Fern's Perspective
Vivian walked toward me, her eyes betraying a hint of concern. "You're awake," she whispered as she approached and took a seat beside me.
"What happened to me?" I struggled to sit up, my mind fragmented and confused. My body felt heavy, but my thoughts were a blank slate.
"I'm sorry we woke you," the nurse said quickly, coming to my bedside to check on me. "You need to rest."
"I'm fine, just a little tired," I replied.
My words made both the nurse and Vivian exchange worried glances. I wasn't sure what had happened, but the gravity of the situation was evident.
"Do you understand what you're getting yourself into?" Vivian asked softly.
Her words echoed those I had heard from Giovanni before I lost consciousness, stirring a wave of unease within me.
Vivian took a deep breath and gazed at me with an unfamiliar depth of concern. "There's something I need to tell you. You're pregnant."
Deep down, I knew she was telling the truth. The thought had crossed my mind earlier this morning as I vomited into the toilet.
"I'm pregnant?" I mumbled, tears beginning to blur my vision. My voice was barely audible, but with their heightened hearing, both Vivian and the nurse heard me clearly.
A smile crept onto the faces of both Vivian and the nurse. "Yes, you are," they confirmed.
Despite my inner premonitions, part of me still struggled to grasp the reality of being pregnant. I froze, my hand instinctively touching my stomach.
Overwhelmed by shock and disbelief, I took a deep breath and felt a slight flutter in my belly. A life was growing inside me, and the sensation was both terrifying and unfamiliar.
Everything had changed. Giovanni hated me now and no longer needed me. What would become of me? Would he let me escape this situation?
Panic seized me, and my eyes filled with tears.
"Please—" I tried my best to hold back the tears. "Don't tell him. I can just leave and—"
My hand rested on my stomach, a mix of nervousness and worry flooding over me.
Vivian gently held my hand, her tone serious. "You need to tell him. He has a right to know about this baby."
I shook my head vigorously, feeling as though my heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand. "No! He's too angry right now; he'll never let me keep this baby. You know his temper. We have to keep this a secret until I can find a safe place."
A shadow crossed Vivian's eyes. "You know, pack members can't hide anything from the Alpha. In the werewolf world, secrecy can be seen as betrayal."
I understood Vivian's concern, but I couldn't let Giovanni know about this, at least not yet. I wanted to protect my child.
"Please..." I looked at Vivian, my voice filled with desperation. "When the time comes, I'll tell Giovanni myself. Okay? Just help me keep this secret for now."
Vivian finally nodded. "I understand. I'll keep this secret for you—for now. But what are you going to do? You can't keep hiding forever."
Her question made me pause in deep thought. What would I do with this new life that had suddenly appeared? How would I protect it in such a dangerous environment? I knew this was more than a simple choice; it was about my future and that of my child.
"I haven't figured it out yet." I bit my lower lip, feeling overwhelmed with helplessness and anxiety. "Maybe I'll find a safe haven somewhere away from here. I just need some time to think."
Vivian looked at me quietly, as if weighing my resolve. She said softly, "I'll do my best to help you, but you need to be prepared for possible challenges. If he finds out the secret, things could get even more complicated."
I nodded, looking at her with gratitude. I hadn't expected that the person to reach out and help me at a time like this would be Vivian.
"Thank you, Vivian. I know this is hard for you too. You're the only one I can count on."
Vivian smiled slightly, though her eyes still betrayed her concern. "We'll get through this together, no matter what."
I nodded and watched as she and the nurse left the room.
Once it was quiet, I allowed myself a moment to fully grasp the reality of the situation.
I was pregnant.
I was actually carrying Giovanni's child.
I couldn't stop rubbing my stomach, wondering how long I'd been pregnant and whether it was a boy or a girl. I hoped it was a boy—so I could give Giovanni an heir.
My mind flashed to Giovanni's eyes, filled with disappointment and coldness towards me. The thought of how he might react if he knew about this filled me with sadness.
I didn't want to be forced to leave my child.
Tears streamed down my cheeks, one after another. I knew the coming months would be challenging.
After a few minutes, I felt a bit better. The tears seemed to wash away my despair, revealing a sudden and strange resolve beneath.
The werewolf had managed through six months of pregnancy, and if I wanted to be a part of my child's life, I had to find a way out of my current predicament in the coming months.
As for Giovanni... he would be the least of my concerns right now compared to the little life growing inside me.