Chapter 6
Veronica’s POV
No matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t make sense. The aphrodisiac I gave Liana is the most potent one in the entire kingdom. It took me considerable money, energy, and effort to get my hands on it. The drug is so powerful that even the most dominant werewolf wouldn’t be able to resist it.
I close my eyes and replay the events of that morning in my mind. Liana had looked disheveled, her hair messy as if she had spent the night in bed, yet I knew she hadn’t stepped into her room. I think I spotted faint hickeys on her neck, though I can’t be certain.
“I wonder who that idiot is,” I hissed under my breath. “If that giant hadn’t shown up, my plan would’ve worked perfectly.”
Although my attempt to orchestrate Liana’s public humiliation and disgrace failed, I’m far from giving up. In fact, it has only fueled my determination.
Angrily, I decide to visit Eric’s place to come up with a new plan. As I leave, I crash into Liana, who seems distracted herself. Neither of us acknowledges the other, and I continue on my way.
A glance at my wristwatch tells me Liana is home much earlier than usual. Suspicious. Liana adores her perfumes and usually stays at the shop until Thompson has to force her to leave.
“What’s she doing at home at this hour?” I mutter to myself. Curiosity piqued, I sneaked back inside and watched her dash to the bathroom like a woman possessed.
She probably just needs to use the bathroom, I reason, but something doesn’t sit right with me. The shop has a restroom. Why would she come all the way home?
Suspicious, I hide by the door. When Liana emerges from the bathroom, she looks terrified. She rushes into her room, only to leave the house moments later.
When I’m sure she’s not coming back, I creep into her room and start searching. My patience is rewarded when I find a freshly used pregnancy test strip. My eyes widen as I see the two bold lines confirming pregnancy.
“I knew it,” I exclaim, a sinister smile creeping across my face. “She’s pregnant.”
An idea forms quickly in my mind, and I waste no time calling Richard, the rich businessman who has an unhealthy obsession with Liana. It’s time to make a deal.
Cassian’s POV
“Just stop, Manuel,” I growl at my inner wolf. He’s been whining incessantly about why I let the girl leave without so much as asking for her name or where she’s from.
“Why do I need to know?” I ask, feigning indifference.
“Because she’s special,” Manuel replies.
Manuel, my inner wolf, is my most loyal companion. Ever since he manifested, we’ve been inseparable, sharing thoughts, emotions, and instincts. His semi-independent nature allows him to nag me relentlessly, which is exactly what he’s doing now.
“You’re always cold and terrifying,” Manuel scolds. “If you keep this up, you’ll end up alone.”
“Alone?” I scoff. “I have you.”
“You know what I mean,” he retorts. “You need to let people in. You’re like an impenetrable wall of ice, while Robison is warm and approachable. That’s probably why Selena—”
“Manuel,” I cut him off sharply, my voice tinged with warning.
He falls silent, realizing he’s treading too close to a sensitive subject. After an awkward pause, he clears his throat and continues, “On the bright side, I never liked Selena. She always had an unsettling energy about her. I’m glad she’s out of your life.”
“You are?” I ask, surprised by his candor.
“Of course,” Manuel replies. “And that’s exactly why you should seek out this new girl. Even though she’s weak and wolfless, there’s something special about her. She’s unique, and I like her already.”
I can’t deny that he’s right. The moment I touched her, I felt an inexplicable connection. A bond that went beyond the physical.
But it doesn’t make sense. Selena is my fated mate. Why would I feel this way about someone else?
“Selena is gone, man,” Manuel says, breaking into my thoughts. “It’s time to move on. Why not explore the pack? Who knows, we might run into her.”
“You’re too noisy,” I mutter.
“Fine,” Manuel says, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Ignoring him, I get up, take a quick shower, and dress in casual clothes. The fresh air and sunlight lift my spirits slightly as I walk aimlessly through town.
Before I know it, I find myself in front of a quaint perfume shop at the end of the street. Maybe it’s because Selena was a brilliant perfume designer, and I’ve developed a habit of paying attention to perfume shops.
Inside, I browse the shelves, picking up bottle after bottle. My brow furrows as I sniff each one.
These scents… they remind me of Selena’s creations. But those were exclusive. How could they be here?
Then, I catch a faint scent—one I thought I’d never smell again. My heart races as I trace it to a small bottle tucked away in the corner.
“Welcome to Thompson’s Perfume Shop,” a man greets me cheerfully. “I’m Thompson. See anything you like?”
“Who designed this?” I ask, holding up the bottle that carries her scent.
“Oh, that would be Liana,” Thompson says proudly. “She’s our star designer. But that bottle isn’t for sale—I accidentally left it on the shelf. She’s responsible for most of the creations in this shop. Take your pick!”
I barely hear the rest of what he says. My mind latches onto one word: Liana.
“Where is she?” I demand, my voice colder than I intended.
Thompson blinks, taken aback by my tone. “She wasn’t feeling well earlier. Clara mentioned she might be pregnant, but—”
“She’s a virgin,” a girl named Clara pipes up, laughing.
Their words confirm what I suspected, yet they leave me cold and furious. I clench my fists, trying to suppress the storm brewing inside me.
“Where does she live?” I ask again, this time with more force.
Liana’s POV
Even though I see the result, I can’t believe it, let alone accept it. How can I be pregnant? It’s impossible.
Panicked, I shove the pregnancy strip into my closet and rush out of the house for some fresh air. The weight of my situation feels unbearable. Everyone still believes I’m with Eric, but now I’m pregnant. Eric will undoubtedly deny the child is his, and Veronica will be the first to back him up.
What will become of me then?
After wandering for over an hour, I return home, hoping this nightmare will fade. But the moment I step inside, I know something is wrong. My father, Veronica, Miranda, and Eric are all sitting in the living room, waiting for me.
“Would you mind explaining this?” Miranda asks, tossing the pregnancy strip onto the table.
My heart sinks as I stare at the damning evidence. My first instinct is to lie, but I know it’s pointless.
“Your silence says it all,” Veronica sneers. “You betrayed Eric and slept with Richard. Don’t bother denying it.”
“We’ve made arrangements,” my father, Gregory, announces coldly. “Richard has agreed to take you in as his mistress.”
“What?” I gasp, horrified.
Rumors about Richard flood my mind. Known for his perverse nature, his mistresses often disappeared after failing to meet his twisted demands.
“Father, please,” I beg. “Don’t send me to him. I’ll die.”
“Your fate is sealed,” Gregory replies, his voice devoid of empathy.
Before I can plead further, a sharp knock on the door silences everyone.