EPISODE 17%
The first to react was Flora. She gasped, a hand flying to her mouth before it dropped to her chest, and her expression twisted in disbelief.
“You’re disgusting!” she spat, her voice rising like a shriek. “Getting pregnant like this? What kind of woman are you?“}
She didn’t stop there. Her eyes slid toward Ronan, sharp and accusatory.”
“I already warned you before that this woman is never good. She is bossy and always goes against me! Now she’s carrying someone else’s child. Just how good is your taste, Ronan?“}
Flora sneered and pointed at my stomach, her voice laced with venom. “Her belly’s almost as big as Mara’s. At this rate, they’ll be giving birth side by side.“}
That comment hung in the air.
For a moment, no one moved. Then, something changed. Flora froze mid–breath, and her face turned pale as realization hit. Ronan’s expression mirrored hers. His eyes sharpened, and he straightened his back. He stared at my stomach, then turned to Mara’s, as if comparing something invisible.
“Wait a damn second,” he muttered, the fog in his voice lifting. Then louder, sounding more hopeful than he intended, he looked at me with sincere eyes. “Who’s the father of that child?“}
My throat went dry. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I didn’t know how to answer.
Deep down, I suspected it was Ronan. But I couldn’t say it out loud. My memories were still a mess. I had no idea why I hated him so much, why I flinched every time he got close, why the sight of him made my heart ache. If I spoke now, things would only get worse.
Before the silence dragged on too long, Valor stepped forward. I didn’t look at him, but I felt his presence beside me, solid and certain.§
“Isn’t it obvious?” He said coldly, facing Ronan without fear. “Who else would it be?“}
“I wasn’t asking you,” Ronan growled. “I was asking her.“>
“Then simply ask me. Why do you have to bother her with such a simple question?” Valor shot back, acting proud. “Isn’t it clear that I am the father?“}
Ronan’s face twisted with disbelief. “Don’t lie to my face. She’s clearly more than two months along. That was before her memory loss. Before she even met you.“}
“Really?” Valor replied, his voice calm but edged with steel. “But that doesn’t mean it’s yours. How sure are you that you’re the father?“}
“I am a hundred percent sure that the child is mine!” Ronan snapped. “I have to remind you that she’s my bonded mate!“}
“Bonded?” Valor tilted his head. “Because last I checked, there’s no bond between you two. If you insist, we can check it again now.“}
Ronan opened his mouth, then shut it. His jaw clenched, his eyes burning. Before he could speak again, Mara stepped in, her voice sweet but trembling, like honey laced with poison.
“I’m happy she’s pregnant,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Really, I am. A baby is a blessing. Ronan’s always taken care of me day and night and must have been neglecting you… I didn’t even realize Bella was expecting. It’s wonderful, our child will have a sibling.”
Her words sounded kind on the surface, but everyone could hear what she was really saying. If Ronan had been with her all this time, how could I be pregnant?!
The irnplication struck like lightning.”
Flora’s eyes widened, and the sneer returned with force.}
“You’ve been sleeping around! That’s what this is. Bonded to Ronan but opening your legs for someone else, what a disgrace.“}
That was it. The rage came so fast, it felt like fire in my blood. I stepped forward, shouiders shaking, and looked Flora dead in the eyes.&
“I am not sleeping with anyone else,” I said clearly, my voice louder than I expected. “And if I have to swear it to the Moon Goddess herself, I will.”
I turned to Rorian next. My hatred burned hotter than anything else in the room.
‘Maybe we were bonded. Maybe we even shared a mark,” I said, my voice trembling with the force of my emotions. “But if that’s true, then you’re the cheater, Ronan. Not me. If we were married, if I belonged to you, then why is Mara pregnant too? Why does she have a mark from you?”
He opened his mouth, intending to answer, but was unable to say anything.”
Instead, Flora spoke again, her voice full of bitterness. “Because you were barren! If you weren’t, Ronan wouldn’t have had to–“#
“Oh, shut up,” I snapped. “Maybe it wasn’t me. Maybe the problem was him.”
Flora’s eyes bulged. “How dare you accuse Ronan-!”
“Why not?” I interrupted, my tone icy. “I didn’t get pregnant while I was with your pack. But the moment I left? It happened. Doesn’t that say something? I even asked the shaman and they said that this is a healthy pregnancy. No problems. So, if it wasn’t me…”
1 let my words trail off and looked directly at Mara.
“How sure are we that your child is Ronan’s?“@
Flora’s eyes flashed with fury. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides E
“You barren woman, don’t speak such ill words towards my son!*
She lunged forward, but Valor was quicker. He stepped in front of me, blocking her path without touching her, his presence alone a shield. “This whole family reeks,” Valor said, his voice dripping with contempt. “Low morals and lower dignity. Ronan, you don’t deserve to look at
7:05 PM dd ·
“This whole family reeks,” Valor said, his voice dripping with contempt. “Low morals and lower dignity, Ronan, you don’t deserve to look at
Bella. She’s not yours to torment anymore. I’ll take care of her now. You have your own family to raise.”
Ronan’s jaw clenched. He didn’t speak. His hands were balled into fists, but he held himself back. And then Mara did the thing I expected least. She started crying.
“How could you say that about me?” she sobbed. “I’ve always kept quiet, tried to be kind. I didn’t want to make things worse. But it’s clear now. You hate me, Bella. You see me as your enemy.”
She turned to Flora and Ronan, sniffling, wiping fake tears from her cheeks.
“I didn’t want to say anything. I really didn’t. But if she’s going to accuse me like this, then I have to tell the truth.”
My stomach dropped.
Ronan frowned. “What truth?”
Mara looked at Ronan with teary eyes and said, “I found her walking to the wilderness and see her do something…”
Flora leaned in. “Saw her what? Mara, what are you saying?”
“I saw her,” Mara said softly, “Sleeping with another man.”
600
I frowned and shook my head, unable to hide my frustration.