chapter 2

Zelda's POV

I bolted upright, a gasp catching in my throat. My head throbbed, a relentless drumbeat against my skull, mirroring the frantic rhythm of my heart. The room was unfamiliar, the scent of a masculine cologne heavy in the air. Then I saw him.

Bane Blackwood. My mate’s uncle. The man who was supposed to be Claus's rival, his enemy. He lay beside me, a dark lock of hair falling across his forehead, his breathing slow and even in sleep.

“No,” I whispered, the word a desperate plea to the Moon Goddess. “Please, no.”

My eyes darted to the duvet, a horrifying confirmation of my worst fears. It was thrown back, revealing my naked body, my thighs slick and slightly parted. I wanted to scream, to berate myself for my recklessness, for my foolish attempt to drown my pain in alcohol and lust. But there was no time for self-pity. I had to get out of here. Now before he woke up.

I slid from the bed, my movements slow and deliberate, each muscle screaming in protest. My body ached in places I didn’t even know existed. I fumbled for my clothes, pulling them on with trembling hands, the fabric feeling alien against my skin. My shoes were quickly on, and then in a jolt of panic—my phone! I turned to search for it and that’s when I saw him.

He was propped up on an elbow, his gaze intense, piercing blue eyes fixed on me. A frown creased his forehead as he studied me, an unreadable expression on his face.

“Where are you going?” he asked, his voice a low rumble, surprisingly devoid of accusation.

“I… I have to go,” I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. “This… this was a mistake.”

He narrowed his gaze and I couldn't discern if he was angry or merely unimpressed. He slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed, the sheet falling to reveal his sculpted torso. He was stark naked, his broad shoulders and well-defined abs leaving me tongue-tied. My eyes went further down and I swallowed in disbelief. He was huge and enormous and I wondered how he managed to fit inside...

He took a step towards me, and I instinctively recoiled.

“Are you sure it was a mistake, Zelda?” His voice was calm, almost too calm. “Or are you just saying that because it feels like the right thing to say?”

My mouth opened, then closed. I believed he had no idea who I was, that I was his nephew’s mate. We’d never had a proper introduction. The only time I’d ever seen him was a brief glimpse at the pack house, engrossed in a discussion and completely oblivious to my presence. Claus had caught me staring then, his face contorted in anger, accusing me of admiring his uncle like a whore. His words had stung but they weren't far from the truth now. I had just slept with his uncle.

Shame washed over me, a hot flush spreading across my face. Yet, strangely I felt no remorse. The thought itself was terrifying.

Bane raised a hand and I flinched, bracing myself. But his touch was gentle, his fingers brushing my cheek, sending a jolt through me. My eyes met his, those handsome features, the dark brown hair, the captivating blue eyes,and that air of authority that had enthralled me the first time I saw him. A slight throb pulsed between my legs and I felt mortified. Mortified that even now, after the mistake I had made, after the soreness of my body, a part of me desired him again.

I quickly moved back, fighting the inexplicable attraction. “It doesn’t matter what the reason is,” I said, my voice firmer now. “I just… I shouldn’t have done this. I have a mate.”

He didn’t look surprised, only unimpressed. He turned, his broad shoulders still visible and reached for something inside his jacket. He then took my hand, the feel of his calloused palm brushing mine, sent shivers down my spine as he placed a card in my palm.

“Call me if you’re ever ready to talk,” he said, his voice low.

I was confused. Why would he think I had anything to say? Had I blurted out something in my drunken state? But instead of asking, I rushed out of the room, out of the building and into the cool morning air.

The suffocating feeling hit me the moment I stepped into the house. Claus was back. The betrayal, fresh and raw, hit me again. I had cheated on him and he had done the same to me. The thought of seeing him again made my stomach churn but I had nowhere else to go and exhaustion weighed heavily on me.

I entered our room and there he was, standing by the window. His broad back was to me and for a fleeting moment, I almost felt a pang of nostalgia for the man I thought he was. But then his cruel words from last night echoed in my mind. “Zelda is anything but better. She’s weak, incapable. Even carrying my child is a burden to her. And now she dares to add weight, eating my food, enjoying a life of luxury without contributing anything and without doing something as simple as giving me a child.”

He was the reason I had gained weight, taking those unprescribed drugs in a desperate attempt to conceive for him, only for him to mock me while cheating with his mistress. Rage simmered beneath my forced calm.

Claus turned, sensing my presence. He walked towards me, his expression unreadable. “Where were you?” he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

I swallowed, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I was home,” I replied, my voice steady, “but I went out for some morning exercises. Besides, I didn’t see you last night either.”

He looked unconvinced and fear gripped me. Had he caught me? I had only guessed that he hadn't come home. To my surprise, he took a step closer and offered me that familiar, manipulative smile. I knew that smile. It was the one he used to charm and deceive me, to twist situations to his advantage. Why had I fallen for it all these times?

He reached for my hand. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come home yesterday, love. I was caught up with work.”

“You could have called,” I replied, the words slipping out before I could stop them. Deep inside, I was terrified he might have called and I’d blown my cover. But he simply apologized again, confirming my suspicion that he hadn’t called.

His eyes fell on my neck and a flicker of something, curiosity or suspicion, crossed his face. “What’s that?”

I quickly covered it with my hand. “Nothing,” I said, too quickly.

He narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Instead, he announced, “I’m going on a business trip with Freya.”

I wanted to scoff. Business trip? Or a vacation with your mistress? But I bit my tongue and merely nodded.

“Aren’t you going to ask how long I’ll be gone?” he asked, disbelief evident in his tone.

“I didn’t ask because I know it’s work and you should take your time,” I replied, forcing a sweet smile. “Just return to me safe.” I lowered my head, inwardly wondering if he could smell the lingering scent of Bane on me.

He finally sighed, a hint of satisfaction on his face. He kissed my forehead. “You don’t have to do exercises, Zelda. I love you the way you are.” He then turned, packed a few clothes, and left.

I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. “I love you the way you are.” The words, so recently spoken with such contempt, now tasted like ash in my mouth. He had just cheated on me, mocked me for my weight and now he had the audacity to lie to my face. Before, I might have believed him but now, knowing the truth, I finally saw him for what he truly was. Disgust curled in my stomach.

A dull ache on my neck pulled me from my thoughts. I hissed, reaching up to touch the spot. My fingers brushed against a faint mark. From afar, it looked like a hickey but up close I could see it. It was turning into a mating mark.

Shock coursed through me, cold and sharp. He had marked me. But when? I couldn't remember him doing so. The last sensation I remembered was an overwhelming wave of pleasure.

****

The next week passed in a daze, a blur of trying to comprehend the shift in my life. A mating mark... Bane Blackwood. Claus's betrayal... It was too much.

I had a doctor’s appointment that day but a wave of nausea swept over me, making me feel utterly sick. I decided to go to the park instead, thinking a breath of fresh air might clear my head. But the sickness persisted, a constant churning in my stomach. Despite my reluctance, I knew I needed to see Doctor Ray.

I strolled towards the hospital, my body feeling heavy and dizzy. I had already booked an appointment, so I headed straight for his office. The moment I stepped inside, my vision blurred, the room tilting precariously. I heard Doctor Ray’s voice, distant and muffled, calling my name just before darkness swallowed me whole and I hit the ground.

When I woke, I was in my own bed. Had it all been a dream? The past few weeks, the betrayal, Bane , the mating mark—surely it was all a terrifying nightmare. How did I get home?

The door swung open and Claus, who was supposed to be on a business trip, marched into the room. I tried to read his expression but it was unreadable. He walked swiftly to my side, reaching for my hand. He pulled me into his arms, a harsh and almost painful embrace.

“We did it, Zelda!” he exclaimed, his voice booming with triumph. “We finally did it!”

I pulled back, confusion etched on my face. “What are you talking about?”

A wide grin spread across his face with a genuine smile that reached his eyes, a sight I hadn’t seen in what felt like forever. “You’re pregnant, Zelda! We’re going to have a child!”

My blood ran cold. Pregnant? My mind raced back to the day Claus cheated. I had taken a pregnancy test that morning and it had been negative. This child… it couldn’t be Claus’s. It could only be Bane Blackwood.

A shiver of pure terror ran down my spine.

Claus, mistaking my fear for excitement continued, oblivious to my internal turmoil. “I’ve already arranged a grand celebration tonight! Everyone’s invited. They already know, of course but I want to officially break the news to them tonight.”

Shock and a horrifying realization washed over me. My life had taken an unimaginable turn. Pregnant with my mate’s uncle’s child. The implications were monumental, terrifying.

He saw the terrified look on my face and patted my hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, love. Everything will be fine. I’ll make you my Luna the moment I become Alpha. I promise to love and respect you, always.”

I forced a smile, a grotesque contortion of my lips as he kissed my forehead. “You’ve made me the happiest man on earth,” he said before leaving the room, leaving me alone with the crushing weight of my secret.

I sat there in silence, a torrent of conflicting emotions swirling within me. Shock and fear. A strange, unsettling mix of despair and a flicker of something akin to hope, however misguided.

I was pregnant with Bane’s child. The man who had unknowingly marked me, the man I had sought solace with in my pain.

Slowly, almost instinctively, I reached for the drawer beside my bed. My fingers closed around the card Bane had given me. My trembling hands dialed the number.

“Hello?” a masculine voice answered on the other end, deep and familiar.