Chapter 2: Revelation

I had urhsed her in without even thinking it, sending the maids to quickly get her something to drink.

“You look well.” I told her, maintaining the bright, genuine smile on my face.

“I do feel well.” She returned the smile. But at a lower intensity.

Valerie was my best friend. Or I hoped she still was She was the only friend I had managed to get while growing up and leaving away from the rest of the pack members.

Regardless of the stigma that had followed me around because of my mark, and my inability to transform, Valerie, had never once; failed in showing her care towards me. Even though it meant sneaking out every single time just to see me.

But we had lost contact a few months back. We had argued. Then she had suddenly turned cold after that day until she went completely AWOL.

The maid served her her drink, before turning away and leaving only the two of us alone in the sitting quarters. There was a small minute of silence— which made me feel slightly uneasy. But I didn't show it.

Valerie wasn't the quiet type. If anything, she was always the one who prompted me to speak while growing up.

“How've you been?” I asked the first question, watching her take a sip from her juice.

“How do you think I've been?”

Her question came out rather strange and cold, but the smile remained on her face, one that I wasn't entirely used to. And that made me uncomfortable

With that, I immediately covered it up with a small awkward laugh. At that moment, I wished I had gotten juice for myself as well.

“Well, seeing you; you look more than fine. Married even.”

One of Valerie's brows raised at my words. “Really? Well, that's truly an interesting thing to consider.”

The air went back to being awkward again. But I wasn't going to stop trying. I needed to patch things up with my friend.

“So, erm…do you…”

“Is Mat in?” She cut me off

“No. He had a meeting to quickly rush to.” I informed her, not being surprised that she would be looking for him. “Is he the one you came all the way here to see? In this your condition?”

Valerie smiled, although it didn't quite reach her eyes. “I came here to see both of you actually.” She said to me.

I felt a small sense of relief wash over me. She had actually come to see me as well.

“What do you think?” She suddenly asked; as she rubbed gently against her little baby bump. “Beautiful, isn't it?”

“It actually is.” I said with sincerity. “I'm actually so happy for you. Mathew didn't tell me you had gotten married already.”

“Well, Mathew wasn't aware of it either.” She said. “That's why am here. Although, I think it's way better I had run into you first.”

“Really? Why is that?”

Her smile brightened, but this one wasn't like her usual honest ones. There was something lingering underneath it that I couldn't quite point out.

“Well, it's only fair that you take in the view of the fact that our Mathew…”

I could feel my smile dropping slowly.

“...is going to be a father.”

My smile had completely disappeared, leaving total confusion to form on my face.

“What?”

“Isn't that great news?” She said suddenly, sounding almost excited. “I mean, you should be happy about this right? Considering the fact that you're unable to mother a child.”

I felt something in me crack slowly, until it begun to spread through my chest and my breath suddenly started to fail me.

“You can't possibly let my Mathew's bloodline to end with him.”

“What are you even saying?”

“It's exactly what you're hearing, sweetheart.” Her smile had begin to fade. “Mathew; is the father of my child right here. The same Mathew you had stolen from me.”

“I didn't steal Mathew away…”

“Who are you deceiving with that shitty excuse?” Her voice had suddenly grown cold. “You really think I would come in here and plaster up a fake dumbass smile; like you had done, on seeing you? No darling. I'm not used to playing pretence. Especially to backstabbers like you.

Suddenly, the entrance door opened; and Mathew walked in.

“Mathew!” Excitement immediately painted Valerie's face as she tried raising herself up.

“Vale?”

“You're back.” The words struggled to come out of my mouth as I was still trying to process the elephant in the room.

“Yeah. The meeting didn't extend for as long as I had thought it would.” He replied, before turning his attention back to Valerie. “What are you doing here? And when did you get here?”

“A few minutes back.” She said, embracing him tightly.

“You look well.” He told her, pulling her away slowly. “Is it just me or you're looking way fleshier than before?”

I could tell he was still oblivious to the fact that she had a baby bump. That's if he even knew what that was.

“Well, I guess you can say I'm feeling better than ever.” She smiled brightly at him with her eyes glittering brightly.

She had always looked at Mathew with that same intensity and emotions. Something that could easily pass off as a girl being madly taken in by someone. At that moment, I suddenly begun to feel like the third wheel.

Without hesitation, I stood up; not bothering to approach either of them.

“I guess I'd leave you two now.” I was in a rush to leave that space as quick as possible.

“No no.” Valerie's words immediately stopped me. “Like I said, I came here to see both of you. That's you included darling.” She smiled, as if she hadn't just dropped a massive bomb on me.

“Well, is everything okay at least?”

She turned her attention back to him. “Everything is great. Superb actually.”

I could feel my head suddenly start spinning; as she placed her hand on on her stomach

“Notice anything different?” She asked Mathew, while I could feel my blood slowly dry up my veins

“You're always fond of going around the bush. Can you just speak clearly already?”

I wondered how much he'd soon realize the peace he had in being oblivious once the truth sets in.

“Well…” she moved closer to him, pushing back her bright blond hair to her back, while she pulled Mathew's hands.

“Now, do you feel anything?” She asked, after placing his hand on her stomach.

Mathew seemed not to still understand what was happening, while I stood there, praying for the floor to open and swallow me up.

“I'm pregnant, Mat.” She finally blurted out. “You're going to be a father.”