My fingers tighten around the phone 107

Aria’s POV
The world still spun slightly as David guided me to a bench tucked away from the training area. My legs felt like jelly, and
the lingering nausea rolled through my stomach in waves. I pressed my palms against the cool wood of the bench,
anchoring myself to something solid while my heart hammered against my ribs.
David settled beside me, his presence both comforting and unnerving. The silence between us stretched taut like a wire
ready to snap. I couldn’t bear the weight of his unspoken questions.
“So, you and Zoe, huh?” I blurted out, forcing a lightness into my voice that I didn’t feel.
The effect was immediate. David’s composure cracked, a flush spreading across his face like wildfire, rising from his collar
and creeping all the way to his ears. His eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he looked almost boyish in his surprise.
“What are you talking about?” he stammered, his voice catching.
I couldn’t help the genuine smile that tugged at my lips. “She didn’t tell me anything,” I assured him, watching the panic
in his eyes subside. “But I’d have to be blind not to notice how she practically trips over herself whenever she saw you.”
David’s shoulders relaxed slightly, and a small, almost shy smile played at the corner of his mouth. “We’ve only been out
twice,” he admitted, his voice softening when he spoke of her. “But she’s really… something special.”
“She really is,” I agreed, my fingers nervously pleating the hem of my shirt as I felt his gaze shift back to me. The momentary distraction was over. I swallowed hard, knowing what was coming.
With deliberate movements, David lowered himself to one knee in front of me, bringing our eyes level. The gesture was
gentle but left me nowhere to hide.
“Dizziness,” he began quietly, his voice barely above a whisper as his eyes darted around, ensuring our privacy. “Fatigue.
Persistent nausea and vomiting.”
Each symptom landed like a stone dropping into still water, sending ripples of panic through me. “You’re pregnant.” It wasn’t a question this time, but a statement, delivered with quiet certainty.
The world tilted again, though I hadn’t moved. My vision blurred as tears welled up unbidden. I wanted to deny it, to
laugh it off, but my body betrayed me.
“Is it Ethan’s?” David’s voice dropped even lower, his words barely audible above the distant sounds of training from the
field.
Something inside me fractured at the sound of his name. I didn’t answer—couldn’t answer—but my silence was
confirmation enough. More tears followed the first, and I bit my lip hard to keep from making a sound. I’d been holding
myself together with sheer willpower for weeks, and now, in the face of simple kindness, I was coming undone.
“I can’t talk about this right now,” I finally managed, my voice thick with emotions I couldn’t name—fear, grief, anger, all
swirling together into a suffocating knot in my chest.
“This isn’t optional, Aria.” David’s tone remained gentle but firm. He cautiously placed his hand on my knee, the
unexpected warmth of his touch startling me. “You can’t handle this alone. I know you think you can—you’ve proven
you’re capable of raising Lucas by yourself. But this time is different. This time, you know who the baby’s father is.”
The understanding in his eyes nearly broke me completely. I tilted my head back, blinking rapidly at the cloudless blue
sky, willing the tears to stop. My chest ached as if someone had wrapped iron bands around my ribs and was slowly
tightening them.
I met his gaze directly, a desperate plea in my eyes. “Please don’t tell him, David. Not yet. Not like this.”
David sighed heavily, running both hands over his face in frustration. “I won’t betray your confidence,” he promised after
a moment, his shoulders sagging slightly as if taking on a new burden. “It’s not my place to tell him. But, Aria…” His eyes
locked with mine, unflinching. “He deserves to know. You can’t keep his child from him forever.”
Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you’re on 𝗻𝚘𝑣𝘦𝕃5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a
click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading!
“I tried to tell him,” I admitted, a bitter laugh escaping me. “Just a few days ago, I called him, ready to tell him everything.
But guess who answered his phone at seven in the morning?” My voice grew harder, fury momentarily overpowering my
grief. “Emma. She made sure to tell me all about their magical night together, how he didn’t want to be disturbed
because he was busy satisfying her.”
My hands clenched into fists so tight my nails bit into my palms. “So no, right now, he doesn’t deserve to know
anything.”
“He hasn’t mentioned any of this to me,” David said carefully, his brow furrowed. “But I promise you, whatever happened,
you’re not getting the whole truth. Emma is a skilled liar—you know this better than most.”
He shifted to sit beside me on the bench, his voice low and earnest. “Ethan knows exactly what she is, Aria. Whatever is
between them—whatever she claims is between them—it isn’t love. It never has been.”
I wrapped my arms around my knees, pulling them tight against my chest like a shield. “That’s not the point, David,” I
whispered, resting my cheek against my knee. “As long as Emma remains in his life, I can’t be in it. She’s poison. She
helped take everything from me once before—my wolf, my pack, my dignity. I won’t let history repeat itself.”
“Just give me time,” I pleaded softly. “I promise I’ll tell him when I’m ready. When I’ve figured out how to protect myself…
and my children.”
He nodded reluctantly, then stood and offered his hand. I took it gratefully, my legs still unsteady as I rose. “You look
better now,” he observed, searching my face. “Some color’s back in your cheeks. I’ll respect your wishes for now, Aria, but
I can’t keep this secret indefinitely. If he asks me directly, I won’t lie to him.”
“I understand,” I sighed, the weight of the situation settling back on my shoulders. “I’ll let you know if anything changes,
or when I’ve made a decision.”
“But you’re not planning to compete in any fights this summer, right?” His tone shifted to concern again.
Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you’re on 𝗻𝚘𝑣𝘦𝕃5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a
click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading!
I shook my head firmly. “No. Actually, I need to call Leo about that. I’ve arranged a babysitter for Lucas tonight, though
the cost is making my bank account cry.” I attempted a weak smile. “But I don’t have many options. I don’t trust my father
with Bella still lurking around, and there’s no one else I can rely on.”
David shot me an incredulous look, as if I’d suggested something absurd. “Cancel your babysitter,” he said decisively. “I’ll
take Lucas to my place tonight. You need the rest, and it’ll save you money.”
“What? No!” I protested, horrified at the imposition. “I can’t ask that of you! You’ve done enough already.”
“You’re not asking—I’m offering,” he countered. A hint of mischief crept into his eyes as he added, “Besides, if I tell Zoe
you need our help with Lucas, who already knows her, then I get a mini-date too.” His ears turned crimson at the
admission, and I couldn’t help but laugh at his transparency.
“Alright,” I conceded, genuinely smiling for the first time that day. “Thank you, David. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied, the flush still visible on his ears as he turned to head back to the training field.
Once he was gone, I pulled out my phone, my stomach clenching as I dialed Leo’s number. He answered almost
immediately, his voice eager: “Aria! Hey! I’ve been trying to reach you for days!”
“I know,” I admitted, pressing my free hand against my temple where a dull headache was forming. “I’ve been avoiding
your calls.” No point in sugarcoating it.
“Oh.” The single syllable hung in the air, laden with confusion and perhaps a touch of hurt. “Any particular reason why?”
I inhaled deeply, steeling myself. “Lucas has someone to watch him tonight. Could we meet somewhere for dinner to
talk? There’s something important I need to discuss with you