Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen
Lola's POV

A couple of weeks had passed since Marcela took me to the hidden garden. It had been a week of getting to know the manor and certain things about the Blue Ray Pack.

Today, I sat at the dining table while we were being served breakfast. They placed the plate of baked beans on the table in front of me and retreated back to the shadows again. I lifted my eyes from my phone, and they immediately locked with Genevieve's. She still had her nose high up in the air, looking at me like I wasn't worth it.

I shot her a glare and raised my glass of lemon in mock toast. You would think we would have gotten along in two weeks, but you couldn't be more wrong. Lucky for me, we didn't have the opportunity to meet very often. Otherwise, it would have been nothing short of unbearable for both of us.

"I see you two are getting along," Tyler remarked, stepping into the dining hall through one of the side entrances.

At that moment, I brought the glass of lemon to my lips and nearly choked on it. Tyler pulled out a chair and took his seat beside me, oblivious to the reason behind my choking. And just as well, too. He planted a kiss on my forehead before sitting down.

Genevieve stood up, excusing herself. "I'm not hungry," she said to no one in particular. The maids immediately stepped forward and cleared her part of the table.

"I'll be in the training room," she said to Tyler, who simply gave a nod in acknowledgment and watched as she left the room.

"What's the matter with her?" I asked, my eyes still locked on the exit even long after she had left.

"Genevieve has her days," Tyler said slowly, as though he was choosing his words very carefully.

My mind told me that there was a lot of story behind that one, but I decided not to push it. Frankly speaking, I wasn't quite ready for the explanation, even if there was one in the first place, so it was best to just let it be.

We ate in silence until Tyler looked up, staring at me for a while. I raised an eyebrow, guessing that he was obviously trying to get my attention.

"I didn't want to rush you into it," he began, "but there is a formal gala coming up in two days' time. We don't have to attend if it's going to put pressure on you," he added immediately.

I set down my spoon to face him. "Of course we have to attend," I said. I might have been new to being a Luna, but I knew all about formal gatherings. Even when I was an Omega, being the daughter of the Beta did come with its own perks. I was made to attend a couple of meetings with Brian when I was younger. Everyone assumed that we would eventually end up together, but clearly, Fate had other ideas.

"If you're going, then it's only natural that I come along too. I don't mind following you," I said, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Are you sure about this?" Tyler asked, looking concerned. "There are still lots of rumors going around about you being a traitor. I wouldn't want to put any unnecessary pressure on you."

I sighed, knowing fully well that he was right. It was most likely going to be a meeting with the rest of the alphas of various packs, goodness knows who else. Most likely Brian was going to be there. I felt a sudden chill run down my spine at the thought, but I brushed it away, knowing that I would have to face him eventually.

"Thank you, I'll make it up to you," Tyler said. It made me smile a little, thinking that he had to make it up to me when it was my duty as his Luna to go in the first place. I supposed that if he wanted to give me a present for accompanying him to a gala, then I had no business trying to convince him otherwise.

Once I was done with the food, I got up and was about to head out when my phone buzzed with a notification. Swiping it open, I found that it was from Marcela. How did she get my number? I wondered. Viewing the message: "Appointment by 10:00 a.m.," I read, frowning. I wondered what it could possibly be about.

"I'll send in the fashion designer to take your measurements and prepare matching dresses for the event," Tyler said, getting up himself. I nodded, knowing that he had a lot of matters to attend to as the Lycan.

At 10:00 a.m., I met with Marcela in a small office.

It was out of the manor, and a couple of cars accompanied me. She worked at a huge hospital, I noted.

One of the junior doctors led me up to her office. I pushed the door open, finding Marcela sitting with her laptop in front of her. She lowered it as I entered, a smile lighting up her face. "You're right on time," she commented, gesturing towards a seat.

I looked around the small, cozy office. A nutrition chart hung on the wall near the window. Apart from that, she had colorful paintings on the walls, and there was a framed picture of her and a man next to the stationary box on the table.

I stared at the picture for a while, wondering who it was. Perhaps her brother or maybe her mate? I didn't think that we were on personal levels enough to ask, so I let it slide for now, making a mental note to bring it up later in the future.

"You said we had an appointment?" I said, getting back to the main reason why I was here.

"Indeed, indeed," Marcela nodded. She stood up from the chair and buttoned up her lab coat.

"I didn't want to discuss this in the Lycan's manor in case of security cameras or people overhearing us."

I shifted in the seat, sensing that this was going to be a very important conversation.

My mind went to various scenarios, none of which I was willing to entertain. "I'm going to be speaking to you as both a close friend and a professional here, so be sure to be free with me," she began, going towards the shelf on the table and bringing out some tests.

The actions made me all the more on edge, wondering what she was up to. "Well, Lola, the thing is..." she said, dropping the bomb on me. I let out a gasp. Two weeks had passed, and I completely forgot about it. How could I? The reality began to dawn on me. I realized that I had to start taking action now.

"Exactly," she nodded, drawing her chair close and sitting directly across from me.

"If Tyler finds out about the pregnancy, we're going to be over," I said, recalling her words when she first told me about the pregnancy. I hated to think about the thought of giving birth to babies in secret, but right now that seemed to be the only course of action.

"There is another way," Marcela began, watching me closely. "Tell me, how close are you and Tyler right now?"

I tilted my head to the side, somewhat stunned by her sudden question. Then a flush rose on my cheeks as I realized the meaning behind her words. "We're... we're not that close," I stuttered, my face red with embarrassment.

"You have to be smart, Lola," Marcela stood up, drumming her fingers on the table. "Everyone's going to be able to tell signs of pregnancy when you haven't gotten intimate yet," she said, making me more aware of the embarrassment. I wished she would stop, but at the same time also wished that she didn't make this much sense.

"This will only be buying you time," she said. I nodded, realizing the gravity of the situation. I couldn't risk giving birth to babies under Tyler's watch. He was going to know within seconds that they weren't his, and if he did find out, he might even decide to execute me.

We didn't have some personal relationship between us - he could barely even know me. Why should he accept someone carrying another man's child? My eyes teared up, tears threatening to spill from my face.

"It's okay," Marcela held my hand. "I wouldn't let your story end like that. There's always going to be a way, but for now, we need to buy some time and clear up the most pressing issues at hand first."

She ceased speaking. A few minutes passed, and I finally calmed down. We sat in the office for more time as Marcela tried to devise a foolproof plan for me.

By the time I exited the hospital, I had a sick feeling in my gut as I revised what I had to do. It made me no different from any other hooker, and I already felt terrible about it. But I had to survive.