I continued to stare at my phone's screen when another text from Nick dropped.
"Meet me at Remus cafe in an hour," it said. The fact that he was asking me to meet him at a public place was confusing. But then, our secret apartment was now compromised. Also, that cafe was far from campus and his family mansion.If he'd sent this text a week ago, I would've been over the moon. Meeting and talking to me in public would've meant he wasn't ashamed of me. However, all I felt now was dread mingled with trepidation and sadness.I looked at the pregnancy test again and decided it was better to deal with everything head-on and at once. At least, I know the full moon wasn't for another week. Besides, it was daytime. He wasn't calling to reject me. I already knew what he'd say when he found out that I'm pregnant. Not that I am. These kits weren't 100% accurate. Glancing at my watch, I decided to see the doctor to request an actual test. I had to confirm what was on the stick before I let myself go into panic mode.Twenty minutes later, the nurse had taken my blood and asked me to come back in forty-eight hours for the results. I immediately left for Remus cafe after checking briefly on my dad.Across the street from the cafe, Nick's intense grey eyes locked on mine from near the door. Jake was with him and out of habit, I looked away and proceeded to enter the cafe.As I expected, he didn't make any move to rise from his seat. But he also didn't take his eyes off me. Jake nodded in silent greeting. That was his best friend and future beta who knew all about our secret relationship. I couldn't never tell how he felt about the future alpha sleeping with a lowlife like me. Distracted, I bumped into someone at the door. It was Richard, Nick's other friend."What're you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class," he asked in a friendly tone. This one had always been somewhat close to nice, but he had no idea about me and Nick, I was dead sure."I'm here to grab a bite," I replied."Aww, you're exactly two minutes late. I would've let you joined me," he joked. "Oh, how kind. Thanks, Rich. It's the thought that counts," I returned.I should've fallen for this gamma instead. I wondered what he would've done if I was fated to him and not Nick.Though Nick still isn't leaving his seat outside the cafe, I could feel his eyes on me. I stole a glance his way, hoping to guess what he's thinking. His face is without expression as his eyes stay fixed on me."See you around, Sara."Rich held the door, stepping aside for me to go in. To avoid suspicion, I went straight to the counter to order a glass of apple juice. Hopefully, I'll be able to drink it without throwing up soon after. I found the most reserved seat by the corner and walked casually to go wait for Nick.As I started to sit down, I catch sight of him walking through the cafe's glass door. His eyes swept the place and within a few seconds, they settled on me.He walked straight to my table and took the seat facing me."Should I say it first or will you?" he asked."I think you said everything last night. Aren't you worried that your wolves will see us together?" I avoid his eyes as I spoke. My heart was physically breaking."Don't act like that's not what you want, Sara. Isn't that what your little confession was about?" His eyes were hard with anger as he said this.I'm the one in deep shit right now. I'm the one whose heart was falling to pieces. What right did he have to be angry?"Why did you want to see me?" I asked."My family may know about us now but that non-disclosure still stands," he replied. "I just wanted you to know. So if you have any more of those photos, you might wanna burn them. Or keep them as souvenirs if you like, I don't care. As long as no one else sees them."I was momentarily confused by his words. Then it occured to me."You think I told your mother about us?""Don't insult my intelligence!" He snapped. His tone had grown scary. I held back from telling him that he had zero intelligence if he thought I was the snitch."You're in trouble if you've mentioned us to anyone other than family. I won't be able to save you," he adds.Did Megan sign one of those stupid things, too? Or maybe he doesn't know that she knows about us. Instead of mentioning my roommate, I simply said,"It wasn't me, Nick. My father lost-""Don't say I didn't warn you," he cut me off and started to rise.Summoning a moment of courage, I quickly blurted,"I might be pregnant."His face transformed into a look that I would never forget. He lowered himself back to the chair before gasping,"What?"I kept my eyes on the drink in front of me."Are you trying to be funny?" His voice grew hard and low."Do you see me laughing?" I fired back.He gave a short sigh and spoke through clenched teeth, "I'd be able to tell, Sara!""Not if it's less than eight weeks. Also I said 'might.' I wouldn't know for sure till another forty-eight hours," I replied."Are you this desperate... and horrible?" He spat. His eyes were filled with so much revulsion that I couldn't help but lower my gaze. It was difficult to have him look at me this way.It seemed like he was waiting for my answer to his rhetorical question and when none was forthcoming, he spoke again."We used protection every damn time. You always took the pill when we didn't!" My gaze dropped lower and I heard his angry intake of breath before he repeated, "You always took the pill when we didn't, RIGHT?"When I stole a quick look at his face, the anger I saw sent a chill through me and I quickly replied, "I do."He waited, knowing that I had more to add. I went on, "Except for one that time when-""Goddess! Fuck! Sara!" He cut me off, rising from the chair.My heart lurched. I half-expected him to lift the table and hurl it to the glass wall. His eyes burned with terror as he regarded me. Wow! Me bearing his child was such a horrible thing, huh? Goddess, how could I have been such an idiot."You did this on purpose." He pointed accusingly at me.I got defensive. "It was just ONCE. You got a call and left for home earlier than you used to. I forgot.""So you're saying it's my fault?" He barked under his breath."I'm saying it was a mistake," I replied. We were starting to get an audience."I can't believe I trusted you," he said. "That was THE mistake and a very bad one!" Running his hand through his hair, he sat back down.This reaction was expected. Yet why was it so painful? I chewed my lower lips and forcefully swallowed the tears that were gathering in my eyes."It was a mistake, but it's reversible," he said.My heart sank into my stomach as the meaning of those words dawned on me."I don't need to explain why undoing this 'mistake," he used air quotes. "is your only option, do I? I mean you've got school. Your scholarship. I'm sure you're not thinking of letting that go for..." he trailed off as an odd look crept into his features.I told myself to be relieved over the fact that he didn't expect his mother to cancel my scholarship. As he stared at me, his eyes were full of disgust and disappointment."Meg warned me. Of course, bearing a potential heir to Reign Corporations is far better than a measly scholarship in an Ivy league." It sounded like he was thinking out loud as he said this.He nodded like he'd only just realized an important truth. "This was the plan all along. Isn't that right, Sara?"Nick POVAt the mention of her friend's name, the girl's eyelids lifted, and she stared at me with such pain in her eyes. My heart clenched, fueling my annoyance. What right did she have to act like I was betraying her?Ours was a simple agreement. I was devoted to her. Completely faithful to our deal. How could she do this?The full moon is on its way. That means seven days of hell before I could break this bond with her and move on. The Goddess binding us together was the worst luck ever. How could this be happening at such troubled times in the pack when my father was unwell?I started to rise as I spoke. "You know I almost believed it when you said you love me? For a second there, I actually considered ripping off the contract and starting over."That was nothing but the truth. I remember the delicious quivering in my stomach, how my heart swelled when she whispered those words against my lips. It was the strangest, scariest thing I'd ever felt. But after this bomb she just dropp
Nick's POVIt was the day of the full moon. My plans were simple. My routine workout and training would come first. Followed by a meeting with my father's corporate staff to review and. approve some projects. After that, I'd head to campus to meet with my professor about my desertation.As I drove into campus later in the morning, it took all of my will to break the silly habit of making a detour to spy on Sara. I failed. Jake was with me in the car. He regarded me with pursed lips and a deep sigh.The girl and I are still mated. I haven't gone near her in two weeks. Of course, my wolf was antsy. Not my fault. "I doubt she's in school, Nick," Jimmy ranted. "You and I know she's busy having a hard time with her father right now.""I have no idea what you mean! I'm just passing through to see if Meg is around or something," I lied even though it was pointless. "Also, she brought the hard times on her family."Jake didn't respond. As I passed her dorm slowly, I resolved to avoid her as m
** 4 YEARS LATER **Sara POVOrphic valley was supposed to be a small, quiet town. Less hustle and bustle. Little excitement. No drastic change to tire us out. Life here has been more than great. The people were supportive and extremely helpful throughout the pregnancy and birth of my child.I have a stable job in the local environmental council and my dad was happy with his food business. But it was starting to look like all of these comforts were about to end. Or at least that's how my dad felt. The last four years have been peaceful and nothing short of a happy one for all three of us. I know he's afraid that the peaceful part was drawing to a close."Dad, If they're building a mall, it's good for you. You may not even have to move the food truck," I tried to ease his mind."I know," he replied. "I'm not worried."Lies! My father hated the idea of a skyscraper in this town. He didn't want any city vibe at all."You look worried. I mean, yeah, you'll be uncomfortable for a few week
The sound all around me became muffled. Jeremy's speech echoed around me, but the words were slurred. Nick rose from his seat as his eyes settled on me as his mouth parted slowly."It's a pleasure, Mr. Colt," he said, extending his hand to my boss. He seemed to quickly recover from his shock. With a slight nod, he shook hands with Jeremy, averting his gaze from me like he didn't know me."This is my adviser, Jake Carlisle and Jude Duncan, his associate," he offered.Only then did I notice the other men. The Jude had just joined us. It looked like he came into the restaurant at the same time as we did.My boss took his beta's hand in a firm handshake before moving to the other man who's a human."I know him," Jeremy said with a smile. "I see you both on TV occasionally. When the mayor said the park will be financed by a major corporation from L.A., I knew it had to be the Reigns.""What can I say, we love the environment and wild life," Nick smirks. His manner is so easy and in contro
Nick POVOf all the places in this massive country! Why did she and her dad have to choose this particular one? But then the same can be said of me. Many other towns would be happy to have a large nature park like the one I was going to build here.As I walked quietly into the hall leading to the bathrooms, I tried my best to calm my racing heart. She looked like she would bolt when she left the table a moment ago. I can't let that happen. Why? I'll figure out the reason later.Her scent, Goddess! That enthralling mild smell of lavender and jasmine petals. It drifted by as I kept walking in slow, quiet strides. I stopped and rested my back on the wall, inhaling deeply. "I have not missed this," I murmured, waiting patiently by the hall. I'd caught that same scent yesterday evening when Jake and I drove past the local council's building. But it had been vague. I didn't dare let myself think that it might be Sara James. Earlier in the restaurant, before I heard her boss call out to me
Sara looked scared as she rushed towards a beat-up Hyundai. She started to open the door when she froze. Her senses must've told her that someone was watching because she turned around abruptly. Thank Goddess for the large pickup truck driving past sluggishly. She would've seen me across the road.What if she did? I asked myself. I discarded that line of thought when I couldn’t think of an excuse.Someone called out her name as soon as the truck passed by. Her attention shifted to the entrance of her office building. A half-blood female rushes towards her, saying things. What is this place? Half-blood country? There must be more of them than the two I've seen today.Minutes later, Sara pulls her car out the council's driveway, and I follow behind, tailing her to Goddess-knows-where. My phone rang. It was Jake, as suspected. “You’ve been gone for hours, alpha,” he said.“Is there something urgent to deal with?” I asked impatiently, turning the corner after the old car in front of me.
Sara POVI couldn’t see my father during lunch as planned, but I was so glad the day was finally over. We would talk as soon as He's done with this round of customers."Jeremy gave me too much work when we got back from the business meeting," I explained. "I feel like he suspects something."My dad wasn't paying attention. His back stiffened at the same time as Nick's familiar scent and aura wafted by. My heart jerked. I didn't dare strain my neck to see the person in front of the truck.Instead, I settle Alex on the chair gently. My hands shook as I set his drawing beside him.“Cake, mommy,” Alex protested. “Shh, hold on, sweetheart. Grandpa’s will give it to you once you've had your...” All thoughts and words died in my mouth as my gaze rested on Nick's. My dad stood frozen with the cup of ice tea in one hand.“Seb,” the customer called out impatiently. “My tea, please.”He seemed to regain himself and moved, handing the older woman her tea. Nick stood beside the customer, glaring
Nick turned his back on me and stomped back to the SUV, parked some feet from the truck. Jake followed quickly behind him. My heart continued to hammer in my chest as I watched them both.He opened the driver’s side and sat down. But he didn’t attempt to start the engine. Instead, he seemed to be barking orders at his beta, who kept nodding like a lizard to his every syllable. How I hated them both for showing up here.I had no doubt that Alex saw his face. He'd strained his neck to see who was calling out my name earlier. I wonder what that meant.Nick's head was bowed low now as he tapped his phone screen. Then he held it to his ear.What did he mean to do? He was right when he implied that I couldn’t fight him. This was a powerful figure, not just among werewolves but even humans. Why was this happening to me? He’d made it clear that he didn’t want me bearing his child back then. What changed?“C’mon inside, Sara,” my father ordered, taking me by the arms and leading me back into t