3. Fertility Drugs

Yuri’s pov: 

Under Aurora's beautiful and polished persona, I knew her to be the perfect little opportunist. After all, I had been Leo’s Luna for years and she, the woman who never failed to appear meek and fragile, always scheming, ever calculating. 

And while this was a wild bet. I wasn’t too surprised to see her nod after a mere few seconds, despite her barely concealed confusion at first. 

Aurora, who was standing behind Leo, came to face the elders, her face a mask of moritification and shame, “I found Leo, unconscious and delirious with need. As his girlfriend and future Luna, I couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. You see my and Yuri’s figures are similar, and I can understand how you could mistake us two.” 

Quick thinking, I mentally applauded her despite my all-consuming hatred. 

“After all, the pictures don’t show the woman’s face. I am sorry for the confusion this has caused. And I am willing to bear the responsibility of my actions,” she finished in a sweet tone of voice which had the knack to fool everyone present, as per usual.  

“Oh, what a sensible woman!” One of the elders let out in a cooing tone of voice. 

“Surely, you understand…” she trailed off as she appeared to be on the verge of tears. And I had to say that I lacked her skills, and understood at once why I never once won Leo’s favors. 

The woman was damn good at acting. 

“Of course. We totally understand,” Jason, the very same elder who had been eager to accuse me of being the most scheming woman around, didn’t hesitate to offer her a smile, showing me that it was never about the scandal, and more about who it would bind the Alpha to. 

The people around had looks of abject admiration and something akin to envy in their eyes. I wasn’t keen to know what they thought of me per se, or what they would think if they were to know it was indeed I who had slept with Leo. 

Leo looked at Aurora, his expression as dark as usual, his eyes glinting with something almost animalistic.

I could only reason that since he had actually been drugged, he couldn’t recall who he had slept with… After all, if he had indeed recognized me, would that mean he slept with me willingly? 

I could only wish his memories wouldn’t resurface. Especially not now. 

Please, I begged whatever deity was out there listening, don't let him remember anything from last night. 

“Now, if you’ll excuse me…” I drawled softly, my eyes looking at each of the elders in succession, asking for permission to leave. 

One of them merely waved me off, while talking about what a great Luna Aurora would be in time, and how happy they were to have such a sensible she-wolf by the Alpha’s side. 

My legs were made of lead as I returned to the room which I loosely called mine. Mom followed right after me, and pinched my arm the moment she closed the door. 

I let out an ouch almost reflexively. 

“What was that for?” I raised an eyebrow at her despite my weary tone of voice. 

“That was your chance,” she hissed at me, eyes narrowed. “How could you let her take it from you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, mom,” I retorted, playing the innocent card. 

“Right!” She scoffed. “Do you think I didn’t see how dishevelled you were yesterday when you returned?” 

“About that, can you go buy me an emergency morning after pill, mom?” I heaved a sigh, knowing she and I could never see eye to eye. But then again, she didn't know Leo like I did. She didn't live as his scorned wife for as many years as I did, begging for attention and receiving none.  

“How can you be so callous, Yuri?” She demanded, her eyes filling with tears of utter frustration, while I tried to make her see reason. “Can’t you see that this is your chance to carry the next Alpha heir and have the Alpha marry you?”  

“Mom, don’t be like this,” I begged her, my voice tired but determined. “I truly need to get the morning after pill, unless you want my efforts to escape the Alpha’s wrath to be all for nothing.” 

“I am only looking out for you,” her bottom lip wobbled, and I felt like this ordeal had made her far too stressed as of late. 

I reached out to hold her hands in mine, and said softly, “I know, mom.” 

“Clearly you don’t. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so stubborn,” she heaved a sigh as a couple of tears fell down her cheeks. 

“Mom, please, I am sure I will be monitored for some time, and I just cannot afford to become pregnant.” 

In my mind, I couldn’t help but apologize to my dear Violet. I wished her well, and a good loving family too… But Leo just wasn’t the father I would wish for her, or any child of mine for that matter. 

“Fine,” she nodded after a beat in consent, and I offered her a smile in return. “I hope you won’t regret this.” 

“I won’t,” I declared firmly, nodding at her in return. 

As we argued back and forth, I hadn’t betted on Aurora following us. And as the wicked and meddlesome witch she was, she didn’t hesitate to make sure the issue wouldn't be resolved the way I imagined it. 

The moment I received the pills, I was dragged to the pack hall, and made to kneel once again. 

I looked up with narrowed eyes, my teeth grinding together, but refused to speak first. I knew that whatever this was, it wasn’t good.  

“Well, what do you have there?” One of the elders spoke up, throwing the packaging I had just received at my feet, his contempt obvious on his face and in his voice too.

“I didn’t think contraceptive pills would cause this much of an issue,” I let out off-handedly, refusing to allow them to see how vulnerable I was. 

“Contraceptive pills, huh?” He bellowed, his rage almost palpable. “Do you take me for a fool?” 

“I am sorry, but I can’t possibly keep quiet about this, Yuri,” Aurora looked positively aggrieved, as if she were the one who was made to kneel, and I had to hold back a snort. “I saw you get the fertility drugs, and while I understand your desire to conceive, you shouldn’t be so... cunning. The Alpha doesn’t deserve to be cheated of his chance to be with his rightful mate.” 

Funny how she phrased her words, I mentally snickered.   

Wait, what? I mentally rewinded, and was shcoked to see, when I opened the packaging in haste, fertility drugs indeed.