Chapter 2 A Puppy Of Mine And Jarl's

• Two months earlier...
• Katrina walks hurriedly through the corridors of the old castle towards the parking lot with the exam results in her hands.
• "Slow down, Katrina. Let me catch my breath, please. It's impossible to keep up with your pace," her friend says, carrying a stack of documents and folders in both hands. "At least now you know the cause of your discomfort. Take it easy."
• "I'm so excited, Amber," she responds, placing her hands on her flat belly as if she could feel the heartbeat of her puppy inside. Her friend rolls her eyes. "Can you imagine? A puppy of mine and Jarl's, the future Alpha of Alba Noctis!"
• "Well, of course I can imagine," her friend approaches her and also places her hand on her belly, trying to feel the same thing Katrina is feeling, but without success. "That's what can happen when you have relations with your mate, right?"
• Amber quickly removes her hand from her belly as if something is burning her, then continues walking while Katrina looks at her with a furrowed brow and her hands on her hips.
• "You're not understanding anything, friend," Katrina says, and Amber nods. "It's a blessing for the pack, their future Alpha."
• "That's true," Amber abruptly stops, causing her friend to collide with her and some folders to fall to the ground. "Many couples spend years trying to have a puppy, but..."
• "But?" Katrina bends down to pick up what fell and put it back in place. "Just say whatever you have to say, friend. I'm ready to receive your pessimism, as always."
• "But not you, Katrina. You know Jarl well, and I know him well too. We both know what he thinks about having a puppy. That man seems to hate the little ones."
• "Just because he doesn't like puppies doesn't mean he won't like one that's his and mine, Amber."
• "Oh, dear friend! You're too innocent. Sometimes I fear I'll become the same by being stuck to you all day," Katrina scratches her head without understanding the message her friend is trying to convey. "That man doesn't want anyone but himself! What makes you think he'll be happy that you're pregnant? They had sex only once in the six months they've been married. He'll think you're cheating on him."
• The footsteps of both women echo in the empty parking lot at this hour as they argue about Katrina's pregnancy.
• "It's because we're still young, friend, plus he believes that a child can prevent us from evolving. However, that doesn't have to be the case. Any effort can be worth it in the end. We can be good leaders for the pack and parents, despite everything."
• "If that's what you believe..." Amber replies, taking the car keys from Katrina's hand. She turns around and looks at the old and rusty car with resignation and great disappointment. The only daughter of the Alpha of Alba Noctis pack, owner of the most renowned restaurant chain in Brazil, moving around in an old and rusty car, while her half-sister and stepmother enjoy a brand-new SUV and live the high life, with jewelry and luxurious dresses. Is Katrina a fool? Of course she is.
• "Have you thought about how you're going to break the news to your grumpy mate?" Amber asks once they take the main avenue to head to the Grimlore mansion.
• The Grimlore family mansion is approximately thirty minutes away from the Alba Noctis pack's castle, where both of them work in administration. They have known each other since they were very young because Amber's mother was one of the omegas in charge of cleaning Katrina's house. Then, when Katrina's mother died in a surprise attack by enemy packs and her father reunited with Lorena, both Amber's mother and she were kicked out of the Grimlore mansion and sent to serve the poorest members of the pack.
• Katrina and Amber never separated despite this and would meet occasionally in the forest where nobody could see them. They both have been working part-time at the castle for two years now, and now that Katrina is married, they can see each other whenever they want while her husband is working in the offices. Well... her husband is always working, and if he isn't working, he always says he is.
• "I'm going to prepare a very nice surprise for him. I'll go see him at the Sofisthy offices and give him the news," she says with a special sparkle in her eyes and placing her hands on her flat belly.
• Thirty minutes later, Katrina parks her old car in the parking lot of Sofisthy's offices and takes the elevator that goes to the floor where her husband's office is located.
• All employees look at her strangely when the metal doors open. Her casual attire and unkempt appearance contrast completely with the sumptuous and immaculate office with polished floors, high ceilings, and to top it off, perfectly uniformed and groomed assistants. Katrina is wearing light pink denim shorts and a pink t-shirt with a heart emoji design on the chest, with white athletic sandals.
• Her long, blond hair is tied in a messy ponytail that lets some strands fall on her face. She is wearing no makeup. She has never liked using them because her mother taught her that she was more beautiful being natural.
• "Good morning, miss. I'm here to see Jarl Fenrisson," she says with a smile to the receptionist.
• "Do you have a scheduled appointment, miss?" the woman asks without giving it much importance. "President Fenrisson only receives important people with prior appointments. I don't think he has time to see you."
• "I didn't make an appointment, in fact, I came to surprise him," Katrina shows her bag hopefully, where she has the food she had prepared for him. "Could you call him and tell him I'm here? Please."
• After Katrina's insistence, the woman makes a short call before authorizing her to pass.
• A few minutes later, she walks through some hallways where the offices of the main bosses are located. With every step she takes, her anxiety grows, her hands start to tremble with anticipation.
• Jarl Fenrisson is busy with a beautiful and slender woman in his office when his secretary knocks on his door to let him know that someone wants to meet with him.
• "I told you not to interrupt me!" the brunette growls, slamming his desk hard, thus avoiding the young woman from saying something else.
• The secretary, filled with anger and wanting to interrupt his hot meeting with that woman, instructs reception to let Katrina in.
• Lizzie and Jarl kiss passionately again as he grabs her waist and lays her on the elegant sofa to remove her panties.
• It's no secret to anyone in Sofisthy about the future alpha's reputation as a womanizer. There isn't a single employee he hasn't fucked at least once, anywhere he pleases. His sexual appetite is such that he can't even control himself in front of his father-in-law.
• Despite being a recently married man to the daughter of the deceased Alpha Lauren, he behaves as if he really isn't. Everyone wonders how the daughter of the leader of one of the strongest packs in the country can accept such treatment.
• Katrina looks both ways down the hallway before reaching a large wooden door with her husband's name on it. A beautiful woman behind a desk looks at her with a rather fake smile and signals with her fingers for her to continue.
• "Hello, I came to see..."
• "To President Fenrisson," the woman, who is Jarl's secretary, finishes the sentence for her. "He is in the office waiting for you. You can go straight in without knocking."
• Katrina thanks her and walks there, holding the food container excitedly in one hand and the pregnancy test in the other.
• She grabs the doorknob as the young woman had instructed her, but strange noises from inside abruptly stop her. She hesitates for a few seconds, but ultimately gathers her courage and opens it.
• The bag of food slips from her hands and falls to the ground as she witnesses the grotesque scene. She brings both hands to her mouth to stifle a scream of anger upon discovering her husband and her stepsister having sex during work hours on the sofa.
• "What the hell are you doing here?!" Jarl screams at her while struggling to fasten his pants.