Chapter 15
1273 Words
LUCY
Sunlight crept between the curtains, brushing the walls with soft gold. The room looked like a storm had blown through— half-packed boxes scattered across the floor.
Austin had decided to give away everything in the house. Said he didn’t want to carry the past into the future. I’d offered to help.
An offer I was beginning to regret.
I sat up slowly, pressing a hand to my stomach as it grumbled.
I sighed loudly as I stared at the mess in front of me. This was too much. I've only a few days left to find my answers and yet, I have got not a clue where to start from.
My life in Blackwood had been that— secluded, by choice. My heart ached at the thought of them. It's been weeks and I haven't from anyone, not even Ma.
I stood just as a wave of nausea hit me. I barely made it to the bathroom before I was bent over the toilet. It came hard and fast, leaving me panting by the time I was done.
Slowly, I rinsed my mouth, wiped my face, and made my way to the kitchen, still feeling a bit light-headed.
It was empty. No sign of Austin.
He hadn't been around much. Not since… that night. The night we let our guards down. It was almost as if he was avoiding me.
The backdoor creaked open.
Austin stepped in, carrying a basket of vegetables and a bunch of lilies balanced against his arm. He looked up and jumped slightly when he saw me.
“You’re up,” he said, heading straight for the sink. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to see your entrance,” I replied, trying to smile, trying to sound normal. “Someone’s been busy this morning... the garden’s doing well. Are you going to miss it?”
He didn’t look up. “I can always plant another.”
The air between us tightened. I took a step closer.
“You’ve been… distant.”
He rinsed a tomato under the faucet. “I haven’t been avoiding you. There’s been a lot to get done.”
“Is it because of me?” I pressed on, my eyes searching his face for a reaction.
“No.”
He said it too fast. Too flat.
“Then why won’t you look at me?”
His hands stilled. Water splashed over his knuckles. He didn’t turn.
“I do look at you. You're making a fuss over nothing.”
“Maybe I am,” My voice lowered, softened. “But you haven’t been here. Not really. Not since—” I hesitated. “Since that night in my room.”
He finally turned to face me. I reached out and placed my hand gently on his.
“We don’t have to pretend it didn’t happen. We can talk about it.”
He didn’t pull away, but he didn’t squeeze my hand either. The silence that fell was deafening.
“I haven’t told you much about my past,” I said, voice barely above a whisper. “I’m in love with someone else. Or… I was. I don’t even know anymore. He chose another. Rejected me. Just like that.” My throat tightened. “And it hurts more than I want to admit.”
I was rambling now, trying to explain what even I didn’t fully understand. “You’ve been so kind to me. You didn’t deserve to be caught in this.”
His jaw flexed, but still, he said nothing.
Silence fell over us like a blanket. Heavy. Uncomfortable. I couldn’t tell if he was processing my words or simply trying to avoid them.
I dropped my hand and turned toward the stairs, heart heavy with guilt.
“Who is he?” his voice stopped me.
I turned.
“The man who owns your heart?”
His eyes weren’t angry. Just… sad. Like he already knew the answer but needed to hear it. Slowly it dawned on me… I’d broken his heart before he even had the chance to offer it.
“Blake,” I whispered. “Son of Alpha Marcus. Leader of Blackwood pack.”
He stepped towards me. Close. But not touching. “You really think you can’t love again?”
I shook my head, and the tears spilled before I could stop them. “I don’t know,” I choked. “I don’t know how to forget him. I see him when I close my eyes. I think of him in every waking thought. And sometimes… sometimes I wish I didn’t.”
“It’s okay,” he murmured, pulling me gently into his arms. “You don’t have to apologize. Or explain. I like you, Lucy. And I’m not going anywhere.”
He guided me to the living room and we sank onto the sofa. He held me like I was fragile, like I might break if he let go.
I welcomed it, burying my face into his shirt.
“What if I never stop loving him?” My voice cracked again. “What if I never make room for anyone else?”
“Then we don’t rush it,” he said gently. “We take it one day at a time. And if it takes forever… then I’ll wait forever.”
His hand rubbed soothing circles on my back and I felt safe.
But the peace didn’t last.
Another wave of nausea hit— harder this time. My stomach twisted, my head spun, and I lurched off the couch, barely making it to the sink before I threw up again.
Austin was right behind me, holding my hair, his hand warm on my back.
“Jesus, Lucy. You’re burning up,” he said, pressing his palm to my forehead. “Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?”
“Because… I didn’t think it was serious.” I groaned, leaning on the counter. “It just started this morning. And now my head’s pounding.”
“You need rest. Come on.” He helped me up the stairs like I weighed nothing.
He tucked me into bed, gently brushing my hair away from my damp forehead.
“You’ve done a lot already.” His eyes swept over the boxes I’d packed, the neat labels. “I’ll go get the doctor. I’d call, but I want him here now.”
“Okay, but I want my friend, Amia,” I murmured, too tired to argue. “She’s a doctor. Call her, please.”
This was the perfect opportunity. Amia will help me… help me find out about him.
He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get up. I’ll be right back.”
The door clicked shut behind him.
I stared up at the ceiling, trying to focus, trying to breathe through the pounding in my head.
I’d only thrown up once before—after that night at the club.
Now twice in one morning.
Something felt wrong.
I shifted beneath the covers and winced when my hand grazed my boobs— they were tender. More than usual.
My mind reeled, mentally calculating… what date was today?
No. No, no, no.
I was three days late.
My heart stopped. My stomach sank.
We hadn’t used protection.
I hadn’t even thought about it afterwards.
Oh, goddess.
Could I be…?
No.
But even as I told myself it couldn’t be true, I already knew.
What if I’m pregnant?
What if I’m carrying Blake’s child?
How the hell am I supposed to move on… when I might be carrying the one thing that ties me to him forever?
- Writer
