Chapter 5
1172 Words
Verity POV
My pregnancy made me unusual just like Thomas said. In just two days I was already weaker than usual. I threw up countless times a day. I was looking sicker than before and although my tummy was only a tiny bit round it was the heaviest thing I've had to carry.
I stared at my reflection, oversized clothes were not my style but that was all I could do till I was sure of how to tell my parents about it or just get rid of the thing. I desperately needed Laura now.
I joined the family for dinner, something Thomas insisted on when he came back. My heart pounded with anxiety. Of all the nights to eat as a family, did it have to be the day when Killian wasn't in a hurry to leave for his night training? His training was improving and so were his senses. No doubt he would sense a fifth heartbeat in a heartbeat.
I sat at the table, Killian had already devoured half his pasta. I held my breath hoping he won't sense anything from me. But that was stupid because it failed the second I tried it. He paused mid-bite, his sharp gaze narrowing.
"There's an extra person here," he said, his eyes flicking toward me. The room fell silent, and every gaze turned in my direction. He set down his fork, his eyes never leaving mine. "It's not your heartbeat. Did you have anyone over, Verity, is someone in that hellhole you sleep in?"
I swallowed hard, my palms growing clammy as I clutched the edges of the table. My hands started to shake and before I could stop myself, "I'm pregnant," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Thomas, my adoptive father, jumped to his feet, his eyes widening in shock. "What do you mean you're pregnant, when did you do anything with anyone?" he demanded.
"On the night of the mating ceremony," I confessed, holding nothing back. Lyra shot me a scrutinizing look.
"Who's the father?" she inquired.
"I... I don't know him," I stammered. It was the truth, I knew nothing about Harry yet I was carrying his child.
The room fell silent. Killian's expression darkened, and in a flash, he drew his belt out of his trousers.
"You disgrace this family!" Killian's voice thundered. I was struck very quickly, five times before Thomas intervened.
"That's enough, Killian," he declared, his voice firm. He stormed away from the table and when he returned, he carried my bags, a silent signal that he had reached his limit. He threw my small bag outside, the contents scattering on the ground. Grabbing me by the hairband, he pulled me to my feet. "Get out," he spat, his eyes devoid of any warmth. "You're disowned."
"No! No, please, I begged. "Please Father, I have nowhere to go."
"We could endure it, we could endure all the shame and disagreement you have been bringing us as a token of appreciation for taking you when we could have left you in those woods to freeze to death. But this is beyond us, we cannot take it anymore.
I looked to Lyra, seeking some sort of support, or understanding. Instead, she closed the door and I knew it was over. I clung to my bag and stumbled away from the house, making my way to the only place I could think of – Laura's place.
Laura opened the door, her eyes widening at the sight of my bruised face and tear-streaked cheeks. Without a word, she pulled me inside.
"Verity, what happened to you, what are you doing here?"
"I just need you, Laura, I need to take it out," I shivered.
"Take what out?" I could see how scared she was getting but her face was fading. It was either that or my vision was blurring.
"The baby," I said, and every other thing was a blank.
My eyes opened and everywhere was bright. But I knew where I was. I was in Laura's room lying on the most comfortable bed I'd laid on in days, weeks even.
"Hey," Laura said from the door but I wouldn't look at her. "You know we're going to have to talk about what you said last night, right?"
"Just forget what I said," I murmured.
"A baby is growing inside of you, Verity, no I will not forget." She waited for me to speak but I didn't. "OK well, at least go out and have a little fresh air you've been asleep all morning and it's noon already. I'll be out with you in a minute with something for you to eat."
I was outside staring at the swollen belt marks getting ready to heal them before Laura came back, when I heard the last person on earth I wanted to see.
"Well, well, look who's carrying a little surprise," Jessica sneered. Laughter echoed around us. "Verity got herself knocked up! Who's the lucky one?"
"Who told you that?" I asked shocked.
"I did," Laura appeared with a tray of food in her hand.
"That's why you had me come out here? You realize this is a betrayal on another level. Are you trusting Jessica now? She's a b***h!"
"I only called her here to help get rid of the baby like you said and I specifically told her not to be a b***h about it. But here you go again with your friendship issues expecting me to be perfect."
Jessica laughed, "Loose and desperate, that's what she is."
Unable to bear the humiliation any longer, I went back into the house. I was going to leave that night. If I knew Jessica well it would only be a matter of time before the whole Pack knew about my pregnancy. Laura was stupid to trust her and I was stupid to go to Laura for help.
I escaped.
I escaped Laura, Jessica, my adoptive parents, the night guards, and the whole Pack. I went in the same direction as I did when I found the cabin because I hoped someone there would help me. It was so dark and scary I could barely make out anything but I was sure I was staring at a pile of rubble. A mixture of wood and glass. Half the cabin was destroyed.
If I was scared before I was now terrified. Then there was a rustle in the bushes nearby and I could hear loud snarls. Out of the shadows emerged a group of rogues, their eyes a terrifying yellow. I panicked and took a step back, but they started to spread and circle me. I was trapped.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the one who wasn't in wolf form said, "A lone wolf, far away from the safety of her pack."
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "Please, I didn't mean to intrude. I'll leave," I stammered.
The wolves growled, "Leave? Oh no, sweetheart, you've stumbled into our territory. You're not going anywhere."
- Writer
