VIOLET POV
The sound of my heart beating erratically could be heard, the sudden cool wind heightening my tension as I gripped the rails tighter. In fact, for a moment everything seemed to pause, everything apart from my thoughts.
What did he mean by how many months?
Did he know I was pregnant?
If he did, how come? Who told him then? I gulped, batting my lashes together.
"I don't know what you mean," my voice came out as a stutter, betraying my confidence.
His cold eyes gawked over me, sending cold chills to run down my spine, his lush brows arched lightly, his blue eyes only read one thing: he was expecting me to say some more.
By the moon goddess! Don't tell me he knew. There was no way under the heavens that he was going to know.
Long legs took steady strides towards me. With each step he took, my heart felt like it was ripping apart. What would he do?
His hands tilted my chin up. "Look here, I don't want to intrude into your private life, but I think you should know what is appropriate and what's not. I'm not the most caring person around, but that doesn't mean I want anything to happen to your baby. For crap's sake, you're pregnant," Mason said in an authoritative tone that made me flinch. Was this his other side? The ruthless one? I could barely read his emotions. Why was he suddenly angry with me?
Twisting my fingers, I stared at a far-off tree in the distance, trying to look as undeterred as I could, yet I was shaken, stunned, mystified. My breath was heavier and my legs seemed too weak to support my frame. I couldn't even face him because I was red in the face. Shit, how did he even know? Was all I could think.
As if he could read my thoughts, he said, "I'm an Alpha, I have extra senses." Right. His voice was sounding so meek now.
How on earth had I forgotten that? All alphas have very sharp senses; it gave them an advantage. That was why they were different, and that was what made them Alphas. What else did he know? I wondered. What else had he found out? I gulped hard. With those mischievous blue eyes, it was hard to tell what he thought. I could only hope he didn't ask more; I wasn't ready to give him answers.
Backing him, I could hear his feet shuffle, meaning he was coming closer to where I was. There was no escaping since a few inches away from me was a wall. Biting my lips, I pressed my hand against my heart that was beating so loud that I was sure he could hear it.
"Look at me," his command sent me jerking, and as if I'd suddenly lost control of my body, I swiftly turned to face him, a pang of fear overwhelming me. His hands slowly brushed my cheeks and it felt surprisingly cool and smooth. I could only stare at him wide-eyed.
Lowering his arms, he bent his frame over the rail so that his elbows were resting on it. "So, who's the father?" he asked casually. My eyes widened at his question. Looking up at him, I could feel them twitch, my face slowly burning with embarrassment. I looked away again.
Why did I agree to get into that stupid fight with Rhoda? If I didn't, I would probably be at home, resting or at least doing something more convenient and less awkward than having the scariest conversation of my life. If I told him a lie, which I had to admit I was poor at, the chances of my life turning upside down were high, really high.
At the same time, if I told him I was pregnant for his rival, I wasn't sure how he would react. I didn't even want to imagine. My grandmother had said he was ruthless. So far, he hadn't been any bit ruthless to me, but then I wasn't about to test this theory.
Couldn't I not answer him?
"I'd prefer not to talk about him. Too many horrible memories," I said, and it was true, not entirely but nevertheless, it hurt. He stared at me for a few seconds without saying a word before he nodded.
"I understand. You're still welcome in the pack. I don't think you're in a hurry to leave, so you can stay for as long as you'd like to," he paused, "for as long as you'd continue to hide."
What did he mean by hide? I wondered.
"And contrary to what you may have heard, I don't bite, so be free around me. You look really tense." He smiled brightly at me before winking, and I let out a sigh of relief. The playful Mason was back. Thank God.
I smiled back and nodded. I still had a lot to worry about. He seemed to be cool with my pregnancy, but how was he going to react when he found out whose baby it was? I shuddered at the thought.
"Are you cold?" he asked, offering me his jacket, and I shook my head.
"You know, since you're a seasonally employed person, I was wondering if you'd want to work in my company as a secretary. You'd start on Monday. What do you think?" he asked, his fingers drumming against the rails.
No way! I wanted to shout aloud. There was no way I was getting myself into a bigger mess.
"You're already in a mess," my wolf Aria said. "If you decline, you'll only seem suspicious. Besides, you'll be busy, and you'll be able to save up enough for your baby."
I agreed to an extent with her opinion.
"But what about Grandma Charlotte?" I countered. I knew she would be really mad when she found out.
"She'll get used to it. It won't be forever. It'll just be for some months, and then you can leave the pack. Easy peasy," she said dismissively. Even though Aria had a way of making things look easy, I had to admit the pros were very enticing.
"I'll take up the offer!" I shrieked, letting out my breath as I chuckled. Watching his face brighten, I could only hope I was making the right choice. We shook hands.