Two

Melinda’s POV

I pushed the door open.

Every single head in the room snapped towards me.

My heart was pounding so hard against my ribs I felt like a trapped animal. The large office felt suffocating.

The council elders sat around the long dark table near the fireplace. Their expressions shifted the moment they saw me.

Some looked uncomfortable, others looked annoyed.

But my eyes didn't linger on them. They locked onto the two people standing behind the massive mahogany desk.

Ashley was sitting impossibly close to Carl. Her hand was resting lightly on his forearm, her fingers pale against his dark suit jacket. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, her silver-blonde hair falling in perfect waves down her back, her eyes bright.

Carl was beside her, his powerful shoulders tense, his dark eyes fixed on me. His aura filled the room. Even seated, he dominated everything around him.

His eyes narrowed as he looked at my face.

"Melinda," he said, his voice deep and cutting

"What is the meaning of this? Why are you here? You know the council is in a private session."

His harsh voice cut deep.

I opened my mouth, but my throat clogged instantly.

"I heard," I whispered.

My voice was trembling, but I forced myself to stand straight.

I gripped the crinkled piece of paper in my hand so tightly that my nails bit into my palms. "I heard what you all were saying."

“Then you know you no longer belong…. “

An elder started.

“Silence," Carl snapped, though he didn't look back at the old man his eyes stayed on me,

“Melinda leave”

The entire room waited.

“I’m pregnant too." I blurted out.

The words seemed to freeze time. The room became so quiet that I could hear the fire crackling beside the walls.

Nobody moved.

The elders stared at me blankly.

Carl’s expression froze completely.

For one heartbeat, I felt a tiny spark of hope. I waited for Carl to rush to me, to take me in his arms, to tell me that everything would be okay.

Suddenly Ashley threw her head back, a mocking, cruel sound escaping her lips.

She stepped around the desk, her high heels clicking loudly against the stone floor as she walked toward me.

Her eyes, which had always looked so sweet up to moments ago, were now full of venom.

"Pregnant?" She laughed again, shaking her head as if she had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

"Oh, Melinda. Are you really that desperate?"

"What do you mean?" I said,

"I am telling the truth."

"Please," She sneered, her voice dripping with disgust.

She stopped just a few feet away from me now.

"You have been barren for three years. The entire pack knows your womb is dead but the very minute I announce that I am carrying the Alpha’s child, you suddenly miracle a pregnancy out of nowhere?

It is absolutely disgusting how far you will go to keep a title that was never meant for you."

I couldn’t believe what she just said to me.

One elder sighed heavily.

“Luna Melinda…”

“I’m not lying,” I repeated desperately.

Ashley folded her arms.

“This is pathetic.”

Carl said nothing.

I looked toward him desperately waiting for him to stop them but he remained seated, staring at me intensely.

“Carl,” I whispered.

His jaw tightened slightly at the sound of his name.

I walked toward him on trembling legs before holding out the report with shaking hands.

“I went to the healer today,” I said weakly. “He confirmed it himself.”

Carl took the papers from my hand silently.

My breathing became uneven as he lowered his eyes toward the report.

Ashley unzipped her designer leather bag loudly.

"If we are handing out reports, Melinda, why don't we show Alpha this one too?" She said smoothly.

She pulled a crisp, white sheet of paper from her bag and held it up for the room to see.

I could see the official letterhead of the pack clinic. It looked exactly like the paper I had.

"What is that, Ashley?"

She sighed dramatically, placing a hand over her heart, her face twisting sorrowfully. "I didn't want to say anything because I wanted to protect whatever dignity Melinda had left.

She handed the papers to Carl gracefully.

“These are mine,” she said softly.

Carl took them slowly.

I stared at the papers in horror. It was identical to mine.

“I cannot let her deceive my Alpha and the pack."

She turned to Carl, her eyes wide and innocent.

"Carl, Melinda approached me near the clinic earlier this morning.

I froze completely.

“What?”

Her eyes filled with fake sympathy.

“You asked how difficult it would be to forge pregnancy records.”

My body went numb.

“That’s a lie,” I breathed.

Ashley continued softly like she was hurt by the situation.

“I didn’t want to embarrass you by mentioning it before everyone, but this has gone too far.”

I stared at her in complete disbelief.

“You’re lying.”

Selene’s face hardened.

“Why would I lie about something so disgusting?”

The elders began murmuring louder now.

“I never expected this from the Luna.”

“…clearly desperate.”

“No!” I cried. “That never happened!”

Carl’s aura suddenly darkened and instantly the room fell silent.

Fear slid down my spine immediately.

His dark eyes lifted slowly toward me.

“Did you ask Ashley that question?”

I shook my head rapidly.

“No, Carl. Never.”

“I never saw her this morning! Carl, she is lying to you! I was alone in the office with Dr. Thomas!"

“I’m pregnant,” I whispered desperately. “I swear it.”

Ashley looked offended.

“You should stop this now, Melinda.”

“I’m telling the truth!”

“The healer can confirm it,” I rushed out quickly.

“Ask him yourself. He knows the truth, send for him."

"Yes, please send for him," Ashley interrupted immediately, her voice confident.

She didn't look worried at all. In fact, she stepped back toward Carl, her shoulder brushing against his arm once more.

"Let’s bring Dr. Thomas up here right now and clear this up so Melinda can finally stop this embarrassing act."

“Bring the healer.” Carl finally obliged.

The wait felt unbearable.

Nobody spoke to me and I stood there awkwardly.

Carl turned his attention to Ashley who shifted close to him slightly, Carl immediately steadied her elbow instinctively.

It was a tiny movement but I saw it.

How carefully he looked at her and protected her like she mattered.

My chest ached so badly I thought I might collapse.

Ashley leaned closer toward him slightly.

“I’m fine,” she murmured softly.

Carl’s gaze finally returned toward me.

“You understand the seriousness of this situation,” he said calmly.

My throat tightened.

“I understand.”

“If you are lying—”

“I’m not.”

Thomas walked in then.