Chapter 7

The mirror reflected a version of me I barely recognized. My hazel eyes were dull, shadowed by sleepless nights and burdened by truths too heavy to carry. My skin, usually pale, now bore a faint sheen of sweat, and my lips pressed into a thin, determined line.

My hands gripped the edges of the sink, the cold porcelain grounding me as my mind spun. The pregnancy test in my pocket felt like it weighed a thousand pounds, its truth undeniable and terrifying.

My wolf, Astra, was silent, her usual growling presence subdued. She was there, though, a quiet strength pressing against the corners of my mind, a promise that I wasn’t entirely alone.

I’ll survive this. I met my own gaze in the mirror, my breath steadying as I whispered the vow aloud. The sound of my voice, rough and unpracticed, startled me. It was strange to hear after so long.

Sliding the test deeper into the hidden pocket of my dress, I smoothed the fabric and forced my shoulders to straighten. The rogue’s threats echoed in my mind, Liam’s voice cold and unyielding. Your life belongs to me now.

I bit down on the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood. Not forever.

When I reentered the dining room, the buzz of conversation and clinking glasses enveloped me, and I had to steady myself again as another bout of nausea hit me. Hard.

Taking a deep breath, I was soothed by the floral scent of fresh-cut roses on the table mingled with the savory aroma of roasted meats, yet none of it could overpower Lucas's presence.

He sat with regal ease, his sharp gray eyes lifting from his dessert to glance at me. His gaze lingered a moment too long, piercing through my carefully constructed mask.

“You’re pale,” he remarked, setting his fork down. His voice was calm, but it carried an undertone that sent a chill down my spine.

I swallowed hard and gave a small, hesitant shrug. My fingers brushed over the napkin on the table, twisting it beneath the cover of the tablecloth. Astra bristled, her energy sparking in my mind. We’re not weak. Stop bowing to him.

I ignored her, lowering my gaze to the plate in front of me. Lucas’s lip curled faintly, a gesture too small to be called a smile but loaded with meaning.

“Perhaps you’re not eating enough,” he said, his tone deceptively mild. “Sit. Finish your meal. I don’t want you fainting on me.”

I nodded and slipped into my chair, keeping my movements fluid, submissive. The steak on my plate was cold now, but I picked up my knife and fork, cutting a precise slice. I chewed slowly, feeling the weight of his gaze settle on me again.

“Good girl,” he murmured, so low I wasn’t sure I was meant to hear it.

The rest of the dinner passed in stifling silence. Lucas dominated the room without effort, his commanding aura holding everyone in thrall. Conversations around us quieted whenever his gaze wandered, and even the servers moved with exaggerated care in his presence. Behind him, the old maid that helped me stood, trying her best to avoid my gaze.

I kept my head down, my eyes fixed on my plate, but my mind raced. What happens if he finds out? Will he kill me outright? Or will he find a slower way to make me pay?

Astra growled softly, her frustration palpable. Focus. Worrying won’t help.

Lucas eventually stood, his chair scraping softly against the floor. The noise startled me, and I promptly laid down my utensils, anticipating his order. He reached out a hand to me, his lips forming a subtle smile that failed to reach his eyes.

"Come here," he stated plainly.

I stood up, gently taking his hand, and permitted him to lead me out of the room. His hand was warm and strong, yet the feel seemed more like a restraint than a solace.

His hand rested on the small of my back as we moved toward the dim hallway, a touch light enough to feel casual yet possessive enough to tighten my stomach.

As we arrived at my door, he halted, his fingers brushing against me as he turned to look at me. His gray eyes examined mine, and I sensed the intensity of his stare, as if he were attempting to uncover the secrets I was fervently concealing.

“Sleep peacefully, little wolf,” he whispered, his tone a soft hum that sent a thrill through me.

I managed a slight smile, my lips quivering as I agreed.

His stare remained for a moment too extended, then he retreated. As the echo of his footsteps diminished down the corridor, I pivoted and entered my room, closing the door solidly behind me.

The hush was overwhelming, and the burden of the day fell heavily upon me. My knees gave way, and I collapsed onto the floor, grasping the fabric of my dress where the pregnancy test was concealed.

"This is overwhelming," I breathed, attempting to calm my racing heart.

...

I was unable to sleep, couldn't remain still either. The burden of my secret—of the life developing inside me—weighed heavily on my heart, and the harsh truth of my situation allowed for no solace.

Thus I paced back and forth, the soft rug muffling my hurried footsteps, hopping to come up with a plan. My heart raced, my thoughts spinning in a relentless loop of fear and desperation. Every creak of the floorboards or faint noise from the hall outside made me jump, my heightened senses betraying me.

Astra stirred uneasily, This is dangerous, Sia, she murmured. You don’t need to do this. There has to be another way.

There isn’t, I snapped back, though my resolve felt as fragile glass. Lucas needs to trust me completely. It’s the only way to keep us safe.

I stopped pacing, my fists clenched at my sides. Astra growled softly in disapproval, but I pushed her voice to the back of my mind. I had made up my mind.

The plan was risky— a gamble, but one I had to take. If Lucas believed I was wholly loyal to him, it would buy me time. Time to figure out how to protect myself and the baby.

"First, I need a potion."

I slipped out of my room softly, my bare feet hardly creating any noise on the chilly floor as I moved through the faintly illuminated corridors. The mansion was hauntingly quiet, with the only noises being the far-off whisper of wind against the windows and the sporadic groan of wood.

The maid’s quarters were tucked away near the back of the motel, a small, unassuming door blending into the shadows. I knocked softly, my breath catching as the sound echoed faintly.

After a moment, the door opened to reveal the elderly maid from earlier. Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly as she took me in, her expression unreadable.

“Miss,” she greeted, her voice curt but polite. “What do you need at this hour?”

I hesitated, my heart pounding. Astra growled softly, a warning rumbling in my mind, but I pushed past it. I pointed to my temple and acted out sleeping, then indicated her, wishing she would grasp the meaning.

Her brows knitted together, and she examined me intently for a while before giving a nod. "Are you struggling to get to sleep?"

I nodded quickly, my lips pressing into a thin line.

She sighed, stepping back to let me inside. The small room was cluttered but cozy, shelves lined with jars and bottles, their labels scrawled in a handwriting I couldn’t read. She moved with practiced efficiency, pulling down a small vial filled with a pale blue liquid.

“This is a strong sedative,” she explained, holding it out to me. “Take it with water, and it’ll help you sleep through the night.”

I took the vial, the glass cold against my fingers, and nodded in thanks. From my pocket, I pulled a small tip—money I had hidden away from my time with the rogues—and pressed it into her hand. Her eyes widened slightly, but she accepted it with a faint nod.

“Be careful with that,” she added, her tone laced with suspicion. “It isn't intended for misuse.”

I nodded once more, placing the vial in my pocket before rushing back to my room.