You don't know" I asked quietly.
I didn't think it was possible," she replied, dragging her hands down her face "He has barely touched you in months. And you are not even… an official Luna."
"So I was married to someone who didn't want me?"
Ria's voice softened. "You wanted him, you thought if you tried hard enough, he did see you. That he will love you"
I really wanted to ask Ria, "and did he?"
But from her reaction, I already know the answer
A cold weight settled in my gut.
Shit
"You could run!" Ria said aloud, surprising both of us. "Take the baby. Start over somewhere no one knows you. Honestly if you wanted an out, now is the time."
I blinked, instantly overwhelmed. I had just woken up, no memory of who I was. No idea if the woman beside me was truly my best friend. And now, I was supposed to make a life-altering decision—
Could I go out on the street and get into another accident to get my memory back?
Ria rubbed her eyes, "Forgive me, I spoke out of pure feeling. I mean, if you did, I will support you, but..now that I am thinking about it, is that fair to the kid? To grow up like we did? As a rogue?"
I fell into silence.
"And.. you don't even know who you are. How could you raise. Someone else? Ria spoke softly, hesitated, "Do you consider.. getting an abortion?"
"An abortion?"
"I mean, think of it. You are carrying a child from a man who felt like a stranger to you, and don't love you," she muttered, " and you are a rogue. Do you really want to keep this child?"
"I know, but.. I hesitated, this is so cruel. What if.. their father wanted it?
This should be a decision for both of us."
"I will go home," I said finally. See how my husband reacts. Then I will decide."
After receiving permission to leave the hospital, I felt a strange sense of freedom, but also uncertainty.
Home wasn't what I remembered. Not that I remember med anything m, but I expected it to feel .. a little safer.
He was waiting, who I assumed was my husband, Nelli, stood in the center of the den like a statue carved from ice.
His suit jacked unbuttoned, his tie loose around his throat. He was handsome .. but felt alien to me.
"So dramatics continue." Nelli said coldly, arms crossed. "What was it this time?" A scratch on you arm?"
I froze.
Hey! Your wife had a car accident!
He stepped closer. " I saw the report, you were nearly 'dead' when they found you. I am so sure, though, you look fine to me. Quit playing the victim, Ella m. You have been doing this for years I know what you are capable of doing. And this time I am not going to fall for it"
"What-? "My voice caught.
"Crying to get attention. Collapsing in the kitchen just because I was late. What is next? A coma?"
I did fake being sick to hurt in the past?
Just for his attention?
A woman, curvy and blonde, sauntered into view behind him, all silk and smugness. She was close to him, considering he was supposed to be my husband.. " Honestly, Nelly, you should've let her stay gone. Rogues are always mess."
I stared at them. I clenched my hands into fist.
"..This was my life"
Third person POV
Meanwhile, deep within the heart of the moonstone Pack..
The crystal orb flickered to life, it is pale blue glow casting shadows the stone chamber.
Alpha Thomas stood frozen, his hand hovering inches from the the orb's surface
Beside him, his son, Eric, drew in a sharp breath.
"It's her," Eric murmured, voice tight with disbelief. "After all these years.."
Thomas nodded slowly, eyes never leaving the shifting light. The long-lost princess, his daughter, had resurfaced.
And not anywhere. He knew that pack..
Alpha Nelli's Territory
The very pick where their princess was — right now
Ella's POV
"Am I right?" Felicia pouted, speaking to Nelli in a teasing tone, throwing me a sidelong glance. "She will only cause you trouble."
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU NOW" I asked.
The words slipped from my lips before I could think, before I could filter or soften a smile like o apparently used to.
The air in the room stilled. Nelli's brows shot up, but Felicia 's face cracked first, her lips parting in a sneer.
"What did you just say?" She asked, a mocking little laugh curling around her words.
I told a slow step forward, titling my head, studying her as if she were a painting hung in my house without permission. "I meant it, who are you?" I repeated the word one by one for her to hear me clearly
The silence that followed was heavy with shock, their shock.
Maybe it was because I hadn't flinched when she sneered at me, hadn't cowered or looked to Nelli for help. Maybe it was just that I was finally acting like someone with a backbone.
Felicia recovered quick, smile stretching back into place like a mask.
"Cute. Trying on a new personality, are we? What is this, Ella? A little sass to win your sweetheart Alpha back? Man, you will try anything for a glance from him."
"Oh, I said lightly, "I see. You are in my house with my husband and you are still insulting me, and yet I am the one desperate for his attention. That clear things up."
Nelli blinked, furrowing his brows, Felicia's expression twisted.
Even Ria was surprised…