My Little Wolf

The Ghost of My Not So Jolly Past

I felt absolutely sick.

The sun had just risen over the horizon and I woke up with the need to throw up. I had jolted out of the bed, rushing to the bathroom. I lived in a separate part of the palace, which had been built when my father had announced his engagement to my mother. My uncle, the king, had given it to them as a gift and my mother had me there. 

Now, I'm 19 and my mother had long since passed. I had been 16 when I lost her and it had been the most painful time of my life. But Jen had made something easier. My life had gotten complicated since those times but now, all I could think about was getting to the nurse's wing. I opened the door, rushing down the hall. My maiden called out for me, "Madam!"

"Get the nurse!" I cried out, my stomach lurching again. "Oh!"

It had taken a few minutes for the nurse to find me but when she did, she wasn't alone. 

"A-Annabeth?" I whispered, looking up at her shocked. She looked back at me with a sad smile.

She helped me up, "We'll catch up later, dear." She said. "Let's figure out what's wrong, okay?"

I nodded, my stomach lurching again. For a minute, I was able to relax and whimpered when she rested me on the medical cot. The nurse ran a few tests before giving Annabeth a knowing look. "U-um, have you..." She hesitated.

"What?"

She chewed on her lip, grasping my hand as the Nurse ushered away to grab some elixirs from her cupboard.

I frowned and finally said, "I value our friendship because it's so much more than petty secrets and fearful truths."

She nodded and squeezed my hand, "You're pregnant, Pierce."

For the next two days, I avoided Jen. In fact, I stayed in my father's part of the castle. But I couldn't avoid the truth for too long. So one day, I walked up to the Main Office door and knocked. A voice on the other side called out to me, "Welcome!" I walked in, nervous. I smiled when Juliet, the Luna, and Queen of Wolf Shifters, wrapped me in one of her signature warm hugs. I hugged her back, slightly relieved. "How are you?" The room was illuminated by candlelight that made the room feel cozy and safe. She leads me over to a pair of desks that were positioned right next to each other in the far back of the room. She sat me down in the chair opposite of her and tilted her head questioningly. "Well?"

I caught my breath, and my thoughts, and told her, "I'm pregnant."

Her eyes widened happily, and she smiled. 

"It's Jen's."

Her mouth opened.

"o-oh," She whispered, brushing off her blouse with nervous hands. I looked down at my hands, nervous and scared at the same time. She took a breath and then said, "Well, we'll have to get started on the wedding so you can wear the dress of your dreams before your bump gets too big." I snapped my head up, my eyes widening at the statement.

"You're..." I started, "Not mad?"

She got up and walked over to me, sitting in the chair opposite the second table, and pulled it closer to me. I turned toward her and she grasped my hand, squeezing softly. My heart stuttered. It reminded me of my own mother before I had lost her. 

Juliet smiled at me lovingly. "My daughter is an adult and can make her own choices," She cupped my cheek and I smiled, the tears that had been filling my eyes now flowing over the edge. "As long as you two accept the consequences of those actions."

I nodded, resting my hand on my stomach protectively. It sparked inside of my chest, at that moment. I knew that I loved this child. I knew that I wanted this child. I had lost my mother when I was 16 years old. I barely understood what life was, let alone who I was as a person. After mom passed, I leaned on my dad with almost everything. Problems with my period, my first heartbreak, my coming out as gay, all of it. And he didn't have someone else to lean onto anymore. It was just us. My family was small and broken, but it was still my family.

And now I was going to have one of my own.

That night, I watched the stars and the moon dance across the sky from my window, and my door was opened. At first, I expected it to be my father because he was the only one who really walked into my room. But I was shocked when I saw the Alpha, our king. I curtsied, ducking my head in a polite nod. He walked up to me, saying nothing. Finally, I whispered, keeping my head and gaze down, "C-can I help you, your majesty?" I asked quietly when he said nothing.

"Yes," He said slowly and softly. "You can leave." My heart sunk.

"What?" I whispered when I could finally respond.

He snarled at me, "You can leave. My bloodline doesn't need the burden of someone like you."

Tears stung my eyes and I quickly brought my hand to my stomach. "But- This child is your bloodline!" I all but screamed at him. His eyes widened, shocked, and I froze. 'Oh no, big mistake.' I immediately thought. He advanced on me and I tightened my grip on my stomach.

"Leave," He snarled, his face enraged. "Or I will get rid of this problem another way."

I stayed frozen, fear gripping me in that one spot. The King turned around and walked to my door. When he took a step out of the door frame, I finally found the will to speak up. "My baby is not a problem."

He smirked, "You're right. It's nothing." He shut the door.

If it had been slammed, maybe I would have moved faster. But he had shut it quietly, not making a sound and that had been scarier. I cried, silently, and slid down to the floor. What was I going to do? I'm 16, unmated. And pregnant. How am I supposed to take care of this child with no help? What will my father think when he finds out I've been banished?

Was I even banished? I didn't care, my baby was in danger. It must have been hours before I finally got up. I ran to the nurses courters. The torches on the wall illuminated the stone castle in an eerie way. The flames flickered and the shadows danced across the walls. To me, they were ghosts. Ghosts of those who had been wronged like I have, telling me to run. Telling me to hurry. So I quietly knocked on the door that I recognized. It opened a few moments later and I was met with the sight of a disheveled Annabeth. Her eyes widened when she recognized me and she went to curtsy. I clutched her shoulder. 

"I need your help." I whispered. I don't know what it was, maybe the look in my eyes, the fear in my voice or maybe the tears drying on my face. Annabeth quickly pulled me inside of her room and shut the door. I explained to her what had happened and for a minute, she stood there. The time ticked by so long, I thought she was going to throw me out and call me a liar. Then I'd truly be alone.

Instead, she hugged me. When she finally pulled away, she told me, "I know how to help you."