Chapter 9- Scarlett -

The coffee shop was nearly empty at two in the afternoon. Perfect for private conversations.

Jake sat across from me, stirring his latte with a silver spoon. He looked nervous. He always looked nervous when we met in public.

"Relax," I told him. "We're just two normal people having coffee."

"Two normal people." He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Right."

"You did well," I said, keeping my voice low. "Following Raven to that wizard. Getting me the information about the pregnancy curse. I couldn't have planned this without you."

"I still can't believe he actually went." Jake shook his head. "The mighty Alpha, visiting a wizard in the middle of the night."

"Desperate times." I sipped my cappuccino. "He was losing his mind over that Elena girl. The bond was killing him."

"Was?"

"He's better now. Not perfect, but better. The pregnancy news shocked him back to reality."

Jake leaned forward. "Is he still suspicious?"

"Of course he is. Raven doesn't trust easily. Especially after finding out she was pregnant. But he's trying. Playing the supportive mate. Going through the motions."

"That's good, right?"

"It's a start." I traced the rim of my cup with my finger. "But it needs to work, Jake. This pregnancy has to stick. I have to remain Luna."

Jake was quiet for a moment. Then he asked the question I knew was coming.

"Scarlett, how exactly are you going to pull this off? You're not actually pregnant."

I looked at him. Really looked at him. Jake had been useful. More than useful. Always trying to stay close to power, to remain relevant. Being connected to the Luna gave him status he'd never have otherwise.

"I'll figure something out," I said.

"That's not a plan."

"It's enough for now."

"But what happens when you start showing? Or not showing? What about pack doctors? Check-ups?"

"One problem at a time, Jake."

He ran his hand through his hair, frustrated. "This is insane. You're going to get caught."

"No, I'm not. Because you're going to help me."

"Help you how?"

"Information. You have access to the medical wing. You work there."

"I'm just an assistant."

"Exactly. No one notices assistants. You can get me medical files. Learn about pregnancy symptoms. Timeline. Everything I need to know to make this believable."

Jake stared at his coffee. "This is getting complicated."

"You knew what you were signing up for." I leaned back in my chair. "Besides, think about what you get out of this. Being my confidant. My trusted ally. When this works, you'll be more than just an assistant."

His eyes lit up slightly. Jake was always so easy to read. The promise of power, of respect, of being somebody important. That's all he wanted.

"Besides, Raven made it easy for us. Getting rid of the wizard so he wouldn't get to know through any supernatural means what is the truth or not. At least, that is settled for now. All we need to do is settle other logistics and it will be well."

"You sound very sure."

"I am sure. Because I'm his Luna. I'm carrying his child, as far as he knows. And I'm going to make this work."

Jake nodded slowly. "Okay. What do you need from me?"

"Access to pregnancy files. Real ones. I need to study them. Understand every detail."

"I can do that."

"And keep watching Raven. Any strange behavior, any secret meetings, anything unusual. I want to know."

"Consider it done."

"Good." I stood up, but Jake grabbed my wrist gently.

"Scarlett, what if... what if you actually need to produce a baby?"

I looked down at his hand until he let go. "Like I said. One problem at a time."

"That's a pretty big problem."

"There are solutions to everything, Jake. Adoptions. Substitutions. Lost pregnancies. Many possibilities."

"Lost pregnancies?"

"Sometimes these things happen. Tragic, really. But it would buy me time. Make Raven feel guilty. Protective."

Jake looked uncomfortable. "You cannot afford to lose the pregnancy. It might confirm the curse and that the dead girl is truly his mate. If you are going to go through with this plan you must carry it out to the very end. That is the only way to get him trust you're really his mate."

"And I will do it. It's called survival." I picked up my purse. "In this world, you're either predator or prey. I refuse to be prey."

"Even if it means lying to your mate? If Raven finds out the pregnancy was a sham and the curse still stands after losing his true mate, he'd not spare you.'

"Nor you. So let's make it work." I adjusted my jacket. "Raven lied to me first. Every time he looked at that Elena girl, every time his wolf called for her, that was a lie. He promised me forever. Marked me. Made me Luna. Now he has to live with that choice."

"And you? Can you live with yours?"

I smiled. "Watch me."

I started walking away, then turned back. "Jake? Remember what's at stake here. For both of us. You want respect, position, power? Stay loyal to me. But if you betray me..."

"I won't."

"Good. Because assistants are replaceable. Lunas are not."

I left him sitting there, understanding clear in his eyes. He needed me more than I needed him. That's how I liked all my relationships. Balanced in my favor.

Outside, the sun was bright. Pack members nodded respectfully as I passed. Their Luna. Raven's chosen mate.

I would stay that way. No matter what it took.

The pregnancy lie was just the beginning. I had nine months to figure out the rest. Nine months to solidify my position so completely that nothing could shake it.

And Elena Winters is out of the picture forever. I have this all to myself. I have Raven and I have the pack. Nothing is going to take that from me.

I smiled at that thought and headed home to my mate. To play the perfect, pregnant Luna.

The game was just beginning.