Chapter 1

I looked down from the small balcony of my room, watching the tarred road that led out of the Pack.

Wolves were returning from the human towns and some, from hunting.

But none were him.

My Antonio.

It's been two long, cold months without him, and I ached for his return.

My hands instinctively went to my stomach as I remembered the last night we spent together before he had to leave.

It was the most passionate he's ever been, like he was scared he wouldn't make it back home.

This war had lingered on for too long and I had high hopes that this time, he and his twin, Alpha Damian, would finish off our enemies.

I couldn't wait for him to come back, not just because I missed him but because the moon goddess had finally answered my pleas.

We've been trying for this baby for five years now, and finally, our baby was on the way.

The mockery and insults I'd endured all these years were about to come to an end.

The barrenness jokes, the talks about being cursed.. none of that would happen again.

This morning I was tempted to reveal to Margaret, the kitchen head omega about my baby after she'd denied me food because I was supposedly barren and useless but I don't want anyone to know before him.

We searched for this baby together and he deserved to know beforehand.

I turned around to go lie down a bit when I heard a loud shout from the gates.

"The Alpha is back!"

I turned sharply, a gasp escaping my lips.

The gates opened and the black jeep drove in, fast and harsh, followed by our Pack warriors.

There was something odd about it but I didn't pause to think, I ran out of the room.

But I slowed down at the stairs, I'm pregnant now, and I can't be pushing my body too hard.

If anything happens to my baby...

I won't even think about it.

When I got to the stairs, I heard cries coming from everyone.

A frown formed on my face as I joined the servants rushing out of the house to go see what was happening.

Someone pushed me but I quickly held a wall and waited for them to run off before I joined.

"What is happening?" I muttered to myself as the cries grew louder.

Did we lose?

Are we going to be under attack soon?

What if something had happened to Antonio?

I couldn't find any answers as so many people stood before me, blocking my access to the car.

Then I heard my mate's voice and relief filled me.

He's alive.

"The Alpha is dead," he announced and my heart was instantly filled with sorrow, "we won the battle but at a great cost. My brother was the best Alpha anyone could ever ask for and it will be difficult filling his shoes. But I promise to do right by him. First by finishing this war and erasing our enemies from existence and his surviving mate will be my Luna."

"She.. what are you.." The words died on my tongue as cheers erupted from the crowd, everyone accepting this absurdity.

Their words filtered into my ears, nearly pushing me to tears.

"She's the best choice..."

"Luna is from a strong bloodline.."

"And she's not barren!"

Rage filled me immediately and I began pushing forward, I needed to see him.

I needed to make him see me, maybe the battle had done some damage to his mind that I'm sure can be reversed.

It must be.

"Antonio!" I yelled loudly in the middle of the crowd.

He didn't answer until the third call.

He's an Alpha, he should have heard me the first time.

But he turned to me and frowned, before making hand signs for people to let me pass.

I was relieved.

"Cara," he smiled, "you look stressed. Did you stop eating again?"

"None of that matters, Antonio. What do you mean she will be your Luna? What about me?"

He blew out a long breath, "The Pack shall gather again at night to mourn my brother. I must attend to an urgent matter."

Everyone began moving but I shook my head, "No. You have to do the right thing in front of everyone!"

"Come Cara," he pulled me roughly towards our room, "you and I have to talk."

I swallowed the anger as I've learnt to do all these years and followed him.

My heart was breaking with each step but I forced myself to be patient.

To wait for this mess to be cleared up.

When we finally got into the room, he sat me down on the bed.

"You can't be defying me in front of the Pack like that, Cara. I'm the Alpha now."

"And I'm what? Your mistress?"

"My mate, of course! Nothing has changed!"

"No, you can't.. You said back there that you're making your late twin's mate your Luna. Where does that leave me, your mate?"

"Exactly what I just said! You'll be my mate, she'll be my Luna. Why's that hard to comprehend?"

"Because you're not making any sense!" I screamed, my blood boiling loudly in my ears.

I remembered the baby again and I forced myself to breathe.

Stress isn't good for me right now but damnit, my mate was driving me mad.

"Antonio, the Luna position has never been separated from the mate of the Alpha before –"

"Yes, but things are different now. Aliya is pregnant. She has been Luna from the beginning, she knows how to run the Pack and I don't see why you both can't work together."

"This isn't fair," I muttered, my heart breaking further.

He rubbed his forehead, like I was being the unreasonable one.

"My love," he said finally, wrapping his arm around my neck, "I'm really exhausted from the long battle. My brother just died. Have you no mercy for me?"

"But–"

"You're my mate, this bond between us is strong and nothing will change it. But I have to do the right thing. And this is absolutely temporary. Aliya is pregnant with Damian's pup. The future heir of the Pack. I'm doing this to ensure her safe delivery. Once she gives birth, everything will be back to normal. I'm just doing this to please the Pack and our elders."

"But what if.. what if I'm pregnant too?" I asked, looking at the blue eyes of the man I'd fallen deeply for.

The smile he gave me was sad.

"We both know your condition. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, baby. Don't care too

much about Aliya remaining Luna. It's just a title."

It was obvious he'd given up on me ever getting pregnant.

So I turned to the bedside table where I'd stashed the pregnancy reports.

But before I could pull it out to tell him the good news, a loud knock came on our door.

"Damian?"

"Damn," Antonio muttered, getting up from my side, "she's been having these hallucinations and thinking Damian is still alive. The pain of losing him has hit her the most."

"Oh?"

"I'm my brother's replica, I'll have to calm her down until she gets better," he explained further as he opened the door.

Aliya immediately fell into my mate's arms as though he were hers.

Completely ignoring me in the background, she began to kiss him.