Athena
During the hectic lunchtime preparations, as maids bustled around adorning the dining table and Sebastian engrossed himself in a conversation with his business associates over the phone, the face I had longed for appeared, finally answering my anticipation.
Aaron stood at the doorway, out of everyone in the room, his eyes locked onto mine as if we shared a secret understanding.
A soft gasp escaped my lips, barely audible amidst the chaos, and I instinctively sprinted toward him, enveloping him in a tight embrace. While Sebastian's arms felt like love and a feeling of home, his arms offered a warmth, they exuded an inexplicable bond that transcended friendship, defying definition.
"You're here..." I whispered, my voice choked with emotion, "I've missed you! How have you been?"
He slowly wrapped his arms around me, embracing me in return. "I've been surviving," he sighed wearily, reminiscent of a weary traveller returning home after a long journey. "And you? How's your health?" He gently cupped my face, making me meet his gaze.
"I'm doing well. Sebastian has taken such good care of me, doing everything he—"
"Yeah, I know all about your amazing mate," he interjected, his tone tinged with indifference, the smile fading from his face. "No need to remind me how he transformed into a loving partner after putting you through hell. I've witnessed it all."
"Aaron..."
"Do you have something to tell me, Athena?" he asked abruptly, his voice laced with agitation. His expression carried a hint of betrayal, as if I had concealed something from him. "Is there something you're keeping hidden?"
"No, Aaron. Why would I hide anything from—" I paused, my unannounced pregnancy suddenly crossing my mind.
Back then, on the day he left, the circumstances were different and overwhelmingly difficult. I couldn't bring myself to disclose it.
"Well, actually, there is something you don't know yet," I sighed softly, "On that day when you departed, I wanted to tell you about my—"
"Pregnancy, right?" he interjected with a wry chuckle.
"How...how did you know?" I was taken aback, bewildered. "Did Sebastian inform you?"
"No, your mate didn't. And why would he? He cares little about keeping me informed about your life, but he cares greatly when it comes to jeopardising your well-being," His voice grew sharper, causing me to instinctively step back. "Sebastian Valdez never misses an opportunity to prove what a monstrous being he is. Why are you nurturing that potential danger within you, knowing it could end up costing your life?!"
"Aaron, don't refer to my baby as...a monster."
Frustration seeped from his throat, and he ran his hand over his forehead before bringing it down to cover his mouth. "Do you even comprehend what's growing inside you? It's a monster, Athena. It will be the death of you!"
Tears welled in my eyes, his words a brutal assault that shattered the hope I had gathered along this challenging journey. My baby wasn't a monster. My baby was frightened for its life, and I was the one responsible. I had failed to create a sense of security, forcing it to confront its predatory instincts earlier than anyone else. The blame rested squarely on my shoulders.
Before I could utter a word, Sebastian strode over to us, having overheard our conversation after he had set his phone aside. "What told you all these things?"
"It doesn't fucking matter! What matters is that you're killing her with this decision!" Aaron spat, "When will you stop acting like a selfish bastard, huh? How can you be willing to risk the life of the mate you claim to love with all your heart and soul? You know she could die, right?"
"I won't allow anything to harm her," Sebastian declared, his tone firm. "I know what I'm doing, and don't presume to dictate to me. This is a decision made by Athena, and I will respect it. I won't—"
"Respect her decision? That's rich, coming from you, considering you fucking raped her on the first night," Aaron interrupted, his words triggering a surge of painful memories. My own screams echoed in my mind, and a wave of dizziness washed over me.
"Shut the hell up, Aaron. Don't you dare ruin everything by dredging up the past," Sebastian attempted to move toward him, but I grabbed his hand, halting him, and shaking my head. I silently begged him with my eyes not to get into a physical confrontation.
"I'm not ruining anything, Sebastian. I'm simply telling you what you did wrong. If you're going to take such a drastic step, putting her life on the line, remember the hell you put her through," Aaron sneered. "First, you nearly drained the life out of her, and now your damn child is here to finish the job. It should have perished during that miscarriage. God only knows how this monster survived, only to return with the intention of harming its own mother."
"Aaron!" I finally shouted, "Utter another word about my baby, and our friendship, what we have between us, ends right here, in this very moment!"
A look of disbelief flashed across his face before he let out a bitter chuckle. "You've already ended it, haven't you? You chose your mate over me, disregarding the impact it had on me when you rejected me for him, and now...this...monster." The contempt in his voice pained me, hearing him refer to my baby in such a way. "I hold no significance in your life, and it seems like even your own life doesn't matter to you anymore. Your entire world revolves around someone who never missed an opportunity to show how much he despises you. Yet, a single apology and a few words of remorse made you forget everything. Impressive, Mrs. Athena Valdez. You are great! Fucking great!"
"Aaron...stop," I whispered, my voice barely audible, as a sudden pain gripped my lower abdomen.
The pain intensified, escalating as Sebastian and Aaron continued their heated exchange. At first, it was mild but as Sebastian and Aaron kept fighting it began to increase.
"Aaron, shut your mouth and get out or else—"
"Or else what? What are you going to do, Sebastian? Kill me?" He laughed mockingly. "Do you really think I would have agreed to work for you if I valued my life? I have no love for my life. But there are things that I do care about, and she's one of them."
Please don't do this— I tried to interject, but the searing pain coursing through my body silenced me.
"Don't you dare compare her to objects!"
"At least, I'm comparing, but what you've done is sheer insanity. And yet, here you stand, shamelessly allowing that monster to grow in her womb, putting her life at risk!"
Please just stop. Please stop!
"Enough, Aaron. Don't push me," Sebastian warned, a dangerous edge to his words, "You know I could end you in an instant, and I wouldn't even need to think twice."
I clutched my abdomen tightly, the pain intensifying to the point where everything before my eyes blurred. I struggled to catch my breath, a sense of unease washing over me. It wasn't just my own discomfort; something felt off.
"I don't give a damn, Sebastian. I am ready to do whatever it takes to protect her from that growing monstrosity inside her womb."
"You goddamn—"
A pained groan escaped my lips as I dropped to my knees, clutching my stomach. Agonising waves of pain coursed through my body, making it difficult to breathe. Tears welled up in my eyes as the overwhelming turmoil consumed me, pushing me towards darkness—the very darkness I dreaded.
Both of them froze, their attention instantly shifting to me as I writhed in agony on the ground.
"Athena..." Sebastian rushed to my side, dropping to his knees and bringing himself to my level. "Love, what's happening? Are you in pain? Where does it hurt?" He frantically examined me, pulling me into his arms and soothingly rubbing my back.
"Athena..." Aaron's voice was filled with concern as he attempted to approach me, but Sebastian shot him a warning look. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Don't you dare come near my mate."
"You don't own her, damn it!"
"Guys, please, stop this," I whimpered, "Please stop arguing like this. I-I..." Another surge of pain engulfed me, cutting off my words. It felt like a crushing force, as if my entire body was being compressed. The temperature of my body skyrocketed, causing an unbearable sensation, as if my skin was ablaze.
"It's that fucking monster, it's that—"
"Don't you dare call my baby a monster, Aaron!" Despite the agony, I shouted, loud, "It's a part of me, and if you call my baby a monster, you're calling me one too! Just stop!"
"Athena, calm down," Sebastian wiped the sweat from my forehead, cupping my face with gentle hands. He placed his other hand over my stomach, and almost instantly, the pain began to subside. "Tell me, where does it hurt?"
"To hell with this!" Aaron cursed, visibly torn between his anger and concern. "Call the damn doctor! She needs help!"
"Love, please tell me where it hurts. Is it here?" Sebastian's hand moved lower, his touch comforting as his other hand gently caressed my arm, coaxing me.
"It's fading...," I managed to say, surprised at how his touch seemed to make the pain dissipate.
"What?"
"Yes, Sebastian. It's... it's fading," I breathed out, feeling utterly drained.
Upon hearing my words, he pulled me closer, and the warmth he emanated seemed to evaporate the discomfort, calming my entire body. "Is it better?
"Yes," I nodded, inhaling his familiar scent, allowing it to help my body relax. "It feels good."
"Of course, that baby of yours will feel safe in the presence of its father. It's no wonder they share the same characteristics," Aaron chuckled, devoid of any humour. "It's messed up. We all know what inside her womb is far from an innocent soul, yet both of you insist on unleashing it upon the world."
That was it. Aaron shattered every ounce of restraint I had left.
"If our baby is deemed a monster, so be it. This world is already filled with monsters," I spat, "I don't care. Whether it's a monster or a wolf cub, it's still mine. I will protect it with my life, and I won't allow anyone to deprive me of the chance to bring it into this world. And if that bothers you, Aaron, then please leave! I need a friend who can see both sides of the story, not someone who chooses to give a damn only when it suits them."
"Give me a break, Athena. You've lost your mind," he scoffed. "That thing you call your precious baby will end up killing both of you, and your beloved mate will stand by and watch, only to find another whore to fuck a few months later, just like Celine. You will gain nothing."
"You son of a—" Sebastian was seething, his veins pulsating on his forehead, his fists clenched tightly.
"Sebastian, don't," I pleaded, gripping his hand and shaking my head, urging him to stop. "Let him go. He's already ended everything between us."
My gaze shifted to Aaron— oh, how I wished he had stood by my side during this difficult time instead of opposing me.
"You can leave, Aaron. The friend I've been missing is certainly not the person standing before me today," I spoke with a heavy heart. "Goodbye."
His gaze lingered on me for a few moments, there was a strange look on his face, "You'll regret this, Athena. Mark my words." And with that, he turned on his heels and left, shattering the beautiful bond I once thought we had..
Perhaps, this was another price I'd have to pay for the sake of my child. Losing the ones I cared for.
Sebastian's voice was gentle as he asked, "Would you like me to take you to our room?"
"Yes, please."