Filed to story: Pregnant By The Heartless Lycan King
“Do you think he’s here to see Lily?” one of the workers asks.
“There’s no way. Prince Marco and Lily are a thing of the past. She’s engaged to Prince Eric.”
Outside, Marco walks away towards the entrance of the building. He’s coming this way, my heart pounding harder and harder with every footstep.
“Even if Marco married some she-wolf, Lily was supposed to be his fated mate. Why else would he be here?”
The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor makes me want to disappear as the crowd moves away from the window and shifts towards the main entrance. Lily appears with Ayana close behind her.
“Do you think Marco’s new wife is here? I haven’t seen her,” another employee says.
They’ve seen me, they just haven’t realized who I am, but they will soon. There are too many people around, but the focus is evenly divided between Lily and Marco. The last thing I want is to draw attention to myself, and I dig my nails into my palm to stop my hands from shaking.
Maybe I can slip away unnoticed while everyone is distracted. I lower my head, letting my sleek black hair form a curtain over my face. Everyone is watching Marco as he makes his way toward Lily, gasping at the scene about to unfold, but Lily only smiles presumptuously. Even she expects that he’s here for her. I take a few unsteady steps backward, hoping to sneak off without causing a fuss.
But then Marco walks right past Lily without so much as a glance in her direction, as if he hardly noticed her standing there. Lily barely flinches, but her lips press together tightly as her former lover ignores her existence. She is unaccustomed to being ignored, just as I am unaccustomed to being noticed.
Before I can register what’s going on, Marco appears in front of me, blocking off my quiet escape route.
“Where are you running off to?” he asks, his low voice making the question sound more like a demand.
“Nowhere, I… I was just…” I stammer as everyone’s eyes turn to me.
Marco slides his hands out of his pockets, taking off his sunglasses in a swift motion. Those messy blond locks and electric blue eyes make him look like a roguish prince charming, and he crosses his arms over his broad chest, surveying me expectantly.
“I’m sorry,” I mumble sheepishly. “I was just leaving. Why are you here?”
“What do you think? I’m here to pick up my wife from work.”
My wife.?I’m still not used to those words and hearing him call me that makes rosy heat rise in my cheeks. The corner of his l*p curls slightly at the sight of my blushing as if he finds my modesty amusing.
But around us, whispers and shock ripple across the gathered crowd. My co-workers, who’ve barely noticed the arrival of the new employee, seem to see me for the first time. Their eyes feel like dozens of little needles, prickling my skin with jealousy and judgment. But Marco is watching me, too; his gaze seems to shield me from the rest.
“Thank you,” I whisper to him, wishing no one else could see or hear us.
He simply nods in response, and we walk out of the building together, the crowd parting around us. I tell myself that this is just protocol. Marco is the second prince, and it’s his responsibility to play the part of the dutiful husband. It’s an act, a role he has to play to maintain appearances.
I know that, but I still can’t push the butterflies in my stomach down completely.?I’m so caught up with the feeling of him beside me, head held high and proud as he walks arm in arm with me, that I don’t even notice the glaring look of resentment that crept onto Lily’s and Ayana’s faces.
Tanya’s POV
“Do you think he’s here to see Lily?” one of the workers asks.
Since Marco showed up at work that day, everyone at the?Eau de Lune Parfumerie?treats me differently. Some approach me with curiosity and forced politeness, while others glare with unabashed envy and spite.
Since Marco showed up at work that day, everyone at the?Eau de Lune Parfumerie?treats me differently. Some approach me with curiosity and forced politeness, while others glare with unabashed envy and spite.
Today, however, the atmosphere in the perfumery is decidedly different. Many employees are eating chocolates and boasting roses or heart-shaped cards. Even Pauline seems to be in a good mood. It takes me a few minutes to understand the cause of such celebratory commotion.
It’s Valentine’s Day.
I’ve never really celebrated it before, even when I was with Brandon. The whole holiday seems luxurious and foreign to me, so I stay out of everyone’s way and try to go about my work unnoticed. As the hours pass, couriers keep stopping by the building, delivering flowers and other gifts to the girls in the shop. Each new arrival is accompanied by excited gasps and cheerful giggles. Their unabashed girly joy is contagious, and I can’t help but smile at how happy everyone seems.
Until the questions start.
As the day’s novelty starts to wear off, many girls start to remember that I exist, and it doesn’t take long for them to notice my auspicious lack of gifts. Their attention turns on me gradually, and I feel myself shrink further into myself with every inquisitive glance.
To make matters worse, several girls come up and show off their flowers or jewelry to me, wondering at the sort of gift Prince Marco got for his new wife.
I haven’t even thought of that. I’ve never received a gift on Valentine’s day. Honestly, I’m lucky to have a husband, and Marco has already done so much for me. How could I possibly ask for anything more? I don’t need a fancy gift to show off.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?