The doctor turned around, just for a second, and I realized the sound—raspy, dry, forgotten—was my own voice.
“I’m sorry. Tell him I’m sorry.”
He looked at me for a moment longer, gave the tiniest of nods, and left.
There was nothing to do but sleep, but it had gotten to the point where I couldn’t tell the difference between being asleep or being awake anymore. Both were filled with nightmares, but at least in the ones with Victor, I wasn’t alone.
It felt so real when the bed dipped with his weight, and I felt the cool skin of his palm on my cheek. “Oh my darling, look at you. Have you been eating at all?”
A sob caught in my chest. “Am I dreaming?”
“No, I’m here. Trust me, it’s been a very rough time for me, too. I don’t ever want to have to punish you like that again.”
“Please don’t leave me,” I cried, tears running down my cheeks. I wanted to sit up, but I could hardly move. “I’m sorry, I won’t ask you anything, ever. I’ll be good. I promise.”
He shushed me as he lay beside me, bringing me into his chest.
“You will be good, won’t you? My good little omega.”
24
The Other Woman
One year later
Ember was curled up on my lap, purring away while I absentmindedly dug my fingers through his soft fur. I removed them for a moment to turn the page, then returned them immediately.
The day after Victor came back, he’d surprised me with a collection of books—classics, mostly. And then proceeded to spend the following week with me, spoiling me with the care and attention I’d been starving for, and I hated myself for how much I’d enjoyed it.
So I’d put all my resentment in a tight box in my heart, locked away for some other day. It was just easier to submit, to keep my questions to myself. Because I couldn’t risk him leaving me again.
“Let me in.”
My ears perked at the woman’s voice coming from outside the apartment.
“M-Madam Corvane, I’m sorry, but only the Premier is allowed…”
“I’m his Vorrak-damned wife. So if he owns this property, I own this property. Move.”
Familiar feelings of despair exploded in my gut. Oh no, this couldn’t be happening. I had compartmentalized his marriage enough to the point where I could function, but I was starting to spiral, forced to confront his betrayal all over again.
That while I was his mate, he had married another.
I wouldn’t even care if he’d just let me break this bond and let me live in peace, but as long as he held my leash, I was a slave to him and my emotions. The primal instincts of an omega with an unfaithful alpha.
The door swung open and a very pregnant alpha werewolf strode in, her roots dark and her face red with fury. She pointed a shaking finger at me, and Ember scratched my legs as he bolted towards the bedroom to hide.
“So you’re the home-wrecking whore!” she spat, her pale eyes striking and full of fire. “Have you no shame in taking another woman’s husband? For taking a father from his child? You make me sick!”
Leudo was trying to pull her back outside the door but she managed to shove him against the wall. Pregnant werewolves were exceptionally strong, and combined with what I assumed was an approaching full moon, she could likely tear me apart if she felt so inclined.
And oh Hecara… was shepregnant.
I swallowed, ignoring the onslaught of slurs against omegas, witches, and “other women” while the sorrow bubbled up inside me until I could no longer contain it. I grabbed my hair, pulling it as hard as I could and began to wail.
His wife’s mouth fell open in confusion, and she turned to Leudo as I collapsed on the floor, shaking and rocking back and forth.
She’s pregnant, she’s pregnant, she’s pregnant.
