It was fun fishing with the guys, I managed to distract myself a bit even though Kayler was around watching us. I decided to let go for a while and forget about certain things. Gadreel turned out to be a good fisherman, and Thomas wasn't far behind. He said he learned a lot from ice fishing in Canada.
"I think we'll have fish for dinner," Thomas says, packing up the bait. It's amazing how there are always fish in this not-so-big lake.
"Are we leaving now?" Anne asked.
"Yes, we have to make dinner," Gadreel replied. The boat docked at the pier, and we got off there. I went with Anne to the house while the guys unloaded the stuff.
"Are you sure you want to go tomorrow?" Anne asked me when we reached the kitchen. She's still on about Apollo.
"Yes, why shouldn't I? Apollo was my friend too. Don't you want me to go?" I looked at her.
"It's not that, I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable, that's all."
"I'll be fine, really," I smiled, taking out a few things.
"Alright."
Thomas came in with the fish ready to cook, but as soon as I smelled the guts, my stomach churned, and I felt vomit coming up. I covered my mouth and rushed to the nearest bathroom, where I vomited.
How disgusting.
"Carolina? Are you okay?"
It's Anne.
"Yeah, it's just that..." I was left with a bad taste in my mouth. "...I don't know what happened."
I've never had a weak stomach, so surely some food must have disagreed with me.
"I'm coming in."
I flushed the toilet to get rid of the waste. I stood up and rinsed my mouth.
"Nauseous?" Anne asked as she entered.
"Something didn't agree with me," I replied, drying my mouth with a towel.
Anne didn't seem convinced.
"If you weren't separated from Kayler, I would swear you're pregnant."
I didn't say anything because I hadn't even considered that, but it wasn't even a possibility. If it hadn't happened in all the years we were together, why would it happen now? Anne doesn't know that Kayler and I were together just last night, it's impossible.
"That's crazy," I left the bathroom and headed towards the stairs. I need to brush my teeth like five times. I went upstairs with Anne following me.
"You should see a doctor then," she suggests, entering the bathroom with me. I took the toothbrush, applied toothpaste, and started brushing.
"It's not that serious, I already feel better. I think I just needed to get that out," I replied with toothpaste in my mouth.
"Do you have dizziness?" she inquired. "You look kind of pale."
"I've always been pale."
"But even more now. Well, please let me know if anything, I'll go help with dinner."
"Alright. Thank you."
Anne left. If I go down to the kitchen, that smell will make me sick again. So I decided to stay in my room and read a book. The image of Kayler and me making love like never before wouldn't leave my mind... I unconsciously bit my lower lip, wishing to repeat that. But no, I can't think that way. Kayler is no longer with me, I have to forget about him.
•
The next day, we were getting ready to go to Apollo's death anniversary. Thomas would also accompany Anne. I put on a black dress, black heels, tied my hair in a high ponytail, grabbed my handbag, and put on some sunglasses. I'm ready. I went downstairs to the living room where Gadreel, Thomas, and Anne were waiting for me.
"I'm ready," I told them, taking Anne's arm, and we left.
Anne went with Thomas in his car, and Gadreel went with me in mine. It's incredible how much we've changed over the years. We drove along the road that led to Kayler's house, but the ceremony was much further inside the forest. We probably spent about fifteen minutes on the road until we arrived. There were many cars parked and a lot of people too. We got out, Gadreel took my arm, which I appreciated. The four of us walked towards the front, and many people looked at us curiously and whispered things. I shivered when I saw Kayler up front with Kylie by his side. Kayler looked at me and clenched his jaw when he saw me with Gadreel. Anne approached the front where Apollo's picture was displayed. He was dressed in the high school football team uniform, smiling, and holding a trophy. I approached Anne to show her that I was there with her. From the corner of my eye, I looked at Thomas. It's obvious that he doesn't like his boyfriend still suffering for another guy, but he has to be understanding.
"I miss him a lot, Carolina," she whispered to me. "Despite everything."
"I know," I whispered back. "Come on, let's go." I took her arm, and we walked to the seats in the front row of the right column, while Kayler and his group were in the front row of the left column. There was an older man in a cassock who seemed like he would read something. In the background, there were four black wolves sitting firmly. And to think that everyone here is a wolf... except for Gadreel... why is he here, and why haven't the others kicked him out yet? It's not that I want him to be kicked out, but as soon as they saw him, they would have pounced on him if he's supposed to be the enemy.
I'm so far from the news, it seems.
Some kind of Mass began. I felt a gaze on me, so I turned to look at Kayler, and he was looking at me, so I looked away.
Why does he torture me like this? Seeing him holding hands with his daughter tears me apart.
Perhaps fifty minutes had passed when the man giving the Mass took a cup of wine... or blood, I don't know, and drank it.
"Apollo was an important member of our pack," the man said. "When he left, a part of us left with him. That's why, on this full moon, we will offer a sacrifice in his name to live in peace and tranquility. A life ended, for a life begun."
I furrowed my brow because I didn't understand what that meant. I didn't understand anything.
"So... we have been informed of a new life forming in the womb of a she-wolf. And that she-wolf is here, now."
I heard murmurs, commotion.
"So... Carolina Lane, please."
I opened my eyes in astonishment and was shocked by what I was hearing. I swallowed hard and tried to stay seated because I felt everything spinning.
What did they just say? That's impossible.
"Carolina?" I heard Anne's voice. "Are you pregnant?"
I instinctively looked at Kayler, who had a lost gaze, seemingly processing what had been said.
"Carolina Lane, please..." insisted the old man.
"I... there must be a mistake," I finally said.
"There isn't," the man replied. "It has been wonderful news for the pack."
"No, I'm not pregnant," I insisted.
"Of course, you are," he smiled. I struggled to stand up. "Your baby will be our salvation, we will be set free."
"Carolina, are you okay? Why didn't you tell me?" Gadreel approached and held onto my arm.
"I'm not pregnant," I told him, hating that they didn't believe me. "They must have given them false information."
"It's not like that."
"Carolina?" Now it was Kayler's turn. He stood up and came towards me. "What's going on?"
"Nothing," I immediately said.
"If Carolina is pregnant, believe me, it's not from the pack because I am the father," Gadreel responded.