"You’re what?!"
Both Cassian and I practically exclaid at the sa ti, albeit our tones were worlds apart.
Unlike when Cassian realized I was pregnant, this ti, he wore a jovial smile on his face. He looked as though he had just won the biggest lottery. The contrast couldn’t be more jarring.
Without even casting a glance, he excitedly rushed forward and picked Violet up, spinning her around in the air.
Likewise, she held onto him tightly, giggling in joy.
I stood a re foot or two away from them, but it felt like I was standing a whole world away. None of that happiness had spread over to . If anything, I felt as though soone had plunged into an ice-cold lake and held my head under the surface, disallowing to co up for air.
"Put her down, Cassian," Rowan said from where he sat. "You might accidentally hurt her if you spin her around like that."
His words were stern, but even he had a small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips to form the ghost of a smile.
"Right," Cassian said, laughing as he gently set Violet back down on the floor. "My bad, my bad. I’m just..." He exhaled loudly, unable to mask the smile that practically took over his entire face. "I’m just so happy."
"I am too," Violet said. She placed her hand over Cassian’s, beaming brightly at him. "I am so excited for this new addition to our family. It is my honor to carry the Alphas’ heir."
I watched their interaction in my little corner. All three of my fated mates seed elated by the fact that Violet was expecting. In contrast, I couldn’t help but rember the way Cassian looked at when he realized I was also pregnant.
He was so insistent that I was carrying a bastard. However, when the sa news left Violet’s lips, he had never looked happier.
Sourness crept into my heart, and I tried my best to mask it. I had to prevent my true emotions from showing. If I couldn’t shield them, they would only use it against .
Especially Violet.
Sohow, I found it difficult to believe that she was actually carrying a child right now. I wouldn’t put it past Violet to fake it, especially since she knew that I was already pregnant. If I gave birth to the Alphas’ heir before she did, it might tip the balance.
The chances were low, but not none. For soone like Violet, it seed like it was better to be safe than sorry, just like how she would rather have dead than risk returning to Shadowclaw one day in the future with my child born from the Alphas’ blood.
Sohow, through all the celebration and joy, Rowan’s eyes fell upon my figure. I felt his gaze even before I saw it. When I realized he was looking at , I began to move where I stood, trying to shuffle out of the room.
"What is she doing here?" Soren asked, his eyes trailing after his brother’s line of sight. He looked visibly uncomfortable, as though my presence was causing him physical pain. "Is there a reason you’ve brought her here, Cassian?"
"Ah," Cassian said, straightening up. "Right. I forgot."
I scoffed mockingly under my breath, slightly shaking my head. I hadn’t expected anything less, but it still hurt every single ti I was forced to face reality. The mind was clear, but the heart was foolish.
I was foolish. If it weren’t for this stupid bond, I wouldn’t be feeling this way.
"I found her at the borders of Shadowclaw," Cassian said, his voice grave. He frowned, sneering. "What’s more, she seems to be collaborating with the rogues."
"The rogues?" Soren echoed.
"I am not!" I exclaid. I clutched the hems of my clothing, twisting the fabric so hard that the loose threads were threatening to unravel. "They attacked while I was leaving―"
"You were leaving?" Rowan asked. He had caught onto my slip-up, and I imdiately choked the rest of my words back down. Regret flushed through , and I inwardly cursed for letting that loose.
"That’s not the point," I squeezed out through gritted teeth. I refused to et any of their eyes, though I could feel all their gazes upon .
Rowan stood up, the legs of his chair scraping against the floor. "Then what is?"
"Let’s just all calm down for a second," Violet said, trying to step in between us.
She had every right to panic― if I decided to tattle, the Alphas would realize that I had only managed to escape because of her. She was the one who lured all the attention away so that I could leave, albeit her goal was to get killed.
Whether the Alphas believed or not was one thing, but there would bound to be so evidence leftover regardless that could still pin the bla to her.
"The point is that I did not collaborate with the rogues," I said. I took a deep breath before eting Rowan’s gaze, refusing to back down.
"So you’re not denying that you attempted to escape," he said matter-of-factly.
I said nothing in reply, albeit my silence was pretty much all the answer he needed. His eyes darkened, and I felt my throat go dry just from one look.
For so reason, flashes of the long night we spent together danced through my mind. It was the wrong ti to rember such a thing, but the expression he wore resembled the sa dangerous look he had given before he pinned down and had screaming for rcy.
"Lock her in the main wing," Rowan ordered, raising his voice. From outside, several warriors burst in. They flanked quickly, preventing any possible way of escape. "I want guards to be outside her room at all tis. If she tries to leave again, every warrior on duty will be executed for treason."
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