CHAPTER 4

Aura's POV

Staring at the little white stick in my shaking palm, I sat on the side of my bed. I had never heard anything like the thunderous sound of my heartbeat in my ears. The two weak pink lines looked back at me as I continued to blink, hoping I was having hallucinations.

Pregnant.

My mouth became parched. With each breath, the reality sank deeper as I encircled myself in my arms. I had a bit of Ryder in me. The Alpha. The guy who had claimed me in the moonlight fell silent in the days that followed, his words and touches being replaced by silence and mystery, respectively.

It had been three days since I last saw him.

I knew I needed to speak with him. He had to know. I was not allowed to keep this to myself.

I put on a heavy coat without trying to dress appropriately and sprinted out the back of the servant quarters, my slippers barely keeping my feet in place. I moved more quickly than my head could process thanks to my legs. Ahead of me, the packhouse towered like a stronghold, its walls tall and its secrets loftier.

Entering the Alpha wing wasn't simple. At the entrance to Ryder's private rooms, two guards stood with expressionless faces as I walked up to them.

My voice was hardly audible above a whisper as I continued, "I need to see him."

One of them answered, "He's in a meeting."

"Please. It is urgent.”

The taller guard's eyebrow went up. "You must be called in to enter."

Called in. As if I were a thing he could call upon whenever he pleased.

I tightened my hands at my sides. With my heart in my throat, I backed away and murmured, "Just tell him Aura came by."

It had been days since he had called me. Not since the evening he cradled me in his bed, gave me a kiss as if I were air, and then vanished.

~~~~~

I forced myself to enter the packhouse the following day. I couldn't continue to hide. I would confront the only thing separating us if Ryder didn't approach me.

She.

Leona.

She had deep red lips and honey-blonde hair that was nicely styled, and she was tall. She exuded nobility in her posture and force in her smell.

Leona was reading a book while relaxing on the ivory sofa in the sunroom. Startled, then amused, she looked up.

As she turned a page slowly and elegantly, she exclaimed, "Well, look who finally crawled out of the shadows."

"I need to talk to the Alpha." I said.

She grinned. "Do you?"

Her eyes were as keen as swords, but her tone was mocking. Like a hunter studies prey, she studies me.

She went on, "He's busy. We're getting ready for a wedding, as you may have heard."

"It won't take long."

At that moment, she stood and approached me with purposeful steps. Her scent was overwhelming and delicious, like honey-wrapped poison.

"Aura," she began in a quiet voice, "let me be very clear with you. It's over, whatever game you were playing with him. I'm here now. His future lies with me. And you? You’re just a memory he regrets.”

The remarks struck more forcefully than they ought to have.

I forced myself to speak steadily as I said, "I'm not here to play games. I just need to talk to him."

Her lips nearly touched my ear as she pushed closer. "You are no longer needed."

She then took a step back, gave a kind smile, and took a seat once more.

Dismissed.

Before I said something I would later regret, I departed.

I sat on my bed that night and gazed at the little lump that was growing under my shirt. It was there, but I hadn't noticed it before. Only a slight swell. A start.

He would soon become a father.

With shaky fingertips, I touched it. “I don’t know what to do,” I whispered.

There was silence in the room.

In all honesty, I couldn't stay here.

Not when Leona is strutting around like a queen.

Not when Ryder keeps me like a secret.

Not while I have a child growing inside of me.

I had to go.

Even if it killed me.

~~~~~

I packed a little bag one night after everyone had gone to bed. Water, food, and clothing. The test for pregnancy. I put everything away and concealed the bag in my room under the floorboard.

I added more every day after that, including food items, extra boots, and a blanket.

I had yet to make up my mind.

Not entirely.

I was close, though.

When I saw Ryder and Leona strolling hand in hand across the training fields, it finally came to pass.

He appeared to be happy.

Not like the guy who huddled me in the dark.

Not the man who muttered my name as if it were holy.

The man has vanished.

I woke up that night feeling sick once more. I didn't fight it this time, though.

After retching and crawling to the bathroom, I lay on the chilly tile floor with tears streaming down my face.

I was by myself.

Utterly alone.

And I couldn't stay.

Not in this place.

Not anymore

I got up, went to where I had hidden my bag, and took it out.

I kept my hand over the zipper.

It was this.

Just before the break.

With the tiniest bump just beginning to appear, I pressed my fingers to my tummy.

"I'll keep you safe," I muttered.

I slung the bag over my shoulder after zipping it.

The forest beyond the packhouse, where the trees shouted promises of freedom and danger, caught my attention as I gazed out the window.

Tomorrow.