Chapter 19 - Gina
I stared at the pregnancy tests, unable to move. I slowly inhaled and swallowed as I reached for one, wondering which one was the best. I scowled, knowing if I was, it wouldn't matter. I knew the results deep in my gut.
I stared at it, wondering how my life had gotten here. How did I go from black sheep to knocked up? How did I get here? I had a plan, and it was so damn clear. Marry Lucas and get the house. Divorce him in a few months, and I was free.
Before I could really think, there was a hand pulling at my pants. I turned, spotting a little girl, only maybe five. She smiled at me, and I could see a sparkle in her eyes. Her long brown hair had been pulled back neatly in two pigtails, and she was wearing a simple blue dress.
"Do you want to see something cool?" she asked, a giggle in her voice.
I looked around, suddenly aware she was alone in the aisle with me. So, I bent down to her level. "Of course."
She giggled and pulled her hands out. They were bare, and then a small sparkle twinkled between her fingers. It was there for just a second before it was gone, but her giggle told me that was what she wanted to show me.
I swallowed, realizing she was a witch. This little child was a witch. I couldn't help but be shocked because they weren't allowed in North Town. Witches were always seen as dangerous and a threat to shifters.
"Poppy," a new voice called through the air, and a woman stopped at the front of the aisle. The woman sighed, looking relieved. "Poppy, I have told you so many times not to run off."
"I was showing her my new gift," the girl giggled, pulling her hands out once more, starting that sparkle. A twinkle gleamed in her eyes, so proud of herself.
The woman's anger quickly slipped away as she stared at her daughter. She walked over, placing a hand on her head, and then her eyes snapped to me. I stiffened, realizing she was a witch herself.
The woman smiled, and it put me on edge. I was so unsure when people smiled at me, much less a witch herself. I'd heard plenty of stories about them and was told how they never brought goodness with them.
"You're Gina, right?" she asked, looking at me like she knew me.
I blinked and nodded my head when her smile grew, still remaining sweet. "I'm Wendy. Ayden's wife. I've been wondering when I was going to run into you."
I couldn't hide my shock. The alpha had married a witch? How hadn't I known that? Why hadn't Lucas told me? Or had he told me, and I just didn't listen?
God, the alpha marrying a witch would never stand in North Town.
She chuckled. "You look a little shocked."
"I just…sorry," I said, trying to shake my head. There were a lot of things that this pack did differently than my old pack. So, of course, witches would be allowed to live happily here.
"You're fine. Trust me, I get the look." She looked down at her daughter, running her fingers over her hair.
"She's beautiful," I said, "If I may ask, five seems young to be showing signs."
Wendy laughed, nodding her head. "That's what we've been saying. But she's been determined to learn what she can. She's been reading my spell books and coming with me to my meeting with the other witches. She learned this last week, and she's been showing everyone she can."
I could see pride in her eyes and suddenly thought about my own. I swallowed, wondering if I could ever feel that happiness. Whenever I thought of children, I imagined myself being married and happy. But this seemed wrong.
"We were here grabbing a few things," Wendy said, looking at the pregnancy tests. Then her eyes went to my hand, which tightened around the test.
It wasn't like I could deny it. If she was married to Ayden, I'm sure she would know by now. But even if she thought how stupid I was, she didn't show it on her face.
"How about you join us for lunch?" Wendy said, "There is a cafe around the corner. They have some of the best cold salads ever."
I wanted to say no, but I couldn't. My mind was a mess, and somehow, I felt that maybe she could understand. And if not, at least I had someone to eat with. It was better than going back to the house and letting my mind wander over how stupid I'd been to let this happen.
After we both bought what we needed, we headed down the street towards the cafe. Poppy walked ahead, singing as she did, a song I'd never heard.
"Two dashes of sunshine and a swallow of rain. Three giggles of children and four diamond rings."
I glanced at Wendy, who continued to smile. "We were working on spells today… she's still learning the correct words.
Poppy opened the door, holding it for us as we slipped into the cute cafe. I had come here once or twice for coffee but never spent a lot of time in town. I only came when I needed something, and even then, I made sure to make the visit short.
Wendy found a booth near the back, and I sat across from them. The waiter placed down water, and Poppy bounced in her chair, coloring on the paper that the waiter gave her.
"So, are you adjusting well?" Wendy asked, folding up her paper from her straw. "Lucas said you were having a hard time with everything."
I blushed, embarrassed. Of course, she knew.
She smiled again. "I understand the change is hard. My arrival was not smooth sailing."
Yet she was married to the alpha and had a beautiful child. It seemed things worked out for her, and she seemed happy.
"I'm adjusting to what I can," I said. "I'm not used to people…being nice."
Wendy chuckled. "From what I hear about in your town, it's understandable."
I raised an eyebrow, wondering what she meant. Wendy simply shrugged, taking a sip of her water. "Ayden has to keep in touch with other alphas of the surrounding area, and sometimes I go with him when he goes. I've met your alpha, and he was…" She looked at Poppy and then back at me. "Interesting."
I just stared, unable to find words.
"And his wife is even more so. I was pretty sure she was trying to mount my husband by the end of the dinner we had with them."
I just sat in shock. No one spoke about them like that. Everyone always talked about our leader as if he and his wife were gods.
I couldn't help but smirk. "She likes to start stuff because it gets her husband mad. I think it's a form of foreplay for them."
Wendy snorted. "Well, it wasn't that night. No one touches my husband, and certainly not when I'm sitting right next to him." I could see a spark form in her eyes, knowing full well she wasn't someone I wanted to piss off.
She tapped her fingers on the table, and I was suddenly interested to know what she'd done. Tabitha could do with being brought down a notch or two. She thought she was everything because Zavior, our alpha, picked her. Yet, they had no children and had been married for several years now.
The waiter came back, taking our order, and she patted Wendy on the shoulder. "Wendy, thank you so much for those flowers."
Wendy gave the girl a sweet smile before she turned and walked away. I looked at her, and Wendy's smile slipped into a sad one. "Her mother died a few weeks ago. I sent her flowers."
"You must eat here a lot to know that," I said, stirring my water with my straw.
She shook her head. "No, Ayden and I know everyone's names here. Well, Ayden knows all the names. I'm still learning. I'm trying my best to know everyone a little. Make them feel like I'm worthy of Ayden."
I was shocked. I know for a fact that Zavior had called me by the wrong name once or twice, but that also could have been on purpose to embarrass me. And here she was, the wife of an Alpha, hoping she was good enough. This pack certainly worked differently.
I looked at the menu, once more feeling out of place. This wasn't normal, was it? All this…happiness?
"How did…" I looked at Poppy, taking in the sweet child. "Did you know you wanted to have children?"
Wendy made a face, shrugging slightly. "Not entirely. Poppy was…she was meant to be mine." Wendy stroked her daughter's hair. "I didn't know it, but she a gift."
My stomach twisted up slightly.
"Is she your only?"
Wendy shook her head. "No, we have a son, Zayde, who's about a year old. And I'm actually pregnant again." She smirked. Apparently, Ayden wasn't joking when he said he wanted an army of children."
As sarcastic as she sounded, I could see the spark of happiness in her eyes. Her eyes drifted to me. "And you?"
It wasn't like we could ignore where I had been standing or what I had brought. She was at least nice enough not to ask me outright.
"I'm not a hundred percent sure, but… I'm pretty sure I'm pregnant."
"You don't look…happy about it," Wendy said, her smile slipping.
That's because I wasn't sure how I was supposed to feel. This wasn't the plan. I couldn't figure out my life without bringing a child into this mess. How was I to protect a baby if I could hardly protect myself?
"I just…this wasn't the plan."
Wendy smirked. "They never are."
I knew that. I knew children sometimes happened, but this was terrible timing. If Lucas and I couldn't pull this off, I was fucked out of a house. And I couldn't go back to the pack. I couldn't stomach the idea of seeing everyone and them knowing I had lied about everything.
And would Lucas let me? If I was pregnant with his child, he would likely want to be in its life…or have it altogether. Would he think I'm an unfit mother?
A shiver ran down my spine.
"My life is a mess," I admit, unsure of why I did it. Maybe it was because I had no one else to tell. Maybe because I never had a friend, and I wanted one. And Wendy seemed like someone I could trust. "This was supposed to be fake," I said, looking down at my ring, the diamond ring he had given me. "But it seems as time moves on, it feels less fake."
"How so?" Wendy asked.
I thought of everything. The dinners and the coffee. He slept at my house now, never making me feel like a burden. He texted me throughout the day, letting me know where he was and if I needed anything. He was there, even when I didn't want him to be.
"I don't feel that it's fake," I offer. "Fake marriages they…" I couldn't speak from experience, but I figured.
"For starters, they don't actually have sex," I said, and then quickly snapped my eyes to Poppy, who was humming as she colored. I frowned, "Sorry."
Wendy chuckled, waving your hand. "Don't worry. She's heard it all."
I sighed. "It's just confusing."
"Do you feel something for him?
I thought about it. I had in the past. A want when I first realized he was my mate, but that quickly changed into fear, knowing to stay away from him. He didn't want anyone to know I was his mate, and I didn't want to be targeted.
And now…now, I guess I wanted to be around him. I found myself looking forward to our evenings and talking about anything. I found myself trusting him, and it scared me shitless.
"Possible," I admit. "And then I think I'm a fool."
Wendy gave me another soft smile. "We always do," she said softly. "That's the price of opening up and letting people in."