[Lucien’s POV]
I barged into Celeste’s cottage, where a nice aroma was steaming from. I glanced over at the kitchen and saw Ryle making dinner for both of them.
“I knew it couldn’t be Celeste making anything that smells nice. All she does is make awfully smelling potions,” I said, and Ryle laughed, noticing my presence in the cottage.
“I’m right behind you, and I have a hammer in my hands,” Celeste said, startling me from behind.
“I’m a vampire for a reason, your hammer can’t do anything to me,” I boasted, and she just laughed a little.
“Whatever. What are you even doing here? Shouldn’t you be in your big mansion with Nivera who has you wrapped around her fingers?” she asked, dropping the hammer on the cupboard and going to peek a little at the food Ryle was busy preparing.
I heaved a sigh, then sat on a wooden chair that gave way and nearly had me falling to the ground, but I was quick enough to stand on my feet and avoid it.
“What the hell? Can’t you even get good furniture?” I fired at her.
“You’re the one who damaged that chair in your anger. In fact, you’re the one who always damages my property whenever you’re mad. Why should I get new ones when I know you’d just destroy them?” she retorted.
I shrugged. “Fair enough,” then I sighed deeply again.
“What’s the matter? You don’t seem fine,” she stated, walking over to my side.
“I’m not fine, Celeste. I… I think Nivera might be pregnant,” I announced.
“Wow! That’s good news. All that moaning and screaming finally paid off. Congratulations,” Ryle said, and he wanted to keep talking, but stopped when Celeste gave him a side-eye. “What? Did I say anything wrong?” he asked.
She ignored him and pulled me over to a corner. “Are you sure of what you’re saying?” she inquired.
I nodded my head in the affirmative. “I’m sure, but I hope I’m wrong. It… it is something that should never happen,” I said.
“I don’t understand. If both of you love each other, why shouldn’t her being pregnant be something that should happen? I personally feel like you should be overjoyed,” Ryle chipped in, again, uninvited.
“Yes, I should be, but I can’t be. Although vampires are the most powerful creatures on earth, there is something we can’t do. We can not procreate; it’s an impossible task. Do you get it now?” I screamed at him, like he was the cause of my troubles.
He looked confused for a bit, then seemed to get it. “Wait. Does this mean if she’s truly pregnant, the child belongs to Alpha Tyler?” he asked.
“Yes,” Celeste responded.
“But how is that possible? Isn’t she part-vampire? Can she also get pregnant?”
“She can… if she was pregnant while she was still a werewolf,” Celeste replied him again.
“It means you didn’t just save Nivera when she was attacked. You saved her and the offspring of Alpha Tyler. This is messed up. What are you going to do? Can you raise another man’s child as your own, or would you tell the truth to the Alpha and give him his child whenever he or she is born?” Ryle inquired.
“The second one is definitely not an option. The first seems plausible, but I don’t know. What if the child comes out looking like Tyler? I don’t think I’d ever be able to truly accommodate it,” I said.
“That’s true. A child signifies a bond between two souls. Having that child would mean that Nivera is forever connected to the Alpha and as the child grows, you’ll come to see it for yourself. The only option is to get rid of it,” Celeste stated.
“Get rid of it? Nivera and I always wanted to be a family. This is our one shot at it, and…”
“And nothing, Lucien. I won’t see you wreck your own life and that of Nivera’s because you think you’re doing the right thing. You hate werewolves the most in this life, and this child is going to be a werewolf who might end up being a tyrant just like its father. Have you forgotten? The Apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree,” Celeste said.
“I don’t know, Celeste. How do I tell her to get rid of the pregnancy? I know Nivera like the back of my palm. She is never going to agree to do so,” I said, expressing my worry.
“Forget about that. I’ll convince her to. After all, she listens to me and trusts me completely,” Celeste explained.
I heaved a somewhat relieved sigh. “Thank you very much, Celeste. I hope she listens to you, and I sincerely hope that if she does, I don’t ever have to be reminded of the fact that she once had a thing with the Alpha. Lately, it just seems that no matter what I do or how hard I try, Tyler is always going to be a part of Nivera’s life. I fear that there might never be an end to this battle,” I confided in Celeste.
She wrapped her arms around me and gave me a tight hug, while patting my back in a reassuring manner. “It will all be okay, Lucien. As long as we’re together, anything is possible. This battle would definitely come to an end, and once again, you’ll win,” she said to me.
I embraced her back, wondering if she was indeed right and that the story would someday end in my favour, but I wasn’t confident about that. I wasn’t sure if I truly wanted Nivera to get rid of the baby, and although Celeste had said I wouldn’t be able to raise the child as mine, one question lingered on in my mind: What if I actually succeeded in doing so?
The most part of me screamed that I would definitely fail, but deep within, a tiny part cheered me on, reminding me that there was nothing I was incapable of doing if I actually did put my mind into it. Never in my life had I been so confused, and as time passed, I became more unsure of what I wanted to do exactly.