**Aife


    pov**


    My hand trembled as I reached for the stic object and held it, bringing it closer to my face. I was trying to prove something to myself as if my eyes were ying a trick on me.


    Nope, there they really were, the two lines that tied me to Bane for good. Maybe he didn''t know about this, damn it, I barely learned this, but I had to keep in mind that one test isn''t aplete guarantee just yet.


    Humming under my breath, I reminded myself that it might as well be. Not that we slept together every single night or had sex that often, but I couldn''t recall us ever using protection.


    Damn it, I couldn''t push the me on myck of experience at this point. Just because Bane was the first man I shared the bed with didn''t mean I wasn''t warned about the consequences or told anything about means of protection. And besides, why would I me only myself? Bane, unlike me, was pretty experienced in that area, so he did know better.


    *"A pup. We''re having mate''s pup!"* Clove called out, pure excitement oozing from her.


    I wished I could share even half the happiness she felt. Maybe even less, but in that case, I would feel at least a bit of it. All I felt was fear, dread and pain.


    "Yeah," I sighed, letting the fact sink in as my eyes didn''t leave the damn pregnancy test. I felt like I was trying to erase the proof of life growing inside me.


    How could I feel so conflicted? A child was supposed to be a blessing and I was sure that under different circumstances I would have felt like the Goddess had blessed me, but I couldn''t feel like that now.


    *"Aife? You''re not happy? You don''t want it?"* Clove asked, sounding a little too desperate.


    I shook my head, even though I didn''t know what message I was trying to give her.


    *"You must tell mate. This isn''t your decision. Or at least only yours. The pup is the result of you two, you didn''t nt it inside on your own, so you must talk to him. Together, you decide. Never alone."* She scolded me.


    Tears filled my eyes as a scenario shed in my mind. I had to go and imagine how magical would be this moment if Bane was near, if we would find out that we were about to be parents together.


    "I won''t get rid of it," I whispered, more to assure myself but also to calm Clove.


    At this point, she was nearly raging in my head, restless, unable to find a ce for herself. Once she understood what I said, slowly, she calmed down and settled to sit down.


    *"Good. Good," she whispered.


    I was about to toss the pregnancy test in the bin, but Clove shouted, *"no!"* and I instantly froze up.


    Arching an eyebrow, I waited for her to exin her weird reaction to such a simple thing. It wasn''t like I wasmitting a crime by tossing out the trash. Or was it that she was one of those sentimental persons who wanted to keep this thing as something important?


    ncing at the test, I shivered. Honestly, I couldn''t imagine myself holding onto a thing I had to pee on just minutes ago. The stench would be unbearable at one point, especially for a nose as sensitive as hers.


    *"As much as I appreciate your worry, and by the way - you have a point, my reaction isn''t entirely that. Nothing even close to your assumption, actually,"* she chuckled.


    Yeah, her speaking would probably be the easiest way to confuse me. I liked how straight-forwards she was, but really hated the fact that she didn''t bother to spill everything that was on her mind from the get-go. Nope, she had to build up some suspense while she was at it.


    **And in that regard, yes, you''repletely right. What is life without some fun surprises and unexpected events?"*


    "I think I''ve had plenty of surprises without you adding some," I grumbled.


    Cloveughed. This was the first time I heard herugh and I instantly fell in love with the sound. She was so carefree, sofortable and open, my heart felt warm and full.


    Once she calmed down and caught her breath, Clove exined herself. *"Not to break the bad news, but this ce isn''t quite the safest ce in the universe, especially for you. On one side, you have the man who tried to buy your hand for marriage and even attacked the pack you loved, while on the other side, you have the man who ims to love you, and yet, he dly took the money he was offered for you."*


    I nodded my head, agreeing with everything she said. I wouldn''t deny the truth, especially one I had known for a while.


    *"So, now that I have reminded you of the situation and people that surround you.. Do you really think they will be happy about the news? Aren''t you scared that one of them might drop something in your drink or food to get rid of the pup? Our mate isn''t the nicest person alive, he has many crazed enemies who would dly use you as a pawn against him. And if they find out about the pup, Goddess, have mercy, that would end us all."*


    My hold around the test tightened. Clove was right. We couldn''t know who we could trust at this point. Far too many people had a grudge with Bane and this new turn of events could be easily used against him.


    I felt truly grateful for having Clove and her input on the situation I was struggling with. Honestly, I was so damn emotional that I wouldn''t be surprised if I broke down in front of my father and told him everything, foolishly believing he would be happy about this.


    But then, following this problem, I had another one in line - father still believed I was a virgin. This sounded so bad, but it was one of the first things he asked me when we sat down to talk.


    How I didn''t see the red gs sooner? I was taken from the pack, dragged far away and a lot had happened during my time of absence but all he worried about was if anyone had touched me.


    At first, I truly believed that he was scared that someone had touched me or taken advantage of me. At least for a while. But now, not only did I know but I also needed toe to terms with the truth. He didn''t give a shit about my well-being. My father cared about his image and ability to sell me off after all. He didn''t have a daughter - he had a product he would sell to the highest bidder.


    *"We keep this pregnancy a secret, okay? Promise me, Aife,"* Clove whispered, sounding a little off.


    I was so used to her sassy attitude that it felt weird to hear her sound this.. Normal?


    Maybe it was better that I hesitated because soon after, a knock sounded on the bathroom door. "Aife, baby, are you okay? You''ve been in there for hours." Speak of the devil, huh?