*Zara*
I was woozy and having a hard ti staying on my feet as Noah led to my room. The edges of my vision were darkening.
Suddenly, I let out a gasp, my knees buckling. My vision was swimming, and I heard Noah say into my ear, “Zara?! Zara!”
“I’m... I’m okay....”
I wasn’t sure if I was, but he got to my bed and stayed with until my head cleared enough for to think.
Then, he made a suggestion that caused my jaw to clench. “You have to stay in Drogomor again.”
“What?! But Noah–”
Here we were again, with him insisting that I stay here. Talk about a case of deja vu. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to put up as much of an argunt this ti, either.
“Please, Zara,” Noah said, his expression concerned. “Traveling while pregnant is a bad idea. You’ve already done so a lot. Just stay here a bit to get so rest.”
“Look, I’ll be fine. I really need to get back and tell my parents,” I sighed. “They still don’t know, and it’s been killing inside.”
“I understand. And telling them over text won’t be the sa, but still—”
“Noah, I’m fine. I’ll only be more pregnant tomorrow,” I said, with the slightest hint of humor in my tone.
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. I noticed just how worried his brilliant blue eyes looked when he stared at , which made my heart skip a beat.
This man was so considerate and caring, and I wanted to be happy for him. rida was back, and he could be happy. I didn’t know why I was sowhat disappointed by that. I knew I really shouldn’t be.
“That is true, but Zara, we should discuss the next steps with the Luna Lily, seriously. I have a bad feeling about that priestess,” he said.
He had a point. She had co off as extrely cryptic, and whatever the problem was couldn’t be good at all. I hated admitting it, but he was right.
Again.
“Fine,” I said with a sigh. “I will stay a few more days to rest and discuss it, Noah.”
He gave a brilliant smile that caused my heart to lt.
“I never thought you’d turn out to be such a good friend, you know that?” I added.
Noah winked at , giving a light chuckle. “What can I say? I’m a caring man, beautiful,” he said. He then grew serious. “Rest. And I an it. All this stressing isn’t good for you.”
“I’m not glass, Noah.”
“I know that much. You’re more of a stubborn brat.” He said that in playful jest, which made chuckle.
“I learned that from the best,” I said, motioning to him.
He shook his head, holding his grin.
We got up and left the office, bidding each other farewell for now. I needed to get lunch. Hunger was clawing at like a trapped, starved wolf.
I needed to keep a low profile. It was going to be more and more obvious as I progressed that I was expecting. I got through lunch without anyone bothering , which was good.
That applied to the next day, up until dinner ti.
I was eating alone, off into the corner, when I looked up to see a woman with wavy brown hair approaching. It clicked that rida was coming toward , and I blinked in confusion.
“Hello there. Zara, is it?” she asked in a gentle tone, which caused to dip my head.
“Yes, that’s right. Nice to see you, rida. How have things been with Noah?” I asked.
I ignored my wolf, whom I knew would be displeased with any response other than ‘bad.’
rida’s smile was radiant. “Very well,” she said. “Actually, he’s the reason I wanted to co find you.”
“Oh?” I asked.
My wolf perked up. Was her ‘very well’ a lie? I cursed myself inwardly for having that hope. Noah deserved to be happy.
rida nodded. “Yes. I wanted to get to know the talented matchmaker who enabled my reunion with Noah. Without you, we wouldn’t be together.”
I stifled the disappointnt swelling within imdiately, resolving that it was a very good thing. A smile rested on my lips, one that was just slightly forced.
Above all, she sounded thrilled to be with Noah, sothing that brought a lot of relief. My work for his happiness was fruitful in the end.
“I am so glad he eventually listened and realized the importance of true love,” I replied, beaming at her.
“Thank the Goddess,” she said. “If not, he would be with Serena, that woman who he truly didn’t love... a marriage of convenience, which just isn’t sothing that can work out.”
She let out a sigh.
“I’ve witnessed that myself,” I muttered.
It felt a bit awkward, admittedly, but I tried my best to put my friendly face forward.
“Oh, I hope Serena finds her true love too, of course,” rida said. “I am so happy that Noah and I reunited. He waited for because of you. You’re soone special... really.”
She reached out and placed her hand over mine, which I’d been resting on the table. The tone of her voice was friendly, and I couldn’t help but warm up to her a bit more.
“I really appreciate that.”
“I’m glad!” she said. “Noah and I have so many plans together... spending ti by the lake, for one thing. Oh! You know, you’ve been so stressed lately. Have you had a spa day recently?”
“Oh, no, I haven’t had the ti,” I said.
“You haven’t?!” She gasped. “Oh Zara, you should! I can treat us to one. Co on, it’s good to relax a bit after all you’ve been through with the lilies.”
“That’s true,” I agreed, contemplating this offer. rida was so thoughtful and genuine that I just had to cave in and nod. “Alright,” I said. “I suppose I can try to rest.”
“You suppose?” rida chuckled. “No. We can get you to relax, I know it! Tomorrow, then? Do you have plans for tomorrow?”
“I don’t,” I said with a smile. “No plans... we can make it a spa day tomorrow. Thank you, rida. That really is a wonderful idea.”
With that, I finished up and had a mild rest of the day, my thoughts on tomorrow. It was good that she and Noah spent ti doing things other than always being together. That was healthy.
And now, I could make friends with rida, which was nice too. She really did care about Noah, at least that was the impression I got, and so, forming this bond may be a great thing.
It would strengthen the friendship Noah and I had, sothing I’d grown to cherish.
***
The next day, I followed rida’s instructions to find the Drogomor mansion’s spa. I hadn’t visited there before, what with my focus being on matchmaking the last ti I was in the mansion.
I looked around, impressed with all the equipnt and staff hustling and bustling through the area to take care of the shifters who needed so ‘ ti.’
rida led to our first activity. “Let’s rest in the warm tub while we wait for our massage appointnt. How does that sound?!”
“It sounds wonderful,” I said, feeling a bit fatigued and under the weather, but enthusiastic. I hoped my condition wouldn’t co up and give away.
As I sank into the warm water, I let out a sigh. The warmth soaking into my muscles was amazing and was just what I needed. Truthfully, rida was full of good ideas.
“So, what do you do aside from matchmaking? Any hobbies?” rida asked. “Or are you all work, work, work, girl?”
I chuckled. “Well, I like to watch movies from ti to ti, fantasy ones. Hm... I like to go for runs in the woods, too. I don’t get to do either often anymore.”
“You should take more ti to yourself. You work so hard, Zara!” rida said.
“Yeah, though not hard enough,” I sighed.
“What do you an? You are the reason Noah ca around, after all, and he found his match in !”
“True,” I agreed. “But I’m still concerned with the Luna Lily incident at the Moon Ball.”
“It was sothing that helped many people get together, a wonderful thing. Give yourself more credit, Zara!” rida said, reaching over to pat on the shoulder.
The way she spoke was so warm and encouraging that I couldn’t help but feel even more friendly around her.
Soon, we were called for massages.
That was when the trouble began.
I felt sothing swell in my stomach and realized the nausea was becoming too much to bear. This intensified the harder the masseuse worked on my back as I laid on my stomach.
“A mont, please,” I said weakly, dismissing myself to go to the bathroom.
I returned, embarrassed to have interrupted, but trying not to let it happen again.
Unfortunately, it happened several more tis.
I felt rida’s concerned gaze upon , and my face flushed with embarrassnt. I got through the massage eventually, and at least I felt great afterward.
But when we sat down for lunch, my stomach lurched. Far too green around the gills, so to speak, I shook my head. “I’m not hungry,” I said softly. “Sorry. I’m not... feeling all that well.”
rida nodded, pausing to think things over. She glanced from to her plate of food, to again. “I see,” she muttered.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Is sothing the matter? I feel bad. I know you planned on a big lunch for us too. I’ve appreciated this spa day so far.”
“Oh, no need to apologize, Zara.” rida gave a brilliant smile, which faded into a gentle expression as she stared at . Her tone softened, and she said, “It seems almost as though you’re expecting.”
“I–what? Oh, oh... you think I’m—”
“Pregnant, yes.”
“O-oh, well, I an... that, could be it, yes... er, well, it actually... I—is... it...” I stamred, avoiding her gaze.
I rubbed my arm, not wanting to be dishonest, but I was caught between a rock and a hard place.
“It’s alright. I’m sorry if I’ve made things awkward,” rida said, her expression turning apologetic.
“No, no, it’s okay.” I let out a breath. “You really are right. I’m newly pregnant but haven’t told anyone yet. It’s an important secret.”
Would she really keep this to herself, I wondered? My stomach clenched with anticipation, which definitely did not help with the nausea.
rida let out a low, excited squeal, closing her eyes with delight for a mont before refocusing on .
“I’m so happy for you, Zara!” she whispered. “I’ll keep it a secret until you’re ready to share it. I promise.”
I nearly collapsed with relief right there but hid my reaction behind a soft smile. “Thank you, rida. That ans a lot, really.”
I felt a weight being lifted off my shoulders. Telling soone was wonderful. Now soone besides Noah and Calvin knew. She was very happy for , too, which was icing on the cake.
I wondered what Noah would think. I wanted to find the mystery father before announcing anything. He hadn’t told anyone about this debacle. Would he be upset that rida now knew my secret too, I wondered?
I decided not to tell ridia that Noah knew about it... for now.
rida leaned forward, patting gently on the hand.
“I’ll cover for your symptoms and help with excuses, alright? It’s not that obvious. I’m just great at catching on,” rida said with a wink.
I chuckled. “That’s good. I really do want the big news to be out when the ti is right. Thank the Goddess it’s not completely clear.
I smiled at rida, realizing I’d made an unlikely friendship through this secret.
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