Athena’s POV
“No. No, no, no. This can’t be happening.”
I sat frozen on the edge of Emma’s bed, the pregnancy test gripped tight in my trembling hands. The tiny screen glared back at me.
Positive.
Emma stood barefoot in front of me, pacing like a wild animal. “Shit, Athena. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I never should’ve set you up with that escort—”
I cut her off, my voice raw. “It wasn’t an escort.”
She stopped. Dead still.
“What?”
I looked at her, my face numb, mouth dry. “The man who came that night… it was him.”
Her brow furrowed. “Who?”
“The Alpha King.”
It took a second to register. Then her face went slack, like someone had knocked the air out of her.
“You’re kidding.”
I shook my head.
“Oh no,” she whispered. “Athena. I—I booked someone else. I don’t have any connection to the Alpha King.”
“I know,” I said. “I didn’t realize it either. Not until today. When he stepped out of that carriage and looked straight at me.”
Emma sat down slowly, like her legs couldn’t hold her anymore. “You’re telling me... you slept with Varianth?”
I nodded.
She blinked. “Was he... at least good?”
I glared at her. “Emma, focus.”
“Right, sorry. Sorry.” She exhaled hard, dragging a hand through her hair. “Shit, Athena. You’re pregnant. With the Alpha King’s heir.”
I stood up, panicking. “What the hell am I going to do?” I snapped. “What’s he going to think of me? What will my parents do? They’ll be even more disappointed than they already are.”
Emma stood too, grabbing my arms. “You have to tell him.”
“No.”
“Athena—”
“I don’t want him to pick me because of a child,” I said, my voice cracking. “I don’t want to be trapped again. I can’t survive another loveless bond. I won’t do that to myself—or to this baby.”
Emma stared at me. “Then what are you going to do?”
I looked down at the test in my hand. My throat tightened.
“This stays between us,” I said. “Promise me, Emma. No one can know. Not yet.”
Emma’s eyes searched mine, then she nodded. “Alright. I promise.”