Before Lavender could react, Fern shoved her hard from behind. She stumbled, her feet slipping on the wet stones, and fell into the fountain. The cold water shocked her system, but the humiliation burned hotter.
Fern laughed. “Oops,” she said mockingly, crossing her arms. “Careful, Luna. Don’t slip.”
Lavender stood slowly, water dripping from her hair and clothes, her wolf roaring with fury. She stepped out of the fountain, her anger radiating off her in waves. “You really don't want to stop, do you, Fern?" Lavender growled.
Fern rolled her eyes, but before she could speak, Lavender’s hand snapped out. The sound of the slap echoed through the garden. The girls behind them gasped in shock as Fern stumbled back, a red mark already forming on her cheek.
The smugness vanished from Fern’s face, replaced by shock and rage. But before Fern could utter another word, Cedar's voice pierced the atmosphere with a sharp edge.
“What the hell is going on here?”
Lavender turned to see him striding toward them, his eyes wide with confusion and anger. Fern immediately crumpled, tears spilling down her cheeks as she clutched her stomach.
“Cedar!” she cried. “Lavender hurt me! I only told her I was pregnant, and she slapped me!”
Cedar froze. His gaze darted to Fern’s tear-streaked face, then to Lavender, still dripping wet and glaring at Fern. The word "pregnant" struck him sharply, causing his expression to shift from shock to fury.
“Is it true?” he demanded. “Did you hit her?”
“She pushed me first,” Lavender said quietly, her voice tight. “I—”
But Cedar didn’t let her finish. His hand grabbed her arm roughly, dragging her toward the house. “How could you? How could you hurt her? She’s carrying my child!”
Lavender’s heart twisted at his words, but she said nothing. She didn’t resist as he pulled her into their bedroom and slammed the door shut.
“You’re cruel,” he hissed, his face inches from hers. “You’re so bitter and jealous, you’d hurt an innocent woman? A pregnant woman?”
"She did it on purpose, Cedar. I was avoiding her, but she cornered me and started the fight!"
Cedar’s anger boiled over. He slapped her, the sting sharp against her cheek. Then again, and again. Each blow shattered something inside her, but she didn’t cry, didn’t flinch. She accepted the pain, earning it to kill the remaining love she had for him. Even as the room began to spin, she didn't fight back.