Blessed with abundant riches, country Eleandora stood tall, containing several wolf packs. However, deep in the heart of the kingdom, storm was brewing fast. Faster than anyone could imagine.
"How could you do this to me, Kaden? How could you! A stupid woman's out there, saying she's carrying your pup, and you can't even deny it? How dare you!" She lashed out, tears wetting her smooth face. Her baby bump was already visible; even the regalia couldn't hide it.
"Elsa—" The king called softly.
"I'm sorry" Alpha Kaden pleaded, taking her hands into his palm. She sobbed, as he cleaned her tears with his fingers.
She suddenly stopped his hands from moving, and it rested on her cheeks.
"Sorry?"
She stared into his eyes for what seemed like minutes, then she shook her head.
"No, Kaden. You aren't sorry." She started, and King Kaden's shoulder dropped.
"Your mouth seems to say the opposite of what you mean. Your eyes hold no iota of sympathy for me, Kaden."
The Alpha looked away from her, as her words reeled out. It was true. Though, she was his mate; day by day, he seemed to be losing interest in her.
No matter how much he tried to stop himself, his heart was slowly giving in to another.
He could remember that night. He had spent the night with Elsa, when he decided to step out.
Elsa had been fast asleep, if not she would have stopped him from leaving that night.
Disguised as a commoner, he decided to take his routine walk. He masked himself of his scent, so no one could tell he was the king.
He had gone out with two of his guards, and headed for the town. He sat at a popular local clubhouse, and the scent of sin was all over the place; as bodies glued together under the moonlight. Alcohol was all over the place, as men drank to stupor.
King Kaden slowly sipped a cup of alcoholic wine placed at his front, as his eyes scanned the room.
Then suddenly, the lights went off, and the crowd went wild with expectancy. The King watched, wondering why they are so excited.
Then, the lights came back on again, and an half naked lady stood on top of a table.
Her back was totally bare, only her chest and the lower part of her waistline was covered. The rest of her skin was exposed to the sinful eyes of men who ogled over her.
She wasn't just beautiful, her beauty was out of the world.
Serena. That was her name. The best dancer in the pack. The male's eyes followed her every movement. As her tiny waist swayed to the rhythm of the music, as she twirled, as she twisted; his eyes followed each and every step.
As she was dancing, their eyes met for a moment, and he didn't look away. He stared back at her with the same intensity, till she finally tore her gaze off.
That same night, after the dance, he called her aside, gave her some money and had laid with her.
On a normal day, he would have regretted his action and blamed himself for losing control, but he didn't. He didn't feel any regret nor bitterness. Although, he had felt shameful for cheating on his Luna, that didn't overshadow the attraction he felt for Serena.
Since that night, she had clouded his mind, and he couldn't forget her, no matter how he tried. He had gone back to the clubhouse but couldn't find her.
"I saw her here the other night. She was the one who danced last." He had described her appearance to the owner.
"Ohh, that should be Serena. She's always the one to give the last show" The owner said, as he counted some currency.
"Where is she?"
"Why are you asking that? If you need someone to sleep with, then Serena isn't an option" The owner said, finally sparing Kaden some glance.
He was dressed in a commoner's tunic and had come disguised, without any guards.
"What do you mean she isn't an option?" He asked cautiously.
"Serena only dances. She never allows any customer to lay with her. But I heard she a man saw her nakedness that same night; which is really surprising. No one knows if it's true though." He shrugged, and returned to the currency he was counting.
The king blinked in shock. He had called her aside that night, given her some money, and had slept with her that same night without any resistance. So, how come?
"Where's she now? Can I see her?" He asked impatiently.
The man laid his palm outward, a funny look on his face. Kaden sighed, before reaching to his pocket. He placed some silver coins in the man hand.
"Now, answer me. Where's she?" He asked again, this time, his voice slightly raised.
The man shifted closer, before speaking. "No one has seen her since that night," and Kaden's brow furrowed.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"She's nowhere to be found. Maybe the man she slept with eloped with her" He shrugged, and Kaden banged his fist on the table, out of anger.
"How can you be so nonchalant" He hissed, and the man eyed him suspiciously.
"What's up with you? Why are you so interested in her. It's not my business if she goes missing. She was already well paid for before she started working for me. And even though, she's a great dancer; I would find a replacement." The man answered.
"Now, tell me stranger, why are you looking for her?"
"Nevermind" He answered, and left immediately.
He had looked for her for months without a lead. And after searching for what seemed like eternity, he decided to let go. He had almost forgotten about her, until she showed up at the palace gates; her stomach slightly protruded.
"I need to see the king. I'm carrying his baby"
The guards had called him, and he had been so shocked when he saw her. She stood boldly, her hands resting on her bump.
"She's pregnant?"
No, that's not the first question.
"How did she know where to find him? How did she know that he's king?!"
With a subtle smirk on her face, she bowed.
"Long time no see, your Majesty"
She raised her face to meet his, her deep brown eyes staring into his. And he stood there, awestruck.
BACK TO PRESENT
"Forgive me, Luna" Kaden said, going on one knee, and her eyes widened. "I hate to admit it, but...I love that lady" He dropped the bombshell and Elsa trembled.
"You what?!"
"I shouldn't be saying this because of your condition, Elsa. But we both swore never to lie to each other. I won't break that oath. However, you're my mate and my Luna. No one is taking that position from you."
"Wow. Just wow" She muttered, trying to blink her tears away.
"You'll always be mine. But please, can you just accept her as your mistress? For the sake of the baby" He pleaded.
"Fine" She said after a while, and he looked at her with surprise.
"I'm in no position to go against you. As a king, no one can stop you if you have hundreds of concubines" She said slowly.
"As long as she remains nothing else but your mistress... I'll accept her" She decided, and Kaden's heart leapt for joy.
"Really? You really mean it?"
"Yes I do. If not for anything, for the sake of your baby. I heard it brings good fortune if an expecting mother is accommodating." She muttered.
"I'll take it as a way of paving way for my own pup" She said, and Kaden hugged her.
"That doesn't mean I've forgiven you, Kaden." She said, and he nodded. "I know. I'll do anything you want me to do, in order to earn your forgiveness."
SIX MONTHS LATER
The groans and screams coming from the two women shattered the silence in the palace. The Luna and the king's mistress are both in different rooms, gagged while the physicians tended to them.
How they both went into labor the same period was quite intriguing.
Immediately, the weather changed, and the sounds of thunder could be heard as it clapped.
A cock crowed from a distance, and at that same hour, the cries of two newborn pups could be heard.
"My child" Serena's voice sounded weakly, and the baby was quickly brought to her.
It was a male.
At that moment, the King rushed in. She smiled weakly as she looked at him. The babe whined in its mother's arm, and Kaden moved closer to her.
"Well done, Serena" He smiled, kissing her fist.
"What should we name him?" He asked, as he took a glance at the babe.
"Axel. He—His name shall be called... Axel" She said in short breaths, colour fading from her face
.
Kaden's brow arched. "Are you okay?"
She let out a smile, and at that moment,her breaths seized.
Fear gripped Kaden as her hands slipped from his.
"What's wrong?!"
The physicians hurriedly rushed to her side, and as if affirming his fears, their face dropped as they shook their heads.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Your Majesty" The head physician called sadly, the remaining words hung in his throat. But everyone in the room could read the air, as Serena laid on the bed, eyes closed and body still.
"No. No. That can't be" Tears formed in his eyes, and a powerful roar that shook the building tore from his lips.
"Serena!!!!!"