Tori’s POV
Shock and disbelief still filled when I woke up the next morning.
The room was dark thanks to the light-blocking drapes. I stared at the ceiling in vain. My eyes were tear-stained and swollen from the amount of emotions I had let escape .
What Cayden had said the night before played over and over again in my mind.
No. There must have been so misunderstanding.
It couldn’t have been what I thought it would be...
Slowly, I slid from the bed and stood to my feet. I cringed as the groggy feeling washed over . For a mont, I wished that everything I had heard last night had just been a nightmare that never happened.
“Tori–”
I jumped at Cayden’s voice from the living room.
I quickly made my way back to the bed, buried most of my face in the pillow, and pretended to be sleeping.
The bedroom door opened, and I heard his footsteps approaching. Thank goodness the room was dark enough that he wouldn’t be able to see my puffy face.
Then I felt him gently pull up the blanket to cover better.
If it hadn’t been for yesterday, his gesture would make secretly happy for an entire day. However, all I could feel right now was fear.
I felt his hand brush a piece of hair behind my ear, causing my body to flinch.
“Tori?” His voice was concerned, but his caring tone sent cold shivers down my spine.
I faked a low groan, and murmured, “May I sleep more...please?” I could tell he was a bit surprised. To make him let it be, I made up an excuse. “Had so bad dreams. I’m so tired... sorry.”
My words seed to make him hesitate for a mont, but he quickly accepted what I told him. “Okay, then take it easy today.”
His words were ant to be kind, but I was afraid that my voice would co out shaky, so I just nodded my head and grunted, “Um...thank you.”
Why was he being so gentle toward ?
Ah...of course. I was carrying his heir–like he said, it was just for the baby.
After last night, I could no longer lie to myself that maybe a small part of his sweetness was for .
“Go back to sleep,” he ordered, his voice low and gentle, like a whisper.
If Cayden was going to kill , he wouldn’t act this way toward , would he?
How I wished that I hadn’t woken up to eavesdrop the previous night, and how I wished, again, that what I had heard was really just a bad dream.
While I was lost in my thoughts, Cayden took his leave.
I looked around the room, searching for answers in the elegant decor.
Maybe he didn’t really an to order my death? Maybe I had misread it all, had misunderstood what they were talking about?
Did Kas and Caroline know about this too? It couldn’t be possible that they faked their friendship with , could it?
Ava... My doctor and confidant... Did she know?
My eyes shot open.
I’d made up my mind.
I had to find out the truth.
***
A couple days passed, and I spent most of my ti in bed and tried not to see anyone. I gave myself that ti to clear my mind. Luckily, I didn’t have that many visitors.
Cayden hadn’t visited since that morning. I was thankful for that, because I didn’t know how I could face him.
“Tori?” Kas’ voice called out as I layed in bed.
I had been refusing to talk much at all. At first, they thought I was not feeling well, and attributed my change in attitude to the pregnancy. But Kas knew too well to buy that.
I heard her moving in through the bedroom door, but with my back facing her, she couldn’t tell if I was asleep or awake.
“Please, tell what’s wrong...” she pleaded, and my heart broke hearing how upset and hurt she was. How could I believe that she wasn’t only putting on a show for ?
Kas had beco my best friend, and I trusted her with all my heart. Should I trust her one more ti?
I turned over to look at her, my face red and puffy, and my eyes dry from crying all the tears I had shed over the situation.
She was so terrified when she saw that, as talkative as she usually was, she didn’t let out a word.
“Did you know?” I asked softly, my voice cracking in my raw throat.
Her brow furrowed in confusion at my question. “Know what?”
I sat up to better face her.
“Tori, you’re making very worried right now,” she added slowly. “Don’t scare . What is it?”
I could tell she was genuinely confused and terrified.
I smiled bitterly. Kas, Kas...should I trust that she was really my friend?
“Tori...?”
She didn’t give up. That was Kas.
I looked her in the eyes and decided to take the risk.
“That Cayden is going to kill once I have the baby.” My flat reply was t with a shocked and horrified expression.
“What?!” she exclaid. “Where did that co from? Of course not! That’s ridiculous!”
“Is it?” I asked, staring firmly at her.
“The Alpha cares about you, Tori! He would never kill you...”
“He had Jace warn you not to get too close to , rember?”
Her eyes filled with disbelief.
Oh, my...
She didn’t know either. Just like .
“Yes, but that was because...because...” she trailed off, then covered her mouth with her hand.
It took her a few seconds to process it, but it had dawned on her that I wouldn’t lie.
“How...how did you find out?” Her voice was trembling.
It felt a bit strange to that I was the one who was calm. “I overheard Jace and Cayden. Jace was arguing with Cayden about it, and Cayden said they were sticking to that plan. Jace knew—”
A sob escaped my throat while trying to explain. Evidently, I wasn’t as calm as I had thought.
“Jace wouldn’t...” Kas said hesitantly. “No...he couldn’t!”
“I truly trusted him.”
My statent was ambiguous, but it was directed at both Jace and Cayden. Neither of them cared. It was just a task, like any of their many other tasks.
Kas rushed to and cradled in her arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I won’t let this happen, Tori. I’m going to talk to Jace...this isn’t going to happen.”
“No!” I exclaid, pulling away from her and shaking my head. “You can’t let them know that I know. Please, Kas...” I took a deep breath. “If I am to be put to death, I want to at least live the rest of my days in peace...”
But I couldn’t finish my words.
I loved him, and he destroyed .
Kas stared at firmly. “We still have ti. I won’t let this happen to you.”
“You can’t disobey your Alpha, and I know you won’t.”
“There must be a way. Give so ti. Please.”
After Kas left, I fell back into my thoughts. A heavy guilt rose in my heart.
‘Sorry, Kas,’ I thought. I hadn’t ant to abuse our friendship and take advantage of her trust. But I had no choice.
A servant soon arrived, carrying a tray filled with delicious-looking food.
"This is especially prepared for you by the Alpha," she said with a respectful bow. I stared at the sumptuous spread in confusion. How could soone who intended to kill be so kind?
After a while, I decided to take a stroll in the garden to clear my head. The sun was shining gently, casting a warm glow over the colorful flowers and neatly trimd hedges. As I walked along the pebble-lined path, I saw a happy-looking family of three. The parents were laughing as their little child ran around, trying to catch a butterfly. The sight tugged at my heartstrings, making think of my relationship with Cayden.
Our relationship had started as a re transaction. At first, he was cold and distant, his eyes holding no warmth whenever he looked at . But as ti passed, I found myself falling in love with him. I rembered the small, unguarded monts we shared, the tis when his cold facade would crack, and I could see a different side of him. And now, I had been imagining the birth of our child, a new life that would be a symbol of our love.
I made my way to the lakeside. The water was calm, reflecting the clear blue sky above. I sat down on a bench by the lake, lost in my thoughts.
Suddenly, I heard a startled gasp.
It was Caroline.
"What are you doing?" she cried, rushing toward . She must have thought I was about to jump into the river.
"No, Caroline. I’m just thinking," I quickly reassured her.
She let out a sigh of relief. "You scared . You know, my brother might seem cold on the surface, but he’s not as bad as you think. He’s never been this good to any other woman. He just has a hard ti showing his true feelings."
After my explanation, Caroline’s tense shoulders relaxed. We stood there by the lake for a mont, the gentle breeze rustling the nearby trees. She then looped her arm through mine and said, "Well, let’s not just stand here. All this talk has made hungry. How about we head to the dining hall?"
I nodded in agreent, and we started walking along the garden path, the colorful flowers on either side almost a blur as my mind was still filled with thoughts of Cayden.
As we entered the dining hall, the warmth of the place and the inviting sll of food greeted us. We found a table and settled down, the aroma of the food wafting around us.
"Caroline, I really appreciate you sharing those things about Cayden. I’ve been so confused and hurt lately,” I said as I picked up my fork.
Caroline took a sip of her drink. "I know. He can be so hard to read. But I’ve seen how he is around you. It’s different."
I frowned slightly, twirling the fork in my hand. "But he’s been acting so cold, and there are things that make think he wants to... I don’t know, get rid of ."
She shook her head firmly. "No, that’s not it. He’s just...well, our family has a lot of pressure, and sotis he doesn’t know how to handle his feelings. You an sothing to him, I’m sure of it." Caroline reached across the table and touched my hand. "I’m positive. Just give him a chance to explain. Talk to him. I’m sure once you two clear the air, everything will be okay."
I nodded, feeling a bit more determined. "You’re right. I should try. I don’t want to lose what we could have. Thank you for giving the courage to face this."
She smiled. "That’s what I’m here for. Now, let’s enjoy our al. I have a feeling things are going to work out for the best."
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