The Jaguar’s Arranged Mate

Chapter 6

Miera hadn’t meant to be such a bitch to him, but she couldn’t control her emotions. Everything made her either furious or sorrowful, and she was sick of crying, sick of feeling like she was worthless, sick of being sick to her stomach.

But with him being so kind to her despite her bitchiness, with him still wanting to be tender and sweet… she knew she couldn’t hide the truth from him. It wouldn’t be right. It wouldn’t be fair to him.

Even if it meant he wouldn’t marry her. He deserved to know the truth. She wouldn’t trap him.

Miera didn’t know Beric as well as her brother had. That Matthias had died so Beric might live spoke volumes for her fiancé. She would just have to trust her brother’s judgment and pray that Beric would still want to wed her despite this.

Her head cleared slightly at his declaration, even though his tone made her shiver.

“Yes. I’m pregnant.”

“How?”

“Well… when a man and a woman—”

“Don’t joke.” His eyes had never looked darker, and a shadow crossed his features. “Who is the father?”

She shook her head. A question he had every right to ask, but one she didn’t want to answer. That detail she wasn’t prepared to ever share.

“Tell me!”

Miera crossed her arms. “You can’t demand that of me. You can’t demand anything of me.”

“There is something I can do,” he threatened.

She swallowed hard. “You would condemn your people to death—”

“You did that yourself when you spread your legs.”

Her hand stung from the slap she delivered to his cheek. Her palm left a red mark on his face.

He growled. “Never strike me again.”

“I know—”

“What do you know? So you love someone else. So you’re willing to not let them have a role in their child’s life. Or are you hoping that I die during a battle so you would be free to marry him?”

“It’s not like that—”

“Or maybe you just like to sleep around. Maybe the condom broke. Whatever. You’re pregnant, and now what? Do you want me to claim this child as my own? Have the bas*ard be the next alpha of the Blood Warriors?”

She winced. They hadn’t talked about what the combined pack name would be, or made a decision as to who from the Teal Warriors would be joining the council. Something about the suggestion ‘Blood Warriors’ churned her stomach.

“Beric…”

“I think I deserve an explanation.”

He did. But she couldn’t—wouldn’t—give him one.

“Tell me the truth.” His voice had taken on an almost pleading quality.

The truth she could tell… just not all of it. “I’m pregnant. The father isn’t in the picture. You are… if you want to be.”

“You’re keeping the child.”

“Yes.” She lifted her chin, daring him to even try to get her to do otherwise.

“I can’t.” He shook his head. “I won’t.”

“Your pride will result in the deaths of so many people,” she protested.

“Your pregnancy will.”

“It doesn’t have to change anything between us,” she pleaded.

“How can you think that? I don’t care that you’re not a virgin. That doesn’t matter to me. But you’re pregnant. You’re not just any were-jaguar, Miera. You’re going to be alpha one day. Your firstborn will be alpha after you. And now, your firstborn won’t be my firstborn, and you’ve stolen the title from him or her.” He glowered at her, looking at her with hatred. Any affection he had once looked at her with was gone, forever.

“Maybe you’ll get lucky,” she said bitterly, “and I and the unborn baby will be the one to die and you’ll be able to pick your next wife, get to know her first, maybe even find love with another Blood Rose…” The thought churned her stomach, and she covered her mouth to try and fight back the nausea. She did not want to be sick again in front of him.

“Don’t try to make me be the bad guy in all of this.”

“I’m not,” she said, her voice muffled, her hand still over her mouth.

“You are. Did you honestly think I would embrace this with welcome arms?”

“I thought you might be willing to understand—”

“How can I when you won’t tell me any of the details?” He shook his head and started to pace. His nervous energy made her all the more anxious.

“It’s… I can’t.”

“You psychically can. You move your lips, you use your vocal chords, and you tell me what happened, who he is, why this happened.” He picked up speed with his pacing.

She just shook her head.

Abruptly, he halted and faced her. “If you won’t tell me…”

Miera glanced away.

“Fine then.” He stalked away.

She wanted to stop him, but she didn’t. He would have to decide whether or not to still marry her. If he didn’t, both of their packs would be in danger. Death was almost a certainty. She had been the one to screw everything up.

“Beric,” she yelled.

He stopped walking but didn’t face her.

“Please don’t let blood be on my hands.”

Her fiancé—was he still her fiancé?—didn’t say anything and walked away, soon out of sight.

Miera dragged herself to the natural wooden bench and sank onto it. This pregnancy could cost her and everyone she loved their lives. And all because I won’t give up my unborn baby.

How could she? Innocent life was precious. Her baby was innocent. Her baby.

She hadn’t thought much about the baby his- or herself. Only that she was pregnant. But there was a baby growing inside of her. In about six weeks, the baby would be born. Were pregnancies only lasted three months, far quicker than that of a regular human pregnancy, and she was already so far along.

But would she even still be alive in six weeks? Would she ever hold the baby?

Her baby deserved a father who would love him or her. Would that happen, or would her baby only have her love?