Chapter 8 Pregnant

Gabriella's POV

I woke up the next morning with a cold, my clothes still soaked, and my hair drenched as well. Luckily, I spotted a taxi and immediately hailed it to head home. I stripped off my wet clothes, took a warm bath, and bundled up in thick garments to combat the cold that had settled in. I began sneezing as well. I suppose my father either didn't notice my absence in the house or he noticed and chose to ignore me. After all, his favorite daughter is marrying my mate.

My cold worsened, causing me considerable discomfort. Fortunately, my sister entered my room, concern evident in her eyes. "Sis, you look so pale. What happened to you?" She moved towards me, inspecting my condition.

"I got caught in the rain and I think I've caught a cold," I replied, still shivering beneath my blanket.

"You silly girl, you know you're susceptible to colds when you get soaked. Why didn't you find shelter? You've worried me sick."

"I'll be fine, sister. No need to worry. You should be getting ready for your upcoming wedding," I added, my heart aching.

"The maids and event planners are handling their tasks well. My responsibility is to take care of you. You look awful. I'll call the doctor for you." She promptly left the room.

The doctor arrived, treated me, and advised me to rest after taking the prescribed medications.

With effort, I managed to get to the kitchen and prepare a cup of hot tea. Hopefully, it would provide some relief before I thanked my sister. But the cup slipped from my hand, and my father witnessed the accident. Despite my illness, he ignored my condition and scolded me for breaking the cup.

"Father, I'm sick. You should be concerned about your daughter's well-being."

"If you want me to worry about you, prove that you're worthy of being called my daughter. Until then, you're just a worthless Omega, useless to me. And this is not the time to fall ill. We're planning your sister's wedding."

"FATHER," I yelled, tears streaming down my face, but he paid no heed. I felt like a heart attack might be imminent.

My condition deteriorated daily. I heard my sister leave to try on her wedding gown, and no one else bothered to check on me. My father ordered the nurses and household staff to focus solely on my sister's wedding, neglecting my needs. It seemed they were indifferent to my well-being and perhaps even wished for my demise.

I retreated to my room, collapsing to the floor, crying my heart out. The door opened, revealing Jane, my friend, who had returned from a trip out of town. I had texted her about my illness, never expecting her to visit so soon.

"Gabby, what happened to you? You've lost so much weight and you look so pale," she inquired with genuine concern.

"Jane." I hugged her tightly, tears continuing to flow. She soothed me, rubbing my back. "Please stop crying, Gabby. I beg you. Do you want me to cry with you? Please, stop."

"It hurts, Jane. It hurts so much. My mate rejected me. He despises me. He said I'm not worthy of being Luna. Tell me, Jane, is it my fault that I can't shift into a werewolf? Why am I different? Was I born with some curse that drives people away and subjects me to ridicule?" Overwhelmed, I wept in Jane's arms like a child. She comforted me, saying, "You need to understand this truth, best friend. You're beautiful in your own way. Others might not see it, but in due time, they'll recognize your uniqueness."

"Are you just saying that to make me feel better, Jane? It's not working. I'm not special in any way. There's nothing remarkable about me."

"Come on now, have I ever belittled you? Seriously, you are special, and you don't need to prove yourself to anyone. You're Gabriella, an Omega with a heart of gold." Her words offered me a sliver of solace, and recognizing my fragile state, she advised me to rest.

Two months later, I realized I hadn't menstruated at all. It couldn't be true. I decided to take a pregnancy test to confirm. Despite experiencing pregnancy symptoms, I needed certainty. In the bathroom, I examined the result. I almost screamed upon seeing two red lines indicating a positive result. How could a simple encounter lead to immediate pregnancy? What should I do now? Revealing this to my family was out of the question; they would disown me and subject me to stigma that I'd never overcome.

The Alpha's hurtful words echoed in my mind. I regretted everything. Should I terminate the pregnancy since I'd been rejected? No, that would be morally wrong, endangering my life in the process. I needed time to figure out how to handle this situation discreetly. I couldn't let anyone discover the truth.

"Gabriella," Tracy's voice echoed, and panic surged. She couldn't find me like this. Fortunately, my door was locked.

Feeling tormented by the weight of carrying my sister's husband's child, I knew I had to act quickly to protect her from heartbreak. I whispered, "I'll join you soon, sis. I'm just taking a shower."

"Alright, sis. I can't wait for you to see my wedding gown. It's stunning."

Once she left, I turned off the shower and took a deep breath.

THE WEDDING

I donned a large gown to conceal my stomach, applied simple makeup, and headed to the wedding hall. Amid the crowd, tears welled up as I watched the groom's entrance, but I suppressed my emotions. He had rejected me, so I needed to move forward.

The bride walked down the aisle, and my heart ached as I imagined myself in her place, walking beside my father. However, reality was cruel, and my father's disdain for me was unwavering. I should have never existed in this harsh world.

As the couple exchanged vows, I fought back tears. The customs proceeded, and my heart shattered with each symbolic act. The kiss was the final blow, evoking memories of the nightstand and his hurtful words. I couldn't bear it any longer. I had to leave, but with all eyes on me, I had to bide my time.

The priest declared them husband and wife, eliciting applause. When the dancing began, I slipped away. Glancing back one last time, I saw the happiness on everyone's faces. I didn't belong there. I was an outcast. It was time to start anew, away from this pack. I needed to focus on my own life and the innocent life growing within me.

Returning home, I packed my belongings. It was the best decision. I couldn't disrupt my sister's marriage. With no one present, I slipped out, my departure unnoticed amidst the wedding festivities. Rolling my luggage, I stopped a taxi, providing directions to my destination. Once at the bus station, I would head south, seeking a fresh start where no one knew my past. I hoped my baby wouldn't share my wolfless fate. Farewell, Silver Moon Pack. You won't miss me, but I'll cherish memories of you. Farewell, my beautiful twin sister. May your married life be blessed.

N/A: When Alpha Nicklaus discovers that the bride isn't his mate, will he lose control?