Small Hope

[Araya's POV]

Araya kneels over the chamber pot, her body heaving. Nothing comes up but bile, bitter and burning. She gasps, pressing her hand against her stomach, trying to steady herself.

This is the third morning in a row.

Araya wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and stands slowly, her legs trembling. The room spins. She grips the edge of the basin, waiting for the dizziness to pass.

It must be stress. The whispers. The humiliation. Jasper's cruelty. Serenya's threats. It is all too much. Her body is breaking under the weight of it.

Araya crosses to the window and pulls back the curtain. The courtyard below is empty, the morning light pale and cold. The moon is waning now, growing thinner each night.

Only a few weeks until the full moon.

Serenya's words echo in Araya's mind.

"You'll be gone before the next full moon."

Araya closes her eyes, pressing her forehead against the cold glass.

A knock sounds at the door.

Araya turns. "Come in."

Millie enters, carrying a tray with bread and tea. Her warm brown hair is pulled back in a braid, her hazel eyes soft with concern. She sets the tray on the table and looks at Araya, her brow furrowing.

"You look pale," Millie says.

"I'm fine," Araya says.

Millie crosses to her, resting a hand on Araya's arm. "You're not fine. You've been sick every morning this week."

"It's just stress."

"Maybe," Millie says. "Or maybe it's something else."

Araya shakes her head. "I'm fine, Millie."

Millie's grip tightens gently. "Araya, please. Let me take you to the healer. Just to be sure."

Araya hesitates. The thought of leaving the chamber, of facing the pack again, makes her stomach twist. But the sickness is getting worse. And if something is truly wrong, she needs to know.

"Alright," Araya says quietly.

Millie's expression softens with relief. "Good. I'll take you now, before the halls get crowded."

Araya nods. She pulls a shawl over her shoulders and follows Millie out of the chamber.

The corridors are quiet, most of the pack still at breakfast or attending to their duties. Araya keeps her head down, avoiding eye contact with the few wolves they pass.

Millie leads her through the winding halls to the healer's quarters, a small stone room near the infirmary. The scent of herbs and medicinal smoke drifts through the air, sharp and earthy.

Millie knocks on the door.

"Enter," a voice calls from inside.

Millie pushes the door open and steps inside. Araya follows.

The healer is an older woman, her hair streaked with gray, her hands steady and worn from years of work. She looks up from the table where she is grinding herbs, her dark eyes sharp and assessing.

"Millie," the healer says. "What brings you here?"

"It's Araya," Millie says. "She's been sick. Every morning for the past few days."

The healer's gaze shifts to Araya. She sets down the mortar and pestle and gestures to a low bench near the hearth. "Sit."

Araya crosses to the bench and sits, her hands folded in her lap.

The healer approaches, studying Araya with a practiced eye. "How long have you been feeling ill?"

"Three days," Araya says.

"Any other symptoms? Dizziness? Fatigue?"

Araya nods. "Both."

The healer hums thoughtfully. She kneels in front of Araya, pressing her fingers gently against Araya's wrist, checking her pulse. Then she moves her hand to Araya's stomach, pressing lightly.

Araya flinches.

"Tender?" the healer asks.

"A little," Araya admits.

The healer stands, her expression unreadable. She walks to the table and picks up a small vial, uncorking it. The scent of wolfsbane and something sweeter drifts into the air.

"Drink this," the healer says, handing the vial to Araya. "It will settle your stomach."

Araya takes the vial and drinks. The liquid is bitter, coating her tongue. She swallows hard, grimacing.

The healer watches her closely. "When was your last cycle?"

Araya pauses, her mind racing. She tries to remember, but the past few weeks have been a blur of pain and humiliation. "I... I'm not sure. Before the wedding, I think."

The healer's eyes narrow slightly. "How long before?"

"A week. Maybe two."

The healer is silent for a moment. Then she nods, as if confirming something to herself. "Stay here."

She crosses to a cabinet and pulls out a small pouch, opening it carefully. She takes a pinch of dried herbs and places them in a bowl, pouring hot water over them. The scent fills the room, earthy and medicinal.

The healer brings the bowl to Araya. "Drink this. All of it."

Araya takes the bowl and drinks slowly. The tea is warm, soothing, though the taste is strange.

The healer waits, watching Araya carefully.

After a few moments, Araya feels a faint warmth spreading through her chest, settling low in her stomach. It is not unpleasant, but it is noticeable.

The healer nods again, her expression softening slightly. She kneels in front of Araya once more, her voice dropping low.

"Araya," the healer says quietly. "You're with child."

Araya's breath stops. The words do not register at first. They hang in the air, strange and distant, like something spoken in a dream.

"What?" Araya whispers.

"You're pregnant," the healer says gently. "Early still. But the signs are clear."

Araya's hands fly to her stomach, pressing against the fabric of her dress. Her heart pounds in her chest, a wild, unsteady rhythm.

Pregnant.

She is pregnant.

With Jasper's child.

Araya's vision blurs. She blinks hard, trying to focus. "Are you sure?"

The healer nods. "I'm sure."

Millie gasps softly from where she stands near the door. She crosses to Araya, kneeling beside her, taking Araya's hand in hers. "Oh, Araya."

Araya stares at the healer, her mind racing. A child. She is carrying a child.

This should be good news. This should be cause for celebration. A Luna carrying the Alpha's heir is a blessing, a sign of strength and favor from the moon.

But all Araya feels is dread.

Jasper does not love her. He barely tolerates her. He threatened to reject her if she caused trouble.

What will he do when he learns she is pregnant?

Will he believe the child is his?

Or will he accuse her of betrayal, as he has accused her of so many other things?

Araya's chest tightens, panic rising in her throat.

The healer rests a hand on Araya's shoulder. "Breathe, child. You're safe here."

Araya forces herself to take a slow breath, then another.

"Does anyone else know?" Araya asks.

The healer shakes her head. "Only the three of us."

"Good," Araya says. "Don't tell anyone. Not yet."

The healer nods. "I won't. But you'll need to tell the Alpha soon. He has a right to know."

Araya's hands tremble. "I know."

Millie squeezes Araya's hand. "It will be alright. This is good news, Araya. A child is a blessing."

Araya wants to believe her. She wants to feel hope. But all she feels is fear.

The healer stands, moving back to the table. "Rest as much as you can. Avoid stress. And come see me again in a week."

Araya nods, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you."

Millie helps Araya to her feet, guiding her toward the door.

They step into the corridor, the cool air hitting Araya's face like a slap.

Millie keeps her arm around Araya's shoulders, steadying her. "Let's get you back to your chamber."

Araya nods, unable to speak.

Her mind is spinning, thoughts tumbling over each other.

Pregnant.

She is pregnant.

And she has no idea what happens next.