chapter 1
Chapter One
Ava's POV
The pounding in my head was the first thing that hit me, like a hammer to my skull. My eyes blinked open, and I realized I wasn't in my room. The walls were dark, the furniture expensive, and thick curtains blocked out most of the sunlight.
I froze, a sinking feeling settling in my chest. Where was I?
It was then that I turned my head and saw him.
Lying beside me was a guy-the sheet barely reached his chest. Messy black hair framed a strong jaw and other sharp features that were lax in sleep. I'd stared at him a couple of seconds, taking it all in. It hit me like a ton of bricks then.
Alpha Keal.
My stomach twisted up in a panic. The party, the drinks, his eyes boring into mine. I remembered the pull that'd been there, gravity itself tugging me closer. One drink turned into three, then four. Last night flashed through my head-the way his hand slid over mine, heated in its touch, his lips to my skin.
I looked down and realized I was stark naked beneath the blanket.
"Oh no," I whispered, as my heart started racing on.
What had I done? How could I be so careless? I was the daughter of Alpha Donovan, leader of the Black Shadow Pack, and Alpha Keal was my father's sworn enemy.
I slipped out of the bed and as quietly as possible slid toward my clothes, which lay scattered over the floor. I put them on with shaking hands-the soft whoosh of fabric sounded deafeningly loud to me. I cast one quick glance at him; he remained sound asleep, moving neither a limb nor-a rising-and-falling chest, that all.
I wasn't quite sure whether I should be relieved or terrified.
I got out into the hallway, my heart racing, hoping I didn't bump into anyone. The hallway was vacant, and I managed to reach outside without being seen. The cold morning air touched my skin, and I shivered as I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed Emily's number.
She answered after a few rings. "Ava? What time is it?
"I need to come over," I said in a rush, trying to keep the panic from my voice.
"What's going on? Are you okay?"
"I'll explain when I get there. Please, Em, I really need you right now."
She let out a sigh, and in her tone was the evidence of concern. "Okay. Just get here."
When I got to her house, my hands shook so hard, I couldn't even knock on the door. She answered them in record time and, upon seeing me, yanked it wide.
"Ava, you look awful," she said. "What happened?"
I didn't say a single word, till now busy with my tightly knotted throat and heavier chest shrouded with shame.
Hey," Emily said quietly, pushing me onto the couch. "You're freaking me out. Say something. What's wrong?"
I took a deep breath, forcing the words out. "I think I slept with Alpha Keal."
Her jaw fell. "What? You're kidding, right?
I nodded, not looking at her. "It was a mistake. I didn't know it was him at first. We were at the party, and he… I don't know. One thing led to another, and—"
"Wait, wait," she interrupted, holding up a hand. "Alpha Keal? As in the Alpha Keal? Your father's worst enemy? The one he's been at war with for years?"
"Yes," I said miserably.
Emily leaned back in her chair, running a hand through her hair. "Ava, do you have any idea what this could mean? If your father finds out-"
"I know," I cut in, my voice shaking. "He'll hate me. He'll probably disown me. I don't even know what I was thinking. I wasn't thinking."
Emily sighed, and her face softened. "Okay, first, we need to calm down. Does anyone else know?
"No," I said quickly. "I left before he woke up. No one saw me."
"Good," she said resolutely. "Then we keep it that way. You need to put this behind you and move on."
"I'm trying," I whispered. "But I can't stop thinking about what my father would say if he found out."
The handshake that Emily gave was firm; her hands, cold as she took both my hands. "Hear me out. None's going to find this out, okay? Keeps it with us. It was a mistake you did; now that's all gone. Just…don't do any other crazy thing again like this."
I just nodded and wished she was being true, but the tinge in my chest refused to move an inch.
---
One Month Later
The only sound in the dining room was dinner. My father sat at the head of the table, stiff and expressionless, while my younger sister Lily sat across from me, chattering cheerfully about her day.
I had barely touched my food, my stomach twisting with unease. For the past few weeks, I hadn't been feeling well: always tired, my appetite all over the place, and I kept feeling sick.
Lily turned to me, frowning. "Ava, are you okay? You have hardly eaten anything."
"I'm fine," I said quickly, forcing a smile.
"You don't look fine," she said, her voice teasing. "Maybe you're lovesick.
"Lily," my father said shortly, his tone sharp enough that she huddled back.
"Yes, Alpha," she muttered, turning her attention to her plate.
I exhaled softly, grateful for the interruption, but it was short-lived as a wave of nausea seemed to come out of nowhere in a wave so strong that sent me covering my mouth and rising quickly.
"Ava?" my father said, his voice threaded with concern.
I said nothing. I ran into the bathroom, not reaching the toilet bowl before my vomiting spells began. My stomach heaved with the violent contractions, and when finally done, my knees were weak. I leaned against the sink, catching my breath.
It was happening more and more frequently, and I couldn't deny it any longer: something was wrong.
When I came back to the table, everyone was staring at me.
What was that about?" Lily asked, frowning.
"Nothing," I said weakly and sat down.
"That wasn't nothing," my father snapped. "You've been acting strange for weeks now. And tonight…"
I looked down into my plate, avoiding his eyes.
"Ava," he said, his voice low but dangerous. "Are you pregnant?
