12

Elena’s POV

The moment I got home, I kicked the door shut behind me and leaned against it, trying to breathe.

My chest rose and fell quickly, my body sticky with sweat. I didn’t even realize how tightly I’d been holding onto my bag until it slipped from my fingers and hit the floor with a soft thud.

I felt like I had just run a marathon in a burning forest. The day had drained everything from me—my strength, my patience, my will to keep pretending that everything was okay.

“Take it easy,” Elizabeth said as she closed the door behind me. “You look like you’re about to faint.”

I didn’t answer. I just slowly peeled off the cardigan, then the white blouse underneath. My undershirt clung to my skin with damp patches. I felt dizzy again.

“I’ll get you water.” Elizabeth disappeared into the kitchen.

I sank into the couch and let my head fall back against the cushion. My pulse throbbed in my neck. My thoughts were a mess—tangled, confusing, loud.

She returned quickly, pressing a cold glass into my palm. “Drink.”

I took it gratefully. The coldness soothed my lips, but it did nothing to quiet the storm inside me.

“I can’t do this,” I whispered. “I really… I don’t know what’s happening anymore. It’s too much.”

Elizabeth sat beside me, eyes watching my face. “Talk to me.”

I set the glass down and rubbed my temples. “I promised myself I would never love again after what happened. After he rejected me. I swore I’d never let anyone in. But now…”

My voice broke, and I looked at her helplessly. “Now the Alpha—Rick—he says I’m his mate. Do you know what my wolf said today? She agreed.”

Elizabeth’s brows shot up. “What?”

“She said we’re mates,” I said, barely holding back the panic. “That she felt it too. But how is that even possible? I already had a mate. He rejected me. And now there’s another?”

She blinked. “You’re saying you have… two mates?”

“I know how it sounds,” I said quickly, rubbing my hands together. “I know it’s crazy. But I’m telling you the truth. My wolf… she’s confused but she’s not lying. She feels the pull toward him.”

Elizabeth sat back, frowning slightly, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

“My mom told me something a long time ago,” she said slowly. “She told me it’s rare, but it’s not impossible. Some wolves… chosen wolves… they’re born with more than one mate. Like… a prophecy.”

I looked at her, stunned. “A prophecy?”

She nodded. “It’s been two decades since something like that happened, according to her. But if it’s real—if you’re the one it’s happening to—then it’s not a mistake. It’s fate.”

“But how am I supposed to be someone’s fated mate… when I’m already pregnant for someone else?” I asked, voice breaking. “How does that even work? Is Rick supposed to raise another man’s child? Is this baby going to mess up everything?”

Elizabeth reached out and held my hand. “Elena, you need to breathe. None of this is your fault. Not the rejection. Not the pregnancy. Not even Rick being drawn to you.”

“But it feels like a curse,” I muttered. “Not fate.”

She shook her head. “Stop. Don’t go there. You’re strong. Stronger than anyone I know. And whatever this is—whatever it means—we’ll figure it out together.”

I gave her a weak smile, but my heart still felt heavy.

“You know what?” I said after a moment. “Can you get me some ice cream? From the shop down the street?”

Elizabeth blinked, then laughed. “Seriously?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Please. I need something sweet before I lose my mind.”

She got up, grabbing her purse. “Fine. I’ll get the biggest cup they have. But you better not cry while I’m gone.”

“I won’t. Promise.”

Before she left, she leaned down and hugged me tightly. “You’re not alone in this, Elena. You’re my sister—the sister I never had. I mean that.”

“I know,” I whispered, holding her for a moment longer. “You’re a darling, Elizabeth.”

She smiled and walked out.

The moment the door clicked shut behind her, I exhaled and reached for my phone.

I had barely touched the screen when a notification popped up.

1 New Message

Unknown Number

I clicked it.

“Elena. I know you’re hiding a dirty little secret. And guess what? I’m going to find out exactly what it is. And when I do, I’ll expose you to everyone. I’m sure you know who this is. Your lovely rival… Amelia.”

I froze.

The blood drained from my face.

My phone slipped from my hand and hit the couch cushion with a soft plop, but I barely noticed.

She knew.

Somehow—somehow—she knew I was hiding something. And she wasn’t bluffing. She would go through any length to destroy me. I knew that now.

My mouth went dry, and my fingers trembled.

What if she followed me? What if she saw me at the clinic that day I thought no one was watching? What if she overheard something in the hallway?

What if she knew about the baby?

No. No, she couldn’t know that yet. She was fishing. She was trying to bait me.

Still… the message was a warning. She was watching me.

I sat frozen, unable to breathe.

Just then, the door burst open.

Elizabeth rushed in, holding a small tub of ice cream, her eyes wide.

“What’s wrong?” she said, spotting the phone on the couch. “Why did you throw your phone? Are you okay?”

I stared at her, then pointed at the screen.

“She messaged me.”

Elizabeth blinked, then picked up the phone and read the message.

She exhaled sharply. “Damn it. Amelia.”

“I think she suspects something,” I whispered. “Maybe not everything. But she knows I’m hiding something.”

Elizabeth looked at me, her expression hardening. “Let her dig. We’ll stay ahead of her.”