Eloide
Two days later, Gavin asked me to join him for swim practice at the training center. Once the pool cleared out, he pulled me into the water to teach me how to swim. I had to admit—this side of him, the attentive one, still had a place in my heart.
I’d always hated the water ever since I nearly drowned in the Lynn River as a child. But Gavin knew that. He made it his mission to help me overcome that fear. He even bought me a pair of sleek swim goggles to cheer me on.
That moment of peace shattered when Catherine showed up, decked out in a designer swimsuit, and made a beeline straight for me. Her eyes zeroed in on the goggles I was wearing like they were her next trophy.
“Gavin,” she said sweetly, “I want those goggles. I looked them up online, but they’ve been discontinued. Can I have them? You can always get Eloide a newer, fancier pair.”
She knew exactly what she was doing—those goggles were a gift from him. She pouted just enough to look cute, her voice syrupy sweet. I shook my head slightly, silently begging him not to give in.
But Gavin hesitated. And that was all she needed.
He gently took the goggles off my face without saying a word. No protest escaped my lips. What would be the point? His heart had already been enchanted by that manipulative she-wolf.
“I’ll get you a brand-new pair,” he said, brushing a hand down my arm like it meant something. “Let’s not make a big deal. Catherine gets anxious if she doesn’t get what she wants.”
Doesn’t get what she wants?
How ridiculous. She's always sickly, always needy, and still acts like the center of the damn universe.
Gavin cupped my face—something that used to bring me comfort. Now it just felt like second-rate acting.
“Thanks, Eloide. You’re such a good sister-in-law,” Catherine chirped. “Gavin, teach me to swim like you taught her!”
She wedged herself between us, gripping my shoulder playfully. I was afraid if I resisted, I’d lose my balance and slip. So I quietly stepped away, distancing myself.
Just as I reached the pool’s edge, Gavin called after me, “That’s enough training for today. You should get some rest, babe.”
I didn’t respond. Why bother? A second later, they were laughing together. I already knew what would follow: another disgusting, soul-crushing scene I refused to witness. I’d had enough poison for one day.
**
The next day, I sat waiting at the human hospital where Dr. Calder practiced. I had asked her to keep my abortion procedure secret from Gavin.
Then came the message—another blow. A fifteen-minute video clip landed in my inbox, showing Gavin and Catherine swimming... then having sex in the pool.
My chest tightened, my heart clenched painfully in my ribcage. I struggled to breathe, willing myself to stay calm among the oblivious humans around me.
Then, out of nowhere, I heard a name being called from the pharmacy counter.
Catherine LeBlanc.
I sank lower into my seat, hoping she wouldn’t notice me. No such luck. She strolled to the counter, collected a slip of paper, then turned and walked right up to me.
“You finally understand where you stand, huh, Eloide?” she said with a victorious smirk. “Gavin Jr. doesn’t need to be born just to realize his daddy loves another she-wolf. Gavin will only take pride in his real heir.”
“You’re pregnant?” I asked, stunned.
“Yup. We were going to wait.” She looked around casually. “But I figured I’d speed things up. Just to watch you break a little faster.”
“You manipulative bitch.”
My hand flew up, ready to slap her, but she caught it easily.
“Shh, keep your voice down. We’re in a hospital.” She leaned in close, her whisper cold and sharp. “I plan to destroy you slowly, Eloide.”
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“I thought your therapist brain would be smarter than this. You’re just like my old rehab friend in Winnipeg.” She inched closer to my ear. “She died after I set her hair on fire.”
A chill ran through me. I scrambled to my feet and left the waiting area, my heart pounding in my chest. I headed toward the elevator, but the numbers were crawling. Impatient, I pushed through the door to the emergency stairwell.
That’s when I heard footsteps echoing behind me.
I looked up. Catherine was coming down the stairs—fast. Her smaller body moved easily. She caught up, grabbed me, and shoved me hard against the wall. I stumbled down a few steps, clutching my belly.
She kicked me hard. I hit the floor.
“Please—stop! It hurts,” I cried out.
“You think Gavin cares about you?” she hissed. “You’re just a pawn. He needs you to get the Alpha title.”
“Please… Catherine…”
She yanked my hair, forcing our faces inches apart. Her eyes burned with malice. There wasn’t a shred of mercy in them. In that moment, I begged the Moon Goddess to end this nightmare.
[Gavin, help me!]
I called to him through our mind link. He had to be nearby. He had to feel it—my pain, my desperation. I was sure he was in the hospital too, probably here to “support” Catherine.
Then Gavin showed up.
But not for me.
Catherine dropped to the floor beside me, feigning a panic attack. The performance was flawless.
“Gavin! I-I can’t breathe!” she gasped. “Eloide fell on the stairs. There’s blood… I—I didn’t know what to do!”
Gavin rushed to her side. “Hang on, I’ve got you. Don’t worry, Catherine.”
Then, finally, he looked at me. “I’ll call someone to help you, Eloide. Just hold on.”
“But I’m bleeding,” I whimpered, pain surging through my stomach.
“I’ll send the medical staff right away. You’re strong—you’ll be okay,” he said.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as the pain tore through me. He didn’t choose me—not even now. Not even when his child was at risk.
He chose her, 99 times.
I waited for help that never came. The blood kept coming. The pain became unbearable.
Then everything went black.
And Gavin… never came back.
