CHAPTER 289: _GROWTH, IN ALL ITS FORMS

"Oh my goddess!" Caroline screamed with excitement when I showed her the ruby ring later that day in my room.

My face heated up with an embarrassed blush as she held my hand, staring at the ring with a broad smile before bringing her gaze back to me.

"Odessa, this is HUGE." Her eyes widened, her head shaking with disbelief. "And you said he went down on one knee?"

I nodded. "Yep. Gosh, each time he does something romantic it just feels so... Effortless. I always feel like I’m falling in love all over again."

I was sitting on the edge of my bed while Caroline stood in front of me. Her eyes glistened with pride, her lips parting.

"Odessa, I’m so happy for you." She muttered, causing my heart to melt.

I pulled her into an embrace, brushing my hand down her hair. "Aww, thank you, Caroline."

We stayed like that for a few seconds before breaking the hug.

Suddenly, she became more hysterical. "Goddess, we need to start making plans. The venue... I don’t know if the event hall would be appropriate. And then is it going to be a private event? Who are we going to invite? How—"

"Woah, woah, woah." I stopped her before she went any further, shaking my head with a giggle. "Slow down there, fairy godmother. It’s just a proposal ... We haven’t even started talking about a wedding."

Caroline paused, her shoulders relaxing. "Oh..."

Oh indeed.

I rolled my eyes, getting on my feet with my right hand on my stomach. I turned my gaze to the table where I usually did my makeup, spotting a black rectangular locket.

I walked to it and picked it up with both hands, my fingers tracing lines on the intricate designs carved into its surface. I opened it, bringing out the ruby necklace Kaelos gave me on my first night in the pack.

My mind went back to that night... The rushed wedding where I was forced to go through the ceremony under the judgmental scrutiny of the pack members.

Kaelos had placed this on my neck, not as a symbol of love. But as a seal for a marriage that was meant to be nothing more than a symbol of a truce between two races.

A wry smile curled up my lips as I stared at the necklace and then the ring repeatedly.

"He’s... Changed." I whispered, my ears picking up the sound of Caroline’s footsteps approaching me.

I raised my head in time to see her reflection on the mirror as she placed her hand on my shoulder. My eyes were getting moist again.

Fuck, are these pregnancy hormones?

"I wouldn’t call it ’change’," Caroline muttered, a warm smile spreading across her face. "I’ll call it... Growth. The kind that let him accommodate you in more ways than one. That makes him seem like an entirely different person. Just like a butterfly gaining its wings..."

I furrowed my eyebrows, dropping the locket and necklace and glancing back at her. "Someone sounds extra poetic today."

We both giggled but when I looked into her hazel orbs... There was something behind them. Something solemn.

Sadness? Uncertainty?

"Hey," I called softly, brushing my right hand up her shoulder. "Are you okay, Car? I’m sorry if I’m overwhelming you with my love life and—"

"What?" Caroline’s eyes widened, her face morphing with shock. "No, no, no! That’s not the case at all, ma’am Odessa..."

She paused, biting her bottom lip as I tilted my head.

Then she corrected herself. "It’s not the case, Odessa. Don’t worry about me, I’ve just been thinking about a lot of things."

I raised a curious eyebrow, but she seemed like she didn’t want to tell me whatever it was.

Hell no...

"Not fair, Car!" I shoved her shoulder playfully, causing her cheeks to redden with a blush. "I tell you literally everything. Come on, spill. What are you thinking about? Or... Is there someone new I don’t know about?"

Her eyes widened with pure horror. Her lips parted, her throat moving like she was being constricted.

’Why the heck is she acting like you asked her for tips to murder someone?’ Sirena mumbled in my mind but I was just as clueless as her as I stared at Caroline worriedly.

"I’m... There’s no one new, Odessa." She finally smiled, giggling awkwardly. "Why... Why would you even think that?"

I blinked at her, my eyes narrowing.

Right...

"Well, if you say so." I shrugged, turning my gaze back to the mirror. I let out a sigh, staring at my reflection. "The Blood Moon festival is coming up in three days. Aunt Althea said a few delegates from the Luminari coven might be showing up to support."

Including some not-so-welcoming faces...

My mind went back to Lucinda, the former queen bee among the young witches of the coven and the coven’s former main delegate... Until she decided to attack me at the Charity Ball.

I wonder if the Coven Elders lifted up the binding spell on her magic already. It’s been over four months after all...

"This feels like a good step to introduce witches to some of our customs," Caroline spoke with enthusiasm. "It’s perfect."

Yeah... I guess.

I stared at the mirror, my eyes focused on my reflection. I could’ve sworn I saw something off with it just now.

"I want to go... Attend to something." Caroline blurted just then, causing me to glance back at her.

She had a warm smile on her face as she brushed her hand on my shoulder one last time. "You’re doing amazing, Odessa. And I’m sure your son will be beyond lucky to have you when he comes into this world."

My heart swelled with warmth.

Okay, that was random...

"Don’t cause trouble, Car." I chuckled as she walked toward the door, winking at me.

When the door closed behind her with a soft bang, I let out a light sigh, turning my gaze back to the mirror.

But the second I did that, my heart jumped into my throat, a gasp escaping my lips as I took a step back.