Episode 04
1038 Words
Serenya’s Pov
I arrived at Grandpa Eldric's house after three hours of driving. Despite its small size, Grandpa Eldric's cottage maintained impeccable cleanliness throughout.
His voice came from the kitchen as soon as I opened the door: "If you're here to say goodbye, then say it and leave."
I stopped at the door and smiled a little. "That's all you have to say after I drove all this way?"
He came out with a spatula in his hand and eyes that were as sharp as ever. "Forget about asking for this cottage as alimony if you're thinking about it." "It's mine, not Kaelen's."
"Grandpa, I'm not asking for your cottage."
He said, "You weren't going to get it anyway," in a way that sounded like a child pouting. I laughed.
"Then at least let me cook dinner. What are your thoughts on celebrating my divorce? I didn't wait for an answer and walked past him to the stove.
The smell hit me right away. Risotto with mushrooms, My Favorite. I looked at the counter and saw a pizza base ready to go.
"You were making pizza too?" I asked.
"Is that a problem for you?"
"No," I said, smirking because we both knew it was for me.
He glared at me, but I just smiled even more. "I'll make tiramisu." Your favorite.
He sighed and put the pizza in the oven. "Why are you cooking my favorite meal, Serenya?"
I slowly stirred the coffee. "Maybe because you're telling me to leave while I'm making my favorite food."
At first, he didn't answer; he just watched the light on the oven flicker. "Because I know you're not just leaving Kaelen. You're leaving the pack. Going away from the country." I might not be alive to see you again."
My hands stopped moving. How did he find out? I hadn't told anyone.
“I know you're not an orphan or an omega,” Eldric said. "I've seen how you walk and how you act." His words made my throat feel dry. "Don't worry. I won't kill you the way your mother killed my other son. He said it in a calm voice as he slid the tray into the oven.
I had to swallow hard. That was it. My dad's pack and Kaelen's pack had always been enemies. To stay alive, I had to hide who I was for years.
"That's why you didn't want Kaelen to choose me?"
He nodded once quickly. "I thought you came to kill him when I found out who you were."
"I wasn't here for that."
"Then how did you get your parents to go along with it?" he asked.
"I didn't." I threatened them. They thought I was their princess. I laughed in a bitter way. "Maybe that's why this incident is happening now."
Eldric said, "You shouldn't have done that."
"I know," I said softly.
I made myself smile. "Are you finally happy that I'm leaving your grandson's life?"
"Of course." I can now live in peace without you ruining my weekends.
I smiled because I knew he was lying. He didn't like that I came over, but he liked having me there.
"May I borrow your phone?" I asked.
He took it out of his apron pocket and gave it to him. I used my father's phone number instead of mine. If I used my father's phone number, Kaelen would follow my call.
"Hey?"
"Dad."
"Serenya! Whose number is this? Do you know how long we've been waiting for you to call?
My mom's voice came through too. "Serenya, did you tell him the truth? You can't keep living a not-real life." Relationships that are based on lies don't last."
"And what good news did you have?" my father asked.
"Are you pregnant?" my mom asked right away.
I quickly looked at Eldric. His head turned quickly toward me, sharp and knowing.
Finally, I said, "I'm coming home." "This is the number for Eldric."
The silence went on.
"With him?" my mother whispered.
"By myself."
They didn't push. They got it. Once I provided him a date, my dad promised to send the jet.
When I hung up, I saw a message on Eldric's phone. Kaelen sent it. I knew I shouldn't, but I did anyway.
Grandpa, I can't leave her, especially after spending the night with her.
The words got blurry in my eyes. He couldn't leave his fated mate after one night, but he could pay his wife to go away.
I went back to an old message. Eldric had told him to reject her. Kaelen had said no.
There was another new message.
Do you know who she is? Her name is Seraphiel Draemir. She is the one who saved me from a kidnapping attempt.
My chest got tight. Should I let him know? Should I tell Kaelen the truth, that his fated mate had been lying to him the whole time?
"Are you pregnant?" Eldric's voice broke through my thoughts.
"I..." My lips parted, but before I could say anything, Kaelen's voice came through the mind link.
Why didn't you go to the hospital?
Tomorrow. I'll go tomorrow.
He didn't answer, so I waited. I closed the link and looked at Eldric again, ready to answer his question.
My phone rang at that time. The name of the person, My chosen mate with flashed on the screen.
I went outside and answered.
"I wasn't done talking," Kaelen yelled. His voice was rough because he was frustrated.
I didn't say anything.
He said, "If you're pregnant, I won't turn you down."
A small, weak smile pulled at my lips. A pup might be able to keep us together.
"Does that mean you won't accept your mate?" I asked.
The growl that came back made me shiver. He didn't say anything.
"Either you stay with us or I'll take the pup away from you. Serenya, if you're pregnant, you should go to the hospital tomorrow. If not, I'll pull you myself.
He hung up.
My chest felt tight. Both options felt like prisons. My hands shook as I turned back to the kitchen. Eldric was watching me, but he didn't say anything. His expression conveyed everything. He heard everything.
- Writer
