I spent the next three days in the isolation room, doing nothing but crying, regretting my decisions, and pleading for Alfred to answer me.
"Alfred, please!" I called out, my voice hoarse from hours of shouting. "Let me out! We need to talk about this!"
But my pleas were met with silence. The only sounds were the occasional footsteps of guards passing by and my own sobs echoing off the bare walls.
After four days, I felt very pale, lean, and lifeless. The stress and confinement were taking their toll, and I was worried about the baby.
"Alfred, please come... Please! If you don't, I... I don't know what I'll do," I threatened weakly, my forehead pressed against the cold door.
At this point, I didn't care about my pride anymore. I just wanted out.
"Alfred! Please!" I pleaded again, my legs shaking as I stood.
Suddenly, I heard the lock click. The door opened, revealing Alfred's concerned face.
As soon as I saw him, a wave of nausea hit me. I swayed on my feet, my vision blurring.
"Lucy?" Alfred's voice sounded distant.
I pushed past him, rushing to the small bathroom attached to the isolation room. I barely made it to the toilet before I started throwing up.
I felt Alfred's presence behind me as he poured water on my head and patted my back softly.
"Lucy... You look sick. I'll take you to the hospital... Please... Lucy," he pleaded, his voice laced with worry.
I wanted to resist, to tell him I didn't need his help. But as another wave of nausea hit me, I realized I didn't have a choice. I nodded weakly, allowing him to help me to my feet.
As he supported me out of the isolation room, I couldn't help but think about how things had changed. Just days ago, I was the one trying to leave. Now, I was practically begging for help from the very person who had betrayed me.
But as much as I hated to admit it, I needed him right now. For the sake of our child, I had to put aside my anger and focus on getting healthy.
"Okay," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Take me to the hospital."
Alfred's arm tightened around me as he led me out.Finally they attended to me and I was given medication. The doctor also asked them not to involve me in anything that would stress me.
After we got back home, Alfred took me to the main pack house instead of the isolation room. His arm remained protectively around me as we walked through the front door.
"You'll stay here where I can keep an eye on you," Alfred said softly. "I want to make sure you're taking care of yourself and the baby."
As much as I wanted to argue, to maintain my anger, I was too exhausted. I simply nodded, allowing him to guide me to the couch in the living room.
Just as Alfred was helping me sit down, his mother, Cherish, stormed into the room. Her face was a mask of fury.
"What is she doing here?" Cherish demanded, pointing an accusing finger at me. "She should be in isolation until she comes to her senses!"
Alfred stood up, placing himself between me and his mother. "Lucy is sick, mother. The doctor said she needs rest and to avoid stress. She's staying here where I can take care of her."
Cherish's eyes narrowed. "Take care of her? What about Aris? She's carrying your child too, or have you forgotten?"
I flinched at her words, the reminder of Alfred's betrayal stinging even through my exhaustion.
"I haven't forgotten," Alfred said, his voice firm. "But Lucy needs me right now. She's my wife, and she's carrying my child too."
Cherish scoffed. "She's just pretending to be sick to get your attention. Can't you see that? Aris is the one who truly needs you. She's carrying the true heir!"
I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Even now, after everything, Cherish still saw my child as less than Aris's.
Alfred's voice grew cold. "Enough, mother. The doctor confirmed that Lucy is ill. She stays here, and that's final."
Cherish glared at me over Alfred's shoulder. "This isn't over," she hissed before storming out of the room.
As the door slammed behind her, Alfred turned back to me. His face softened as he saw my tears.
"I'm sorry about that," he said, sitting beside me. "Try not to let her upset you. Remember what the doctor said about stress."
I nodded, wiping my eyes.Alfred left and went to attend to the pack affairs while I was left alone. I was feeling very hungry so I decided to go and get something to eat instead of calling anybody.
As I went to the kitchen, I saw a few maids gossiping about me. They quickly fell silent when they noticed my presence, averting their eyes and hurrying out of the room. I felt a pang of hurt but tried to ignore it as I searched for something to eat.
Just as I was about to open the refrigerator, I heard a voice behind me.
"Well, well. If it isn't our dear Luna."
I turned to see Aris leaning against the doorframe, a smug smile on her face. Her hand rested protectively over her slightly swollen belly.
I eyed her and hissed.
She laughed, a cruel sound that made me flinch. "Oh, dear step sister I know you don't like me, and believe me, the feeling is mutual.
But there's nothing you can do about me now. I'm carrying the heir, and no Alpha would choose a barren woman who forged pregnancy.
Her words stung, but I tried not to show it. "Is that what you think? I forged Pregnancy test results? Are you now in a competition with me?"
"Isn't it?" Aris sneered. "You know what's funny about you? I knew Alfred before you and he was suppose to be mine, but you came out of nowhere thinking you were so special because Alfred chose you. But look at you now. Pale, weak, barely able to keep food down. Some Luna you turned out to be."
I bit my lip, fighting back tears. "You don't know anything about me, Aris."
"Oh, but I do," she continued, her voice dripping with malice. Let me even shock you, our affair started before the Alpha got married to you.He's been sneaking around with me in his office ever since. And look at the result - I gave him what you couldn't ."
Her words hit me like a physical blow. For two years, they have been having an affair? It had been going on for that long?
"You're nothing but a husband snatcher ," Aris spat. "A barren woman playing at being Luna. Without a child, you're useless to this pack. At least I can give Alfred what he really needs."
I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. They streamed down my face as I pushed past Aris, no longer hungry, just desperate to get away from her cruel words.
As I rushed back to my room, I could hear her laughter echoing behind me. I slammed the door shut, sliding down to the floor as sobs wracked my body.
How had everything gone so wrong? And more importantly, how was I going to survive in this hostile environment, especially now that I knew the full extent of Alfred's betrayal?