Chapter 2
1475 Words
COUNCIL.
Isla's POV.
I met Eric when I was turning 17, he saved me from a bunch of rapists on my way home and when he found out that we attended the same school, he became my friend.
I didn't want to let him in at first, for the fear of getting hurt but he crawled into my heart, then grew on me. He became my protector, making me feel safe every single day.
I was ecstatic when he asked me to be his girlfriend and that began our love journey.
'Was it all about to end now?' I pondered as I watched him pace back and forth in the hospital room.
"You are going to abort that thing." He suddenly said and a gasp escaped my mouth.
'Did he just call our child a thing?'. My chest tightened in pain.
"Nope, it's too dangerous." I refuted and he turned to glare at me, clenching his hands into fists as he stormed over to me again.
I flinched even though he hadn't touched me yet, whimpering as I sank further into the bed, as if to cower away from him.
'Was he going to hit me?'
"I don't care. Get rid of the cells growing in you." He ordered and I sniffled, fighting back the tears rushing to the brim of my eyelids.
"Why? Is it because of her? I promise not to get involved, just take care of this child and me." I cried out, hugging the duvet tightly to my chest.
"No way in hell I am believing you and taking such chances after the stunt you pulled at the mating ceremony." Eric snapped and I trembled.
'Could he blame me? He made a promise and broke it, and I thought, I thought.......' My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
Both Eric and I turned simultaneously to see his brother, Theodore, walking in, his hands tucked into his pocket, his long hair packed into a bun, some strands pulling out to cover a side of his ears.
"And what are you doing here?" Eric demanded, gritting his teeth against one another.
"Father wants to see you," Theo answered, not meeting his eyes.
Eric huffed, before walking to the door to leave, his hand was on the handle when he suddenly paused and turned to me.
"I will not tell you again. Abort that thing." He said and then left without looking back.
My heart shattered, and I couldn't find anything to say; all I could do was just look, not knowing whether to cry out in pain or to smash things.
"He is dangerous," Theodore said and I turned to furrow my brows at him. I had even forgotten he was in the room with us.
'Wait! Does that mean he knows what Eric meant?' I pondered and stiffened as his eyes flickered to my belly, unreadable.
Was it pity or something else?
"You can try getting the council to intervene." He added and then left as well, leaving me on the bed to ponder his words.
.............
.............
"I can't believe I am doing this," I muttered to myself as I walked into the building slowly, trying not to tremble.
It was a huge place, with she-wolves running up and down to do their duties. Everyone seemed so busy.
I made my way to a lady who seemed free, and when she saw me, she sniffed the air as if trying to gauge my rank to know how to respond to me.
She wrinkled her nose in disgust almost immediately, frowning down at me.
"What do you want?" She asked rudely as I played with my fingers nervously.
"To see the council," I replied and she scoffed.
"What will a peasant like you want to see them for?" She scowled, and I knew immediately she wasn't going to let me in, even if I told her what I was here for.
I let out a sigh, dropping my shoulders about to turn around when I heard an unfamiliar voice.
"Let her in, Valerie." A man said, and Valerie looked like she wanted to argue, but couldn',t, and just let me in.
I was led into a beautiful room with statues of ancient beings all over. In the middle of the room was a large table with six men sitting behind it.
Three on both the left and the right. They all seemed engaged in some paperwork but paused when they heard the sounds of my footsteps and lifted their heads to look at me.
"What brings you to the great council, child?" They inquired with a smile that I wasn't sure if was fake or genuine but it didn't ease me a bit.
I could hear the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears as I was gestured to a seat, my hands resting on my lap.
Could I do this to Eric? But he left me no choice. I was baffled. I wanted to speak, but the words refused to come out.
I just kept on gulping down my saliva, looking everywhere else but their faces.
"Judging by the red mark on your shoulder, I am guessing you are the curse?" One of the elders present spoke and I nodded briskly.
My stomach dropped, as I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe.
"You look scared. Is the curse supposed to be afraid of anyone or situation?" Another of the elders spoke up and I struggled to meet his eyes.
"Speak up, child, and no harm shall come to you." They all said at once and that made me feel reassured.
"Alright. I am pregnant." I blurted out and they all exchanged looks of confusion.
"Okay, but this is not a hospital, child." One of the elders who has been keeping quiet since spoke.
"It's for Crown Prince Eric," I added and all colors drained out of their faces.
Every smile wiped off, replaced with a frown towards me.
"This is no place for a joke." They warned and I shrugged.
"You can call your healer to test me and the paternity too, if it's safe for that now," I told them, placing my hand on my still flat belly, rubbing it.
One of the Elders facepalmed himself as they all began to whisper in some foreign language, which I had never heard before.
A few minutes passed and the next thing I knew was the door behind me barging open.
"Who dares to lay such an accusation against me?" I heard his familiar voice and cold sweat tickled down my spine.
What was he doing here? When did they reach out to him?
He finally came to our presence, not noticing me yet as fury emitted from him.
"She is right behind you, Prince." One of the Elders gestured towards me and Eric turned.
He went pale immediately, his jaw dropping as he blinked repeatedly at me, probably not expecting that I would come here, even I couldn't believe I developed the guts.
Seeing the look of panic on his face, the elders sighed and I breathed a sigh of relief. It had been proved I wasn't lying.
"Ruining my mating ceremony wasn't enough for you?" He suddenly roared, startling me in my seat.
"Y-you left me no choice." I stuttered, having this ominous feeling.
"So it is true? My prince?" The Elders asked and Eric scoffed.
"You truly believe I would impregnate a peasant, one that is cursed at that? She is just a schoolmate that I saved once, and since then, she has been obsessed with me." Eric half-lied and I shook my head in disbelief.
Do I even know this guy anymore? Was he truly the one who swore his love to me under the moonlight, who took my virginity?
Tears were threatening to fall so I just got up from my seat, ready to leave before I made a display here.
"I have never felt so disappointed in my life, Eric," I told him but he just glared daggers at me.
"Since we don't know who is telling the truth, both of you are to come here tomorrow for a test." The Elders decided, and I nodded in satisfaction, feeling a sense of justice and hope as I proceeded to leave.
"I can't believe you guys are even considering her lies." Eric began to speak, but I zoned him out. I didn't want to hear anything that would crush my heart further.
I went back to my little cottage, my home, and began making preparations for my dinner. I was halfway done when I heard a knock.
"Coming," I yelled as the sound came again. I hurriedly put off the gas cooker, wondering who could be at the door.
I dried my hands on my apron, before opening the door only to see.......
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