I was talking about patrolling with Beta Ronald. “Tight the security. I don't want any rogue to attack the pack members again.”

“Yes, Alpha. I’ll talk to Delta Charles. Don't worry about it.” Beta Ronald assured me.

“You can go now.” I dismissed him but he didn't leave.

“You look terrible, Alpha. You should take a rest.” I could understand he was concerned about me. I couldn't sleep last night. And the same goes for the time I spent out of the pack for a business trip last time.

“I’ll. Now leave.” I waved my hand to dismiss him but he didn't.

“I know you and Lady Athena are fated mates. But you didn't do right with Luna Melania. She was with you when everyone left you alone because of your condition. She handled the pack duty and office too. She was the ideal Luna for this pack. Everyone loved her. I think you rushed into that decision.”

“I know what I did. Don't try to advise me. I'm your Alpha. Go back now.” I barked at him. Because everyone was talking about Melania and my mind only thought about her.

As soon as he left I threw the glass on the floor in rage. “Why can't I forget you, Melania? I never had any feelings for you. Then why do I feel this way when you are no longer around me?”

‘Because you have grown feelings for her.’ I was shocked at my wolf’s remark.

“What are you saying, Shiro? Don't forget Athena is our true Mate not Melania.” I reminded him.

‘But I don't know why, I don't feel attracted towards her the way I used to feel for Melania and her wolf. Don't say that you didn't feel that way for her. You can't lie to me.’

I went silent. Because I didn't have any answer.

Weeks passed like that. Athena was introduced to the pack as their new Luna. They accepted her but don't love her the way they used to Melania. But I believe Athena will win their heart for sure. She's a pure soul, how can she not win their heart.

I went to my room to get ready when I heard noise coming from the bathroom. So I went to check on her. “Athena, are you alright?” I knocked on the door and asked her.

“I'm fine, Cyrus.” She answered from the inside but I knew she wasn't fine from her weak voice. So I waited outside the door for her to come out.

After some time she came out of the bathroom with a pale face. “What happened to you? Why do you look pale, Athena?” I enquired about her, holding her by her shoulder.

“She gave me a sheepish smile. And hold forward something to me. I looked down at it only to go my eyes wide in shock. Because she was holding a pregnancy test in her hands.

I looked at her. And she beamed at me. “I'm pregnant, Cyrus."