Filed to story: Pregnant By The Heartless Lycan King
But I can only imagine the judgment I would face if I voiced those sentiments, so I do my best to change the subject. Whenever someone approaches me to inquire about our plans for Valentine’s Day, I stumble and mutter whatever I can think of, avoiding any clear answers.
It looks like I might just get away without any drama, but then Pauline walks over to the counter where I’ve been working, and she looms over me with a malicious grin.
“Aw, don’t tell me Marco forgot about his wife on Valentine’s Day. He didn’t even get you anything, did he?” she taunts.
The look on my face is the only answer she needs. Everyone stares at me, their expressions a mix of disdainful pity and haughty triumph.
“How sad,” says one of the clerks with an exaggerated pout. “It’s such a pity that married couples get bored of each other. When the relationship is new, everything is exciting and great, but men lose interest the moment they put a ring on a woman’s finger. Don’t feel bad, Tanya. Guys forget about Valentine’s Day after they get what they want from a girl.”
That’s the kindest thing anyone says to me. Everyone else just muses over the doomed state of my relationship and whines about what a shame it is that Marco is stuck with a wife he doesn’t care about. Their words claw at my mind like nails on a chalkboard, and just when I think things can’t get any worse…
“Well, it’s hardly a surprise.”
Everyone whirls to face whoever just spoke, and I flinch at the sight of Marco’s sister walking into the shop.
“My brother has better things to do than throw gifts at a gold digger,” Cathy says, her eyes bearing into me disapprovingly. She strolls to one of the workers and hands them a piece of paper.
“There’s a banquet coming up soon at the palace. I’m here to pick up the requested fragrances.”
Two clerks hurry to the back, rushing to get the perfumes ready. Cathy returns her attention to me, glaring down at me over her nose even though I’m taller than her. A frightened, childish part of me wants to hide behind the counter to escape her mocking, but I force myself to hold my ground.
“It’s amazing my brother manages to remember he has a wife at all, considering she’s so unworthy of him. The Ironclaw Pack is the greatest pack in the kingdom, and Marco is the most powerful shifter among us. He’s the second prince of Mador, and his wolf is skilled and strong, even capable of manifesting through Marco and changing his voice. Yet you expect him to get a Valentine’s Day gift for his little whore?”
Cathy’s words are a slap across my face. I should be used to being tormented, but it hurts to be reminded of what I am to them. Only Marco sees me as more than a despicable she-wolf whore.
Just when I think I’m going to combust from shame, Lily walks in. Ayana trails behind her like a faithful dog. I brace myself for Cathy to embrace her, for the two of them to team up and tear me apart. But Cathy merely glares at Lily with unrelenting disapproval.
“Oh, look. If it isn’t Marco’s former tramp. I told you I would get the perfumes, Lily. You can go back to playing with my brothers’ feelings or whatever it is you do for fun,” she growls.
To her credit, Lily maintains her composure, smiling politely. It never occurred to me that Cathy would also be unfriendly to Lily, but I suppose it makes sense. Lily was Marco’s fated mate, and now she’s engaged to his brother.
They’re each dignified and elegant, but from the look in their eyes, I suspect they’d both be happy to rip each other’s throats out. Nervous sweat trickles down my pale skin. I’m a mouse caught between two lionesses.
“Cathy, darling,” Lily purrs. “I’m glad to see you have everything under control. Please let me know if there’s anything I can assist you with. And if you see Eric today, please thank him for me. Even though he’s busy with royal matters, he sent me a dozen white roses for Valentine’s Day. I’m so lucky to be engaged with such a thoughtful prince.”
She doesn’t say it to me, but I know what everyone is thinking. I can see it in their eyes as they glance from Lily to me. Even Cathy shoots me a smug little scoff.
I may be married to the second prince, but I’m not important. I’m not deserving. I’m not even worth a single flower…
Then there’s a knock at the entrance.
Silence falls over the perfumery shop as a currier enters, carrying the largest bouquet I’ve ever seen. The roses are not white or pink like the others, but rather a rich and sensual shade of scarlet.
“Tanya?” the currier asks.
All eyes fall on me as I take a hesitant step forward.
“Yes?”
He hands me the bouquet, and my fingers find a small, folded note between the flowers. I open it, my heart skipping as I read over the printed message.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
I’LL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE RESTAURANT DUMONET TONIGHT
-MARCO
Cathy gasps in horror at this note, “Tonight is the full moon, how can my brother…”
Perhaps if I wasn’t so consumed with excitement, I would have noticed the strange smirk creeping onto Ayana’s lips.
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?