Forged Betrayal

CHAPTER4

Hiding her pregnancy was becoming harder for Lucia with each passing day. Her belly was just starting to swell with the precious life growing inside her. She had to be so careful to conceal her delicate condition from Ethan and the rest of the pack.

Luckily, Lucia knew a lot about herbs and remedies. She used that ancient knowledge to brew simple tonics that could settle her upset stomach and dizziness spells. Ginger and mint helped ease the nausea, while red raspberry leaf tea gave her much-needed energy boosts.

But no matter what concoctions she drank, nothing could stop the vomiting attacks that happened more and more often. Lucia learned to keep a bucket near her cot for those violent moments of throwing up her last meal. She scheduled her healing rounds to avoid the busiest times when her sickness would be too obvious.

Getting rid of the vomit buckets took cleverness too. Lucia carried them quietly into the far woods, digging little holes to bury the messy evidence. She dreaded running into any packmates who might smell her condition and ask too many questions.

Her lower back constantly ached from carrying the growing weight of her swelling belly. Some mornings it was so painful just to get out of bed and lace her vest high enough to hide her rounding shape. Lucia started wearing looser deerskin dresses that could better disguise her changing figure.

More than once, Ethan paused while passing her in the healing hut, a slight frown creasing his brow. It was almost like he sensed something was off with her but couldn't pinpoint the reason. Those moments made Lucia's heart race with sickening fear that her secret might get exposed.

So far, she had managed to deflect his casual questions with vague excuses about "female problems" or being under the weather. But how much longer could she keep deceiving him before he inevitably discovered the truth?

With every long, slow moon cycle that passed, Ethan found himself more and more drawn to Lucia. Even with the heavy demands of leading his pack, he seemed to always drift toward the peaceful healing hut.

Maybe it was the comforting scent of herbs and willow bark always lingering in the air. Or the warm flicker of the fire Lucia kept burning, giving off a cozy golden glow.

More likely, Ethan felt lured by Lucia's very presence itself. The sharp intelligence sparkling in her sage and amber eyes. The deft way her fingers worked over remedies and salves. The radiant glow of her smooth skin in the low light…

He noticed subtle changes coming over his former mate in recent moons. A new vitality shimmered in her, an innate fecundity that was...captivating. Her feminine curves seemed softer, sweeter, each swell and dip of her lithe figure radiating abundance.

Ethan quickly dismissed any stray thoughts down that risky path. Letting protectiveness and lingering desire intermingle was unwise, given their temporary arrangement.

Yet each meaningful look between them carried unspoken tension, tempting Ethan like a siren's call into Lucia's embrace. He could no longer deny the profound bond blossoming, the threads woven from yearning and tenderness - not just lust.

Ethan constantly sought her company, transfixed by the gentle cadences of her voice or watching her deft skills with plants and tinctures. He often closed his eyes and breathed in Lucia's sweet, feminine fragrances clinging to her cinnamon tresses until an ache bloomed in his chest.

When those soulful eyes met his watchful gaze, the world seemed to still. In those electrifying moments, their spirits pulled together by unspoken incantations urging them to surrender all resistance.

Then Lucia would offer a shy smile, momentarily defusing the tension yet flooding Ethan's senses with molten heat. Reawakening urges to chase the rose blush staining her cheeks with fervent caresses...to unleash her silken tresses and bury his fingers in the waves...to slant his mouth over hers once more and drink deeply of the intimacies they had only briefly tasted.

But no, he could not jeopardize their hard-won trust and contentment by surrendering to temptation's call. So Ethan would respond with his own tender smile before retreating, though each parting sparked an ache only Lucia could soothe.

Despite the electricity still crackling between Lucia and Ethan, outside pressures weighed heavily on their situation. Especially from the aging pack elders who made no secret of disdaining Ethan's unorthodox "mating."

"Your bloodline anchors our primacy in these lands," Elder Cedric scolded, not for the first time. "You cannot allow this outsider woman to distract from that sacred duty."

Lucia busied herself portioning out dried chamomile, not meeting Ethan's eyes. She dreaded glimpsing the turmoil the elder's barbed words would surely provoke in him.

To be dismissed so bluntly as a mere distraction lanced straight through Lucia's insecurities. Though Ethan showed his regard through actions, the fear she was just a disposable dalliance gnawed persistently.

"The situation is...complicated, Elder," rumbled Ethan, tension thickening his deep voice. A shiver traced Lucia's nape at the strain. "Lucia is invaluable to this pack through her gifts. I won't dismiss that easily."

Elder Cedric grunted disagreement as the other elders mumbled and grumbled their dissent. Lucia stole a peek at Ethan through her lashes. His strong jaw was ticked with suppressed aggravation, the cords of his neck taut from restraining his temper over the disrespect towards her.

A fierce burst of gratitude bloomed in Lucia's chest for this steadfast man defending her honor. He could have appeased the elders by coldly renouncing her. Instead, he chose to shield her - an unmated woman carrying a secret that could upend everything.

The elders' disdain was far from Lucia's only opposition. Beta Marcus had made his resentment toward the intruder abundantly clear through endless glowers and snide comments whenever Ethan had his back turned. More than once, Lucia overheard the Beta instigating mutters about her unconventional status and attempted "subordination" of their alpha's priorities.

It was torment compounded by her fellow packmates' blatant mistrust. Hushed whispers and sidelong looks trailed Lucia's every move these days, suspicions practically smoldering around her gravid midsection. She could only retreat into herself, drawing her simple shawls tighter to hide her burgeoning secret from their scrutiny.

Lucia's only solace came when Ethan was present, his powerful, guarding figure a bulwark against the malicious rumors and derision. Though even he could not quell the singular misgiving consuming her thoughts with each burgeoning moon...

How much longer until her body could no longer conceal her condition from him or anyone else?