My Baby Is Mine!

Chapter 2: A Map to Nowhere

Aria burst into Lukas's chambers, the doors slamming against the walls as she confronted the newly announced couple.

"Lukas, congratulations on your union with Lila. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it." Aria said sarcastically,

"Thank you, Aria. We're excited to start this new chapter," Lukas replied.

"And an heir, hmm? That's not only surprising but impossible. Lila, you're infertile. Or is there something you're not telling me?" Aria questioned.

"Aria, we've found a way to make it work. That's all you need to know," Lila replied dismissively.

"No, Lila, that's not all I need to know. I need to know how you're going to produce a child when you're infertile.

I thought we were sisters, Lila. I thought we shared our secrets. But this…this is something you've kept hidden. How did you find a way around your infertility?" Aria reiterated

"Argh, Aria, stop being dramatic. I and Lukas will introduce our heir soon… till then, you have to wait like the rest of the pack." Lila replied.

Aria's face flushed with anger, "You're not even going to deny it? You're not going to explain how you're going to manage this miracle?"

"Why do you need to know, uhh? It's none of your business, Aria."

"You're my little sister, Lila. Or at least, I thought you were. But now I'm not so sure,"

"Aria, don't be ridiculous. Of course, I'm your sister. But some things are private, and this is one of them."

"Fine. Keep your secrets, Lila. But know this, I will find out what you're hiding."

"Aria, that's enough!" Lukas declared.

"No, Lukas, it's not enough. You're just going to stand there and listen to her say all this rubbish?" Aria exasperatedly asked, as she turned on her heel and stormed out of the chambers.

As Aria stormed out of the chambers, she almost collided with her maid, Elara, who was looking for her, running with a worried expression. "Milady, I found a half empty potion in the back of Lila's bed, I'm not sure what it's for… come quickly," she said as she took Aria by the hand.

As they both rushed into Lila's room, with its modest surroundings, a black tainted wooden bedframe and a plain white bedspread, adorned with a few subtle patterns. Elera directed her to the potion she found, "look!" She said, holding the potion in her hands. "What's this…?" Aria said, "It looks like a sleeping potion of some sort," Elera replied, "I think so… it looks like one of those ones you use to fall asleep. But what would Lila be using this for?" "Milady, please permit me to say this?" Elera asked, "Go on." I don't know, I think maybe this potion was used on you."

"No, no… that's not possible, Lila would never do such," she said with a dismissive laugh, "but up till now, we still don't know how you ended up in Master Lukas's bed… you're not a big fan of alcohol, and this is the only explanation we have now."

"Yes but maybe…"

(They hear a faint noise behind the door, footsteps creaking on the floor)

"Shh, milady. Do you hear that?"

"Yes... it sounds like…Quick! Put the potion back and…"

The door slammed open. Lila is shocked to see Aria and Elera on her bed. "What are you two doing in my room?" Lila demanded, "And what were you doing behind my bed?"

"Umm, we were just…looking for my attire," Aria said, "yes, we searched the whole house but we couldn't find it, so we thought it'd be here," Elera elaborated. "Well did you find anything?" Lila asked, " N–no…" Elera replied.

"Well you can leave now, you're not going to find what you're looking for here."

Aria and Elera hastily left Lila's room, their minds racing with questions and suspicions. "Maybe we should be prepared for the worst, milady. If Lila did use this potion on you, she would not like us snooping around." Elera whispered urgently, as they retreat to a safe space to discuss their discovery, debating the meaning of the potion and Lila's involvement…

Meanwhile, Lila rushed to Lukas's chambers to counsel him on Aria's growing suspicion. Her face flushed with urgency. "Lukas, we need to talk," she said, closing the door behind her.

Lukas looked up from his desk, where he was pouring over a large tome. "What is it, Lila? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Aria," Lila replied, her voice low and serious. "She's getting closer to the truth. I just caught her and Elera snooping in my room, searching for evidence." Lukas's expression turned grave. "What did they find?"

"Nothing, thankfully," Lila replied. "But it's only a matter of time before they stumble upon something, oh dearie me! We need to do something. Especially with that cheap maid. I know Aria can't get the truth on her own, but Elera… she's always been suspicious."

Lukas frowned seriously. "What! A mere maid dare interfere with our plans?" Lila hesitated, "yes! I'm sure she was the one who called Aria to my room. We need to act fast. Aria's suspicion is growing by the day, and if she discovers the truth..."

Lukas's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense. "We'll cross that bridge soon. For now, let's focus on this troublesome maid, Elera." Lila nodded, a sense of relief waving over her. She knew she could count on Lukas.

As the moon ascended in Veluria, Aria took a walk to the local market deep in thoughts…

"I'm pregnant, alone, and unwanted. The pack will probably shun me and my little bastard child. I try to tell myself I'm strong, that I can handle this, but the truth is, rejection cuts deep, maybe I should just grab my stuff and go before I give birth like Elera suggested. I'll raise my little wolf in the wild...or at least in a cozy little cave somewhere. And, Lukas is no help at all. Technically, he's my mate and the father of my unborn child, but does he care? No. All he cares about is Lila.

I swear, those two were probably secretly dating before that fateful night. Maybe Lila did drug me. Wait a minute...Lila, Lukas, drugging...oh no, I'm getting a little carried away here…"

Aria's thoughts swirled in her mind, making her head spin. She was exhausted, she looked around, realizing she was still in the market, the shops closing up...

With a final sigh, she began her journey home. She walked past the town square,her mind still fresh with thoughts of Lukas, Lila, and her unborn child. She made her way to her house, her cozy home. She locked the door behind her, then made her way to her bed, dropping on the soft blankets.With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, her body curled around her unborn child.

The morning sun rose over the pack's territory, casting a new day.

In Lukas's chambers, the pack leader paced back and forth, his mind preoccupied with the recent events. He stopped in front of a large window, gazing out at the forest beyond. When a knock barked at his door, "Master Lukas, may we come in? Two of his guards asked, "come in." He said as went to sit on his throne.

His face fierce and dominant. Before him stood two of his guards, their faces stern and serious.

"What is it?" Lukas growled, losing his patience by the second.

One of the guards stepped forward, holding out a small, intricately carved wooden box. "We found this in Elera's bag, on orders of your secret search." Lukas's eyes narrowed as he took the box, opening it to reveal a note and a blue parchment map. The map appeared to be hand-drawn, with markings and symbols. Lukas's eyes scanned the contents, his expression worsening with each passing moment.

The map seemed to be a route, leading from Moon blade to a nearby forest. A small location marked X deep within the trees. The note, scribbled with cursive writing, read, "Meet me at the old oak tree, Aria. Come alone. I've found a secure place for you and your child."

"This is treason!," he spat, his voice low and deadly. "Elera is trying to help Aria escape. She is trying to spoil my plans."

The guards nodded in unison, their faces serious. "We thought you should know immediately, sir," one of them said.

Lukas's eyes flashed with anger, as he clenched his fists at his sides. "Summon Elera to my chambers!," he snared."

The guards bowed and departed, leaving Lukas to seethe in anger. The box and its contents lay on his lap. "I will not be defied." He roared.