~JADE~
I look around the large, empty meeting room as the supposed pack Alpha and one of the men who found and brought me here whisper to each other. I can barely pick up what they're saying, but I think I heard a few words that don't sit well with me. Perhaps I heard them wrong.
"What pack did you say you're from, again?" The Alpha asked, and I immediately cast my gaze back to him.
"Blackwood Pack," I responded with haste.
The Alpha shares a look with the second man; I don't know if he is the Beta or a guard. "That's a long way from here." The man mutters, to which the Alpha nods in agreement.
"Yes, I know, but I promise I mean no trouble. I just want a place to stay until I deliver my baby, and I'll be out of your hair before you know it, please." I begged, repeating what I said when the patrol guards found me outside their pack territory.
I'd been wandering the woods for the past seven months, running away from rogues and everything that tries to kill me, fighting when I can and hiding when I need to. Levana informed me that I could give birth any day now, and I feared what would happen if I fell into labour while trying to hide or run from rogue wolves.
Shifting into my wolf while I am this heavy isn't an option anymore; I stopped shifting right after my pregnancy hit the seven-month mark, and I have barely survived the dangers of being alone in those woods without the speed of my wolf and her fighting skills.
"Why did you leave your pack? You smell like you were once mated. I can still perceive the remnant of your Alpha's pheromones on you." The weird Alpha pointed out, and I nodded like I was not about to lie to him.
"I..." I pause, taking in a deep sigh as I let tears cloud my eyes, "I caught him cheating on me, and things got bad afterwards. I was willing to forgive and let it go because he was my mate, but then his sidepiece tried to kill my baby. My mate didn't believe me when I told him about it, so I ran because I couldn't stay one more day in that pack, knowing my life and the life of my baby were at risk, and I couldn't even count on my mate to protect us."
I wipe at the streak of tears flowing down my cheek and sniff. "Sorry, it's a touchy subject, and I get emotional easily."
"Pregnancy hormones, I've heard that happens." The man beside the Alpha murmurs, smiling like he just offered a solution to the world's biggest problem.
Of course, pregnancy hormones had to be the only reason why I would cry. It couldn't have had anything to do with the sob story I just told them. Even though I tweaked the truth and told them the opposite version of what happened, it doesn't change the fact that my mate,e who should've protected me, was the same person who banished me from the only family I know.
I can't tell them the truth because then they will know that I am defective, that I was banished for infidelity, and I know the minute they find out, they'll throw me out of their pack like vermin. I've tried that a few times, and it's always been the same result. This pack is my last resort before giving up, and if I have to lie to keep myself and my child safe, then who cares? I am glad I found the scarf wrapped around my neck in the woods when I did because, without it, I wouldn't have been able to conceal my brand.
"We usually don't take in strays." The Alpha comments, and my heart plummets to the pit of my stomach.
"I promise I won't be a problem for you, please. I'll look for my meals and help around the pack house. I just don't want to have my child out there in the woods, please." I struggle to shift off the chair, helplessly trying to kneel and beg to get my point across. Out there, it isn't safe, not when I could pop my pup any day.
The Alpha sighs, shaking his head while watching me struggle. "You didn't hear the rest; we don't usually take in strays, but you're in no condition to be left alone. It's dangerous, and you need a strong figure to protect you. A pregnant woman like you, beautiful as you are, needs a man." I try to ignore the objective part of his sentence despite how uncomfortable it makes me feel. He's just being nice; it doesn't have to mean anything.
"We have midwives in the pack. Gillian can show you the small cabin behind the pack house. I can't let you stay in the pack house until I know you won't be a problem for my people and our ways." His face contorted in a frown, and I shoved the suspicious thoughts to the back of my mind again.
What does he mean by our ways? I had shaken off the strange feeling when the patrol guards led me through the pack. There was something odd about how quiet and lonely the pack settlement was. I hadn't seen one person, a child, or even any female pack members until we walked by what I assumed was their pack house, and I saw two ladies, both with their heads cast down as they walked inside. I might be wrong, but I could swear I heard the sounds of shackles while they walked. Although I didn't see their feet since the garments they wore dragged behind them.
"No need to worry. You can use the cabin, and please stay for as long as needed. I'll have one of the maidens bring you a few clothes, food, and water. Rest for tonight, and please do not wander around the pack. We have strict rules, and loitering isn't allowed. Tomorrow, I will have one of my mistresses visit you. She will take you to the midwives, my assigned mistress will stay with you for a week, and we'll see if you're good enough to be invited to the pack house." He explains, and I nod stiffly while trying aimlessly to disregard all the warning signs in his words.
'We need to be careful. Something isn't right about them.' Levana says, and I couldn't agree more.
'It's strange what he's saying. I'll be careful.'
I know there are different packs with different rules and how they run things, but this is weird. It's almost creepy, but beggars can't be choosers, and I don't have many options, so I need to do what I have as long as they try anything funny with me.
"Thank you for your kindness; I genuinely appreciate you doing this for me. Thank you." I quickly mutter so I won't come off as ungrateful and because I don't want him to see the gears grinding in my head.
"No need for that. I believe everything in life happens for a reason. I am sure the spirits led you to our community for a reason, and it would be unruly of me to turn you away. Please." He walks over to me, reaching out his hand to help me up, and I take his hand with dread in my guts.
"Gillian, please show the beautiful maiden to the cabin." The Alpha smiles at his beta, whoever this Gillian man is, but I didn't miss how the corner of his upper lip quirked.
'Be alert, try and see what you can steal. We might need to leave immediately after the pup is delivered.'
Levana warned, and I grunted in response.
She doesn't need to tell me twice. Having the Alpha this close to me already makes my skin crawl, and I swear this Gillian man keeps giving me weird sideways glances as he leads me out of the large, empty meeting room.
