Chapter 3 3: Unplanned Reality

Willow's POV

I sat on my bed, lost in thought, my mind racing with several thoughts at once. It had been weeks since I moved in with Jason and Ruby, and they had been kind and understanding, never prying into my past. But I knew I couldn't stay here forever. I needed a plan, a way to move forward.

Just as I was getting caught up in my thoughts, I felt a tap on my back. I turned to see Ruby standing there, concern etched on her face.

"Willow, what's wrong? You've been lost in thought for a while now, and I've been trying to get your attention," Ruby said, her voice soft.

I let out a deep sigh and apologized, "I'm sorry, Ruby. I just have a lot on my mind."

Ruby sat down beside me, her eyes filled with kindness. "You can share with me, Willow. I've noticed how quiet you've been since you moved in. I didn't want to pry, but I want you to know that I'm here for you."

I hesitated, unsure if I should open up to Ruby. But something about her gentle demeanor put me at ease. I took a deep breath and began to tell her everything - about the triplets, about being their mate, about the rejection.

Ruby listened intently, her expression changing from shock to anger. "Those bastards!" she exclaimed when I finished. "How could they do that to you?"

I shrugged, feeling a mix of emotions. "I don't know. I thought we had a connection, but I guess I was wrong."

Ruby put her arm around me, pulling me into a hug. "You're not wrong, Willow. You deserve so much better than those triplets. They're idiots for rejecting you."

I felt a lump form in my throat as Ruby's words comforted me. Maybe, just maybe, I could move on from this and find happiness again.

"Thanks, Ruby. Just talking about it makes me feel a little better," I said, smiling weakly.

Ruby smiled back. "Anytime, Willow. We're here for you, and we'll support you no matter what."

"Your support and help for the past weeks have been a great deal for me, I really appreciate it," I mumbled and I looked at Ruby. "I should be going soon," I said, trying to sound strong. "I don't want to overstay my welcome."

Ruby's expression turned concerned. "Where will you go, Willow? You can't just leave without a plan."

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I didn't have anywhere to go, no family to turn to. I felt a pang of fear at the thought of being alone again.

Ruby seemed to sense my fear. "You don't have to leave, Willow. You can stay here with us. The house is big enough for all of us."

I was taken aback by her offer. "Really? You'd let me stay?"

Ruby nodded. "Of course. We're happy to have you here. You're not disturbing us at all."

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. "Thank you, Ruby. Thank you so much."

Ruby smiled. "It's nothing, really. Now, tell me, are you done with high school?"

I shook my head. "No, I didn't get to finish."

Ruby's expression turned thoughtful. "Well, you can enroll in my school. You can start on a school loan, and we can help you with the rest."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. A chance to finish school, to start anew. I felt a surge of hope.

"Really? You'd do that for me?"

Ruby nodded. "Of course. We want to help you get back on your feet."

I thanked her again, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I had never felt such kindness from strangers before.

"Thank you, Ruby. Thank you for everything."

"Oh please don't make it sound like it's something big," she joked and chuckled

"It's something big Ruby, you don't know what this means to me and how I won't have to regret leaving the pack even with all the humiliation I faced."

She let out a deep breath and held my hands. "I understand you perfectly Willow, I have been there when I lost my parents, I felt lost and I thought there was no way forward until I met Jason who made me stand on my toes again, luckily my parents left this big house for me. If Jason was kind enough to see through me during my darkest days why can't I do that with you I can't lie, I love your presence here, you made it feel homely."

I smiled and I couldn't help as a tear escaped my eyes, I pulled her into a hug and she chuckled. She wrapped her hands around me and sighed beautifully.

*

I walked into class, feeling accomplished. I had never thought I'd be able to attend school again, but thanks to Ruby's help, I was finally back on track. The loan they had secured for me had been a lifesaver, and I was determined to make the most of it.

I took my seat and I noticed Ruby smiling at me from across the room. I smiled back, feeling grateful for her support. She had been with me every step of the way, encouraging me to keep going even when things seemed impossible.

She came say next to me but as the lesson began, I started to get a strange feeling. My head was spinning, and my vision began to blur. I tried to focus on the teacher's words, but they seemed to be coming from far away.

"Willow, are you okay?" Ruby whispered, tapping my shoulder. "You've been staring off into space for a while now."

I quickly cleared my throat, trying to cover up my confusion. "I'm fine, Ruby. Just a little...distracted."

"Okay," she mumbled and we continued listening to the teacher, I tried my best to focus even though it was hard, and when the class was finally over I let out a deep breath.

"Let's go to the food canteen," she muttered and I nodded.

We resumed walking and suddenly my legs became too heavy to carry, I tried to move but I couldn't and my legs gave out on me. I felt myself falling, and then everything went black.

I woke up to meet Ruby's worried face hovering above me. "Willow, oh my god, what happened? You just collapsed!"

I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back down. "I...I don't know," I stammered. "I just felt really dizzy all of a sudden."

Ruby's expression turned serious. "We need to get you to the nurse's office. Now."

I nodded weakly, still trying to process what had just happened. What was wrong with me?

As we walked to the nurse's office, Ruby kept a tight hold on my arm, supporting me. "Do you think it's stress?" she asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

I shook my head. "I don't know. I've been feeling okay, just a little overwhelmed with schoolwork."

The nurse examined me, asking me questions and taking my pulse, her expression turned grave. "Willow, I think we need to run some tests. I need to be sure," she said and I turned to look at Ruby, all I could do was nod.

My heart racing as the nurse took my blood and walked away, I wondered if I had a deadly disease, Ruby gently stroked my hair when she noticed how worried I was. "You'll be okay, Willow. Just breathe." Her calming words did little to ease my anxiety.

The nurse returned with a sympathetic smile and a folder in her hand after a while, I felt an adrenaline rush and sat down immediately. "Is everything alright?" I asked and her lips were in a thin line before she handed over the result to me.

"Willow, the test results show that you're...pregnant." She mumbled.

My world crumbled. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Pregnant? How could this be? I thought back to that fateful night when I discovered I was mated to the triplets. It all made sense now. I gasped, and tears burst forth like a dam breaking.

Ruby's arms enveloped me. "Shh, it's okay. We'll get through this."

The nurse nodded. "I think it's best if you go home and process this news. We can discuss options later."

I nodded numbly, still trying to wrap my head around the situation. Ruby gathered our bags, and we left the school in silence.

*

A week passed, and I struggled to come to terms with my new reality. I barely ate, and tears became my constant companion. This wasn't the life I planned for myself, how could I be pregnant? I was so lost in their touch that I didn't realize what that might cause to me.

One evening, Ruby and Jason confronted me seeing the way I had been on my own. Refusing to attend classes. "Willow, you need to think about what you're going to do," Ruby said gently. "You can't keep avoiding this."

Jason added, "Yeah, it's been a week. You need to make a decision."

I took a deep breath and let my shoulders sag. "I've decided to keep the baby."

Ruby's eyes widened. "Are you sure? Have you thought this through?"

I nodded. "I know it's not ideal, but I can't bring myself to...you know. And luckily, we'll be graduating soon. No one will find out. I'll give birth and apply to college. I'll make it work."

Jason frowned. "It won't be easy, Willow. You're still in high school."

I knew he was right, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that this baby was meant to be, I can't kill my own child, abandoning my child after I had been abandoned so I shook my head swiftly. "I'll figure it out. I have to."