The weight of the Lie

Flora felt the weight of Lily’s gaze even before they stepped outside the hospital.

The air outside was cool and sharp, carrying that fresh scent of pine from the forest surrounding the pack territory. 

Pregnant.

The word echoed in Flora’s mind like a drumbeat.

She walked beside Lily in silence, her hands stuffed into the pockets of her jacket as though that could somehow hide the truth growing inside her.

Lily finally stopped near a bench outside the hospital entrance.

“Sit,” she said gently.

Flora obeyed without protest.

For a moment neither of them spoke. A few pack members passed by the building, casting curious glances in their direction. 

They knew she was pregnant.

Word about such matters usually traveled quickly in a pack. 

Lily leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.

“So,” she said quietly. “We should probably talk about what happens now.”

Flora’s stomach twisted even just by Lily's words.

“I guess,” Flora said softly.

Lily turned toward her, her expression soft.

“You don’t have to look like the world is ending,” Lily said. “This isn’t the worst thing that could happen.”

Flora almost laughed.

If Lily knew the truth, she might not say that.

“It feels like it,” Flora murmured.

Lily nudged her shoulder lightly.

“You’re not alone, okay? I’m here. I'll always be.”

Flora swallowed the sudden lump in her throat.

Lily had always been like this…loyal, protective and stubbornly supportive.

Which made the secret Flora carried feel even heavier and the quilt ten times worse.

Lily exhaled slowly.

“Ryan has to know.”

Flora stiffened slightly.

“I don't like him one bit, as you know…

But he should,” Lily continued. “This is his child too.”

Flora looked down at her hands.

“Maybe… later.”

Lily frowned.

“Later?”

“I just found out,” Flora said quickly. “Can I have a little time before we tell everyone?”

Lily studied her face carefully.

For a moment Flora thought she might push harder.

But Lily sighed instead.

“Okay,” she said. “But not too long.”

Flora nodded gratefully.

Lily leaned back against the bench, staring up at the sky.

“You know,” she said thoughtfully, “if Ryan tries to run away from responsibility again, my dad will deal with him personally.”

Flora’s heart lurched.

Marcus.

Every mention about him felt like a death sentence to Flora's ears.

“My father might be patient,” Lily continued, “but he won’t let a man abandon his child.”

Flora forced a tight smile.

“Yeah,” she whispered.

If Ryan was to claim the child as his… the lie would become permanent.

Flora didn't know whether that'll be a good thing or a bad one.

Just then, footsteps sounded behind them.

“Flora?”

The familiar voice made both women turn.

Ryan Carter stood a few feet away, slightly out of breath as if he had rushed there.

His hazel eyes flicked nervously between them.

“Ryan?” Lily said sharply. “What are you doing here?”

Ryan rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

“I heard Flora collapsed,” he said. “Someone from the training grounds told me she was brought to the hospital.”

His gaze shifted to Flora.

“Are you okay?”

Flora hesitated before nodding.

“I’m fine.”

Lily crossed her arms.

“You have a lot of nerve showing up like you care.”

Ryan’s shoulders sagged.

“I know,” he admitted quietly. “I deserve that.”

Lily looked unimpressed.

“You cheated on her.”

Ryan didn’t argue.

“I made a mistake,” he said. “A big one.”

Lily scoffed.

“Sleeping with your ‘best friend’ isn’t a small mistake.”

Ryan looked genuinely uncomfortable.

“I’m not proud of it,” he said.

Flora watched the exchange silently, feeling strangely detached.

Lily then turned to Flora.

“Tell him.”

Flora froze.

Ryan frowned slightly.

“Tell me what?”

Flora’s mouth felt dry, the words felt stuck in her throat.

So, Lily answered for her.

“She’s pregnant.”

Ryan’s eyes widened.

“What?”

Silence stretched between them.

Ryan stared at her, clearly stunned. Flora fixed her gaze to the floor refusing to even look him in the eye.

“Pregnant?” he repeated.

Flora nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

Ryan ran a hand through his hair, pacing in front of the bench as though trying to process the news.

Lily watched him carefully.

“Well?” she said sharply.

Ryan stopped walking.

His expression shifted slightly, it became less shocked now and more thoughtful.

“If the baby is mine…” he said slowly, “then I won’t run from it.”

Flora’s heart skipped.

“You’re serious?” Lily asked, caught off guard herself.

Ryan nodded.

“Yes.”

Lily seemed almost surprised.

Ryan stepped closer then.

“Can I talk to Flora for a minute?”

Lily narrowed her eyes.

“I’ll be right over there,” Ryan added quickly, gesturing toward the walkway.

Lily hesitated before nodding.

“Fine.”

She walked a few steps away, pretending to scroll through her phone while still keeping an eye on them.

Ryan sat beside Flora.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then he leaned slightly closer.

“This changes things,” he said quietly.

Flora kept her eyes forward.

“What do you mean?”

Ryan lowered his voice.

“A baby makes people forget things.”

Flora frowned.

“Forget what?”

Ryan shrugged.

“Everything. The cheating drama.”

He gave a small smile.

“A family makes people forgive.”

Flora felt a chill crawl down her spine.

“You’re thinking about reputation,” she said softly.

Ryan didn’t deny it.

“Everyone is already talking,” he admitted. “But if we’re having a child… things settle down.”

Flora stared at him finally, meeting his sharp gaze.

“You said the baby is mine, right?” Ryan asked again.

Flora’s chest tightened immediately…

“Yes.” she said slowly.

Ryan nodded. “Then we should do this properly.”

“Do what properly?” Flora asked.

“The mating ceremony.”

Flora’s breath caught.

“It’s the right thing to do.”

Before Flora could answer, Lily returned.

“So?” she asked.

Ryan stood.

“I told Flora I’ll take responsibility.”

Lily studied him carefully.

“You mean that?”

“Yes.”

Lily crossed her arms.

“If this child is yours, you’ll claim her. Officially.”

Ryan nodded.

“I will.”

Flora felt like the ground under her feet was disappearing.

The lie was becoming real, too real.

For a beat, she herself even forgot that it wasn't his and it was Marcus’.

Eventually Lily insisted Flora go home to rest.

The sun was beginning to set as Flora walked slowly down the path away from the hospital.

Her mind raced.

Ryan was willing to claim the child as his, ready to start a family.

Lily trusted her fully too.

And Marcus…

Inside the hospital, Marcus Steele stood in a quiet hallway outside the doctor’s office.

The pack physician looked slightly nervous as the Alpha entered.

“Alpha Steele,” the doctor greeted.

Marcus closed the door behind him.

“I need information.”

The doctor straightened immediately.

“Of course Alpha. How may I help?”

Marcus placed Flora’s medical file on the desk.

“I want the timeline of her pregnancy.”

The doctor flipped through the file quickly.

Then he stepped behind his desk and rummaged through the documents there.

Flora Bennett…found!

“It’s very early,” he said after another moment. “The tests indicate conception occurred roughly one week ago.”

Marcus went very still.

“One week?” he repeated quietly.

“Yes, Alpha.”

The doctor looked up.

Marcus’ blue eyes had grown darker.

“One week,” Marcus murmured again.

Exactly one week ago…

Flora Bennett had knocked on his door in the middle of the night.

She turned up drunk and vulnerable. One thing led to another and it happened…

Marcus slowly closed the file.

His wolf stirred violently under his skin.

Because if the doctor was right…

Then the child growing inside Flora Bennett could only belong to one man.

Him.