Chapter 46 She's pregnant
Zoe's POV
We stood there. Face to face.
For the first time in two whole weeks.
Jeremy's mouth opened. Like he wanted to say something.
"Hi." The word started to form.
But I turned away. Fast.
Walked in the opposite direction. Without a word. Without looking back.
"Margaret, wait..." His voice called after me.
I didn't stop. Didn't slow down.
Just kept walking. Away from him. Away from that pull. Away from everything.
My wolf howled inside. Angry. Protesting.
MATE! GO BACK TO MATE!
"No," I whispered. "Not our mate. Not anymore."
I walked until I reached a quiet corner. Behind some buildings. Away from the crowd.
Leaned against the wall. Took a breath.
My hands were shaking. My heart racing.
Seeing him... it still affected me. Still made everything inside me scream.
Damn the mate bond. Damn it all.
I closed my eyes. Tried to think. To focus.
To push the plan forward.
The plan.
Make Jeremy suffer. Gradually. Slowly. Watch him break.
Then take the whole pack from him. I've not thought about who would rule Lakewood yet though, but first I want him out of the way.
And finally... make him beg to die.
That was the plan. That's what I came here for.
Revenge. Pure. Simple. Perfect revenge.
But things weren't working the way I wanted.
Things were... complicated.
The plan required him to be close. To trust me.
To become mine completely.
Then I could use those herbs. Those potions.
The ones Scarlett had given me to make someone lose themselves totally and control their emotions until there's nothing left of them.
Slow-acting. Painful. Untraceable.
They would make him sick. Weak. Dependent on me.
Until he had nothing left. Until he begged for death.
That was the plan.
But now...
Now he was avoiding me. Distancing himself.
Choosing Mia.
How could I poison him if I couldn't get near him?
How could I destroy him if he wouldn't let me close?
"Damn it," I whispered. "This isn't working."
I needed to change tactics. Needed to make him come back to me.
But how?
"Hello, Lady Margaret?"
I jumped. Turned.
The manager of the inn was there. Smiling. Friendly.
"Sorry to startle you. There's an event starting at the pack hall. Everyone's gathering." She gestured. "You should come. As our guest we can't exclude you."
I'm not new to this—members of Lakewood are very nice and they treat even strangers equally.
"Event?"
"Yes. A celebration. Yearly pack game night." She smiled wider. "It'll be fun. Please come."
I nodded. Forced a smile. "Of course. Thank you."
She walked away.
I straightened my dress. Composed myself.
An event. A celebration.
Jeremy would be there. With Mia.
Perfect opportunity to... to what? I didn't know yet.
But I'd figure it out.
...
The pack hall was full. Everyone dressed nicely. Talking. Laughing.
Tables set up with food and drinks.
Decorations everywhere.
I walked in. Found a spot near the back. Away from the crowd.
Watched.
Jeremy stood at the front. Looking uncomfortable. Mia beside him. Glowing.
Happy.
She wore a beautiful dress. Blue. Elegant. Her hair perfect. Her smile bright.
She looked like a Luna already. Like she belonged there.
And maybe she did.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" An elder called out.
"Thank you all for coming tonight. We have a special announcement."
The crowd quieted. Turned to face the front.
Jeremy looked confused. Like he didn't know what this was about.
Mia stepped forward. Took the microphone.
"Thank you all for being here." Her voice rang clear. Confident. "I have wonderful news to share with my pack family."
My pack family. She already claimed them.
"As you all know, Alpha Jeremy and I have been together for three years." She looked at him. Smiled. "Three long years of love. Of patience. Of waiting."
The crowd murmured. Nodded. Some smiled.
"And now..." Mia paused. Dramatic. "Now our waiting has been rewarded."
She picked up a glass. Held it high.
Clicked it with a spoon. The sound rang out.
Everyone went silent. Waiting.
"I'm pregnant," she said. Clear. Loud. Joyful.
The hall exploded.
Cheers. Applause. Congratulations.
"An heir!"
"The Alpha's child!"
"Blessings to the pack!"
But I wasn't looking at the crowd.
I was looking at Jeremy.
His face... shocked. Completely shocked.
Pale. Mouth open. Eyes wide.
Like he'd been punched in the gut.
He didn't know. He had no idea.
Mia turned to him. Still smiling. Grabbed his hand.
"Isn't it wonderful, my love?" She said into the microphone. "We're going to be parents."
Jeremy just stared at her. Couldn't speak. Couldn't move.
"Say something, Alpha!" Someone shouted from the crowd.
"Yes! Give us a speech!"
"Tell us how you feel!"
Jeremy blinked. Looked at the crowd. At Mia.
At the situation.
"I..." His voice came out weak. "I'm... surprised."
"Surprised?" Mia laughed. "I'd say shocked! I was too when I found out."
"When did you...?"
"Find out? A few days ago." She touched her stomach. "The pack doctor confirmed it this morning. I wanted to surprise you. Surprise everyone."
Surprise. That was one word for it.
Jeremy looked like he was about to pass out.
"How far along?" Someone asked.
"About two weeks," Mia answered. Confident.
Prepared. "Still early. But the doctor says everything looks perfect."
Two weeks.
That would be... right around the time of that night. The morning I found them together.
My stomach twisted.
Was it possible? Was this real?
Or was this another one of Mia's schemes? And why are my competitors showing up with the same strategy? First it was Sierra claiming to be pregnant for Ryan.
Ryan...I remember him every now and then, and little Marcus, but I know I should handle this well and fast if I want to get back to them soon. I might not feel a mate bond with Ryan, but there was peace, and it's better than this thing with Jeremy.
"Alpha Jeremy!" The elder clapped him on the back. "Congratulations! An heir at last!"
"Yes... thank you..." Jeremy managed. But his voice was hollow. Empty.
The celebration continued around him. People drinking. Toasting. Celebrating.
But Jeremy just stood there. Still. Frozen. Shocked.
And I stood in my corner. Watching.
Feeling... what? Anger? Disgust? Betrayal?
All of it. Everything mixed together.
He'd gotten her pregnant. Actually pregnant.
After three years of nothing. Of his body not working. Of the curse.
Now suddenly... a baby.
It didn't make sense. Something was wrong. Had to be.
But the crowd didn't care about logic. About truth.
They saw a pregnant Mia. A shocked Alpha. A future heir.
And they celebrated.
I watched Jeremy's face. The way he swayed slightly. The way his hands clenched.
The way his eyes searched the room.
Until they found mine.
Across the crowd. Through all the people.
His eyes locked onto mine.
And I saw it. Clear as day.
He didn't believe it. Didn't think it was possible.
But he was trapped. Caught. Stuck.
Because how could he deny it? How could he question it?
Without admitting the truth. Without revealing his curse. Without exposing everything.
Mia had him. Completely.
And she knew it.
She looked at me too. Just for a second.
And smiled.
Small. Victorious. Cold.
She'd won.
At least... that's what she thought.
Then I need to bring in my plan.