CLAIMED - Fated to Two-Chapter 45: Women Hate Losing

Andrea’s laughter echoes across the dining hall, light and unrestrained. Beatrice laughs along with her, clearly enjoying the moment, while Alpha Torrin smiles and nods at both of them. From the corner of my eye, I catch him awkwardly glancing at me from time to time, while I force myself to look unbothered, as though none of this is affecting me.

When the Omegas serve the food and drinks, Alpha Torrin reaches for Andrea’s plate first, carefully cutting her steamed fish into neat pieces. Then he does the same for Beatrice.

Pain creeps through my heart, but I bite back the sharp sigh threatening to escape my chest.

When Alpha Torrin gestures toward my plate, asking for permission to cut my fish as well, I pull it away before he can touch it, not even sparing him a glance. Not only was I clearly the last person on his mind, but I’m also the only one he feels the need to ask permission from, something he never did before.

They continue chatting as if nothing is wrong. Andrea occasionally tries to include me in the conversation, asking questions I have no interest in answering.

I’m angry, but I refuse to direct all of it at her when she isn’t the only one responsible for how I feel. So, I’m just ignoring her to avoid spitting harsh words if I answer her.

But then,...

Beatrice speaks, her tone casual but sharp. "So, when can we announce your engagement?"

My brows knit together, my jaw tightening instantly. Alpha Torrin stiffens beside Andrea, though he doesn’t look entirely surprised. Andrea blushes, her excitement tempered by the nervous glances she sends in my direction.

"Engagement?" I echo. "You’ve already decided that, as if I don’t exist and don’t matter?"

"You don’t have the last say on what we’re deciding with our lives," Beatrice replies smugly, lifting her chin.

I turn to Alpha Torrin, letting my fork slip from my fingers so it clatters loudly against the plate. "If you really want me out of your life, tell me straight to my face again, right now. Then I’ll leave and never bother you again."

He swallows hard. His eyes flicker away, unable to meet mine, and no answer comes.

What’s holding him back from answering is the baby, the child he already said he hopes isn’t his.

"If this engagement moves forward, I’ll take it as your answer," I continue, my voice steady despite the ache spreading through my chest.

The tension in the room thickens. But Beatrice dismisses it by repeating her earlier question, directing it back at Andrea and Alpha Torrin.

"We haven’t discussed it in detail yet. Your pack is still recovering from everything that happened recently, and they don’t know me well. Torrin and some of his council members will introduce me to the pack in the next few days," Andrea replies.

I wait for Alpha Torrin to stop this conversation, to at least show me even the smallest sign of respect.

But he stays silent, which is louder than an insult.

I push my chair back and stand. My shoulders square, my chin lifts, and I walk out of the dining hall with as much pride as I can gather.

Tears threaten to spill, but I force them back. I’ve cried enough. I’m not going to cry over something like this anymore.

Before Alpha Torrin fully falls into Andrea and Beatrice’s trap, I have to act fast.

I call Eric over the phone.

-["I’m currently at the pack’s training grounds, training the newly promoted Gammas."]-

"I’ll meet you there."

When I arrive at the pack’s military camp, just a few minutes’ drive from the Alpha’s mansion, a small smile crosses my face. I wasn’t expecting to see Francheska here. She’s blushing as she gently wipes the sweat from Eric’s face, and he’s blushing just as much.

They look good together. I hope their connection continues to develop.

They both jump back in embarrassment when they finally notice me.

"Sorry for interrupting, you two," I say. "But our plan needs to start moving now."

Eric nods, his expression immediately turning serious. "About that, Beta Samuel has already secured a visit permit for you. But, you won’t be able to kill Damian in the visitor’s room. That would be too obvious."

He unfolds a detailed floor plan of the United Alliance Prison, several areas marked with red circles. "After your visit, a female warden - whom I paid to cooperate with, will approach you. She’ll give you a prisoner’s uniform so you can disguise yourself and get closer to Damian. This is where she’ll meet you, this is where Damian’s room is located, and this is where you’ll escape once you kill Damian."

As he continues, his brows knit together with concern. "Beta Samuel said he can request another visit permit for me. I want to come with you just in case things get out of hand."

I shake my head, offering him a grateful smile. "If I get caught, I’ll be caught alone. We’ve already lost so many lives fighting for our cause. I can’t let any of you take the fall again if I make another mistake."

"What if you get killed? You’re pregnant," Francheska asks with equal worry.

I caress my belly. "No matter what happens, I won’t get killed. But, if I fail to kill Damian and get caught by the police officers, I want the two of you to get my baby once I give birth. Take care of my baby as if he or she’s your own."

Francheska and Eric stiffen. But understanding peaks through their eyes a moment later. They don’t need to question my decision as they’re aware of Alpha Torrin’s condition and the way he’s been treating me.

Alpha Torrin can never be a father to our child if his memories don’t come back. He’ll only treat our baby the way he’s treating me. And my baby doesn’t deserve that.

Eric doesn’t argue anymore. Instead, he reaches into his jacket’s pocket and hands me a small velvet box. Inside rests a knife made of pure silver.

The elders say that if silver pierces a werewolf’s body, whether it’s a deep wound or even just a small cut, the werewolf will weaken and suffer a slow, inevitable death. No amount of medicine or treatment can heal it.

I don’t know if the elders are telling the truth or if it’s nothing more than old folklore, since werewolves don’t usually use weapons to fight or kill, unless they’re either cheating or wanna ensure their victory.

I hold the velvet box into my chest, then take the floor plan from Eric and leave.

Once I’m back inside my bedroom, I never leave it. I carefully review the floor plan, calibrating every move I’ll make once I’m inside the prison.

Night falls, and a knock sounds at my door.

"I’m busy," I say.

To my surprise, Alpha Torrin’s voice answers, "I’m sorry for disturbing you, but can I come in?"

For a moment, I’m torn between sending him away because I still can’t get over how he’s been reacting toward me and Andrea, and letting him in so we can talk and try to mend what’s left of our relationship.

In the end, I open the door.

He enters, carrying a tray of food and drinks. "You didn’t join us for lunch, and the Omega said you refused dinner too. You’re understandably upset with us, but you must eat. You’re pregnant."

My irritation mixed with pride overrides my desire to speak to him calmly. "Leave the tray on the table. And if there’s nothing else you wanna say, you can leave too."

"Uhm... about the engagement," he begins, hesitation written all over his face. "I’ll prolong it as much as I can. I’ll try to listen to my wolf and to my own feelings, then weigh everything before making my final decision."

A slight relief washes through me. It’s a silent admission that he isn’t in love with Andrea yet.

"The fact that you’re still concerned about me after I failed to save you from Atticus and Damian... does that mean you can feel even the slightest trace of our bond?" I ask, clinging to hope.

"I don’t," he answers bluntly. "I’m just worried about the baby. I don’t want you neglecting your health simply because you can’t control how I feel or what I decide."

He sets the tray down and pauses by the door. Without looking back, he adds, "If my decision doesn’t favor you, I won’t allow you to leave until you give birth. Once the baby is proven to be mine after the DNA test, the baby stays with me."

I let out a bitter chuckle. "So you want a DNA test too, just like your mother? That’s an insult to me, and to my child." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Can you blame me when I’m not your only fated mate?" he fires back.

Before I can respond, he leaves, shutting the door behind him.

But,...

Instead of sinking into despair, determination fuels me. I can’t fail. If I do, I won’t just fail Torrin and those who want the real him back, I’ll fail our baby too.