Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 111 Eclipse

Sophie’s POV

“It’s almost time.” Hugo is standing in the doorway, watching me with a sort of detached curiosity that makes my skin flush red. ‘It’s as if I’m some sort of strange new oddity, a creature he thought he understood but now realizes he misjudged. A lot of people in the Pack House have been eyeing me this way lately and it makes my skin crawl every time.

I drag my gaze from the Beta, returning it to the full length mirror on the far wall. Of course, my reflection mocks me like all the rest. Here I am, standing in the most stunning dress I’ve ever seen, looking like a completely different person than I did mere months ago but still it’s not enough.

It feels very strange to envy someone who has had such a difficult life, but Goddess help me, I can’t help but wish I was Selene. She is beautiful in a way I will never be. She has this air of mystery, this unknowable quality that enchants every man who meets her. Where her tragedy has left her with an irresistible air of dark romance, my own has left me with naught but sadness,

My looks are decent enough, with my long rose gold hair and hazel eyes that shift between gold and green depending on the light, but whatever beauty I might have possessed has been buried beneath my sorrow. My Cupid’s bow lips are always trapped in a frown, and my lithe figure has been deprived of its curves by stress and privation.

I haven’t the faintest idea why Drake asked me to be his date to the Eclipse ball. Actually that isn’t true I know exactly why he did it pity.

If the Alpha was actually free to invite the she wolf of his choice, I expect it would be someone much closer to his beloved Selene, Someone graceful and lovely, charming and gorgeous without even trying. Instead his guilty conscience forced him to settle for me. He found me this dress, provided every luxury to help me get ready, but I’m still going to be a disappointment. No amount of professional makeup or hair styling can erase the haunted expression I seem doomed to wear for the rest of my life.

Hugo is going to escort me to Drake’s office in a few minutes, where I know my unrequited love is probably working himself into the ground trying to track down Selene’s enemies. He’s been working day and night, constantly on the phone with Bastien and using every moment not dedicated to governing the pack, to their hunt.

I don’t know everything that has happened since Selene left Asphodel, but it’s clear Drake wishes he was in Elysium with her. It still amazes me how my heart can feel so much pain, when it’s completely broken. After all, it’s lying in absolute tatters; it shouldn’t be able to long, love, or grieve. It shouldn’t be able to feel anything at all yet somehow it does. Perhaps Drake has not yet broken it enough.

Tears burn in my eyes as I contemplate how the Alpha could possibly trample my bleeding heart any further, but I force them down, looking up to Hugo with a gravel smile, “I’m ready.”

“You look incredible.” Drake’s words warm me from the inside out, and I actually want to smile. At least, I do until I remember he’s only saying it to be polite.

“You don’t have to say that.” I demure, flushing out of embarrassment rather than flattery.

strides forward and catches my waist, gently applying pressure so that I’ll spin in place and give him the full effect.

looks incredible, it’s Drake. His raven hair is slicked back, and his strong jaw is clean shaven for once. He smells like

seems to belong next to his sleek black suit, only the wrong person is in it. Seeing us side my side in the reflective windows of Drake’s office makes me want to erase my body from the image, leaving only the silhouette of the elegant frock. It wasn’t made for someone like me; I don’t deserve to wear it, and

get out of

ever be.” I

heart is heavy from watching Drake captivate the pack, going through his duties with unfathomable ease. I can’t understand how he does it, how he bears

motions and praying no one will see through my act, while Drake lives and breathes the event. He really is a good Alpha,

at me when they fail. Drake seems completely oblivious, grinning at me with that devil-may-care charm and sweeping me around the dance floor with predatory

with fresh scruff, grazes my cheek as his warm breath flutters over my

begun, and while most of the pack is out lining the docks as floating bonfires glitter on the water,

my face turned up

Muscular arms slide around my waist, causing

grumpily, trying and failing

the sweetest creature I can imagine.” His lips trail across my cheek, and suddenly I feel like I want

helpless.” I correct him

sweet.” Drake retorts

shouldn’t.” I insist stubbornly, “You don’t call anyone else

He purrs, pulling me more tightly against his

snap, and you shouldn’t touch me that way

from him again, he doesn’t let me.

do you mean?” I