EPISODE 8

CATRIONA

I was lying on the cardiac hospital bed, an IV fluid drip stuck into the vein of my arm. My head throbbed so badly I could barely think.

"My head hurts," I groaned, placing my hand on it.

"Take it easy, girl," Sandra said gently.

"What happened to me?"

"You passed out… and hit your head pretty hard," she replied.

Just then, the doctor walked in.

"Are you feeling okay, Ms. Catriona?"

I nodded weakly.

"You need to be very careful from now on," he said, adjusting his glasses. "You're two weeks pregnant."

My mouth dropped open. "Doctor… say that again?"

"You’re two weeks pregnant," he repeated.

"Really?" I blinked at him, still struggling to believe.

"Yes, ma'am. You are."

Wow. I was happy. Relieved. After everything.

Jayden and I had been having sex like we were real couples—intense, raw, and every day—but nothing had happened. I hadn’t gotten pregnant, and it had stressed me out terribly. A week before Jayden left for his business trip, he'd taken me to the doctor to get examined. He worried I might be struggling to conceive. I’d been scared too. Maybe I was barren. Maybe I couldn’t give him what he wanted.

But now… this? This changed everything.

"Ma’am, are you okay?" the doctor’s voice pulled me back.

"I’m fine, Doctor. Thank you for the good news."

"You’re welcome."

"And… please, call me Catriona. Not 'ma’am.'"

"I’ll try, ma—Catriona," he said with a half-smile.

"I’d like to be alone for a while."

He nodded and left after checking the drip.

"Sandra, can you give me a few minutes?" I asked.

"No, woman. I’m not making that mistake again," she said, arms crossed.

"What mistake?" I frowned.

"Leaving you alone and then finding you passed out. What if something worse had happened to you? What would I tell Alpha? I have no other home. You and this pack are the only family I have!" she said, her voice trembling.

I groaned. "Sandra, I’m literally lying on a hospital bed. I’m not going to run anywhere. And if I did, there’s one door right there."

"If something happens to you again because of my negligence, Alpha won’t forgive me. Please, if you see me as your friend, let me do what I’ve been asked to do."

"Fine, Sandra. Do whatever you want."

"Really? No argument?"

"I said do what you want."

She beamed, looking like I’d handed her a medal.

---

The next morning, I was discharged. Back home, Sandra followed me like a shadow.

"I’m going to take a quick shower," I said, walking toward the bathroom.

"Where do you think you’re going?" she asked.

"To the bathroom. Obviously."

"I’m coming with you."

"EXCUSE me?! Sandra, I know you’re following Alpha’s orders, but this is insane. I’m going to strip and shower."

"I’ll close my eyes."

I stared at her. Bewildered. Speechless. This girl was made of stone.

Thankfully, the shower enclosure was tinted. I stripped and tossed my clothes over the glass door. I took my time under the warm water, hoping she’d get tired and leave. But no. That girl stood like a soldier on duty.

After dressing, I called my brother. His surgery was in a week. I was relieved to hear his voice. After the call, I flopped on the bed.

"Sandra, can you get me something to eat?"

"Sure, I’ll be quick." She headed to the door.

"Let’s go together," she said, pausing.

I glared at her. "I’m not a child, Sandra. I’ll stay here on this bed. You go."

"Alright, alright," she said and left.

The phone rang. I sighed, regretting tossing it earlier. I walked over and picked it up.

Jayden.

"Hey, Jayden!"

"How are you feeling?"

"I’m fine. And you?"

"I’m good."

"Listen, Mr. Jayden Evers," I said sharply. "Did you tell Sandra to follow me *everywhere*, even into the bathroom?"

"Yes."

"I figured. I’m not a baby."

"I know. But please, just… be patient with her. For me. Until I return."

"Fine. But she’s banned from the bathroom."

"So? Did the doctor tell you the baby’s gender? Am I having a son?"

I laughed softly. "Jayden, it’s too early. Gender comes around week 10 or so. I’m just two weeks in."

He sighed.

"Jayden…" I hesitated, "Are you happy about this?"

Silence. I thought the call had dropped.

"Jayden?"

Just then, Sandra returned with bread and peanut butter.

"How did you know I wanted this?"

"One of the best foods for pregnant women."

I smiled and took it.

"Jayden, I’m hanging up. I need to eat."

"Alright. Bye."

---

We sat on the balcony. Sandra left to answer a call.

I ate quietly, enjoying the breeze. Then I saw them again. Those three men. Watching the house. One of them locked eyes with me and smiled. He waved.

I waved back.

"Who are you waving at?" Sandra returned.

I pointed—but they were gone.

"Where did they go?"

"Who?"

"No one… never mind."

I finished eating and went inside for a nap.

"I’ll leave you to rest. Call me if you need anything."

I raised an eyebrow. "Not sleeping next to me?" I teased.

As the door shut, I drifted into sleep.

---

I was sitting on a massive rock in the middle of the woods. A large pond sparkled nearby, surrounded by vibrant flowers. It was beautiful. Quiet. Still. I didn’t know how I got there.

Suddenly, the water shimmered. Stars appeared on its surface. Then… a woman rose from the pond. Naked but covered in long, silken hair. She smiled at me, the most radiant smile I’d ever seen. Her eyes glowed with both love and sorrow.

"You came. I knew you’d come. I’ve been waiting for you," she said.

I turned around, looking for someone else. But there was only me.

"I’ve been waiting for you, Catriona Havers."

"Me?" I pointed to myself.

"Yes. You."

"Why? What do you want? Do we know each other?"

"Not in this life. But I’ve watched you."

"I’m Luciana."

"Nice to meet you… Luciana." I stammered. "Why are you in the pond? What do you want from me?"

She stepped out. Thank God for that hair. I stood too, cautious but curious.

"I have something important to tell you. You’re the only one who can help him."

"Help who?"

"Jayden Evers."

"You know Jayden?" I asked, suspicious.

"Yes."

Jealousy pinched me. She noticed and chuckled.

"It’s not what you think."

"Then what is it? What’s wrong with him?"

"I need him to know that Sofia was the one who—"

A terrifying growl interrupted her. We turned. A massive wolf stood at the edge of the clearing, blood dripping from its mouth. Its eyes glowed with fury.

"Run!" Luciana whispered.

The beast charged. It lunged at Luciana.

"Catriona, RUN!" she screamed.

But I was frozen in fear…

"Catriona, RUN!" she screamed again.

She managed to fight it off and leapt back into the pond. But the furious wolf turned sharply, its glowing eyes locking on me. The moment I saw it charging my way, I took off running—anywhere but here.

I don’t know how long I ran. My lungs burned. My legs screamed. Then I tripped. Pain shot through my leg as I hit the ground—I had broken my ankle. I looked up and saw the wolf approaching slowly, menacingly. My whole body trembled as I tried to crawl backwards.

It came closer, baring its long, sharp teeth.

“Please… don’t kill me,” I cried, “I’m pregnant.”

The moment I said that something changed. It became even more aggressive. My heart dropped—I knew I couldn’t fight or run. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for death.

But nothing happened.

Slowly, I opened my eyes… and saw the wolf staring behind me, its expression twisted into something close to fear.

What was it looking at?

I turned my head and froze.

Another wolf stood there—bigger. Much bigger. Towering over the first one, nearly twice its size. The first wolf tried to flee, but the massive one was faster. It lunged and pinned the attacker down, jaws parting to deliver the final blow.

“No!” I screamed. “Please stop!”

The huge wolf turned its eyes on me.

Oh no... Did I just offend it by interfering?

The smaller wolf took advantage of the distraction and escaped into the trees. The larger one turned and began walking toward me. My heart pounded. It stood a safe distance away, watching me.

“Please,” I begged again, “don’t hurt me. I’m pregnant. My baby is innocent. I also have a younger brother… he needs me. Please…” My voice cracked as tears streamed down my face.

The massive wolf stepped closer. I could feel its hot breath brush my face. Compared to its towering frame, I felt so small, so fragile. It didn’t attack. Instead, it stepped back and lifted its head to the sky, letting out a deep, haunting howl.

Seconds later, it came back to me.

I held my breath, bracing myself again. But instead of hurting me, it bent down… and started licking my swollen, broken ankle. Its tongue was rough and warm, heavy with saliva. But as it finished, the pain vanished. I blinked. Was this real?

I was still shaking, still terrified, but it looked straight into my eyes—calm, intentional—as if telling me it wouldn’t harm me.

And something about its eyes… they felt familiar. I didn’t know how, but I had seen them before.

I stopped trembling. For the first time, I felt safe.

But just as I began to trust that moment, the wolf turned and sprinted toward the woods—as if running away from me.

“No! Wait!” I shouted, panicked. “Don’t leave me here alone!”

It stopped, turned its head, and looked at me.

“Please… don’t go,” I whispered, tears choking my voice. “I’m scared.”

It turned fully toward me, and my heart lifted with hope… only for it to dash again as it suddenly spun and vanished into the trees without even looking back.

“Catriona, wake up,” I heard Sandra’s voice calling, distant and echoing.

I snapped my eyes open and sat up, breathing hard.

“Catriona, are you okay?” she asked, touching my shoulder.

I looked around, confused.

It was just a dream.

But it felt so real.