CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 18

Cynthia

It’s the scent of bacon and eggs that makes me stir.

I open one eye and then the other, and find myself looking up at a ceiling that’s far too familiar. If the paneled ceiling wasn’t a dead giveaway, then Adam’s scent all around me certainly is.

I’m in his home.

"Knock, knock."

I lift my head weakly and see Robert standing by the door. "Can I come in? You decent?"

"I don’t know," I mumble, still feeling a little out of it. "When did I get here?"

"Adam brought you here. You couldn’t exactly stay in the motel forever, now could you?" Robert sits on one of the armchairs. "How’re you feeling?"

I test my arm and my leg, "Better. I didn’t know I could heal that fast."

"They’re called ’healers’ for a reason." Robert grins.

"Oh." I slump back on the bed, my eyes still feeling heavy. "How long have I been sleeping?"

"You were pretty banged up, Cynthia." Robert’s no longer smiling. "Lydia put you on nutrients, and you’ve been in a medically induced coma for the past five days."

"Why do I still feel tired then?" I yawn, my whole body feeling drained. I want to snuggle into the soft covers and go back to sleep.

"Lydia said you’d feel tired, that it was only natural given the state of your body."

For a moment, I vaguely ponder over his words, and then my eyes fly wide open, my hand going to cover my flat stomach, under the covers. Surely, she didn’t go back on her word.

"She said that until your wounds heal, you’ll be plagued with exhaustion."

I relax and sit up. "Did you and Adam go through the laptop and the phone? I didn’t touch the phone, but there was a lot of incriminating evidence on the laptop alone."

"A lot has happened these past few days." Robert grins. "An anonymous leak broadcasted to the entire pack that Norman has been involved with helping a very prominent vampire clan sell banned drugs in the clubs owned by your pack members. Jonathon is doing his best to do damage control, but it’s not really working. So far, Norman’s chances of becoming the alpha heir are very slim. Vampires have been banned from trading with shifters ever since the events of last year."

I feel relieved, but something strikes me. "Are you sure it was Norman doing all this? He doesn’t really have the brains to pull something like this off. He’s quite impulsive."

"Adam is of the same opinion." Robert gets to his feet, tucking his hands in his pocket. "But Jonathon would be a fool to get involved with the vampires."

"Where is he?"

"Jonathon?"

"Adam." I look toward the door.

"Jonathon’s at the front door, and Adam’s talking to him."

I go white as a sheet. "W-What?"

I jump out of bed only to realize that I’m wearing a large white button-up shirt and no bottoms. I quickly wrap the bedsheet around my bottom half. "Where are my clothes? I have to go!"

"Go where?" Robert steps in my path.

"I can’t let Jonathon find me," I hiss. "Now get out so that I can––"

"Jonathon left," Adam’s voice comes from the doorway. "I told him you’ve gone to attend a conference on my behalf. He didn’t like it and demanded to know where you were, but since you don’t work for him anymore, I figured it wasn’t his business."

"He knows you’re lying." I don’t know what to do anymore. Even though Adam is now well on the path to becoming the next Alpha, it feels as if the walls are closing in on me. Surely Lydia had to be mistaken. I can’t be pregnant. If I have this child, then it will also be a slave. I can’t let that happen. I need to figure a way out. I could tell Adam about the child and give him the evidence about the blood debt. Surely, he won’t want his child to be born a slave to his own family.

But a dark thought stirs in my brain. What if he doesn’t want the child? What if he and Tina decide to take the child from me and raise it themselves? This little creature inside of me is still tiny, but it’s mine. In this whole world, it’s the first person who’s mine. I want to protect it. I want to love it.

I watch Adam walk over to me and grab a robe off a hanger before helping me into it. "It doesn’t matter what he believes. He won’t be able to touch you, and that’s what’s important. You’re going to be safe here."

I look between the two of them before reluctantly asking, "What about Tina? Won’t she be upset at seeing me here?"

Robert lets out a sound. "I’m going to go deal with some things. Perhaps you two should talk."

"Talk?" I feel wary. Is he finally going to tell me that now that he’s been able to turn the tables on Norman he has no more use for me?

My heart tightens painfully, but I ball my hand into a fist by my side. I can take it. This is a blow I’ll absorb and deal with over time. I was already expecting it, so this won’t take me by surprise. I’m mentally prepared for it.

Adam takes me by the hand and guides me back to the bed, sitting down beside me.

"Tina and I––" he begins, and I immediately pull my hand out of his.

"I don’t need an explanation." I trip over my words. "I’m happy for the two of you. You don’t need to give me a speech. I unders––"

"You don’t understand anything," Adam says calmly, grabbing my hand and yanking me back toward him, this time trapping me on his lap. "You’re just assuming things. Tina and I grew up together, and we’re friends. Very close friends. There is nothing romantic between us."

His words stun me, and I shake my head. "You’re lying to me."

"I’m not," Adam says firmly. "Watson is the one pushing for us to be together. I admit there was a time we considered it, and we did agree that we should get married for me to become Alpha, but that was because there was no one in my life who was that important. I hadn’t found my fated mate at that point, Cynthia. Now that I have you, I would never be with Tina. She knows that, and she doesn’t have a problem with it."

I want to believe him, but I saw the way he was with her, how miserable my wolf felt at each touch. "You expect me to believe that all those romantic dates and presents––"

"Those were hardly dates." Adam rolls his eyes. "They were more like business meetings. Tina has been working with me on some social issues within the pack. We’ve been working together to create two bills for reforms. That’s it. And as far as the gifts are concerned, that was Watson pressuring you to get them for her. Tina likes free stuff, and she enjoyed it, but she knew those weren’t from me."

It doesn’t seem like he’s lying, but I still don’t feel certain about this whole thing. "So Tina knows that you and I are fated mates?"

"She doesn’t know that, but she knows that you and I are together," Adam tells me.

"And what about Watson?" I demand. "What does he know?"

"Watson is my problem," Adam says, his voice serious. "Look, Cynthia. I acted stupid. You were so adamant about throwing me to Tina that it upset me. That’s why I never said anything. I thought that perhaps seeing me with Tina would get you jealous and then we could hash it out. I didn’t know you were going to step back so easily and give your place up to another female. That kind of hurt. If you want, you can talk to Tina and verify all this information. She won’t lie to you."

He seems to be telling the truth, and if he’s willing to bring Tina into this, then he has no reason to lie. "So why let Watson believe all this? Why not tell him the truth?"

"It’s complicated with Watson. My father has managed to upend a lot of the values the previous alpha maintained. This economic disparity never existed in the pack when my grandfather was the alpha. The slums were never a real thing. Each pack member was gainfully employed. But ever since my father took the reins, bribery and corruption have become commonplace. He’s managed to create a wealth disparity, and most pack officials are enjoying the benefits of it. There are a few like Watson who support me and want to revert the current situation of the pack back to its original state. They’re supporting me. Now that Father has gone against tradition and nominated Norman, I need Watson’s support. And when it comes to his daughter, Watson is very particular. I was waiting for Tina to talk to him. But we have to wait until I become the alpha. We can’t take the risk of Watson taking back his support right now. If he, in his anger, decides to shift support toward Jonathon, then even with the current scenario, there is a chance that Norman might become the next alpha."

Adam’s words make my heart sink.

It’s making sense to me now, why Adam has been sticking to Tina. And his becoming the alpha is more than crucial to me now, more than ever. Before giving birth to this child, I will need to be rid of this blood debt.

"Do you finally trust me?" Adam wraps his arms around me, his lips pressing against my neck. "Or do you need more answers?"

"What about us then?" I ask, trying to ignore the way my skin is tingling at his touch. "You’re my fated mate. What’s going to happen with us?"

"We have all the time in the world, Cynthia," Adam smiles against my neck as he nips it. "How about we worry about breakfast first?"

*****

Adam is being attentive toward me, and while I enjoy it and I do buy into his reasoning, there is something still bothering me. He hasn’t asked who hurt me. He’s not brought up Jonathon or Norman even though I’ve tried to discuss them with him. I’m worried about what Jonathon will do. He obviously knows that Adam has me stashed somewhere. And he knows that I was the one who spilled the beans on Norman. The timing of my escape and the news being leaked are pretty obvious. I’m worried about him barging into the apartment and dragging me out. It gives me nightmares. I have dreams about giving birth and Jonathon sneering at me and walking away with my child.

A few days pass, and I’m getting more strung up by the day. I can’t leave the apartment for fear of Jonathon catching me. However, Adam has been leaving daily, and Robert stays to keep me company or keep an eye on me. At this point, I don’t really know. My wolf is bathing in Adam’s love and attention, but my brain is not on the same page yet. Adam seems to be deliberately avoiding any of the topics that impact me, and Robert is doing pretty much the same thing. I can’t talk to Tony because Adam doesn’t trust Tony. I have no source of information about the pack’s political state right now, and it is bothering me. At this point, I’m pretty much unemployed. I found out the hard way when a man called Adam two nights ago and I was informed he was Adam’s new assistant.

On one hand, Adam is doing everything possible to build our relationship, but on the other hand, he’s keeping things from me and acting all secretive. To be fair, I’m also keeping secrets from him, but my secrets are those that I either cannot share, or I have something to protect. In the meantime, I’m also coming up with a contingency plan. I need to come up with a way to stop my heart for a couple of minutes and then revive myself.

The only thing I know that is dangerous enough to a wolf shifter is wolfsbane. I’ve done some research on it. I won’t be able to get my hands on it, but I know Tony can. In liquid form, wolfsbane can be lethal, but it suspends one in limbo between life and death for twenty minutes. I need a couple of those minutes. The cure to wolfsbane is a small plant that is locally sourced. Like with wolfsbane, it too can be reduced to liquid form and is just as potent of an antidote. I sent a message to Maya to ask Tony to prepare these and keep them on him at all times. I’m done taking any chances. I want to tell Adam the truth about the blood debt and get assurance from him that he will free me.

It takes me a lot of planning to get Robert out of the apartment that coming Friday. As soon as he leaves to pick up some ribs from across the street, I slip outside into the back alley of the apartment complex. Maya is waiting for me with a package.

She opens her arms to hug me, and I shake my head. "Can’t risk it. They’ll smell you on me."

"What’s going on, Cynthia?" Maya looks distressed. "Why are we meeting in back alleys, and why are you acting so secretive?"

"It’s complicated." I sigh. "Did you bring the things?"

She hands me a small bag. "Tony said everything you need is in here. He also put in a burner phone in case you need to get in touch with him. He says his phone is being monitored, so don’t use your phone to call him."

I check the contents of the bag and I lean against the alley wall, feeling relief. Down to that last time I called Tony to help me escape, I wasn’t entirely sure he wouldn’t betray me. But the fact that he’s willing to take such risks to help me finally puts to bed the last lingering doubt I had.

"Thank you." I smile at her.

"Cynthia," Maya stops me from leaving, her voice concerned, "if something’s wrong, you can depend on me. You’re very important to both me and Tony. Night or day, you can call me."

I nod, feeling overwhelmed by emotion. "I wish I could talk to you, but I don’t have any time. But I might need your help soon. I don’t know when, but I have a feeling I will need your help."

She reaches into her pocket. "This is my address. I wrote it down for you in case something happens and you need a place to go."

I take the paper, tucking it inside the bag. "Can you tell me what’s going on with the whole alpha heir situation right now?"

She shakes her head. "Norman Moore is a social outcast in the pack right now, but his father is trying to spin this whole situation as a misunderstanding. Also, Adam Moore and Tina Tremblay’s engagement was announced––"

I go still. "What? What did you say?"

"Your boss’ engagement was announced," Maya tells me, blinking.

My stomach turns. "When?"

"Two days ago."

I stare at her, trying to process this information. "Are you sure you didn’t hear wrong?"

"I have the copy of the Weekly Gazette." She reaches into her bag and brings it out. I quickly flip over to the announcements page, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.

"Cynthia?" Tina’s voice is alarmed. "What’s wrong?"

I shake my head, mutely trying to gather myself.

"Nothing," I finally manage. "Can I keep this page?"

"Sure." Maya nods, still looking worried.

"I have to go," I say shakily. "Thank you. Thanks."

I’m babbling now, feeling dizzy with this new knowledge.

I take the elevator to the apartment and stumble inside before I lock the bedroom door and sink onto the bed, my eyes on the small announcement. There’s a picture of Adam and Tina on it. He’s wearing the suit he wore three days ago when he left for the office.

I don’t cry.

It would be foolish to cry.

But I do feel numb.

Every time I turn to Adam, he draws me into his web of safety and warmth, and each time, I buy into it. He’d asked me to trust him, that he and Tina were nothing more than friends, that I could ask Tina. What would he have done if I had called him out on his bluff?

I don’t feel humiliated.

I don’t feel hurt.

I feel empty.

It’s like I keep chasing this one spark of happiness, and each time I get close enough to taste it, it slips right out of my hands. I set the article aside and open the bag, looking through the contents. There are two injections, clearly labeled.

I study them.

These represent my freedom or my death.

Hearing the front door open, I quickly shove everything back into the bag and hide it under the bed before pulling up the covers and pretending to be asleep.

"Cynthia, I got us those ribs! Cynthia?"

I hear the knock on the door and keep my eyes closed. The door opens, and then Robert’s disappointed sigh reaches my ears. "Asleep. Can’t believe you made me wait all that time for these ribs and now you’re sleeping. Huh, more for me."

The door closes silently behind him, and my eyes open slowly. Turning to lie on my back, I put my hand over my stomach. My wolf wants to trust Adam, to give him one more chance to explain. I want to believe that this was Watson’s doing and not Adam’s. I want to believe in someone. This time, a tear slips out.

I love him.

I love him because of how he treats me, because of how safe he makes me feel. I love him because he bought me a bunch of books the other day. He remembered I wasn’t allowed to read any books as a child. I love him because he brought me a small keychain yesterday with a tiny stuffed teddy bear attached to it because he remembered me admiring a picture of a similar one. His feelings have been in all the small gestures that I find meaningful and touching. They’re in his words, his touch, and I don’t want to lose that.

I didn’t want to admit my own feelings to myself because the idea of being so vulnerable to another person was terrifying. But now, faced with Adam’s actions, I can admit the truth to myself even if it’s a throbbing pain inside my chest. But this life growing inside me is more important than anything else, even my own feelings. I can talk to Adam tonight and tell him that I’m pregnant. Surely, he wouldn’t want his child to be born with a blood debt. And if he chooses to be with Tina, I’ll leave. I can build a life for my child and myself. We don’t need him.

The thought hurts, and I curl onto my side, closing my eyes.

I have to wait for him to come home.

I’ll figure this out.

When my eyes open, it’s dark outside. I sit up in the bed and glance at the wall clock. It’s past ten at night. Adam isn’t sleeping next to me, so he must be outside. Climbing out of bed, I ignore my stomach’s gurgling and peek outside. The lights in the living room are dim, but I can see that someone is in the study. Feeling pensive, I return to the bedroom and take out the papers that are proof of the blood debt. I should just talk to Adam, face to face, and see what he says. I won’t bring feelings into it. I’ll try to be practical. For me and this new life growing in me. I’ve still not come to terms with being pregnant, but all I know is that I want to protect this child.

I pad over to the study, barefoot.

The door is closed, and I’m about to knock when I hear my name being mentioned. My hand stops mid-air, and I listen.

"…don’t agree with this."

That’s Robert’s voice. He doesn’t sound very happy.

"Marrying one woman and mating another is not fair to either of them. My mother was in one of these situations, Adam, and she died a miserable death! You know how I feel about this!"

My brows knit together.

Marrying one and mating one? He can’t mean…

"There is no other solution!" Adam sounds frustrated. "I have to become the Alpha now no matter the cost! I cannot let Cynthia’s blood debt fall into Norman’s hands!"

My hand slaps over my mouth in an effort to stifle my gasp.

He knew? He knew about my blood debt this whole time?

"And what’s your grand plan here?" Robert sounds exasperated. "Marry Tina and then what? You think Cynthia is going to stay with you if you’re a married man? The woman may be broken, but she has her pride!"

Adam is silent and then he speaks, his voice tense, "There are ways to keep her by my side whether she likes it or not."

My blood runs cold.