Chapter 3: Terrifying

Nathalie's Point of View

I woke up very tired the next day for no reason. Is this a side-effect of being pregnant?

I can't believe I'm going to miss work. I never missed work. This is just so annoying.

I tried to get out of my bed and called Carol. Abruptly, she went inside my room.

"What is it?" she asked.

"May you get me a glass of water, please?"

I'm so tired and so thirsty, and I feel so hot. I don't know what my body wants.

Carol handed me the glass of water, and I immediately drank it. But still, my body feels so heavy and exhausted.

"What are you feeling? Do you want to go to the hospital? I'll call a doctor?"

I shook my head. "I can manage it," I said.

I went back to lying down on my bed as I endured the unexplainable pain I was feeling.

And then, out of the blue, my door opened. There, I saw Elijah standing. He was panting like he had run miles.

I immediately sat down.

"Why are you here?" I asked curiously.

Carol stood behind him, and she smiled at me. "Sorry, I had to tell him," she said.

I sighed. "How did you tell him? You have his number?" I asked Carol.

I don't even have my own boss's number.

"Yeah. Well, he gave me his number just in case something happens to you. He told me yesterday to update him constantly about your condition," Carol explained.

I looked at Elijah. He walked towards me and cupped my face. He's so handsome. His emerald green eyes never fail to captivate me.

I don't know why I feel intense fondness and warmth whenever he's near me. This is also the reason why I am so drawn to him.

"Are you all right? What happened? Do you feel hurt?" he asked. He is worried.

I shook my head. "I'm fine."

He grabbed my hand and kissed it.

I smiled.

"Are you really sweet? I barely saw you working at the company, so I always thought you were an intimidating and harsh boss," I said.

He looked at me and tightened his grip on my hand. "I'm not a kind boss, but I'm a gentle and loving husband," he replied.

I blushed. "You're not my husband."

"Almost."

Elijah lay down beside me. I know Carol is probably eavesdropping right at my door.

"I feel warm with you," I muttered.

Elijah's arms are wrapped around me. My head was on top of his chest.

Yet, I don't understand if I really feel love.

"Likewise," he replied in a deep voice. I guess he's trying to take a nap.

"Why do I feel so drawn to you? Even during that night, I knew I was a bit sober. It's just so bizarre. Are you sure you didn't drug me?"

Elijah's eyes widened, and he looked at me. He grimaced. "People who are meant for each other also feel the same way. Have you never fallen in love before?"

"I did, but I never felt my attachment with you. It's like I have been with you for years."

Elijah smirked.

"And your scent is very enthralling," I added.

"Just rest, Nathalie. We'll have a date immediately once you feel better."

...

I woke up feeling better, but Elijah wasn't beside me anymore.

I glanced at the door and saw Carol. She was staring at me with a mischievous grin while her arms were crossed.

"I can't believe you've grown!" Carol ran towards me and hugged me.

She bawled like a child. "Nathalie isn't my innocent baby anymore!"

I laughed at her.

"Stop being so ridiculous, Carol. It's not like I will forget about you," I said.

She wiped her tears off and smiled at me.

"Elijah is waiting outside for you. He told me the both of you are going to go on a date, so you need to fix yourself. I'll lend you the best stripper dress I have and—"

"STRIPPER DRESS?! CAROL?!"

She chuckled. "I'm just kidding! I'll lend you the most beautiful and modest dress I have. Your hair and makeup are on me too."

And my makeover began. I wore a red dress made of flowy silk. However, this time, It was much decent than what I've worn at the club. Carol also fixed my appearance and hair. She's a great beauty artist.

"Fantastic, baby. Go outside and meet your husband."

"Carol, he's not my husband!"

"A few months, or probably weeks from now, you'll be his wife. Just get used to it, all right?"

I sighed at her. I can't ignore the fact that Elijah and I will marry, hopefully.

I don't want our child to grow up having an incomplete family. I just want the best for this baby.

And I also need to tell my brothers about my condition. They have no idea that their sister is pregnant. I hope they won't get mad at me for being so indecent recently.

I went outside the apartment with Carol accompanying me. It was already evening.

I saw Elijah in a gray suit and red necktie. He looked so awesome. His jet-black hair is tidied up, and I can't believe I'm going on a date with such a hot man like him.

"Let's go, munchkin," he uttered and held my hand.

"Munchkin?"

"Because you're cute and beautiful."

I waved my hand at Carol goodbye as Elijah started his car's engine.

"So, where are we heading?" I asked.

"Secret."

He's making me excited.

"You know, I've never felt this before. I didn't even think I would experience loving someone again," I said. I felt somewhat emotional.

"So, you love me?"

My jaw dropped. Did I say the wrong word?

"That w-wasn't the—"

"I love you too. I love you, Nathalie."

My whole face turned red... No, my entire body turned red!

"Y-you—"

"I don't know what's special about you that makes me want you every day, every minute, every second. Since the day we made love, you were always on my mind. Always."

My jaw remained dropped while staring at Elijah. What is he saying?

HE'S SAYING THINGS THAT ARE MAKING MY HEART WANT TO BURST!

"So, this night, I want to do something very memorable."

He stopped the car, and we went outside. We went to the park. There were roses everywhere, lights, and even men playing the violin.

"Woah," I exclaimed.

"You like it."

I nodded my head.

We sat at the table placed in the middle. There were exquisite dishes served.

I gasped for the nth time. "You didn't have to prepare for all of these," I said.

Elijah smiled at me. "But I want to make you happy. I want you to experience the best in the world."

We started eating. Honestly, I felt awkward because I had a hard time slicing through the steak. It was my first time, so I didn't know how to eat it.

But Elijah helped me. He fed me. That made me feel even more awkward.

After we ate, the violinists started to play a piece of very romantic music. Elijah asked for my hand, inviting me to dance with him.

And so we danced, slowly and gently. Our eyes just stuck to each other as we kept smiling and blushing.

"This is a dream of mine, Elijah," I said. I finally said his name.

"Whatever your dream is, my dream too."

After a few more rounds of dancing and laughing, the music changed.

A man came toward us and handed me a bouquet of red roses.

"Thank you. They're beautiful."

I looked at Elijah, and he went down on his knees. He pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it.

I got startled. He's proposing.

"Nathalie, I know we had just known each other for days, but I'm sure that you're the one for me. So, I want you to be my wife and someone who will stay with me in sickness and health, in poverty and in wealth, until the end."

I cried. I can't possibly say no to him because I'm also sure I want him. I need him beside my baby and me.

I'm getting married.

"YES, ELIJAH. I WILL BE YOUR WIFE."

He smiled at me. Tears were also evident on his face.

He took the diamond ring from the box and placed it on my ring finger.

"It's beautiful," I murmured.

We embraced each other after that. "Thank you, Nathalie. You're making me the happiest man alive."

We pulled from the hug, and he looked at my lips.

We know where this is going.

He kissed me, and I kissed him back. We kissed passionately as the music continued playing. It doesn't matter if people see us. He owns me, and I own him. We own each other.

After a few more deep kisses, we immediately halted as we heard a loud roar from nearby.

It made me shiver. This is the same exact roar I heard when I was fifteen.

And then a massive wolf just appeared in front of us. It has striking red eyes and black fur.

I screamed. Elijah immediately hugged me.

"STAY AWAY FROM US!" he screamed at the wolf.

"E-Elijah, l-let's just l-leave..."

I was too terrified to even speak or move. I didn't know what to do.

"ALPHA ELIJAH, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU MINGLED YOURSELF WITH HUMANS JUST TO LOOK FOR A MATE!"

Whose voice was that?

Did that voice come from this wolf?

What is he talking about?

Elijah looked at me and cupped my face. I could see that he was distraught for me.

"Nathalie, whatever you're going to see right now, please don't leave me. We're still going to get married, right?" he said. His voice was shaking.

I nodded my head.

Then suddenly, it's like lightning struck Elijah. I fell to the ground as I watched him.

My eyes widened when he turned into a wolf. A wolf bigger than the wolf who has red eyes.

His fur was white like snow.

But still, I was terrified.

Now I remember what happened nine years ago.

The animal that killed my parents wasn't a bear...

But a wolf.