Subtle Threats

Lyra's POV

I woke up earlier than usual because the house was quiet but I could hear someone moving downstairs. I heard Mom making coffee and I heard Selene humming in the shower and I believed Aria was pretending to sleep in her room. I hated how she acted like she belonged here. She just pretended to be one of us. She wasn't. The girl was just an exchange student who contacted agents to join our group as a new member. She occupied my bedroom space. She took my sister's attention. Now she had become pregnant. She found the perfect moment to reveal her situation after spending time with Dad while Selene was away. I wasn't stupid. The air carried an unusual odor which I detected.

I left my bed to check my phone for updates. My phone displayed no incoming messages. Good. I had to keep everything secret because I needed to protect this information until the right time. Rushing in would backfire. Selene would protect her because Mom would label my behavior as dramatic. Dad had been acting strangely because he had started to stare at Aria for extended times while defending her during dinner meals. I shook my head. No. Not going there. But I would keep watch over the situation. I found that moment perfect because Aria would not be able to maintain her hiding pattern.

I dressed quick with jeans and a hoodie as my choice of clothes. I chose to wear ordinary clothes. I took my backpack to head down the stairs. My mom smiled when she saw me. "Morning, Lyra. Pancakes?".

I said "No thanks" which I followed by taking an apple. Aria was at the table, picking at her food. Her face appeared pale while she showed signs of tiredness. She avoided my eyes after she whispered to me during breakfast. Good. Let her sweat.

Selene bounced in. "Lyra! You up already? Wanna ride to school together?".

I agreed to our plan. I kept it casual. Aria stood up fast to say , "I need the bathroom first".

She had made this bathroom request multiple times during the previous week. bathroom breaks. I watched her go. Selene didn't notice. Or didn't care.

Selene drove the car while Aria remained silent in the back seat. I turned up the radio because a pop song was annoying but it helped me fill the empty space. I turned back my head. Aria stared outside. The girl placed her hand on her stomach for a moment before she saw me looking at her so she quickly dropped her hand. Bingo. Hiding something.

The school day started with its regular disorderly situation. The hallway contained students who were shouting while lockers made slamming sounds. I had first period English with Selene. Aria entered the classroom after she arrived late. She went to sit at the back while she faced downward. The teacher continued to read from a book yet I watched her instead of the teacher. She yawned. Twice. She rubbed her eyes. She changed positions in her seat because she experienced discomfort. She looked tired to the point she needed to sleep.

She raised her hand to make a request. "Can I go to the bathroom?".

The teacher gave her permission to leave the room. She exited the room with her bag after the teacher allowed her to leave. I had witnessed her do that three times this week. Selene whispered to me. "She's been off. Fainting yesterday. Pregnancy stuff probably."

I nodded while I kept my face neutral. "Must be rough."

But my thoughts raced inside my mind. Pregnancy caused women to experience extreme fatigue and vomiting while needing frequent bathroom visits. He visited sometimes, sure. But six weeks? The doctor had seen her. I did quick math in my head. Selene was gone for a week visiting Mom. Aria alone with Dad. He had healed too fast because of his sprained ankle. I saw him heal too fast. Aria cooked for him. She took care of him. They both spent their time together during late nights.

No. It couldn't be. But the timeline matched everything. I needed proof. Accusations do not count. The evidence must be subtle and clever.

The cafeteria space filled with students during lunchtime. The three of us had our usual table setup which included me and Selene and Aria and some other pack friends. Aria selected her salad to eat because she wanted to avoid meat. She stated her lack of hunger. Selene showed concern. "You okay? Eat something."

"Good" Aria said with forced happiness. She drank a large amount of water.

I jumped in casual. "So, Ronan lands today, right? Are you excited?".

Aria nodded. Stiff. "Yeah. It'll be fine."

Selene grinned. "You two were cute together. Remember that beach trip last summer?".

Aria laughed. Fake. "Yeah. Good times."

I leaned in. Friendly smile. "When did you guys... you know, get back together? After the breakup?".

Selene shot me a look. "Lyra."

"Just curious." I shrugged. "Timing's tight. Baby at six weeks."

Aria's fork stopped. "We... saw each other when he visited. We... saw each other when he visited. Few weeks ago."

Selene nodded. "Makes sense."

Aria's eyes showed their tendency to wander away. Ronan hadn been home for two months. I knew his schedule. He texted Selene updates. He texted Selene updates. Six weeks pointed back to that week alone. With Dad.

The English class moved to group activities after lunch. I chose to sit near Aria. I did this on purpose. "Hey, pass the marker?".

She did. Her hand trembled. "Thanks."

"You look beat. Did you have a rough night?".

She shrugged. "I just feel stressed because of wedding stuff."

"Ronan will help." I smiled. "Or maybe not the dad?".

Selene overheard. "Lyra, stop."

I was just joking. I held up my hands to show I was innocent.

Aria's face turned white. She needed to visit the bathroom for the fifth time today. I waited til she left the room to take my phone. I sent a text message to Jade my friend from chem class who was not in the pack. "Hey. Aria drama. Pregnant by her ex but timeline's weird. I suspect she has a bigger hidden secret.

Jade replied fast. "Spill! Who's the real dad?".

"I don't know yet. But trust me. The dad is not Ronan.

"Juicy. Keep me posted."