Chapter 13

13

MAKE IT OR FAKE IT

Octavia

Wyatt’s gaze is heavy on me, a weight I can’t escape as he sets his sandwich back on the plate, the sound of porcelain clinking against porcelain echoing in the sudden silence between us. I can see it in the way he runs his hand through his chin-length hair — this isn’t going to be easy. My stomach twists in knots, a hundred questions swirling in my mind, but none of them can find their way to my lips. Instead, I chew the inside of my lip, the metallic taste of blood mingling with the dread that fills the air.

“Octavia,” he starts, his voice low and serious, “Dalton came to me today.”

I brace myself. Dalton is Wyatt’s best friend and Beta, but he’s also our pack’s unofficial messenger, always the one to deliver news, whether good or bad. Each word is like a hammer, pounding against the fragile state of my heart. I can already feel the sickening sensation creeping over me.

Wyatt clears his throat, and I hold my breath, waiting for the blow. “Rachel,” he continues, “she’s spreading rumors that she’s pregnant.”

The ground beneath me feels like it’s giving way. My heart drops, a sick feeling washing over me like a cold wave crashing against the shore. Rachel. The name alone sends a jolt of anger and fear through me. She was with Wyatt before me, the ghost of a one night stand I thought was buried, but now it’s rising like a specter, threatening everything I’ve built with him.

Wyatt’s brow furrows, and he runs a hand through his hair again, as if trying to comb out the chaos of this situation. “Just like I’ve told you, we were together once a few months before I met you,” he says, his voice almost a whisper. “But I don’t know how this could be happening. I always would wrap up with anyone… you’re the only one I’ve ever gone bareback with.”

His words hang in the air, heavy with implication. The thought of another woman — Rachel — potentially carrying his child sends a chill down my spine. My mind races, envisioning her swollen belly, the way she would cradle it, the way she would claim him in a way I never could. This was supposed to be my future with Wyatt! I had dreamed of giving him an heir, a son like every alpha has first to carry on our legacy, not watching as someone else did.

“I’ve asked Rachel to meet,” he says, breaking through my spiraling thoughts. “I want Dalton there, just to make sure everything is witnessed. I’m pretty sure this is a tactic but I have to be sure.” There’s a tenderness in his eyes, a quiet plea for understanding, but I can’t see past the haze of my own emotions.

I nod, though my heart feels like it’s being crushed beneath the weight of this revelation. “You know how much this means to the pack,” he continues, his voice strained. “There’s unease… we need to settle this before the Luna Ceremony.”

The Luna Ceremony. The very thought of it makes my stomach roll. Marrying him, becoming his Luna, while that awful woman carries a piece of him in her womb? It feels like a betrayal, a wound I can’t fathom healing.

“I need space,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m going to sleep in one of the guest rooms tonight. I… I just need time to process this.” My heart breaks at the crushed look that crosses his face, the hurt that flickers in his eyes. I know I am slightly being unreasonable, but I can’t stop myself.

“Octavia, please,” he starts, but I can’t bear to hear him plead. My wolf is howling in my mind, a blend of anguish and confusion, urging me to be rational, to not jump to conclusions before we know for sure if the child is his.

I turn toward the closet, my movements mechanical as I gather pajamas. I can feel Wyatt’s gaze burning into my back, a silent accusation that I can’t bear to confront. I want to turn around, to tell him that I love him, that I trust him, but the words feel like ashes in my mouth.

As I reach the doorway, I pause, my heart aching with the weight of my decision. “I will always love you, Wyatt,” I say, the sincerity clear in my voice, but it’s laced with doubt. “Maybe the Moon Goddess made a mistake. Maybe Rachel was meant for you after all.”

I close the door softly behind me, the sound echoing like a finality I can’t take back. I hear Wyatt’s sharp intake of breath, the silence that follows heavy and suffocating. I lean against the door, my heart racing, wishing I could take back what I just said, wishing I could rewind time to before this moment. But I can’t.

The reality of my words sinks in, and I feel the tears prick at the corners of my eyes. My wolf whimpers within me, a desperate echo of my own pain, and I slide down to the floor, wrapping my arms around my knees, rocking slightly as I try to find solace in the chaos that has overtaken my heart. It all echoes in my mind, a painful reminder that love isn’t always enough to shield us from the storms that life throws our way.

The guest room is quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling in my mind. I toss my pajamas onto the bed, the fabric landing softly against the covers, but it feels like a heavy burden. I sit on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall, my heart still racing, the echoes of our conversation haunting me.

I can’t shake the image of Rachel, her face twisted in a smirk as she flaunts her supposed pregnancy. I can almost hear the whispers among the pack, the looks of pity and curiosity that would follow me as I walked through our territory. The idea of being Luna while knowing another woman might be carrying Wyatt’s child fills me with a sense of dread I can’t ignore.

My wolf is restless, pacing within me, “Please, Tavia, be rational, wait for the meeting with Rachel before jumping to conclusions.”

“How can I be rational when my heart is breaking? When everything I thought I knew is crumbling around me?” With those questions hanging between us, my wolf quiets.

I pull my knees to my chest, closing my eyes as I try to block out the fears and insecurities that threaten to overwhelm me. I need to think clearly, to find a way to navigate this tangled web of emotions. But every time I visualize Wyatt’s face, the pain of his potential betrayal strikes anew, and I can’t help but wonder if this is how it all ends.

What if Rachel really is pregnant? What if I’ve lost him before we even had the chance to become what we were meant to be? The questions spiral in my mind, each one more painful than the last.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, to silence the chaos. I think of the Luna Ceremony, the promises we had made, the future we had envisioned together. I want to hold on to those dreams, but they feel distant now, like dust in the wind, slipping through my fingers no matter how tightly I grasp.

Time passes slowly, the shadows in the room growing longer as the sun dips below the horizon. I can’t remain here, trapped in this cycle of despair. I need to face whatever comes next, whether it’s the truth about Rachel or a reaffirmation of my bond with Wyatt.

With a shaky breath, I rise from the bed, determination outweighing my fear. I pull my phone from my pocket, my fingers hovering over the screen as I consider reaching out to Dalton, the only other person who might give me clarity in this storm. But I hesitate, unsure if I’m ready for the answers that might come.

Instead, I decide I need to talk to Poppy. She’s been my anchor, the voice of reason when I lose my way over the past years. She is also a shifter, so she will understand what having a mate would be like. I pull up her contact, my heart racing as I hit the call button.

“Octavia?” she answers, her voice soothing, cutting through the chaos.

“Poppy, I need your help,” I say, my voice trembling. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Tavia, what is going on? When you quit the diner, I thought you were happy and moving in with your mate.”

And as I speak, pouring out my fears and confusion, I realize that I’m not alone in this. No matter what happens with Wyatt and Rachel, I have people who care for me, who will stand by me as I navigate this unexpected chapter of my life.

I take a deep breath, feeling a flicker of hope ignite within me. Whatever the outcome, I will fight for my happiness, for the love I share with Wyatt, even if it means facing my fears head-on.

The night drags on, but with Poppy’s support, I begin to piece together my thoughts. She offers wisdom, reminding me that the truth is always better than living in the shadows of uncertainty. I hang up the phone feeling slightly lighter, knowing I have a plan.

I decide to join Wyatt in the morning, to face whatever comes together. The Luna Ceremony is looming, and I refuse to let Rachel’s presence overshadow what we have. We’ll confront the rumors, the fears, and I will find a way to reclaim my place by his side.

I can’t sleep so head down to the coffee shop and hope it’s still open and Rachel isn’t the one working today. I need to get out of this pack house because I just need a spot to catch my breath.

As I walk through the coffee shop door, exhaustion washing over me, I day-dream of Wyatt. I see him smiling, his emerald green eyes bright with love, a future stretching out before us. I cling to that vision as I find a booth in the back, hoping it isn’t just a fleeting fantasy but a glimpse of what could still be.

Wyatt

I stare at the closed door like it’s just committed the gravest offense against me. A part of my heart feels like it’s been ripped away, leaving a gaping hole where Octavia’s warmth once enveloped me. The sharpness of our argument echoes in my mind, and I can still see the hurt in her eyes when she walked out, shutting the door behind her with a finality that sends shivers down my spine.

I can’t believe this is happening. A pregnancy scare with Rachel of all people. One time, one reckless decision, and now it feels like the world is crumbling around us. I knew the moment Dalton mentioned the rumors that it would be a disaster, but I never envisioned it would lead to this — my mate, my Octavia, feeling betrayed and lost.

Inside my head, my wolf is howling, “I urge you.. no, I demand you to fix this mess before it’s too late.”

He knows what I know: Octavia is my fated mate, the other half of my soul. The thought of another woman carrying my child is enough to churn my stomach into knots. It’s nauseating. I take a deep breath, but all I can smell is the remnants of her scent lingering in the air. It’s intoxicating and painful all at once.

I walk over to our bed, the place where we’ve shared laughter, secrets, and dreams. I lay down on her side, the sheets still rumpled from where she had been. I bury my face in her pillow, inhaling deeply, trying to cling to her essence, hoping it will calm both me and my wolf. The soft fabric holds her scent — cherries and a hint of juniper — and in this moment, it feels like a lifeline.

“I won’t lose her,” I whisper into the pillow, as if the fabric can absorb my promise. “She is my mate. Mine .” The desperation in my voice surprises me, but deep down, I know I have to fight for her. I won’t let a moment of weakness dictate our future.

The memories of our time together flood my mind, each moment more precious than the last. I think of her laughter, the way her eyes light up when she talks about her passions, the gentle way she touches my arm when she thinks I’m being too serious. I remember the warmth of her body against mine, the way she fits perfectly in my embrace, knowing she was made for me.

But now, I’ve jeopardized everything. I can’t afford to keep wallowing in self-pity. I need to act. I need to make things right.

I sit up, determination coursing through me. I can’t let her sleep anywhere other than in my arms tonight. I can’t let this be the end of us. I know I have to find her, to talk to her, to show her how much she means to me.

I grab my phone from the dresser and dial her number, but the call goes straight to voicemail. I can’t help but feel like that’s a sign — one that twists the knife deeper into my heart. I stand up and head for the door, the cool air of the hallway hitting me like a wake-up call. I don’t know where she’s gone, but I have to find her.

As I step out into the night, the moon hangs low in the sky, casting a silver glow over everything. The world feels eerily quiet, as if it’s holding its breath along with me. I can feel the tension in the air — the weight of my mistakes pressing down on my chest. I have to make this right.

I start walking toward the small café with the cozy booths and the best coffee in our little town. If she’s anywhere, it’ll be there, right? The streets are dimly lit, and I catch glimpses of shadows flitting in and out of the light. Each step I take feels heavier than the last, but I push forward, fueled by the thought of her, by the need to fix this.

As I arrive at the café, I pause at the entrance, taking a moment to steady my breathing. The bell above the door jingles softly as I step inside, and I scan the room, my heart racing. There she is, sitting in a corner booth, her head bent low over a cup of what I assume is her favorite chai tea.

I feel a mixture of relief and dread. She looks so small, so fragile, and it nearly breaks me to see her like this. I take a cautious step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. The atmosphere is thick with unsaid words, and I know I have to choose mine carefully.

“Octavia,” I say softly, my voice almost trembling as I approach. She looks up, her brown eyes wide and filled with a mix of emotions I can’t quite decipher — hurt, anger, sadness.

“Wyatt,” she replies, her voice barely above a whisper.

I take a seat across from her, my heart hammering in my chest. “Can we talk?”

She hesitates, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. “Wyatt, I told you I needed a little time to process things,” she finally says, her tone sharp and defensive.

I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. “I know I messed up. I don’t expect you to forgive me right now, but please… just let me explain.”

Octavia crosses her arms, her posture rigid. “Explain what? How could you let this happen? How could you be so reckless, Wyatt?”

Her words cut deep, but they’re also a reminder of how much she cares. I can’t let that slip through my fingers. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. It was one stupid mistake. Baby, I’m not even sure she is pregnant.”

She shakes her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You hurt me, Wyatt. I thought we were building something real, something solid. And now… now I don’t know what to think. I’m so mixed up right now.”

The weight of her words settles heavily in the air between us. I can feel my wolf pacing anxiously, urging me to make her see how much she means to me. “I love you, Octavia. I’ve loved you from the moment we met in that diner. I don’t want anyone else. You’re my fated mate. I don’t want to lose you over this.”

Her gaze softens for a moment, and I seize the opportunity. “I know I have to earn your trust back. I swear, I’ll do whatever it takes. Just please don’t walk away from me. Don’t reject our bond.”

Octavia looks down at her tea, swirling the liquid absently. There’s silence, and I can feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating. I wish I could take her pain away, erase the hurt I’ve caused.

“I need time,” she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper. “Time to think about everything.”

I nod, feeling the weight of her words settle over me like a heavy fog. “I understand. Just know that I’m here, waiting. I’ll fight for you, Octavia. I promise.”

She looks up, and for a brief moment, I see a flicker of hope in her eyes. “You’d better mean that, Wyatt. Honestly, I think we are both in for a fight.”

“I do, baby girl. I won’t let you go.”

We sit in silence for a moment, the air thick with unspoken words. I watch her as she takes a sip from her cup, her expression contemplative. The ache in my chest lingers, but I know this is just the beginning. I have to prove to her that I’m worth fighting for.

As I sit across from her, I realize that this isn’t just about a mistake — it’s about love, about trust, about the bond we share. And I won’t stop until I’ve shown her just how much she means to me.

The night stretches on, and though the path ahead feels uncertain, I know one thing for sure: I won’t let this be the end of us. I’ll fight for her, for our love, and for the future I know we can still have together.

I’ll do whatever it takes to make things right.