~TANYA~
The soft hum of the medical equipment surrounded me as I slowly opened my eyes.
The sterile scent of the pack hospital filled my senses, and I found myself lying on a crisp white bed. Dr. Reynolds, the pack doctor, stood by my side, his expression a mix of concern and relief.
"Tanya, you're awake," he said, his voice gentle. "How are you feeling?"
I took a moment to collect my thoughts before responding, "I... I'm not sure. What happened?"
Dr. Reynolds sighed, his brows furrowed. "You experienced a lot of stress, Tanya. It led to bleeding and losing consciousness, but fortunately, both you and the baby are stable now."
A mix of emotions washed over me; relief at the news of our well-being, but also the pressure of the situation pressing down on me.
I suddenly met the doctor's gaze, a plea hidden in my eyes.
"Doctor, please. I need you to tell everyone that I lost this pregnancy. I can't go back to the packhouse with different accusations hanging over me and my baby. I need a way out."
Dr. Reynolds hesitated, a conflict of ethics evident in his expression. "Tanya, honesty is crucial in my line of work, especially within the pack. I can't—"
I interrupted, desperation in my voice, "Please, Doctor. I can't face them since no one believes me. Just tell them I lost the baby due to the stress. It's the only way I can be away from everyone."
After a long pause, Dr. Reynolds reluctantly nodded. "I'll tell them about the stress-induced complications, but Tanya, you need to understand the consequences of this decision. It will all be on you if the truth eventually comes out."
"I'm aware, Thank you." Tears welled in my eyes as I nodded, grateful for the doctor's reluctant agreement.
Gratitude flooded my heart as I thanked the doctor, knowing that this was my only chance to escape the judgment and scorn of the pack.
★★★
Later in the evening, a sombre meeting was called in the packhouse. The Andersons and my family gathered, and the tension in the air was noticeable.
the pack's meeting room felt suffocating as I sat across from the Marcus family and my own. Dr. Reynolds stood by my side, a solemn expression on his face.
The friction between the two families in the room was detectable as Alpha Marcus spoke.
"Dr. Reynolds, tell us about Tanya's condition," he demanded, his gaze piercing.
The doctor cleared his throat before responding, "Tanya experienced severe stress, leading to complications in her pregnancy. Unfortunately, the stress-induced bleeding resulted in the loss of the baby."
Gasps filled the room, and I bowed my head, feigning grief. Alpha Marcus's eyes met mine, a mixture of despair and suspicion in his gaze. Isabella, sitting beside him, wore a satisfied smirk.
A heavy silence settled over the room as the tension of the revelation filled the air. Alpha Marcus's family exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of skepticism.
"Is this true, Tanya?" Alpha Marcus's uncle questioned, his eyes narrowing.
I nodded, putting on a sorrowful face. "Yes, it's true. The stress was too much, and I lost the baby."
Alpha Marcus's gaze bore into mine, his eyes searching for any sign of deceit. "And are you sure there's nothing inside of you anymore?"
I lowered my gaze, allowing a hint of vulnerability to creep into my voice. "There's nothing, Alpha Marcus. The doctor said if there was something, I would be at a high chance of risk by now."
Alpha Marcus sighed, and I could see disappointment evident in his features which I can't tell why he is disappointed. "We will discuss this matter further. It's time to decide Tanya's fate, but before then, Isabella has something to say."
Alpha Marcus, with a solemn expression called for Isabella to speak. My heart clenched with anticipation, dread settling in the pit of my stomach as Isabella stood up.
"Good evening everyone," she greeted with a smile and reached for her bag. "There's someone I want you all to meet."
Isabella took her phone, her fingers dancing over the screen as she made a call. "Come on in, everyone is waiting."
The anxiety in the room thickened as the pack members exchanged uneasy glances. A shadow fell over the doorway, and an unknown man entered, his gaze cold and calculating.
"Tanya," Isabella announced, her voice dripping with satisfaction, "meet Mark, your secret lover."
Color drained from my face as Mark stepped forward, a twisted smile playing on his lips. Panic surged through me, and I tried to speak, to deny the false accusation, but the words caught in my throat.
Alpha Marcus's eyes narrowed, his expression a mix of disappointment and anger. "Is this true, Tanya? Are you having an affair with this man?"
"No, Alpha Marcus, I swear, it's a lie!" I pleaded, desperation lacing my voice. "I've never met him in my life!"
Isabella intervened, her tone mocking. "You can't deny the evidence, Tanya. Mark, tell them about your relationship."
Mark spoke, his words calculated and seemed to tarnish my name. "Tanya and I have been together for months. She approached me, wanting something outside her pack life. I never expected her to get caught up in a mess like this. And if I was aware she's betrothed to the Alpha, I wouldn't have dared have something to do with her."
"What?! This is all lies! I don't even know you!"
My protests fell on deaf ears as the pack members absorbed Mark's false testimony. Their accusing gazes bore into me, and the truth became a distant echo drowned out by the orchestrated deceit.
"Tanya, you have deceived the pack, tried to pin someone else's child on me, and now this affair. You are hereby banished from the pack." Alpha Marcus's voice was sharp and final.
I tried to fight, to plead my innocence, but the pack's decision had been made. As the reality of my exile settled over me, I saw Isabella's triumphant smirk lingering on her lips.
The pain of losing my pack, my home, was almost unbearable. The tangled web of lies had ensnared me, and Isabella revelled in the chaos she had orchestrated.
Despite everyone's disdain glance towards me, I continued; "Please, you all have to believe me. I don't know this man."
Since no one is ready to listen, Isabella chimed in, her tone faux sympathetic. "And I warned you, Tanya. I pleaded with you to desist from cheating on the Alpha, but you turned a deaf ear."
"What are you saying, Isabella? I never cheated on the Alpha! You planned all these!"
"Enough, both of you!" Alpha Marcus cuts in angrily, stands up and leaves first.
Dr. Reynolds cast a knowing glance my way before leaving the room next, leaving me alone with the consequences of my choices. Then everyone departed.
the meeting had come to an end, and I couldn't shake the weight of the lies that now bound within about the pregnancy. I vowed to clear my name soon, to expose the deception that had led to my banishment.
Tonight, I will have to leave the pack and the city just as Alpha Marcus has ordered...