C4

===== Freya Holloway POV =====

"I know he is with her," I said to Aunt Eleanor. She looked sad for me, but I just smiled.

Lucien was a stranger. This marriage was just a deal for my mother’s land. I did not need his love. I walked into the bedroom. It was big and smelled like him. Aunt Eleanor told me this was his room. We were married on paper, so I guessed I had to sleep here.

I sat on the bed and pulled out my phone. I needed a job to take care of my mother and the baby. My eyes caught a post for a translator. It was for the country where Graham had sent us. It was a hard language, but I knew it well. I hit apply.

The house grew quiet. The moonlight came through the window like white silk. I fell into a deep, heavy sleep.

A car roared into the driveway outside. I didn't hear it. The front door opened and shut. Heavy footsteps moved through the dark hallway. A man walked into the room. He was breathing hard and smelled like expensive wine. He did not turn on the lights. He just fell onto the bed beside me.

I felt a weight move, but I was so tired. I curled into a ball and slept on.

Morning sun hit my face. I blinked, feeling a warm, hard arm around my waist. I was tucked against someone’s chest. I turned my head. Lucien was looking at me. His eyes were dark and heavy. His hand was resting on my side, and I could feel the heat of his skin through my thin pajamas. He looked at me like I was something he wanted to eat.

I remembered the lion in my dream. I jumped back, grabbing the blanket to cover my chest. "You! What are you doing in my bed?"

He didn't move. He just looked at me and said, "This is my bed."

I stopped talking. He was right. "I thought you were with your girlfriend for her birthday. Why are you here?"

He smirked. "Her birthday is not as important as our wedding night."

I felt my face get hot. "This is just a business deal. Stop that."

He started unbuttoning his shirt. I turned around fast. "I am leaving!"

I ran out of the room. He did not care. I heard him go into the bathroom and turn on the shower.

I sat in the kitchen, trying to calm my heart. An hour later, the bathroom door opened. He walked out wearing only a robe. His hair was wet, and his chest looked like solid stone. He walked past me into the bedroom to get clothes.

I stayed in the kitchen. I did not want to see him.

Inside the bedroom, Lucien opened his closet. He saw my bag. It fell, and my things spilled out onto the floor. He knelt down to pick them up. He stopped. His hand froze on a piece of paper.

I walked toward the door, wanting to check on my bag. I stopped when I saw him holding my doctor's report.

He looked up at me. His eyes were wide and cold. "Freya, female, eighteen. Early pregnancy, six weeks."

He stood up. The air in the room felt like it was breaking.

"You are pregnant?"

"Are you pregnant?" he asked. His voice was so cold it made the air in the room feel like ice.

Aunt Eleanor walked by the door. She looked in and saw me standing there in my pajamas, looking messy. She smiled like everything was perfect. "Did you two have a good night?" she asked, her voice way too happy.

I gave her a fake smile. "I slept fine."

"Go change. Breakfast is almost ready," Aunt Eleanor said, walking away.

I looked at the bedroom door. Lucien was still in there. I had to get my things. I knocked. No answer. I pushed the door open. The room was freezing. Lucien sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my medical report. My clothes were thrown all over the floor.

My face got hot with shame. I ran over and grabbed the paper from his hand. "How could you? That is my private life! Do you even know what privacy is?"

He stood up. He walked toward me like a predator. His eyes were dark and scary. "Privacy? You come into my house carrying a bastard, and you want to talk to me about privacy?"

I felt my heart race. I backed away, my hands flying to cover my belly. "I did not mean to lie! We had a deal. I didn't think it mattered if I told you about the baby."

"A deal?" He laughed. It was a cruel sound. "Were you going to let me raise another man’s pup? Is that the plan?"

"No! I have no hidden motives!" I cried, backing into the wall.

He stopped, his eyes glued to my hands on my stomach. "Then why hide it?"

I breathed hard. I had to make him believe me, or I was dead. "I only found out a little while ago. I am sorry. I promise, I will not cause you any trouble. If I do, you can do whatever you want to me."

He stared at me for a long time. He looked like he was deciding whether to tear me apart. "Clean this up," he finally said, pointing at the mess on the floor. Then he turned and walked out.

My legs gave out. I sank to the floor. I picked up the ultrasound picture, and a tear fell onto the paper. I kissed the picture. I wouldn't let him hurt my baby. I wouldn't be weak.

I changed and left the house quickly. I walked straight to the small rental where I lived with my mother.

"Freya? How was the Alpha?" Martha asked as soon as I walked in.

"He is a good man, Mom. Do not worry about me," I lied. I was so tired. I just wanted to sleep.

I slept for hours. When I woke up, the sun was high. Martha had cooked lunch. She put a plate of sweet and sour fish in front of me. The smell hit me like a punch. My stomach flipped.

"Ugh!" I scrambled up and ran to the bathroom. I leaned over the sink and retched.

Martha followed me, her face pale. She was a mother; she knew what this meant. "Freya, what is wrong?"

I gripped the sink. I couldn't hide it anymore. My mother needed the truth. I looked at her, my hands shaking.

"Mom," I whispered. "I am pregnant."

Martha took a step back, her eyes wide. She looked like she was going to faint. "You are only eighteen, Freya! How can this be?"