Pregnant by The Fake Mate

03- Madson P.O.V

For the first time in two years, I felt terrified of what was to come. The idea of spending the full moon's final night in a fertile period was horrifying. Knowing that I would be a female target within a three-kilometer radius emitting a pure aphrodisiac scent when the peak of the Lupercalia festival arrived. I would have serious problems if the contraceptive didn't work as expected; it would be rape and nothing less than that. I swallowed the cold lump in my stomach.

My wolf grumbled, something about it being our nature and me denying it. I rolled my eyes; she couldn't force me to participate. After all, I had done quite well in the last two years, running away from this festival like the devil fleeing from the cross, and I wasn't ready to give up now.

I went to the medicine cabinet and retrieved my blue pack; it wasn't difficult to find it since it was the only one inside. My aunt was a fanatic for syrups and liquid medicines, so my pack was a constant reminder that I was a "tenant" in her house. I swallowed the pill with a glass of water, then closed the cabinet door.

It was there, in that moment, that thoughts began to take over as I headed for the dining room. What if the contraceptive didn't work as expected anymore? Would I turn into a s*x-crazed werewolf while driving? What if it happened at work? My God, I would traumatize the children! I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and tried to calm myself. When I finally reached the living room, my cousin Lizzie and her boyfriend Antony were sitting on the couch, chatting with my aunt Raquel. When they noticed my presence in the room, they seemed to straighten up, and if I didn't have the hearing of a werewolf, I would swear that the conversation in the room was about me.

"Hey, cousin," I greeted with a forced smile.

" Madson ," she replied, squeezing herself against her boyfriend on the couch. I rolled my eyes; this was so typical of lycan partners that it didn't surprise me anymore. It was too primitive to be offended by. Apparently, when werewolves found their predestined mates, they felt an immense need to claim and mark them as their own. I wouldn't lie; dealing with Lizzie's primitive jealousy was comforting if it only happened occasionally.

"Sorry, it's the full moon, and..." she apologized, embarrassed.

"Relax, Lizzie," I replied, shrugging. "Partner stuff, I get it."

"Still," she bit her lip.

I shrugged again, my eyes already on the staircase behind her. I had barely taken three steps in that direction when my aunt Raquel asked, "Are you going to the Lupercalia pre-festival, Madson ?" Her voice was calm but dangerous. I swallowed hard, doing mental calculations about the reason for her sudden question. I turned around, fixing my gaze on her.

"No, Aunt," I smiled. Lizzie and Andre exchanged glances, there was complicity and something else there that made me both jealous and proud of her.

"Are you sure?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I plan to read a book or two tonight," I bit my lip. My aunt grinned widely, put her hand on her hip, and watched me attentively.

"Romance, perhaps?" she asked.

"Terror," I lied.

"Come on, Madson !" She teased. "Today is Lupercalia Eve, you know... all the heat and sex."

"I don't see the need for that," I evaded.

"Oh, come on, Madson !" Lizzie sighed, smiling. "This year's Lupercalia is special for you, I know! You have to go."

"How is it 'special for me'?" I made air quotes with my fingers, taking a step down, a few inches from her. I saw Antony advance from the couch out of the corner of my eye; there was concern and apprehension in his posture. He was about to step in to defend his talkative girlfriend; it was obvious and even cute. Lizzie, however, bit her lip and glanced back at him as if apologizing for talking too much.

"Lizzie!" I called her attention. She shrank back, embarrassed, her 18-year-old eyes cast down. Finally, my cousin sighed, crossed her arms, and stared at me.

"Just say it."

"Antony said he smelled you last night; you're entering your fertile period," she said, awkwardly.

"That's why I felt so possessive of him being around you," she said, embarrassed. I backed up two steps, retreating as far as I could between my cousin and me. I could taste embarrassment and awkwardness at the tip of my stomach.

"I'm taking care of it," I replied, embarrassed.

"Maybe, if you let me find someone for you..." she tried to help, there was affection in her tone.

"No need!" I snapped back, turning to go up the rest of the stairs.

" Madson , you know how Lupercalia works for fertile females without a partner," Antony warned, concern in his voice.

I looked at him for the first time in a long time as a functional human being, concern was written all over his face. For the first time, I realized the magnitude of the situation I was in. If Lizzie's boyfriend, who had her on a pedestal, could smell my scent changing, what would happen to those males who didn't even have a female in their life?

"I've already said, I'll figure it out," I replied, avoiding the thought.

"Make sure you do, Madson , because there will be many males breaking down your aunt's door if you don't find a suitor for the next five days of Lupercalia," he warned, pointing at his nose. "You managed to escape for two years, but this year, luck won't be on your side."

I swallowed hard; there was no response to that. I knew. There would be males breaking down walls to have their way with me for hours if the contraceptive didn't work as well as I hoped. I pushed the thought away.

"Thanks for the warning, Antony," I said, taking the first step.

" Madson !" called Lizzie, standing on the stairs.

"Yes?"

"The alpha seemed interested in you today. Maybe if you talked to him..."

"Thanks for the help, cousin," I replied, cutting off her words. Lizzie fell silent, her boyfriend followed the same advice and stayed quiet. I headed for my room, closing the door firmly behind me and stepping into my bathroom.