You're Pregnant.

You're Pregnant.


Vaelora's POV

I groaned from the pain as I slowly got off the floor. My hand pressed hard on my forehead as I sat upright, with a pulsing headache behind my head.

I swept my gaze around where I was and paused when I saw Elder Ryder sitting on a chair a few steps away from me.

“You're awake.” He smiled and I frowned, watching him cautiously. I noticed the scattered room and wondered what had happened here.

I couldn't remember anything.

I looked down at my hand and my eyes widened in horror. My nails were gone and so was the flesh on my fingers. I could see my bones.

W-what happened to me?

What did he do to me?

A squelching sound filled my ears as my injuries slowly healed and soon the nails returned. My hands trembled violently and all I could do was sit in confusion, wondering what I had done while unconscious.

Somehow, I couldn't feel the pain. I squeezed my hands and shut my eyes in relief when I felt the sensation.

I returned my attention to him and tried to open my mouth to speak. However, just then my vision blurred, a memory glitching into my head, but it disappeared just as it came.

'What was that?'

“Mmm.” I tried to speak but nothing came out. No...

My heart quickened as fear crept into my chest. Not again.

Please!

“It's okay. You don't have to worry. Your voice will return in a few hours.” He said indifferently, waving his hand. He stopped, focusing on me. “Do you remember anything?”

I bit my lips to stop the sting I felt in my eyes. I don't know what happened, but after inhaling that substance I can't remember anything after that.

“Hello?” He snapped his fingers and I glanced at him. “Shake your head if you don't and nod if you do.”

I shook my head, still in a daze.

He clapped his hands. “Good. It still works.”

I saw the excitement on his face and that twisted uglily in my heart.

“He must have taken some by now.” He walked towards the window and glanced outside. “I can't wait to see what he does tonight.”

I bit hard on my tongue, my leg curling from the pain, and I forced speech out of my mouth. “W...what did y-you do to me?”

Pain shot through me and I felt my body break down. “Ughk!” My eyes widened as blood coughed out of my mouth, splattering the floor, some running down my mouth.

Ryder clicked his tongue, shaking his head with pity. “Don't wear out your body and listen to me. Wait a few hours and you can ask whatever questions are on your mind.”

My hand pressed weakly to my chest as my vision blurred. I shook my head frantically to stay awake as I watched him go upstairs and return in fresh wear.

“I'll be back later. I have got a lead on where Aerila is.” He announced and that made my heart quicken in panic and I remembered I had left her in that inn.

How could I forget?

It's been hours. She must have woken up by now.

I have to get there before him. I don't know how real his lead is.

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Aerila's POV

The sound of the huge door opening reached my ears and I stepped inside right after. My hands brushed against the smooth fabric of the dress Talon had given me as I walked towards the throne room where Talon was already seated.

He was different from how I had imagined him. I expected to see an old man, but in front of me, he sat on a throne made of... skulls?

Are those real skulls?

My hand flew to my mouth as I stared at it, fear crawling through my skin.

“Welcome Aerila. You look beautiful.” His voice sounded in my ears but I was too scared to listen to what he was saying. “I didn't expect the dress to fit.”

“A-are these real skulls?” I stuttered, my teeth clattering in my ears. Talon's gaze moved from me to the skull throne then back at me.

“Yes, they are. These are the heads of the Valens, the traitors who committed treason against the pack.” He announced and my legs went jelly, and I stumbled backwards but I quickly regained my posture.

What's this?

How can he use their heads as a throne?

A chuckle came from him and he stood up from the throne, walking towards me. “Even though they are dead, one of the living is a common enemy we share.”

My ears perked up at that and I glanced at him in shock and suspicion, as someone appeared in my mind.

“It can't be.” I gasped.

“That's right. Naeris.”

I gulped down the dryness in my throat, my eyes returning back to the skulls. “Those people are her parents?”

“Yes. All the Velens that had lived in the pack under the rule of my father.” He pointed at the throne. “Those are them. A few are alive just like Naeris but they live far away in hiding. I just take it that they are dead too.”

Chills ran down my spine as cold sweat spread on my back. This wasn't what I had imagined. Did I make the wrong choice coming to this place?

“Don't be afraid.” He whispered. “In my presence, no one is allowed to be afraid. It is a sign of weakness... and I don't have good histories with such people.”

'Oh, moon goddess. What hell have I thrown myself into?' My eyes widened as realization struck me. I had just offered myself to a madman.

Talon moved towards me, closing the distance between us. He walked beside me, standing behind my back.

My body stiffened instantly when I felt his fingers trailing along my shoulder blade.

He leaned down pressing his face to my neck and I shifted my head away from him as my heart slammed wildly against my ribcage.

“Ummm.” He sniffed softly and the next words that came out of his mouth made my entire being shudder because...

“You're pregnant.”

I had made sure to hide my scent and that of my baby.