Arianne's POV
They say, "A person has seven doppelgängers in the world".
I hardly believed it at first, but seeing someone who looked like the man I knew made me hope it was just a look-alike. This man, who resembled Raven, was calling someone outside Jacob's club, an underground club for werewolves.
Raven, the Alpha of Crescent Claw and my boyfriend of ten years, would never forget our agreement to pick me up from the conference, let alone meet up with someone else.
But was it a coincidence that the girl who approached him looked exactly like Ember, our newly appointed Beta? If it was them, I hoped they were just running pack errands, because I couldn't understand why Raven was kissing her before they went inside the club.
"Stupid me," I whispered, closing my eyes and concentrating on mind-linking him, but to no avail. Unlike other werewolves my age, I still don't know how to mind-link the wolf I was bonded with.
Across the street at the bus station, I witnessed the scene. But I don't want to assume immediately.
Raven, please, I hope those are just errands you're doing. I can forgive you for forgetting to pick me up from the pier; it happens. But please, don't do whatever it is I suspect you're doing right now.
I swallowed hard, trying to control my tears. Then, I placed my hands on my belly and whispered, "Welcome back to us, baby. Guess your father is too busy with another girl to pick us up."
I took a cab home with my suitcase and shoulder bag. The scene replayed in my mind throughout the ride. Since his appointment as Alpha, I'd sensed him becoming distant, and I didn't want to admit why.
In the early years of our relationship, he was devoted to me. I was showered with attention, gifts, and hugs. He was so affectionate. The only thing I disliked was keeping our relationship a secret. Who would want that? I even complained at first, thinking he was hiding me.
But he said, "Darling, it's for the best. My pack expects me to mate someone they know, someone from the pack."
"'Cause I'm just an outsider? A she-wolf adopted by your elder because I was abandoned?" I retorted.
"No, that's not it. They're very keen on who their leader mates with. You know, they least expect you. But I promise they'll accept you someday."
I cried at that, and he comforted me, even taking a night run with me in the forest in our wolf forms. It seemed sweet, and it was, but when a guardian found us, he quickly said, "I was just running with my best friend."
He always called me his best friend, and we were, until we fell in love. Our passion to each other created a life inside me. But would he be excited to know about it?
[Arianne, you're here!?] Jenn, my adopted sister, exclaimed on the phone. [You're already done with the conference?]
"Yes," I said, sitting in the backseat, watching the trees blur past.
[Why didn't you tell us? We could have picked you up.]
"Don't bother. I can get home myself."
Besides, I assumed Raven would, but I guess it was another girl he picked up instead.
[Okay, I'll meet you at the house. Gosh, we missed you.]
I smiled as we said goodbye. I missed them, too. It had been two months since I left for a conference in another country. The werewolf community is a secret society hidden from humans. The conference aimed to maintain our secrecy, peace among packs and humans, and the loyalty of the leaders.
Raven couldn't attend because of an ambush on the northern border. He had to stay, so he sent me as the representative. Ember, the newly elected Beta, should have gone, but Raven insisted I go.
Two weeks after arriving, I discovered I was pregnant with Raven's baby. Our baby.
"She's back."
It was 6 pm when I arrived at Crescent Claw territory. I saw the surprised faces of the guardians as I walked in. Their eyes were on me as they smelled my pregnancy.
The territory was as organized as I'd left it. Brick houses lined the edge, and in the center stood a large two-story mansion housing the Alpha's residence, ceremony hall, office, and meeting place.
I could hear mellow music, the clinking of glasses, and women's laughter. The hall was brightly lit, as if a celebration were underway. I placed my hand on my belly.
"I hope it's us they're celebrating."
I quickened my pace. Other werewolves outside looked shocked, staring at me.
"I can smell her pregnancy."
"Who could be that unlucky guy?"
I ignored their whispers and headed to the mansion's entrance. As I stepped inside, the music stopped, and everyone fell silent—not because of me, but because Raven walked onto the raised platform, assuming a dominant posture.
"It's a good evening, indeed, folks. Tonight, we celebrate the happiest moment in our pack: the arrival of a new generation."
I stopped, watching Ember walk to Raven, who had his hands on her belly.
"Because my Beta is pregnant with my heir."
I froze. The banquet erupted in cheers, claps, and howls, but my ears rang. Ember was pregnant with his baby? How could this be?
Then, Raven saw me, and his smile vanished.
