Chapter 9

Eleanor POV

“Eleanor…”

I heard my name from behind 

“Eleanor “

The person called out again 

I paused to know who it was that called out to me.I turned my back towards the direction where my name was being mentioned. Behold, that was Maria.

Maria is the offspring of my Father and my Stepmother, she's their only child and eventually had turned out to be my step sister. But unlike her mom, who despised me so much, Maria was different; she loved me like her own, showed me so much love, and treated me nicely. Maria and I had grown too acquainted with each other that she became the only one I could confide in…

She has been my only support in that palace. She didn't look down on me like the rest of the members of that pack.

She rushed towards me like a dear being chased, and without hesitation, she gave me a warm hug. I felt so relieved, I felt at peace. At that moment, that was what I needed; she engulfed me so tightly I couldn't feel myself. After a few minutes, she let loose.

“Eleanor, what's……..”She tried to catch her breath 

“What's wrong?”

“Eleanor, what happened……?what's with this news of your pregnancy? How come I'm not aware of all this?”

Alot of questions at a time, she was actually breathing so fast. Trying to talk while trying to catch her breath at the same time. From where I stood, I could feel her heartbeat; the number of times it kept beating was heard loud and clear. She bent down a bit, one of her hands on her chest as she tried to get herself. She wasn't patient enough to calm down before pouring out all the accumulated questions she had for me.

“Can you calm down and take a deep breath?” I said while watching her in her present state.

“How do you expect me to answer these questions at once?”I put up a pretence by smiling so she won't be so worried.

“I'm fine, Maria,,” With an obvious fake smile masked on my face.

Still trying to get herself, but feeling a bit relaxed now.”Do I look like I'm a fool to you?”

“I overheard the palace maids talking about how you were assaulted by our Father, the Alpha. “She wasn't smiling; her face was rumpled, and she locked her gaze on my eyes. Her beautiful brown eyes were just staring and situated into mine. She was biting her lower lips, and her hands were folded.

“Stop staring and speak, woman, I'm expecting an answer from you,” she scolded.

I looked at her with a sad face, my fingers were already trembling. She noticed I was already scared, she held me by my shoulder, threw me towards her, and gave me a soft hug unlike the one she gave me at first. Patting my back with one hand and shoving my long hair gently with the other hand.

I heard her whisper,” Don't be scared, Eleanor, this is just a phase, and I believe you'll scale through.”

I shut my eyes, and tears ran down my chin vigorously. I had to let loose, I had to stop pretending like I was okay, I just had to let out my emotions. They were devouring my inner self.

“I ca………”I couldn't finish my words, I was choked by my words cause of the tears.

“Maria…, I can't keep doing this. I'm not strong enough for this, this is too heavy for me to carry. I can't bear this,” I cried out 

“What happened? Can you calm down and speak to me?Uhhh?”

She held firmly…

“Maria, Dad…….Dad wants to send me away to marry Alpha Hadin. “I dropped my head

“Alpha Hadin?” she screamed, her eyeballs wide open, looking into my eyes. She had this face of shock and disappointment at the same time.

“Why would he do such a thing to you?”

“Is it cause of the pregnancy? Can't you keep it and still remain here in the palace with us? Why does he want to send you away?”.So many questions kept falling out of her mouth, and tears were already accumulating in her eye bag. She was feeling so dejected and was in so much pain, and so was I. All I could do was look at her regretfully because I knew within me that part of all this was caused by me. The fact that I couldn't control myself when I met my mate in that forest that night.

“Maria,” I said lowly

“It's all my fault, all this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't given myself out to Alpha Hadin.”

“I don't see the reason why he should reject me, even though I'm his mate, all because he conflicts with my Father. “My eyes were so weary as I spoke. I had already lost all the strength in me cause I've been crying since morning.

“It's not your fault Eleanor….. don't say that. It’s no one's fault. It was destined to happen, and it did, the Moon goddess knows best, and I believe this happened for a reason.”

“Can you please stop blaming yourself for this misdeed?” she said softly..Her words were so calm and pleasing to the ear, they gave me goosebumps, and this time it was a goosebump that felt nice. Deep down, I wanted to believe it was okay, but thinking about it, I knew it wasn't.

My stomach started making sounds, and I was having sharp pains; it was as if something was pummeling me so hard. I bent and held my stomach and let out a soft cry.

“Maria….., I'm so hungry, I haven't had anything since morning, “I said 

She gasped, covered her mouth with her hands, and stared at me in disbelief.” Are you being serious right now?”

“What do you mean by that? Why haven't you had anything to feed on since morning? “

Without even allowing me to speak agai

n, she held me by my hands and dragged me to the Kitchen to get something.