"Are… are you sure, Nora?" I ask with a broken voice, my heart racing wildly with hope.
The midwife smiles warmly at me, her kind eyes crinkling at the corners. "Very sure, Luna Seraphina. You're pregnant."
I clutch my hands to my chest, overwhelmed by a wave of joy so powerful it brings tears to my eyes. After three long years of disappointment and silent prayers, the miracle I've been waiting for has finally happened.
"Why haven't I been able to smell it? And Vincent hasn't noticed either," I wonder aloud, a flicker of worry crossing my mind.
Nora pats my hand reassuringly. "It's very recent, dear. Give it a few more days and the pheromones will be detectable. But the test doesn't lie—you're carrying the future heir of the Autumn Forest pack."
I nod, blinking back tears. For three years, I've given everything to be the perfect Luna for Vincent. I've stood by his side at every council meeting, visited the sick, organized pack celebrations, and tried desperately to be the supportive mate he needs. But the shadow of infertility has haunted us, bringing a chill to our bedroom and disappointment to the elders' eyes.
"Please, don't tell anyone in the pack," I say quickly. "I want to surprise Vincent myself. Tonight's our anniversary, and this will be the perfect gift."
"Don't worry, Luna. Your secret is safe with me." Nora squeezes my hand. "Congratulations!"
I float rather than walk back to the Alpha house, my mind spinning with plans. Despite being a foreigner, not originally belonging to this pack, I've never felt rejected since the day the previous Alpha took me in after my parents died. I've devoted myself fully to my duties as Luna, grateful for my life and the wonderful man I married.
* * * * *
"What's with all this food? Is there going to be a party?"
I swat away Amelia's hand as she reaches for a freshly baked pastry. My best friend has sneaked in through the kitchen's back door as usual, her curious eyes scanning the feast I've prepared.
"Hands off! But wow, puff pastry tart and everything!" she says, perching on a stool.
I turn back to the caramel sauce simmering on the stove, smiling to myself. I may have gone overboard, but today needs to be perfect.
"All my Alpha's favorite foods are ready. Today is Vincent's and my anniversary. I want to celebrate with an intimate dinner," I explain, stirring the golden liquid.
When Amelia doesn't respond, I glance over my shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing, nothing..." she says quickly. "I just heard the Alpha had an emergency today. Didn't he tell you?"
I frown slightly. Vincent doesn't usually explain much about his work—I assume to shield me from worry.
"No, but he'll come back anyway. He knows today is special." The conviction in my voice doesn't match the tiny flutter of doubt in my stomach.
Amelia gives me a strange look—one I can't quite decipher. She's been acting odd lately, but she was the first person who approached me when I joined this pack and has always supported me. I value her friendship immensely.
"Amy, there's something I want to tell you," I say suddenly, bursting with my secret. "But... I'll tell you tomorrow. It's very important to me."
Her eyes light up with curiosity. "Really? Can't you tell me now?" She leans over the counter, munching on a cookie.
"No, no. Tomorrow. I promise you'll be the second to know." I can feel happiness radiating from every pore of my body.
"Fine, I'll leave you with your mystery then. I've got things to do." She grumbles in mock frustration. "Happy anniversary night."
After she leaves, I check the clock. There's still time. I remove my apron and head upstairs to shower and change. Everything has to be perfect tonight for my beloved mate.
* * * * *
Midnight comes and goes. I sit alone on the sofa, glancing at the clock for the thousandth time. The elaborate dinner has grown cold on the dining table.
I'm in the middle of reheating the dishes when I hear the front door open. Vincent's delicious scent reaches my nose, warming my stomach with familiar butterflies. I smooth down my burgundy dress and quickly check my appearance in the hallway mirror. My jet-black hair is tied in a high ponytail, and my intensely blue eyes, highlighted with careful makeup, stare back at me.
I step into the foyer, watching my imposing Alpha enter. "My love, how was your day? Lots of work, right?" I take the coat he's holding to hang it up, noticing some documents clutched in his hand.
I move closer to kiss him, but he steps back. "I'm sweaty and dirty from the road. Don't contaminate yourself," he says, his piercing honey eyes staring at me—eyes I adore despite their constant coldness.
His blond hair is messily sexy, and for some reason, damp. I catch the scent of an unfamiliar shower gel. Why would he shower before coming home? And he said he was dirty, yet it's clear he just bathed.
"S-sure, give me a second to reheat dinner. You must be hungry—"
"I'm not hungry." His tone is sharp. "Valeria, we need to talk."
"But the dinner—"
"Forget dinner. Let's go to the living room. I need to tell you something." His authoritative voice makes me tense.
I follow him, worry building in my chest. My hand slips into my skirt pocket, clutching the folded document confirming my pregnancy.
"Why was the table so full of dishes? Were you planning a party?" he asks, glancing at the dining room.
My heart clenches. "Love, I know you've been busy with pack duties. But... don't tell me you forgot our anniversary? Today marks three years since we mated." I sit on the couch, expecting him to join me, but he chooses the armchair opposite.
Vincent has never been overly affectionate, but tonight he's too distant. Too cold. An alarm bells ring inside me.
"Of course, I remembered. You have no idea how long I've been waiting for our third anniversary," he replies, but there's no joy in his expression.
"I'll be quick because I can't stand this any—"
"Wait! Wait, Vincent. Let me show you something first, and then you can tell me what you wanted to say." I interrupt him, feeling a strong premonition I won't like his next words.
I take out the folded paper with trembling fingers and hand it to him, my heart racing with emotion. "I'm pregnant! I'm carrying your pup! We'll have an heir for the pack. I'm sure the Goddess has blessed us with a son!"
Tears in my eyes, I rise and move toward him, wanting to embrace him. But even through my love-blinded eyes, I can see this isn't the reaction I expected from the father of my child.
"Are you sure about this, or is it just a trick to keep me tied to you?" he suddenly says, rising and pushing me away when I try to hug him.
"Vincent... Of course, I'm sure. Look, that's the midwife's handwriting. Why would I lie about something so important? My love, what's wrong?"
"No, no. Damn it!" He paces around the living room like a caged wolf. "This can't be happening. Not now!"
"Vincent—"
"Did you tell my mother? Anyone else?!" he asks suddenly, gripping my shoulders tightly.
"N-no, love. I was waiting to tell you first. I thought... you'd be happy. I know they've been pressuring you." I raise a trembling hand to caress his cheek, but he just stares at me with those golden eyes, silent and impenetrable.
"You're right... I've been very stressed. I'm sorry." Suddenly he pulls me into his arms, and I finally sigh, relieved, hugging him back tenderly.
"We'll get through this together, my Alpha. I'll be the perfect Luna so no one will judge you," I whisper, lifting my head. I want him to kiss me, to make love to me like we haven't in a long time.
"Let's go for a run. A wild, unrestricted anniversary night." He suddenly suggests, taking my hand and pulling me toward the back of our house, which borders the pack's forest.
"Shift into your she-wolf," he commands, and I watch him undressing. He's so sexy and strong. His hair glows under the moonlight, and I begin my transformation—one of my greatest secrets, something not even Vincent knows about.
* * * * *
We run freely across the pack's lands. I notice how we keep going farther and farther, even crossing our borders, but I just follow Vincent's massive white wolf racing wildly ahead of me.
We reach a remote place at the edge of a deep cliff. Above us, the moon shines intensely, and below, the forest stretches endlessly.
I shift back to human form, gazing into the distance from the edge. "Where is this? We're outside our pack's territory... Aren't we trespassing on someone's land?"
No one responds. I feel uneasy and start to turn around. Something inside me stirs with alarm. A crow caws in the distance—but it's already too late.
"Vi—Vincent, wha?! Aaaaaahhh!" I scream as I feel wolf claws tearing into my abdomen, ripping deeply through me.
Terrified and shocked by the sudden attack, I try to run. I attempt to shift back into my wolf to escape into the forest, away from whatever is happening, away from this rabid Alpha wolf whose blood-red eyes glare at me with pure hatred—but escape is impossible.
"Ahhh! Let me go! Vincent, what are you doing?! What are you doing?! Ahhh! Help! Help!" I scream as he jumps on me when I try to flee, his massive jaws snapping inches from my face as blood—my blood—soaks the ground beneath us.