Four:

Grace's POV.

This was the absolute last place that I wanted to be.

I hated both of them for what they did to me - to our bond, our friendship. I hated them for ruining everything and there was a part of me that never wanted to see either of them again.

I just wanted to forget that they ever existed.

But there was another part of me that wanted to confront them. That wanted to tell them how much they hurt me and how much I hated them for it.

I wanted to make them look me in the eye. I wanted to make them face me.

And I needed closure. I needed to see them one more time just to convince myself that what I saw was real and that it really was over.

And despite everything else that's happened - what he's done. Rhyder still deserved to know that he was going to be a father.

Rhyder should be back from Alpha training by now. I had a plan: show up, confront them, and leave again without ever looking back.

"Grace... is that you, sweety?"

Her surprised voice stopped me dead in my tracks. I turned on my heel to face her and a small gasp escaped when she wraped me in her embrace and pulled me close.

"I'm so happy you came back. I thought I'd never see your beautiful face again."

She choked back tears on the last two words.

I released myself from her warm embrace and stepped back just enough to look at her. I tried a small smile.

"I'm not back. Agetha. Not really. I just came to see Rhyder. We need to talk."

Agetha looked disappointed. There was something else behind her eyes as well: pain, shame, anger, embarrassment - I wasn't quite sure.

"Oh, I'm sorry Grace. But Rhyder isn't back yet."

My pulse stuttered slightly and I hated myself for it.

"Why not? Did something happen?"

"No, dear. He's fine. They just decided to extend their training by a week. He'll be back in a few days."

I sighed heavily, my shoulders slumping. I had to muster up the courage to come back here and face them for what they did. I was ready to have a go at them now - I didn't know if I'd still feel the same way in a few day's time.

I didn't know if I would be able to convince myself to come back here a second time.

"Oh, I see."

It was all I could manage to say to Rhyder's mother.

Before I could walk away however, Agetha stopped me by taking one of my hands in hers.

"You could stay, you know," she saw the hesitation in my eyes and quickly added, "not forever, just until he gets back. I'd love to spend a little time with you, so would Ronin. And I bet your parents miss you just as much."

My first instinct was to say no immediately, turn around, and run away. But the way that Agetha was looking at me, with such imploring eyes, made me think twice.

Maybe it would be better if I just stayed until he got back - then at least I wouldn't have to work up the nerve to come back again. And I did miss my parents. I wouldn't mind spending a little time with them as well.

So, I nodded my head slowly, but didn't trust my voice not to betray me.

Agetha smiled, her eyes brightened a little.

"Perfect. You can all come over for dinner tonight. I'll talk to your mother about it."

She pulled me into another tight embrace before walking away. She only made it a few steps before she turned to look at me again.

"Grace..."

"Yes."

"I'm so sorry... for what they did... you deserved so much better."

Tears brimmed her eyes - they looked sad again. I had to fight to bite back my own as well. I didn't respond, I just turned and walked away as quickly as I could without actually running.

I couldn't wait to see my mother. I desperately needed a hug from her.

But there was one place that I wanted to stop first.

I knew that it was stupid and that it would only end up hurting, but I wanted to go anyway.

I tried the door - it was unlocked.

Logic should have told me not to go in. The last time that his door was unlocked ended horribly. But I was so caught up in the moment that I was barely paying any attention.

I just wanted to be close to him again. I just wanted a wiff of his scent. Maybe I was just punishing myself - making it worse. But in that moment I really didn't care.

My breath caught when I pushed the door open and found her sprawled across his bed.

At least she was wearing clothes this time.

"Alexis."

"Grace."

She breathed as she shot upright. Maybe I was just imagining it, but she actually looked disappointed to see me.

"What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

My words were sharp. My voice like ice.

She looked around his room sheepishly.

"I'm hiding, actually. I'm not very popular with the pack these days."

She looked sad. Maybe she was looking for a little sympathy - she was looking in the wrong place.

"I can't imagine why."

I crossed my arms as I said it. My face felt like it was on fire. It took everything in me not to lunge at her.

Alexis climbed to the floor, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin defiantly.

"Look, Grace..."

My blood began to boil instantly. Was she really about to lecture me?

"I know that what we did to you was awful and I really regret that you had to find out like that. The last thing that I wanted to do was hurt you..."

"And yet, you did it so skillfully."

She gaped at me for a split-second before continuing.

"But it wasn't just some drunken one-night stand. We're together now - Rhyder and me."

I wanted to scratch her eyes out with my claws. Like that was somehow supposed to make everything better. Like it was supposed to hurt less.

"Forgive me if I don't congratulate you."

Alexis took a step toward me, a slow smile started around her mouth.

"Oh, come on Grace. Please? I know that this isn't easy for you, but we're going to be a family."

"Wha... wh... what?"

I could barely choke out the word. It felt like my heart had stopped working completely. My head was spinning a little.

"I'm pregnant, Grace. Rhyder and I are having a baby."

I almost burst out laughing, but luckily I caught myself in time. It sounded so absolutely absurd - I didn't want to believe her.

I wanted to tell her that she was a lying, cheating bitch.

But the way that she rested her hand over her slightly protruding belly and smiled down at it told me that she was telling the truth.

I've done the same thing a hundred times.

Tears began to blur my vision as I spun round and headed for the door. Alexis called after me, but I ignored her.

All I wanted was to get as far away as possible.

If Rhyder was having a baby with Alexis, he didn't need one with me as well...