11. Witch

Gabriella's POV

Waking up the following morning, I felt completely different—weak and in need of medical attention. Before I knew it, I rushed to the bathroom to throw up. After washing my face and looking in the mirror, I saw how pale I appeared. I ordered breakfast and, when it arrived, I asked the person who brought the food if she knew of a hospital nearby. She described one, but it would take about an hour to get there. I thanked her and prepared to visit the hospital after finishing my meal.

I took a taxi to the hospital. Upon arrival, I saw a lady playing with her two-year-old daughter. Envy welled up in me, though I didn't regret having my child even with the absent father. I obtained a card and waited for the doctor. The doctor requested that I visit the lab for an ultrasound to determine the baby's age and study the fetus. I made the payment and was informed to return the following day on an empty stomach but well-hydrated.

Leaving the hospital, I decided to take a brief tour. During this time, I applied for jobs as a bartender, cleaner, and other less demanding positions. However, it turned out these places weren't interested in hiring someone like me. I planned to try again after my lab visit the next day.

At the lab, I refrained from eating and drank plenty of water as instructed. The friendly lady in charge guided me to lie down. She applied something on my stomach before using the equipment. The ultrasound image appeared on the TV screen, revealing the fetus. I smiled at the sight. I brought the Sonogram to the doctor, who informed me I was two months pregnant and recommended registering for antenatal care.

Knowing that success required employment, I persisted and finally secured a job as a bartender. A month later, at three months pregnant, my boss promptly fired me, citing that he didn't want a pregnant woman working for him. Despite my efforts to find employment elsewhere, the stigma against hiring a pregnant woman persisted.

Werewolf pregnancies varied in duration based on rank, with Alphas having the shortest at four months and regular wolves the longest at seven to eight months. Nicklaus, being an Alpha, meant I had limited time remaining.

Everything that had been going relatively smoothly seemed to take a downturn. The studio apartment I lived in required renovation, and my funds fell short. I negotiated with the landlady, but she evicted me, stating I could return when I had the money.

Feeling despondent, I pulled my luggage into the woods, unable to believe I would be wandering in the woods so late. With no place to go, I settled in for the night, planning to look for farm work in the morning. I hoped my pregnancy wouldn't hinder my chances.

A loud howl echoed through the woods, followed by a woman's scream. Fear and curiosity compelled me to investigate. Carefully moving closer, I witnessed a group of werewolves with black pupils and glowing eyes. Panic set in, and I tried to flee. Unfortunately, a misstep caused me to stumble, and just as I panicked, a voice asked, "Going somewhere?"

I pleaded for safety, my body trembling. Spotting a broken piece of wood, I picked it up. As the figure turned to signal others, I struck him and managed to escape, albeit getting injured. Profusely sweating, I held my wound and pleaded to the moon goddess for protection.

The werewolves closed in on me, but suddenly, a woman appeared and chanted something in a foreign language. The werewolves fell to their knees in agony, blood flowing from their eyes, nose, and mouth. As the woman approached me, I lost consciousness.

I opened my eyes slowly, feeling aches near my shoulder. I groaned in pain and managed to sit down. Where was I? What is this place? I saw various types of herbs, books, candles, and other strange objects scattered around. Where am I? How did I end up here? What if I'm in danger? I needed to leave quickly. I spotted a knife on the table, concealed it in my clothes, scanned the surroundings, and then noticed the windows. I wouldn't allow harm to come to my unborn baby—no matter who the person was—I had to escape.

Then, the curtains parted, revealing an elegant lady with silver hair and oddly captivating eyes. I concealed myself in a spot where she couldn't see me as she approached the bed, holding some items. I intended to use the knife to threaten her from behind, but suddenly, I found myself unable to move my hands. My entire body was immobilized right where I stood.

"You're awake," she said, smiling at me.

"Who are you? What are you doing to me?" I demanded.

"Don't be afraid, child. I saved you," she reassured me, sitting on the bed and gazing at me.

"Release me now. I appreciate your help, but that doesn't mean I should trust you."

"Ma re fu!" She chanted a spell, and I was instantly released.

"You're a witch?" I asked, surprised, as I had never encountered a witch before.

"Yes, indeed—an elder witch, to be precise. So, no funny business," she added.

This witch didn't appear old at all; she held a straight posture and a slender figure. Except for her gray hair, her skin was taut and smooth. The only peculiarity was her slightly hoarse voice, which hinted at her age. If she didn't speak, I'd have assumed she was the same age as me with unique hair color. Would it be impolite to inquire about her age?

Observing a witch for the first time, I was consumed by curiosity and stared at her in awe for a few minutes. It was only when she kindly smiled that I realized my behavior had been somewhat impolite.

A pang of pain radiated from the area where I had been injured, and I groaned. She assisted me in lying down and ground some herbs before applying them to the wound. Then, she performed some mystical incantations.

"What have you done to me? Why do I feel so lightheaded?"

"That's the only way for you to recover. You're carrying a child, and I don't want you to lose it. I promise to expedite your healing, Omega."

"How did you know I'm an Omega?"

"As I mentioned, I am an elder witch. Now, sleep well, englouto." I succumbed to sleep immediately and dreamt