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AVALINE
"Congratulations on your pregnancy, Olivia." My best friend's eyes widened at the praise, her hand rubbing over her belly slowly as she smiled.
Jealousy coursed through me as I watched her. I was still happy for her though.
She was in love.
Although I had never met her so called fiancee before, she always spoke about him with that dreamy smile women wore when they thought they'd found the one.
My husband, Adam, stood beside me, his arm loosely draped around my waist as we watched Olivia laugh with the other guests. The whole garden was decorated in soft pinks and whites, balloons tied to chairs and ribbons.
Everything seemed perfect.
Just then my phone buzzed.
"Excuse me," I murmured, stepping outside to take the call.
The phone call was my Aunt, checking in from our home territory, reminding me to rest and keep my wolf calm as the full moon approached. I laughed softly, promising I would before I hung up. I turned to leave when I heard them whispering.
"...she really doesn't know?"
The voice came from behind the hedge near the patio. Two female wolves, both from our pack. Their chuckles rang out loudly as they spoke, unaware I was there.
"I heard Olivia's pup isn't her fiancé's at all," one said with a quiet laugh. "It's Adam's."
My heart froze.
"Are you serious?"
"Poor Avaline. Imagine being mated to a wolf who breeds your best friend and you have no clue. She's still playing the best friend role." They laughed.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe. The scent of roasted meat, flowers, and wine turned sour in my nose. My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes.
No. That couldn't be true. Adam would never-
I took a step back, my claws pricking at my fingertips. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, growling low.
Their words hit harder than I expected. I froze where I stood, the noise of the party fading into a dull echo. My fingers trembled as I adjusted my purse strap, pretending not to hear as I walked away.
No. That couldn't be true. Olivia would never... and Adam-
My throat tightened. I forced a shaky breath and pushed past the door, my heels clicking against the tiled floor as I searched for him.
It didn't take long to find them. I followed the faint trace of his scent through the house. Walking through the hallway, I stopped in front of the slightly opened door. My heart froze as her scent hit me too. They were together.
"...you should have told me earlier, Olivia. I deserve to know about my child."
My heart stopped.
"I was scared," Olivia whispered, her voice trembling. "She's your fated mate, Adam. I was afraid that you won't abandon her for me."
I walked closer, my eyes landing on them as Adam rested her head against his chest.
" Don't say such nonsense. You and our pup are the most important thing to me. After all, she is just a new moon Omega. I've long wanted to end this stupid bond between us." Adam said, his hand gently patting Olivia's head.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Olivia froze, her eyes going wide as if she'd just seen a ghost.
"Ava..." she whispered, voice trembling, but I didn't look at her.
My gaze was locked on Adam.
"What did I just hear?" My voice shook, anger and disbelief twisting inside me. "Tell me it's not true. Tell me you two aren't-" My throat cracked before I could finish. "How could you do this to me?"
"Ava, please, let me explain," Olivia murmured quickly, glancing at Adam like she needed him to save her. "Adam and I-" She stopped, letting out a soft, shaky sigh, her lashes fluttering as if the weight of guilt was too much for her.
It was her favorite performance. Sweet, helpless Olivia who was as fragile as glass, pretending she couldn't hurt a soul. But I knew better. I'd seen how she played him, how she used that innocent face to twist things her way.
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