Chapter 3：Fatal Betrayal
1686words
My hand gently caressed my abdomen, the feeling of uneasiness refusing to subside.
"Are you sure you want to go?" my assistant Lisa asked worriedly. "You look pale."
"I have to go," I answered softly. "I need to know the truth."
Lisa was one of the few humans who knew about my werewolf identity.
"But the full moon is only three days away, Emma. If you start transforming..."
"I'll be careful," I interrupted her. "And James promised to look after me."
Lisa didn't look convinced. "If anything happens—anything at all—call me immediately."
I nodded and grabbed my backpack.
"One more thing," Lisa handed me a small box. "This is from Marcus. He asked me to give it to you."
I opened the box to find a silver necklace with a moon-shaped pendant.
"He said it will help you control the transformation," Lisa explained. "At least delay it for a few hours."
I put on the necklace, feeling warm energy flow through my entire body.
"Thank you," I said softly. "This might save my life."
In the car, the atmosphere was unusually tense.
Victor drove with Helen in the passenger seat, while James, Noah, Aria and I squeezed into the back.
Aria leaned against James's shoulder, pretending to be asleep.
I noticed that James didn't pull away—he actually shifted to make her more comfortable.
Noah exchanged a glance with me; he'd seen it too.
"How much longer?" Helen asked, breaking the silence.
"About three hours," Victor replied. "If traffic holds up."
"Emma," Aria suddenly "woke up." "How are you feeling? Is your morning sickness any better?"
Her concern sounded so genuine I almost believed it was sincere.
"Much better, thanks," I forced a smile.
"I'm so happy for you," she said, squeezing my hand. "A baby will make your bond with James even stronger."
I felt James stiffen beside me.
"Yes," I answered, watching his reaction closely. "We'll finally be a real family."
James avoided my gaze, suddenly finding the passing scenery fascinating.
By the time we reached the resort, it was already mid-afternoon.
"It's stunning here," Helen exclaimed, taking in the lakeside scenery.
The resort featured a main building and several separate cabins scattered around a peaceful lake.
"I've sorted all the room arrangements," Aria announced. "Victor and Helen will stay in the suite in the main building, Noah gets his own room."
She paused, flashing a smile at James.
"James and Emma will stay in Cabin A by the lake, and I'll be in Cabin B."
I noticed the two cabins were quite far apart, separated by a thick grove of trees.
"Why aren't the cabins closer together?" I asked.
"Because only these two are available," Aria explained. "The others are all booked."
I didn't believe for a second this was a coincidence.
"Let's all get settled in," Victor suggested. "We'll meet at the restaurant for dinner at seven."
James grabbed our luggage and headed toward Cabin A.
I followed behind him, fighting a wave of dizziness.
"You okay?" James asked, showing rare concern.
"Just tired," I answered. "Pregnancy stuff."
The cabin was spacious and comfortable, with large windows overlooking the lake.
"It's beautiful here," I said, trying to ease the tension.
James nodded and started unpacking.
"James," I took a deep breath, "we need to talk."
"About what?" he asked without looking up.
"About you and Aria."
His movements froze, then he slowly turned to face me.
"What about me and Aria?"
"Is there something between you two I should know about?"
His eyes flickered, but he quickly composed himself.
"You're overthinking things, Emma. She's your sister, my sister-in-law."
"Then why did Noah tell me about your plans to be alone together here?"
James's expression darkened. "What exactly did Noah say?"
"He overheard you and Aria discussing 'special plans' at the lakeside cabin."
James sneered. "Noah always likes stirring up drama."
"So it's not true?"
"Of course not!" he raised his voice. "Emma, you're pregnant with my child. How could I possibly betray you?"
His words sounded reasonable, but something felt off.
"Then explain why you've been so cold to me lately, yet so attentive with Aria?"
"Because you always put your 'special condition' first," he sighed. "While Aria at least understands what family means."
His words stung like salt in a wound.
"My 'special condition' is my nature, James. I can't change who I am."
"I know," he rubbed his temples. "I just... find it difficult sometimes."
He came over and pulled me into an embrace.
"I'm sorry, Emma. I promise I'll take good care of you, especially during the full moon."
I leaned against his chest, wishing I could believe him.
At dinner time, we gathered at the resort restaurant.
"What's on the agenda for tomorrow?" Noah asked, sliding into the seat beside me.
"Boating, picnic, hiking," Aria said excitedly. "I've planned everything down to the last detail."
"Will Emma be joining us?" Helen asked with feigned concern. "Considering her... condition."
Everyone knew I was a werewolf, but they never said it outright.
"I'll try to join you," I answered. "But if I feel unwell, I'll head back to the cabin."
"I can stay with you," James said, taking my hand.
Aria's expression faltered for a split second before she plastered on another smile.
"No, James, you should enjoy the activities with everyone," she said. "I can look after Emma."
"That won't be necessary," I replied immediately. "I can take care of myself."
After dinner, we returned to our cabin.
James' phone rang, and his expression changed after checking the screen.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"Work stuff," he answered, stepping onto the balcony to take the call.
I could hear his hushed voice: "Not now... tomorrow... yes, I'll make it work..."
When he returned, I pretended to be asleep.
The next morning, I woke to a splitting headache.
The other side of the bed was empty—James was gone.
I checked the time: seven in the morning.
There was a note on the table: "Gone boating with everyone. Didn't want to wake you. Back by noon. Love you, J"
I felt a pang that had nothing to do with my headache.
Outside the window, the sky was gloomy, heavy with dark clouds.
I grabbed my phone and found another text from that unfamiliar number:
"Luna, the full moon is coming early tonight. The pack was attacked by hunters, many are injured. We need you."
My heart raced. The full moon coming early? Rare, but not impossible.
I called Marcus again—still no answer.
With growing unease, I decided to check the wolf pack territory myself.
The territory was about an hour's drive from the resort, deep in the mountains.
I texted James: "Feeling unwell, going for a short walk to clear my head. Don't worry, back before lunch."
I changed into sportswear, secured Marcus's necklace around my neck, and quietly slipped out of the cabin.
I rented a bicycle at the resort and pedaled along the mountain path, feeling my wolf nature stirring stronger with each mile.
The full moon was indeed coming early—I could feel the familiar pull to transform.
The necklace emitted a faint glow, helping me fight the urge.
When I reached the entrance to the pack's territory, I immediately sensed something was wrong.
The air was thick with the smell of blood and the acrid scent of fear.
"Hello? Anyone there?" I called softly, cautiously entering the forest.
No response—just the rustling of wind through the leaves.
Suddenly, a deep growl rumbled from behind me.
I spun around to face a massive gray wolf, hostility blazing in its eyes.
This was not a member of my pack.
I backed away, sensing more wolves closing in from all directions.
This was an ambush.
With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and dialed James.
"Emma?" His voice sounded distant, distracted.
"James, I need help," I said urgently. "I'm at the wolf pack territory, surrounded by hostile wolves."
"What? Why the hell are you there?" He sounded surprised, but also somehow... expectant?
"No time to explain," I gasped as a wolf lunged closer. "I need you to come now—I can't hold them off much longer."
There was silence on the other end for several seconds.
"Emma, are you being dramatic again?" James's voice turned cold. "You're always doing this—creating crises for attention."
"What? No! James, I'm in real danger!"
"We're in the middle of the lake, Emma. Do you have any idea how long it would take us to get back?"
I heard Aria's laughter in the background.
"James, please," my voice broke. "I'm carrying your child."
"If you're really in danger, then transform," he said coldly. "You're a werewolf, aren't you? Protect yourself."
The call ended.
I stared at my phone in disbelief. He'd hung up on me.
When I needed him most, he chose Aria.
The first wolf lunged at me—I barely dodged it, but another wolf sank its teeth into my leg.
White-hot pain shot through me, and I collapsed to the ground with a scream.
The necklace flared with brilliant light, temporarily driving back the wolf pack.
I struggled to my feet, dragging my injured leg as I stumbled deeper into the forest.
Blood poured from my wound, soaking my pants. I knew I couldn't last much longer.
The wolf within me grew stronger, the transformation threatening to overtake me.
But I couldn't transform here—not in hostile territory.
I needed to get back to the cabin where I'd at least have shelter.
Dragging my mangled leg, I limped painfully toward the resort.
Each step was agony, leaving a crimson trail behind me.
My vision blurred, consciousness fading in and out.
No, I couldn't collapse. For my baby, I had to keep going.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally glimpsed the outline of the resort.
But my body had reached its limit.
At the doorway of our cabin, I collapsed to the ground, darkness closing in.
My last thought: James, why did you betray me?
