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PAIGE’S POV

“Are you okay?” Sophia turned to me after Helena left the house.

My heart was beating wildly in my chest as she asked me that question. She just witnessed Helena insulting me, and I know she’s going to ask me some questions, which I wasn't ready to share with anyone other than Azriel.

I didn't want to explain my past to her. I didn't know if she was trustworthy or not.

I decided to look up, and when I did, I saw her eyes already staring at me in concern. I needed to reply to her question.

“Yes, I'm fine.” My voice came out barely above a whisper, and embarrassment and anxiety washed through me.

“Paige, why were you being treated like that?” She asked. Her eyes were soft and full of worry.

What should I tell her? Should I tell her the truth about how my father banished me?

“It's nothing, just don't worry about it,” I said.

“This is not nothing. I'm sure this isn't the first time she's treated you like this.” Sophia angrily said. This talk was stressing me out.

“As I said, Sophy, it's nothing. I don't want to talk about.” I snapped and left for the kitchen. I felt dehydrated.

“Does Azriel know?” She asked as she walked into the kitchen with me.

I sighed before answering, “He doesn't know about it, and we're going to keep it that way.” I warned her.

“Why?” It was an abrupt question from Sophia as she moved and stood in front of me. “I want to know why you don't want to inform the King and why you're being treated like this.”

“Because I'm not worth a damn thing to try and explain myself.”

Tears brimmed in my eyes, and I cleared my throat to keep them from falling.

“Don't say that, Paige. You're worth it no matter what anyone says.” Sophia said, taking my hands into hers.

“Let's sit and talk, Paige. I want to be your friend.” She glanced at me with pleading eyes.

“Okay,” I mumbled, placing the cup I was holding on the counter before leaving the kitchen with Sophia.

We sat on the couch together in the living room. I leaned into the couch with my legs crossed, contemplating whether I should tell her now or not.

“What's the deal with you and that lady?” She asked after a minute of silence.

I huffed, “Well, she's my stepmother. My Dad got married to her after my Mom died when I was five years old.” I said. “ And she hates me and finds every opportunity to insult me because she couldn't give him a child.”

“She's so bitter, and that doesn't give her the right to insult someone else's child.” Sophia spat. I could sense the rage in her.

“You have to tell Azriel,” Sophia added.

“What? Are you crazy? You want me to tell Azriel how my stepmother came into our home to insult you.” I said in disbelief.

“Yes, you have to tell him,” Sophia said.

“No, I'm not telling him. What if he asks me what I was doing whilst she was insulting me, huh?” I took a deep breath before speaking. “He will see me as a weak mate who couldn't defend herself.”

“Azriel wouldn't see you like that, Sweetie. He sees you as his world.” Sophia said softly.

“You wouldn't understand,” I murmured.

“Then make me understand, Paige. I want to be here for you, we’re sisters now after all.”

After much thought, I decided to tell her everything. I told her how I got banished from my pack by my father, the Alpha and how my fiancée rejected me after hearing the cause of my banishment. But I kept the part about the baby to myself.

She stood up abruptly and started pacing around the living room, throwing curses and swear words here and there. She looked so furious.

“What kind of father would do something like that to his child?” I could hear the anger in her voice.

She sat back down on the couch and turned to face me. “I'm sorry for everything you went through.” She said sadly before wrapping me in a warm embrace, which sent warmth all over my body.

I don't deserve to be in this family.

“Thank you.”

“You don't have to thank me, we’re family. But I still insist that you should tell Azriel about today. Who knows what she would do next?” She said to me,

I was so deep in thought that I didn't hear Sophia calling my name until she smacked my arm, which stung a lot.

“What's on your mind?” She asked in concern.

I sighed. “Sometimes, I can't help but wonder if I deserve your brother as my mate.”

“Why would you say that?” She questioned.

“Because I only bring trouble and problems into his life, and I think maybe my stepmother was right,” I felt so emotional. “Maybe he's going to see that I don't deserve him and would find someone more fit to be his mate and Queen.”

“Don't say things like that, Paige. My brother loves you so much.” She said as she wiped the tears off my cheeks.

“And I love him too, but I think he doesn't deserve to father someone else's child.” I chuckled sadly. ”It's unfair”

“What? What are you saying?” She asked in confusion.

“I'm pregnant, but the father isn't Azriel,” I whispered.

She stared at me in shock, her mouth hung wide open.

“What the hell? Does Azriel know?”

“Yes, I told him before coming here,” I replied to her question.

“And he accepted the baby?” I nodded.

“Then I see no problem here, just know I'm always here for you.” She said, patting my hands.

“Thanks, Sophia.” I half smiled at her.

“You don't have to thank me, that's what friends are for.”

ANONYMOUS POV

I have been eavesdropping on their conversations for a while now. And I'm glad I decided to stop by to hear this wonderful piece of information.

Paige is pregnant! Wow.

And to make this gossip even more juicy, the baby does not belong to the King. I couldn't help but smile evilly.

I couldn't help but wonder how the council would feel when they hear that their future Queen is pregnant with someone else’s child, a silly attempt to taint the King’s bloodline.

Who would allow her to be crowned the Queen after hearing this news?

No one would want a whore and slut as their Queen.

The King would have no other choice but to reject her as his mate, knowing his people do not accept her as their Queen.

This would be your downfall, Paige Abbott.

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