CHAPTER FIVE: HIDDEN BURDEN REVEALED
1146 Words
Aria's POV
The night was dark and heavy just like the weight in my heart. I became so lonely and lost, never imagined that loneliness could lead me to make a great mistake.
The mistake of ending up in the arms of a stranger. I thought it was the best way to survive not knowing it turned out to be the opposite.
After ending up with a stranger that resulted in a one night stand, I felt it was the best option to forget my pain but that night left me with something I couldn't ignore—something of a new life growing inside of me.
I kept my secret hidden from everyone, especially the pack, so as to avoid being banished or humiliated.
How could I tell them? How could I explain what happened? I felt more isolated everyday, even as I work among them. I did hide myself in my shell to avoid unnecessary conversation.
One evening, as I sat by the fire inside the pack house, my best friend Lena noticed that I was distant. She leaned over with her eyes filled with concern.
“Aria, are you fine? You've been so quiet lately” She gently murmured.
I forced a smile trying to hide the truth. “I’m fine, Lena. I just have a lot going on in my mind."
“You look like you're fine. You act weirdly these days. Is there something you're not telling me?”
"Just as I said earlier, I’m fine, and there is nothing wrong with me. Believe it when I say this."
She wasn't convinced. “You know you can talk to me right? I’m always here for you."
Her words tugged at my heart, I never wanted to tell her everything but I couldn't. Not yet.
“I know Lena, you're always there for me. That's why I can't hide anything from you. Thanks for your care."
Lena sighed and squeezed my hand. “Just remember that a problem shared is half solved. You don't have to face whatever it is, alone."
As she walked away, there was a pang of guilt I felt inside of me, wondering why I couldn't share this with her.
Lena was like a sister to me, but this secret seemed too great and hazardous.
I placed my hand on my belly, feeling like a life was growing inside me. How much longer could I keep this hidden?
The next day I decided to work in the forest, hoping it would clear my mind.
The trees whispered around me, their leaves rustling in the wind.
The forest had always been a safe place for meditation but now it seemed like something different. I was holding secrets of its own.
I wandered deeper into the woods, looking for a better place to relax, but something caught my attention; I heard footsteps behind me.
My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to see Alpha Lucas, the leader of our park approaching me.
His sharp eyes were always vigilant, and always want to know more than he would be permitted to.
“Aria!" He called out, his voice firm but not unkind. “What brings you out here?"
I tried to sound casual, though my heart was pounding. “Just needed some time of relaxation, Alpha".
He nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. “You’ve been distant lately. Is there something troubling you? Feel free to express yourself."
I hesitated, not knowing what to say. “No, nothing. Just thinking...I guess I'm having a bad day."
"A bad day? What happened and what are you thinking about?” He pressed on.
I bit my lips, searching for an answer that wouldn't reveal too much. “Just thinking about my future and my place in the pack."
He studied me closely, and I could tell he didn't believe me fully. “You’re important to this pack, Aria. But if something is bothering you, you need to speak up. Secrets can be dangerous."
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words. “I understand, Alpha. But there's nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about?" He paused, staring at me suspiciously. “I hope you're fine. Aria?"
"Of course. I’m fine, Alpha. And I’ll always be fine”. I said, with a fake smile forming on my lips.
Alpha Lucas didn't look convinced, but he didn't push further. “Very well, just remember I’m here if you need to talk."
As he walked away, a chill ran down my spine. I felt my head spinning. The storm was being calm by his words but deep down, a thought struck through my head.
How long before he or someone else would find out about my secret? How long would I keep pretending like everything was normal?
Days turned into weeks and I kept to myself as much as possible, not revealing to anyone about my pregnancy, even with the act of keeping my secret hidden, the pack watching, always noticing the smallest changes.
I knew it was only matter of time before they would start asking me some weird questions.
One evening, as I was leaving the pack house, I over heard two pack members discussing me.
“Have you noticed anything strange about Aria?" One of them whispered.
"Yeah," the other replied, "she has been acting different and avoiding everyone from speaking with her."
"What do you think about that? I suspect something is going wrong with her."
“Maybe she's depressed because she was rejected by Damon." The other said, and then they both burst into laughter, making fun of me.
My heart raced as I listened, trying to stay out of sight.
“What do you think it is?” The first voice asked.
“I’m not sure, but I heard Alpha Lucas talking to the elders. They think she's hiding something."
Panic gripped me. They were already suspicious. I needed to do something before it would be too late.
I rushed out of the pack house, needing to clear my head.
The night air was cool so I decided to walk to the lake, the place where it all began. I wondered why my little encounter with the Alpha could create such an atmosphere of mockery.
The memories of that night flooded back, and I cursed myself for being so reckless. I also blamed myself for sneaking out of the pack to the bar to have such painful experience.
Why was this happening? Maybe something something was not right.
I kept contemplating, but before I could figure out things, I suddenly heard a noise behind me. Fear gripped my heart as I spun around, scanning through the darkness to confirm if I was being monitored.
Who could that be? Was someone following me?
I strained my ears, but all I could hear was the wind in the trees.
- Writer
