006

Alethea 

I suck in a breath and slowly shake my head in denial, my voice barely a whisper. "No… this can't be true."  

The memory of that night rushes back, how the mate bond had overwhelmed us, how neither of us had thought about protection. It was like being caught in a trance, completely unable to control ourselves.  

Now, reality comes crashing down, and my heart sinks. Asher rejected me. He made it clear I wasn’t what he wanted. What will he do when he finds out about the baby?  

My stomach twists with fear. Rumors about him flood my mind—his temper, his ruthlessness, and the terrible things he’s said to be capable of.  

The thought makes my throat tighten. Breathing becomes harder as panic sets in, my chest heaving with the effort to draw in air.  

"Ally?" Selena's voice cuts through the haze.  

I snap my head up, meeting her gaze. Her face is etched with worry, her brows drawn together as she takes a step closer.  

"Selena, tell me it's not true," I plead, clutching her arm as though she’s the only thing keeping me upright.

A gentle smile curves her lips, but it feels like the world is pressing down on me. "Yes, Ally, you are pregnant."  

My hands tremble as they move to my stomach.  

Why me? Why was this happening to me? It feels like the Moon Goddess is turning me into a source of ridicule.  

Selena crouches beside me. "Rest, child. We'll talk more tomorrow, and you can tell me about the person responsible."  

Her words make my heart stop. I look up sharply.

“No one can know that we are mates.” Alpha Asher’s warning echoes in my mind. He had made it clear.

I swallow hard, my mouth dry, and force myself to nod. "Okay," keeping my gaze down to hide the panic in my eyes.  

Selena gently guides me to the bed. I lie down without protest.

My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts, fear, shame, and a deep ache I can’t seem to shake. But one thing becomes painfully clear as I stare at the ceiling.  

I have to leave the Redwood Pack.  

After the gala tomorrow, there’s no other choice. Staying here is too dangerous. If Alpha Asher finds out, if he senses even the faint heartbeat of the child growing inside me, I don’t know what he’ll do.  

I toss and turn, my mind replaying every warning, every rejection, and every consequence of staying. Until exhaustion finally takes over.  

***

The next morning, I wake up with a jolt, realizing I’ve overslept. The gala is today, and there’s still so much left to do.  

I throw on the first outfit I can find, barely sparing a glance at myself in the mirror. Grabbing my phone and bag, I rushed out of the house.

Before I know it, I’m standing outside the office building. My phone buzzes with notifications, and I focus on the screen, completely oblivious to my surroundings.  

As I head toward the entrance, my shoulder collides with something solid.

"Shit!" I mutter under my breath as my phone slips from my hand.  

Before it can hit the ground, a strong hand shoots out, catching it effortlessly.  

Startled, I looked up, my gaze meeting familiar blue eyes. It’s Liam, Alpha Asher’s Beta.  

Liam stands there, tall and composed, with a warm expression with his boyish charm and easy smile.

He’s handsome in a way that’s completely different from Alpha Asher’s intense, rugged appeal.  

"I'm sorry," tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."  

Liam hands my phone back to me. "It’s alright, Alethea.”

He glances over me briefly, then reaches out to adjust my shirt collar, which must have gotten rumpled during our collision.  

Just as his hand brushes the fabric, a sudden, heavy feeling washes over me. I stiffen, the sensation like a pair of eyes boring into my back.  

Instinctively, I turn around, and my breath catches in my throat. Alpha Asher is approaching us.  

His steps are deliberate, and his expression is anything but calm. His darkened eyes with barely contained fury, his jaw tight with tension. His hands are clenched into fists at his sides, the veins in his arms prominent.  

"In my office. Now," he growls, ignoring Liam's greetings. His deep voice sent a shiver down my spine, 

I nod quickly, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. I step toward the direction of his office.

My heart races uncontrollably, not just from fear of his anger but What if he hears the faint, distinct heartbeat of the life growing inside me?  

As soon as I step into his office, Alpha Asher grabs my wrist and pushes me against the wall. The rough movement takes me by surprise, and I hiss in pain.  

His face hovers inches from mine, his cool breath brushing against my skin. The intensity of his presence is overwhelming, and I can feel the raw energy radiating off him as he struggles to maintain control. 

My heart pounds wildly in my chest, a mixture of fear and something I can’t quite name coursing through me.  

I quickly avert my gaze, staring at the floor. I don’t want to provoke him further or give him the wrong impression.  

"Look at me, Ally," his deep, commanding voice laced with something that made my knees weak. 

"I'm sorry, Alpha," I stammer, trying to sound submissive. "I’m beneath you. I’m not worthy to look at your face."  

His fist slams into the wall just beside my head, the force reverberating through the room and making me flinch.  

"Damn it, Alethea!" he growls, his voice cuts through the air. "Look at me!"  

Reluctantly, I lift my eyes to meet his, my breath catching in my throat. His gaze is fierce, and his eyes are darkened.  

For a moment, I’m unsure if his anger is directed at me, or if it’s something deeper, something he’s fighting within himself.  

"What the hell were you doing with Liam?" Alpha Asher demands, his voice low and venomous. "Have you no shame? Can't you keep your legs closed, Alethea?"  

His words cut deep, and for a moment, I’m stunned into silence. But then, fury wells up inside me, a fire I can’t contain. He rejected me, he ignored me like I was nothing. And now, he thinks he has the right to control my life?  

Livid, I raise my hand and press it against his chest, determined to push him away. 

The instant my skin touches his, sparks ignite, shooting through me like lightning. The tingling sensation is almost unbearable, sending shivers down my spine. I gasp, overwhelmed by the intensity, as nausea suddenly washes over me.  

Alpha Asher’s grip loosens, his eyes flash with confusion. He stumbles backward, as he struggles to regain control.  

I seize the moment, I turn and rush out of his office, my legs moving faster than they ever have.  

I need to get away. Away from his anger, and the overwhelming pull that keeps threatening to break me. He must not find out that I'm pregnant.