The baby inside me

At first, Odette thought hiding her pregnancy would be easy. She had convinced herself that Cole wouldn't notice since he barely spent time with her and the other omegas mostly kept to themselves. However, as the weeks went by, her morning sickness and constant fatigue made it increasingly difficult for her to hide her condition.

"Are you feeling alright?" Clara, another omega, asked one morning.

Odette quickly replied. "Just a stomach bug. I'll be fine."

But the questions kept coming as her symptoms persisted. Odette came up with more excuses, insisting she just needed rest.

She noticed other changes too. Her senses seemed impossibly heightened. She could hear the faintest whisper from across the room and smell scents overwhelming her. The full moon pulled at her very being, filling her with energy as her wolf side became more restless.

Odette knew these were signs of carrying an alpha's child. Each one put her in more danger if Cole or the others discovered the truth. She tried hiding her fatigue by drinking coffee and keeping to herself as much as possible.

One afternoon, while she was hanging laundry, Clara approached her.

Odette, you're pregnant, aren't you? she asked softly.

Odette froze, panic flooding her. "What? No, of course not!" she stammered.

But Clara just smiled knowingly. "Don't worry," she said. "Your secret is safe with me."

Odette's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Is it that obvious?"

Clara nodded. "Only to someone who's been through it," she said. "The heightened senses, constant exhaustion." She took Odette's hand. "I won't tell anyone, I promise. But you must be careful."

Odette sighed. "Thank you. And I am being careful; it's just...getting harder to hide."

Yes, I know. But this baby is a gift; you must protect it.

Odette smiled, tears in her eyes. "I will," she said. "With my life if I have to."

Clara squeezed her hand. "You're not alone, my friend," she said. "I'll help you in any way I can."

Odette felt a surge of gratitude for this small act of kindness and camaraderie. It gave her hope that, together, they might be able to protect this innocent life growing within her.

Odette had been feeling ill for weeks; the constant nausea and fatigue were taking their toll on her. She had been with Cole for almost a year now, and she knew that their relationship had its ups and downs, but she never expected what happened next.

When she told him, he was furious. "You cheated on me, didn't you?" he spat at her, his eyes blazing with anger.

Odette was hurt and confused. "Cole, I didn't cheat on you. I swear. You're the only man I've been with."

He didn't believe her. "Don't lie to me. You're just trying to trap me into raising a bastard child."

He grabbed her arm roughly, and Odette winced in pain. "Let go of me, Cole. You're hurting me."

He pushed her away from him, causing her to stumble and fall. "Get out of my sight. I don't want to see you again until you've aborted that child."

Odette was stunned. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Cole, please. I can't do that. I want this baby."

He sneered at her. "Then you can both die as far as I'm concerned."

She knew that she had to leave the pack house, at least for now. She didn't know where to go, but she couldn't stay here with Cole.

"You'll regret this, Odette; you'll see."

Stumbling through the woods, Odette's bloodied arms were scratched by the branches as she fought against the pack alphas. Every inch of her body ached from the battle. She had spoken out of turn at the gathering, challenging their authority, and they had descended upon her in a frenzy of claws and fangs. Barely escaping with her life, she fled the territory.

She stumbled into a small clearing and saw a log cabin nestled among the trees. Exhausted, she made her way to the door and knocked weakly. An old woman opened the door, concern washing over her face.

"Dear, what happened to you?"

Through tears, Odette struggled to speak. "Please... help me."

The woman nodded. "Of course. Come inside."

Odette limped in and collapsed into a chair. The woman gathered supplies and began treating her wounds with gentle hands.

I'm Rose. What's your name, dear?

"Odette. Thank you for your help."

Rose smiled softly. "You're safe now. Why were those nasty men after you?"

Odette hesitated, then decided Rose deserved the truth. "I'm...not human. I'm from a wolf pack. I spoke out of turn and they attacked me."

Rose processed this calmly. "Well, you're wounded all the same. I'll care for you as I would any creature in need."

Odette's eyes welled with tears of gratitude. "You have a kind soul, Rose."

Rose patted her hand. "Rest now. We'll talk more when you've healed."

Leaning back, Odette was comforted by Rose's gentle presence. Her energy drained, she slowly drifted to sleep, feeling safe for the first time in a long while. Rose watched over her with a mother's protectiveness, hoping to provide a refuge for this brave, wounded soul.

Odette had been staying with Rose for a few weeks now; the old woman had been a source of comfort and support for her.

"Odette, I have something to tell you," Rose said, her eyes serious. "I'm a witch, and I know about werewolves and omegas."

Odette was stunned. She had heard of witches before, but she never thought she would meet one. "What do you mean, Rose?"

I mean that I know about the curse that has been placed on your mate, Cole," Rose said, her voice hushed. "The moon goddess has cursed him to never find his true mate, but he already has, and that mate is you."

Odette's heart skipped a beat. "What?" she exclaimed. "But he never recognized me. He accused me of cheating on him and threw me out when I told him I was pregnant."

That's because of the curse," Rose explained. "It blinds him to his true mate, and it makes him see only what he wants to see. But you can break the curse, Odette."

"How could this happen?" Odette asked, her voice shaking.

Rose said, "By using your gift of healing, you have a special power, Odette. It's the power to heal, not just physical wounds, but emotional ones too. If you can heal Cole's heart, he will be able to see you for who you truly are, and the curse will be broken."

Odette was skeptical. "But how do I even begin to do that?" she asked. "He hates me, Rose. He accused me of cheating on him and tried to force me to abort our baby."