ZORA'S POV
I was lying in bed, surrounded by omegas in the room I shared with Hunter in the Cabin. Ignis watched everything from the edge of the bed, her sharp gaze betraying her distrust. The omegas were conducting touch tests to verify if I was really pregnant, while outside Hunter and my father, Garnet, eagerly awaited an answer. The tension in the air was palpable.
I locked eyes with one of the omegas, nervous, and asked, almost too anxious to wait: “What's the conclusion?”
The omega exchanged glances with Ignis before responding: “You are pregnant.”
An instant smile of happiness formed on my face, and I thanked emotionally.
“Thank you,” I said to the omega, “please, call Hunter and my father to share the good news.”
“It's not time yet, omega,” Ignis said, looking at the omega and the others. “Leave the room. I need to talk to Zora alone.”
The omegas exited the room, leaving me alone with Ignis. I faced her, noting the seriousness in her eyes. “What do you want?” I questioned, maintaining a firm posture.
Ignis approached, looking me in the eyes, and stated: “You know as well as I do that you were already pregnant before uniting with Hunter. And you know very well who the true father is.”
“The child's father is Hunter, Ignis,” I replied, confident in my words.
Ignis stared at me and dropped the bomb that shook my certainties: “It's Caleb, and that's what I'm going to tell Hunter when he enters this room.”
My smile vanished, and my heart seemed to freeze.
“Caleb was killed by the banished wolves you hired, Ignis, haven't you forgotten that, or have you?” I inquired, seeking to confirm the insanity of Ignis's claim. “How do you think Hunter will react when he finds out that you killed his friend?”
Ignis stared at me firmly and replied, “I haven't forgotten, just as I haven't forgotten who suggested this to happen.”
A chill ran down my spine. I knew Ignis was referring to me. Pain and despair began to intertwine within me.
“You need to help me, Ignis. Hunter can't know the truth; he needs this heir,” I pleaded.
Ignis stepped back and said coldly, “No, I'm tired of trying to help you, Zora. And now, even more, with a lie.”
I was on my bed, desperation taking hold of me as I faced Ignis, who was willing to reveal the truth about the pregnancy. The tension in the air was almost palpable. In an act of desperation, I knelt before Ignis, begging her to reconsider.
“Please, Ignis, I'll do anything. I won't be cruel anymore, I won't use rue on Hunter anymore, but please, don't tell anyone,” I pleaded, with teary eyes.
Ignis, in turn, crossed her arms and stated, “I have a condition.”
I looked at her, prepared to accept anything to keep my secret safe. “Tell me what you want.”
Ignis looked me in the eyes and declared firmly, “No matter what happens, you must not go after Fierce.”
Confused, I questioned the importance of Fierce and why she was so crucial to Ignis's conditions. Ignis stared at me seriously and revealed, “Fierce is the daughter of a Genuine Alpha. If you get involved with a lineage of that level, you'll be signing your own death sentence.”
“Fine, Ignis. I promise, I will never go after Fierce, no matter what happens,” I replied, trying to sound convincing.
Ignis nodded, satisfied with my promise. However, the burden of my choices and lies remained on my shoulders as I desperately tried to maintain appearances and preserve what was left of my relationship with Hunter.
I asked Ignis if she could at least help me maintain the charade in front of Hunter and Garnet, giving me time to find a solution.
Ignis, once again, made it clear that she was not willing to collaborate with my schemes. “Zora, I'll do my part and won't tell anything as long as you do yours. Now, if you falter, I'll tell absolutely everything.”
The feeling of helplessness grew within me as Ignis walked away, leaving me alone with the daunting task of facing the consequences of my actions.
***
We were in the Cabin's living room, Hunter, my father Garnet, Ignis, and I, celebrating the news of my pregnancy with champagne. Garnet was toasting enthusiastically. We received full glasses, and the atmosphere was filled with joy, except for Ignis's serious expression, lingering in the background.
My father raised the glass and said, “Today is a day of happiness, the day we received the news that the pack will grow even more. This is the second-happiest day of my life, as the first was when my daughter was born.”
I looked at my father seriously and replied, “It seems you've forgotten, father. For years, you made it clear how painful my birth was for you, especially after my mother's death. It was the worst day of your life, remember?”
Garnet looked at me for a moment, and his expression hardened. “Today is a day to celebrate, Zora, not to relive the past.”
Hunter, trying to lighten the mood, addressed Garnet. “I'm feeling happy, Alpha Garnet. I can't wait to share the good news with Alpha Alastair.”
I suggested, surprising myself with the idea that came to my mind, “We can make a video call with him tonight.”
Hunter, however, had different plans. “Even better, Zora. We can go back to Alastair's pack and share the good news in person.”
I was astonished, not expecting that Hunter was considering returning to his old pack. “Are you considering going back there?”
Hunter smiled at me, a smile that didn't fully reflect enthusiasm. “Yes, I want to raise our child there, just as I was raised.”
This revelation caught me off guard, and I realized that things were changing unexpectedly. The future I had planned was starting to deviate from the path I had imagined. While Hunter was excited about the prospect of going back home, I was facing a new reality, and the consequences of my choices loomed over me as I tried to smile in anticipation of reuniting with Fierce.
***
The car advanced along the winding road, cutting through the majestic landscape of Rocky Mountain National Park. I was pregnant, beside Hunter, heading to Alastair's pack, guided by Garm. Anxiety mixed with the beauty of the mountains as I contemplated what it would be like when we reached the place that shaped Hunter, the reunion with the past that still hung over us.
The promise I made to Ignis weighed on my thoughts, and I resisted the temptation to use rue to influence Hunter's feelings. He, in turn, couldn't hide the complexity of his emotions. Though silent, his expression reflected the unresolved connection with Fierce, the she-wolf who held a significant place in his heart.
Hunter, always attentive, held my hand, breaking the tense silence in the car.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asked, his golden eyes fixed on mine.
I looked at Hunter and smiled, thankful for his concern.
“A bit tired from the journey, but nothing that can't be overcome. Idaho is really far from Colorado; I can't wait to lie down.”
Hunter smiled, understanding, and apologized for the distance. However, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation and an underlying tension. He didn't need to say anything about his own restlessness.
“Are you looking forward to seeing Fierce again?” I asked, deciding to address the elephant in the room.
Hesitation crossed Hunter's eyes for a moment, but he answered honestly.
“It's strange, Zora. I have a deep connection with her, but I'm eager to introduce her to our new life, with you and our child.”
His words were gentle, but I felt the duality in his heart. I knew that the reunion would be a complex emotional journey, but I trusted in the strength of the bond we built and the promise we both shared.
The car continued to advance, heading to the destination that would seal our future. I clung to the hope that, at the end of this journey, the shadows of the past would not be able to overshadow the love that Hunter and I were building.
***
The forest, covered by a thin layer of snow, stretched out before us as we walked toward the heart of Alastair's pack. I was pregnant, and the pains were beginning, but the anxiety for the reception made it difficult to distinguish between physical and mental emotions. The penetrating cold enveloped the forest, and I shivered involuntarily. Hunter walked by my side, and his concern was evident in his golden eyes.
“Are you feeling well?” Hunter asked, diverting his gaze from the snow-covered trees to me.
I looked at him, trying to smile despite the pains and intense cold.
“I'm fine, just a little nervous about the reception, you know.”
Hunter watched me closely, his gaze showing understanding and solidarity.
“My father will be thrilled with the news. Everyone will be.”
Those words were supposed to bring comfort, but a part of me still doubted. I knew that, by returning to the pack, Fierce's shadow would loom over us. Hunter, on the other hand, remained optimistic, believing that the arrival of our child would unite everyone.
“At least someone will be happy,” I murmured, more to myself than to Hunter.
He, however, approached, holding my hand and looking deep into my eyes.
“Everyone will be happy. And I'm happy too, Zora. Happy to have a child with you.”