ASTRID'S POV
As I stepped out of the car, a heavy knot of anxiety twisted in the pit of my stomach.
My thoughts were consumed with how to explain everything to him; the one-night stand, the pregnancy, and the reason I had stayed silent about it all.
I was deeply troubled by how to present the situation in a way that would make him understand my silence and the complexity of my choices.
I worried about his reaction: how he would handle the news, what he would say, and how he would feel.
This was the pivotal moment I had been dreading, the one I had been avoiding for so long.
The uncertainty of how it would all unfold weighed heavily on me.
On top of that, I felt utterly vulnerable, shattered, and distressed. The fact that he hadn't responded to my texts was eating away at me.
It was completely out of character for him. I understood that he was often busy, but Dane had always made it a point to find time for me, no matter how swamped he was.
He had seen my message—two delivery confirmations indicated it had reached him. I had expected a response, but none came.
My mind raced with confusion and worry. He had always been attentive, calling me when I was unwell and even offering to pick me up from the hospital. So why wasn’t he replying now?
I cast one last, lingering look at the pack mansion before heading inside.
I had already checked in with myself as I opened the doors, but there was no sign of him. I quickly made my way to his office, but he wasn’t there either.
“Miriam!” I called out as the maid passed by. She halted immediately, bowing respectfully. “How can I assist you, Luna Astrid?”
“I’m just a bit unsettled,” I said, trying to keep my tone calm.
“Do you know where Alpha Dane is? He’s not in his usual room, and I don’t have the time to search the entire building.”
“I haven’t seen him either,” Miriam said, her voice gentle but concerned. “However, I believe he was in a conversation with Beta Ivar before they both left in a hurry.”
I nodded, trying to absorb this new piece of information. With no other options, I trudged back to my room, feeling a faint sense of relief that Alpha Dane wasn’t there.
This absence, at least, gave me more time to mentally prepare for the difficult conversation we would have once we finally met.
Yet, the relief was short-lived. The tension in my chest tightened, and I felt my anxiety growing. I had little time before my mental state would completely unravel.
I reached for my phone and sent him another text, hoping for a response.
When there was none, I sent another, and then another. Soon, I had sent ten messages and left eight missed calls.
My anxiety began to mount as I realised this was not like him at all. He had always been prompt and considerate with his replies.
Why did this have to happen today of all days?
I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a coincidence or if, somehow, he had discovered the truth.
The possibility gnawed at me, making my heart race as I considered the implications. I desperately wanted him to hear everything from me.
I wanted to explain the reasons behind my silence, hoping he would understand that I had kept it from him only to avoid causing him unnecessary pain.
But if he had found out through another source, the consequences could be disastrous. He might end up hating me, even blaming me for everything that had gone wrong.
I tried to shake off these disturbing thoughts, shrugging and shaking my head as if to physically remove them from my mind.
He was probably busy dealing with the other alphas; maybe he was simply too occupied to answer calls or reply to texts. It’s possible that something urgent and unexpected had come up.
I kept telling myself that my worst fear; him discovering the truth from someone else; was unlikely, as the mere thought was unbearable. I needed to stay positive, or I wouldn’t be able to handle the situation.
A sudden buzz from my phone jolted me from my spiraling thoughts. I grabbed the phone, my hands trembling slightly as I answered the call.
“Hello?” I said, my voice wavering. I had thought it was Alpha Dane.
The response from the other end made my heart sink. It wasn’t Dane.
“Hello, Astrid,” the voice on the line repeated, clear and composed.
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves. “Who is this, please?” I asked, my voice steady but laced with an underlying edge of anxiety.
“You seem to have forgotten me,” the voice said with a hint of amusement.
“It’s your uncle, Han. I’m back at the pack for a little while and thought I’d reach out to my favourite cousin.”
I took a moment to process the familiar voice and felt a mix of relief and surprise. “Sorry, it slipped my mind for a moment,” I said, trying to regain my composure.
“How have you been, Uncle Han?”
“I’m doing well, thank you. However, I would love to see my favourite cousin before I head back,” Uncle Han replied warmly.
“Would you do me the honour of visiting me? I’d really appreciate it.”
I hesitated, my mind racing with thoughts of my current situation and Alpha Dane’s absence. “I’m not sure I can make it,” I said carefully.
“I’m dealing with an important situation right now.”
“Oh, come on,” Uncle Han pressed gently.
“Just for today. Who knows how long an old, lonely man might be around? It would be just like old times if you stopped by.”
His tone was reassuring and nostalgic, and it brought a small measure of comfort amidst my anxiety.
Uncle Han had always taken good care of me and treated me with genuine affection. Despite being Camilla's father, his kindness toward me remained unchanged over the years. He had always been there for me, and I valued that.
“I’m not sure,” I said again, my voice filled with reluctance. “I shouldn’t be out for too long.”
“You won’t be gone long, Astrid,” Uncle Han reassured me. “Just do this old man a favour. All I’m asking is to see you once before I leave.”
There was no hint of ulterior motive in his voice. I had half-expected him to brush me off years ago, but his warm tone made me reconsider.
I didn’t want to turn down his offer, especially since he seemed so sincere and kind.
“I’ll be there soon,” I said, trying to sound confident before ending the call.
I grabbed my bag and keys, feeling a sense of urgency. I stormed out of my room, mentally preparing for a quick trip to Uncle Han’s place.
I reminded myself that it would be a short visit, allowing me to return before Alpha Dane arrived. Besides, the distraction would help me blow off some steam and alleviate the stress building inside me about the pregnancy.
It was better to do something productive rather than remain idle, letting my anxious thoughts take over.
Just then, I spotted Miriam and walked briskly over to her. “Miriam,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “please let Dane know that I’ll be out for a while. I’m going to my uncle’s apartment in the Bluestone Pack, but I won’t be gone long.”
“I understand, Luna Astrid,” Miriam replied with a nod, her expression attentive.
I hurried to my car, started the engine, and drove towards the Blue Stone Pack. The drive helped clear my mind somewhat, the repetitive motion and the road ahead offering a brief respite from my swirling thoughts.
As I arrived at my uncle’s apartment, I navigated through the driveway and parked the car. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the remaining nerves as I approached the front door.
I knocked softly, and the door opened almost immediately.
“Isn’t this my favourite Astrid?” Uncle Han greeted me with a wide, welcoming smile.
He stepped forward and enveloped me in a warm hug. For a moment, I tensed, the unexpected embrace catching me off guard.
But as his familiar scent and comforting presence surrounded me, I relaxed, finding peace in the unchanged affection he showed me.
Uncle Han remained the same kind, familiar figure who had looked out for me over the years.
His presence was a comforting reminder of the support and affection I had always relied on.
“Come on in,” he invited with a warm smile. I stepped inside, and he led me to the living room, where I settled onto the couch, feeling a momentary sense of relief from the weight of my worries.
“Would you like something to drink?” he asked, reaching for his glass of alcohol.
“I don’t drink much,” I replied, hoping he’d understand. He nodded, accepting my preference, and took a generous gulp of his drink.
“That’s a shame,” he said with a hint of disappointment. “I’ll get you some fruit juice instead.”
He moved towards the kitchen, his footsteps echoing softly on the floor. A few moments later, he returned with a glass of juice, handing it to me with a reassuring smile.
“Thank you,” I said, gratefully accepting the glass and taking a cautious sip. The cool juice was a refreshing change, and it helped calm my nerves slightly.
“So, tell me,” Uncle Han began, settling into a chair opposite me. “How have things been with you lately?”
I hesitated, trying to compose my thoughts. “Not much has changed, just the usual—adjusting to a new place and...” My words faltered as a sharp, unexpected pain pierced my belly. I started to cough, my discomfort evident.
“Are you okay?” Uncle Han asked, his concern immediately apparent. He rose from his chair, moving quickly to my side.
His expression was a mix of worry and care, highlighting the depth of his genuine concern for my well-being.
“Take a sip of the drink, okay? It might just be a chest pain,” Uncle Han suggested, his voice tinged with concern.
I took another gulp of the fruit juice, hoping it would soothe the discomfort. However, instead of relief, the pain intensified, spreading through my chest with a burning sensation.
“What’s happening to me?” I gasped, clutching my chest as the pain grew sharper and more relentless.
The room seemed to tilt, and my vision blurred as the intensity of the pain overwhelmed me.
Suddenly, a chilling voice cut through the haze of my panic. “What does it look like?”
I turned my head with great effort and saw her approaching; Camilla. Her presence was like a shadow creeping over the room, her expression cold and menacing.
“Camilla… Ahh!” I muttered, my voice barely audible as the pain and fear combined to drain my strength.
“You’ve been poisoned with wolfsbane,” she whispered with a sinister edge. Her words felt like a death sentence as my senses began to shut down. My vision darkened, and my limbs grew heavy.
The room spun uncontrollably, and despite my efforts to stay upright, my body gave way.
I collapsed to the floor, my body still Aching with intense pain.
“What have you done?” I coughed up blood.