Arianne's POV
"Why are you here?"
Before I could react, Raven pulled me toward his office. I could hear the band begin to play outside. As much as I wanted to enjoy it, Raven had already locked the office door to confront me.
"The conference is over, Babe. Where did you expect me to go?"
He sighed in frustration, combing his hair away from his face. Why was he so upset?
"Yeah, I mean, you should have called me to pick you up. You surprised me."
"And I was surprised by the news of you having a baby with Ember. When did you intend to tell me that?"
Is that why they were at that club? Were they secretly having an affair there?
I looked him in the eye, searching for guilt, but saw none. There was something dark in his eyes now—authority and coldness. He wasn't like this before.
"It's for the sake of the pack, Arianne."
I was taken aback when he didn't use our endearment.
"To impregnate another woman while you have a girlfriend?"
"She's a beta. The pack wants me to choose her instead of you."
His words hit me like a blow. Since I'd set foot on their territory and Elder Haxim had adopted me, I'd been nothing but a loser in the pack's eyes. Being a werewolf meant loyalty and camaraderie, but being abandoned meant being unwanted. Nobody wants to be with someone unwanted because it's considered a bad omen for the pack, except for Elder Haxim and Raven. Unfortunately, the former was now dead and the latter was becoming indifferent.
I was about to speak when we were interrupted by a knock on the door. He opened it to reveal Ember outside, showing off her belly as she caressed it.
"Hi, Ari! You're finally back! How was the trip?"
"It's fine. I was about to report to Raven the announcements from the higher-ups."
"Of course, it's your task as the representative of Crescent Claw. How lucky you are. But well, maybe we're both lucky, knowing I'm carrying Raven's child."
I saw Raven put his hand on Ember's shoulder and gently pinch her arm affectionately.
"Yeah, we're really lucky because I'm pregnant with his child, too," I announced.
Both their eyes widened.
"P-pregnant?" Ember stammered, looking at me and then at Raven.
"How?" Raven asked.
"When I left, that's when I found out about my pregnancy. It's already been two months, Raven."
"Are you sure it's from him?"
"Are you questioning my honesty?"
"We don't know; maybe you were with someone at the conference," Raven accused.
I was shocked. He thought I was betraying him when he was the one cheating? Fine, I admit I didn't have the right to possess him because our relationship was secret. But he should have known my loyalty to him was unwavering.
"How dare you, Raven! You think I'm a slut? Why don't we take a test to prove it?"
"How did you get pregnant by him when you weren't even mates?"
"'Cause we are bonded! We are in a relationship!" I blurted out.
The revelation stopped Ember. In a second, she clutched her stomach, crouching in pain.
"Ember, are you okay?" Raven asked then looked at me. "Look what you've done!"
"I-I don't know. I'm sorry."
My chest pounded. It wasn't my intention. I just wanted to tell the truth.
I saw his concern as he carried Ember bridal style. He rushed outside, and I followed.
"I'm sorry, Raven. I'm really sorry. I had no idea it would result in this. I was just telling her the truth."
He kept walking until I sensed we were being watched.
"Don't follow us," he said sternly, making my breath paused for a moment. Yet, I still followed.
"I'm sorry."
Raven stopped and turned to shout at me. "I said don't follow us! You'll kill Ember and my child!"
"What about our child?" I couldn't hold back my tears. I'd been struggling to keep them at bay, but his actions were making them fall.
"It's not our child, Arianne! Don't tell lies just to get my nobility."
My feet froze. I was stunned by his words. I could hear the whispers and chatter of the people in the banquet, but all I saw was his back as he walked away with Ember.
