Mated in the shadows

The test

Episode 5:

Celeste sat on the cold stone bench tucked behind the garden, her arms wrapped around her knees, eyes staring blankly into the distance. The wind was gentle, but it didn’t soothe her — not today. She heard footsteps approaching, and without looking, she already knew it was Bonnie.

Bonnie sat beside her quietly, saying nothing for a while. The silence stretched between them until Celeste finally broke it.

"Why did she do it?" Celeste asked, her voice low, almost trembling. "I don’t even talk to her… I don’t even know her like that."

Bonnie sighed, her gaze fixed ahead. "Some people don’t need a reason, Celeste. They just want what they want — even if it means stepping on someone else to get it."

Celeste turned her head, eyes searching Bonnie’s face. "But she looked so scared… why lie so boldly and then crumble so easily?"

"Because she thought no one would stand up for you," Bonnie replied. "She thought you were alone."

Celeste scoffed bitterly. "And maybe I am. Maybe if you hadn’t spoken up—"

"Don't," Bonnie cut in gently. "You’re not alone. Not while I’m still breathing."

Celeste gave her a weak smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Thanks, Bonnie. I just… I don’t get it. I didn’t do anything to her."

Bonnie placed a reassuring hand on her back. "That’s the thing. You didn’t have to."

---

Days later.

The full moon was fast approaching, and Celeste hadn’t felt the stir of her wolf—not even a whisper. It worried her sick. Her chest tightened each morning she woke up still disconnected, still painfully human. As if that wasn’t enough, she had missed her period. And now she sat on the edge of Bonnie’s bed, holding her breath as her best friend examined the small white test strip.

"Is it positive?" Celeste asked anxiously, fingers clenched into the fabric of her dress.

"Celeste, calm down," Bonnie said for what felt like the hundredth time.

"How do I calm down, Bonnie? We are days away from turning night and I haven’t even felt my wolf. I’ve been nauseous, tired, and now my period won’t come." Celeste’s voice cracked. “Bonnie, what am I going to do if it’s positive? How do I tell Kael—or anyone—that a mere omega got pregnant for the alpha? I’m not even sure I’ll turn... and that just kills my chances even more.”

Beads of sweat slid down her temples. Bonnie opened her mouth to speak again, but the creak of the door interrupted them.

"Celeste, Bonnie," came a familiar voice—Mrs. Amaya, Bonnie’s mother.

Bonnie shot up, panic flashing in her eyes. She quickly shoved the test strip and wrapper into her drawer just as her mom opened the door.

"What are you girls doing in here?" Mrs. Amaya asked, eyeing them both.

"Uh..." they both fumbled.

"I was having a stomach ache!" Celeste blurted out.

Mrs. Amaya’s expression softened immediately. "Oh dear, are you alright?"

"Yes, ma’am. Turns out it's just my period," Celeste lied, forcing a smile.

"Well, it's time for training, Bonnie," her mother said, already turning to leave.

Bonnie looked at Celeste before dashing after her mom. "When I come back, we’ll check it again!"

"You won’t be back till night," Celeste called after her, but Bonnie was already gone.

Celeste sighed. Her bladder ached, so she decided to use Bonnie’s bathroom before heading back to her quarters. As she pulled down her pants, her breath caught—there it was. Blood.

Relief flooded her like a crashing wave. She actually laughed a little. She finally got her period.

---

Evening

Celeste lay curled up on her small bed, clutching her belly. The cramps were unbearable—but oddly comforting. She stared at the cracked ceiling, letting her thoughts wander.

Bonnie had been such a light in her life. Her room, the most decent in the Omegas’ quarters, was thanks to Bonnie’s efforts. Bonnie had even asked her to move in once, but Celeste declined, not wanting to take advantage.

Still... she worried.

Why hadn’t her wolf come? Was she... human?

“No,” she said aloud. “I heal too fast. I felt the heat. I feel something... something with Kael. It wasn’t just sex.”

She sat up, the thought clawing at her chest. “If I were human, I’d be dead by now. That’s what they said happens when a human sleeps with an alpha—instant death.”

Determined to share the good news, she walked to Bonnie’s apartment. The Beta quarters were livelier at night, voices echoing in the distance.

On the ground outside Bonnie’s door, a folded piece of paper caught her eye. It smelled like old parchment. Curious, she picked it up.

It wasn’t a pamphlet—it looked like a page torn from an ancient book. As she read, her fingers tightened around the edge.

> “If an alpha sleeps with anyone who is not his fated mate—even if they are a wolf—they may die.”

Her heart nearly stopped. The words echoed in her skull.

She shoved the paper into her pocket, her pulse thudding loudly in her ears. She reached Bonnie’s room and pushed the door open. Bonnie emerged from the bathroom, strip in hand.

“I got my period,” Celeste announced quickly.

“It’s positive,” Bonnie said at the same time.

They both froze.

“I got my period!” Celeste repeated, confused.

Bonnie blinked, equally puzzled. “Well... this test says you’re pregnant.”

Celeste’s throat closed. “That can’t be right.”

She ran to the bathroom, checking the pad she had placed earlier.

Clean. Completely clean.

“No... no no no no—” she began to cry, the tears hot and painful.

“It’s okay, Celeste,” Bonnie said gently, stepping in behind her. “We’ll figure it out.”

Celeste shook her head violently. “How? How do we fix this, Bonnie?”

She collapsed to the floor, sobbing. Deep inside, she already knew the answer. There was no fixing it.

It was over.