《Reclaiming My Broken Luna》


 Chapter 1: Pregnant

    Chapter 1: Pregnant


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    My husband and mate Killian, who is also the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack, left the assembly and


    went somewhere with his ex-girlfriend leaving me behind.


    As the Pack¡¯s Luna, I dutifully prepared for our annual pack assembly, but he nearly ruined it


    because he couldn¡¯t wait to spend time alone with Giselle.


    Giselle was Killian¡¯s ex-girlfriend. She was his one true love, a woman who is better in many ways


    than me. Giselle and Killian were in love with each other. Even after Killian found out that we were


    mates and marked me as his mate and Luna, Killian only had Giselle in his heart.


    As his mate, it kills me to know that my mate who is supposed to love and cherish me is in love with


    someone else. Killian had always reminded me that he felt nothing for me.


    In the years that we were married, he treated me as nothing more than his mere subordinate.


    Aside from being a Luna, I am also Killian¡¯s right-hand man in the military. I am in charge of the


    Pack training and I always work alongside Killian like I was his secretary.


    With my fighting skills and abilities, no one in this Pack can take me down in a fight. With this, I


    earned my position in the military. It is also one of the reasons why Killian¡¯s father was so happy to


    find out that I was his son¡¯s mate.


    If it wasn¡¯t for Killian¡¯s father, Killian would have rejected me as his mate. I would have lived


    miserably, watching Killian being happy with someone else and forming his own family.


    I know that Killian never wanted me as a mate. I know that I do not have a ce in his heart. I


    thought everything would be fine as long as I fulfilled my duties as his Luna and right-hand man, but


    things only got worse ever since Giselle came back.


    Two months ago, Giselle came back out of nowhere. Ever since then, Killian had be more cold


    and indifferent towards me. He also started to neglect his duties because of her which added to my


    workload.


    This cannot continue any longer especially now that I¡¯m pregnant. With what has been happening


    recently, I know I can''t keep this a secret any longer.


    My palms grew mmy as I approached Killian¡¯s office. I hadn¡¯t seen him the whole night and


    searching his office was the first thing that I could think of.


    Doubts and insecurities filled my mind as I went nearer and nearer to my destination. I couldn¡¯t get


    off my mind that Killian and Giselle had been spending time together for a long time.


    Laughter entered my ears when I finally reached Killian¡¯s office in the distance. My brows wrinkled


    in confusion when I realized that theughs wereing from his office.


    I stared at Killian¡¯s office in silence. Its light poured out of the windows, but I could only see their


    shadows inside because of the translucent blinds that were blocking my view.


    I pursed my lips as I took hesitant steps to get closer. I thought they would be talking about work,


    but I didn¡¯t expect that they would be having fun together inside.


    In the years that I have been together with Killian, I have never heard himugh so sweetly as he is


    doing now with Giselle.


    I felt a pang of jealousy inside my chest because Giselle could easily make Killianugh while I


    couldn''t even bring a smile to his face even if I''m his mate and Luna.


    I always knew that Killian didn¡¯t love me. I always knew that he loved Giselle. With that knowledge, I


    couldn¡¯t help but feel insecure as I heard them having fun inside.


    It hurts inside my heart to know this, and it hurts even more because there''s no way for me to


    change it. I''ve never held a special spot in Killian''s heart, but he''s the only one who''s ever had a


    ce in mine.


    His cold treatment towards me is a constant reminder that he sees me as nothing but a pestilence


    for him. If only I wasn¡¯t his mate, he wouldn¡¯t be forced to have me out of his will.


    As I stood there at the door listening to their sweet waves ofughter, I leaned into the door hoping


    to hear a glimpse of the conversation that they were having.


    I am Killian''s mate and Luna, but I don''t even have the right to go inside and find out what my mate


    is talking about with his ex-girlfriend.


    Unable to hear their conversation, I grew more curious and my insecurities got the best of me.


    When theirughter suddenly died down, I knew I had to go in there and know what was happening.


    I know Killian still has feelings for Giselle, which has been obvious ever since she came back. As


    his mate, I couldn¡¯t help but feel anxious that he was alone in a room with that woman.


    Trouble filled my heart as different thoughts entered my head. Jealousy got the best of me and


    before I could think clearly, I pushed Killian¡¯s door open, stopping the two from what they were


    doing.


    ¡°Astrid! Didn¡¯t I tell you to always knock? How many times do I have to tell you that you are only


    allowed to enter if I tell you to enter?!¡± Killian yelled at me angrily after I caught him sitting close to


    Giselle.


    I gripped the hem of my oversized shirt tightly as I stared at their closeness.


    Killian¡¯s muscr build shields Giselle¡¯s petite frame. Killian looked so rxed andfortable with


    Giselle. He is even sitting on the same couch as her.


    Although I am his mate, I have never been that close to him. He had always been so formal with


    me, always treating me as his subordinate.


    I nced at Giselle and looked over her outfit. She doesn''t look like she came here to discuss work.


    She¡¯s wearing little clothes with too much skin exposed. Anyone would think that Giselle came to


    seduce Killian.


    She¡¯s wearing a silk nightgown with her unblemished porcin skin exposed.


    I gulped as I stared at her perfect body. Her skin is clear and radiant with a wlessplexion.


    Just by looking at her skin, you could say it is soft and supple because her skin looks smooth as


    polished porcin.


    Is this why Killian likes her?


    I clenched my jaw as Ipared her body to mine.


    As a Pack Warrior, I had to train every day under the sun this left me with tan and dry skin, unlike


    Giselle¡¯s smooth porcin skin. I also have some scars on my body as a result of the fights that I


    had. Aside from that, I also have callouses on my hands which I got from training and fighting with


    weapons. You could say that my body is tarnished, unlike Giselle¡¯s unblemished body.


    Besides, Giselle is a woman. Although I am also a woman, I do not act like one. I even had to


    pretend to actdylike when I was in public, but thates naturally for Giselle.


    I am unruly and nowhere near what is expected from a woman. Now, I no longer wonder why Killian


    doesn¡¯t like me and why it was hard for him to forget his first love.


    ¡°What do you want?!¡± Killian demanded as they finally separated from each other. Giselle starts to


    wear her clothes and Killian puts on his shirt.


    I blinked as I was taken out of my reverie. I came here because I wanted to say that I¡¯m pregnant,


    but based on the circumstances this is the worst time to tell him that.


    ¡°I-I just have something to report,¡± I stuttered.


    ¡°A report? Did you interrupt us for a useless report? Couldn¡¯t that wait until tomorrow?¡± Killian


    questioned angrily.


    I swallowed hard after receiving his furious response. ¡°This is urgent,¡± I lied with a straight face.


    Giselle stood up. ¡°This must be something important. I¡¯m going to leave,¡± Giselle spoke softly as


    she stood up to leave.


    As an unofficial member of the pack, this is a private matter that she couldn¡¯t pry into.


    Giselle carried the tray of food that they had together for dinner with her and purposely knocked


    over me making her drop to the floor. In her fall, she dropped the tray that she was holding, sending


    the dishes flying. Broken shards sttered across the room upon her fall.


    I winced when one of the shards shed my skin when it sttered towards me


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    ¡°Giselle!¡± Killian shouted worriedly as he turned to help her while I was left on my own, checking the


    sliced wound on my leg.


    I watched as Killian searched over Giselle¡¯s body for any signs of wounds or injuries, but she was


    perfectly fine. It was I who got hurt but Killian couldn¡¯t care less about me.


    Giselle red at me when this was entirely her fault. There was a lot of space on the other side of


    the room, but she purposefully bumped into me.


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t like me, Astrid, but you can¡¯t just hurt me if you want. It¡¯s not my fault that Killian


    likes me. Why don¡¯t you look at yourself in the mirror? Do you think that any man would fall for


    you?¡± Giselle hurls insults at me when I didn¡¯t even do anything against her.


    ¡°Astrid! What are you a four-year-old?¡± Killian rebukes me without even asking me for an


    exnation. ¡°Is this how a Luna should act? This kind of attitude is not fit for a Luna,¡± he added.


    I swallowed hard when my identity as a Luna was also questioned. I did everything for this Pack. As


    a Luna, I never cked on my duties. I am his mate, therefore I am the righteous Luna of this Pack.


    How could he question my credibility as the Luna?


    ¡°What would you do if Giselle gets a miscarriage? I will never forgive you if you kill our child,¡± Killian


    hissed angrily.


    My eyes went wide at this newfound information. ¡°S-She¡¯s pregnant?¡± I stammered.


    I was speechless for the next few seconds as the news of Giselle¡¯s pregnancy hit me like a freight


    train.


    A lump formed inside my throat as I locked gazes with Killian. I waited for him to say something, to


    defend himself for the immoral thing that he had done, but all I received from him was his anger. He


    doesn¡¯t even feel any remorse for cheating on me and impregnating a different woman.


    Instead, he dared to glower over me with his nose ring angrily.


    My heart twitched slightly inside of me as I locked gazes with him. Am I really that insignificant to


    him? Haven¡¯t he thought of how this news is going to hurt me?


    ¡°You apologize to her!¡± Killian demanded, making my jaw fall open.


    I let out an air of disbelief when I heard what he had just demanded me to do, but he just looked at


    me with a straight face. He is really serious about this.


    I blinked at his shamelessness. Isn¡¯t it enough that he impregnated his mistress without them


    feeling guilty about it? Does he have to force me to apologize to his mistress when I didn¡¯t do


    anything wrong in the first ce?


    He is looking down on me like I was nothing. Has he forgotten who I am?


    My blood boiled as I looked at Giselle who was carrying my mate¡¯s child.


    She knew that Killian was my mate and that we already marked each other, but she just couldn¡¯t


    keep her legs close. She stole my man without feeling guilty about it, but I am forced to apologize


    for something that isn¡¯t even my fault.


    If there is anyone who had to say sorry, it was them. They must apologize for betraying me.

 Chapter 2: Unwanted

    Chapter 2: Unwanted


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    ¡°I am not just a warrior in this Pack, Killian. I am also your wife and your Luna. Why should I


    apologize to your mistress that is not even a part of this Pack,¡± I blurted out as I pointed an angry


    finger at Giselle.


    Killian only scoffed in response. He looked at me mockingly like I was a joke to him. ¡°You are so


    delusional!¡± He answered back frustratingly.


    ¡°When have I ever seen you as my mate and Luna?¡± He questioned taking me aback and causing a


    sharp pain in my chest. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for you, Giselle and I wouldn¡¯t have separated.¡±


    My body ran cold when I heard his blunt response. I never thought that he was ming me for what


    happened between him and Giselle.


    ¡°Killian¡­ I¡¯m your mate,¡± I retorted with my lips quivering.


    ¡°A mate that I never wanted!¡± He yells back and shatters what is left of my broken heart.


    ¡°K-Killian, the moon goddess chose us to be together. How could you choose someone else over


    me?¡± I asked back as my wolf whimpered inside of me.


    His rejection caused a fatal blow to my heart because of the mate bond.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care! All this time I never cared! You are just a mere Pack Warrior. If you hadn¡¯t manipted


    my father into forcing me to mark you, I would have marked Giselle as my mate and Luna instead.¡±


    I held myself together as I locked gazes with him. Looking into his eyes, I knew he was telling the


    truth. In the years that we have marked each other, I knew that he never liked me, but it hurts as


    hell to hear the truthe out of his lips.


    ¡°I never manipted your father, Killian. I never asked him to force us into this marriage,¡± I rebutted


    to clear my name.


    ¡°Really? Why would my father force me to mark a mere warrior if you haven¡¯t deceived him?!¡±


    Killian shot back, turning me speechless.


    Even if I¡¯m telling the truth, it was hard to prove my innocence with his question.


    ¡°Giselle had already suffered so much because of you. You do not have to punish her anymore,¡±


    Killian hissed with menace making my body turn rigid.


    I fell quiet as I stood still in front of them. Killian thinks that I¡¯m bullying Giselle. Killian thinks that I¡¯m


    the reason why he and Giselle broke up. Killian thinks that I manipted his father to force him into


    marking me.


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    In short, he thinks that I¡¯m a maniptive woman who wormed her way out to be the Pack


    Luna and separated him from the love of his life.


    To him, I am the viin that ruined his life.


    ¡°Giselle, are you okay? Does anything hurt?¡± Killian asked softly, his anger vanished instantly as he


    fussed over Giselle worriedly.


    I blinked as I felt tears pricking my eyes. Killian crouched down and looked at Giselle with concern


    etched all over his face like she was a fragile doll. Killian has never looked at me like that.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, but I¡¯m afraid,¡± Giselle¡¯s eyes watered as she looked into Killian and gripped his sleeves


    forfort. ¡°I badly fell on the floor. What if something happened to the baby? I need to go to the


    hospital and have it checked. I wouldn¡¯t be able to sleep until I know that the baby is fine,¡± Giselle


    muttered with her lips curled downwards.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will take you to the hospital,¡± Killianforted her and carried her in his arms without


    questions.


    They left the room and rushed to the hospital leaving me behind like I wasn¡¯t even there.


    My lips stretched slightly as I looked at the calendar. Today is our anniversary. No one even


    remembered it, not even him.


    I was nning to tell him my surprise that I was pregnant with his child, but I was the one who got


    surprised instead.


    Before my thoughts could spiral down and cause me to gloat, I cleaned Killian¡¯s office knowing that


    he would be expecting it to be clean and spotless when he arrived.


    I cleaned up the mess that Giselle made and organized his things in his office while I was at it. His


    office was as good as new when I finished.


    Only when I was done with cleaning, did I finally tend to my wound.


    My wound on the leg is long and deep and I have to tend to it myself. As a Pack Warrior though, I¡¯ve


    seen wounds much more grotesque than this, and I¡¯ve had some uglier wounds myself. Most of my


    wounds, I had to clean on my own to avoid infection.


    This shouldn¡¯t be a big deal, but I couldn¡¯t help but overstate my situation because of Giselle. It is


    still clear in my head how Killian was worried sick about her and how he brought her to the hospital


    for nothing.


    She had no injuries, but Killian was so worried. Meanwhile, he couldn¡¯t care less about me.


    When I was done applying ointment on my wound and wrapping it in a bandage, I finally walked out


    of Killian¡¯s office and locked his door closed.


    ¡°Astrid.¡±


    I turned around in surprise when I heard someone call my name. My brows furrowed, not expecting


    anyone to be still outside at this hour.


    ¡°Drystan?¡± I called back when I saw Killian¡¯s uncle standing in the dark, smiling at me.


    The wrinkles on my brows straightened and I beamed happily when I saw him. Drystan is a kind guy


    who has always been nice to me. What is he doing here?


    Drystan is the Alpha of the Nightsong Pack. He was originally the powerful heir of our pack but was


    excluded because he wasn¡¯t the eldest son. So, he set up his own Pack which is very unique from


    the others.


    His Pack is the only Pack that doesn¡¯t follow the status ss. In the Nightsong Pack, everyone is


    equal like in human society. The members are not ssified by the level of their power.


    ¡°What happened to your leg?¡± Drystan frowned when he saw my leg wrapped in a bandage.


    Nothing really escapes his eye. Even in the dark, he still noticed my leg wound.


    ¡°I got it during practice,¡± I lied in between my teeth. I know that if he finds out what truly happened,


    he will get angry. Drystan could be too concerned about me than his own good.


    Drystan¡¯s brows knotted together upon hearing my answer. It¡¯s in the middle of the night and my


    wound is still fresh, I also just came out of Killian¡¯s office. How could I have gotten my wound on a


    practice match?


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± He asks me with concern in his face.


    I forced a smile on my face. ¡°Of course I¡¯m fine, I¡®m just tired,¡± I waved him off.


    Drystan wasn¡¯t the least convinced of my words.


    He knew I was lying. He knew I was hiding something, but he also knew when to trust me.


    I know whoever Drystan¡¯s mate is, she would be so lucky to have him as her mate. It¡¯s so tragic that


    Drystan¡¯s mate had already died. She died a long time ago and until now, Drystan still hasn¡¯t met his


    second chance mate.


    ¡°Astrid,¡± Drystan called my name when I was about to leave.


    I turned around to face him.


    ¡°Happy Anniversary,¡± Drystan greeted me softly, surprising me.


    My mate did not even remember that it was our anniversary, but he remembered. I just stood there


    with wide eyes until Drystan turned his back on me and left.


    Why did I see sadness in his eyes when he greeted me?


    My phone suddenly rang, interrupting me from my thoughts. Seeing the caller ID, my heart raced in


    anxiousness. It was a call from the hospital.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Sullivan, pleasee to the hospital quick, your grandmother¡ª¡° I didn¡¯t wait to listen to the


    rest of her words. I instantly shifted to my wolf and raced to the hospital.


    My grandmother has been seriously ill. I always knew she only had a little time left, but I didn¡¯t


    expect it to happen this sooner.


    ¡°Mrs. Sullivan! You¡¯re here! You must hurry while your grandma is still alive,¡± a familiar nurse


    instantly recognized me when I arrived.


    ¡°Astrid?¡± Someone stopped me.


    When I turned around I saw Giselle. ¡°What are you doing here? Are you here to cause us trouble


    again?¡± She taunted with an angry look in her eyes.


    I did not expect that Killian would bring Giselle to the same hospital where my grandmother was


    admitted.


    I only had little time left so I ignored her.


    ¡°Hey! I was talking to you. Didn¡¯t you hear what I said?!¡± Giselle yelled after me.


    I bit my lower lip in anxiousness when I saw that the elevator was still high up and I had no time to


    wait so I sprinted for the stairways instead.


    ¡°Astrid!¡± Giselle yelled my name repeatedly as she chased me.


    ¡°How dare you?! You can¡¯t just ignore me like that!¡± I gasped when Giselle suddenly grabbed me by


    the arm and forced me to face her making me nearly lose my bnce.


    ¡°Giselle, I need to go,¡± I spoke firmly as I looked directly into her eyes.


    I harshly took my arm away from her hold, but I did not expect that she would use it as her chance


    to fake her fall.


    Giselle suddenly yelped as she rolled down the stairs. I stared at her in shock not knowing what to


    do.


    ¡°G-Giselle,¡± I stammered as she writhed on the ground, but before I could even turn to help her,


    someone suddenly arrived.


    ¡°Giselle!¡± Killian yelled as he rushed to her side.


    ¡°K-Killian,¡± Giselle¡¯s voice trembled as blood trickled down her dress.


    Killian¡¯s breath hitched when he realized that their baby was in danger.


    After seeing the blood, he slowly looked up at me with a murderous re in his eyes.


    My body ran cold as I locked gazes into him. I¡¯ve never seen Killian look at someone with this much


    hatred.


    ¡°I-I¡± my voice quivered.


    ¡°Killian, she pushed me! She tried to kill me and our baby,¡± Giselle teared up as she held on to


    Killian. ¡°Don¡¯t let her leave! What if something bad happens to the baby and she tries to get away


    with it?¡±


    My mouth fell open at Giselle¡¯s words.


    Killian nods his head. ¡°Astrid, you must stay until I make sure that Giselle and our baby are okay. As


    for what you did to Giselle, you must be punished ordingly.¡±


    ¡°Killian, my grandmother is in danger. She needs me.¡± I blurted out as I rushed towards him.


    ¡°Stop making excuses! You will not leave us until I say so.¡± Killian asserted.


    Doctors and nurses arrived to rush Giselle into the emergency room.


    ¡°Killian, my grandma is waiting for me. She¡¯s dying.¡± Tears streamed down my eyes as I pleaded


    with Killian, but he didn¡¯t even bother to look at me.


    His eyes were only on Giselle.


    Desperate to be with my grandmother, I dropped to my knees and lowered myself before Killian.


    ¡°Killian, please just let me see her before she dies.¡±


    ¡°You know who else is dying here? It¡¯s Giselle and it¡¯s all because of you,¡± Killian responded coldly.


    ¡°You are not leaving until I say so, Is that clear?¡±


    Tears blurred my vision as he pushed me, making me fall to the ground.


    While my grandma was dying, I was there forced to stay with them for nothing.


    ¡°Giselle and her baby are safe,¡± the doctor announces after having a thorough examination on


    Giselle.


    Hearing this, I finally rushed to my grandmother¡¯s ward hoping to see her alive onest time.


    ¡°G-Grandma,¡± my lips quivered when I entered her room only to see her lying on the bed coldly.


    I felt the world stop as her beeping heart monitor filled my ears. The tline was a reminder that I


    came toote.


    ¡°Grandma!¡± I wailed loudly as I hugged her lifeless body.


    All I could do was cry because she¡¯s gone.


    Because of my mate, I wasn¡¯t able to see my beloved grandmother for thest time.

 Chapter 3: Funeral

    Chapter 3: Funeral


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    My eyes had been swollen red and puffy from endless crying. My grandmother was the only family


    member I had left. Now that she¡¯s dead, I am left all alone.


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    Since I¡¯m the only one left, I am in charge of her medical expenses and I have been busy preparing


    for her funeral all alone.


    I¡¯ve never stopped crying since my grandmother died.


    Still, I hated myself.


    What¡¯s the purpose of preparing for her funeral and crying after she died when I wasn¡¯t even there


    by the time that she needed me the most?


    In herst days, I wasn¡¯t even there tofort her.


    My precious grandmother doesn¡¯t deserve a granddaughter like me.


    I held back my tears as I gathered my grandmother¡¯s favorite foods together and ced them near


    her casket.


    In the happy memories that I had when I was little, I wasn¡¯t all alone. I always had my mom and


    grandma to rely on.


    That didn¡¯tst long though, eventually, my mother died and my grandma had to shoulder all the


    responsibilities and raise me on her own.


    Having only each other to rely on, my grandma and I became very close. She is the person closest


    to me, the person to whom I also owe my life.


    I was pulled back from my thoughts when someone ced a hand on my shoulder. I thought it was


    Killian, but when I looked up I felt disappointed to see Drystan.


    ¡°Condolence,¡± Drystan muttered under his breath as we locked gazes.


    I just gave him a slight nod. My heart is too heavy to say anything.


    I looked around to search for Killian. The guests are piling up already to share their condolences,


    but he¡¯s still nowhere to be found.


    He is my mate, he should be the first one tofort me after the person who raised me had just


    died. He knows that my grandmother was the only family member I have left. I needed hisfort


    the most.


    I have been waiting long enough for him toe, but he is nowhere to be found.


    Drystan sat at the empty seat beside me which I left vacant for Killian because I was still hoping that


    he woulde.


    I know Killian doesn¡¯t love me and he only cares about Giselle, but I thought in the years that we¡¯ve


    been together, he would at least feel concern for me especially since I was just bereaved of a loved


    one.


    He is the reason why I wasn¡¯t able to see my grandma while she was alive. I thought he would


    come and at least apologize for that.


    In the end, I was stupid for hoping that Killian would show care for me at all.


    ¡°Luna Astrid, should we start the funeral?¡± Someone came and whispered to me.


    I swallowed hard. ¡°There¡¯s no need to dy the funeral any longer. It¡¯s better to conduct the funeral


    while the people who truly cared are here.¡± I answered in a soft whisper, but Drystan heard me


    because he was sitting beside me.


    Tears that I thought I had already used up sprang up again and streamed down my eyes as my


    grandmother¡¯s casket was slowly lowered into her burial ce.


    My shoulders shook and I heaved knowing that this would be thest time I would ever see my


    grandmother again.


    ¡°Here,¡± Drystan whispered to me as he handed me his handkerchief. I took it willingly and used it to


    wipe my tears and snot away without feeling embarrassed because Drystan and I were close.


    I stiffened a bit when Drystan suddenly caressed my back tofort me, but eventually, I rxed


    since he was my friend.


    Wanting more of hisfort, I turned around and enveloped him in a hug. Right now, all I need is


    warmth. Thankfully, he didn¡¯t push me away. Instead, he hugged me back and continued to rub my


    back soothingly.


    If Drystan wasn¡¯t here, I would have been a mess. Thanks to his hug andfort, some of the pain


    in my heart had melted away.


    Drystan never left me.


    As I saw the guests away and received their condolences, Drystan just stood by my side, ready to


    give mefort whenever I needed it.


    The funeral was done and the guests had left. As I packed everything up, Drystan helped me


    without saying a word. His silence was like hisforting hug to me.


    Just seeing him here helping me, I felt understood and I do not have to feel alone anymore.


    ¡°Thank you, Drystan,¡± I muttered under my breath and gave him a small smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Astrid.¡± he pauses. ¡°Everything will be okay. I¡¯m sure time will heal you,¡± he adds when


    he still sees sadness in my eyes.


    I nodded my head slightly, epting his advice.


    ¡°What happened to Killian?¡± He asks me.


    He must have been dying to ask me that question, but he waited until I had turned emotionally


    stable.


    I averted my gaze at him and continued to pack the excess things that I bought for my


    grandmother¡¯s funeral.


    Drrystan doesn¡¯t know anything because I haven¡¯t told him anything yet. I¡¯m not nning to tell him


    anything either.


    I heard footsteps behind me as I felt a presence approaching me. I stopped what I was doing and


    turned around to see who thete visitor was only to find out that it was Killian.


    Killian looked like he ran in his wolf form toe all the way here. His hair is a mess, and his tie is


    not even tied properly. He was breathing so fast that he couldn¡¯t even speak.


    My face turned nk as I locked gazes with him. The funeral was over, he didn¡¯t need toe.


    Annoyed with his presence, I stormed out of the ce and left Drystan.


    Killian chased after me with a bouquet of flowers in his hand.


    ¡°Astrid, I couldn¡¯t leave early because I had something I needed to take care of. It was something I


    couldn¡¯t get away from.¡±


    I stopped and turned on my heel to face him.


    My fists balled up at my sides as I narrowed my eyes at him. ¡°Was there anything else more


    important than to be on your mate¡¯s side at the time that she needed you the most?¡± I shot back at


    him.


    His eyes met mine and for a fleeting moment, a shadow of remorse flickered across his gaze


    However, it wasn¡¯t enough to quench my anger.


    ¡°You know what, you do not even need toe here,¡± I spoke bitterly. ¡°If only you hadn¡¯t stopped


    me that night, I would have still met my grandma while she was still alive.¡±


    Killian¡¯s grip on the bouquet tightened when he heard my words.


    ¡°I had no idea I¡ª¡°


    ¡°I kept telling you that my grandmother needed me!¡± I yelled, interrupting him from his words. ¡°You


    never listened to me.¡±


    ¡°All you cared about is Giselle who is pregnant with your child.¡± I blurted out finally releasing all the


    emotions that I have buried down long enough.


    Killian could not say a word. Whatever he says, and even if he apologizes, his words would never


    bring back my grandmother and it would never bring me back the time that I could have spent with


    her.


    Killian was silent for a moment. My heart which has always been heavy, felt lighter than it was after I


    finally told him the things that I¡¯ve been wanting to tell him.


    I nced at him in surprise when he suddenly crouched down and ced the bouquet of flowers


    that he brought on the ground where my grandmother had just been buried.


    ¡°I only came here to pay my respects to your grandmother. I¡¯m sorry if I waste, that was out of my


    control,¡± Killian replied like he didn¡¯t just hear the rest of the words that I said.


    My breath turned shallow and my heart burned more in anger at his heartlessness. After everything


    that I said, that was it?


    Unable to control myself anymore, I picked up the flowers and thrashed them on Killian until the


    flowers were all shredded into pieces.


    Killian epted all the hits that I had given him without saying anything.


    ¡°You are here to pay respect?!¡± I screamed at him. ¡°Do you know how disrespected my


    grandmother would feel to see how much you had disrespected me?¡± I threw what was left of the


    flowers to the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired of this. If you can¡¯t give me respect, I should at least give myself some respect,¡± I spoke in


    a weak voice as I collected myself together.


    This wasn¡¯t a part of any of my ns, but right now I think that is the best decision I could ever


    make for myself.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just stop this joke and get a divorce,¡± I spoke firmly, looking at Killian directly in his eyes.

 Chapter 4: Divorce

    Chapter 4: Divorce


    ?


    Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Killian''s POV


    Divorce? I couldn''t understand.


    I sighed and raked my hair in frustration when I caught my mind drifting off again instead of focusing on the paperwork that I had to finalize for the day.


    My mind kept on going back to Astrid''s words. I couldn''t believe how she easily asked me for divorce.


    Astrid has always been responsible and obedient as a Luna and as my right-hand man ormander in the military.


    I couldn''t believe that she would easily file for divorce knowing that divorcing me would mean she would have to give up her Luna title and it would also make things awkward between us.


    I leaned on my chair and shut my eyes as I felt my headacheing. She must be talking purely out of her emotions. Once she had calmed down and saw the whole situation with a clear head, she would realize that the divorce would be too much.


    I was justte for her grandmother''s funeral and I have a reasonable excuse for that. If I really didn''t care, I wouldn''t have shifted to my wolf and raced to that ce even though I knew I was alreadyte.


    For the part when I stopped her from being with her grandmother before she died, that wasn''t intentional.


    I had no idea that she was actually telling the truth at that time. I thought she was making excuses. I really had no idea.


    If she didn''t push Giselle off the stairs, she wouldn''t miss her chance to be with her grandmother.


    What would she expect me to do after she tried to kill Giselle and endanger the life of my unborn child?


    Again, this is entirely not my fault.


    I agree that I have been busytely and have neglected Astrid''s feelings, but it''s not an appropriate reason to suddenly decide on a divorce.


    I jolted when someone suddenly entered my room without knocking, I thought it was Astrid, but it turned out as no other than my Beta.


    I forgot Astrid is required to knock before entering, but Beta Ryder could enter my office whenever he wants.


    "Are the papers signed already?" Beta Ryder asked me as he strolled loftily inside my office.


    I nced down at the papers that my mind had barely absorbed. Before I could give my answer, Beta Ryder spoke up. "You''ve been out of yourself ever since Luna Astrid left. What happened between you two?" Beta Ryder asked curiously.


    It''s been three days since Astrid had left, surprisingly he is only asking that question now.


    "Astrid is filing for divorce," I answered him straightforwardly.


    His eyebrows shot up when he heard my answer. "Are you serious?" He asked me in disbelief.


    "Do I look like I''m joking?" I red at him.


    His brows furrowed as he thought carefully. "Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"


    My eyes narrowed at him upon hearing his question, but I couldn''t me him for asking such a question.


    Although Astrid and I were married for four years, we had never been intimate with each other. I have never even treated Astrid as my own mate, but when Giselle came back I already made her pregnant.


    It ismon for Beta Ryder to think this way.


    "Of course, it is a bad thing," I answered him. "She is our Pack Luna, we cannot lose her."


    When I met Astrid, I thought she was just a weak werewolf who wouldn''t be able to handle the role of a Luna.


    Of all the powerful women I could be mated to like Giselle, I ended up with Astrid who is born omega.


    I hated her because she was weak and didn''t match up to me. I hated her more because she manipted my father and separated me from Giselle. Eventually though when I saw what she was capable of, I finally learned to hate her less only because of the contributions she had to the Pack. She is still a useful Luna to this Pack even though she is born omega.


    "How about Giselle then?" He asked me as he plopped on my couch making himselffortable like he was at home. "She''s still pregnant with your child and for sure she would also love to be the Pack''s Luna."


    "Giselle can''t be our Luna," I replied.


    If Giselle bes the Luna, I''m sure she won''t be half as good as Astrid. Besides, our pack cannot afford to let go of a talent like Astrid.


    All of this started because I got Giselle pregnant. If I hadn''t impregnated her, then maybe Astrid wouldn''t even have thought of divorce.


    I will also have more reasons to make Astrid stay in our Pack.


    What happened between me and Giselle was an ident. I was drunk. I don''t even remember how it happened on the night that Giselle came back.


    I hated myself for being unable to control myself. The next thing I knew, Giselle was already pregnant. I couldn''t go back in time even if I wanted to, and I had to be responsible for my actions whether it was intentional or not.


    In the end, the baby is innocent and it is still mine. It is my responsibility to take care of Giselle and my child.


    "I will take care of her and our child since it''s my duty and the Pack needs an heir, but Astrid is the rightful Luna. I''m not divorcing her," I added firmly after making a decision.


    "Then since you have already figured that out, why don''t you just go and tell her that?" He suggested as if it was that easy.


    "Astrid is still angry. She would only hate me more if she saw me and heard me say anything more."


    My downcast expression brightened up a bit after I thought of something.


    "Trust me, on?e Astrid has calmed down, she would realize that the divorce is something she wouldn''t want. Astrid wouldn''t like to leave e the Pack and turn into a rogue, does she? Who in their right mind would want that?" All my fears were washed away as I had that thought. Content belongs to


    "What are you nning to do now?" Beta Ryder asks me, putting me deep in thought


    "Buy me some flowers, lilies to be exact," I ordered him.


    "What?" Beta Ryder''s brows furrowed at my unexpected response.


    "I shouldn''t just wait for Astrid to calm down, I should try to ease her anger too," I replied.


    Since my problem would be solved once Astrid had calmed down, it would be better if I did something to ease her anger. In that way, I would also be able to win her heart too.


    Hearing my reason behind it, Beta Ryder did not ask more questions and left to get the flowers that I asked for.


    What is a better gift you can use to


    win a woman''s heart than flowers?


    I''m sure once Astrid receives the


    e


    flowers, she will rethink all that she said, and she will also think that I don''t only care about Giselle just like what she had thought. Content


    belongs to


    A small smile stretched on my lips when I remembered the first time that I met Astrid.


    It was a beautiful spring day. I was just taking a stroll in our packhouse''s garden when I saw her from afar speaking to the fishes swimming in the pond while feeding them.


    It was the first time I saw someone in their right mind talking to a fish. She didn''t notice that I was watching her so she continued talking.


    At that time, I had no ns of talking


    to her. I just saw her as a weird woman talking to creatures that she knew wouldn''t be able to understand her. I was about to leave when she suddenly fell off the pond''s bridge and dropped into the swimming fishes that she was feeding.


    I didn''t think twice and jumped in to save her.


    It was an unusual first encounter, so I could never forget it. At that time, many lilies were growing out of the pond.


    Ever since then, I am always reminded of our first encounter whenever I see lilies.


    I''m sure once she receives my gift, she will be reminded of that encounter too.

 Chapter 5: Bracelet

    Chapter 5: Bracelet


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    My heart was heavy with grief and my body was fully exhausted when I returned to the packhouse.


    Being pregnant made me be more emotional, and it also made me tire more easily. With everything that had happened to metely, being pregnant made things more difficult for me.


    Returning to the packhouse was thest thing that I wanted, but I had to. I had left all my things behind when I suddenly decided not toe back anymore.


    Right now, I just don''t want to meet anyone who would ruin my mood even further. I came to the packhouse to pack my things and that''s it. I have no intention of meeting Killian or even seeing his face.


    I also do not have any intention of telling him about our unborn child anymore.


    I instinctively touched my bump as I had that thought. I bit my lower lip as I felt sorry for my child.


    As someone who grew up without a father, I do not want my baby to experience that also. However, I couldn''t also let him grow up with a father who doesn''t want him either.


    Since Killian already has a child with Giselle, it''s clear he wouldn''t want a child with me anymore.


    It doesn''t matter anymore. My mother managed to raise me on her own before. I will make sure that I will be a better mother to my child than my mother was.


    "You''re back," someone spoke from behind me while I was stuffing all my things in my luggage so I could finally leave this ce for good. "You were gone for three days. What kind of Luna leaves the Pack for such a long time without notice?"


    I gritted my teeth as I closed my filled luggage and zipped it up before turning around to face Killian''s mother.


    Killian''s mother had always disliked me. She had always thought that I was too weak to be a Luna and that I did not deserve her son.


    For years, I''ve tried my best to live up to her expectations and live in peace with her as my mother-inw. However, no matter what I did, she never liked me.


    She just hated me for who I was and had always tried to force me to leave his son and denounce my position in the Pack.


    Killian''s mother red at me as she stood at the doorway with her arms crossed.


    Every time that I made mistakes, she was always there to point them out and shame me. She must have been waiting for me toe back so she could rub it in my face on how bad of a Luna I was and force me to denounce my Luna title once again.


    "I thought you did not want me here. Don''t you used to force me to leave this Pack and denounce my title? Why are you angry that I was gone for three days?" I shot back at her.


    Before, I used to let her insult me, yell at me, and vent her anger on me even at the cost of my own dignity.


    I never talked back to her since she is my mother-inw and I had to respect her.


    Now that Killian and I are getting a divorce. There''s no need for me to suck it all up when she and I will no longer be rted to each other.


    Her eyes widened when she heard my disrespectful response. "You!" she raised her voice as she pointed an angry finger at me. "Is that how you are supposed to talk to your own mother-inw, huh?!"


    ¡°Don''t worry, you are not going to be my mother-inw anymore. Killian and I are getting a divorce and I''ll be leaving this Pack for good. You wouldn''t have to see my face just as you wanted!" I yelled back at her.


    Finally, after so many years of just being silent whenever she disrespected me, I could finally yell back at her and defend myself against her.


    It feels good to be able to stand up for myself again instead of just epting insults and keeping everything in.


    "Really?!" Her face which was contorted with anger suddenly brightened up when she heard my words. "You are leaving?" She asks again, not quite believing it.


    "Yes! I''m finally leaving this ce and I''m also so happy about it!" I yelled back at her angrily when I saw how happy she was to find out that I was leaving.


    If she''s happy, I should be happy too. I should be happy that I could finally leave this ce where no one ever appreciated me.


    "Finally you came to your senses!¡±


    She responded with a look of relief Giselle is now pregnant, and the Rack finally has an heir. You


    in her eyes..


    have been married to my son for several years, but until now you haven''t bore my son with any children."


    Hearing her words, I looked down on my belly and stilled.


    €


    "You have been holding back this pack and my son. It''s time for you to leave and let my son live with someone better than he deserves. Killian''s mother is truly d at the news that I''m leaving, not knowing that I would be bringing her grandchild with me.


    "Since you have decided to divorce my son and leave, don''t you evere back in the future? You only bring misfortune to us all. You are a jinx to our Pack," Killian''s mother added without shame at all Content


    belongs to


    I''m noting back. I will nevere back. Once I leave this ce, I will cut all the ties I have in this Pack and live my own life as a free woman who doesn''t have to please anyone else.


    I smiled when I thought of the future that awaited ahead of me. I should have left a long time ago. I shouldn''t have let these people demean me and lower my self-value.


    For onest time, I collected myself together and took out my belongings with me. I would make sure that this would be thest time that I''d ever see this ce.


    As I was about to walk past Killian''s mother, she suddenly pulled me aside causing my bag to fall on the floor.


    All of the stuff inside was scattered all over the ce just when I was about to leave this wretched ce.


    I dropped to the ground to bring my stuff back inside my bag when Killian''s mother suddenly crouched to the ground and picked up my bracelet which was given to me by my grandmother.


    "I knew it, you little thief. You still dare to steal from us before you leave?" Killian''s mother hissed at me.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    I stood back up and tried to snatch my bracelet from her hand, but she was too fast. She raised her hand before I could even reach it.


    "That''s mine, I didn''t steal it." I narrowed my eyes at her.


    Killian''s mother justughed at me. "You were just an omega when you came here. How could you possibly own such valuable stuff? You are trying to steal from us before you leave," she used me.


    I clenched my fists when I heard her unwarranted usations. Killian''s mother had always been hurtful with her words. Even though I''m just an omega, I am not a thief.


    My grandmother raised me properly. I do note from a family of thieves.


    "This bracelet is mine," I spoke firmly. "My grandmother gave this to me. It doesn''t belong to you or the Silvermoon Pack at all."


    "This bracelet is made with rare gems. How could your grandmother afford it? This must be a gift from my son and you are not allowed to take it," Killian''s mother rebutted.


    "What is happening here?" Killian suddenly arrived at the scene, stopping me from doing anything I might regret against his evil mother.


    I will never leave this ce without that bracelet that my grandmother has given me.


    "Killian, have you ever given me gifts before?" I asked him so that his mother would realize how wrong she was.


    In our entire marriage, I have never received a single gift from Killian. He doesn''t even know my birthday, he doesn''t even know our anniversary, and he couldn''t care less about me on Christmas.


    In our entire marriage, I never received anything from him at all.


    I waited for Killian to give his answer, but he did not speak. I nced at him to see what was stopping him from answering when the bouquet of lilies in his hand caught my eye.


    I sneezed when its fragrance entered my nostrils. I started tough as I felt my nose start to clog up because of my allergies.


    "In the four years of our marriage, you do not even know that I''m allergic to lilies. How could you even think of buying me a bracelet?" I asked him with a bitter look on my face.


    He and his mother had just rubbed on me again because of how awful they were towards me.

 Chapter 6: Rejection

    Chapter 6: Rejection


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    Killian turned his face away in shame when he heard my words. His hands trembled slightly as he reluctantly pulled the lilies away from my face, giving me the chance to breathe much better.


    I remained silent as I covered my nose. My nose felt itchy because of the damn flowers that stirred up my allergies.


    Killian suddenly scoffed after a moment of silence. "These flowers are not for you," he spoke angrily.


    I slowly looked up at him through the corner of my eyes when I heard him speak. When he came here holding the flowers, I really thought it was meant for me.


    "For whom was it then?" I asked him since I really thought that he hade all the way here to give me those flowers as his way of apologizing. "For Giselle of course," Killian blurted out. "As you have said you have never received any gift from me. Did you really think I would give you a flower now?"


    A bitter smile spread across my face when I heard his answer. It was foolish of me to expect that the flowers he was holding were meant for me. Killian is right. I truly am delusional. Even though I know that he doesn''t like me, I always hope that he will still care about me.


    I hoped that he would learn to love me and forget about Giselle while we were married.


    I hoped that he would be happy to find that I was pregnant with our baby.


    I hoped that he would be present tofort me at my grandmother''s funeral.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    In the end, I always get hurt because of my stupid expectations.


    From now on, I will no longer hope for such things anymore. I will no longer be the foolish Astrid that I was.


    "Then that''s great," I shot back with a forced smile on my face. "Even if you beg me for forgiveness and fill my feet with flowers, I will never change my mind about the divorce."


    Killian was stunned at my words. Maybe he was expecting that I would cry and wallow at his words, but I''ve already learned my lesson.


    A man like him is not worth my tears and efforts. It''s better that I leave him as soon as possible before he fully ruins my life.


    "Give me my bracelet now so I can leave this ce." I narrowed my eyes at Killian''s mother.


    Killian''s mother just smirked at me, unswayed by my seriousness. Instead, she held up the bracelet in her hand and showed it to his son. ¡°Tell me, Killian. Is this bracelet really hers?" She questioned him in earnest.


    Killian stared at the bracelet carefully. His brows furrowed and his eyes deepened as he examined the bracelet carefully.


    "Is it hers, Killian?" His mother repeated her question when it took too long for him to answer.


    Killian blinked as if he was abruptly pulled out of his thoughts. "T-the bracelet is hers," Killian answered truthfully.


    The eyes of Killian''s mother widened at her son''s answer. "That couldn''t be!" She eximed. "How could a mere omega like her own such an expensive bracelet? She must have stolen it," she insisted.


    I gritted my teeth upon hearing her usations. Now I know where his son got his attitude from. Both mother and son think so little about omegas. "Be careful of your words, mother," Killian reprimanded her. "It''s true, Astrid owns the bracelet," he muttered firmly.


    The bracelet that his mother is holding right now is so precious to me. It is a gift given to me by my grandmother making it a very important treasure for me.


    If the bracelet wasn''t given to me by my grandmother, I would have freely given it to her despite its financial value. However, it holds a sentimental value for me.


    "Mother, you should give her a bracelet," Killian tells his mother respectfully.


    Killian''s mother gripped the bracelet tightly in her hand. Anger rose inside her as she thought of giving up the bracelet to me. The bracelet must be so expensive as she had said for her to want it so much.


    With an emotionless expression on my face, I stared nkly into his sharp eyes and opened my palm in front of her.


    Killian''s mother clenched her jaw tightly before reluctantly dropping my bracelet into my palm.


    After securing my bracelet, I opened my bag and pulled out the signed divorce papers.


    "Here," I muttered coldly as I handed him the papers. "Since you are already here you can now sign it."


    Killian''s eyes shot up to me when he heard my words, then I just took off without waiting for his answer.


    When I had exited the packhouse, Killian finally caught up to me after he recovered from his shock. "Astrid!" He yelled.


    I gasped when he suddenly grabbed my arm stopping me from leaving.


    "What are you thinking?" Killian


    red at


    so tighe as he gripped my arm


    that I could feel a bruise


    forming. "You are the Pack Lana, you can''t just leave!"


    be


    I bravely stared into his narrowed eyes without cowering down before him. "Don''t you understand, Killian? give up!" yelled into his face surprising him. "I don''t want to your mate and I don''t want to be your Luna anymore. Just sign the divorce papers and let me go!" Content belongs to


    "I won''t sign these damn papers!" Killian blurted out as he raised the divorce papers that had crumpled at his tight hold.


    The corner of my lips slowly stretched as I stared into him. Slowly, I shook my head and started tough coldly at him.


    Killian stiffened as he looked at me like I had gone crazy. Maybe, I truly have gone crazy because of him.


    "Why not? Giselle is free to be your Luna, after all, she is already pregnant with your child," I retorted nkly.


    Killian''s face softened. "It''s not like that. Giselle and I¡ª¡°


    I raised my hand stopping Killian from his words. "You don''t owe me any exnation, I understand. You never like me and now that Giselle is back¡ª" "You don''t understand, Astrid!" He yelled interrupting me from my words. "You just can''t leave," he told me unreasonably as he gripped my shoulders.


    "Oh! I get it now. The divorce papers are not enough right? Fine! Let''s just reject each other now so you can have Giselle as your Luna without any problem," I continued to speak without allowing Killian to answer. Content belongs to


    UMS


    "I, Astrid Zorensen reject Killian Sullivan as my mate." As those words left my lips, a searing pain coursed through my body causing me to drop to the ground.


    I shut my eyes tight as a soft cry escaped my lips. I wed at my chest as I felt the agonizing tormenting from there.


    Just like me, Killian also crumbled to the ground because of pain. He couldn''t speak as his face contorted in pain with his hand clutching his heart.


    He knelt weakly on the ground with one hand pushing himself up, trying to keep himself off the ground.


    He stayed like that trying to bear the pain without epting my rejection. If he had only epted my rejection, he wouldn''t have hurt that much.


    Since I had already snapped whatever bond I had with him through the rejection, my body had coped up eventually.


    When the pain had minimized a bit, I forced myself to stand up.


    Killian just watched me with pain in his eyes. Now that he is weak and in pain, he will no longer be able to stop me.


    With little strength that I had left, I turned around to leave.


    "You can''t live without me, Astrid!" Killian yelled. "I know you''de back sooner orter. You will never survive out there!"


    I smiled coldly without giving him the satisfaction of turning back and giving him attention.


    I will nevere back here. I''d rather die thane back.

 Chapter 7: Fall from Power

    Chapter 7: Fall from Power


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    My mind went nk as I wandered mindlessly, not knowing where my feet were taking me.


    Now that I have divorced Killian and now that I got the freedom that I wanted, what now? How long will I be able to survive as a rogue when I''m pregnant?


    A bitter smile rose to my lips as I lifted my face to the sky, thinking that if I tilted my head up my tears would stop from falling.


    Instead, my tears blurred my vision even more when I saw the dark heavy clouds above me who were just like me, keeping in tears instead of letting it all fall out.


    A soft cry escaped my lips as I continued walking. I''m pregnant and I had nowhere to go or no one to help me. It''s going to rain soon and I don''t even have a safe shelter where I could stay at.


    "There is a small pack nearby, maybe we can stay there. You need to walk fast before the rain catches us." Ingrid, my wolf, spoke inside my head.


    Since I''m pregnant, it''s dangerous for the baby if I shift into my wolf. I really had no choice but to walk on foot.


    I yelped when a car passed by and sshed me with mud. I stopped as I felt the muddy dirt seep through my clothes.


    As if this day isn''t already bad enough.


    I lifted my head up when the car windows rolled down and I heard someoneugh. I froze when I saw Giselle inside sitting on the driver''s seat.


    "A dirt always goes back to dirt," she ridiculed. "That''s what you get for forcing Killian to marry you."


    I gritted my teeth as I red at her while shaking off some of the dirt that had sshed on me.


    Even if Killian likes her, I am still his mate. I can always go back to the Pack and take Killian from her if I want to.


    "Did you reallye all the way here just to ridicule me? I never thought I was worth such effort and time for you," I sarcastically replied.


    She narrowed her eyes at me when she received my unbothered response. It might be worth her time and effort, but it isn''t the same for her.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    "Of course, I wouldn''t miss to see you go down to dust. You are just a rogue now who has nowhere to go. You will be dead soon," she taunted. "This sight of you would be thest good memory of you that I could hold on to.


    Giselle drove away with a victorious smile on her face after she said that.


    My eyes followed her car until she disappeared from my sight. When she waspletely gone, a heavy weight settled on my chest making it hard for me to breathe.


    I feltpletely alone and lost, especially after hearing her words. Still, I did not allow her words to get into my head.


    I continued walking until I reached a small pack on the border, but they refused to let me stay for shelter, even for a single night.


    The small pack has an alliance with Killian''s Pack. Killian threatened to cut their alliance if they allowed me to stay in their Pack.


    The moon had shown itself already, and it was dangerous for me to walk in the middle of the night, but I had to go on.


    "You should just go back, Astrid. Don''t make things hard for yourself. If you go back now, I can still forgive you." I heard Killian speak through the mind link.


    I scoffed when I heard his words.


    What an arrogant man! Why should I be forgiven when I did not even do anything wrong? He should be the one apologizing after all the things that he had done to me.


    His words only angered me even more so I chose to ignore him.


    I already chose this path and there is no turning back. I need to continue forward and be strong for my baby.


    Anxiety knotted in my stomach


    when the first droplets of rain


    dropped to the ground. Soon enough, the rain intensified and I had nothing to cover my head from the pouring rain. Content belongs to


    My teeth chattered as I shielded myself from the strong gusts of wind. I continued to walk on the road with the little strength that I had left.


    I could not afford to stop until I found a shelter.


    I stilled when I sensed rogues with intent to kill started to surround me. Rogues always prey on the weak.


    Now, I am weak, pregnant, and alone making me an easier target.


    I took a step back when the ferocious rogues started to show themselves. As a warrior, I could have easily fought against them if only I am not pregnant.


    Weak and defenseless, I could only watch them in fear.


    I raised my arms to defend myself when one of them finally pounced on me.took in a sharp breath when the welf pounced on my chest, forcing all the air to leave my lungs. Content belongs to


    There was a sharp pain in my chest as I gasped and fell to the ground. I wheezed on the ground as the rain continued to pour down on me. Before I could recover from my pain, one of the wolves bit my clothes from behind and flung me into a tree. My breath hitched as I fell to the ground. These rogues, are ying with my body before killing me.


    I blinked my eyes as my vision turned hazy. My head felt like it was being hammered down after it hit the tree.


    I pushed myself awake as I fought for my life. I tried to regain control over my body as I slowly felt life seep out of me.


    Just when I was about to fall unconscious, I saw a man from afaring straight towards us.

 Chapter 8: Family Ties

    Chapter 8: Family Ties


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    I groaned in pain when a pounding headache entered my senses as soon as I woke up.


    I fluttered my eyes open and squinted in confusion when I found myself in an unfamiliar room.


    I ced a hand on my head as I slowly stood up and looked around. For a moment I felt hazy until I blinked my eyes and collected myself together.


    Soon enough, memories fromst night flooded in my head, exining why I was in pain, but it didn''t exin where I was.


    "Astrid." I looked up when I heard someone call my name. I came back to my senses when I saw Drystan enter the room.


    "Are you okay? What do you feel?" Drystan asked me worriedly as he approached me.


    Looking at him, I finally recognized the strangerst night before I fell unconscious. I couldn''t believe that it was him and he saved me.


    I openly stared at Drystan for I was too stunned to speak. I did not expect that I would see him this soon.


    I had just stepped down as a Luna and divorced Killian yesterday. I''m sure he had already heard the news.


    I felt embarrassed that he had to save me from the roguesst night. Drystan is still my ex-husband''s uncle even though we are friends.


    Now that I have divorced his nephew, he is no longer rted to me. I''m not even sure if we could still count each other as close friends anymore because we really haven''t seen each other for so many years.


    We only meet once a year during the annual Pack Assembly. We just saw each other more frequently recently because of the things that had happened, and of course, my grandmother''s death.


    "Thank you for saving my life," I muttered weakly after he came closer to me.


    I couldn''t even look into his eyes because I felt that I owed him a lot. He was there when I neededfort during my grandmother''s funeral, and now I owe him my life.


    As if that wasn''t enough, I was also the one who filed for divorce against his nephew.


    I fidgeted my fingers nervously as I felt his eyes on me. Questions filled his head and I waited for him to ask his questions


    "It''s okay, Astrid. You are safe now. You don''t have to worry about anything, my pack will take care of you." Instead of receiving questions from him, I received his assurance instead.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    He must have noticed my difort. I''m still on the edge of my nerves especially since everything happened so fast.


    When I realized that I was inside the Nightsong Pack, my nerves slowly rxed.


    I didn''t notice the smile that crossed Drystan''s lips for a second when he saw how his words greatlyforted me.


    "You can also stay with us as long as you want," Drystan adds.


    Although his offer is very tempting, I know I cannot stay here that long.


    "Killian would be mad if he finds out that you allowed me to stay in your Pack," I muttered when I remembered how Killian threatened all the other Packs to stop them from letting me stay.


    Drystan fell silent when he heard my words.


    "Is it okay if you don''t tell him that I''m staying here? I won''t stay long, I promise. I just need to recover and I will go my way." I pleaded with hopeful eyes.


    My whereabouts needed to be kept a secret.


    After a careful thought, Drystan nodded his head. I felt bad about asking for another favor from him After everything that he had already done for me, I still dared to ask him


    to hide a secret from his nephew for me.


    UMS


    "Astrid, can I ask you something?" Drystan asked shyly.


    "What is it?" I asked back.


    With the help he is giving me, he deserves his questions to be answered.


    "A-Are you pregnant?" Drystan asked me with a careful voice.


    My muscles tensed when I heard his question. No one, except for me knew that I was pregnant. Nobody could even guess that I was carrying a child. How could he know that I''m pregnant?


    My heart pounded rapidly inside my chest as I looked into Drystan''s eyes, trying to guess what he was thinking.


    I was about to lie to him, but my long silence made it hard for me to deny the truth now.


    I sped my hands together with


    my eyes wide with desperation as I


    leaned closer to him. "Please," I


    whispered with my voice trembling in a mix of fear and vulnerability. "Don''t tell Killian that I''m pregnant."


    Drystan couldn''t speak, his face paled a bit when he heard my confirmation. Seeing his reaction made me even more nervous.


    "Drystan, Killian would be angry if he


    finds out that I''m pregnant. He doesn''t want to have a baby with me. My baby would only be in dangen if he finds out that I''m.


    swnovel


    pregnant," I tried to reason out with


    him. Content belongs to


    Drystan suddenly stood up and averted his gaze from me. I started to tremble in fear. I will do everything as long as Killian doesn''t find out that I''m pregnant.


    If the news of my pregnancyes out, they would only see my child as a threat to Giselle''s baby and we would be ced in more danger.


    I waited anxiously for Drystan''s answer, but what could I do? Blood is always thicker than water.

 Chapter 9: Stranger

    Chapter 9: Stranger


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    It has been three days of restlessness, waiting for Astrid toe back and beg for my forgiveness. I wasn''t expecting that she would evenst for a day out there to realize her mistakes and eat back her words.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    She is too arrogant and prideful that she would rather sleep in the streets than admit her own mistakes.


    I had sent a word to all of the surrounding Packs and told them that I would break my alliance with them if ever they allowed Astrid inside their Pack. So far, all of them listened, they did not even allow Astrid to set foot in their Pack.


    Now, I wonder where Astrid is staying at.


    As the days passed by with no news of her, I hated to admit that I was getting worried about her. I had no idea where she had gone to hide, and I couldn''t even contact her through the mind link.


    "If


    f you really want her toe back, why don''t you just lower yourself and search for her instead? Nothing will happen if you just wait in here!" Liam, my wolf, screamed angrily inside my head.


    Ever since Astrid had left, Liam had rarely talked to me. Whenever he does, he only says words to convince me to chase after Astrid.


    No way in hell will I ever do that. Besides, I have already tasked my men to track Astrid for me. Astrid is not that special that I should chase after her.


    Astrid needs me more than I need her.


    "Killian, are you busy?" Giselle pokes her head inside my door without even knocking.


    "Killian?" Giselle entered inside and closed the door behind her.


    I just stared at her, wondering what business she had with me now.


    Giselle''s brows furrowed when she received no reaction from me. "Is something wrong?" She softly asked.


    I sighed as finally gave her my attention. "I''m sorry, I was just thinking of something," I muttered.


    Giselle pouted when she heard my words. "I noticed that you are stressing yourself too muchtely. You work so much, you rarely make time for me and the baby."


    Giselle knew she would get my whole attention once she mentioned our child.


    "Giselle, as long as you take care of yourself and meet with our Pack Doctor regrly, there would be no problem with the child," I responded indifferently.


    I can''t take care of her myself every day if that is what she wants. Besides, that is exactly the purpose of the Pack Doctor in charge of her.


    Giselle looked hurt when she heard my words. "It wouldn''t hurt for you to take some time to visit me and check on us."


    Hearing her words, I looked into her eyes realizing that I needed to rify this with her. "Giselle, things aren''t the same as it was before between us. We can''t go back to the past," I told her bluntly.


    The more that I am direct towards


    her, the more it will avoid


    misunderstandings between us. I do


    Wan


    not want her to mistake the kindness I''m showing her for something else.


    Giselle was taken aback. "What do you mean?"


    "As the mother of my child, I will surely take care of you. I will provide you everything that you need and you will be protected in our Pack and


    You can take care of our child


    het


    watch him grow. You and your child will be safe forever," I exined to her to clear out our boundaries. Content belongs to


    Giselle was lost for words. She just stood still and emptily stared at me.


    "You also do not have to worry about Astrid, added in case she was worried that she would hurt them. "I Kave ordered all the surrounding Packs not to ept her. You and your child will be safe forever. I won''t allow even Astrid to hurt both of you." Content belongs


    to


    "Killian¨D" Giselle tried to interrupt, but I made my voice louder than hers to stop her.


    "Aside from those things, don''t expect anything more from me," I told her without beating around the bush.


    I cannot give what she wanted. It''s better for her to realize now that I have no feelings for her


    Giselle looked like she had lost something big when she heard my words, but she did not dare to argue with me.


    "If there is nothing else, you can leave," I waved her off


    I know I sounded rude, but there''s no other way for me to say it nicer.


    Giselle left without a word.


    One of my men rushed in right after she left. He held a look of excitement in his eyes, as he brought me something.


    "I checked the surveince cameras and I finally found her," he dered.


    My heart raced rapidly in my chest when I heard the news.


    I watched the CCTV footage intently as he started to y it. My heart constricted inside of me when I saw how the rogues attacked Astrid.


    Why didn''t she fight back? She could easily win against those rogues if she shifted.


    My brows wrinkled together when a strange man suddenly came into the picture and saved Raven.


    Unfortunately, the camera didn''t show the face of the stranger. I could only look at his back.


    I paused the video as I stared at the back of the stranger. His back looked familiar, but I couldn''t recognize him.


    I clenched my fist in anger. Now I know why Astrid still hasn''t returned until now.


    Who is the man who took her?

 Chapter 10: Nightsong Pack

    Chapter 10: Nightsong Pack


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    I held my breath as I waited for Drystan''s answer. I have already made backup ns in my mind in case he insists on telling his nephew about my pregnancy when he suddenly lets out a huge breath.


    "Fine," he muttered making me look up at him with wide eyes. "I won''t tell Killian anything if that will make you feel safe in my pack." Drystan finally turned around and faced me with his hands inside his pockets.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    My shoulder rxes upon hearing his agreement. I let out a huge sigh of relief.


    "Since you have left your Pack and had nowhere to go, why don''t you join our Pack instead?" My jaw dropped as his offer hung in the air.


    Is he serious? Did he just invite me to join his Pack when I''m his nephew''s ex-wife?


    "You don''t have to worry about Killian. I promise you, I wouldn''t tell him a thing. You are pregnant. It is dangerous for you to live without the support of a Pack," Drystan exined when he saw my bewildered expression.


    I pursed my lips and lowered my head as I thought about his offer. I know he is only doing this because he is worried about me. Technically, he is right and I needed his help also.


    However, it is dangerous for me to stay with someone who has rtions with my ex-husband. Even if Drystan fulfills his promise, I couldn''t risk any chance of Killian finding out where I was and that I was carrying his child.


    "I''m sorry," I muttered under my breath. "I couldn''t ept your invitation."


    Joining Drystan''s Pack as an official is a tempting offer, but why would I ept his invitation if I''m nning to leave soon?


    As soon as I recover, I will leave this Pack and start my own life without any help from people who are connected to my ex-husband.


    Drystan couldn''t speak for a moment. He was stunned by my answer. He really thought that I would ept his offer. It would be stupid of me if I declined his offer.


    Drystan slowly nodded his head as he tried to ept my decision. "Then if you change your mind, just tell me. My offer is always open," Drystan responded without hate.


    "For the meantime, just stay with us until the Pack Doctor says that you are free to go," Drystan added.


    I gulped as I started to feel uneasy. I am afraid that all of the members in Drystan''s Pack would treat me differently because I am just an omega who is even pregnant with a baby who doesn''t have a father.


    "What''s wrong? Drystan asked me when he noticed my difort.


    "Is it okay if I just stay inside my room?" I asked him softly.


    Drystan softly smiled at me when he realized what was worried about. "Our Pack is different from the other Pack, Astrid. Here, we are not ranked by titles. We all treat each other equally. In my Pack, there are no omegas or third-ranked omegas. We all see each other as just equal beings," Drystan assured me.


    I am amazed by how Drystan governed his Pack. Other Alphas would think that he is stupid for ruling his pack this way, but I


    admired him the most for enforcing


    equality in his Pack. Content belongs


    to


    He is the first person to break this type of culture, and I''m sure it hasn''t been easy for him.


    "Why don''t you go outside and meet the others, Astrid? I''m sure you will love them and you will be convinced to stay in our Pack."


    I paused for a moment, thinking if I should grab the chance and I did.


    I was right on time to meet them. It was lunchtime and everyone had already gathered at the Pack''s cafeteria to eat.


    As Drystan had said, everyone does treat each other equally. They don''t look at each other''s level of strength, they all treat each other like family.


    Seeing them all eat together like one big family just showed their unity and kindness. Drystan is right, I now have the desire to join their Pack as soon as I met them.


    I continued to walk in to grab my food. I wanted to join them eat and be a part of their family.


    "Isn''t that Alpha Killian''s wife, the Luna of the Silvermoon Pack? What is she doing here?" My ears perked up when I heard someone whisper from behind me.


    I felt a little awkward when I heard people talking about me. Being Killian''s ex-wife would surely make things awkward for me in this Pack. Years ago, Drystan was supposed to be the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack. He was stronger than his older brother and deserved to be the Pack''s Alpha more than him.


    However, he wasn''t chosen just because he wasn''t the eldest son. So, Drystan decided to build his own Pack, the Nightsong Pack.


    After Drystan''s older brother has died, the Silvermoon Pack is now passed down to Killian.


    The members of the Nightsong Pack hated Killian because of his disrespectful attitude towards his uncle. They couldn''t see why Killian was treating his own uncle badly.


    UMS


    Before I could hear more of their conversation, a woman that shouted rainbows and sunshine suddenly entered the cafeteria stealing everybody''s attention.


    I stopped and looked at her when I realized that everyone was staring at her.


    Who is she?

 Chapter 11: Surprise Attack

    Chapter 11: Surprise Attack


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    My attention was on the woman as soon she entered. I couldn''t take my eyes away from her even if I wanted to. She is so alluring and there''s just something unique about her charm.


    I watched how her strawberry pink curls bounced as she rushed inside with a huge smile on her face. I could only stare at her side profile.


    "Drystan!" She shouted happily in her serene voice.


    For a moment I was surprised that she didn''t address Drystan as Alpha. It seems like the two of them are really close.


    "Nova! You are finally back!" Drystan smiled happily at her as he faced her.


    He instantly dropped the business conversation he was having with his assistant when she entered.


    I watched as the two of them hugged each other. After that, Nova ps Drystan on his shoulder.


    "What happened while I was gone, huh?" she questioned him, trying to catch up with the days she wasn''t around.


    "Oh, I wanted you to meet someone," Drystan craned his neck as he searched around the cafeteria.


    He smiled when his gazended on me. "Astrid! Come here!" He waved me toe over.


    I felt embarrassed when he called me out of the crowd. I felt like I fell under the spotlight because of him.


    I put down the te that I was holding and slowly walked towards me. Nova''s eyes were on me as I approached them.


    "Astrid, this is Nova. She''s a friend of mine," he introduced her to me.


    "Nice to meet you. I''m Astrid." I smiled at her.


    Nova looked at me for a long time, but not in a judging way. Now that she''s standing in front of me, I could finally look at her up close.


    Nova is a cute girl and her strawberry pink curls really suit her. She has smiling eyes and pouty lips making her look so friendly and bubbly.


    I forced a smile on my face when I sensed something wrong. Nova doesn''t seem to like me and I do not know why. "Nice meeting you too," she replied without smiling.


    She turned her attention to Drystan and patted his shoulder. "I''ll go meet the others." She excused herself and then left. "Sister Nova! Sister Nova!" The young members of the Pack rushed to Nova and hugged her legs as soon as she left.


    "We miss you Angel Sister!" The kids crowded around her with smiles on their faces.


    Novaughed when she saw the happy faces of the children around her. Seeing how the kids like her just only show her good character. There''s no way they would call her Angel Sister if she doesn''t have the character of an Angel.


    "Nova, how was the trip?" Some of the adults also flocked in. They were all excited to wee her.


    I watched them all from afar, Nova was so affectionate towards all of them. Everyone in the Pack loves her it''s as if she is their Pack''s Luna. ¡°I''m going to breathe some fresh air,¡± I muttered to Drystan who was just standing beside me.


    "Let mee with you," Drystan is about to follow after me, but I stopped him. "You should go join your pack members. I do not need a guard." Drystan looked at me in silence, but he eventually nodded his head and let me go.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    I walked out of the Packhouse to give space for myself. Seeing how Nova is so loved by everyone, I am reminded of how my life used to be when I was still the Silvermoon Pack''s Luna.


    In my case though, the people only flock around me if they need something from me.


    I sighed as I walked away mindlessly at Drystan''s unfamiliar Pack. This is the first time I''ve been here, I don''t even know where my feet are taking


    me.


    I just wanted to be away from the Packhouse until I couldn''t hear the noises from there anymore. I just want to be alone and walk until I''m free from my depressive thoughts.


    The Nightsong Pack is surrounded by the forest. I would be safe as long as I don''t go out of the borders.


    However, because I am not a member of the Nightsong Pack. I have no indication of where their Pack border ends.


    I just continued walking not knowing that I was already putting myself in danger.


    I froze when I heard a branch snap not far from me. All of the members of the Nightsong Pack should be at their Pack''s cafeteria right now. I''m supposed to be alone in this forest. Content belongs to


    UMS


    My heart thumped loudly in my chest knowing that I was not alone out there. I searched around to see my enemy, but he hid himself so well. He must be waiting for his chance to attack.


    I took in a few deep breaths before sprinting out of the forest as far as my two legs could take me. When the enemy saw me run, he immediately came out of his hiding ce and chased after me. Content


    belongs to


    I yelped and was pushed off my feet when the wolf caught after me. He lunged at me and pushed me to the ground.


    My face contorted in pain as I tried to squirm my way out of his grasp. When I turned around to face him, my breath hitched upon realizing that I wasn''t attacked by rogues. I


    was attacked by werewolves V


    swnow

 Chapter 12: Killer

    Chapter 12: Killer


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    Fear coursed through my body when I realized that this wasn''t a simple attack. Someone ordered these werewolves to attack me. Who ordered them to kill me and how did they find out that I''m here?


    I held my breath and turned to my side when the werewolf tried to w on my neck to go for an instant kill.


    Adrenaline rushed through my body knowing that I merely escaped death there.


    I pushed myself backward when the other werewolves started to appear one by one. They growled at me and bared their canines as they approached me like a predator.


    I used my trembling hands to search the dirt around me. I tried to look for a rock or anything that I could use to defend myself from the werewolves who were trying to kill me.


    I cannot die. If I die, my child will lose his chance to experience life. I don''t want to be such a bad mother to him.


    I stopped and my breath turned more fast and shallow when my back touched a tree. I also panicked when I did not find anything avable near me that I could use to defend myself.


    Having no escape, I could only close my eyes and raise my arms when one of them finally lunged for the kill.


    I waited for the impact to happen, to experience the immense pain before life was taken out of me. However, that did not happen.


    Out of nowhere, another werewolf jumped in and bit the other werewolf''s neck in midair.


    My eyes went wide as I watched how the huge ck wolf tore a chunk of flesh on the werewolf''s neck which killed him instantly.


    The other werewolves who came to kill me started to back up when they saw what happened.


    My savior, the huge ck wolf, slowly turned around and faced the remaining attackers with his fur wet with blood.


    Their tails started to lower as they looked at him, realizing that they couldn''t bring down such a huge and powerful wolf by themselves. Their sizes are nothingpared to the ck werewolf who came to save me. He could easily eat them for lunch and even dinner.


    The ck wolf snarled as he turned to attack them. However, they instantly ran away, easily giving up.


    I ced a hand on my rapidly beating heart as I closed my eyes and thanked the heavens for being safe.


    "Astrid, are you okay?"


    I don''t know how long I''ve been sitting there with my eyes closed and trying to calm my nerves. When I opened my eyes, Drystan was already in his human form, standing in front of me still with traces of blood all over his body.


    "What happened?" Someone suddenly arrived, stealing both of our attention.


    Nova had a frown on her face as she walked towards us. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw a lifeless werewolf lying near us.


    "Astrid was attacked," Drystan answered her as he lent a hand to me so I could get up.


    "Were you hurt?" Drystan asked me worriedly as he turned back his attention to me.


    "I''m fine," I replied weakly. "You arrived before they could hurt me."


    Drystan stared at me with his brows pressed together. He looks like he is ming himself for what happened to me.


    "Look at this," Nova spoke up, calling our attention. She went to check on the dead werewolf while Drystan was talking.


    "Doesn''t this look familiar?" She asked again.


    Drystan and I approached her and took a look at the part where she was pointing at.


    At the paw of the dead werewolf''s hind leg, there is an imprint of a moon that is shining like silver.


    When I saw it, I was no longer confused. "It''s the Silvermoon Pack," I answered.


    Drystan stood in silence knowing exactly what it meant.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    I scoffed bitterly when I realized that my ex-husband just didn''t want to get rid of me. He also wanted to kill me. That''s how much he hates me.


    Drystan clenched his fists to his side. If looks could kill, the dead werewolf would die all over again.


    Nova stood up with annoyance


    etched across her face. "I can''t


    believe this!" she burst out. "Killian is


    so heartless! How could he ask


    someone to kill his own wife and child?" Content belongs to


    Nova shook her head. "I cannot allow this. I must teach Killian a lesson."


    I looked at Nova with surprise in my


    eyes. I thought she didn''t like me but when she saw me suffer


    el


    injustice, she was too determined to


    avenge me. Content belongs to


    I guess Nova has a pure heart. She also has a heart for the weak and the oppressed. No wonder why everyone likes her back in the Pack.


    "Wait," Drystan grabbed Nova''s hand to stop her when she suddenly walked away.


    I didn''t realize that Nova meant to avenge me now until Drystan had stopped her. It turns out, that Nova is a self-willed person.


    "Why don''t we use this thing to our advantage instead?" Drystan asked us.


    Nova and I looked at him, willing to hear out his suggestion. "Let''s just announce that Astrid died. We might as well just let Killian misunderstand that you''re dead so he wouldn''t try to kill you again," Drystan suggested with his eyes on me.

 Chapter 13: Broken Promise

    Chapter 13: Broken Promise


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    A week has passed and I still have no news about Astrid. The men I have tasked to look for her, still haven''te back until now.


    The only lead we have of Astrid is the CCTV footage. However, no one could identify the stranger who had rescued her. It made things difficult for us to track her.


    Every day, I''m growing more impatient as time passes by. It''s been a week, but we don''t even know if Astrid is safe or not. The longer that she''s out there, the higher the chance that she is in danger.


    I wanted to look for her myself, but my responsibilities were keeping me from doing anything else.


    A lot of meetings, reports, and proposals are waiting for me to handle every day.


    Heck! I''ve sacrificed my sleep and even skipped dinners just to finish everything, only to receive another pile of workload the next day.


    My life has been an unending cycle of work recently.


    "Are you serious?!" I blurted out in annoyance when our Pack''s Beta suddenly entered my office with another stack of documents in his arms. I haven''t even finished the pile of reports that he had sent me earlier for review.


    ¡°These are the proposals and important documents from our allied Packs. They have been sending it to you via email, but you weren''t responding to them. They printed the documents instead and delivered them to us," Beta Ryder exined as he ced the stack of documents on my table with a thump.


    I groaned and wiped my face with my hand in frustration. How could I check my email when I''m constantly receiving printed reports just inside our Pack?


    "Aren''t you in charge of checking my email? You should have exined my situation to them!" I snapped at him.


    Beta Ryder frowned. "I don''t have ess to your email. Astrid was the one handling all of your ounts," he rebutted.


    I fell quiet at his words. I thought he also had ess to my email.


    "Well, weren''t you in charge of our Pack rtions? This is practically your job," I asserted like I hadn''t just made a mistake.


    "Astrid was the one in charge of our Pack rtions. She''s usually the one who represents our Pack and talks to other Alphas and Lunas," Beta Ryder answered.


    "Leave," I demanded with a cold voice after hearing his answer.


    Beta Ryder looked at me with wide eyes, confused by my response. ¡°A-Alpha¡ª¡°


    "I said LEAVE!" I yelled at him for the second time.


    Beta Ryder didn''t waste any time, he turned around and left.


    I sighed as I slumped back in my chair. I feel a headache growing from all the tasks that I have to handle now.


    This had never happened to me


    before. I never had to handle so


    much in a day. It turns out, it was Astrid who was doing most of the tasks so I wouldn''t have much to deal with.


    Astrid... It''s all Astrid.


    Now that she''s gone, I''m left doing everything on my own.


    I nced at Astrid''s photo at the corner of my office table as I thought of her again. I remember the past when she and I used to get along with each other.


    My heart turned heavy when I suddenly thought of her grandmother who just passed away.


    Astrid''s grandma was a nice person. In fact, we used to get along well with each other too when she was still strong and alive.


    A pang of guilt wed in my heart when I remembered the promise that I made her.


    Back when things were well, I made a promise to her that I would protect Astrid no matter what happened.


    It was a promise that I never meant to break despite my indifferences towards Astrid. Yet, I was the one who deliberately put her in danger.


    I lowered my head as I counted all my failures against her.


    I have stopped her grandchild from meeting her before she died.


    I wasn''t even there during her funeral.


    Now, I have broken the only promise I made to her.


    I have failed her big time.


    I was pulled back from my thoughts when someone suddenly entered my office.


    I stared at Giselle in silence,


    surprised to see her here. I haven''t


    talked to her ever since thest


    conversation that we had. I wasn''t


    expecting her to visit me. Content


    belongs to


    ¡°I hope you don''t mind," Giselle muttered softly as she slowly approached me. ¡°I actually had a dinner reservation and I wanted to invite you."


    I opened my mouth, about to refuse her, but she interrupted me. "I know you are busy and that is exactly my point. You''ve been skipping dinner and you''re barely sleeping. You need to takea break, Killian, or else you might get sick and things would only she told


    get worse if that happens onlyConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    me with concern written all over her


    face. Content belongs to


    I couldn''t respond. Right now, I could already feel that I''m starting to get sick because of exhausting myself too much.


    Besides, no matter how hard I work, the work just keepsing.


    Giselle is right. Taking a break wouldn''t hurt. I should be prioritizing my health more, especially since the Pack needs me more right now.


    I also deserve a rest.


    "Alright," I muttered. "Let''s go out for dinner."

 Chapter 14: Femme Fatale

    Chapter 14: Femme Fatale


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    Killian is physically with me, but he isn''t mentally there. He has been absent-minded the whole time that he is with me and I had to force out smiles on my face and act like I don''t notice anything strange from him.


    Talking to him felt like I wasn''t talking to a man, he was too distant to me. Although he gives me replies, I know he is just doing it out of respect.


    I''m actually pissed off that he is treating me like how he was treating his ex-wife. I hope that after this dinner, things will change between us and go back to the way it was.


    I know he already rified that he has no feelings for me and has no ns of having feelings for me in the future. For him, the past is past and I''m nning to change his mind.


    The first step in doing that is by inviting him to dinner.


    It doesn''t matter whether he does have feelings or not. I''m just d that he agreed to have dinner with me which means I might still have a chance with him.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± a moan escaped my lips as I took a bite of prime beef tenderloin cooked to perfection. "Doesn''t it taste good?" I asked Killian with an excited smile on my face as I watched him take his first bite.


    Killian just slightly nodded his head. He had no reaction on his face as he ate. "It tastes good," he muttered emotionlessly.


    Instead of showing my disappointment, I beamed instead which is the exact opposite of what I''m feeling.


    "I know right? This ce is highly rmended so I brought you here," I softly smiled.


    I even chose an expensive fine-dining restaurant just to make sure that Killian wouldn''t regreting with me.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Everything inside the restaurant is in top detail from the soft lighting to the tables draped with crisp white linen giving the restaurant an elegant ambience.


    I nced up at Killian again after he did not answer for a long time. My eyes squinted lightly when I noticed that his attention was on someone else. I''m right in front of him talking to him, but he''s not even listening.


    I looked back with a sour look on my face to see what had stolen his attention.


    A horrified look crossed my face and I gripped the skirt of my dress underneath the table when I saw a familiar figure of a woman whose back is turned on us.


    The woman had just sat at their table along with a man that she was with. Now I know why Killian is so distracted.


    The woman that he''s looking at looks like Astrid. Her figure and her hair look exactly like hers.


    Killian looked tense as he continued staring at the woman. My heart hammered rapidly inside my chest, afraid that Killian and Astrid would meet each other again and it''s all because I chose the wrong restaurant.


    Suddenly, thedy stood up, turned around, and showed her face to us as she walked to the restroom.


    My body stilled. My heart felt like it would burst out of my chest until I realized that thedy wasn''t Astrid.


    Killian blinked and slowly turned his attention back to his food. He looked disappointed, but he did not say anything.


    Meanwhile, I could finally breathe properly again. Thankfully, she wasn''t Astrid.


    I smiled at Killian as I ced a slice of steak on his food. "Here, taste this. It''s so good," I muttered to ce his mind elsewhere.


    I didn''t mention anything that happened earlier. I pretended that I did not notice anything.


    "Killian, I''m just wondering..." I spoke after we had eaten enough.


    "Our baby is growing and I will be inbor soon. Someday, he is going to grow up, learn how to speak, and


    have a mind of his own. What would


    I say if he started to ask questione


    about us? I don''t want that to


    happen. I don''t want to break our son''s heart." My brows creased together as I affectionately caressed


    my belly. Content belongs to


    Killian stopped and looked at me, but he didn''t say a word. Seeing no negative reaction from him, I continued to test him by using our son.


    "Astrid has left the pack without


    giving you an heir, and I''m carrying


    your son. Why don''t we get married? In that way, our son won''t get confused and we could establish his future as the Alpha heir. No


    one


    would question his credibility if I became the Pack Luna."


    I awaited his answer with trepidation knowing that was pushing my


    chances too much. Killian''s reaction could only be two things. First, he might be convinced by my words or he would be so angry at my shamelessness and ruin whatever rtions that we had. Content


    Love


    O


    belongs to


    Before he could give his answer though, something urgent interrupted in our pack link.


    Killian stormed out of the restaurant and I chased after him. When we got back to the Packhouse, he went straight to his office to hear the urgent report.


    Driven by curiosity I eavesdropped on their conversation.


    "Alpha, we found news on Astrid."


    "Where is she?"


    "Astrid is dead. She was seriously injured and died in the Nightsong Pack."


    A strangled gasp escaped Killian''s lips, his body froze in shock as the weight of the tragic truth sank in, leaving him numb and speechless.

 Chapter 15: Complications

    Chapter 15: Complications


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    The news of my death has finally spread all over the other Packs with the help of Drystan and his connection.


    Right now, I''m sure Killian had already received the news. However, I''m not sure if he would believe that I''m dead. With Drystan''s help and the careful preparation that we had, there''s nothing I should be worried about.


    I groaned weakly as I sat on the couch that is inside my room just in front of my bed. I''ve been feeling weak and lightheaded recently. No matter how much I rested and took care of myself, I wasn''t getting any better.


    Ever since I was attacked two days ago, my wolf has been getting weaker and weaker. I don''t know what the cause was which makes it more rming.


    I could just feel the changes happening in my body and I''m doing everything that could help to make my health better.


    My body is turning weaker and weaker. It is also the reason why I''m not able to use my strength during the attack, apart from the fact that I was pregnant.


    "Ingrid? Ingrid, are you there?" I tried reaching to my wolf when I felt my body worsen.


    My wolf did not responded. She''s been silent for a long time now. Thest thing that she told me was that she might not be able to stay with me anymore.


    I don''t know exactly what she meant. I tried to wake her up, but she haven''t surfaced until now. I just hope that my health would get better soon.


    I jolted up and straightened my posture when someone suddenly entered my room. I forced a smile on my face and pushed back my unpleasant feelings as I look at Drystan.


    "How are you feeling?" Drystan asks me as he sat across from me.


    As an Alpha without a Luna to help him by his side, Drystan must be so busy handling his new Pack all by himself.


    Even so, he always takes time to check on me, always showing how much he deeply cares for me.


    "I''m feeling much better now," I lied to him.


    Drystan had already done so much for me. I do not want her to worry about me anymore and be a burden to him.


    Drystan just stares at me as if he is trying to see through me. I started to feel uneasy because of my lies.


    "We have a newly hired Pack Doctor that could help you. You must meet with him and do everything he says," Drystan offers.


    I shook my head. I feel bad for epting more help from him.


    "I''m fine, Drystan. My injuries are healing. I wasn''t even hurt thest time I was attacked," I argued with him.


    "I know, Astrid, but you are also


    pregnant. Your body and your baby''s health must be closely monitored by a doctor to avoidplications. We need to make sure that everything is okay, Drystan tells me straight into my eyes with concern written all


    over his face. Content belongs to


    I fell silent as I locked gazes with Drystan. My heart melted with his genuine concern and the kindness that he is showing me.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Of all the people that I''ve known. He is the only one who cares for me so deeply.


    "Why are you being so nice to me?" I blurted out pulling Drystan out of his reverie.


    I''m just genuinely curious. Drystan and I are not even rted. He is my ex-husbands uncle, but he is doing so much just to help me, including helping me in spreading the news that I''m dead to fool his nephew. Content belongs to


    QUMS


    I haven''t done anything good to Drystan for him to owe me anything. Why is he doing all of these?


    Drystan fell silent when he heard my question. He pulls back from meand averts his gaze from me.


    It was just a simple question. Why does he look so flustered.


    Before things could turn awkward between us because of Drystan''s silence, someone barged into the room, interrupting our conversation. "Alpha Drystan!" An urgent voice called out.


    Drystan and I both turned to look


    where the voice came from. We stilled when we saw the Nightsong Pack''s Beta with a frantic look on his face.


    swr


    "What is it?" Alpha Drystan asks him in serious mode.


    It is the face he pulls in front of everyone except for me.


    "Alpha Killian of the Silvermoon Pack has finally arrived," he reported, causing the hairs at the back of my neck to raise.


    I swallowed hard.


    Drystan nced back at me and gave me an assuring squeeze tofort.


    "Let''s meet him," Drystan muttered in a cold voice as he wears his game face on and left my room.


    I hope Killian wouldn''t see through our lies and believe that I''m truly dead.

 Chapter 16: Astrid is Dead

    Chapter 16: Astrid is Dead


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    "ASTRID! I know you are hiding here, Astrid! Come out this instant!¡±


    Killian''s voice rang inside the packhouse as I walked down the stairs to meet him.


    As soon as I saw his face, my blood boiled in an instant. How dare he cause a scene here in my Pack and pretend that he really cares about Astrid after he sent his men to kill her?


    Isn''t this what he wanted? To see her dead? His audacity baffles me.


    I locked gazes with Killian as I approached him. Our pack guards held him back, stopping him from entering the Pack.


    He stopped fighting against the guards and forcing himself to enter when he saw meing.


    "You!" Killian''s face was red in anger as he pointed his hand out at me. "I know you are hiding Astrid. Show her to me now!" Killian demanded.


    I scoffed in disbelief as I approached him. What game is he ying now?


    "Don''t worry Killian, your wish had alreadye true. Astrid is dead and she''s nevering back," I told him, knowing that he only came all the way here to confirm if Astrid is really dead.


    Hearing my words, the muscles in his jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed into slits. "That''s not true!" Killian shouted. "You think I would believe that?"


    "If you don''t want to believe me, then see it yourself," I answered.


    "Guards!" I called my men''s attention. "Show him."


    The Pack guards did as they were told. They moved to the side and allowed Killian to enter.


    Killian had a smug look on his face as he sauntered inside like he owned this ce.


    As Killian walked in, I noticed another woman follow after him. My brows furrowed when I saw the woman''s familiar face. For a moment I couldn''t remember who she was until I realized that she was Killian''s ex-girlfriend from before.


    What is she doing here? Why is she with Killian?


    I quietly followed behind them to see what their reaction was going to be. My Beta also followed behind me, never leaving my side.


    Killian stopped in his tracks when the guard finally showed him the ce where Astrid''s memorial service was taking ce.


    Killian''s jaw dropped to the floor when he saw Astrid''s big picture in front and the people who were wearing ck clothes to mourn for Astrid''s death. His eyes turned moist with tears, but he blinked them back in disbelief.


    If I hadn''t known that Killian sent his men to kill Astrid, I would be fooled by him. I would have easily believed that he truly cared about his ex-wife. The smug look on Killian''s face finally vanished, reced with shock and denial as he slowly walked in front to see his ex-wife.


    Killian swallowed hard and his lips trembled slightly as he tried to wrap his head around the news.


    He stopped and stared at Astrid''s photo where she was smiling beautifully After a minute of staring at her, he looked down and saw the fake um we prepared to make Killian think that it was Astrid''s ashes.


    QUMS


    Killian suddenly scoffed and shook his head. "That''s not Astrid," he muttered with his gaze fixated on the urn. "Astrid is still alive!"


    Killian clenched his jaw as he slowly turned his head to look at me. "Astrid must be in here somewhere, you are hiding her!" Killian red at me. "Killian," Giselle spoke in a soft whisper and ced a hand on Killian''s shoulder to stop him. "Let''s calm down first, okay?" Giselle whispered to him. Killian harshly shook his shoulder, making Giselle''s hand drop off him. "I know you are hiding her. Show her to me!"


    I nced at Giselle, wondering what was her rtionship with Killian when I saw how she tried to stop him before turning my attention back on Killian. "You''ve already seen her ashes, Killian. Is this not enough for you to make sure that Astrid is already dead?" I questioned.


    I held my breath when Killian suddenly grabbed me by the cor.


    "You!¡± he hissed angrily. ¡°You killed her. You allowed her to die!"


    I pushed him off me angrily causing him to stagger backwards. My nostrils red in anger when I heard his usations.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Wasn''t it enough for him that he ordered his men to kill Astrid? Now he is using me of killing her?


    "If there is anyone who should be


    med for Astrid''s death, it''s you Killian!" yelled at him, knocking him back to his senses. ¡°You killed Astrid! Don''t you ever put that me on me?" Content belongs to


    Killian suddenly roared in anger as he thrashed the room and scattered the flowers around, destroying the memorial service that we prepared.


    His voice was raw with unbridled fury as he threw and pushed everything away, leaving only Astrid''s photo and the urn untouched.


    ¡°This is fake! This is all fake!¡± Killian yelled out loud as he ravaged the ce.


    My Beta stepped forward to stop him, but I held him back. I just stood there and watched Killian without stopping him.


    Whatever Killian is ying, I wanted


    to see it. I didn''t know that my nephew had a talent for acting. Anyone who could see him right


    now would think that he is really devastated at his ex-wife''s death.


    UMS


    "Bring Astrid to me!" Killian demanded. "I know that she''s alive."

 Chapter 17: Infidelity

    Chapter 17: Infidelity


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    "Astrid is already right in front of you, Killian," Drystan answered me with a straight face. "What else should I show you to prove that Astrid is already dead?" Drystan asked me with disdain.


    Iughed at Drystan''s words knowing that this was all a lie. "Have you forgotten, Drystan? Astrid is my mate, I will know it if she is really dead." Even though Astrid had rejected me as her mate, I still had a little connection left with her because I did not ept her rejection. My wolf could still feel traces of connection with Astrid''s wolf.


    If Astrid was really dead, we would have known. We wouldn''t even have the smallest connection that we have with her right now.


    "It''s normal for your wolf to be confused, Killian. I also lost my mate and it took me months for my wolf to ept that our mate is dead," Drystan answered.


    I shook my head as tears pricked the back of my eyes. My whole body felt numb as I stared at Astrid''s picture and on her urn once again. I couldn''t ept it. I just couldn''t ept that Astrid was dead.


    If Astrid is still alive, I know Drystan will have no reason to hide that from me. He wouldn''t go all the way and make a great effort to fool me and make me think that Astrid is dead.


    "K-Killian," Giselle''s voice trembled as she ced a hand on my shoulder tofort me when she saw my difficulty. "I''m so sorry," she whispered with a sad look in her eyes.


    Even though Astrid had tried to harm her so many times before. She never held a grudge against Astrid. She is still sad to find out that Astrid''s dead. As my world shattered around me, Drystan suddenlyughed at us while we were hurting at the news of Astrid''s death.


    "Did you suddenly have a change of heart, Killian?" he spoke bitterly. "Didn''t you want Astrid to die? Can''t you give her a little respect now that she''s dead and spare us your fake tears?"


    My brows furrowed when I heard Drystan''s hateful words. I never wanted Astrid to die. What makes him think that?


    "Fake tears?" I questioned, feeling offended by his words. "I never wished Astrid to die. She''s the one who chose to divorce me and leave the Pack. No one had forced her."


    Drystan scoffed at my words. "Astrid is not crazy, Killian. She wouldn''t choose to divorce you and leave your Pack without reason. Tell me, is she the reason why Astrid is pushed to make those decisions?" Drystan nced at Giselle, referring to her.


    I couldn''t speak because Drystan was right. If Giselle never came back to our life, maybe Astrid would still be alive and everything will be fine with her by my side.


    "I know who she is. She''s Giselle, your ex-girlfriend. You even brought her here to show her that your mate is dead," Drystan spoke maliciously.


    He is making it sound like I murdered my own mate so I could be with Giselle.


    "What''s your problem, Drystan?¡± I


    clenched my fists. "I came all the way here because I''m worried about my mate. Ever since I arrived you''re making it sound like I actually murdered my wife."


    Drystan scoffed. "You don''t have to hold a knife to be a murderer."


    I turned more confused at his words. I was about to ask what he truly meant when Giselle suddenly joined in.


    "This is all my fault," Giselle blurted out making our attention turn to her.


    Suddenly, Giselle burst into tears, surprising us. "If I hadn''t be pregnant, Astrid wouldn''t have left," she sobbed harder.


    "What?" Drystan was aghast. "Y-You''re pregnant?" He stammered in disbelief.


    I swallowed hard and averted my gaze.


    "Y-Yes,¡± Giselle sniffed. "But this is all


    my fault. You shouldn''t me Killian. If didn''te back to thei Pack, this wouldn''t have happened 1-" Giselle''s words were cut short


    when Drystan''s fistnded on my face.


    UMS


    Giselle shrieked out loud and ran towards me when she saw what Drystan had done.


    "Killian!" she shouted worriedly as she checked my face.


    A sharp searing pain spread throughout my face and I felt blood form on my broken lip.


    "You bastard!" Drystan yelled. He


    was about to attack me again, but his Beta had stopped him. "No wonder why your mate chose to divorce and leave you. You


    you are letting her stay by your side!" Content belongs to


    impregnated another woman el


    SContent (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I did not respond. I couldn''t even look at Drystan. Giselle shielded me from him to protect me.


    "Please, Drystan. Killian knows his mistake, but it was still Astrid who chose to leave,¡± Giselle rebutted.


    Drystan pushed away his Beta from him. ¡°Leave," Drystanmanded. ¡°I said LEAVE! I don''t want to ever see you again."


    The Pack guards arrived to drag us out, but I refused to let them touch us. We willingly left their Pack, knowing that we had already caused so much inconvenience.


    "I''m sorry, Killian. I shouldn''t have said that. I was just trying to protect you," Giselle muttered as soon as we left.


    I was supposed toe here alone, but Giselle insisted oning after she eavesdropped on us and heard that Astrid was dead.


    "It''s okay, Giselle. I think Drystan is hiding something from us. I think Astrid is still alive," I told her.

 Chapter 18: Truths and Lies

    Chapter 18: Truths and Lies


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    My eyes blinked when I heard Killian''s words, but I didn''t let him know that I was confused.


    "What do you mean?" I asked him.


    I don''t know if Killian is still in denial or if he just couldn''t ept the truth right now.


    I thought he had already epted that Astrid was dead. We just saw her memorial service going on and even her ashes were there. What evidence does he need for him to believe that Astrid is dead?


    "I think Drystan is hiding something from us. There is definitely something going on that we had to find out," Killian answered making my brows furrow.


    Drystan doesn''t seem to be acting strange earlier. Although, it''s normal for Killian to think that Drystan is acting strange because he doesn''t know one thing.


    Killian doesn''t know that I sent werewolves to kill Astrid. I also imprinted the Silvermoon Pack''s mark on their paws to frame Killian so they would think that Killian was the person behind Astrid''s attack.


    The reason why I insisted oning with Killian is to make sure that Killian and Drystan won''t find out that I''m the person behind Astrid''s attack. Before Drystan could tell Killian that he sent his men to kill Astrid, I interrupted them and revealed my pregnancy to change the conversation which actually worked.


    Thankfully, Killian agreed to bring me along and I was able to keep everything a secret.


    ¡°What makes you think that Astrid is still alive?" I asked him.


    "As I have said earlier, Astrid is my mate. My wolf and I will know if she''s dead. My wolf could still feel a faint connection with Astrid''s wolf. For sure, she''s still alive," Killian insisted.


    "I thought Drystan had exined this already. His mate also died. He knows what it feels to have your mate taken suddenly," I replied.


    Things would be easy if Killian just epted that Astrid is already dead and is nevering back. In that way, it would be easy for me to rece her in Killian''s life.


    However, it would be far more dangerous to believe that Astrid is dead when she''s not. It''s better to be sure that I have gotten rid of her for good this time.


    Killian scoffed. "What Drystan said is a lie. As an Alpha, we don''t get confused so easily. Even if we are in denial, we know it. Doesn''t it seem strange to you that Astrid is already inside an urn? Unless I see her body, I won''t believe that she''s dead."


    An uneasy feeling crept over me when I realized that Killian might be right. It''s indeed weird that Astrid is ced in an urn already when her memorial service is not finished yet.


    Also, the men I hired to kill Astrid


    had told me that they never saw ber die with their own eyes. They said they managed to hurt her, but I''m not even sure if they are telling the truth. Content belongs to


    Since Killian is having his own doubts, I need to make sure that Astrid is truly dead.


    I need to hire someone who could spy in the Nightsong Pack for me to find out if Astrid is alive. If she is, then I must make sure to get rid of her the next time.


    For now, I just had to convince Killian that Astrid was dead. I must make sure that their paths won''t ever cross again.


    Actually, the fact that he agreed to


    let mee with him just shows that our rtionship went up a notch. Before, Killian never included


    me in any of his matters. He always entrusts those things to Astrid. Content belongs to


    QUMS


    In just a week that Astrid is gone, he is starting to open up his life to me and he is even sharing his thoughts that he wouldn''t be normally sharing with me right now. This just shows that he trusts me.


    Things improved between us ever since Astrid was out of the picture.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Before, Killian only showed more care towards me than Astrid because I was pregnant.


    Without my baby, he would never have paid any attention to me. The fact that he is not the father of my child makes everything more dangerous for


    me.


    Once he finds out that he never impregnated me and nothing happened to us in the first ce, he would surely hate me.


    He had no idea that night he was drunk, he slept with his own mate, not me. I was already carrying someone else''s child when I arrived at his Pack.


    I was supposed to sleep with him, but something happened and he ended up in Astrid''s room and he had done it with her instead of me. Luckily when he woke up he couldn''t remember anything and I was able to fix things and make him think that he slept with me.


    The truth is, I was already pregnant with another man''s child when I arrived at his Pack. The man who impregnated me didn''t want to do anything with my child so I had to leave.


    Afraid and hopeless, I found new hope when I found out that Killian was never intimate with Astrid so I came up with a n. Killian and I would have ended up together if Astrid didn''t steal him from me. I was only taking back what was supposed to be mine.

 Chapter 19: Nightsong Pack鈥檚 Luna

    Chapter 19: Nightsong Pack¡¯s Luna


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    My body is tense as I wonder what''s happening outside. I hope Drystan will be able to convince Killian, and that Killian won''t give him such a hard time.


    I wish I could go out and see what''s happening so I wouldn''t have to be left in the dark, anxiously waiting for Drystan''s news.


    Being left alone in my room, my mind couldn''t stop thinking about worst-case scenarios.


    What if Killian doesn''t believe us? What if he sees through our ns? I just don''t want anything to do with Killian anymore. I want to cut him off my lifepletely and that could only happen if he thinks that I''m dead.


    I jumped in my seat when someone twisted the door open. My heart pounded in my chest thinking that Killian was here. He has found me and he is taking me back to his Pack.


    I was so horrified until Nova peeked inside. I shut my eyes tight and clutched my dear heart as I slumped back on my couch.


    Nova slowly entered and locked the door behind her. "Astrid, are you okay?" Nova rushed to my side with her brows wrinkled together when she saw my state.


    "You frightened me!" I eximed. My heart is still racing inside my chest.


    "I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to frighten you," Nova bit her lower lip. She really felt bad for causing me distress.


    She held her hands together, not knowing how to help me.


    I took deep breaths to calm myself. Even though Nova pulled me out of my wits, I can''t be angry at her for not knocking before entering when she''s the official member of this Pack and I''m just staying here with them.


    I paused when Nova grabbed me a ss of water which I willingly epted.


    "Is there something I could help you with?" I asked her after drinking water and calming myself down.


    Nova and I aren''t particrly close, and we also don''t talk much. I wonder why she came here to see me.


    When we first met, I could sense that she didn''t like me. When I saw how kind she was, I wanted to get close to her, but I didn''t know how to approach her.


    Nova pursed her lips together and lowered her head in shame. "I just want to apologize," she muttered in a soft voice.


    I shook my hands in front of me. "No, no, it''s okay," I smiled at her and also felt bad when I realized how guilty I made her feel just because of the incident earlier. "I''m fine now, no need to sweat it."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    The only reason why I was so startled was because I wasn''t expecting Drystan to be back so early. Drystan had just left, so I''m not expecting any news from him just yet.


    I mistook Nova for Killian because I was overthinking about him.


    "No, no that''s not it," Nova''s eyes widened when I mistook her words. "I want to apologize for being rude to you."


    The whole room turned silent when I heard her words, leaving me speechless. I wonder why she''s apologizing now and why she was rude to me in the first ce.


    "I should have gotten to know you more before rushing to conclusions," she added.


    Now I''m curious about the conclusions that she''s referring to.


    "It''s okay, It was nothing. I never held a grudge." I smiled at her.


    Nova is such a genuine and kind person. She didn''t have to apologize for such simple things, but she did. I''ve never seen someone as kind as her, she continues to amaze me.


    ¡°Come, sit there with me." I smiled at her and pointed at the couch in front of me.


    ¡°I heard Killian just arrived and Drystan went to meet him. I came to visit you to keep youpany also," Nova exined.


    "I''m d that you came, I really need someone who can keep my mind off things," I replied.


    "Nova, is it okay if I ask you a question?" I asked her after a long pause.


    Ever since I met Nova, I''ve been so curious about her. She''s so close to Drystan that she calls him by his name. Now that we are close, could finally ask her the question that has been bugging me.


    "Just ask away," Nova encouraged me.


    "Can I ask about your rtionship with Drystan?" I asked her cautiously. As soon as the question left my lips, I realized how early it was for me to ask.


    Thankfully, Nova did not take it in a bad way. "Oh, Drystan is my older sister''s mate,¡± she answered straightforwardly.


    My jaw fell open, not expecting such an answer.


    It''s been so long since Drystan''s mate died. never even had the chance to meet her. ording to the rumors though, she was a kind person and I wish that I met her. I


    had always been curious about her.


    UMS


    I never knew that Drystan''s mate had a younger sister and I''m so happy that I got to know her.


    "Ever since my sister died, Drystan took care of me like I was his own sibling. He took it as his duty to be an older sibling to me on behalf of my sister," Nova exined with a sad smile, making my heart ache for the both of them.

 Chapter 20: Second Chance Mate

    Chapter 20: Second Chance Mate


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    As a person who had lost her mate to another woman, I think that''s enough for me to understand what it feels like to lose your mate to death.


    Although both things are entirely different, I still know how much Drystan suffered when his mate died.


    Drystan lost half of him when his mate died and he never recovered from her death. After many years had passed, I know he still loves his mate now and he would choose to have her over and over again if he could.


    If there was a way to bring someone back to life, he would have traveled around the world to find the procedure that would bring her to life instead of searching for his second chance mate to rece the first one that he had and loved.


    As an Alpha, Drystan needs to have a Luna that could lead his Pack by his side. He did not look for his second chance mate because he had already moved on, he searched for her for the sake of his Pack.


    It must have hurt more for him to be forced to find your second chance mate when you haven''t yet recovered from the death of your first.


    Drystan''s life is the saddest story that I know, yet I''m proud of him for still holding on.


    "My sister and I only have each other," Nova smiled at her memory.


    For Drystan, they only had each other too. Everyone knows the story of how Drystan was the most powerful son and how he deserved to be the Silvermoon Pack''s Alpha. However, he was excluded just because he wasn''t the firstborn.


    His mate must have been with him during those hard times.


    "My sister was born ten years earlier than me," Nova continued. "When I was only four, our parents died and she had to be both a mother and a father to me. At such an early age, she could have just abandoned me or put me up for adoption, but she raised me on her own. She was never able to enjoy her teenage years because of me."


    I felt sad for Drystan''s mate, but at the same time, I am amazed by her resilience and courage to raise up her sister alone at a young age.


    If she''s still alive, I know she would be happy to see how her sister grew up and it''s all because of her.


    I didn''t have to meet her to see what a great person she had been. Just looking at her younger sister, speaks volumes to what she had been like. "Your sister would be so proud of you," I smiled at Nova to lift her spirits up.


    Nova forced a smile on her face. "When I was little, I was so excited to grow up so I could take care of her, but she never gave me the chance to do that."


    My heart tightened at her words. "I''m sure she wouldn''t want that. You will always be her younger sister. She would be more happy to take care of you than the other way around."


    "I know it is selfish of me to say this, but I''m d that my sister met Drystan before she died. The times she was with Drystan were the happiest moments of her life. Even for just a short time, I''m d that she had her chance to be happy." Nova confesses.


    "I''m sure Drystan is also thinking the same thing. know he never mentions anything, but just as how your sister has been a blessing to you, she must have been a blessing to her mate also. Wherever your sister is right now, I''m sure she''d be happy as long as the both of you are


    happy," Iforted her. Content


    belongs to


    I leaned forward and hugged Nova, knowing that warmth and a tight hug were what she needed right now.


    I thought she came here tofort me, but it had turned the other way around because of my question.


    Now that I heard the whole story,


    everything started to make sense. It turns out Drystan is treating Nova as his own younger sister on behalf of his mate who devoted her life to


    taking care of her younger sister.


    UMS


    At first, I thought Nova was Drystan''s second chance mate. I have never seen Drystan be so close to any women before except for Nova, and all of the Nightsong Pack members also like Nova so much.


    It turns out it''s all because Nova is the younger sister of theirte Luna. If Drystan had found his second chance mate, all of the Packs would know about it including me.


    I gasped and I held my throat when I suddenly couldn''t breathe.


    "Astrid, Astrid!" Nova was rmed when she saw me suddenly having difficulty breathing.


    I''ve never experienced something like this before. I think it has something to do with my wolf.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Nova summoned a Pack Doctor through the Pack link for an emergency. She held me together with a panicked expression on her face, wondering what was happening to me.


    "The Pack Doctor ising, Astrid. Just hold on," Nova assured me.


    I couldn''t exin what I was feeling. I''ve been feeling weak and hazytely, but I have never in some kind of pain before.


    I''m d that Nova is here with me or else I''d be writhing in pain and no one would even know about it.

 Chapter 21: The Cure

    Chapter 21: The Cure


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her? Is she okay?¡± Nova asked anxiously after the Pack Doctor performed a


    thorough check on me.


    Nova stayed beside me the whole time that I was hurting. She squeezed my hand andforted


    me with worry etched across her face.


    If she had the ability to take away half of the pain that I was experiencing, I knew she would have


    done it.


    I¡¯m so d that we have gotten to know each other and that we have finally be friends.


    The Pack Doctor couldn¡¯t meet our eyes as he took a step back. I became anxious knowing that


    face meant that something was wrong.


    ¡°I-I¡¯ve never seen something like this,¡± the Pack Doctor blurted out with fear in his eyes.


    Nova¡¯s brows furrowed. He is the Pack¡¯s best doctor, he should know this kind of thing.


    ¡°I¡¯ve studied all kinds of diseases and medicines, but I¡¯ve never seen anything like this,¡± the Pack


    Doctor continued, adding to my fears.


    ¡°W-What¡¯s wrong with me? I-Is the baby okay?¡± I stammered.


    ¡°The baby is fine, ma¡¯am, but there is something wrong with your wolf. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s causing


    it, but your wolf is slowly fading away,¡± the pack doctor answered.


    Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    My eyes widened in fear. I remembered Ingrid¡¯sst words to me before she suddenly stopped


    showing herself to me. She said that I might not see her anymore. I never understood what she


    meant because Ingrid is a part of me. I don¡¯t know how she¡¯s supposed to leave me.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Nova stepped forward. ¡°We are werewolves, half wolf and half human. How


    could someone¡¯s wolf fade away?¡± Nova questioned.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I don¡¯t understand,¡± The Pack Doctor replied. ¡°Astrid and her baby arepletely fine,


    but when I checked her wolf¡¯s vitality, I sensed something wrong with her.¡±


    I lowered my head as I digested his words. Since this is my body, I have always known that there is


    something wrong with my wolf. As my body grew weaker and weaker, I knew that it was caused by


    my own wolf.


    ¡°Is she going to be okay?¡± Nova asked.


    The Pack Doctor pursed his lips. ¡°Astrid and her baby are going to be okay, but if this continues, she


    might lose her wolf soon.¡±


    My heart skipped a beat when I heard his words. Although, I¡¯m only an omega which makes my wolf


    weak. What better would I be against a human if I didn¡¯t have a wolf?


    ¡°But there is a cure, right? My wolf can still recover and I wouldn¡¯t have to lose her. Is there any


    medicine that I can take to help my wolf?¡± I asked him with a desperate look in my eyes.


    I can¡¯t lose Ingrid. We¡¯ve been together ever since I learned how to shift. I just can¡¯t lose her.


    The Pack Doctor lowered his head. ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve seen something like this. I¡¯m afraid that


    I don¡¯t have any medicine that I can give you.¡±


    I swallowed hard upon hearing his answer. What¡¯s going to happen to me if I lose my wolf? Are we


    just going to wait until she fades away?


    ¡°You are the best Doctor of our Pack. There must be something we can do,¡± Nova argued.


    ¡°There is one cure, but it would be difficult to get it,¡± The Pack Doctor spoke meekly.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I demanded.


    ¡°There is a cure called Lunar Elixir. They say that the Lunar Elixir could cure all kinds of wolf


    inflictions, but it¡¯s very rare¡ª¡°


    ¡°Where can we find it?¡± Nova interrupted him.


    ¡°The Shadowfang Pack is the only Pack who knows how to make Luna Elixir. They invented that


    cure themselves¡ª¡°


    ¡°How much is it?¡± Nova interrupted again.


    The Pack Doctor¡¯s eyes widened at her question. ¡°The Lunar Elixir is not avable in the market. As


    I said, it is very rare. You have to mix different rare herbs just to make the Lunar Elixir. The


    Shadowfang Pack won¡¯t give the Lunar Elixir just to anyone.¡±


    Nova and I got quiet upon hearing how hard it is to get this Lunar Elixir. Even though I have a cure,


    it wouldn¡¯t make a difference if I couldn¡¯t acquire it.


    Nova¡¯s brows suddenly furrowed. ¡°The Shadowfang Pack? I think I¡¯ve heard that somewhere,¡± she


    whispered.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I muttered. ¡°I will look for the medicine once my baby is born. I will figure everything out


    so you don¡¯t have to worry,¡± I squeezed her hand after seeing how concerned she was.


    Nova gave me a small smile.


    I know it would be impossible to get the cure by myself, but I¡¯m sure I¡¯m going to find a way. I won¡¯t


    let anything bad happen to my wolf.


    ¡°Nova, can I ask you for a favor?¡± I pleaded.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Nova asked, eager to help.


    ¡°Please Don¡¯t tell Drystan about this.¡± Nova¡¯s eyes widened instantly as soon as she heard what I


    was asking her to do.


    ¡°I know you and Drystan are close. I just don¡¯t want him to worry and add to his burdens. I can take


    care of this, he doesn¡¯t need to know.¡± I tried to convince her.


    Nova looked at me with an ufortable expression on her face. Before she could give me an


    answer, Drystan suddenly walked in and saw us all together.

 Chapter 22: True Friends

    Chapter 22: True Friends


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    ¡°Astrid,¡± Drystan called out my name as soon as he entered my room. He stopped in his tracks


    when he saw Nova and the Pack Doctor who were standing beside me.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Drystan¡¯s eyes widened as he rushed over me.


    He looked at me with a worry etched across his face as if I was already dying. This is one of the


    reasons why I don¡¯t want him to know that I¡¯m sick. He doesn¡¯t know anything about my sickness


    yet, but he is already worried.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Drystan,¡± I forced a smile on my face as I tried to sit up on my bed.


    Nova rushed to my side to help me get up, but I refused to get her help since I was no longer in pain


    anymore.


    ¡°What is the Doctor doing here? Did something happen when I was gone?¡± Drystan asked us.


    Iughed at his exaggerated reaction to stop him from worrying. ¡°What do you mean? Didn¡¯t you


    say that you tasked a Pack Doctor to monitor my health? I wasn¡¯t doing anything so I called him in


    for a checkup,¡± I lied between my teeth.


    ¡°What did he find out? What happened?¡± My heart quickened its pace when Drystan turned to ask


    Nova a question.


    Nova¡¯s eyes widened as she locked gazes with Drystan whose face was serious.


    I crossed my fingers, hoping that she would do me a favor. ¡°Astrid is fine and the baby ispletely,


    alright,¡± Nova said the truth without saying everything.


    My tense muscles slowly rx. I¡¯m so thankful that she covered up for me. However, I don¡¯t know


    how long that wouldst because Nova seems ufortable lying to Drystan.


    Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Drystan sighed, releasing all the breath that he was holding. ¡°That¡¯s good, but you should always go


    for a regr check-up, okay?¡± Drystan asks me.


    ¡°I will,¡± I answered with a smile. ¡°What did Killian say? Did he believe that I¡¯m dead?¡± I turned


    anxious once again as I hoped to hear good news from him.


    Drystan¡¯s face turned serious once again when he heard my question. ¡°He already left the Pack. I


    managed to convince him that you were dead,¡± Drystan answered.


    Seeing that he is no longer needed anymore, the Pack Doctor excuses himself and leaves us alone


    in the room.


    I released a huge breath that I didn¡¯t know I was holding when all of the heaviness in my chest


    slowly lifted up after I heard the news.


    Finally, I no longer have any connections with Killian anymore. I could finally leave without the fear


    of my past catching up to me.


    A new weight settled on my chest as I had those thoughts. Now that I have what I want, why don¡¯t I


    feel as happy as I thought I would be?


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Drystan asked me with disappointment in his voice.


    I looked up at Drystan with surprise on my face. ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Killian and Giselle,¡± Drystan paused and my heart skipped a beat. ¡°How long they have been


    together?¡± He asks me.


    I was silent for a moment. Nova nced at me, not knowing what Drystan was talking about.


    ¡°Giselle just suddenly came back to our Pack just two months ago,¡± I muttered.


    ¡°Two months?¡± Drystan blurted out. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me anything?¡±


    I squinted my eyes in confusion. Why should I tell Drystan about my personal problems? Even if we


    were friends, I know he is already busy with his Pack matters. Why should I tell him about my


    rtionship problems with Killian?


    ¡°You are Killian¡¯s uncle. It doesn¡¯t seem right for me to tell you those things,¡± I answered.


    ¡°You are also my friend, Astrid. You should have told me something. I had no idea that Killian was


    not treating you well. You should have told me. I could have helped you,¡± Drystan told me with an


    exasperated look on his face.


    I averted my gaze from him. I do not know what to tell him. It doesn¡¯t seem right for me to include


    Killian¡¯s uncle in our rtionship problem.


    ¡°That bastard!¡± Drystan suddenly raised his voice and clenched his fist. ¡°I couldn¡¯t believe that he


    brought his pregnant mistress here,¡± he hissed.


    My eyes turned back to him when I heard his words.


    ¡°What?¡± Nova breathed out. ¡°Killian has a mistress?¡±


    ¡°He does, his ex-girlfriend Giselle. He also made her pregnant,¡± Drystan answered her.


    Nova¡¯s jaw tightened when she heard this. ¡°Where are they?¡± She asked in a cold voice. She looked


    like she wanted to chase after them to teach them a lesson.


    ¡°I told them to leave before I could do something I¡¯d regret. Don¡¯t worry, I punched Killian on the


    face before he left,¡± Drystan replied.


    Nova¡¯s anger wasn¡¯t satisfied with Drystan¡¯s words. She looked like she still wanted to avenge me.


    I smiled as I looked at them feeling so overprotective of me. Having them by my side, I knew I had


    nothing to worry about anymore. My baby and I can do this together with them.


    I guess Nova is very much like Drystan. Drystan is worried about me, while Nova wants to avenge


    me. Both of them care so much about me and I know that I can always trust them.


    I might not be lucky with the mate I ended up with, but I¡¯m super lucky to have friends like them.

 Chapter 23: Surprise Party

    Chapter 23: Surprise Party


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    ¡°Surprise!¡± My heart melted when Nova removed the blindfold from my eyes and revealed a


    surprise party for me.


    I closed my mouth in shock and my eyes teared up when I saw what they had prepared for me.


    ¡°What is this?¡± I asked Nova with an overjoyed look in my eyes.


    I thought Nova had just personally prepared something little to lift my spirits when she told me that


    she was going to show me something.


    I knew it was something special when she had to put a blindfold around my eyes, but I didn¡¯t expect


    that she had gathered all the members of the Pack together and prepared a huge party for me.


    ¡°It was Drystan¡¯s idea to surprise you,¡± Nova smiled at me making my mouth fall open.


    My eyes blinked as I thought of Drystan preparing all of these. I couldn¡¯t believe that he¡¯d been


    nning something like this behind my back.


    ¡°Drystan,¡± I muttered his name breathlessly when I finally noticed himing towards me from the


    crowd. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this, it¡¯s not even my birthday,¡± I told him.


    I¡¯m starting to feel ufortable with all of the things that he has done for me. All of these felt too


    much.


    Drystan just smiled at me. ¡°This is a celebration party, Astrid. We deserve to celebrate your divorce


    and the sess of your ns.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to,¡± I answered with my eyes looking among the crowd seeing how many there


    were and how much food they had prepared for this celebration to feed everyone.


    ¡°Consider this as your wee ceremony in the Pack, Astrid. Since everyone thought you were


    dead, we couldn¡¯t officially hold a wee ceremony for you as an added member of the Pack,¡±


    Drystan argued.


    My eyes widened. ¡°You are officially adding me as a member of your Pack?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Astrid,¡± Drystan looked d upon seeing the joy in my face. You don¡¯t have to live as a


    pack less werewolf anymore. You and your child are now official members of the Nightsong Pack.¡±


    My lips quivered in happiness when I heard his words. Even though I¡¯m just a burden, he fully


    epted me into his Pack so willingly.


    ¡°We can now all start!¡± Drystan announced to the crowd. ¡°Our guest of honor has finally arrived!¡±


    Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Everyone apuded and cheered at Drystan¡¯s announcement. Everyone looked so happy. They


    had smiles on their faces as they weed me even though we did not know each other.


    ¡°Come, Astrid!¡± Nova suddenly pulled me by the arm surprising me. Before I could recover from my


    shock, she was already introducing me to the members of the Pack.


    I forced a smile on my face and made handshakes with everyone as Nova introduced all their Pack


    members to me. As an introvert, I felt awkward meeting and talking to multiple strangers at once.


    Thankfully, Nova never left my side and did most of the talking. Drystan wasn¡¯t wrong to trust his


    Pack members. He was right when he said that we are all going to love each other.


    All of the Nightsong Pack members are nice and friendly. None of them were as judgmental as I had


    thought. In just a short time, Nova¡¯s friends had be my friends too.


    ¡°Alpha Drystan made a good choice to choose this night for your party,¡± one of the pack members


    told us with a smile on her face.


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± one of them agreed. ¡°I heard there¡¯s going to be a full moon tonight, I can¡¯t wait to see


    it.¡±


    It¡¯s been so long since thest full moon happened. I didn¡¯t know that the full moon would appear


    tonight.


    ¡°Really?¡± Nova squealed excitedly. ¡°Astrid! We should wait for the full moon.¡± Nova shook my arm.


    I smiled at her. ¡°Of course.¡±


    Everything felt magical as we all gathered outside to celebrate. The stars twinkled softly above us


    as we ate while waiting for the full moon.


    The night was filled with lively conversations andughter as everyone savored the delicious food,


    delighting in the vors and enjoying each other¡¯spany.


    Round tables filled the area, and I ate with Nova along with her close friends at the same table. I


    was so engrossed in our conversation until I thought of Drystan.


    I looked up and searched for him in the crowd with just my eyes. I was nning to call him and ask


    him to join us in eating dinner when I saw him going around from table to table, interacting with all of


    the members of his Pack without yet having his dinner.


    My respect for him grew a hundredfold when I saw how hands-on he is with his Pack and how he


    doesn¡¯t discriminate among them.


    He approached and interacted with everyone regardless of their power. Seeing how he was having


    fun just talking with his members, I didn¡¯t bother to disturb him anymore.


    After everyone had eaten, we all gathered in the open space to watch the full moon happen before


    we left.


    Everyone looked so excited like they were waiting for the new year¡¯s countdown. Nova, Drystan,


    and I chose to stand at the back of the crowd to give way for the Pack members.


    As the moon shifts into full view, I suddenly feel an unusual shift in my body. I raised my arms and


    was shocked to see how the moonlight was reacting to my body.

 Chapter 24: Strange Incident

    Chapter 24: Strange Incident


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    I raised my arms and watched how the moonlight reflected on my skin. I don¡¯t understand what is


    happening. This has never happened to me before.


    I took a step back with my heart racing inside my chest. Fear gripped me for I didn¡¯t know if I was in


    danger or not.


    The moon shone brighter and it lookedrger than usual. The crowd was so amazed their mouths


    were open in awe as they marveled at the moon¡¯s sight.


    As werewolves, they are attracted to the moon¡¯s sight. They werepletely unaware that I was


    already panicking behind them.


    My whole body trembled in fear as my body absorbed the moon¡¯s light. The light of the moon that


    was shining so brightly above us slowly narrowed down to my body as if I were absorbing it.


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s happening?¡± Whispers grew from the crowd as everyone turned confused when the


    moon¡¯s light slowly faded away into one area.


    Thankfully, their eyes remained on the moon in front of them. No one had thought of looking behind


    them yet.


    I was about to turn around to run away from this ce before someone could discover what was


    happening when something heavy crushed my body.


    I don¡¯t know what it was, but my knees wobbled at the sudden heaviness that crashed into my body.


    Still, I managed to remain standing.


    My vision turned blurry and my head felt like it was being stretched by something. I think the


    moonlight is causing me to get sick. It¡¯s altering something inside of me and I just wanted it all to


    stop.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I think the moonlight is moving in one direction,¡± someone in the crowd finally figured out.


    Being pushed to the edge of my senses, I couldn¡¯t do anything. Everyone is going to find out what¡¯s


    happening to me now.


    Unless I found out what this was, I couldn¡¯t let them see me. What if this is a curse and they force


    me to leave their pack for this?


    I need to leave.


    ¡°Astrid?¡± Although the voice sounded so stretched in my ears, I still recognized Drystan¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± Drystan asked as he looked among the crowd when he didn¡¯t see me at the spot


    where I was.


    Drystan¡¯s voice attracted the crowd¡¯s attention. Just a minute now, Drystan is going to look behind


    him, thest spot that he hasn¡¯t yet checked and the crowd will turn around because of his voice.


    By then, everything would be over for me. Everyone will be afraid of me because of this incident


    that I couldn¡¯t understand.


    It¡¯s over¡­ I thought it was going to be over until someone suddenly arrived at the rescue and


    covered my body with a nket.


    ¡°I think Astrid is not feeling well,¡± Nova spoke up as she hugged me with the nket. It turns out, it


    was Nova who helped me.


    After my body got disconnected from the moon¡¯s aura, I started to feel better again. My vision slowly


    turned to normal and I finally regained back all my strength again.


    Drystan didn¡¯t answer for a moment. ¡°You should take her to her room,¡± he finally answered. ¡°I¡¯ll end


    the party from here.¡±


    Nova didn¡¯t have to be told twice, with her arms wrapped around me, she helped me escape from


    the crowd.


    ¡°Thank you for saving me out there, Nova,¡± I enveloped Nova in a tight hug as soon as we were


    safe in my room.


    Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What happened to you?¡± Nova looked so worried as she pushed me off her to take a good look at


    me. ¡°Y-You were¡ª¡± Nova stammered, not knowing how to exin.


    ¡°Thank you for covering up for me. I do not know what was happening to me either,¡± I replied, not


    letting her continue her sentence


    Nova looked at me with her brows bent downwards. What happened earlier was so dangerous. If


    someone had seen it, it would have been easily misunderstood.


    I¡¯m d that Nova saw it first and that she was able to think fast to save me.


    ¡°This never happened to me before,¡± I muttered. ¡°I think it has something to do with the


    complications of my wolf.¡±


    ¡°Are you alright now?¡± Nova asked me as I sat on the edge of my bed.


    ¡°After you covered me with the nket, I started to feel all right. I think the moon is altering


    something in my body,¡± I answered her.


    Nova looked clueless as she sat beside me. She just knew we were so close earlier.


    I bit my lower lip. I still haven¡¯t recovered from the anxiety that the incident earlier had caused me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Nova suddenly reached for my hand, she must have noticed my uneasiness. ¡°We are


    going to find out what is happening and we will find a cure for your wolf,¡± she assured me with a


    smile.


    I averted my gaze from her. I know she¡¯s just being nice, but how are we supposed to get such a


    rare cure in the Shadowfang Pack?


    Actually, I¡¯m not even thinking about that anymore. As long as I give birth to a healthy child. It


    doesn¡¯t matter to me if I recover or not.


    I know that Nova and Drystan will take care of my child if I die. There is nothing else I wish in this


    world except a good life for my unborn child.

 Chapter 25: Shadowfang Pack

    Chapter 25: Shadowfang Pack


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be worried, Astrid. I promise you, you are not alone in this. I will help you find


    your cure. I won¡¯t let anything bad happen to you,¡± Nova adds when she sees my indifferent


    reaction.


    I nced at Nova when I heard her words. She¡¯s promising me too many things. She might me


    herself if she¡¯s unable to keep some of her promises.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to promise me anything,¡± I shook her hand that she ced on myp tofort


    me. ¡°I told you, I¡¯ll figure everything out once my child is born,¡± I answered her even though I really


    had no intention of doing that anymore.


    It¡¯s obvious that someone like me could never acquire such a precious medicine.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been doing my own research behind your back,¡± Nova confesses which surprised me. ¡°I made


    a background search on Shadowfang Pack, it turns out Shadowfang Pack is an ancient Pack, no


    wonder why their name sounded so familiar to me,¡± Nova tells me.


    Although I was a Luna who had met so many Pack leaders because of my previous position. I¡¯ve


    never heard of a Pack called Shadowfang and I¡¯ve never met anyone that came from that Pack.


    It didn¡¯t even ring a bell to me when I heard the word Shadowfang Pack.


    ¡°If it¡¯s an ancient Pack, howe I¡¯ve never met anyone from them before?¡± I asked her.


    ¡°It¡¯s because Shadowfang Pack refuses to cooperate with other Packs. They are isting


    themselves from the others and don¡¯t like any cooperation,¡± Nova answered.


    ¡°What kind of Pack would separate from the others?¡± I asked under my breath.


    As a Luna, I know the importance of cooperation and alliance with other Packs even if your Pack is


    already stable and powerful.


    Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    The Silvermoon Pack is a stable and powerful Pack, yet it still seeks to ally with small Packs and


    offer them assistance knowing that it would be useful in the future.


    It sounds weird and unusual that a Pack is choosing to iste itself from the others.


    ¡°The Shadowfang Pack doesn¡¯t need anyone¡¯s help to survive. They have a long-standing history


    and they are so rich and powerful that they can sustain themselves even after thousands of years


    from now.¡±


    I chuckled lightly at Nova¡¯s words. I think she¡¯s exaggerating. How rich and powerful could this Pack


    be to sustain themselves for thousands of years alone and without the help of others? No Pack like


    that could possibly exist.


    ¡°Shadowfang Pack is abundant in resources. They have favorable climate and diversendscapes


    that almost all the rare herbs could be found in their territory,¡± Nova exined.


    Now it made sense why they could invent such a powerful medicine like the Lunar Elixir, but I doubt


    a Pack could survive on its own just by possessing that.


    ¡°Oh, and I also just found out in my research that mining is the Shadowfang Pack¡¯s main source of


    ie. Do you know Luminite? Their mines are the only source of Luminite.¡±


    My eyes widened at Nova¡¯s words. Now, I¡¯m finally impressed with their Pack. Luminite is a special


    kind of metal that has exceptional strength, durability, and unique energy-absorption capabilities.


    It is believed that the Luminite was formed when the pieces of the moon fell onto Earth a billion


    years ago. That also exins the craters that can be seen on the moon until now.


    ¡°Can you see now?! Shadowfang Pack doesn¡¯t need the help of the others. The other Packs


    needed them instead. It would have been so great for all Packs if their Alpha didn¡¯t hoard everything


    and separated themselves from the others,¡± Nova huffed.


    I fell silent as I thought of Nova¡¯s words and I think she¡¯s right. Just imagine how many werewolves


    would have been saved if the Shadowfang Pack shared the procedure of how to make Lunar Elixir


    with other Packs.


    There are a lot of werewolves who arete shifters. That problem would have been solved if the


    Lunar Elixir was avable in the market.


    ¡°I think this actually solves our problems,¡± I finally spoke up. ¡°The Shadowfang Pack is already rich


    and powerful that they don¡¯t need anything. For sure they can produce as many Lunar Elixirs as


    many as they want. Maybe they would give me the Lunar Elixir if I asked for it,¡± I exined to her.


    Nova shook her head hard. ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be so easy though,¡± Nova muttered.


    I guess, Nova hasn¡¯t told me the bad news yet.


    ¡°The Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack is different. You can say that he has a crooked mindset,¡± Nova


    added with her lips stretched slightly.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked her, not understanding what she exactly meant.


    ¡°Their Alpha has questionable principles and acts ording to his extreme views or ideologies.¡±


    I turned silent for a moment. I think she¡¯s saying that their Alpha is an extremist or a zealot.


    ¡°That¡¯s the reason why he doesn¡¯t like to cooperate with the other Alphas. He is what you might call


    evil,¡± Nova exined.


    In that case, I think my chances of getting this cure had just turned lower than before.


    If their Alpha is what she says he is, then how will I be able to convince him or negotiate with him to


    give me this cure?


    ¡°What are you guys talking about?¡± Drystan suddenly popped up behind our backs.

 Chapter 26: Grandma鈥檚 Secret

    Chapter 26: Grandma¡¯s Secret


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    My heart almost jumped out of my chest when I heard Drystan¡¯s voice from behind us.


    Drystan always appears in the most unexpected times. It¡¯s pure luck that he still had no idea about


    my sickness until now.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I asked Drystan as I clutched my beating heart.


    ¡°I just came to check,¡± Drystan answered. ¡°Are you okay now? How are you feeling?¡± He asked me.


    I sighed. ¡°I¡¯m okay, I just get tired easily because of my pregnancy,¡± I lied using a smooth excuse.


    Drystan softly nodded his head. ¡°You should rest more since you¡¯re pregnant. Always tell us when


    you need anything,¡± Drystan tells me.


    ¡°Is the party over already?¡± Nova asked Drystan.


    ¡°Yes, I told everyone to go home already after we saw the moon,¡± Drystan replied.


    ¡°Thank you, Drystan,¡± I paused. ¡°For the party.¡± I don¡¯t know how to thank him enough.


    Even though the party was too much, I knew I needed it and Drystan must have seen that also.


    I¡¯ve been feeling so troubledtely. Even though Killian bought our lies and I¡¯m officially out of his


    life, I¡¯m still thinking a lot about himtely and non-existent worries still bother me.


    Every time that I was alone I couldn¡¯t stop myself from thinking of him as much as I hated to admit


    it.


    The surprise party that he held for me was a great distraction. It helped me ease all of my worries


    and it was a perfect reminder to show me that I don¡¯t have to fear anything anymore.


    ¡°You¡¯re safe with us, Astrid. Me, Nova, and the Pack will always protect you and provide for you.


    You do not have to worry about anything,¡± Drystan reminded me.


    I smiled at his words. I know that, but it was always easy to forget that.


    My heart ached a little when I remembered one person who cared about me just like Drystan and


    Nova.


    I opened the small drawer on my nightstand and pulled out the bracelet that my grandmother had


    given me as a gift. This bracelet is the only memory that I have of her.


    I wish my grandmother was still alive. She would be happy to see me having new friends. She


    would have loved Nova too just like the others and she would be so happy to see me find a new


    ce where I feel that I belong.


    More particrly, I wish she had her chance to meet her great-grandchild. I was supposed to tell her


    that I was pregnant before she died, but because of Killian, I wasn¡¯t able to share that great news


    with her before she left.


    ¡°Where did you get that bracelet?¡± Drystan asked me with a surprised look on his face.


    I smiled as I looked at the bracelet. ¡°My grandmother gave it to me as a gift when I was little,¡± I


    answered him.


    Drystan is silent for a moment. He couldn¡¯t take his eyes off the bracelet.


    I didn¡¯t find it unusual to see the surprise in Drystan¡¯s face when he found out that I owned such a


    valuable object. When my grandmother first gave it to me, I didn¡¯t know that the bracelet had a high


    mary value in it.


    As an omega who isn¡¯t used to expensive things. I do not have the eye that can tell luxurious


    objects apart.


    I only found out that my bracelet was special when Killian¡¯s mother used me of stealing it and


    wanted to take it from me.


    Killian¡¯s mother is a materialistic woman. She even has her own collection of designer bags,


    designer shoes, and designer clothes.


    Killian had always pampered her mother with luxurious things, but he never once bought me


    anything basic.


    He couldn¡¯t even defend me from his mother who is always forcing me to divorce him so he could


    find another Luna.


    ¡°Is it okay if I take a look at the bracelet?¡± Drystan asked me respectfully.


    I smiled and handed him the bracelet, ¡°Of course.¡±


    Drystan took the bracelet from me as if it would break upon his touch. I chuckled slightly when I saw


    how careful he was in holding it.


    I watched Drystan as he looked at the bracelet with curiosity in his eyes. ¡°Is there something


    wrong?¡± I asked him when I noticed how he was intently looking at it.


    Drystan shook his head immediately, surprised by my question. ¡°Nothing,¡± he answered. ¡°Is it okay if


    I borrow your bracelet?¡± Drystan asks me respectfully.


    Nova suddenlyughed. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had a thing for bracelets.¡±


    Drystan red at her making meugh with Nova.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine if you borrow it, but this is my grandmother¡¯s gift for me. If something happens to it¡ª¡°


    ¡°I know,¡± Drystan spoke before I could finish my sentence. ¡°I just need to check on something. I¡¯ll


    return it to you as soon as possible.¡±


    Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Why are you so curious about the bracelet?¡± Nova asks him, making me look at Drystan, expecting


    his answer.


    Drystan is silent for a moment, his eyes never leaving the bracelet. ¡°I just,¡± he paused. ¡°I just


    wanted to confirm something,¡± Drystan answered Nova straight to her eyes.


    ¡°Okay, I will let you borrow my bracelet,¡± I told him. ¡°Just tell me what you find out after that, okay?¡±


    Letting Drystan borrow my bracelet is not a big deal when I could even trust him with my own life.


    ¡°What do you want to know about it?¡± Drystan suddenly asked me, making me speechless.


    ¡°I thought you had something you want to confirm. Just tell me after you¡¯re done,¡± I answered him.


    One of the reasons why I¡¯m letting him borrow my bracelet is because I¡¯m also curious if the


    bracelet is really indeed valuable.


    It¡¯s just an expandable metal bracelet with some artisan¡¯s design on it. It¡¯s not even made of silver.


    How could it hold so much value? Even the gem on it that Killian¡¯s mother considered precious


    seemed to be fake to me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll let you know if I made some discovery,¡± Drystan promised me.

 Chapter 27: Luminite Bracelet

    Chapter 27: Luminite Bracelet


    Drystan¡¯s POV


    I clutched Astrid¡¯s bracelet inside my hand as I left her room. As soon as I was alone in the hallway,


    I took another check on the bracelet once again.


    For some reason, this bracelet looked so familiar. I¡¯m just not sure where I have seen them before.


    With a bracelet as expensive as this, it would be umon to see it just anywhere. I¡¯m sure that I


    didn¡¯t see this bracelet from Astrid before. It was from someone else, but I just couldn¡¯t remember.


    I rubbed the bracelet¡¯s metal with my fingers and felt the weight of it on my hand to test its


    authenticity.


    The stone on the bracelet seemed fake, but I couldn¡¯t tell that for sure. However, the metal used in


    this bracelet seems strange.


    If I¡¯m not mistaken, I think the metal used here is called Luminite.


    In the whole world, only the Shadowfang Pack has ess to Luminite. Luminite is very rare, and


    aside from that the Shadowfang Pack doesn¡¯t just release their precious metal to anyone.


    It¡¯s hard to acquire a special metal like this. If this bracelet is indeed made of Luminite, then how


    could Astrid¡¯s grandmother have this and give it to her granddaughter?


    Maybe I¡¯m mistaken. Maybe this is some kind of metal that only looks like the Luminite. A lot of fake


    Luminites have been reported throughout the years. Maybe this is one of the fake ones and Astrid¡¯s


    grandmother got scammed.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    It¡¯s too early to know for sure.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha?¡± Our Pack¡¯s Beta answered after I connected with him through the Pack Link.


    ¡°I need you to search for an expert. Find me the best appraiser and a gemologist,¡± I ordered him as


    I walked to my office.


    ¡°What do you need them for?¡± He asked, thinking that I would be letting him take care of this task.


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to meet them. I just want you to schedule a meeting. I¡¯ll talk to them.¡± After


    saying those words, I disconnected our pack link and entered my office.


    I opened my deskmp and took another check on the bracelet, this time with close lighting.


    The inscriptions, and lines that didn¡¯t make sense before started to make sense after I ced them


    under the direct light.


    My suspicions grew deeper when I saw the intricate detail ced in this work. I¡¯m not an expert, but


    I have owned a few expensive and luxurious things to know a little when ites to differentiating


    the fakes from the original ones.


    Just by looking at the handcrafted design on the bracelet alone, I think it¡¯s a foolproof hint that this


    could really be as valuable as I think it is.


    I leaned back when a memory suddenly shed in my head. I think I know where I¡¯ve seen this


    bracelet before.


    I remember one friend who wore this once. The reason why it attracted my attention was because


    my friend is a man, and he is wearing a bracelet.


    I¡¯m not truly sure if this is the same bracelet that he wore at that time. It was too long ago, my


    memory might be wrong.


    As far as I can remember, a friend of mine bragged about his bracelet when I made fun of him for


    wearing a bracelet.


    He said that his bracelet is made of Luminite and the little stone on it that looked fake was actually


    an ancient stone from the first crafted crown that was made for the Shadowfang Pack¡¯s Alpha when


    crowns came into fashion.


    With such a valuable object, how could Astrid¡¯s grandmother happen to acquire such a bracelet?


    I was thinking of contacting my old friend and asking him about this bracelet directly, but he and I


    aren¡¯t as close as we were anymore.


    Years passed, many things happened and times have changed. I think it¡¯s better to check first if this


    thing is real before I reconnect with my old friend.


    I sighed and ced Astrid¡¯s bracelet in one of my table¡¯s drawers. I should sleep on it and show it


    first to the experts before I conclude anything.


    I cannot tell Astrid about any of my suspicions first until I make sure that I am right.


    Just as I was about to leave the office and go to my room to end the day, a Pack Warrior suddenly


    pushed the door to my office open almost startling me.


    ¡°Alpha,¡± the Pack Warrior panted as he spoke. ¡°You need to check something before you leave.¡±


    My brows furrowed. No warrior woulde to my office this time of the night unless it was an


    emergency.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked him with a straight face.


    ¡°While our Pack Warriors were taking their rounds, they caught werewolves spying around our Pack


    borders,¡± the warrior reported.


    Ever since Astrid got attacked near our Pack borders, I strengthened our Pack¡¯s security and added


    more warriors who would take turns guarding and looking out for our borders to ensure safety.


    I clenched my fist in anger when I heard that someone still dared to lurk around our Pack borders.


    ¡°Where are they now?¡± I demanded with my Alpha voice, making him cower in fear.


    ¡°We brought them all in the dungeons for interrogation, Alpha.¡± Hearing this, I stormed out of my


    office and marched over to the dungeons.


    ¡°How many are they?¡± I asked him as I walked and he followed behind me.


    ¡°There were two of them, Alpha. Both of them imed that they didn¡¯t know each other.


    My confusion deepened when I heard this. I wonder if they are after our Pack or after Astrid.


    As of now, our Pack doesn¡¯t have enemies, but who else aside from Killian would go after Astrid?


    Luckily, I strengthened the guard around our Pack borders, and they were able to catch the spies


    alive.


    I stopped in my tracks and turned around, making the pack warrior abruptly stop from walking.


    ¡°No one should know about this, are we clear?¡± I spoke in an authoritative voice.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± he firmly replied.


    I had just told Astrid that I would protect her and make sure that she was going to be safe in my


    Pack. I want to make her feel that she¡¯s safe. I can¡¯t let this thing make her worry.


    I put my game face on as I continued to walk to our Pack¡¯s dungeon.


    Now it¡¯s time to find out to whom these spies are working for.

 Chapter 28: Caught Spies

    Chapter 28: Caught Spies


    Drystan¡¯s POV


    The dungeon is so dark and damp that even the ce itself could cause fear to roll down your


    spine. It was eerie silent inside, broken by my heavy footsteps as I strolled in with my hands kept


    behind my back.


    I stopped and took a scrutinizing nce at the two spies that my men just caught lurking around our


    Pack borders. They stared at me with fear in their eyes not knowing what was in store for their life.


    ¡°You two must be new,¡± I muttered in a low voice as I sat on the chair across them.


    The two spies couldn¡¯t speak even though their mouths weren¡¯t bound with anything. They are also


    sweating so hard even though the night is cold.


    I sighed and leaned back on my chair, feeling rxed as opposed to them. The fact that they were


    caught so easily is a telltale sign that they are newly hired.


    They didn¡¯t expect the number of Pack guards guarding around our borders, and they also had no


    clue about our new rotation. It means they just started on their spy job.


    ¡°Who hired you?¡± I asked nonchntly as one of our warriors pushed in a cart that was filled with


    different kinds of tools that were specifically invented to torture someone without killing them.


    Their eyes went wide and they swallowed hard when they saw the set of tools that were brought in.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to ask again,¡± I paused. ¡°Who. hired. you,¡± I firmly enunciated each word.


    None of them opened their mouths to speak, of course, that would be easy.


    I stood up and trailed my fingers on the tools. ¡°Each one of these isid with wolfsbane. Not only


    this would be excruciatingly painful, but it could weaken your wolves as well.¡± I exined. ¡°I suggest


    that you cooperate to save us more time and to keep your lives.¡±


    One of the spies openly scoffed at my words. ¡°I know you are still going to kill us even if we tell you


    the truth.¡±


    With my back turned on them a small smile crept on my lips. They have no idea how I do my work.


    ¡°Alpha, here are their background reports.¡± Another warrior entered and handed me two folders.


    The two spies fell silent. They stared at the folders in my hand wondering what was inside it.


    My brows slightly furrowed as I flipped through the papers. ¡°Ryan Thompson, 32, member of the


    Ironw Pack, and it says here you have two children.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare include them in this they are innocent!¡± The spy named Ryan yelled angrily.


    ¡°Jack Collins, 30, member of the Stormborn Pack. Interesting, you have such a big family,¡± I


    commented when I saw that he and his whole extended family were living in the same house.


    ¡°What are you going to do? What is that to you?¡± Jack questioned in a calm manner, but his


    muscles were tense in anger.


    I folded the folders closed and faced them once again.


    ¡°If you think that I will use these tools to torture you and get the truth out of you, then you are both


    wrong,¡± I spoke with my eyes on Ryan who dared to scoff and talk back to me earlier.


    ¡°That¡¯s not how I work,¡± I muttered. ¡°What I would do is I will kidnap your loved ones one by one and


    torture them in front of you until you are moved to tell the truth.¡±


    I turned back to the folders again and started flipping through the pages.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we start with Jack¡¯s grandma and Ryan¡¯s son?¡± I spoke to my warrior who handed me


    the folders.


    He just nodded his head in silence and was about to leave to do as I asked when the two spies


    suddenly yelled to stop him.


    ¡°We will tell you the truth! We will tell you everything!¡± They both shouted trying to speak on top of


    each other. ¡°Don¡¯t bring them into this! Don¡¯t touch my family.¡±


    ¡°Halt!¡± Imanded, making my warrior stop.


    The spies all sighed in relief when I stopped him.


    ¡°Who hired you?¡± I asked them once again, giving them a chance.


    ¡°Killian.¡±


    ¡°Giselle.¡± They both spoke simultaneously, mentioning different names.


    They were so reluctant to say anything earlier, but now they are freely confessing to me.


    My brows furrowed at their answer. I was already expecting Killian¡¯s name to be mentioned, but


    Giselle? What is she nning to do?


    ¡°What does this mean? Did they hire you both together or¡ª¡°


    ¡°We don¡¯t know each other,¡± Jack spoke and Ryan nodded his head in agreement.


    They didn¡¯t even let me finish, they were willing to speak just to protect their family¡¯s lives.


    ¡°We were hired separately. Giselle hired me on her own in secret,¡± Ryan answered.


    My brows furrowed. It seems Killian is unaware of what his mistress is doing.


    ¡°What do they want?¡± I asked them.


    ¡°Killian hired me to investigate,¡± Jack answered first.


    ¡°Giselle wanted to make sure Astrid is still alive,¡± Ryan spoke after.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    It seems the two are still not convinced that Astrid is dead.


    ¡°I have a task for you in exchange for your lives,¡± I muttered making the two look at me with


    eagerness.


    ¡°Tell your boss that Astrid is dead and make them believe it. If you fail to do this, I will kill you, I will


    kill your family and I will wipe out your whole Pack,¡± I threatened them in a cold voice.

 Chapter 29: Elder Luna

    Chapter 29: Elder Luna


    Giselle¡¯s POV


    ¡°Astrid is dead, madame,¡± the spy that I hired finally came back with his report.


    I let out a breath and sat on my couch when I heard his confirmation. Of course, Astrid is dead. The


    Nightsong Pack held her memorial service along with her funeral. How could she still not be dead?


    It doesn¡¯t even make sense for Drystan to put on a whole show just to fool his own nephew. Even if


    Drystan and Astrid are close, why would Drystan betray his own flesh and blood for her?


    I think Killian¡¯s wolf is just in denial just as what Drystan had exined to him. Killian sounded so


    convincing that he nearly made me doubt my own eyes.


    ¡°Are you sure she¡¯s not dead?¡± I asked the spy I hired again, just to make sure.


    ¡°She even has her own grave in the Nightsong Pack. We¡¯ve been spying on their Pack for days, but


    I never saw the girl in the picture you asked me to look for in their Pack,¡± he replied.


    Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I sighed. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was because I was relieved or if I was frustrated that Killian was still


    holding on to Astrid even though she was already dead.


    I don¡¯t what is easier, to contend against a living person or a dead one. I thought all my problems


    would disappear once Astrid died, but Killian doesn¡¯t seem to have any ns of letting her go.


    It¡¯s been a week since Killian and I came back from the Nightsong Pack to check if Astrid was really


    dead.


    Until now, Killian is still convinced that Astrid is still alive. Every time that we saw each other, he


    couldn¡¯t stop talking about how his wolf could still feel a faint connection with his mate.


    I hope I could just wake him up and drill it into his head that his mate is already dead. However, I


    know he will only hate me if I ever mention that Astrid is dead.


    I needed someone that could do that job for me. Someone that Killian would listen to and won¡¯t get


    angry if they tell him that Astrid is dead and he has to move on.


    ¡°Miss Giselle,¡± I nced at my assistant who just entered my room.


    Ever since Killian had found out that I was pregnant, he not only assigned a Pack Doctor that would


    monitor my health he also assigned two omegas that would serve as my assistant.


    Even Astrid never had that kind of privilege when she was a Luna. Not only did she never have


    assistants who worked under her, but she worked as an assistant under Killian instead.


    My assistant wasn¡¯t surprised when she saw an unfamiliar man inside my room that is not even a


    member of the Silvermoon Pack. As my assistant, she had to give her allegiance to me.


    Her role is to support me and handle things for me. This job requires her honesty, loyalty, and


    confidentiality. My secrets will be safe with her and I could trust her with all my schemes. My


    downfall would be her downfall so she had to be careful.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked her in a nk voice after she bowed her head to me.


    ¡°Elder Luna Victoria requests your presence,¡± she replied with her head still lowered.


    A smirk yed on my lips when I finally found the answer to what I was looking for. I was just


    thinking of a person I could use to influence Killian¡¯s mind, someone that he would listen to and


    would never get angry with.


    Of course, there would be no other perfect person for that aside from his own mother.


    ¡°You can leave,¡± I motioned to the spy and he left the room quietly.


    After he left, I instantly fixed myself to look presentable in front of Killian¡¯s mother.


    She is the missing piece in my ns. I have to be on her good side.


    ¡°Giselle!¡± Killian¡¯s mother called out to me excitedly when she saw meing.


    I stiffened when she suddenly enveloped me in a hug and gave me a short kiss on both cheeks. I


    forced a smile on my face when she finally took a step back.


    ¡°How is my grandson doing?¡± She asked with a huge smile on her face. I nearly jerked when she


    just touched my belly without permission.


    I chuckled lightly at her question, matching the joy in her face. ¡°The baby is healthy, Elder Luna,¡± I


    muttered as I caressed my belly.


    Killian¡¯s mother suddenly tilted her head back andughed. ¡°Oh dear, there¡¯s no need to call me in


    my title. Just call me mother, okay? You are the mother of my grandson the heir to this Pack. You


    are a part of my family.¡±


    Even though Killian¡¯s mother is not a Luna anymore, she still wants to be called a Luna. She wanted


    everyone to call her Elder Luna because she never epted Astrid as the Pack¡¯s official Luna.


    I smiled at how easily I gained her trust just because I was pregnant. Even Astrid wasn¡¯t allowed to


    call her mother. Yet, she easily epted me as a true part of her family. This will make things easier


    for me.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked me when she saw the gloomy look on my face.


    It¡¯s time to y my cards and just see how much she likes me.

 Chapter 30: The Replacement

    Chapter 30: The Recement


    Giselle¡¯s POV


    My lips curled downwards and I lowered my gaze to evoke pity from Killian¡¯s mother. Her brows


    bent downwards instantly when she saw the sad look on my face.


    She took a step forward, closing the distance between us. ¡°Come on, tell me,¡± she whispered to me


    kindly.


    I forced a small smile on my face as I looked at her. ¡°I¡¯m just happy that you epted me


    wholeheartedly,¡± I paused and blinked my eyes, letting the sadness sink in. ¡°Killian had only seen


    me as a carrier of his baby. I wasn¡¯t even sure that you would like me,¡± I spoke pitifully.


    ¡°This is nonsense,¡± Killian¡¯s mother eximed. ¡°You are the mother of my grandson, of course, I will


    ept you.¡±


    I fell quiet at her words. Grandson? How could she be so sure that I was carrying a boy and not a


    girl?


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about Killian. I will talk to him, okay? From now on if you have any


    problems just tell me. Thinking of problems is not good for the baby,¡± Killian¡¯s mother smiled as she


    crouched down to speak to my baby.


    ¡°You little warrior are going to be our Pack¡¯s Alpha someday. Don¡¯t give your mother any trouble,


    okay?¡± Killian¡¯s mother suddenly talked in a baby voice making me feel weirded out.


    I forced a smile on my face when she suddenly nced at me.


    ¡°Just understand my son for now, okay? she spoke to me with brows drawn together. ¡°Even though


    they were in a loveless marriage, they are still mate. You need to give Killian¡¯s wolf some time to


    recover.¡±


    I slowly nodded my head at her words. ¡°I¡¯m just confused and a little worried. Killian keeps telling


    me that Astrid is still alive even though she¡¯s obviously dead, and time flies so fast. Soon I would be


    inbor and before you even know it my son would be old enough to ask me questions. What am I


    supposed to tell him if he asks me why his parents are not married?¡± I voiced out to her, hoping that


    she would understand.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Killian¡¯s mother sighed before giving me her full attention. ¡°That is exactly why I called you out here,


    Giselle.¡±


    My eyes widened at her words.


    ¡°We need to talk about your ascension and n for you and your child¡¯s future.¡± Killian¡¯s mother


    added making me speechless.


    I didn¡¯t know what to say when I heard her words. I couldn¡¯t believe that she was thinking the same


    thing as me.


    ¡°I-I,¡± I cleared my throat when I stammered a little. ¡°Ascension? Does that mean I get to be the


    Luna?¡± I asked her in disbelief as if bing a Luna was never my ambition.


    ¡°Of course, there¡¯s no one else out there who deserves to be a Luna better than you,¡± she answered


    confidently.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this too soon?¡± I questioned her once again.


    Victoriaughed at my question. ¡°Too soon? If I could, I would make you the Pack¡¯s Luna right now.


    Ever since Astrid had left, Killian¡¯s workload doubled. He had to do his duties as the Alpha and


    cover up for the Luna duties,¡± she sighed. ¡°I feel bad for my son. He needs a Luna that can help him


    as soon as possible.¡±


    She is right. I¡¯ve also noticed how Killian has gotten busy ever since Astrid left. I wanted to help him,


    but I¡¯m not even an official member of their Pack so Killian couldn¡¯t trust me with confidential


    information.


    ¡°Right now, I¡¯m the only one who could see your potential as a Luna. You need to prove yourself to


    the Pack members first so that they would fully ept you as a Luna. Once they finally like you,


    even Killian will be pushed to have you as his bride,¡± Killian¡¯s mother exined.


    ¡°How? How will I do that?¡± I asked her eagerly.


    Victoria smiled at my question. ¡°Don¡¯t worry dear, you will have my back. I will support you until you


    be the Pack¡¯s Luna. You just need to take care of my grandson and raise him properly,¡± she


    replied then turned her back on me.


    I swallowed hard as my gaze slowly dropped on my belly. It¡¯s the only reason why I get to stay in the


    Silvermoon Pack.


    Since Victoria is insisting that my baby is going to be a boy, my child has to be a boy. I know Victoria


    would turn her back on me if she found out that I was giving birth to a girl.


    I don¡¯t want to be like Astrid. I don¡¯t want to suffer like her, unloved by her own husband and hated


    by her own mother-inw. I can¡¯t ept living the life that she had.


    ¡°Starting tomorrow, I want you to join me in my errands. I will teach you everything that I know and


    train you to be a Luna. After a week I will call Killian to join us for dinner and I will break this


    news to him. Is that clear?¡± Victoria¡¯s mother asked with her eyes pointed at me.


    ¡°Yes, mother,¡± I answered curtly.


    ¡°Good, you don¡¯t have to worry about anything just do what I say and I will do the rest,¡± she adds


    and I nod my head.


    With Elder Luna on my side, I know I will have no problems. With the influence that he has on


    Killian, I wouldn¡¯t even have to worry about him.

 Chapter 31: Old Life

    Chapter 31: Old Life


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    Iy awake on my bed with my eyes wide open, unable to turn back to sleep. It¡¯s extremely early,


    the sun hasn¡¯t even risen yet. I used to wake up at this hour of the day every single day back when I


    was still a Luna. My body clock is yet to adjust to the new life that I have.


    In my days as a Luna, I used to wake up before the sun could take its ce in the sky to work until


    late in the night.


    Back then, I would work for hours straight without any time to rest, but now all I had to do all day


    was rest.


    Drystan and Nova refused to let me do any work just because I was pregnant. They are treating me


    like I¡¯m a disabled person.


    I know that it is unreasonable of me toin that I¡¯m doing nothing, but my body is just not used


    to doing nothing.


    I miss my job, I miss having tasks that I had toplete throughout the day. I feel like I¡¯m only


    wasting time every day.


    Even though it was not time for me to wake up yet, I stood up and cleaned my bed knowing that I


    won¡¯t be able to bring myself back to sleep.


    I decided to go out for a morning walk even though it was still dark inside and everyone was still


    probably asleep especially since they had to go to bedtest night because of the party that we


    had.


    I breathed in fresh air as I enjoyed the early morning breeze and I took a walk just around the


    packhouse. I decided not to walk too far, remembering the bad thing that happened to me thest


    time that I strolled not too far from the Pack borders.


    As I was strolling just outside the packhouse, I stepped back and hid at the corner of a wall when I


    heard footstepsing.


    I didn¡¯t know why I hid, I just acted on instinct when I realized that I was not alone. I thought that


    everyone was asleep except for me.


    ¡°Remember what I told you. If you fail to convince them to believe that Astrid is dead, then I will kill


    your family and wipe out your whole pack. Is that clear?¡±


    My brows furrowed together when I recognized that voice. Isn¡¯t that Drystan?


    I took a peek from the wall to see what was happening.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± the two men who were subdued by the Pack Warriors spoke in unison.


    I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen them before. I think they are not members of this Pack.


    ¡°Show their way out,¡± Drystanmanded to his warriors.


    I watched them leave until they were out of sight.


    When they were gone, Drystan finally sighed and a troubled expression crossed his emotionless


    face.


    ¡°Who are they?¡± I popped out of my hiding ce when Drystan was left on his own.


    Drystan looked so startled that he stared at me like he was looking at a ghost. ¡°A-Astrid?¡± he


    stammered, still adjusting from his shock. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± he voiced out.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep so I went out for a walk. Who were they?¡± I asked him as I nced at where his


    men disappeared.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be out here at this time of the day,¡± Drystan tried to change the topic.


    He held me by my shoulders and carefully pushed me inside the Packhouse. He is trying his best to


    change my line of attention to stop me from asking any questions.


    Seeing that he was acting like I saw something I shouldn¡¯t have seen, I was more convinced to ask


    him questions.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen those two men before. Are those spies?¡±


    Drystan stopped in his tracks and averted his gaze on me. Seeing his reaction, I knew I guessed


    the right answer.


    ¡°Who sent them? Are they here for me?¡± I asked him in a calm voice even though anxiety was


    slowly rising up from inside me.


    Killian didn¡¯t believe our lies did he? Killian is still after me, he still thinks that I¡¯m alive.


    Negative thoughts flooded my head as Drystan took time to answer my simple question.


    Even though my voice was fine, Drystan still saw through my eyes.


    ¡°Astrid,¡± Drystan sighed. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I have sent those spies back to convince Killian that you¡¯re dead.


    I¡¯m sure he would believe it this time now that he got more evidence,¡± Drystan tried to assure me.


    ¡®So that is what the threat was for.¡¯ I thought to myself when I remembered his words that I


    overheard in their conversation earlier.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Trust me, Killian will believe it this time and he will finally stop going after you. I won¡¯t let anything


    bad happen to you ever,¡± Drystan continued to assure me with his words slowly calming me down.


    I bit my lower lip and jumped into his arms, hugging him tight. Drystan was surprised when I


    suddenly hugged him, but I needed a hug to calm me down right now.


    ¡°Thank you, Drystan. I owe you so much. If you need anything from me, just tell me,¡± I whispered to


    his ear.


    Drystan only softly caressed my back in return. I know he doesn¡¯t want anything from me. Which is


    why I do not understand why he¡¯s helping me.


    ¡°Astrid I had something to tell you,¡± Drystan spoke.


    I pulled apart from our hug when I noticed the seriousness in his voice.


    ¡°Giselle actually sent the other to spy to investigate on you. I thought you should know. Is there any


    reason why Giselle would be so interested in you?¡± Drystan broke the news to me.

 Chapter 32: Dinner

    Chapter 32: Dinner


    ?


    Killian''s POVExclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I twirled the pasta with my fork with a bored expression on my face. I had no appetite to eat, but my mother forced me to join her for dinner.


    I thought she had something important to say to me, but I was surprised when I saw that Giselle would be joining us for dinner.


    My Beta had mentioned to me before that my mother and Giselle are getting along pretty well.


    I also noticed that the two of them have been spending so much time together in thest week. I just pretended that I hadn''t noticed this and busied myself for work.


    There are a lot of things I had to handle anyway so I got no time to spare for other matters.


    "Killian, you''ve gotten so thin. What happened?" Mother sounded so rmed as she looked at my face. "Giselle, why are you not taking care of my son?"


    I was about to tell her that I was fine. I have just be busytely, but I was stopped short when she suddenly asked Giselle a weird question. Take care of me? Why is it Giselle''s job to take care of me?


    Giselle softly smiled and dabbed a napkin on her mouth as she slowly faced my mother. "I''m sorry Mother, I''ve been doing everything I can to support him. Killian, are you not eating the meals that I have sent for you?" Giselle questioned me.


    I was tongue-tied as my eyes darted back and forth between my mother and Giselle. "What is going on here?" I asked them cluelessly.


    I already had a bare guess of what could be happening here, but I''m still not sure if that is it. I hope it''s not it.


    Giselle has been sending me freshly cooked meals on time in my office and she even has snacks brought in between meals for me. Sometimes, she would also send along little things as a token for me.


    I never ced any meaning on that. I thought she was just sending those things because she''s just genuinely concerned about my well-being. How could I pay attention to it when she never personally delivered anything? Her assistant woulde to my office to deliver everything on her behalf like it wasn''t something personal.


    If only I knew that they had been nning something like this behind my back, I wouldn''t have epted anything under her name.


    I thought I made things clear to her the first time she tried to make a move on me. I never expected that she would win my mother''s heart and use her to win me too.


    "What is happening here, mother? Are you nning something that you haven''t discussed with me again?" I asked my mother in a stern voice.


    My mother has the habit of doing things of her own will. Even though I am already the Pack''s Alpha, she sees me like I am just his son.


    "Is this something that we even have to discuss, Killian? Astrid is dead, the Pack needs a new Luna. What better candidate there is aside from Giselle who is already carrying your own child?" Mother spoke straightforwardly.


    I gripped my fork tightly until my knuckles turned white.


    Last week the spy I hired to investigate the Nightsong Pack came back with the news that Astrid is dead... for real.


    Until now, my wolf still couldn''t ept that his mate was dead. He keeps on insisting that he could still feel a faint connection with her.


    It only made Drystan''s exnation have more sense regarding how a wolf could fall into denial when his mate dies.


    ¡°Our Pack members are not even demanding a new Luna yet," I scoffed at my mother.


    "Look at you, son! You barely eat,


    you barely sleep. Your Beta has told me that you have been working extra and taking night shifts ever


    since Astrid left. You can''t keep


    going like this, Killian. If you continue like this you will get sick and the Pack will lose their Alpha also," my mother countered with a crease on her forehead.


    I dropped my fork on the table and stared at my mother directly into her eyes. "What makes you think that Giselle could help me and lessen my workload, mother? She doesn''t have any experience in anything like this. It would also be more troublesome that I had to teach her everything," I rebutted even though Giselle is currently with us.


    "You don''t have to teach her anything. I''ve been training her to work as a Luna for the past week and she exceeded my expectations. I assure you, she would be a better Luna than Astrid."


    I frowned at my mother''s words.


    Where could find a person that is


    better than Astrid? Ever since she left, I learned to appreciate her more and I realized how much I have looked down on her. I made a huge


    mistake in letting her go. Content


    belongs to


    "I don''t think that the Pack members would think the same as you," I muttered in a disinterested voice.


    "That''s why I called you out for dinner," my mom answered. "I want you to give Giselle a serious task that could gain her recognition in the pack. Give her something that is easy for a beginner like her.¡±


    My mouth fell open in disbelief when I heard her words.

 Chapter 33: Simple Task

    Chapter 33: Simple Task


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    "Why do you look so surprised, Killian? Don''t you want the mother of your child to be the Luna? This isn''t just about you or the Pack, Killian. You need to do this for your child. I don''t want my grandson to grow up in a broken family," My mother added when she saw the hesitation on my face.


    I nced at Giselle who had kept her silence the whole time. Her head is also lowered, she''s too ashamed to lift her head and look at me. "Time is moving, Killian. Before you know it, your child will be asking questions. I don''t want my grandson to be confused when he grows up. As much as possible, Giselle should ascend as a Luna before her pregnant belly could turn visible. Understood?" My mother demanded.


    I chewed my bottom lip as I assessed everything.


    Deep inside my heart, I''m still hoping that Astrid woulde back and im her title, but I know that would never happen.


    Astrid is already dead and I have to ept that. Letting Giselle ascend as the Luna would be a sign that I have already epted her death.


    Besides, aside from Giselle, there''s no one out there who could be a better Luna. Choosing Giselle will make my life lessplicated since she''s already carrying my child.


    Even though what happened to us is a mistake, the baby is innocent and I need to fulfill my role as a father to him in the best way that I could. "I''m handling a task that is exactly as what you have described," I finally answered in defeat.


    "Our Pack is trying to form an alliance with the Frostbite Pack. I''ve already negotiated everything with them and the only thing left is a signed pact between our Packs.


    I''ve never met the Frostbite''s Alpha before and we have never visited each other''s Packs. All that Giselle needed to do was visit the Frostbite Pack and meet its Alpha thene back with the signed Pact. That would be easy since I''ve already finished negotiating with them," I exined to them.


    My mother beamed happily when she heard my words. "This is great news! Forming an alliance with another Pack is a huge thing. If this alliance gets credited to you, the whole Pack will believe that you are capable of being the Pack''s Luna," my mother spoke excitedly with her eyes on Giselle.


    Giselle softly smiled. "Thank you, mother."


    "No need to thank me, you just have to do your best in this. Although this is a very simple task, you still need to leave a good impression on Frostbite Pack. You still have a lot to learn, but you don''t have to worry, I will help you." Giselle smiled at my mother''s words.


    Astrid has formed so many alliances with so many Packs before without the help of anyone. She learned everything on her own with everyone against her.


    My mother never liked Astrid, so she never took the time to train her or teach her anything.


    Although, my father taught her some things until he died.


    In our family, it is only my father who likes Astrid. He treated her like his own daughter because he saw her potential and value, something that it took me so long to realize.


    Maybe if it wasn''t for my father who supported Astrid, she wouldn''t havested long as my mate.


    "It''s finalized then... I will send an email to the Frostbite Pack soon. I would tell them that Giselle woulde to visit them with the pact that is yet to be signed." I told them.


    My mother eagerly nodded her head. "That''s great! The soon that we have this Pact signed, the sooner we can n Giselle''s ascension."


    "Are you all right, Giselle?" I asked her when I saw the ufortable expression on her face.


    It immediately vanished when I interrupted her.


    "I''m alright, just a bit excited," Giselle forced out a chuckle.


    Even though she''s smiling, I know she''s not feeling well about this. Giselle and I dated for so many years back when I still did not know that Astrid was my mate.


    I know it when she''s worried or hiding something. My mother is too caught up in her own excitement to even notice anything.


    "Are you sure?" I asked Giselle once again, and this time she couldn''t answer.


    "You don''t have to worry, Killian. Giselle could do this already. I wouldn''t ask such an important task from you if she isn''t," my mother answered for her and Giselle never corrected her.


    Even though everything is settled already, this is still a very important task. The Frostbite Pack has high standards and they don''t just form alliances with any Pack. Just a little mistake could change their Alpha''s mind.


    The Frostbite Pack''s Alpha seemed enthusiastic about signing the pact with us though. I doubt that anything could go wrong. Even if I send an omega there, they could trulygo back with a signed pact. Content


    belongs to Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I couldn''t stop looking at Giselle since the uneasiness in her eyes never left her expression. I wonder what is making her feel so anxious about meeting the Frostbite Pack.


    "Visiting a Pack, meeting the Alpha,


    what would be so difficult about that?" my mother evenughed. "O I''m so happy that Giselle is having my grandson. Our bloodline would get tainted if that Astrid got pregnant."

 Chapter 34: Favor

    Chapter 34: Favor


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    The entire day, my thoughts were constantly racing back to Drystan''s statement that Giselle had sent a spy to ensure that I was dead and I couldn''t get past over it.


    I don''t know why Giselle would still be so concerned about me when I already left the Pack.


    Thinking about it made me remember that Giselle hadn''t been on my mind recently. Giselle has slipped my mind because I have been preupied with Killian.


    As I thought about her, I remembered the time when she drove past me right after I left the Pack.


    That was thest time that I saw her, and I would never forget herst words to me.


    "Of course, I wouldn''t miss to see you go down to dust. You are just a rogue now who has nowhere to go. You will be dead soon."


    At that time, I never held meaning to her words. I foolishly believed she was merely trying to provoke me and add salt to my wound.


    As I pondered her words, however, I began to question if she really meant her words or if she was simply saying those things out of spite.


    She seemed very sure that I would die soon, if my memory serves me well. She did not sound like she was wishing me death. She knew that I would be dead.


    Additionally, rogues attempted to assassinate me on that exact same day. That night I would have been dead had it not been for Drystan.


    Could Giselle have any connection to that incident?


    I have been thinking about it. Rogues rarely attack in groups, and they won''t normally just stumble upon roads or stay near Packs.


    It seemed unusual for me that they "coincidentally" just found me. It''s as if someone specifically told them to kill me.


    "Astrid."Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Someone burst into my room, and I nearly leaped out of my chair. I nced around to see Nova grinning down at me. "N-Nova," I stammered out


    I always crave for cotton candy whenever I see her hair.


    "How are you feeling?" she asked me.


    "I''ve been feeling great," I told her with a smile.


    Despite the fact that I still do not know what happened to mest night, I still felt perfectly good physically.


    Although my body is still weak, I''m not in any pain so there''s nothing to be worried about.


    Nova calmed down when she heard my response. "That''s good," she replied as she plopped down on the edge of my bed.


    Did Nova just came all the way here to check on me?


    ¡°Actually, I came here to ask you for a favor," Nova spoke, her voice barely above a whisper as she hesitantly lowered her gaze.


    I chuckled softly when I saw how shy she was with all the things that she had done for me. I owe her so so much.


    "What is it?" I asked her softly.


    "It''s about Drystan. You were a Luna before, right? I just hope you can help him," Nova answered without ncing at me.


    I couldn''t help but crack a smile when I heard herints. Even though Nova is already an adult, even I consider her to be a young kid. Not just because she is much younger than me, but because she also looks like one.


    She''s just so adorable, and with her pink hair, who would have taken her so seriously?


    Obviously, I never said those things


    l


    aloud. I adore Nova for just the way she is. She is like a sparkling champagne that bubbles with enthusiasm, and she leaves asting impression of joy and positivity on those around her.


    "I''m sure you''ve noticed it too, right? Drystan is handling everything. He is training our Pack Warriors every morning and then he has to handle reports and domestic disputes. He is also in charge of our Pack rtions. He is doing everything by himself," Nova tells me exasperatingly. Content belongs to


    That''s true; I have noticed it, too. I rarely see Drystan in the Pack because he is always stuck in his office doing work.


    But the fact that he was doing everything by himself was news to me. I had assumed Nova was also responsible for managing some pack affairs.


    "I''ve been asking him to give me some of the tasks that he has, but he never trusts me with Pack matters. I know he is getting tired of doing everything by himself, but he always refuses to receive help from me.


    You were a Luna, so I think he would listen to you. He knows how capable you are. Could you kindly speak with him, Astrid? Would you mind assisting him, please?" Nova begged me with her hands sped together


    "Of course, I would help him. No need to plead with me, "I said, rising to my feet.


    Nova jumped up and down in happiness like a little kid before wrapping me in a hug. "Thank you, thank you so much, Astrid. You''re a lifesaver," she thanked me happily.


    "If I could, I would have handled it


    myself. Remember when I told you how Drystan took it as his role to take care of me since my sister died? Think he doesn''t want me to help because of that, too," Nova spoke with a mncholic voice which made me speechless


    I guess Drystan just doesn''t want to let down his mate.

 Chapter 35: Unexpected News

    Chapter 35: Unexpected News


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    I knocked on the door of Drystan''s office.


    "Come in," I heard him shout inside, so I twisted the door open.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Astrid?" He looked up at me with surprise on his face, not expecting to see me. "What are you doing here?" He asked me.


    "I came to ask how I can be of help," I answered him straightforwardly as I looked around, admiring his office.


    This is the first time I''ve ever been inside Drystan''s office. I didn''t expect it to look so cozy with a firece in the corner.


    At the side, he has a disy cab where all of his medals and trophies are ced.


    Drystan was an overachiever. Not only was he smart, but he was also a talented student.


    He participated in a lot of extracurricr activities, made his name in sports, and even won many contests.


    Even with his grand achievements, it wasn''t enough to make him the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack.


    "You should be resting in your room, Astrid," Drystan spoke softly as he brought down his gaze back on the papers that he was working on again. "You shouldn''t be ying jokes like this."


    "I''m not joking," I retorted as I pressed my palms at the edge of his desk. I craned my neck to steal a look at his papers. "What''s that all about?"


    My eyes widened when he suddenly scrambled to take away his papers from my prying eyes.


    "This is confidential information, Astrid," Drystan told me firmly with a flustered expression on his face.


    "I thought I was already a member of this Pack?" I retorted.


    "Y-you." Before Drystan couldplete his sentence, someone interrupted him.


    ¡°Alpha,¡± someone rapped at the door, making me look behind. "The snacks are here," an omega spoke while carrying a tray of food.


    I pushed myself off Drystan''s table and watched as the omega ced the snacks on the small coffee table at the center of Drystan''s office.


    My lips stretched a little when I saw two cups of tea and two servings of cookies, which meant Drystan called the food in when I arrived. He meant for me to stay.


    "Thank you, Melda," Drystan gave the omega a soft smile and a soft nod, which she returned with a nod before leaving.


    My eyebrows shot up with astonishment when I heard Drystan call an omega by name. I believe this is the first time I''ve ever seen an Alpha who knew an Omega by their name.


    "Have a seat, Astrid," Drystan pointed at the couch ced in front of the coffee table, and he stood up from his seat to move to the couch in front of


    me.


    "I was a Luna before I became a member of your Pack, Drystan." I spoke first before he could even take his seat. I''m always locked up in my room doing nothing all day. My body is not used to doing nothing, if there are some tasks that I could handle, just give them to me."


    "I''m doing well on my own, Astrid. You don''t have to worry about such things. You should just stay in your room and focus on your recovery," Drystan replied, which aroused anger inside of me.


    "I''m a pregnant woman, not a sick person," I snapped at him. "I understand why you are not allowing Nova to handle some Pack matters, but there is no reason for you to hold back against me."


    Drystan''s eyes snapped back at me when he heard my words.


    "Nova came to me this morning and told me that you have been raising the Pack all by yourself," I interjected, cutting him short. "You''re handling Pack governance, military affairs and even the Pack rtions. You make yourself sick if you keep doing all of that by yourself. Since I have experience in this field, you can pass down the other tasks to me." Content belongs to


    I used to handle those tasks before, and I know how daunting and time-consuming the tasks could be


    When I was the Silvermoon Pack''s Luna and Killian''s assistant, Killian delegated most of the tasks to me, leaving almost no work for him to do.


    He only ever handled tasks that required his presence or his name and signature on it.


    Not to mention that the Silvermoon Pack is a huge Pack. The Nightsong Pack''s tasks could be nothingpared to the tasks of the Silvermoon Pack.


    Before I could receive Drystan''s response. Another person knocked on the door once again, interrupting our conversation.


    "Come in," Drystan muttered weariedly.


    I sighed before bringing the cup of tea to my lips and sipped it a bit so that the new guest wouldn''t mind me.


    "Alpha," Drystan''s Beta turned his attention back to his Alpha after ncing at me.


    "What is it?" Drystan asked him with a bored expression on his face as he sipped his tea.


    Drystan''s Beta looked constipated as he stood beside Drystan, which only meant that he had no good news to bring. "The Frostbite Pack has refused to form an alliance with us."


    Drystan turned tense, and stress crossed his expression, which just showed what a big deal this was.


    "What is their reason?" Drystan finally gave him his full attention.


    "They never made things clear with


    us, but I heard that the Frostbite Pack''s Alpha has been negotiating an alliance with the Silvermoon Pack. Although, they haven''t officially signed anything


    swnovel.r

 Chapter 36: Twist

    Chapter 36: Twist


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    I clenched my fists when I heard what my Beta had said. I''ve been trying to form an alliance with the Frostbite Pack for months, and now the Silvermoon Pack just suddenly swept in and stole them from us.


    I''ve been sending gifts and envoys to the Frostbite Pack to convince their Alpha. To be honest, our proposition is a good deal. It is even more beneficial to them than it is to us.


    I just wanted to have a signed alliance with a high pack like them to stabilize our PackPack and strengthen our future projects.


    We are just a small Pack who is just starting to establish ourselves in the werewolfmunity, but we are already getting trampled down without being given the chance for a fair fight.


    Astrid sighed, making me look at her. I felt bad for her when I saw how her shoulders slumped and how she exasperatedly ced her forehead on her palm.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    She must be ming herself for this oue again.


    ¡°Astrid¡ª¡° I was about tofort her when my Beta spoke.


    "Alpha, I think you should talk to your nephew. I think that''s the only thing we can do to solve this problem."


    I gritted my teeth when I heard his insensitive words. I know he only gave that suggestion because he was trying to help, but how could he say this in front of Astrid?


    I know that Killian deliberately stepped in and offered an alliance with the Frostbite Pack because he knows that I have been trying to form an alliance with them. Astrid must have thought of this, too.


    Since we are just a small Pack and the Silvermoon Pack is one of the most powerful Packs in this world, it''s normal for the Frostbite Pack to ept the Silvermoon Pack''s proposal for alliance.


    "Why should we beg Killian to give us anything?" Astrid questioned, making the room fall eerily quiet. "Since they haven''t signed anything yet, we still have the chance to turn things around."


    "How?" My Beta rebutted. "There''s no way the Frostbite Pack would choose us," Beta Caden shook his head.


    "Have you forgotten that I was a Luna? When I was in the Silvermoon Pack, I didn''t just handle our Pack''sPack''s military; I was also in charge of our Pack rtions." Astrid narrowed her gaze on me. "Give this task to me, Drystan. Let me visit the Frostbite Pack, and I promise you will be back with a signed contract with them."


    "Even if you are capable of doing that, how would you be able to do it when everyone already thinks that you''re dead?" Beta Caden rebutted.


    "I will wear a disguise or something. I know Nova cane up with something." Astrid red at my Beta.


    "Please, Drystan, let me handle this," Astrid pleaded to me with squinted eyes


    I averted her gaze. Didn''t I promise


    her that I will keep her safe and protected in my PackPack forever cannot agree with this. What if. something bad happens to her there,


    n


    and would be too far to protect her.


    "I''ll bring Beta Caden with me if that would ease your worries." My eyes snapped to Astrid when I heard her words.


    It''s as if she could read my mind, but Caden?


    "W-What?" Caden gasped out loud in surprise. I know why Caden is asking so many questions and trying to oppose Astrid; it is because he mes this misfortune on her.


    "What do you say, Drystan?" Astrid questioned me, making me jump back from my thoughts.


    "Y-You should bring Nova with you instead. I would feel more assured if you were with her,¡± I answered in defeat.


    Astrid beamed happily when she heard my answer, but I was not as happy as she was.


    I''ve thought it long and well enough. If there''s someone who can turn things around, it would only be Astrid.


    I did not entirely agree with Astrid for


    that reason, know Astrid; if she''s determined about something, she will never stop until she gets it. I know that no words would ever


    |


    change her mind. She would only be more desperate to get what she


    wants. Content belongs to


    If I had the power to choose, of course, I would rather just let her stay here; at least she would be safe in my PackPack and under my care.


    "Thank you so much, Drystan. I swear, I''ll have the contract signed when I''m back," Astrid beamed happily.


    "You don''t have to think about that. Just stay safe, okay. Take care of yourself, and don''t forget that you''re pregnant," I answered, which made herugh.


    "I can take care of myself, Drystan, and with Nova with me, nothing bad will happen," Astrid assured me.


    I sighed in defeat. "I''m going to


    inform the Frostbite Pack about your


    visit then. I will only give you one


    week, Astrid. After that, you cane back with or without the signed contract."


    "Agreed," Astrid answered confidently with a smirk.


    The only reason why I''m just giving her a week is because I wanted to ensure her safety. I didn''t expect that she would take this as a challenge instead.


    "Go and meet with Nova for your disguise. I''ll take care of the expenses. Keeping your identity secret is the top priority here, Astrid," I warned her.


    "I know. You don''t have to worry; I''ve never met anyone in Frostbite Pack before," she answered, making me feel less worried.

 Chapter 37: Resemblance

    Chapter 37: Resemnce


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    I gripped the steering wheel as my weary eyes scanned the winding road ahead. The rhythmic hum of the engine reverberated through the car, blending harmoniously with the faint music ying on the car''s speaker.


    It was a long ride travelling from the Nightsong Pack to the Frostbite Pack. Nova and I took turns behind the wheel so we could arrive there as soon as possible before the Frostbite Pack could sign an alliance with the Silvermoon Pack and lose all our chances.


    Novay sound asleep beside me, her chest rising and falling into a peaceful slumber. She drove all night before I took my turn to drive this morning.


    I shivered when the bitter cold seeped through the car''s window, chilling me to the bone and adding an extrayer of fatigue.


    Drowsiness tugged at me because of the cold climate. The long empty road, the snowkes that pattered the windshield, and the snow-coveredndscape outside. It made it hard for a pregnant woman like me to keep my eyes open.


    I yawned and flexed my fingers on the steering wheel to battle my drowsiness. We are nearing our destination. The fact that everything around us is snow-covered right now just shows that we are near.


    "Oh no!" My eyes widened, and I jammed my foot on the break when someone suddenly sprinted in front of my car. I yelped as I nearly bumped my head into the steering wheel because of the sudden force.


    Nova blinked her eyes and groaned after she was broke out of her slumber. "W-What happened?" She asked me with a sleepy voice.


    I didn''t answer her. I removed my seatbelt and went out of the car to see what it was. My heart raced inside my chest as I wondered if I had killed something.


    "Oh no! I''m so sorry!" I covered my mouth in fear when I realized that it wasn''t an animal. I nearly drove over a little girl.


    The little girl looked frightened as she locked gazes with me. She''s slumped on the ground, a few inches in front of my car.


    I don''t think I hit her. I didn''t hear anything colliding with my car. If I was a bitte in stepping on the brakes, I think I would have killed her. "Are you okay?" I asked her worriedly as I rushed to help her.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I helped her stand up and checked her for any injuries, but I didn''t see anything. Nova watched me after she stepped out of the car.


    "Are you hurt?" I asked her again while looking into her eyes, but she didn''t say a word.


    "What''s your name?" Nova asked the little girl when she gave me no response.


    The girl didn''t say anything. She just continued to stare at us emptily.


    I bit my lower lip in fear, thinking that I might have hit her head or something, causing her to lose her ability to speak.


    "Do you know who your mom is? Do you know where you live?" Nova stepped forward and crouched before the little girl to match her height.


    She wore a soft smile on her face to make the girl feelfortable. Back in the Nightsong Pack, all the kids there like Nova. I let her speak to the girl since she is good with children.


    Nova sighed when she still got no response from her. She stood up and turned her attention to me. "It seems this child is lost. We should take her to the Frostbite Pack with us. Maybe they would be able to identify her," Nova suggested. Content belongs to


    I nodded my head. I was thinking the same thing, too.


    To prevent further idents this time, Nova volunteered to drive the car even though she didn''t have enough sleep.


    The little girl sat in the back seat in silence while I sat beside Nova. We kept asking her questions, hoping that we could get just her name, but she just sat there in silence, Staring at nothing.


    I stared at the little girl''s clothes from the rearview mirror. She seemed like someone who came from a rich family. Her coat is made of real animal fur, but I don''t know if that is an indication that she''s rich or if her parents just hunted animals and made that fur for her,


    With her light brown hair, baby brown eyes, and button-like nose, she just looks like a doll, sitting behind us without moving. After a short drive, we finally arrived at the Frostbite Pack. Nova finally slowed the car down as we entered their Pack borders


    "What is happening?" I whispered when I saw how many Pack warriors were outside as if they were searching for something.


    "I don''t know," Nova replied. "I think they have an event or something."


    Nova stopped the car when we finally arrived at the Packhouse''s entrance.


    I pulled my coat closer to my body as I walked out of the car.


    "Our visitors from the Nightsong Pack, am I right?" A man weed us with a smile. ¡°Lady Nova and Lady Ste, please wee to our Pack."


    The man who weed us must be the Frostbite Pack''s Alpha. He has a full beard, with light brown hair and baby-brown eyes.


    "Alpha Everest, it''s nice meeting you." I raised my hand for a handshake, which he took.


    "Likewise, Ms. Ste. It''s nice meeting you," he replied.

 Chapter 38: Lucinda

    Chapter 38: Lucinda


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    Ste that is my new name for my new identity. My hair, which used to be ck, is now bleached into the lightest color just to make sure that no one would recognize me.


    The cold weather here at Frostbite Pack also helped to make me less recognizable. With the cold weather, I had to wear thick clothes which covered my frame.


    The Frostbite Pack and the Silvermoon Pack had no rtionship before. Not only that, but no one in the Frostbite Pack would be able to recognize me since we hadn''t even seen each other before.


    It would be impossible for anyone in here to point out that I''m Astrid when they don''t even know that Astrid exists.


    ¡°Alpha Everest, when we arrived, we noticed your men going around the Pack. It''s hard not to notice. They practically covered the streets. May we ask what''s going on? Did we arrive at the wrong time?" Nova asked respectfully.


    "No, not at all. Alpha Drystan had informed us ahead of time that you''d be arriving today. You are not interrupting anything." Alpha Everest chuckled a little to lighten the mood.


    "It''s just that... my daughter is missing," all the light on his face dissipated away when he finished his sentence. "S-She left the Packhouse without saying anything. We''ve been searching around for her. For sure, she didn''t get too far. We will find her soon." He forced a smile to her face.


    Nova and I locked gazes with each other when we remembered the little girl that we met on the road. There is even an undeniable resemnce between them. Perhaps she was his daughter.


    ¡°Alpha Everest, is she your daughter?" I walked back to the car and helped the little girl out of the backseat.


    A surge of emotion washed over him when he saw the little girl that we found. "L-Lucinda," he choked up as he rushed to his daughter with joy and relief in his face.


    "Where did you go? We were looking for you," Alpha Everest touched her daughter''s face before hugging her.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "She doesn''t want to speak to us, Alpha. We saw her away from the borders on our way here," Nova answered.


    I didn''t expect that the girl we found would be the Alpha''s daughter. What is she doing out there so far away from their Pack?


    Alpha Everest stood up and faced us again. He looked like a huge thorn was taken out of his chest as he looked at us. "Thank you for keeping my daughter safe. She would have been kidnapped by rogues if you hadn''t found her," he told us, not knowing how he could thank us enough.


    "Take her to her room and call the Pack Doctor to check on her. Also, bring food to her room. She must be tired and hungry and needed rest," Alpha Everestmanded to the omega standing in wait.


    ¡°Lucinda, you should do as they say, okay? Father will be with you shortly." Alpha Everest ced a kiss on her daughter''s forehead before putting her under the care of the omega.


    "Lady Nova and Lady Ste, you must be tired from your long journey. Pleasee with me," Alpha Everest turned his attention back again to us. Before we could give him our reply, he suddenly nced back to one of his guards. "Take the luggage of our guests and bring it to their rooms." "Alpha Everest, there''s no need. We can find our way to our rooms ourselves," I spoke up.


    We are taking the time that he should be spending with his daughter.


    "Please, Lady Ste. We have been waiting for your arrival and have prepared something for you. Please join us for a meal. We are also


    expecting another guest to join us," Alpha Everest tried to convinge me.


    QUMS


    My brows shot up when I heard that he was expecting a guest; before I could ask about it, though, Nova had spoken up.


    "Then that''s great! I''m famished," Nova spoke dramatically, making Alpha Everest crack augh.


    I followed silently behind them as we entered their banquet area. When we arrived, a huge feast weed us. I suddenly felt starving when I saw the sumptuous menu.


    The three of us started to eat even though the other guests hadn''t arrived yet. We recounted everything that happened earlier and told Alpha Everest how we met her daughter.


    "This is the first time that Lucinda ran away from the Packhouse," Alpha answered with his face downcast. "I know you''ve already noticed this, but Lucinda... she has problems."


    I slightly nodded my head in understanding. I also observed that when I was with her. The fact that she doesn''t talk doesn''t seem normal.


    "Was she born mute?" Nova asked curiously.


    ¡°No, Lucinda is born as a healthy


    child. She was perfectly normal and talkative when she was a child. She just stopped talking after she was kidnapped," Alpha Everest answered with sadness in his face.


    My heart broke for Lucinda. Lucinda is still a child. My guess is she''s just around seven years old. She is still too young to experience trauma. No wonder why she had lost he ability to speak.


    "She was perfectly fine when we rescued her. The Pack Doctor said she wasn''t hurt in any way. Until now, we wonder why she doesn''t talk to us." "Alpha, the guests have arrived," a warrior announced, interrupting our conversation.


    ¡°Then let theme in," Alpha Everest spoke excitedly.


    Nova and I turned around to see who the guest was. My breath hitched when Giselle entered the room.

 Chapter 39: Unexpected Guest

    Chapter 39: Unexpected Guest


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    Blood drained my face when I recognized Giselle''s familiar face. All along, the guest that Alpha Everest was waiting for was her. I would have never expected to see her again here.


    "Alpha Everest, you didn''t say you also have other visitors." I immediately turned my head around when her gaze fell on us.


    ''What is she doing here?'' I wondered as my heart raced rapidly inside my chest.


    "They have only just informed us that they wereing. I hope you don''t mind, Lady Giselle. Please meet Lady Nova and Lady Ste from the Nightsong Pack," Alpha Everest pointed to us.


    I couldn''t turn around my head to face her, in fear that she would immediately see through my disguise.


    On the other hand, Nova didn''t say a word. She is not the type of person who can fake pleasantries to someone she doesn''t like.


    "Lady Giselle is here as a representative for the Silvermoon Pack. She would stay here for a few days with us," Alpha Everest saved the conversation when we showed no interest in talking to Giselle.


    My heart twitched inside my chest when I heard Alpha Everest''s introduction. She''s here as the Silvermoon Pack''s representative, huh? They had already reced me.


    Isn''t that what I wanted? Why do I feel angry deep inside?


    "They are from the Nightsong Pack? I''m d to see someone who is rted to our Pack," Giselle said in a bubbly voice.


    "Come join us eat, Lady Giselle. I''m sorry that we have eaten ahead. How was your travel?" Alpha Everest treated Giselle with utmost care as soon as she arrived.


    He had forgotten about us and gave her his full attention, treating her with higher importance. This just shows how eager he is to sign an alliance with a powerful Pack like the Silvermoon Pack. This will make it hard for us to convince him to choose us.


    I tried to hide my face as well as I could from Giselle''s sight. With my blonde hair, I''m sure she was not expecting me to be me, but of course, I couldn''t hide my face from her all day.


    Alpha Everest even pulled out the chair for her. When she finally sat down and got a good look on my face, her face held the same reaction as mine earlier. Disbelief crossed her features, and anxiety coursed through her.


    I maintained my calm expression andpletely ignored her, pretending that I was too focused on eating the food.


    "Ste, should we go to our room now?" Nova called my attention.


    "Your name is Ste?" Giselle asked me with her eyes wide open.


    I locked gazes with her and gave her a soft smile. "Yes," I replied meekly.


    Giselle questioningly gazed at me, doubting that I was telling the truth. I couldn''t me her.


    I''ve only bleached my hair blonde. I''m not wearing sunsses, masks, or anything to cover some part of my face. It''s not like I undergo cosmetic surgery. Even those who got something done on their face would still be recognizable after.


    I admit we did ame job in my disguise, but it''s only because I thought I wouldn''t meet people that I had met before.


    Giselle suddenly smiled. Her anxious expression instantly vanished like it wasn''t even there before.


    "Why are you leaving soon?" Giselle asked us as if she was sad to hear us leave.


    "Yes, why don''t you stay with us for a moment?" Alpha Everest adds, supporting Giselle.


    Nova smiled at them. "We already ate as much as we could, Alpha. Right now, we are tired, and we just want to rest."


    Nova grasped my hand and pulled me out of the room without waiting for their response.


    "Why would Killian send her here?!" Nova hissed under her breath when we were finally alone outside.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "They are preparing her to take the Luna title," I answered emotionlessly, making Nova realize her question.


    The fact that Giselle is here as the


    Silvermoon Rack''s representative just shows that they are nning transfer Pack matters under Giselle''s care because she would someday need to handle them. Content belongs to


    UMS


    Fot


    "They must have tasked her to have the alliance signed," Nova scoffed. "We need to convince Alpha Everest to cooperate with us. We can''t let that woman win against us," Nova tells me determinedly. Content


    belongs to


    I have closed so many deals for the Silvermoon Pack before. This would be an easy task.


    ¡°Lady Ste and Lady Nova. It''s you, right?" A woman approached us, making us stop. "I''m Crystalia, Lucinda''s mother.¡±


    My eyes widened. If she''s Lucinda''s mother, then that means she''s the Frostbite Pack''s Alpha.


    ¡°Luna Crystalia,¡± I bowed my head before, but she lifted my head up and looked at me with a soft smile on her face.


    Luna Crystalia looked like a kind person with her eyes nted downwards.


    ¡°There''s no need to address me as the Luna. You saved my daughter''s life." Luna Crystalia coughed badly, which showed that she was in poor health.


    ¡°Luna Crystalia, are you okay?" I asked her worriedly.


    "I''m just sick," Luna Crystalia answered. "I want to thank you personally for saving my daughter."


    "There''s no need to thank us; we are just d that we met her," I answered.


    Crystalia smiled. "I hope I could ask for a favor."


    "Ask us anything," I assured her.


    After a little hesitance, she finally


    said, "Can you please spend more time with my daughter? My daughter trusts you, and she rarely trusts anyone. Perhaps she would talk if you talked to her."

 Chapter 40: Daddy!

    Chapter 40: Daddy!


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    "Do you like it out here?" I asked Lucinda with a smile on my face as we apanied her at the garden, but just like usual, she never responded. Still, Nova and I kept asking her questions hoping that she would say a word to us.


    To grant Luna Crystalia''s request. We agreed to spend time with her daughter to hopefully get her to speak.


    I''m not sure why Luna Crystalia thought that her daughter would open to us. We are strangers to this Pack, and Lucinda is not familiar to us. I''m not sure why Lucinda would trust us, but I hope that she would.


    "These are her favorite toys, Lady Ste," the omega informed me as she brought Lucinda''s dolls and huge doll houses to us.


    I thought ying with Lucinda would make herfortable with us. "Thank you," I muttered to the omega with a smile.


    After bringing what we have requested, they finally left us alone as we wanted. I believe there would be more chances of Lucinda opening up to us if there are only the three of us.


    ¡°Oohh! This doll looks just like me,¡± Nova beamed as she held up a doll with strawberry hair and outfit. ¡°Do you think this doll looks like me, Lucinda?¡±


    Lucinda looked out of herself. It seems she didn''t even hear Nova''s words.


    "Lucinda?" Nova called out her name, but Lucinda kept staring somewhere far.


    I traced her gaze and found out that she''s staring at the forest. I remember how we first found her lost at the forest. Maybe she''s sick of being around the Packhouse. Maybe she wanted to explore somewhere else.


    "Why don''t we go to the forest and y hide and seek?" I suggested.


    Lucinda''s gaze suddenly turned to me when she heard my question which is something new from her.


    "That sounds good, we should do that," Nova agreed when she saw the reaction we gained from Lucinda.


    The three of us traversed the snow-covered forest, looking for a private ce where we could y. Lucinda held no expression on her face as she walked with us, but I know that she would be happy.


    "Who should y the seeker?" I asked.


    Lucinda suddenly tugged my arm and pulled me aside before openly staring at Nova.


    Nova and I smiled at each other. Lucinda ismunicating with us, although she''s not yet speaking.


    "Okay, I''ll be the seeker," Nova volunteered knowing what Lucinda''s actions meant.


    Nova covered her eyes and pressed her forehead on the tree then she started counting.


    I pulled Lucinda by the hand so we could hide together in the forest. "Where should we hide, Lucinda?" I asked her in a whisper.


    She''s not saying and doing anything, she''s just allowing me to take the lead.


    I don''t know how deep we''ve gone in the forest. While we were still trying to find a ce to hide, werewolves started to surround us, growling and baring their canines at us.


    I pushed Lucinda behind my back and held her secure by her shoulders. I looked around, counting the werewolves that surrounded us.


    I need to protect Lucinda with my life


    UMS


    "Get back where youe from! I''m with an Alpha''s daughter. You won''t be forgiven if something happened to her," I threatened them.


    Instead of backing down because of my threats, they took a step forward, determined to get a kill.


    I maintained eye contact with them, ready to protect Lucinda at all costs. One of them finally lunged at us, thinking that we would be an easy target.


    With mybat skills, I am able to deflect the werewolf''s attack by hitting him on his neck, making him fall to the ground choking up.


    Seeing that they attacked me first, I knew that I was their target.


    "Run, Lucinda, RUN!" I shouted at her in urgency and pushed her away from me. Helping her get out


    avethis


    is the only way I can make sure to protect her.


    Lucinda fell face to the ground, after I had pushed her too hard. I went back in my fighting stance, ready to fight all my attackers in human form.


    I was able to deflect most of their attacks, but the one from behind caught me off guard. I fell on the ground, exposing my weaknesses


    I raised my arms and closed my eyes when another werewolf lunged to attack me again.


    An ear-piercing scream entered my ears when Lucinda was filled with terror.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    When I opened my eyes, another wolf jumped and caught the enemy in midair, rescuing me.


    I stood up and ran towards Lucinda and hugged her.


    ¡°Close your eyes," I whispered to her ear as I burrowed her head to my neck.


    Behind me, I heard snarls and growls and flesh being ripped apart. I know Nova is taking them down in the fight.


    The one who saved me earlier was her.


    "L-Lucinda." Alpha Everest along with his Pack Warriors arrived at the scene.


    His warriors transformed into their wolf form and helped Nova in the attack.


    "Don''t spare anyone!" Alpha Everestmanded fiercely before he enveloped Lucinda in a hug.


    "My precious angel," he muttered endearingly as he held his daughter tightly.


    "Are you okay?" Alpha Everest asked her as he pulled apart from the hug and checked for injuries.


    ¡°Daddy, is she okay?¡± Lucinda suddenly spoke as she stared at me.


    Alpha Everest''s mouth fell open when he heard her daughter speak for the first time. "L-Lucinda." Tears welled his eyes as he looked at his daughter.

 Chapter 41: Worth the Pain

    Chapter 41: Worth the Pain


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    I pressed my lips tightly, suppressing the pain that radiated from my wounds as the Pack Doctor applied ointment to my deep scratches.


    "Be careful; do not press too much on the wound," Alpha Everestmanded the Pack Doctor when he saw my pained expression.


    The Pack Doctor pauses, then starts to dab ointment on my wound more carefully this time.


    Alpha Everest never left my side. He called the Pack Doctor and had me stay in his office to receive medical treatment.


    "It''s okay," I uttered, knowing that pain is inevitable and the Doctor has to thoroughly cleanse my wounds to avoid infection. "I have high pain tolerance."


    As a Pack warrior, I''ve had worse injuries. As werewolves who use our canines and sharp ws to fight, deep scratches like this are expected. It cannot be avoided in a fight.


    I didn''t even know I was hurt until Lucinda pointed at the blood seeping through my clothes.


    "I think we need to stitch it," the Pack Doctor suggests after cleansing my wound and applying ointment.


    I stared at my wound. Usually, my wound shouldn''t look as raw and red as it is now; my wolf should have kicked in already and healed my injury. The fact that my wounds would need stitches to heal just goes to show how weaker I had be. It''s like my wolf is not even there to heal me. My eyes squinted as I felt the needle and thread pass through my skin. It was such a weird feeling, almost tickling, but the pain overpowered it more every time the Doctor tugged the needle and pressed my skin together.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "How is Lucinda?" I asked Alpha Everest, who has been keeping mepany, making sure that I am safe and not hurting as much.


    I shouldn''t have brought her far from the Packhouse. The attack must have relieved some of her trauma.


    "She''s with Lady Nova and her mother. She had stopped talking again," Alpha Everest answered.


    "I''m so sorry," I muttered. "I shouldn''t have brought her far from the Packhouse."


    "No, it''s my fault for not keeping our Pack safe enough." Alpha Everest argued. "You don''t have to me yourself for anything. Because of you, I heard my daughter call me Daddy again. Thank you for protecting my daughter with your own life."


    I smiled at his words. I couldn''t forget the joy on Alpha Everest''s face and the tears that welled in his eyes when he heard his daughter speak again. I was also happy for Lucinda that she finally found her own voice.


    I count all my pain worth it as long as Lucinda and Nova are safe. We heard Lucinda speak, and I was the only person who ended up injured.


    "It''s all done," the Pack Doctor stood up and started to pack up his things. "Always be careful. Avoid moving too much to keep the stitches intact," he reminded me.


    I looked at my wound, which was perfectly stitched in a bnced pattern, showing how skillful he was. "Thank you," I muttered to him before Alpha Everest showed him the way out.


    "Does it still hurt?" Alpha Everest asks me as he takes a look at my wound.


    "Not anymore," I answered him. "I heard you are going to sign an alliance with the Silvermoon Pack. Is that why Giselle is here?" I asked him. Since we were already in his office, I thought it would only be convenient for us to talk business.


    Alpha Everest couldn''t respond. He must be wondering where we heard the news.


    "You''ve kept us waiting for your decision for months. Alpha Drystan has been sending gifts to your Pack. The Nightsong Pack gave you special treatment. You''ve epted everything and made us wait," I told him.


    "It wasn''t taking advantage of your Pack. I really had ns of forming an alliance with you," Alpha Everest exined.


    ¡°Then what made you change your mind?" I prodded.


    "The Silvermoon Pack offered to partner with us. How can I pass up such a great opportunity?"


    "So, have you signed it with them?"


    "I haven''t yet. Lady Giselle came here so I could officially sign the papers."


    ¡°Oh, that''s why she''s here?" I asked out loud. I thought she was only here to negotiate, just like me. I didn''t know that she was here because he had already decided to sign with them.


    "Then why did you let use here


    1


    then, at the same date that Giselle is supposed to arrive and sign the papers with them? If you have already fully decided to sign with them, then why would you allow us toe here?"


    Alpha Everest scoffed at my questions. "It''s not like that¡ª"


    "You feel guilty about us... No, your heart is not fully convinced to sign with them, are you?" I squinted my eyes at him.


    "What does my heart have to do with


    this? As an Alpha, I need to decide for the Pack. It''s obvious that the Silvermoon Pack is the most logical decision," Alpha Everest spoke, almost like trying to convince himself.


    "I know you have your own doubts and reservations about their Pack. It''s impossible that you don''t. The


    fact that you are not thoroughlyet


    convinced to sign with them despite their outstanding background must mean something.


    S


    It''s not even about you signing with our Pack anymore. I''m just genuinely concerned. I don''t want you to regret a critical decision in the long run."


    Alpha Everest couldn''t speak. His eyes were deeply lost in his own thoughts.

 Chapter 42: Signed Alliance

    Chapter 42: Signed Alliance


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    Our conversation ended when someone knocked on the door.


    "Come in," Alpha Everest spoke wearily. He walked back to his office table to meet the guest.


    "Alpha Everest!"


    I raised my head when I heard Giselle''s voice.


    "I heard what happened. How is your daughter? Are the guests from the Nightsong Pack all safe?" Giselle asked in an amicable voice as she walked to Alpha Everest''s table.


    She still hasn''t noticed me here, sitting silently behind her in the corner of the room.


    "Everyone is safe, Lady Giselle. You do not have to worry. Is there anything I can help you with?"


    Giselle smiled and ced the papers she was holding on Alpha Everest''s table. "These are the papers for the alliance. I was hoping you could sign it now. Killian had informed me that you''ve already read and agreed to everything."


    Alpha Everest forced a smile on his face as he looked up at Giselle. "That''s true, but you''ve only just arrived. I haven''t mentioned it because I was hoping you could go around the Pack first."


    "Actually, I''m not nning to stay long. I''m pregnant, and it''s not good for me to get tired. It''s also so cold here. I''m not used to the cold," Giselle spoke without shame.


    Alpha Everest fell quiet. His eyes blinked as he stared at Giselle in disbelief. "I-I thought you wanted toe here for a visit?" Alpha Everest asked him confusedly.


    "I did. Your Pack is such a wonderful ce," Giselle happilyplimented out of nowhere when she saw how her words affected the Alpha. "Killian and I wille here soon. We should surely visit this ce once our baby is born," Giselle smiled while caressing her baby bump.


    "So you''re leaving?" Alpha Everest asked her again.


    "N-Not yet," Giselle shook her hands, but that was what she was nning earlier. "I just came here to have the papers signed early." Giselle used her finger to push the paper closer to Alpha Everest.


    Alpha Everest was quiet as his gaze pondered over the papers for a long time.


    I pulled my eyes when he sighed and reached for his pen. Alpha Everest had already made his decision. I''ve tried my best to talk him out of it.


    My heart felt heavy, thinking how much I would disappoint Drystan with the news. Nova would surely be angry with this oue solely because Giselle won against us.


    I know it''s not toote. I can just stand up and steal the pen from Alpha Everest''s hand, but I don''t want to be selfish. Alpha Everest is right. Choosing the Silvermoon Pack is the most logical decision.


    Their Pack would benefit more from an alliance with an established Pack like the Silvermoon Pack.


    "I''m sorry, Lady Giselle. I can''t."


    My eyes shot up to them when I heard Alpha Everest''s words. I watched as Alpha Everest ced back his pen inside his table drawer. "W-What?" Giselle stammered in surprise. "Why?"


    "I''ve changed my mind. I can''t sign this alliance with you anymore. I will call Alpha Killian and exin everything to him. I give my apologies," Alpha Everest lowered his head in guilt.


    "But you already agreed with everything. I came here because you wanted to sign with us¡ª"


    "You can go back to your Pack now since I have no ns of signing with your Pack anymore," Alpha Everest spoke coldly.


    Giselle clenched her fist. I could feel the anger radiating from her. ¡°Is this because of those people from the Nightsong Pack? Did they talk you out of this?" Giselle scoffed. "Alpha, our Pack is way better than theirs. We can help you better than them!"


    "Lady Giselle, please leave my office now. Our conversation is done here. I would exin everything to Killian."


    "You shouldn''t listen to them, Alpha


    Everest. The people there are opportunists and calcting individuals. They are very ambitious and they try to steal what isn''t rightfully theirs." I clenched my fist as Giselle continued to talk ill of us, although I was sure that she was referring to me.


    "I''m sure you have heard, Alpha. The Alpha of the Nightsong Pack has once tried to steal the Alpha position from his older brother before."


    "I beg your pardon?!" I stood up and raised my voice when I heard the usations she had made about Drystan.


    Giselle''s heart almost leapt out of her chest when she realized that I''d been here the whole time. She looked at me with wide eyes like a deer caught in headlights.


    "Take back what you''ve said! If Drystan really wanted to steal the Alpha position, it would be easier for him to steal the Alpha title from his brother than to raise his own Pack."


    Giselle scoffed. "No wonder why the two of you are so close. Both of you share the same attitude of being so ambitious and stealing what is not rightfully yours."


    "Enough!" Alpha Everest shouted. "I


    must remind you that you are in my


    office, and you are quarrelling in front of me like little children. Lady Giselle you are getting out of line. I can''t tolerate you verbally harassing my guest. Please leave my Pack."


    "What?!" Giselle yelled at the Alpha angrily. "What did you say?"Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Leave my Pack. You''re not allowed to be in my Pack anymore."


    "I was just telling the truth! They really stole what is not rightfully theirs. Just look at what they had done today. They stole the deal that is rightfully ours!"


    Alpha Everest didn''t answer. He just turned his back on Giselle and walked away. Just secondster, the Pack guards entered and dragged Giselle away.


    Giselle still didn''t refuse to give up. Although she was pregnant, she fought with all her strength, trying to untangle her arms around the Pack guard''s hold. She screamed like a banshee as they dragged her out of the Pack.


    When the door had closed, silence fell into the room again.


    "My wife has been talking me out of my decision to sign with the Silvermoon Pack. She''s been trying to convince me to sign with your Pack," Alpha Everest started to speak.


    ¡°What changed your mind?" I asked since even his wife''s words were unable to convince me.


    "Unlike Giselle and the Silvermoon


    l


    Pack, I realized that the Nightsong Pack cared more about the people. When you arrived here, you were willing to spend time with my daughter even though you came here to change my mind. I will never partner with someone who only cares about the benefits want someone that cares about my people the same way that I do."


    I smiled at his answer.


    "Bring out your papers. I will sign an alliance with you," Alpha Everest spoke determinedly.

 Chapter 43: Back to Square One

    Chapter 43: Back to Square One


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    I drummed my fingers an agitated stato against the steering wheel, my knuckles stark white against my olive skin. With each passing mile, the tension in my shoulders only seemed to coil tighter, a vise of barely contained fury.


    "That bitch," I hissed through gritted teeth, the venom in my words palpable. Astrid''s name was like acid on my tongue, burning with a hatred that refused to be extinguished.


    The moment I saw her at the banquet, I knew it was her. She had dyed her hair blonde and changed her name, but I will always recognize her. I will always know her through her cerulean eyes, which look like peaceful waters, even if she drastically changes her appearance.


    Her eyes might look calm and peaceful, but she always stirred trouble for me.


    As I was on my way back to Silvermoon Pack, I couldn''t get my head out of the shame and humiliation that I felt as the Pack guards dragged me out of the Frostbite Pack like I was a piece of trash.


    As if failing to get Alpha Everest''s signature wasn''t already worse, the Alpha also hated me and banned me from ever stepping foot on their Pack again.


    How am I going to exin things back in the Pack? It was already a close deal. I was just supposed to get Alpha Everest''s signature! Killian will hate me for throwing away this opportunity for which he worked hard.


    It would be much worse if Victoria lost her confidence in me because of this. I have barely proven myself as a capable Luna to Victoria.


    The one-week training that she gave me was a hell of a one-week of my life. It was just training, but I found it hard to learn and do everything.


    I kept making mistakes in my tasks. Most of the time, I don''t even know where I went wrong.


    If I wasn''t pregnant, I''m sure Victoria would have yelled at my stupidity or raised her hand against me.


    She always held her anger back when she was with me, always putting the safety of my baby on top of her priority.


    She cares so much about her future "grandson".


    You see how much I have suffered and endured just to get here? I even had to suffer in the extremely cold weather at Frostbite Pack.


    My jaw clenched, the muscle there twitching with the strain. Alpha Everest''s signature is supposed to be the foundation of my rally to be the Silvermoon Pack''s Luna.


    It''s supposed to help me earn a good reputation in the Pack, so I could be good enough to be the Luna.


    Each memory of how that conniving, ipetent fool had singlehandedly ruined everything stoked the mes of my anger even higher.


    Astrid ruined everything again. I was only a step further to the title, but all my careful nning and tireless efforts were reduced to nothing in an instant because of Astrid''s meddling.


    I could practically feel the opportunity, my dream of bing Luna slipping through my fingers, just out of reach.


    A low guttural sound rumbled in my chest, my amber eyes narrowing to slits.


    If those men I hired did their job properly and managed to kill her, things wouldn''t end up destroyed like this.


    We had the best opportunity! Astrid is staying at the Frostbite Pack disguised as someone else


    I gripped the steering wheel tightly, the leather creaking under the pressure as I remembered the report that I had received after the failed assassination attempt


    Astrid fought them in human form. She never shifted even though she had to protect Alpha Everest''s daughter under her care. Why didn''t she shift?


    The tires screeched in protest when I jammed my foot on the brakes, the car lurching forward with a violent jerk. The snow-covered path is silent and empty.


    The only thing I could hear was my heart pounding in my ears, my breathing in sharp, panicked gasps when I realized something.


    Astrid is pregnant. She''s carrying


    Killian''s true child. That night, when Killian and I were supposed to spend the night together, he mistakenly did it with Astrid, and now she is pregnant.


    My stomach twisted with sheer terror. Astrid being alive made things moreplicated for me.


    Killian can''t find out that Astrid is alive. If he finds that out, he will also find out that Astrid is pregnant with his child.


    I need to act fast before Killian could find out the truth. I must ascend as the Silvermoon Pack''s Luna as soon as possible.


    In the meantime, I must keep the two from meeting each other.


    I let out a shrift scream and pounded on the steering wheel in anger. If Astrid hadn''t ruined everything, I


    would be nning my ascensiomet


    ceremony by now instead ofThis is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    §Ö


    nning an excuse to cover up for


    my failure.


    I would not let Astrid ruin this for me. Not when I was so close, so close, to achieving my goal. Failure is not an option - not when the prize was within my grasp.


    With a sharp, decisive nod, I set my


    jaw, determination burning in my gaze. I would fix this. Somehow, someway, I would make Astrid pay for hertransgressions. And then, then nothing would stand in my way.

 Chapter 44: Hiding from Problems

    Chapter 44: Hiding from Problems


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    I got a wide smile on my face as I hopped out of the car. Nova and I had just arrived back at the Nightsong Pack.


    Drystan gave me a week to have the alliance papers signed. Guess what? Only a day was needed for me to get his signature. I''m sure he would be surprised to find out about my achievement.


    I knock on Drystan''s office before twisting the door open and inserting my head in. I beamed at Drystan, whose head was burrowed in papers.


    I''m so excited to tell him the news, but he still hasn''t realized who is at his door right now.


    "Who is it?" Drystan slowly raised his head. When he saw my face all the exhaustion in his face vanished, reced with the joy of seeing me. "Astrid, you''re back!" Drystan stood up from his seat and rushed towards me.


    I entered his office and closed the door behind me. "Look at what I got," I showed the papers to him.


    Drystan''s jaw fell open when he saw Alpha Everest''s clear signature. He snatched the paper from me and looked at Alpha Everest''s signature in disbelief.


    ¡°H-How did you do it?" He asked in surprise.


    I pouted. "You thought I couldn''t do it?"


    Drystan''s brows furrowed, and he shook his head in denial when he heard the disappointment in my voice.


    I sighed. "I know you thought I couldn''t do it. It doesn''t matter though because I won." I grinned. "From now on, you should delegate some of your tasks to me. I would have volunteered to be your Pack''s trainer, but I''m pregnant, so you could just let me handle some paperwork instead."


    Drystan smiled when he heard my words. He looked just happy to have me. I averted my graze from him when I felt ufortable with his intense stare.


    "Why don''t you look happy?" I questioned him.


    The way he looks at me is like he''s hiding something bad from me.


    Drystan sighed and moved his gaze forward. "While you were gone. I received a news from the higher ups," he spoke in a low voice.


    My eyes squinted slightly. What is the news all about that would make him feel this upset?


    "Our Pack is chosen to host this year''s werewolf assembly," Drystan broke out the news, sending me back.


    "W-What?" I slumped on the couch when I felt my whole body weaken.


    The werewolf assembly is exactly what it sounds like. It is an assembly where all leaders of different Packs gather in one ce to promote harmony and unity between separate Packs.


    Every two years, one Pack is chosen to host the event, and for some reason, the Nightsong Pack is chosen to host the event this year.


    "It''s okay, Astrid. I was nning to decline it anyway. I¡ª"


    "Decline? How could you decline such a good opportunity? Hosting this event will boost the reputation of our Pack. It will also jumpstart our goal of reaching out and forming alliances with other Packs. You can''t decline a good opportunity that is alteady handed on to us," +cut him off.


    "We can meet our goal with or without the help of this opportunity, Astrid. With both of us working together, we can make our goal happen," Drystan argued.


    I paused and swallowed hard. I''m willing to help him reach his goals and develop this Pack, but I don''t want to be the reason why he would decline this opportunity that would make things easier for him.


    I owe him so much, and I have been nothing but a burden to his Pack. I can''t let him pass up on this opportunity just because he wants to protect me.


    "You are worrying too much,


    Drystan. Tell them that you''ll ept


    the opportunity, Drystan, and thank them for it. Also, entrust all the preparations to me. I have prepared and hosted many Pack events before. I can help you make this


    year''s assembly leave asting


    impression on our guests." Content


    belongs to


    "But, Killian-"


    I forced out augh to ease his worries. "You don''t have to be afraid. Killian wouldn''t know. Knowing Giselle, he would never allow Killian to find out that I''m alive."


    Drystan''s brows furrowed in confusion.


    "I met Giselle at the Frostbite Pack, and she recognized me," I told him.


    "What?!" Drystan''s eyes went wide, and a frantic expression crossed his face.


    "I know Giselle. I''m sure she would never mention anything about me to Killian," I muttered.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Giselle had always hated me, and


    she had always tried to push me out of their lives when I was still the Silvermoon Pack''s Luna. She was even so happy when I left the Pack. Seeing me back in the Silvermoon Pack would be her worst nightmare. Content belongs to


    S


    "With the proper disguise, Killian won''t recognize me, and with Giselle, Killian would be convinced that I''m a different person."


    ¡°But, this is dangerous,¡± Drystan countered.


    "Assign a team that will help me with the preparations," I ignored his words, making him tense.


    Even if Killian recognizes me, what is there to fear? I know that Nova and Drystan would protect me, and even if Killian cries blood, I will never go back to him.


    I know I wouldn''t be able to hide my secret for so long. I should stop running from my problems. It''s time to face them.


    When I met Giselle at the Silvermoon Pack, I realized what a coward I was hiding behind the Nightsong Pack.


    Hiding from Giselle and Killian just made me a loser. I should face them so I could really say that I''ve won and had my freedom.

 Chapter 45: Catastrophic Failure

    Chapter 45: Catastrophic Failure


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    "What could have possibly gone wrong?!" I yelled out loud and mmed my fist on the table, making Giselle flinch in her seat.


    I gave her the simplest task, and yet she still managed to ruin it. Our alliance with the Frostbite Pack is already a close deal. She just needed to get Alpha Everest''s signature to make things official.


    I don''t understand how she managed to fuck things up.


    "Don''t yell at her, Killian, she''s pregnant!" My mother scolded me as she softly caressed Giselle''s back tofort her.


    ¡°Just rx, Giselle, okay? Stress is never good for the baby." My mother''s brows knitted together as she spoke to Giselle in worry.


    I clenched my jaw in anger as I watched how my mother consoled Giselle and how Giselle enjoyed my mother''spany.


    She even dragged my mother into this, knowing that she would defend her and take her side. She couldn''t even face me on her own and own up to her mistakes.


    Giselle had just returned from her trip yesterday. I was waiting for her to report to me and submit the signed alliance papers, but I was told that Giselle was so sick from the trip that the Pack Doctor even had to check on her.


    I waited for her to get healed, but when it was time for her to report things to me, she even brought my mother with her.


    "What are we supposed to do now? Don''t you know how beneficial this alliance would be for the future of our Pack?! I worked hard to make Alpha Everest agree to unite with us. It took me a lot of convincing to change his mind, but you ruined it in the end!" I pushed my office chair in anger.


    "Calm down, Killian. You''re fretting too much," my mother looked at me like I was overreacting. "Losing this deal is barely our loss. It''s the Frostbite Pack who lost such a good opportunity to ally with us. What good would it be if we ally with a Pack that is too far from us?"


    "There are better Packs out there that you should be thinking of forming an alliance with. Take the Shadowfang Pack as an example. You shouldn''t be wasting your time with the other Packs. Think of a n on how we can get the Shadowfang Pack to ally with us," my mother lectured.


    The Shadowfang Pack is the most powerful Pack in existence. They are so powerful that they refuse to ally with anyone because they could sustain their own Pack.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    With their precious Luminite, their future is already ensured. It would be a dream to partner with them, a far-fetched dream at that.


    "Even so, it''s humiliating that a small Pack declined an alliance with us? What would the other Packs think of us?" I shot back at my mother, which she couldn''t answer


    "I just don''t understand how Giselle


    can fail such a simple task so drastically, voiced out in


    astonishment at what she had done. "How did you manage to make the Frostbite Alpha hate you so much to kick you and ban you from his Pack injust one day of your stay there?"


    Giselle couldn''t respond. I scoffed in disbelief when her lips quivered, and she lowered her head like she was holding back tears.


    "I thought you trained her? I wouldn''t have given her this task if you didn''t praise her too much," I spoke disdainfully towards my mother.


    She turned her head away from me, not able to meet my gaze anymore.


    "I-It wasn''t my fault," Giselle sniffed. "When I arrived at the Frostbite Pack, Alpha Everest was already talking to people from the Nightsong Pack." My body stiffened at her words.


    "What?!" My mother blurted out in surprise. "But hasn''t he already agreed to ally with us? Why is he still entertaining people from a different Pack?"


    "I don''t know either," Giselle answered. "When I asked him that question, he just told me that he had changed his mind and that he was not going to sign from us anymore."


    "So it''s all the Nightsong Pack''s fault then?" My mother''s eyes narrowed into slits as she thought of the betrayal that had happened.


    "I''m not sure. I don''t want to put the me on them when I don''t have any proof," Giselle replied with her brows bent downwards. "I tried to ask Alpha Everest for a reasonable exnation, and I tried to convince him to honor his words, but instead, he Tashed out at me and demanded his guards to drag me out of his Pack."


    Giselle choked back tears, trying her best not to cry out. "That bastard!" My mother''s lips curled in anger. "If something happened to my grandson, I swear I would wage war against them. I don''t care if I enrage the other Packs."


    "You hear all this, Killian?!" My mother turned her attention back to me.


    I swallowed hard when she looked at me, expecting that I would do something.


    "You''re not going to turn a blind eye to this, do you? Drystan might be your Uncle, but he disrespected us first by stealing this deal from us. You need to talk to him and teach him a lesson," my mother demanded of me.


    Giselle''s tears suddenly shrunk back, and she reached for my mother''s hand. "There''s no need for that, mother. I don''t want to start any conflict."


    My mother pushed her hand away. "You don''t have to worry about that.¡±


    "It''s okay," I butted in. "I heard that the Nightsong Pack was chosen to host this year''s assembly. It''s best. to be on their good side; we can''t afford to lose an invitation to the werewolf assembly. We have no idea if the Shadowfang Pack woulde to the event this time or not."

 Chapter 46: Werewolf Assembly

    Chapter 46: Werewolf Assembly


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    I gazed at myself in the mirror, wearing an elegant sleeveless white dress that fitted my body like a glove, showing my curves in the right ces.


    A smile crept up my lips, like the person that I could see in the mirror. Even though I''m pregnant and my baby bump is showing already, I''m still able to maintain my fit body from before.


    "You look too beautiful for a pregnant woman."


    I turned on my heel when someone spoke behind me. I smiled shyly when I saw Nova standing on my doorstep, staring at me. I felt embarrassed getting caught ogling myself.


    "You look stunning, too," Iplimented her in her sparkling green dress that reminded me of Ariel''s tail.


    With her strawberry blonde hair, she looks much like a princess from a fairy tale.


    "Are you ready?" Nova asks me as she steps inside my room.


    I took another look at myself in the mirror and breathed deeply. The time flew really fast. I couldn''t coop up inside my room any longer. I need to go out and meet the guests.


    "Do you think they will recognize me?" I asked Nova as I looked at my face in the mirror, which still looked the same as before.


    Nova scoffed at my question. She held me by the shoulders and forced me to look at her.


    "Look at you? Who would recognize you?" Nova asked me with her eyebrows raised. "It''s only been a few months, but you have changed greatly. I doubt that anyone would recognize you." Nova squeezed my shoulders.


    I sighed, shaking away all my worries. That''s right. In just a few months of staying at the Nightsong Pack, my appearance changed.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    My tan skin, which I developed from staying under the sun for long hours because of Warrior training, had turned lighter because of less sun exposure.


    Also, my cheeks had turned fuller, and I looked brighter than before because I now have a better work-life bnce, unlike before when I had to work in a toxic environment with unreasonable hours.


    Additionally, with my new hair color and haircut, I''m sure no one would look at me and think that I am the Luna Astrid from Silvermoon Pack who worked for long hours and was treated like a servant.


    "It''s okay, Astrid. You don''t need to go out there. You can just stay here if you want to," Nova reminded me once again, but I shook my head, refusing to let my fears get the best of me.


    I''m going to go out there and meet them. No matter what, I''m no longer going to be a coward hiding behind the Nightsong Pack and relying on the kindness that Drystan and Nova had shown me.


    "Then, let''s go now. It''s better to arrive there early than to be fashionablyte and gather all the people''s attention on us." Nova cheered me up.


    In order to hide my baby bump, I bought a personally tailored coat that would match my dress and put a shadow on my front, which would make my baby bump less visible. The coat is purposefully made to be too big for my size exactly for that purpose.


    I draped my white oversized coat over my shoulders, taking away the attention from my baby bump instantly by forming shadows.


    I didn''t insert my arms in the sleeves, for it is designed to be worn like that. Even if I move or dance around, the coat won''t easily slip off my shoulders.


    Hand in hand, Nova and I entered


    ¦¯¦«¦¯


    the venue together. I forced a smile on my face and regted my breathing to enforce calmness on myself. My nerves were on the edge at the thought of meeting people and fearing that they might recognize me, but as I greeted more and more people and still none of them recognized me, I started to gain more confidence in myself, and slowly, my anxiety dissipated away. Content belongs to


    "Lady Ste, right? It''s so nice to meet you," a Luna greeted me with a hug.


    I smiled over her shoulder as I wrapped my hands around her.


    I know almost all of the Alphas and Lunas that we invited as guests here. I''ve met them all before, as in the previous Luna of the Silvermoon Pack. In fact, most of them I have contacted in person before.


    It felt strange that they didn''t recognize me. I think my hair and skin tone really made a great change in my appearance.


    Maybe if they looked long and closely, they would have recognized that it was me.


    "May I call on Ste, who is in charge of all the preparations? Without her, today''s event would have been impossible. Let''s wee Ste Hart!" Drystan''s voice sted on the


    speakers as he announced


    name. Content belongs to


    I gripped the hem of my coat and forced a smile on my face when everyone apuded and turned their eyes on me.


    My heart pounded inside my chest as I took steps near the stage. As the person who prepared everything, of course, Drystan has to mention my name as Lady Ste and give all the credit to me for making this event possible.


    "Thank you, everyone," I spoke on the stage, making everyone feel quiet.


    I swallowed hard as my eyes involuntarily roamed around the room as if searching for something.


    The event had already started, but I still hadn''t seen him.


    As if someone was reading my thoughts, the person I was looking for finally arrived.


    My body stilled as I stared at the man standing by the entrance.

 Chapter 47: Broken Connection

    Chapter 47: Broken Connection


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    ¡°Enjoy everyone, and I hope you''ll have a great stay in our Pack," I shed my pretty smile to the crowd as I stepped off the podium.


    The crowd gave me a round of apuse right after I ended my speech. The whole time that I was speaking on stage, I could feel his intense gaze boring holes at me, making me feel ufortable the whole time.


    The moment I stepped off the stage, I could finally feel my whole body again.


    "Don''t forget to breathe, Astrid," Nova chided when I reached her off the stage.


    My heart had finally rxed, and I could breathe properly again after I had escaped everyone''s attention.


    I gripped Nova''s warm hand for support. Nova didn''t say a word as I gripped her hand tightly with my icy-cold fingers.


    I''m d that Nova is here with me. She never left my side even though she also has her own personal life. She stood by me, willing to support me.


    "I need to take a break," I muttered under my breath.


    "Of course, I''ll go inform Drystan," Nova answered.


    I nodded my head and proceeded to the nearest exit. I took a few deep breaths when I reached the back of the venue, as if I''d finally learned how to breathe for the first time.


    Staying inside the crowded venue with all the people I have known before made me feel strangled. I felt suffocated by the pressure. I feel choked up thinking that Killian is there with them.


    "Looking for an escape?" My body froze up when I heard someone speak behind me.


    When I turned my head around, my eyes widened when I saw Killian. I instantly snapped my head forward so he wouldn''t recognize me. ¡°Just... taking a break," I drawled out, hoping he wouldn''t figure me out by my voice.


    I stiffened when I heard him shuffle behind me. "So you are the person in charge of the preparations, huh? You did a great job. Everyone didn''t expect this excellence from the Nightsong Pack."


    I smiled. I know that the other Packs are looking down on us just because the Nightsong Pack is rtively new and is still trying to build its name in our society.


    This is the exact reason why I chose a luxurious theme for the event, and I even prepared a buffet for the guests. In that way, our guests will have a changed perspective towards us.


    "Except for me, though, I didn''t expect anything less the moment I found out that you are the person in charge," Killian added.


    I fidgeted my fingers when I heard hisment. My heart started to thump loudly in my chest again without knowing if Killian had already recognized me or not.


    I ignored his words and maintained my silence.


    "Are you still going to pretend that you''re dead, Astrid?" Killian questioned closely to my ear.


    I jumped forward in surprise and stared at him with a startled expression on my face.


    I cleared my throat and straightened


    myself as soon as I recovered from


    my shock. "You got the wrong person, sir," I answered him with a straight face. "My name is Ste and not Astrid."


    Killian''s brows furrowed when he heard me deny my identity. "How long are you going to keep this up Astrid? already saw through your disguise. For months, I really


    vel


    thought you were dead. Are you still


    going to fool me until now?" Content


    belongs to


    I squinted my eyes at him in confusion. "I don''t even know who you are," I shot back. I don''t know anyone named Astrid."


    Before Killian could win this argument, I made my turn to leave. However, he grabbed me by the arm, stopping me.


    "I know you are Astrid," Killian firmly dered. "Why are you doing this to me?"


    ¡°Enough!" I yelled at him and harshly pulled my arm out of his hold. "I already told you that I do not know you," I red at him before storming away.


    Killian looked at me in shock. In the years that we have been together, he never heard me yell or saw me re at anyone.


    He was taken aback when he saw me get angry that he had forgotten to stop me.


    As I took a few steps away from him, I did not expect the next thing that he had done.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "I, Killian Sullivan, ept Astrid Zorensen''s rejection as her mate and Alpha," Killian dered in a firm voice.


    As soon as hepleted his


    sentence, a burning sensation


    flowed through my veins as thest bit of connection that his wolf had


    with me was cut off. I gritted my teeth, and I clutched my heart as I hele the pain in. Content belongs to


    Is this the reason why he badly wanted to know who I was so he could ept my rejection and fully cut his connection with me?


    A tear escaped my eye as I slumped on the ground in pain.


    "I know it''s you!" Killian shouted as his face contorted in pain. "You can always lie to me, but the mate bond never lies."


    My face turned red as I held back the pain. "You were right. So, are you happy now?" I shot back at him, "Is this what you wanted? Is this the reason why you wanted to know who I was?"


    Killian''s eyes turned wide. ¡°No, this is not what I want. I¡ª¡°


    "Astrid!" Nova yelled in panic when she saw me writhing on the ground.

 Chapter 48: She鈥檚 Pregnant?

    Chapter 48: She¡¯s Pregnant?


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    A deep breath passed through my lips as a sense of calm washed over me when Nova arrived just in time to rescue me.


    Nova ran towards me with a panicked look in her eyes. She lifted me up by my arms, slowly helping me to get my feet on the ground. Killian forced himself off the ground, his lips slightly stretching downwards as he winced in pain.


    "What happened?" Nova asked me in worry.


    I was hyperventting, so I failed to answer her. I just kept clutching my heart, the ce where all the pain wasing from.


    Nova''s eyes widened when the realization hit her. "H-He," Nova paused, unable toplete her sentence.


    Anger shed in her eyes, knowing that what Killian just did was enough to kill me. With my weak wolf and the life inside of me, I''m not strong enough to handle the rejection.


    "Astrid!" Drystan suddenly appeared and ran towards me when he saw my state.


    He immediately carried my weight to help Nova, who had been struggling to keep me up.


    Still, I couldn''t speak. My lips quivered, and tears streamed down my face as my weak wolf whimpered and curled in pain.


    She''s not able to handle most of the pain on her own, making me feel most of it.


    Drystan''s features hardened, and the soft lines around his eyes and mouth tightened when he saw me getting tortured


    "Quick! Bring her to the hospital and call all the Pack Doctors to check on her," Drystanmanded Nova with a nk voice.


    Nova quickly nodded her head and ced my arm around her shoulder to help lift me up.


    "Astrid, we''re not done yet!" Killian yelled out loud when he saw Nova taking me away from him.


    Drystan strode towards Killian without saying a word and punched him in the face. Blood spurted out of his split lip, but Drystan didn''t stop there. He lifted Killian by his cor and tightened his fists.


    I stopped Nova from taking me away when I saw what Drystan did. I wanted to yell at him to stop, but I didn''t have enough strength to do so. "Don''t go anywhere near Astrid. Do you understand?! This is thest time that you''re going to hurt her, or else I swear I''m going to kill you!" Drystan yelled in his face.


    Killian stared into Drystan''s hard gaze like an asshole unbothered by his words.


    "Why are you getting yourself involved in this, huh? You ruined everything! If you hadn''t faked Astrid''s death, I would have fixed our rtionship. Now step out of the way and let me talk to Astrid!" Killianmanded.


    Drystan lost control of himself when he heard his absurd words; he punched him again in the face, giving him a ck eye. "You want to get yourself killed?!"


    "Stop! Stop! Please, stop!" A woman''s voice sliced through themotion.


    When Drystan looked up, his lips thinned when he saw Giselle rush to Killian''s side, her belly as big as a watermelon.


    "K-Killian. Oh no!" Giselle eximed


    in worry when she saw Killian''s face. "Drystan, please let him go," Giselle pleaded with her eyes filled with


    worry. Content belongs to th


    Drystan clenched his jaw, and with strong self-control, he finally pushed Killian away from him, making him stumble backward.


    Giselle rushed to Killian''s side and held him by his shoulder to help him. "Killian, are you alright?" Giselle asked him worriedly.


    She lifted her finger to touch Killian''s face and take a better look at his injuries, but Killian moved his face away like he was burnt by her touch. ¡°Leave this instant!" Drystan spoke darkly. "Take your husband away from here. I don''t want to see him ever again,¡±


    Giselle nced at Drystan when he spoke and softly nodded her head. "Killian, let''s just leave," Giselle whispered to him.


    Hearing this, Drystan turned around to leave, thinking that Giselle would be able to convince Killian to leave his Pack.


    Just as Drystan had turned his back on them, Killian spoke again, "I''m not going to leave without Astrid!"


    Drystan stopped in his tracks; before


    he could respond to Drystan''s words, though, he was shocked when he saw me and Nova still standing where he had left us.


    el


    "Nova, I told you to bring her to the hospital."


    "You can''t hide Astrid away from me again!" Killian shouted before sprinting forward.


    "Killian!" Caught in surprise, Giselle tried to stop him, but Killian was too fast.


    Just as Killian was about to grab my arm to steal me away from them, Drystan managed to hold him back, causing Killian to grab my coat instead. Drystan pushed Killian to the ground with my coat still in his hand.


    Without my coat, my pregnant belly is exposed


    Killian''s eyes widened as he stared at my belly, poking forward just like Giselle''s.


    "Y-You''re pregnant..." Killian stammered as he looked at me with disbelief in his eyes.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Even though I was weak and in pain, fear still coursed through me, knowing what this would cost me. My pregnancy is supposed to be a secret. I don''t want Killian to know I''m pregnant with his child in fear that he''s going to take my baby from me. Content belongs to


    Killian''s gaze went back and forth between Drystan and me until he suddenly scoffed.


    "Is this why you wanted to divorce me? Is this why you even went too far and faked her death?" Killian scoffed bitterly.


    I felt confused. I wasn''t expecting this kind of reaction from him. I''ve imagined many possible reactions from him, but none of them went like this.

 Chapter 49: Baby Daddy

    Chapter 49: Baby Daddy


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    "Since when?" I questioned. "Since when have you found out you''re pregnant?"


    My question hung in the air as the three fell silent. The three of them couldn''t bring themselves to look at me anymore after their secrets were exposed.


    Iughed bitterly as I turned my gaze away from them. "Now everything makes sense," I muttered.


    It was out of nowhere when Astrid suddenly asked me for a divorce.


    I couldn''t figure out why Drystan would help Astrid and lie to me just for her when I''m his true family.


    Now that I found out the big secret that they were trying to hide from me, everything finally made sense.


    "Just how long?" I snapped. "How long have you been dating each other behind my back?"


    Their gazes suddenly snapped back at me when they heard my question. I looked at each and every one of them, waiting for the first person who was going to answer my question, but they looked clueless as they stared at me.


    They looked confused as if they couldn''t understand my simple question.


    I let out a breath and shook my head in disbelief. They are already exposed. Are they seriously still going to act dumb in front of me?


    "How long have you been cheating on me, Astrid?" I demanded furiously.


    Astrid looked at me wearily as the pain from the rejection slowly dissipated away. She looked at me with hurt in her eyes when she heard my question.


    She''s the one who cheated, but she had the audacity to feel hurt when I asked her why she cheated.


    Drystan scoffed in disbelief. "Do you even know what the definition of cheating is, Killian? Cheating was when you fucked and impregnated someone else."


    "Then, if that is so, let me reiterate my question. How long have you been fucking my own uncle behind my back?!" I shot back with my eyes on Astrid.


    Drystan''s face turned red in anger when he heard my question. At the same time, Astrid looked so abashed after she felt disrespected by my question.


    Looking at Astrid''s belly, it''s obvious that she''s been pregnant for so long. Her belly is almost the same size as Giselle''s.


    It only means that she was already pregnant before we even divorced.


    It''s impossible that I''m the father of her child. In our entire marriage, I never slept with Astrid, not even on the night of our wedding.


    We never consummated our marriage, so how could I make Astrid pregnant?


    It is the main reason why Astrid


    never got pregnant. People made rumours that Astrid was barren, which is why she couldn''t get pregnant; they had no idea that nothing just happened between us at all, which is why she couldn''t get pregnant.


    My mother always nagged at her because she failed to produce an heir. She hated her, thinking that she would end our bloodline because she was barren. Even my mother doesn''t know that we never consummated our marriage.


    ¡°Tell me! Did it start during your ''family visits'', or did it start way back before Astrid even found out that I''m his mate?!" I shouted at them, demanding


    answers.


    Before Drystan became the Alpha of


    his own Pack, he worked as themander of our Pack Warriors Pack. He used to be Astrid''s teacher. He taught her everything aboutbat, which is why Astrid became the most powerful fighter in our Pack.


    Astrid and Drystan used to be so close because of their teacher-student rtionship. I had no idea that they had other rtionships as well. When Drystan became Alpha and started to live far from us, he always came to our Pack for what he called ''family visits''. Something must always happen between them behind my back.


    After all, how could Drystan make Astrid pregnant while we were still married?


    "Watch your mouth, Killian. You are getting too far," Drystan shot back, making my lips curl.


    In the end, of course, the answers to those questions don''t matter. Astrid cheated. The date when that started doesn''t matter. I''m only going to hurt myself by finding out the whole truth.


    "You still know how to feel ashamed


    after all! I wish you have thought about that while you were fucking my wife behind my back! You are my uncle trusted you, and I always weed you to our Pack. I wish you''ve thought about shame as you defiled yourselves." Content belongsExclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    to


    "Yes! I am the father of Astrid''s child. Are you happy now?!" Drystan yelled to shut me up.


    My heart felt like it was stabbed a million times when I heard Drystan''s confirmation. I knew that he was the father, but hearing that truthe out of his mouth greatly broke me.


    I forced out augh, refusing to appear weak in front of them. Astrid cheated, but I''m not going to show her that I''m affected.


    ¡°An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. I guess we are even now. You cannot hold a grudge against me for what I''ve done," I spoke with an emotionless expression.


    ¡°That''s right. Now that we have settled our scores, we should go our separate ways. Astrid doesn''t need you anymore, so don''t you bother her ever again," Drystan spoke firmly.


    My body tensed at the thought of separating ways from Astrid forever. Once I leave now, I will no longer have any connection with her. I would no longer have any reason to meet her.

 Chapter 50: Confession?

    Chapter 50: Confession?


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    Iy motionless on my bed, my eyes distant and unfocused as the weight of Killian''s words pressed heavily upon my heart, sapping me of my energy and will.


    My mind couldn''t stop going back to his shameless usations. I couldn''t believe how he could use me of cheating him and sleeping with his own uncle when he was the one who cheated in our marriage.


    I couldn''t believe how shameless he was to put all the me on me when he was the one who ruined our marriage.


    All my life, I have dedicated my life to him as his wife, even though he never appreciated everything that I did. I stayed loyal and faithful to him, always mindlessly hoping that he would grow feelings for me or hopefully be a loving husband in return.


    I waited for years and invested all of my efforts in our rtionship. In the end, all it took was for his ex-girlfriend toe back, and he threw away everything that we had and impregnated her.


    "I''vepleted the examination," The Pack Doctor spoke, breaking me away from my thoughts. "The baby is perfectly healthy. Their heartbeat is strong, and all the vital signs are right where they should be."


    A faint, tremulous smile tugged at the corner of my lips.


    "What about Astrid?" Drystan asked.


    Nova had already left since someone from our Pack needed to handle the ongoing event outside.


    The Pack Doctor nodded solemnly. "Physically, she''s doing well too. The effects of the broken mate bond are taking a toll, as expected, but her body is adapting.¡± He paused, his gaze softening with empathy.


    He then turned his attention back to me after he answered Drystan''s question. "I know this is an incredibly difficult time for you, Astrid, but you and the baby are safe, and I will do everything in my power to help you recover.


    "The bond..." I murmured as I clutched the bedsheet.


    I know that I''m the first one who rejected Killian, and he merely epted my rejection. Still, sadness welled in my heart now that I officially don''t have any connection with him.


    This is what I wanted. This is what''s best for me and for my child. I just felt sad because Killian was once a huge part of my life, but now he''s gone. I hope I willn''t meet or see him again.


    "Yes," the Pack Doctor replied, "the bond. I rmend you remain on strict bedrest until the effects have fully worn off. Your body and mind need time to heal, to find a new equilibrium," he exined.


    I slowly nodded my head. I don''t have the energy to do anything anyway. After I heard Killian''s words, I was nning to stay in my room until I emotionally recovered.


    "Thank you, Doctor," Drystan muttered as the Doctor took his leave.


    "Everything will be fine, Astrid. Rest now. Nova and I will handle the Werewolf Assembly until the end," Drystan reached for my hand and squeezed it when he saw my emotionless expression.


    "I''m sorry, Drystan," I muttered under my breath. I felt so guilty that I couldn''t look at him.


    Because of me, he was involved in my problems and was used of sleeping with someone else''s mate.


    Killian made many heavy usations against him. I''m just d that we were the only people in the area, or else it would cause a stir if someone else had heard it.


    "I don''t know where Killian got those thoughts. I''m sorry, I should have defended you," I spoke up.


    Although Drystan frequently visits our Pack as a family member, we rarely even have the time to talk to each other.


    I was always so upied with work that I didn''t have time to spare to catch up with him as my old teacher.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Thest time we were really close to each other was when he was still working as the leader of our Pack military. After that, we rarely met and talked to each other.


    It is the exact reason why I felt ufortable taking his help since a lot of things had changed ever since he became the Alpha and Killian and I got married.


    "Forget about Killian''s words. We know to ourselves that we have done nothing bad. Let''s not allow his words to bother us," Drystan answered as he stroked my hair out of my face.


    Drystan is the only person who has


    always been nice to me, except for Nova. I practically owe my whole life to Drystan, not just because he saved my life many times but also because he is the one who taught me the knowledge and skills that I have now.


    If it wasn''t for him, I would have failed as a Luna in the Silvermoon Pack.


    "Also, thank you for telling Killian you''re the father of my child," I said shyly.


    I was shocked when Drystan suddenly imed my child as his out of nowhere. Killian was already using him of a lot of evil things that could ruin his reputation as an Alpha.


    Yet, instead of denying all of them, he even imed my child as his just to save my ass, even at the expense of ruining his reputation.


    Drystan''s face suddenly turned


    serious. "Astrid, I''m willing to be a father to your child. I didn''t only say those words to make him stop and convince him to leave you alone. I could be the father that your child deserves to have."

 Chapter 51: Outcome

    Chapter 51: Oue


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    Uneasiness crept up my body at the seriousness and heaviness of how he said those words. The way he said it makes it seem like he is hinting at something else.


    Right now, I''m not ready for anything else. My wolf is sick, and I still have to find the cure; without that, I don''t even know how long I''m going to live. I don''t want to repeat the same pain that Drystan felt with his original mate.


    Other than that, I''m also not ready to enter into any kind of rtionship. After getting out of a toxic rtionship, my heart is still not ready to open up again.


    "Drystan," I uttered his name to stop him from the next words he was about to say that I was not ready to hear yet.


    I''ve always wondered why he is being so nice to me. He had done me a lot of favors without getting anything in return. I''m just a huge liability to him, yet he always kept me by his side.


    I thought his actions were out of our friendship, but doubts shrouded my thoughts when he suddenly imed my child as his in front of Killian.


    At first, I pushed away all my doubts, but these... I think he is nning to confess something else.


    "I''m not blind, Drystan, but..."


    "Your child is still my grandchild," Drystan spoke up, interrupting me from my words.


    I suddenly turned confused when I heard a different answer from him.


    "Since we are blood-rted, I could act as a father to your child instead," Drystan finished his sentence.


    My mind went nk at his words, and then the tension in my body melted away when I finally understood what he was actually nning to say. "Oh, of course," I spoke enthusiastically as I let out a sigh of relief.


    I clearly misunderstood things there. I should have known that there was no way Drystan would fall in love with me.


    He is still Killian''s Uncle no matter what, and the child that I''m carrying is also his grandson. He would have found it disgusting to marry me. There''s no way he would have even a bit of a crush on me.


    A knock on the door caught our conversation short.


    "Alpha, the guests were looking for you." Drystan sighed when he heard the omega''s report.


    "Tell them that I''ming shortly," Drystan replied.


    I almost forgot that the werewolf assembly is still going on outside. Nova must be having a hard time handling everything on her own out there. "Good luck out there, and seal a lot of deals," I smiled at Drystan as he bid his goodbye.


    Drystan smiled back. "Of course I will."


    The first thing that people areOriginal content from N?velDrama.Org.


    looking forward to in every Werewolf


    Assembly is sealing deals and


    Bov


    alliances with powerful Packs. If only I was in good condition, I would help Drystan with making


    connections since that''s also what I''m good at.


    After Drystan left, I slept to give my body some rest.


    I stirred awake when somebody knocked on my bedroom. When I opened my eyes, my whole room was dark, and I could see the moon''s soft light glowing outside.


    I groaned when someone opened the light in my room, shing my eyes. After my eyes had adjusted to the light, I saw Nova enter while carrying a tray of food for dinner.


    "You need to eat before you sleep for the night," Nova spoke softly as she ced my food on the table beside my bed.


    "Is the event done already?" I asked her as I pushed myself up to a sitting position on my bed.


    I''ve been waiting to hear news from her. I couldn''t wait to hear what had happened while I was gone.


    "Supposedly," Nova answered tiredly," but Drystan is still talking to some guests about business. I already left since the conversation doesn''t seem to end." I chuckled at Nova''s words.


    ¡°Our guests are really impressed by


    the preparations that you made, Astrid. All the leaders are taking their time to listen to Drystan since


    they''ve seen what our Pack is


    capable of," she continued Content


    belongs to


    I smiled at the news. I''m d that things went ording to my n. "Has Drystan connected to a lot of Alphas already?"


    "A lot of Packs are looking forward to working with us, Astrid. We are already near to reaching our goals. After this, our Pack would be sustainable enough," Nova answered happily.


    "What about the Shadowfang Pack? Did you see them?" Nova''s smile suddenly vanished when she heard my question.


    "They never came," she sadly replied.


    ¡°It''s okay, at least we tried," I answered to lift her spirits up. There''s no need for her to be sad since I''m the only one who needs something from the Shadowfang Pack.


    Ever since the Shadowfang Pack, it has never attended any Werewolf Assemblies for the past decades. With that, it would be highly impossible for them to suddenly attend this year around.


    I really didn''t have high hopes that they woulde to our Werewolf Assembly. Still, I sent them an invitation, just like how the other Packs hosting this event would have done.


    "You don''t need to worry. The


    Shadowfang Pack doesn''t need toe here. I can visit their Pack instead and strike a deal with them. We just needed to wait until my child was born. It would be better that way," I smiled at Nova to give her assurance.

 Chapter 52: Hate or Compensate

    Chapter 52: Hate or Compensate


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    "Killian, what''s going on? Why are you here?" Killian''s mother bombarded us with questions as soon as we arrived at the Pack.


    We have just arrived at the entrance to the Packhouse, yet she''s already here to confront us already.


    "Mother," I shed Victoria a sweet smile as I weed her with a warm hug, knowing that Killian would be highly sensitive right now.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    "What happened, dear?" Victoria asked me instead when she noticed the cold and indifferent look on her son''s face.


    I nced quietly at Killian and watched as he helped with the omegas, putting out the things we packed but never had the chance to use.


    Killian has been deadly silent during the whole ride. He''s been silent and angry ever since we left the Nightsong Pack.


    The tension in the car was unbearable. I could feel the anger radiating off him the whole time that I was with him. Astrid''s confession of cheating really affected him so much.


    "Something bad happened while we were at the Nightsong Pack, Mother," I answered Victoria with a fearful look in my eyes.


    Victoria''s eyes narrowed in anger when she heard my answer. "What? Did Drystan drag you out of their Pack? We have always weed Drystan to our Pack and treated him with kindness. Can''t he show some respect to his own nephew?!" She trembled in anger as she spoke.


    "I don''t think we should hate Drystan, mother¡ª¡°


    "And why not?" Victoria cuts off my statement. "First, he ruined our alliance with the Frostbite Pack, and now he pushed you out of his Pack, losing our chance to develop connections in the Werewolf Assembly! He is purposefully doing this to ruin us! What have we done against him for him to target us like this?!"


    My eyes squinted in guilt as I caressed her arm to calm her down.


    "We cannot me Drystan, mother. His mind is poisoned by someone, which is why he is doing this. Someone is saying negative things about us," I spoke as I started to get into her head.


    "And who is it?!" My mother demanded in anger.


    "It''s Astrid, Mother," I spoke with a fake sadness in my voice.


    Blood drained Victoria''s face as she looked at me with wide eyes. That was my reaction, too, the first time I found out that Astrid was alive.


    Now that Killian already knows that she''s alive. There''s no point hiding that as a secret anymore. All I could do now was to make them hate Astrid even more so they wouldn''t want anything to do with her.


    "A-Astrid? B-but isn''t she dead already?" Victoria asked fearfully. All of her anger vanished instantly.


    "It''s true, mother. I couldn''t even believe my eyes when I saw her. And you wouldn''t believe it, mother. She was pregnant when we found her," I added.


    Victoria''s lips parted in stunned silence when she heard my words. "H-How could this be?" Victoria turned her gaze to her son. "Killian, is it¡ª¡° "It''s not my child, mother," Killian answered coldly before her mother could finish her question.


    I''ve been wondering when he is going to join our conversation when he can hear our words clearly.


    Victoria touched her heart as she gave a sigh of relief. She looked like a huge thorn was pulled out of her chest when she heard that Killian was not rted to Astrid''s baby.


    "That despicable woman!" Victoria instantly shouted in anger, masking her relief before Killian could notice it.


    "Drystan and Astrid have been having an affair. Astrid was already carrying Drystan''s baby before we even got divorced," Killian spoke emotionlessly. Victoria''s eyes widened, not expecting that it was that bad. "W-What?" Victoria blurted out. A tense moment passed before she found her voice. "What a shameless woman! She was even the Luna. And of all men, she chose to sleep with her husband''s uncle?" Victoria looked so disgusted as she uttered the words.


    I bit my lower lip to stop the smile that was fighting to stretch my lips.


    It would be a huge scandal if the whole world found out that Astrid slept with her husband''s uncle while she was still a Luna of the Pack.


    Killian scoffed at her mother''s disgusted reaction. "Didn''t I do the same thing with her? I also cheated and impregnated a different woman. That makes me o better than her."


    I stilled at Killian''s words. Even after everything that happened, he still defends her.


    "How could this bepared to


    what you have done, Killian?!" Victoria yelled at his son in anger.


    "Your wife, cheated with your own et


    uncle. It''s already disgusting as it is, without mentioning the age gap. And the fact that Drystan used to train Astrid before makes it all even weird."


    "Could I me Astrid for cheating, mother?" Killian shot back, making us fall into silence. "I was never a good husband to her. I never even stepped up to defend her when


    bullied her. Astrid must have felt all alone at that time. How could I me her for finding what she deserves on someone else?" Content belongs to


    With that, Killian walked away, leaving us speechless.


    I clenched my fist in anger when I found out that Killian still hadn''t moved on from Astrid.


    It doesn''t matter if he thinks that Astrid cheated on him and that his own child wasn''t his. As long as Killian doesn''t hate Astrid, there will always be a chance for them to go back to each other


    It''s either I make him hate her, or I kill her, and we all know what''s more possible to happen.

 Chapter 53: Save the Date

    Chapter 53: Save the Date


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    A deep, weary sigh escaped my lips as I stared down at thetest reports that never seemed to end from my Pack.


    Despite my relentless efforts day in and day out, the Silvermoon Pack seemed to be mired in an endless spiral of problems and setbacks.


    My brows furrowed in frustration as I ran my calloused hand through my hair. Every time I resolve one issue, two more will crop up and take its ce. The finances were in disarray, our Pack military was dwindling, and tensions within the Pack were reaching a boiling point. No matter how hard I work and try to bnce all things together, in the end, I can only do one thing at once.


    If only I could, I would slice my body in half so I could at least be more productive than I already am.


    My schedule is already hectic as it is. I''ve done nothing but work every single day, but my efforts never matched my results.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    My jaw tightened as I thought about the Nightsong Pack. While our Pack struggled, the Nightsong Pack is thriving - their numbers are growing, and their reputation is spreading. I heard Drystan is getting offers here and there every single day as he earned the respect and loyalty of werewolves far and wide.


    Of course, he wouldn''t have done it without Astrid''s help. When Astrid was the Luna of our Pack, she had done the same thing to our Pack, too. The tides had changed ever since Astrid switched ces. When she left, she left me with nothing. I had to carry everything on my own.


    I let out a low feral growl. I felt cheated. It wasn''t fair. I am pouring my efforts, time, and sweat out. I have devoted my life to building up this Pack and have fought tooth and nail through countless battles and challenges. But no matter how hard I pushed, how much I sacrificed, it never seemed enough.


    Instead, the Nightsong Pack, which used to be a small, insignificant Pack, is starting to catch up on us as it grows and as we decline.


    If only I had one person who could support me or carry out some of my tasks. They don''t have to be as smart and as capable as Astrid. As long as they take a few jobs from my hand, it would actually be a great help for me to put more effort and focus on one field.


    I dug my ws into the arms of my chair as I swore under my breath. I would never allow the Nightsong Pack to surpass us. Whatever the Nightsong Pack manages to reach, we will always be a few steps ahead of them.


    I would do whatever it took to restore our Pack to its former glory, even if it meant wing and fighting my way back to the top.


    A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," Imanded while I pored over the reports again.


    "Son."


    I lifted up my chin when I heard my mother''s voice.


    "Mom? What are you doing here?" I asked her as I pushed the reports away and stood up to meet her.


    I thought it was Beta Ryder who knocked on my door. He''s always the one knocking on my door to deliver new reports that I have to go through.


    "Is it okay if I talk to you for a moment?" my mom asks me kindly as she settles down on my couch.


    "What is it?" I asked her directly since I don''t have time even for chit-chats.


    "I was thinking about setting the date already and sending invitations to other Packs already," my mom suggested with a hopeful look in her eyes. "For what?" My brows knotted together.


    "Isn''t it enough time for Giselle to im her rightful position? Giselle''s belly has grown big already. I don''t. think we still have time to wait any longer. don''t want my grandson to witness her mom''s marriage. Marriage should happen before the child is even born," my mom tried to convince me.


    I sighed. Here we go again. Our n was to wait until Giselle earned the trust of the people so there would be no objections to her ascension ceremony.


    Giselle had done nothing to prove herself yet. In fact, her failed task even brought a significant decline to her reputation.


    "I don''t think the Pack would agree to this," I stated matter of factly.


    "Which is why I''m suggesting that you set the date already and start sending the news to other Packs," my mother answered matter of factly.


    I looked at my mother in disbelief. I couldn''t believe how serious she sounded as she spoke about cheating our Pack members.


    She wants me to announce my marriage outside first before announcing it to the Pack so that our Pack members would have a hard time defying me.


    "I know you have your own ethics


    and principles, son. You are just like


    your father, always upright and righteous in leading the Pack without knowing where to bend. If it wasn''t for me, Drystan would have been the Silvermoon Pack''s Alpha and not him." Content belongs to


    I looked up at my mother with a surprised look on my face. What did my mother do that my father still managed to inherit the Pack?


    "What do you mean, mother?" I asked her with my brows knotted together.


    My mother looked at me with wide eyes like she had said something she shouldn''t have.

 Chapter 54: Moving On

    Chapter 54: Moving On


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    My mother''s lips bobbed up and down like a fish, unable to answer my simple question.


    My frown deepened at her strange reaction, but she immediately steeled herself by faking a cough.


    "Huh?" My mother shot back at me once she had recovered. "I-I of course! Your father wouldn''t have been the Alpha if he hadn''t met me sooner," my mother answered haughtily.


    "Everyone knows how your grandfather was convinced by Drystan''s performance and started to consider him the Alpha. If your father hadn''t met me sooner, your grandfather would have passed the position on Drystan instead," my mother shook her head in disdain as she was reminded of the past.


    I slowly nodded my head when I finally understood what my mother meant. I was just thinking too much. My doubts finally vanished when I heard her


    answer.


    In werewolf Packs, it is our tradition to pass down a position or a title to the next generation only when the heir has found their mate.


    It has always been like that in all Packs. The next Alpha should ascend to their position along with their Luna. In that way, the Alpha wouldn''t have a hard time handling the Pack affairs on his own because he would immediately have the support of his Luna from the start.


    This is the reason why ascensions happen most of the time after weddings. In the morning, the wedding will take ce, and once the full moon hase out, they will use the same venue with all the preparations and proceed with the ascension.


    In that way, they could save everyone''s time and money.


    Still, there are future Alphas who get wed first, and they wait for months before they can ascend to their titles. It really depends on the circumstances at Packs.


    Although all Packs follow this kind of tradition, there are still exceptions. Sometimes, future Alphas need to take their positions early without a mate on their side because of unforeseen circumstances, such as the death of their parents.


    There were some rare cases where sons would kill their fathers just so they could ascend to their position earlier than they should.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    In some unfortunate circumstances, the Alpha dies too early before their heir can reach the right age to rule their Pack. In this case, only two things may happen.


    It''s whether they stay faithful to the young heir and support him until he is ready to rule the Pack, or they would just kill him or contest his right to be the Alpha.


    "Let''s not make this drag too long, shall we? Set the earliest date possible so we can start sending the invitations to other packs." My mind jumped back to reality again when I heard her words.


    "I don''t think this is a good idea,


    mother. Giselle is not yet ready for


    any position, as you know. This is not just about her reputation and how the Pack members might react, but she''s not exactly worthy of bing the Pack''s Luna either," I tried to reason out with her. Content


    belongs to


    I haven''t even done anything yet, but I could already feel a headacheing by just imagining the uproar that it would cause if I forced Giselle into the Luna Position.


    I''ve been dealing with a lot of problemstely. I don''t want a huge controversy like this to add to my problems. I''d rather just do all these tasks alone my whole life than deal with my people''s hatred.


    After all, even if I marry Giselle and make her my Luna, I don''t think she would be capable enough to help with some of my tasks.


    "Learning can take time, but this can''t wait any longer." my mother argued back. "I will teach her, and I will train her until she learns everything that she needs to learn."


    I scoffed. "She even failed a very basic task, mother. I don''t think she would ever be as capable as a Luna."


    Her eyes turned into slits when she heard my words. "Have you lost your mind, Killian?!" My mother snapped at me. "I''m just concerned about my grandson, which is why I''m asking you to do this! Are you not


    O


    concerned about your own son at at?!"


    I fell silent at her words.


    "The child that Giselle is carrying right now is your own flesh and blood. Just imagine what psychological effects it would cause your child if he grows up with a broken family. My grandson is going to be the future Alpha of this Pack. Our future depends on him!"


    I let out a deep breath as I lost all words to say.


    I don''t want to marry Giselle, ever. I never even wanted what happened between us. All of these are mistakes, but I cannot be selfish, especially against my own son.


    Until now, my heart is still broken about how things ended between Astrid and me. If it''s not Astrid, I don''t want anyone else to im the Luna Position.


    "How could you be selfish on your own son?" My mother questioned me with a soft voice, adding guilt to my heart.


    ¡°Alright, let''s do as you say, but put Giselle in charge of everything. I already have a lot on my hands right now. I couldn''t face nning for a wedding," I muttered in surrender with heaviness in my heart.


    What''s the point of leaving the Luna position empty just for Astrid? Astrid has already chosen someone else. There''s no way she would evere back to me again.


    Giving in to my delusions will not only ruin my life, but I might also end up ruining my son''s life as well.


    Right now, I should be focusing on how to be a better father to my son.

 Chapter 55: Unexpected Guest

    Chapter 55: Unexpected Guest


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    My heart has been nothing but filled with pure, unadulterated joy in the past few days ever since Killian agreed to marry me and make me his Luna.


    I''ve waited for so long to have his approval. Finally, after the long wait and the long fight, the date is already set, and the invitations have been sent. I no longer have to wait in uncertainty, fearing that Luna''s position is going to be given to someone else.


    The decision was already made, and the preparations have started already. There''s nothing else that can stop this from happening any more.


    An excited smile crossed my face as I looked through the selection of themes that we could go with for my wedding


    Seeing the beautiful themes, I couldn''t help but feel excited to get married already. I couldn''t wait to see all of thesee to life.


    "I like this," I pointed at the most luxurious and elegant theme in the selection.


    The events nner who is going to help me have my dream wedding smiled in response. "That''s a good choice, Luna. The Alpha would like that."


    I chuckled softly at her words. Hearing someone call me a Luna is really a tickle to my ears.


    "I wish Killian was here to n our wedding. It''s just that he is so busy since he has no Luna to help him," I pouted, making her look at me in pity. Deep inside, I''m happy that I could make all of these preparations on my own. In that way, I would be able to choose whatever I want.


    I have been dreaming of having a luxurious and elegant wedding that would make me feel like a princess.


    I want my wedding to be the best in history. I''m the second wife, so my wedding should be better than the wedding that Killian had with his first wife. "It''s good that he''s going to marry you soon. He wouldn''t have to be burdened as much with you by his side," she spoke tteringly.


    I forced a smile on my face when I was reminded of what my duty would be once I became the Pack''s Luna.


    Victoria has been training me for weeks, and God knows how much I hated it. Just thinking of doing all of that on my own once I be the Luna really scares me a lot.


    I''m still trying to figure things out and learn my way through everything. The few days left before my wedding are not enough for me to learn everything.


    I needed someone who could support me in my tasks as a Luna before Victoria gave up on training me.


    "Since you chose a luxurious theme,


    n¨¦t


    let''s proceed with the luxurious items that we have which you can use for the wedding," the events nner spoke as she showed me a selection of items that fit perfectly with the theme I had chosen.


    W


    Since I chose a luxurious theme, the prices are luxurious as well.


    In the end, I chose the things that fit my vision. For the venue, I wanted a grand hall that would be awash in a symphony of opulence - crystalline chandeliers casting a warm glow and tablesden with a feast fit for royalty.


    Then, I will walk down the aisle in a gown of shimmeringce and satin, a crown of silver moonflowers crowning my head as I walk to the front.


    Every choice I made, from the floral arrangements to the honeyed delicacies, was imbued with an air of exquisite luxury.


    "Wow! All girls would be jealous of your wedding, Luna Giselle,¡± the events nner spoke in awe after the selection process waspleted.


    That''s exactly what I was going for. I want all women to be jealous of me, especially Astrid.


    "We will have all the things you have


    chosen on the date of your wedding and ascension ceremony, Luna Giselle. Rest assured that we will make sure toplete everything on time. If you have anything you wish to change or add, you can always contact me," she said professionally and in a memorable manner.


    I nodded my head with a gleeful expression on my face.


    "I''m so excited for your wedding, Luna Giselle. I wish all the best for you and Alpha Killian," she added sweetly.


    As of now, only the trusted people inside the Pack and the Packs have sent invitations to know about my uing ascension and wedding.


    It was Victoria who thought and nned everything. She''s the one who came up with the idea of excluding the Pack members from the announcement, knowing that they wouldn''t like to have me as their Luna.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    If the Pack members find out what we have done, I''m not sure how they are going to react, but just as Victoria said, what matters is that I be the Luna, and we should just deal with the rest.


    Although I have my own failures and setbacks, Victoria and I have really grown close to each other, which is why she is so willing to help me be the Pack''s Luna.


    Someone suddenly knocked on the door, making our heads turn.


    "Luna, we have a guest," an omega spoke after she pushed the door open. "Alpha Killian wants you to meet them."


    My brows furrowed slightly. "Who is it?"


    "It''s the Alpha of the Crimsonbane Pack."


    My face paled instantly at her words. My smile and excitement suddenly vanished, reced with dread and fear.

 Chapter 56: Crimsonbane鈥檚 Alpha

    Chapter 56: Crimsonbane¡¯s Alpha


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    My footsteps echoed swiftly down the grand hall as I hurried towards the Packhouse''s drawing room. The omega followed behind me in haste, trying to match my footsteps.


    My heart raced with a mix of annoyance and unease - The Alpha of the Crimsonbane Pack had arrived unannounced. I don''t even know what he is doing here.


    I gritted my teeth as anger coursed through me. Why does he even have toe here?! He doesn''t even have any business with the Silvermoon Pack.


    If he came here to ruin things for me, I swear I''m going to kill him.


    "How long has he been with him?" I demanded in irritation without stopping on my tracks.


    "For about thirty minutes," The omega answered unsurely for she''s only basing her answer on her own gut.


    I rushed my pace as I gripped the hem of my clothes tightly. He''s been here for almost an hour and I have only known that he''s here just by now?


    I need to hurry before he speaks of something that Killian shouldn''t know about.


    I paused momentarily to collect myself together when I finally reached the ornate double doors.


    The omega pushed the doors open and I was weed with the plush velvet furnishings and the sparkling crystal chandeliers of our Packhouse''s drawing room where we meet our most esteemed guests.


    I clenched my jaw in anger when my eyesnded on Alpha Damien, the one and only Alpha of the Crimsonbane Pack.


    He shed azy smile on his face as he stared at me with the same deep and empty eyes.


    He still looks the same as I remember him. His sharp eyes are tilted upward like a predator. His features are angled and chiseled, the product of lineage steeped from the ways of the wolf.


    "Giselle, long time no see," he spoke with his voice devoid of superfluous emotion.


    I forced a smile on my face since Killian is here, watching what my reaction would be.


    "Alpha Damien, you should have told me you woulde," I spoke in a tight voice as I tried my best not to voice out my annoyance.


    He shouldn''t havee here at all. He knows that he is not wee here.


    "Why didn''t you tell me that you know Alpha Damien? How did you know each other?" Killian asked amicably as he directed his question on me. "Giselle, you never told him about me?" Damien asked me with a fake surprised look on his face.


    I just wanted to punch him in the face and push him out of this Pack.


    "It was too long ago, Killian, so it never crossed my mind. I only stayed at the Crimsonbane Pack for a while when I left the Pack. That''s just how we knew each other," I told him half the truth.


    Damien, who rarely showed any emotion suddenly snickered on his seat when he heard my answer. My heart burned more in anger because of this.


    "I see," Killian slowly nodded his


    head in response. I''m just d that he ignored Damien''s reaction. "I guess our Pack owes you, Alpha Damien for taking care of Giselle on our behalf."


    A rumbling, resonant chuckle emanated from deep within Damien''s chest. "I''m not asking anything in return, am I?" Damien sounded so offensive that I felt the


    tension rise inside the roove


    ???


    "You don''t have to owe me anything. I helped Gi?ette because I want to. If you were to pay for that, then the kindness I''ve shown Giselle would be credited to you," Damien added softening the tense atmosphere.


    swn


    Killian smiled at his words. "I''m sorry, I haven''t thought of it that way."


    Damien flicked his eyes towards me ignoring Killian''s reply. "The news I''ve heard is true. You really are pregnant," he spoke coldly with his eyes on my baby bump.


    A chill went down my spine as my hand involuntarily covered my baby bump. I swallowed hard at the intense look that he is giving me.


    "How far ahead are you now?" He questioned emotionlessly.


    "It''s been three months," Killian answered for me when I fell in silence.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Although I''ve been pregnant for only three months, my baby bump has grown big already as a werewolf, our pregnancy are shorter than it is for humans.


    "Three months," Damien enunciated each words as he looked at me in the eye.


    A sweat formed on my forehead as my heart rang inside my ears. Three months, he knew that he could be the father of my child.


    "Is there a problem, Alpha Damien?" I lifted my chin as I challenged him.


    Damien fell quiet, not expecting my confidence.


    He thought I would get scared by him? Then he doesn''t know me that well. I gave him his chance, yet he pushed me away and chose somebody else.


    He has no right to interfere with my new life after he has made that decision.


    He can''t ruin the life I worked hard for after he pushed me away from his life.


    Damien just clucked his tongue and turned his gaze away. My heart swelled with confidence when he failed to say a word against me.


    "Oh Giselle, I forgot to say that Alpha Damien didn''t receive any invitation from us," Killian spoke up.


    "Oh!" My eyes widened in horror. "That couldn''t be, I made sure I sent invitations to all Packs," I lied with fake look of concern on my eyes.


    Damien just shook his head quietly. He knows I did that in purpose.


    It is exactly the reason why I didn''t expect to see him here. I purposely didn''t send him an invitation for I do not want to be connected in any way with him again.


    I wonder where his news areing from since I never even sent him any invitation and I never told him or anyone connected to him about my pregnancy.

 Chapter 57: The Past

    Chapter 57: The Past


    ?


    A FEW YEARS AGO...


    Giselle''s POV


    My heart felt empty as I stumbled aimlessly through the dense, unfamiliar forest. Dried tears streaked my reddened, swollen face as my tears finally dried up from my endless crying. Still, my feet carried me forward, not knowing where it was taking me as my heart continued to ache in despair.


    I sniffed as I clutched my broken heart as I limped weakly across the forest, my eyes empty like a madman.


    I was just exiled from my own Pack, and I have nowhere to go.


    Alpha William, Killian''s father, gave a cruel decree to remove me as a member of the Silvermoon Pack.


    I am now a werewolf without a Pack to call home, turning me into a rogue.


    I''ve never done anything wrong or broken any rules of our Pack. My only fault was to fall in love with his son during the time when he still hadn''t even met his mate yet.


    Killian and I are high school sweethearts. We were so deeply in love that we were convinced we would turn out as mates in the future.


    When things didn''t turn out as we thought they would, Alpha William thought it would be best to remove me from his Pack and away from his son to avoid anyplications to Killian''s rtionship with his mate.


    He exiled me without a reasonable exnation. Killian tried to protect me and fight for me, but he was powerless against his father. The Pack Warriors dragged me out of the Pack until I felt the connection I had with the Silvermoon Pack snapped.


    Now, alone and afraid, I had to trudge on, every step growing heavier with exhaustion. Thirst parched my throat, hunger gnawed at my empty stomach, and my body ached with strain.


    My whole life, I never stepped out of our Pack. I don''t even know where I am now.


    My body froze in fear when I heard movement in the underbrush. My heart pounded inside my chest when I noticed feral eyes gleaming in the shadows.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    There''s no doubt that a pack of rogues like me are there to hunt me like helpless prey.


    Without much thinking, I ran as fast as I could, which was my first instinct for survival. However, my weary limbs betrayed me; it didn''t even take that long for the rogue to catch me.


    Just as the snarling beast pounced, a blur of motion emerged, and a powerful figure interposed itself between me and my attackers.


    My eyes widened in surprise as I stared at the biggest wolf I''d ever seen in my life.


    His coat of fur is as grey as an angry cloud. His back is turned on me as he bared his teeth at the rogues.


    I felt the wolf inside me whimper when the huge wolf entuated his imposing power. As my wolf tucked its tail between my hind legs, the rogues who wanted to kill me did the same, too.


    Their ears and tails were pressed down so tightly as they ran away for their dear lives.


    Seeing that they were finally gone, my knees buckled, making me slump to the ground, and relief coursed through me.


    I groaned as a wave of dizziness flowed through me after the adrenaline fled my system. Before I could vanish entirely, I saw a handsome man with angled and chiseled features hovering over me.


    I blinked as the man''s face swam in my vision. I felt like my head was underwater. I couldn''t fathom the wordsing out of his mouth. Before I knew it, my eyes slid shut, and I copsed, sumbing to exhaustion.


    When I woke up, I found myself in a strange room that I''d never seen before. Fear coursed through me when I couldn''t remember how I ended up here.


    However, when I saw the handsome face, which was thest thing I had seen before I passed out, my tense muscles started to rx, and I remembered how he had saved me.


    That''s how Damien and I met each other. He saved me and weed me into his Pack, and from then on, the two of us grew close to each other.


    At first, I never paid him any


    attention. At that time, he wasn''t the


    Crimsonbane Pack''s Alpha yet. I thought he was just a Pack Warrior who happened to be on duty, and that''s why he was there to save me. Content belongs to


    UMS


    His father was the Crimsonbane Pack''s Alpha. However, his father died when he was just a teenager, so their Pack''s Beta had to serve as their acting Pack''s Alpha until Damien was ready to take the position.


    Damien never mentioned his identity


    Ket


    as the real Alpha to me. I have always been curious about where his power came from ever since saw it manifested when he saved me. knew he was too powerful to be a simple Pack Warrior, but the possibility of him being an Alpha never crossed my mind.


    Even though he saved my life, I always found him annoying, for he bothered me. He always appears out of nowhere and pesters me wherever I go.


    This wasn''t the first time that it happened to me. Killian was like that, too, when he fell in love with me. I knew he had a crush on me based on his actions, but he''s not by my standards.


    I wanted to marry someone rich or powerful. I would never settle on a mere Pack Warrior. Damien is handsome, but he cannot fulfill my ambitions.


    I don''t want to waste my beauty on lowly and poor beings when I could fetch a better, rich, and powerful person.

 Chapter 58: Special Guest

    Chapter 58: Special Guest


    ?


    PRESENT TIME


    At the Silvermoon Pack''s Drawing Room


    Giselle''s POV


    "Mistakes happen," Damien responded nonchntly after I lied about forgetting to send the invitation.


    "It''s okay if you forgot to send me an invitation. It doesn''t mean I''m not invited to your wedding, Am I right?" Damien asked shamelessly, knowing too well that I didn''t want him to be there at my wedding or anywhere near me at all.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Killian smiled and nodded at Damien''s words. "Of course! You wouldn''t need an invitation toe to our wedding at all. You can also bring anyone you want to our wedding. This offer is going to be avable only for you," Killian replied amicably.


    Damien sighed. "I don''t think I could bring anyone with me on that day."


    "Oh really!" I spoke up as I took my seat beside Killian. ¡°What about Luna Vanessa? She had always liked parties. I''m sure she''s going to agree toe with you if you ask her."


    Vanessa is Damien''s true mate and his current wife. She is the woman that Damien chose to rece me.


    "Vanessa is not the same person as you knew her before. She had changed ever since she became Luna. She had be more mature," Damien exined, which made me bark out augh.


    I doubt a woman like Vanessa would ever grow mature.


    Vanessa is the spoiled and only daughter of Damien''s Beta. She grew up having everything that she wanted after her father raised her like a spoiled princess.


    When she was just the Beta''s daughter, she ruled around the Crimsonbane Pack like she owned the whole damn ce.


    No one ever stood up against her. She was the most popr and powerful woman in the Pack. Anyone who gets to her bad side will have to go against her father, the Pack''s Beta himself, who also served as the Crimsonbane Pack''s Alpha as well.


    Vanessa''s father was just the acting Alpha, yet they acted like they were the true Alpha of the Pack. Vanessa, in particr, bossed around the Pack as if she was going to inherit it in the future.


    While Damien, who was the real Alpha of the Pack, was so humble. He even worked as a Pack Warrior along with the other low Pack members of the Pack as if he were one with them.


    Even though Damien is the Pack''s Alpha, he has no control over Vanessa. Vanessa simply fears no one because she is too spoiled. It''s just her personality. Whenever she didn''t get what she wanted, she would throw up a fit until she got what she desired.


    Meanwhile, his father just adores her so much that he does everything to please her.


    "Yes, that''s true," Killian covered up for me. "When I wasn''t yet the Alpha, I used to y around. Anyone would mature really quick once they are given a serious and hard responsibility they have to handle."


    Damien smiled at Killian''s agreement.


    "Speaking of which, where is she right now?" I asked out of curiosity.


    I wonder if Vanessa knows that I''m getting married or if I''m pregnant, just like how Damien does.


    I doubt Vanessa knew a thing about me, though. If she knew just one of those things about me, I doubt that Damien would be here just on his own. Vanessa hates me so much, and when she hates someone, she doesn''t stop until the person she hates suffers and lives a miserable life forever.


    If she knew my fortunate situation,


    I''m sure she''s going to ruin things for me it''s best if she doesn''t know a thing, and it would be better if Damien kept his life out of my life as well. Content belongs to


    "Vanessa is at home to take care of the Pack for me," Damien answered.


    I doubt Vanessa is taking care of anything in the Pack. For sure, her father is doing things for her.


    ¡°Alpha Killian, I was nning to stay in your Pack for a week. I hope you don''t mind," Damien spoke kindly to Killian.


    My eyes widened. Is he going to stay here for a week? No way! "What for?!" I blurted out in a surprised voice before I could stop myself.


    "I just want to take a visit around your Pack and hopefully rest for a short vacation. One week is not too much, right?" Damien directed his words to Killian.


    "No, not at all," Killian shook his head.


    As an Alpha, Killian gave Damien the special treatment as a special guest of the Pack, and I don''t have any say about it.


    "I believe one week is just enough


    for you to go around our Pack," Killian adds. "I wish I could


    personally see you around our Pack, Alpha Damien, but as you know, my schedule is really hectic. I need to face a lot of important matters at hand, and with our weddinging around-"


    "I understand, I understand," Damien assured him.


    "If it''s okay, Giselle can show you around since you already know each other." My eyes widened at Killian''s offer.


    He didn''t even ask me if I was okay with this.


    "That''s great! Giselle and I have a lot of things to catch up on as well, and I really needed a guide who knows a lot about your Pack," Damien replied happily.


    On the other hand, I could only feel dread of being left alone with him.


    "Then that''s settled! I will go have your room ready by tonight, Alpha. In the meantime, Giselle can show you around the Packhouse to acquaint yourself," Killian answered amicably.


    UMS

 Chapter 59: Narcissism

    Chapter 59: Narcissism


    ?


    A FEW YEARS AGO....


    At the Crimsonbane Pack


    Giselle''s POV


    It was by ident when I found out that Damien was secretly the Alpha of the Crimsonbane Pack.


    At that time, I was working as an omega at the Crimsonbane Pack''s Packhouse. As a newly adopted member, I needed to start low in the ranks.


    I was demoted to the lowest position. I had to clean around the Packhouse and do menial work as the Packhouse''s Omega.


    When I was living at the Silvermoon Pack, I was never treated as a servant. We are way higher than omegas and even above the average werewolves. You could say we are the Pack''s nobles without official titles.


    Since I was born into the Silvermoon Pack, I had my own privileges. However, I lost all of that when I was exiled and turned into a rogue.


    I could only say that I''m still lucky that I didn''t stay as a rogue for a long time. It would be much better to be a Packhouse''s omega than to be a lone rogue without any friends and without a pack that can provide for me.


    Although I lost all my privileges, everything that I had was removed from me. There was one thing they would never be able to take away from me, and that was my beauty and my power.


    Although I worked as a rogue, they can never deny that my wolf''s strength is still above average.


    I could be a ve doing menial jobs, but they can never take away my wolf''s power. My wolf can force weaker werewolves than me to bare their neck and lower themselves down into submission.


    As for my beauty, the moment I became an official member of the Crimsonbane Pack, I was instantly popr.


    Men from different statuses were all entranced by my beauty. Damien, in particr, is the person who really fell hard for my beauty and charm. Wherever I went, he followed me around.


    He was always concerned with my well-being and always did things to make me happy.


    At first, I did not like him, even with his charisma and handsome face. I would marry an old raisin man as long as he is rich and powerful, but I would never marry a poor man just for his looks and even character.


    Little did I know that Damien was actually the prince charming that I was looking for, someone who would save my life and take me out of the miserable life that I was living.


    While I was cleaning the Packhouse''s hallway, I noticed that the office of Alpha Julian, Vanessa''s father, was slightly ajar.


    I peeked in out of curiosity without any expectations in me, only to see Damien and Alpha Julian talking to each other.


    Curious about what they were talking about, I eavesdropped on their conversation. Damien is just a mere Pack Warrior, and I was surprised when I saw how close he and the Alpha looked.


    As I listened to their conversation, I finally found out Damien''s true identity. My jaw just fell open in shock. I felt so stupid that I didn''t even recognize Damien as the real Alpha the whole time.


    I felt regretful because I avoided him, and I always pushed him away, not knowing that he was the guy that I was actually looking for.


    My jaw just fell open when I found out that Damien is the Alpha and Vanessa''s father was only filling that position for him.


    From then on, I started to act nicer towards Damien and gave small hints that I also liked him back.


    I''ve been through this before with Killian. With my experience, I knew exactly what to do to make him fall hard for me.


    All this time, he had no idea that I knew about his secret. He thought I fell in love with him for who he is as a being.


    I acted that I was in shock and


    disbelief when Alpha Julian finally announced to the whole pack that Damien is the real Alpha of the Crimsonbane Pack and that he is


    going to ascend as the Alpha soon


    now that he is ready to take the title after gaining his experience. Content


    belongs to


    In order to not arouse any suspicion from Damien, I even pretended that I was angry at him for hiding such a huge and important thing about his identity.


    I gave him a hard time, and he chased after me, asking for my forgiveness and giving me an exnation without knowing that I was nning to forgive him in just a few days.


    On the day I was about to forgive him, he prepared a special surprise for me. I will never forget that night when he called me out to the forest through the sweet, handwritten letter that he made for me.


    When I arrived, Damien surprised me


    with a romantic date. He was holding a flower in his hand, soft lights shimmered in the background, and a table that was just for the both of us stood at the center with flower petals scattered all around.


    The moon was there as a witness when Damien promised me that he would reject whoever his mate was and make me his Luna. He swore by the moon''s name that he would never break his promise, and I believed him with all my heart.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I believed that I would be his wife. I believed that I''d be the Crimsonbane Pack''s Luna, but I shouldn''t have relied only on his words.


    From then on, I realized how things could happen quickly. I learned that words alone shouldn''t be trusted. I should have pushed for the title when I got the chance.


    The lesson I learned was to never waste my chances. If a man promised to make me his Luna, I should demand it.


    The Luna title isn''t just a position


    that is given. You have to work hard


    for it. I learned that lesson the hard way. That''s why I took my chances, used at avable opportunities and forced myself to be the Silvermoon Pack''s Luna.

 Chapter 60: Real Father

    Chapter 60: Real Father


    ?


    PRESENT TIME


    At the Silvermoon''s Pack....Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Giselle''s POV


    I sped off, keeping my distance from Damien as soon as we were out of anyone''s sight.


    With Killian''s request, I took Damien out to help him familiarize himself with the packhouse.


    I picked the Packhouse''s gardens first to escape the watchful eyes and prying ears of the people.


    I crossed my arms tightly against my chest, my fingers digging under the sleeves of my sweater. A huff of frustration escaped my lips as my eyes narrowed into an irritated re.


    I turned on my heel and faced Damien without bothering to mask my real annoyance anymore.


    "What are you doing here?" I questioned him with an annoyed tone of voice.


    "You left us without saying anything. What do you expect I would feel when I found out you are pregnant and engaged with another Alpha?" Damien shot back.


    I scoffed at his words. "Why do you care? My life is not your business anymore ever since you broke your promises and chose someone over me!" | clenched my fists as I held back my anger.


    I don''t want to be reminded of the past again. Memories of how I missed the chance to be the Crimsonbane Pack''s Luna are something I''d rather not visit.


    I know that delving into the past and beating myself up for my mistakes would do me no good. Life happens and we need to move on.


    I have moved on from my past and chose to learn from the mistakes I made during my stay in the Crimsonbane Pack.


    I worked so hard to get to where I am today and lift myself back up after Damien abandoned me and left me with nothing. I can''t let him ruin everything especially now that I''m only a step away from my goal.


    "I came here to know the truth, Giselle," Damien spoke firmly. "That child! Is it mine?"


    I clenched my jaw as I stared at Damien with anger in my eyes. Why does he need to go here? Why does he need to trouble my life again?! "Killian said you are pregnant for two months. It was only two months ago when you left. That child is mine, isn''t he?"


    "This child is Killian''s! You''ve made your choice and you didn''t choose me. You don''t have anything to do with me or my child anymore. Leave this Pack and go back to where you came from!" I pointed my finger angrily outside.


    Since I''m pregnant, my emotions are all over the ce because of hormones. I''m just not ready to face him right now. I need him gone this instant.


    Damien''s jaw fell open as he let out a breath of surprise. "I knew it! I knew the child was mine! Killian doesn''t know it, does he?" Damien took a step forward as he dropped his questions, ignoring what I just said.


    "You''re so shameless!" I shot back


    as I stepped backward with every step that he made. "You have no shame showing your face to me


    again after everything that yo


    done to me! Leaving me alone to


    the


    only thing that I''m asking you to do. Just leave and stop asking me these questions!" I yelled at him in


    frustration. Content belongs to


    Damien shook his head and scoffed. "I will never allow my child to grow up without knowing that I''m his real father. I can''t allow another man to take care of my own child!" Damien spoke angrily making me fall into silence.


    My lips trembled, my hands shook and my shoulders heaved as I held back my distress. Tears welled in my eyes as I didn''t know what to do.


    "That is my child! I am his real father. I won''t ept being not part of his life," Damien dered.


    "You''ve lost your right to be my child''s father the moment you married Vanessa and chose her to be your Luna!" I shot back while I was on the verge of tears.


    "You''ve chosen and married


    ?


    Vanessa already. Why shall you bother me and my child? Do you think Vanessa would be happy if she found out that you got someone else pregnant? She would only think of my child as a threat to he children''s future," I argued with him as I ced a protective hand on my belly.


    "Go back to your Pack and have your own child with Vanessa and don''te back here anymore," I added firmly.


    el


    "Does Killian Know?" Damien''s eyes widened when he suddenly realized something. "Are you serious right now? Killian doesn''t know anything, does he? He thinks your child is his that''s why he''s marrying you Damien blurted out. Content belongs


    to


    Damien has always been smart and fast in catching up to things which is why he was a good Pack Warrior and also an Alpha.


    My heart pounded inside my chest when he got everything right. He is not supposed to know this. No one is supposed to know about this.


    Damien ran down a hand on his face as he wrapped his head around the truth. "What is Killian going to do if he found out that you were fooling him all along? You are forcing a child on him that isn''t his."


    "This isn''t right! Killian should know the truth-"


    "No!" I shouted, interrupting him. "You are not going to tell him anything. Killian is the father of my child as it should be!"

 Chapter 61: Self-Harm

    Chapter 61: Self-Harm


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    Damien looked at me in disbelief as if I had just done a heinous crime he never thought I was capable of doing.


    There are a lot of things he doesn''t know about me, and a lot of things have changed ever since left me. He has no right to look at me with judgment in his eyes when he is the reason why I''m in a desperate situation right now.


    Damien shook his head like he wasn''t able to stomach my lies anymore. "I''m going to tell Killian about this, whether you like it or not. Killian deserves to know the truth. It''s up to him if he still wants to marry you after that or not."


    Damien walked forward with a determined look in his eyes, but I rushed forward and grabbed his arm to hold him.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Please, Damien don''t tell him. Don''t do this to me, please," my voice croaked as I begged him in a whisper.


    I tightened my hold around his arm, my fingers digging under his sleeves.


    Everything would be over once Killian and his mother found out the truth. The only reason why Killian is going to marry me is because they thought my child was his. Once they found out the truth, not only our marriage would be over, but they would hate me also.


    "You''ve left me before, Damien. I don''t want Killian to leave me too," I whispered as tears strolled down my cheeks.


    Damien stopped and stared at me with brows furrowed together. In the end, he sighed and grabbed his arm away from my hold.


    "You shouldn''t have lied to them, Giselle. You should have told them the truth including our past. You should have been transparent to them from the start."


    I held my breath as I stared at him with hatred. "You have no heart!" I shouted as I pointed a finger at him. "Fine, if you want to tell Killian the truth, then go ahead! I knew you were up to no good when I saw you," I hissed.


    "I will tell him everything. This is not just for him, but this is for you and my child also. Killian is a smart and powerful man. There''s no way he would see through your lies. Once our child is born, it would be hard to hide the truth from him."


    I averted my gaze on him and scoffed. By then, I would be the Luna already. The only thing that Killian could do against me was to hate me for fooling him.


    What matters to me is I secure my position as the Luna of the Pack


    "Alpha Damien! How are you? I just found out from my son that you came for a visit. What made your way to our Pack?" Victoria suddenly came out of nowhere and called Alpha Damien as she made her way through the garden.


    Damien smiled as he went forward to meet Victoria halfway. He gave her a half bow out of respect making Victoria chuckle in happiness.


    Victoria likes it the most when


    people show her forms of respect and even though Damien is an Alpha, he still gives Victoria a half bow like she was something making her heart swell in pride. Content


    belongs to


    ¡°Giselle? Are you alright?" Victoria''s gaze suddenlynded on me when she saw me at the side wiping my tears away.


    She came so suddenly that I didn''t have the time to hide away my tears.


    "I''m okay, mother. Alpha Damien and I were just talking about the memories we had in the


    Crimsonbane Pack. I just got teary,¡± | forced out a smallugh as I dabbed at the tears in the corner of my eyes.


    swne


    "Hormones, it''s hard being pregnant isn''t it?" Victoria replied.


    I let out a smile. "Boys do really give their mothers a hard time. I need to get used to it."


    Victoriaughed. "That''s true, my son was willful while growing up. The fruit won''t fall far from the tree."


    Damien nced at me after Victoria spoke her statement. I swallowed hard because of the intensity of his gaze. "Come inside and let''s eat. The dinner is ready," Victoria walked ahead of us after inviting us, leaving us behind.


    Damien stared at me, but I ignored him,pletely refusing to meet his gaze.


    Killian was already on the table when we arrived. We took our respective seats, and I ended up sitting right beside Damien.


    The three continued to talk formally,


    continuing with their trivial


    conversation as the omegas started


    to serve


    Our food which was made


    extra special to give asting impression on our special guest.


    swn y


    They kept talking nonstop even throughout the meal while I remained silent beside them, just keenly listening to their conversation waiting to intervene if things got out of hand.


    ¡°Killian, Giselle, and I talked to each other earlier and there''s something she''s going to confess," Damien spoke and I knew instantly what he''s trying to do here.


    My eyes snapped at him as my heart started to pound inside my chest.


    "Killian, the child..." Victoria and Killian stared at him intently, waiting to let himplete his sentence. "Giselle''s child is¡ª"


    Before Damien could say another word, Inded a punch on my own belly and let out a cry to stop him. I felt blood trickle on my leg as I moaned in pain.

 Chapter 62: Infanticide

    Chapter 62: Infanticide


    ?


    Damien''s POV


    What the hell?!


    "Giselle! Giselle!" Victoria and Killian shouted her name with worry etched on their faces as they rushed to her side.


    Giselle cried out uncontrobly because of the pain that she had caused to herself.


    I sat beside her with my eyes wide, staring at her in disbelief. I was frozen in fear when I saw how she punched herself in the belly, causing all this pain unto herself.


    Giselle has been sitting beside me all this time, so Killian and Victoria didn''t notice how she punched her belly underneath the table with full force.


    I was pushed to the side as Killian pulled Giselle out of her seat to see what was happening to her.


    I couldn''t speak. I don''t even know if I should tell Killian that Giselle just tried to abort her own child.


    "K-Killian! T-the baby, m-my grandson!" Victoria shouted in fear when she saw the puddle of blood beneath Giselle''s chair.


    Giselle had lost a huge amount of blood already, but her leg was still bleeding.


    Killian cursed under her breath when he saw the blood she lost and how she couldn''t stop crying out in pain.


    "Quick! Someone call the doctor!" Killian demanded the omegas.


    "Don''t mover her!" I finally stood up and stepped up to them when Killian suddenly ced her arms around Giselle to try to lift her. "The baby''s life is in danger; we cannot move her, or else it might harm the baby," I spoke up when he looked at me.


    Since I know what Giselle had done, I also know the things we need to avoid to stop the possible bad things that could happen. Killian was rmed by my words. He instantly removed his hands away from Giselle and kept her arms to himself.


    "Ah! It hurts!" Giselle''s face contorted in pain as tears streamed down the corner of her eyes.


    She had done this to herself. She just tried to kill my baby inside of her.


    "Just breathe in and breathe out," I whispered to her as I reached out my hand for her to hold on.


    Giselle did as I said. She dug her fingers into my palm until my skin bled. Still, I didn''t push her hand away. I endured the pain for her.


    Although I was angry at Giselle for trying to kill my child, I had to push away my anger and focus on the health of my child. I will deal with Giselleter after I''m sure that the baby is safe.


    My eyes widened, and my breath got caught in my throat when Giselle suddenly pulled me close to her. I swallowed hard when I felt her lips brush myThis is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ear.


    "The life of your child is in my hands,


    Damien. Don''t do anything against my will if you don''t want your child to get harmed," Giselle threatened in a soft murmur, causing a shiver down my spine.


    "Y-You''re crazy," I whispered back. Victoria and Killian are standing far from us and are so caught up in their distress that they do not notice us secretly talking to each other.


    "You''re going to kill your own child just to keep your secret?" I questioned her.


    "I swear, Damien. If they find out the truth, you willnever have the chance to even see your child getting born. This is everything that I have. If I lost it because of you, I will make sure you will lose your own child too," Giselle spoke coldly with gritted teeth as she held her pain in.


    "What happened?"


    Before I could give Giselle a reply, I was pushed to the side when the Pack Doctor finally arrived.


    Without wasting any time, he did aplete check on Giselle to check her vitals and monitor the baby''s health.


    "What is happening to me, Doctor? We were just eating when I suddenly bled out and felt pain in my womb.ts my baby alright? You said my pregnancy was perfectly normal," Gisette quickly interjected before the


    Doctor could give his diagnosis. Content belongs to


    The Doctor was taken aback by Giselle''s words. He must have noticed that something was wrong while he was checking her vitals, but this wasn''t his finding at all.


    "A-Alpha," the Doctor said, facing Killian with a pale expression. "I need everyone to leave the room for a while. I need to make an emergency procedure to help the baby survive."


    "Is there something wrong with the baby?" I asked worriedly as my heart pounded inside my chest.


    "A-Alpha," the Pack Doctor turned to me in surprise. I took a step back when I realized what I had done.


    "The baby will be fine as soon as I have the procedure done," he answered.


    "AAaaaahhhh!" Giselle screamed and convulsed in pain when her belly contracted again, sending a wave of agony through her body.


    "We need to leave the room now!" Killian demanded when he saw the urgency.


    As we left the room, a line of nurses walked in with equipment to help Giselle.


    Anxiety gripped me when the door was closed on us. I stared at the wooden door, waiting with bated breath for an update on my child''s condition.


    Killian and Victoria are equally worried as well, thinking that my child is theirs.


    I couldn''t believe that Giselle had done this to our child. I never thought she would harm our child and hold him as leverage against me.


    I need to take my child. I needed to take him away from Giselle to make sure that he would be safe.

 Chapter 63: Baby Girl

    Chapter 63: Baby Girl


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    Iy weakly on the hospital bed after the Pack Doctor managed to save my baby and keep it from dying.


    All the pain has finally left my body. My baby and I are back to our normal health again. I just needed to rest until my body recovered on its own to avoid another incident like this in the future.


    After giving everyone a scare, the Pack Doctor worked fast and diligently to save my baby, the future Alpha of this Pack.


    The Pack Doctor was in full concentration as he worked, knowing that he would lose his head if he failed to save my child.


    A profound sense of relief washed over him after he managed to keep my baby safe and alive with his sessful emergency procedure.


    After my body and the baby''s health had stabilized, the Pack Doctor finally allowed me to have me moved to a hospital room for aplete bed rest.


    I blinked my eyes as I stared directly at the nk ceiling above me. The whole room is in silence since the Pack Doctor prohibits anyone from entering the room in the meantime.


    I should be sleeping right now, but even with the pain and exhaustion that tolled over my body, I still couldn''t sleep as thoughts bothered my mind. Jealousy wrapped itself around my heart as I remembered how Victoria, Killian, and Damien rushed to me with concern that was only directed at my unborn child.


    No one was worried about me. They were just worried about whether my child would survive or not.


    I was the one in pain. I was the one crying in agony in front of them, yet all they cared about was to be careful and not to put the child at risk.


    I know that the baby was in danger more than me. I punched myself in my belly to drive direct harm to my womb.


    I did that to purposefully drive harm to my child, but it wasn''t my intention to kill it or put any permanent harm on it. With the technological enhancements and our advanced medicine, I wasn''t scared of anything.


    I''m sure that nothing bad would happen to my child.


    I only did that to scare Damien and to stop him from exposing the truth. Now that he knows that I''m not afraid of harming his child, I''m sure he won''t do that ever again.


    I would punch myself in the belly again if I ever heard him mention this thing to anyone again.


    "You''re already awake," The Pack Doctor spoke when he entered the room and saw my eyes open.


    "I-I just woke up," I lied. "Is there anything wrong?" I asked him.


    Earlier, he told me that everything would be all right, and I just needed to rest. What is he doing here, now?


    "I actually have some news to tell you. During the procedure, I saw the gender of your baby. As the mother of the child, I thought I should let you know about it first."


    ¡°Is he going to be a boy?" I swallowed hard as I asked him.


    I gripped the bedsheets tightly as anxiety gripped me. Please be a boy; you need to be a boy.


    "I-It''s a baby girl, Luna Giselle," The Doctor finally answered.


    My breath got caught in my throat as dread washed over my body. I blinked my eyes in disbelief as my face paled.


    Victoria would hate me if she found out I have a daughter, and Killian might change his mind about marrying me if he found out that my child won''t be the Pack''s future heir at all.


    This cannot be! All they care about is the child. If things didn''te out as they expected, then everything would be over.


    I shook my head. "That can''t be! It can''t be a girl!"


    "I''m sure your child is a girl, Luna Giselle. I could never get this wrong."


    I continued to shake my head, unable to ept the truth. This isn''t right. I cannot have a daughter. Whatever happens, I should have a son.


    ¡°N-No one should know about this," I spoke up as I collected myself together.


    Dread and fear still filled me as I thought of how many times I''d already failed before. This is the only chance that I have. I cannot waste this opportunity anymore.


    I have put in an effort to get here. I need to get through this. I can never fail myself again.


    "Luna Giselle "This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    "No one must know that my child is a girl, do you understand!" I spoke more firmly this time.


    I watched how his throat bobbed up and down because of my words. "You have to tell them that I''m


    having a son. If anyone finds out et


    that I''m having a daughter, I will take away your position and ruin your reputation. Do you understand that? Content belongs to


    The Pack Doctor''s eyes widened in fear. His hands trembled as his lips bobbed up and down like a fish. His life and everything he has ever worked hard for are at stake here, just like mine.


    If he told them the truth, I would take


    away everything that he has. "If Alpha Killian finds out that I lied to him, he would also do the same. You can no longer hide the child''s true gender after she''s born."


    "I will take care of that. All you have to do is to hide this secret and do as I say. No matter what happens, I''m going to give birth to a son. Is that clear?" I demanded with a straight face.


    It''s either I give birth to a son, or I give up everything. My life and my own future are at stake here, so I could never choose to give up.

 Chapter 64: The Heir

    Chapter 64: The Heir


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    The Pack Doctor''s brows furrowed as he fixed his gaze upon me. His lips parted slightly as if the words he wished to convey had be momentarily lodged in their throat.


    I knew what he was thinking. That look of judgment in his eyes is all too familiar to me. Yet, he didn''t say anything. He knew that one word out of his mouth, then I might just well kill him now to hide my dark secret.


    So, with hesitation in his eyes and a heavy weight in his heart, he slowly lowered his head before me in surrender.


    "Y-Yes, Luna," he stammered as he forced out his words.


    Hearing the tremble in his voice, I was not fully convinced that he would be trusted with my secret.


    However, I had no choice; he is a Doctor, and even if I kill him, someone is going to rece him and find out about the real gender of my child.


    I need a Doctor that I could trust and work for me to hide the identity of my child.


    I need to gain his trust and make sure he won''t betray me.


    "Good," I muttered beneath my breath.


    He pursed his lips together in fear.


    "I am a very generous person, Doctor. As long as you keep up the good work, I can help you with your career. You won''t only be the best Doctor in this Pack, but you might be a renowned specialist to all Packs and even a famous doctor to the humans.¡±


    His eyes brightened as my words filled his imagination. He swallowed hard as he thought about my tempting offer.


    "Why don''t you call the others? They must have been waiting anxiously for me outside. Why don''t we tell them the good news you have right now?" I suggested, steeling him out of his thoughts.


    The Pack Doctor vigorously nodded his head and did as I said. They have been waiting patiently for me outside, and the Pack Doctor only had to poke his head out the door to call them inside.


    ¡°Giselle, are you all right?" Victoria approached me instantly after she first entered the room.


    I forced out a cough as Iy weakly on the bed. "I''m feeling much better now," I muttered weakly as I forced out a weak smile.


    Victoria''s brows bent down in pity as soon as she saw my state. "You need to rest more, Giselle. Take care of yourself. The baby needs you to be healthy in order to survive," Victoria replied, still caring only about the baby.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    This is the reason why they should not know I''m having a daughter. It will change everything once that happens.


    I nced at Killian and forced a smile towards his way as he stood up behind his mother. My breath hitched when Damien suddenly appeared behind Killian.


    I thought he had left already. What is he doing here?


    "How is the baby?" Damien asked the Doctor as soon as he entered the room.


    "The baby is. There''s no need to worry. As long as Giselle rests and avoids any stress, she will grow perfectly fine," The Pack Doctor


    answered, making Damien feelforted.


    Just like the other two people in the room, Damien only cared about his child.


    "I thought Giselle needed rest. Why did you call us inside?" Killian asked as he ced his hands inside his pockets.


    The Pack Doctor nced at me, and I shed him a fake excited smile. "I have something to tell everyone."


    "Is there something wrong with the baby?" Damien intervened before the Pack Doctor could continue.


    Victoria and Killian nced at him with questions in their eyes. Damien is acting, obviously. He cares more about the baby than he should have.


    "The baby is fine!" I interjected


    before anyone could rush into any assumptions. "It''s good news, and I couldn''t wait to tell everyone, so I requested to have you all here." Content belongs to


    swr


    I nced at the Pack Doctor with a smile on my face, asking him to tell everyone the news without saying a word.


    "I just found out the gender of the baby."


    Victoria gasped in excitement while the two looked at the Pack Doctor expectantly.


    ¡°Congrattions, you are having a boy!" The Pack Doctor announced.


    Victoria covered her mouth in shock and leaped in joy when she heard the news. Meanwhile, Damien and Killian shared the same expression. They were in shock, but a smile lifted the corner of their lips.


    "I knew it! I knew that I was going to have a grandson! The Pack is going to have a future heir!" Victoria shouted in joy as she looked at me with pride in her eyes.


    I nced at the Pack Doctor, who didn''t say a word. He just watched as everyone burst out in happiness.


    Damien looked shocked, and he suddenly teared up, unable to contain his joy since he knew he was the real father of my child.


    Killian and Victoria''s eyes were on me, so no one noticed Damien''s reaction.


    "My son, I''m going to be a father soon," Killian spoke in disbelief as he stared at me with joy in his eyes.


    "Yes, Killian. You are going to be the father of our son," I replied as I forced out tears from my eyes.


    I know Killian and Victoria would


    have the opposite reaction if I said that I''m having a daughter. They would abandon me, and instead of joy, they would look at me with hatred in their eyes.


    I need to do something. I need to make a n on how I can fake my birth and have a son.

 Chapter 65: Give up

    Chapter 65: Give up


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    Everybody had just left after the Pack Doctor pushed everyone away so I could have my full rest.


    Once everyone was gone, silence filled the room once again, and my deafening thoughts started to get the best of me again.


    A bitterugh escaped my lips as I stared at my pregnant belly. "You are punishing me for harming you," I muttered bitterly as I drew my hand in circles on top of my belly.


    I tried to harm her, and right afterward, she gave me this surprise.


    I flinched when someone just barged into my room and flew my door open. I pushed myself up to a sitting position as I waited to see who that was. My body tensed up when I saw Damien appear in the corner of my room.


    "Damien?" My brows furrowed when I saw him appear at the corner of my room. "What are you doing here?" I questioned him as I scooted far from him.


    "We need to talk," Damien answered tersely as he locked the door behind him and made his way towards me.


    "This is dangerous!" I hissed at him. "Do they even know that you are here?"


    "Everyone has gone to their beds. No one would think I''m here," Damien snapped back.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    "What do you want?" I questioned firmly. Just when I thought I could finally rest, he entered my room and bothered me again.


    "I want my child, Giselle. I''m not going to leave this Pack without my child. I''ve told you already I don''t want my child to grow up without knowing that I''m his father. I won''t let any man steal that role from me," Damien spoke furiously.


    I scoffed and averted my gaze from him. "Fine, you can have your child," I responded.


    "What?" Damien''s brows furrowed in surprise. He wasn''t expecting that I would give up easily.


    "I said you can have your child." I looked into his eyes as I repeated my words to him with a straight face. "Isn''t that what you want?"


    Damien paused as he locked gazes with me. His eyes narrowed slightly as if he were trying to read through my words. "That''s it? You are giving up your son that easily?" He questioned me like I was a bad mother.


    I know, in his eyes, I''m a bad mother. He saw how I harmed my baby while she was still in my womb. I also just used our child as a leverage that I can use to threaten him. All of this happened just within the day.


    It''s so perplexing how so many things could happen in just one day.


    "I''m not having a son, Drystan. I''m having a daughter," I blurted out without looking at him.


    Damien visibly flinched back at my words. "W-What?" His brows knotted together, "But the doctors just said "


    "Of course, I told him to lie, Damien. If they found out that I''m having a daughter, they would abandon me just like you''ve done."


    Damien couldn''t speak. He just froze and stared at me with guilt in his heart.


    "Do you understand, Damien? Do


    know,


    you now know how much this meant to me? You can still have your daughter if you want. I can no longer keep her with me anymore," I muttered with a straight face while my heart tore apart inside of me.


    "Is that how insignificant your daughter is to you? You are doing all


    en


    this just so what? Just so you could be a Pack''s Luna? I can''t believe you''d rather give up your own child than give up your ambition." Damien shot back in anger.


    "What is it to you, Damien? If you hadn''t given me false promises, if you hadn''t abandoned me, none of this would happen. We would have been one big happy family, and no one gets to be abandoned!" red at him with hatred in my eyes. Content belongs to


    Damien scoffs, and then he slowly nods his head as he understands the situation. "I see, that''s all that you care about... Fine, I''ll take the child no matter what, and I don''t care why."


    With that, Damien left the room, and once he was gone, my firm resolve suddenly shattered. The tears that I''d been trying to hold back finally welled my eyes.


    "H-How could you do this to me?" My voice croaked as I tried to force my tears back. "Don''t you know what you have done?" I whispered as I stared down at my baby bump.


    ¡°Because of this, I couldn''t be with you anymore. Because of what you have done, I had to give you up." Tears strolled down my cheek as I shut my eyes in heartache.


    I know I shouldn''t be cing all the me on my child. The child is innocent; she hasn''t even been born yet. It was I who decided to give her up just because of her gender.


    As a mother, I never wanted to give up my child. It wasn''t a part of my n to give my child away. My n was to raise my own child and make Killian think that my child is his, too.


    However, I had no choice. I have gone this far. I can choose not to give up when I''m almost there. Sometimes, people have to make sacrifices for their dreams, and I''m willing to make one.

 Chapter 66: Abandonment

    Chapter 66: Abandonment


    ?


    Damien''s POV


    My blood boiled in anger as I stormed out of the Packhouse. I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white as my conversation with Giselle seared in my mind.


    The way Giselle disregarded our child is what angered me the most. How could any mother be so callous, utterly indifferent to their own child? Never in my life had I ever encountered such a tant disregard before.


    I shifted to my stormy grey wolf as soon as I reached the clearing. I used my anger to fuel my legs, letting my wolf run as fast as it could until my lungs burned in protest.


    My wolf did not stop running; instead, it ran faster and faster as my mind reyed the interaction I had with Giselle in my head.


    Giselle had spoken dismissively about her own child that was still in her womb. Not only that, I also just witnessed how she harmed her own baby just to have things the way she wanted.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Giselle is not the same person as I have known before. The Giselle that I know is kind and soft-hearted. She would never ever hurt anyone, but this Giselle that I met is heartless and selfish. She''s not the Giselle that I knew.


    She changed into apletely different person, and I know I''m to be med for that.


    I yed with her feelings and broke her heart. Not only that, I made serious promises, which I have broken too. It''s no wonder why she changed into this kind of person


    As I spoke with Giselle earlier, I sensed resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness in her words


    She thought she had moved on, but she had no idea that she was still stuck in the past. Just because she is ready to wee a new chapter of her life with Killian, it doesn''t mean that she has fully moved on from her past.


    I sprinted faster and faster as I realized how I should be med for everything. Giselle was right. We wouldn''t have a problem if it wasn''t for me.


    It was my decision that ruined us. It was my decision that also pushed my child to suffer.


    Back then, I was truly in love with Giselle. I meant every word that I told her, and I had no ns to break all the promises that I had made her.


    It''s just that fate is cruel. Of all the women in the world who could turn out to be my mate, the moon goddess paired me with Vanessa, the daughter of Beta Justin, who also became the acting Alpha right after my father died.


    When I found out that Vanessa was my mate, it didn''t matter to me. I promised Giselle that I would reject my true mate and choose her as my one and only Luna.


    When I found out that Vanessa was my mate, I was ready to reject her to fulfill my promise to Giselle. However, Beta Justin knew my ns.


    Since he is the Alpha, he was also aware of my rtionship with Giselle before could reject Vanessa as my mate. Beta Justin called me out and warned me not to harm his precious daughter.


    He threatened that he would rebel and turn the whole Pack against me if I ever dared to hurt his daughter.


    At that point, I felt hopeless. Beta Justin was popr and loved by the Pack. In fact, he was more loved by the Pack members than my father was.


    If Beta Justin ever decided to rebel against me, I''m sure he would gain the whole Pack''s support. I would surely lose the position that was given to me by birthright.


    If I reject Vanessa, not only will I lose my birthright as an Alpha, but I will also lose it to Vanessa since she is the only child of Beta Justin.


    That time, I had no choice. Beta Justin has been waiting to hear my decision. He knew whatever option I chose, it would be a win-win situation. Either way, his daughter is going to be the Pack''s Luna. The question is if she would rule the Pack with or without me.


    In the end, I chose to rule the Pack with her. At that time, I thought I made a decision that any reasonable man would choose.


    What is more unpractical than choosing a woman over a high position? I would be crazy to choose otherwise.


    After I made my decision and made a deal with Beta Justin, things just flew fast.


    I announced to everyone that I''d found my mate and since then I have be busy. I didn''t find the time to talk to Giselle and exin the situation to her.


    Although I''m the Alpha, Beta Justin had great influence over the Pack because of his position as a Beta, previous acting Alpha, and the father of the future Luna.


    Without my permission, he moved Vanessa to live in the Packhouse with us while we weren''t even married yet.


    During Vanessa''s stay there, I found out that she bullied Giselle, which gave her a hard time. It was already toote when I found out about it Giselle had already left, knowing that I would no longer fulfill my premises to her and that she would have to live in misery under Vanessa''s rule.


    Just like her, I chose to be the Alpha and abandon her. What right do I have to judge her for choosing to be the Luna and abandoning the child she had with the man who abandoned her first?

 Chapter 67: It鈥檚 a boy!

    Chapter 67: It¡¯s a boy!


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    My life in the Nightsong Pack had been peaceful ever since Killian found out that I was alive and mistook my child as Drystan''s. Since then, I have never seen him again, and I haven''t heard any news from him.


    I know I should be happy that Killian has finally given up on me. He is no longer bothering my life and forcing himself on me. Finally, I can have the freedom that I want without having to pretend that I''m dead.


    However, I felt a heavy weight in my heart as I felt guilty for still keeping secrets from him. I thought I made the right choice by letting him think that Drystan was the father of my child, but now, I couldn''t help but think that I made a great mistake by lying to him.


    Sometimes, I couldn''t sleep at night as I thought of what might happen once Killian realized the truth and found out that he was the father of my child. I can never keep this huge thing a secret forever. Someday, my child is going to grow up, and he is going to ask questions. Those thoughts kept me awake at night.


    "Congrattions! It''s a boy!" I covered my mouth in shock, and tears welled inside my eyes when I finally found out the gender of my baby.


    Nova, who was clenching my hand tight the whole time, also shrieked in happiness and jumped for joy even though she''d been hoping for my child to be a girl.


    "Congrattions!" Drystan looked at me with joy and pride on his face. He had a lot of work to do, yet he gave up all of that just to be with me and find out the gender of my baby.


    Filled with so much happiness, I sat up on the bed and pulled him in for a hug.


    Drystan was taken aback when I suddenly wrapped my arms around him, but he didn''t push me away from him. Instead, he hugged me back tightly and caressed my back.


    I softly pressed my chin on his shoulder as I leaned into him for a little longer. With Drystan, I felt safe. I just feelfortable with him, and I don''t feel afraid of making any mistakes around him.


    It may be because Drystan and I had known each other for a long time. As mybat and self-defense teacher from before, I always made mistakes in front of him, yet he was so patient with me and taught me everything until I mastered all the skills that I needed to know.


    I nced up at Nova when I noticed her looking at us from the corner of my eyes. However, she averted her gaze as soon as she caught my eyes on her.


    "Thank you, Drystan, for being here with me," I whispered to him as I pulled away from the hug.


    Drystan smiled back at me. "Of course, I''m excited to know if the Pack is going to have a little boy or a little girl running soon.


    ¡°Since he is a boy, he should have been Killian''s future heir,¡± Nova spoke softly in the background with her gaze lowered.


    Hearing her words, my hand instinctively covered my stomach. I slightly shook my head and forced a smile on my face after I recovered.


    "That''s not true," I muttered. ¡°Even


    though I''m having a son, he''s not


    going to be Killian''s first child. Giselle got pregnant first before me. Her son is going to be the


    Silvermoon Pack''s future Alpha."


    Swn


    "It doesn''t matter," Drystan joined in when he noticed the sadness in my voice. "Your child is born Alpha no matter what, and no one can take that blood away from him. And if fail to have an heir in the future, your son will automatically be the future Alpha of our Pack."


    My eyes went wide at Drystan''s deration. Even Nova looked at him in surprise.


    "I-I can''t ept that," I stammered. This is all too much. How could my son inherit the Pack that he worked hard for?


    "I''m only saying that just in case, Astrid. I would rather give this Pack to someone who has my blood than give it to anyone else," Drystan answered.


    I fell speechless at his words. That is a reasonable decision, but still..... It just didn''t sit right on me.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "Don''t say that," Nova suddenly interrupted. "You are still going to find your second chance mate in the future, and you are going to have your own child."


    I nodded my head in agreement. With a kind man like Drystan, I''m sure he is going to find the right woman for him.


    Drystan onlyughed at Nova''s words. "Where will I find her? I''ve been searching for her for years. Maybe she''s also dead already," Drystan answered bitterly, pushing Nova into silence.


    I reached for Drystan''s hand and squeezed it tofort him. Drystan nced at me with a surprised look in his eyes.


    "I know you will find the right person


    for you, Drystan," I muttered


    consolingly: "You are a very nice guy. Whoever ends up with you will


    lucky muttered with a smile so


    Drystan just stared at us with a deep look in his eyes.


    S


    Someone knocked, interrupting our conversation. Our heads turned to the door to see only Caden, Drystan''s Beta, standing at the doorstep.


    "They are here, Alpha," Beta Caden spoke seriously with his eyes on Drystan.


    Ever since we hosted the werewolf assembly, guests never stoppeding to our Pack.


    "Another guest?" I asked happily. "From which Pack is it?"


    Beta Caden fell in silence.


    ¡°I''ll be right back, Astrid. I''ll go check on our guests,¡± Drystan spoke up, not letting Caden answer my question.


    I watched as they left in a hurry. My eyes narrowed slightly. It looks like they are keeping something from me.

 Chapter 68: Authenticity

    Chapter 68: Authenticity


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    It''s been weeks since I tasked Caden to look for an expert who could take a check on Astrid''s bracelet for me and identify the bracelet''s authenticity.


    Experts who can identify a real Luminite are hard to find. Because of the Luminite''s rarity, there are only a few experts that could identify it.


    Luminite is not even a known material to humans. Only werewolves know that Luminites exist.


    Caden worked extra hard to find the person that I was looking for. Still, it took weeks for him to find it.


    Thankfully, after using all of our connections and giving it all he has, he finally received a tip about a man who used to be a member of the Shadowfang Pack.


    Of all the people in this world. There are no other more reliable people who can confirm the authenticity of Luminite aside from the members of the Shadowfang Pack from which the Luminite is sourced.


    It would have been easy for us to find the person we were looking for if only the Shadowfang Pack had not been an istionist or a closed-off pack. We could only rely on someone who used to be a member of the Shadowfang Pack.


    The guests stood up and bowed their heads instantly when they saw me enter the room.


    They''ve been waiting for me to meet them in my office since they arrived.


    ¡°Alpha, this is Mason, who used to be a member of the Shadowfang Pack, and this is Mr. Taylor, a werewolf gemologist." Caden introduced them to me as soon as I sat in my seat.


    "You are a member of the Shadowfang Pack?" I asked Mason as I looked at him with curiosity.


    Mason does not look like the person I expected him to be. As a member of the Shadowfang Pack, which is an ancient and powerful Pack, I was expecting something special or unusual about him.


    Instead, Mason seemed like a basic man with amon face, which gave me the feeling that I might have encountered him on the streets many times before.


    Ever since Caden reported that he found someone from the Shadowfang Pack, I''ve been looking forward to meeting him and seeing what a Shadowfang Pack member would be like.


    "No, Alpha," Mason was forced to lower his head because of my intense gaze. "I used to be a member of the Shadowfang Pack. I was born there, and my family lives there. I chose to leave to be with my mate, who belongs to a different Pack," he exined.


    I couldn''t believe that rumored rule about the Shadowfang Pack is actually true.


    There was a rumor that the


    Shadowfang Pack was so closed off


    that they made a rule where if a


    l


    member met their mate at a different Pack, they would have to


    choose between their mate or staying in their Pack.


    If they chose their mate, they would have to leave their Pack forever, and they could nevere back to their Pack again, even for a visit. Once they choose to leave, they will never see their families again.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Still, there is the other option. If the Pack member chose to stay, he would have to reject his mate and cut connections with her. In that way, they can live forever in their Pack.


    Both options sounded equally selfish and awful. A person shouldn''t have to choose between them. Only the Shadowfang Pack has such a cruel rule to their Pack members.


    Now, I suddenly felt bad for Mason. The fact that he chose to be with his mate meant that he would never see his family ever again.


    "Has Caden exined what I will need from you?" I asked him as I searched through my drawers to bring out the bracelet.


    He nodded his head. "Yes, Alpha."


    ¡°Good," I replied tersely as I brought out the bracelet. ¡°This is the bracelet. I want to know if it''s made of real Luminite."


    I tried to hand him the bracelet, but he instantly shook his head after taking only one look at it. "It''s not real, Alpha," he confidently answered without even touching it.


    I smiled and nced at Caden. He really brought me an expert.


    In order to find out if the expert is real, I decided to put them on a test first. There are a lot of people who could pretend to be an old member of the Shadowfang Pack. Not only that, there are a lot of people who can''t identify a real Luminite, yet they im that they could.


    With therge scams that are happening about Luminite, I needed to be smart and ensure that he was real.


    With a satisfied smile on my face, I pushed aside the fake one and finally brought out Astrid''s real bracelet. "How about this? Is this real Luminite?"


    This time, Mason''s brows furrowed as he looked at the bracelet more closely. He blinked his eyes twice before taking the bracelet from my hand.


    He weighed it around with his hand and felt his fingers across its coarse and shiny metal. He examined it closely to make sure that he gave me the right answer.


    "This bracelet," Mason spoke with


    wide eyes. "It''s really made out of real Luminite. Where did you get this bracelet?¡± Mason asked me


    curiously as he handed it back to me


    IMS

 Chapter 69: Red Rugged Stone

    Chapter 69: Red Rugged Stone


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    "Are you sure about it? Take another look at it first," I answered him, ignoring his question.


    I pushed back the bracelet to his hand to make him take another look at it, but he refused to take it.


    "I''m sure, Alpha. I would know a real Luminite if I saw one. I''ve seen and touched a lot of that while growing up," he answered as he ced the bracelet on the table.


    I fellpletely silent as I stared at Astrid''s bracelet. I knew that the bracelet was made out of real Luminite the first time that I saw it. I only called an expert to show it just to make sure I was right.


    Now that it is confirmed, the question I need to ask is why Astrid has a real Luminite bracelet. How did her grandmother, who was just an omega, have a hold of this?


    "I want you to check the stone," I grabbed Astrid''s bracelet and handed it to the other expert that Caden found for me before I could rush to my own assumptions.


    ¡°What kind of stone is it?" I asked him as I struggled to keep my expression neutral.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    The gemologist willingly took the bracelet for me. Using the professional tools that he brought with him andid out on a nearby table, he examined the red, rugged red stone on the bracelet using all the tools that he had.


    I watched in fascination as he worked meticulously. I couldn''t even understand most of what he was doing. Finally, he leaned back with his brows furrowed together. He took a sigh before standing up to face me formally.


    "I''m sorry, Alpha. I have no idea what stone this is. I''ve never seen anything like it," he spoke grievously with his head lowered and his folded arms raised.


    I stood up abruptly. The legs of my chair scraped the floor loudly, making him flinch back in fear.


    "I thought you were a professional gemologist. Howe you can''t identify a single red stone that I''ve shown you?" My jaw tightened as the words left my mouth, an edge of frustration creeping into my voice.


    I fixed him with a pointed stare, my eyes narrowing ever so slightly, making his throat bob up and down with fear.


    "F-Forgive me, Alpha," he stammered as he dropped to his knees. "I''ve never encountered a stone like this before, so I can''t give you a proper answer. I-I''ll do more research about it, and I will give you an update as soon as I can."


    "Just tell me, is it even valuable or not?" I demanded in anger.


    He only pursed his lips and squinted his eyes as he lowered his head as low as he could. "I-I can''t give you an answer right now."


    I mmed my fist on the table in anger, making everyone inside the room flinch in surprise.


    Caden instantly bowed his head to me in surrender when he felt the anger radiating off me, knowing that this was caused by his failure to do his job properly.


    "Forgive me, Alpha. I will bring another gemologist right away," Caden spoke to appease my anger as I scowled at him.


    I waited for this for weeks. Every


    night, my mind was troubled with mysteries that the bracelet could have. I thought I could finally have my answers today, but I found out that the gemologist I''m speaking to knows nothing about the stone that I wanted to be identified with.


    Now I have to wait for another long time with a more troubled mind now that the bracelet is confirmed to be made out of real Luminite.


    "Alpha, if you would allow me. Can I


    have another check on the bracelet? I was so busy examining the metal part that didn''t even notice that there was also a stone included on the bracelet," Mason requested formally as he looked at me with hopeful eyes.


    After careful consideration, I nced at Mason and nodded my hand in agreement. I thought there was nothing to lose if I allowed him to take another look at the bracelet.


    It would be a great help if he happened to know something about it, even if there''s a low chance that he would.


    I sat back on my chair, and took a deep breath to calm myself down. None of us wanted this to happen. If I cannot find all the answers to the questions I have now, then I have no choice but to wait.


    At least I will be assured that I will only find out the truth as I wanted it.


    I watched as Mason took a careful look at the stone without even using any of the instruments that the gemologist had used earlier.


    Suddenly, Mason''s jaw fell open in shock, making my eyes gorge with hope.


    "What is it?" I asked him as I leaned forward with rapt attention.


    "It''s no wonder why Mr. Taylor can''t figure out the stone. This stone is the only existing stone in the world, and the Shadowfang Pack owns it." My eyes narrowed slightly, "W-What?" I breathed out.


    "Since our ancient history, this stone


    was passed down from generation


    to generation by our Alphas to signify his rule. Whoever owns this stone is considered our Pack''s current Alpha," Mason exined, making the mystery even deeper than before.


    ¡°Alpha Drystan, why do you have our Pack''s treasure in possession?" Mason asked me with suspicion in his eyes.

 Chapter 70: Heirloom

    Chapter 70: Heirloom


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    That couldn''t be. I''ve thought about so many possibilities, but this... This is far from what I even have imagined.


    "This is an heirloom, Alpha. Not just any heirloom. This prized possession came from the Shadowfang Pack''s ancient Alpha lineage, which holds historical significance and sentimental worth. This is a cherished legacy in the Shadowfang Pack," Mason added as he held the bracelet tightly in his hand like he was afraid that he would lose it.


    Caden and I shared a look at each other when we heard Mason''s words. Caden knows that the bracelet is owned by Astrid.


    If the bracelet is truly an heirloom by the Shadowfang Pack''s Alpha, then why was it passed down to Astrid?


    "Are you sure that''s the same stone? I only found this bracelet in the possession of an omega," I gave him a little bit of information just so he would trust me and tell me the truth.


    Mason''s brows furrowed. I''m not sure if it is caused by confusion or disbelief.


    "This bracelet has been taken care of by all generations of our Alpha bloodline. How could a mere omega outside the Shadowfang Pack hold possession of it?" Mason asked me the same question that I''m wondering about.


    "That''s exactly my question," I responded. "If this thing is so valuable and well-guarded, then there''s no way it was stolen, right? Check it again and make sure that it is the same stone that you talk of."


    "His words are true, Alpha," the gemologist joined our conversation. "If it was fake or any other valuable stone, I would have recognized it instantly." My breath got caught in my throat when I heard even the gemologist''s confirmation.


    Astrid said her grandmother gave this to her, but I''ve met Astrid''s grandmother before, too, when she was still alive. She was just a simple omega. There''s no way she would have stolen this bracelet.


    I''m sure she had never even been at the Shadowfang Pack before.


    Mason fell silent as he gathered his thoughts together.


    "If it is as you say it is, Mason, then do you think it was more possible that it was stolen than it was given?" I asked him as I thought of all the possibilities and tried to cross them all out.


    Mason shook his head. "There''s no way this is stolen. This bracelet has been worn by our Alphas, and they never remove it from their wrists until it''s time for them to pass it on to the next heir. The only Alpha who never wore this bracelet was Alpha Theron, the current Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack."


    Theron was the name of my best friend from the academy. I still remember it when he wore this same bracelet before and showed it to us.


    I knew it. This bracelet and that bracelet he wore before were the same thing.


    What is Astrid''s rtionship with Alpha Theron?


    "H-How is he doing?" I asked him as the memories of my teenage years flooded back to me.


    Theron and I used to be best buddies while we were studying at the academy where all people with Alpha bloodlines and no future Pack to rule were sent to study.


    Theron and I shared the same struggles and burdens. We rte so much to each other that we just clicked easily because of our outgoing and carefree personality.


    However, things have happened, and times have changed. One thing had led to another. Ever since we left the academy, we have not been in touch with each other.


    "I have no idea. It''s also been years since I left," Mason answered without looking at me.


    "Did he have a family?" I asked him since he is the only person who knows something about the Shadowfang Pack.


    No one outside the Shadowfang Pack knows anything about them. All the news in there stays in there. Mason is the only source of information I have right now.


    "Of course he did," Mason replied. "He had a wife, including son and daughter."


    Knowing who Theron was, I wondered if he was happy. He has a family, something I do not have. He is in a better situation than me. I hope he is happy.


    "I hope this secret will be safe between us. You cannot tell a soul about this bracelet," I spoke firmly.


    The gemologist instantly nodded his head, knowing the gravity of the situation.


    Meanwhile, Mason held the bracelet tightly in his hand, still unwilling to let go.


    "I''m sure you have questions about the bracelet, Mason, and I do too. I promise you that I will try my best to give answers to all of your questions. I will give you an update on everything, but you have to trust me. The omega that I was talking about is here with me. I need to figure out the whole truth first before I do anything," I assured him, knowing how important this is for his culture and identity. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Mason''s eyes narrowed in hesitation as he pondered whether he should trust my words. Eventually, he sighed, reluctantly surrendering the bracelet and cing it on the table. Content belongs to


    swn


    "I''m willing to help, Alpha, since this concerns the Pack that I came from. If you have questions, you can always call me. Just don''t forget to call me back if you find something," Mason answered, which made me feet relieved.


    S

 Chapter 71: Parents

    Chapter 71: Parents


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    "You seem to have a lot of time on your hands recently," Astrid asked me softly as I apanied her for a walk around the garden.


    I watched as she walked ahead of me, her hand leaning down slightly to the side to touch the flowers as she walked.


    Every day, it has been part of Astrid''s morning routine to take a walk in the garden before she ate her breakfast.


    The Pack Doctor rmended including it in her routine as a safe exercise to reduce her swelling and to prepare her body forbor. Usually, it''s Nova who joins her with her walk to make sure that she''s safe, but I asked Nova to allow me to walk alone with Astrid this time. Sometimes, when my mind zones out during work, I would see them by my office window, walking together and keeping each otherpany. I have always wanted to join them, but my work wouldn''t allow me to. Thankfully, this time, Caden agreed to fill my position and lead the morning training session of the Pack Warriors for me.


    "I still have a lot of work to do," I answered. "But it wouldn''t hurt to put myself first from time to time," I reasoned.


    Astrid chuckled at my answer. "I never thought you were capable of dropping your work."


    I snorted. Astrid has been staying in the Packhouse for two months. She knew what my working habits were.


    ¡°Caden agreed to fill in for me and lead the Pack Warriors'' training, so I thought I should join you on your walk," I replied.


    Caden agreed to lead the Pack Warriors'' training for me because he knew that joining Astrid in her morning walk was the best time that I could talk to her.


    Ever since he heard that Astrid''s bracelet came from the Shadowfang Pack, he has been curious to know how the bracelet ended up with Astrid. There''s only one way to find out why Astrid has that royal heirloom in her possession.


    "I forgot to return this to you," I muttered as I pulled out Astrid''s bracelet from my pockets.


    I already got what I needed from the bracelet, so I returned it to her.


    Astrid turned around and smiled when she saw her bracelet. "I almost forgot that you took it from me," Astrid muttered as she took her bracelet from my hands.


    "W-Where did you say you got it again?" I asked her with my brows squinting slightly.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "It''s from my grandmother," Astrid replied as if the answer was just on top of her head. "She gave it to me when my mom died."


    "How old were you when your mom died?" I asked her.


    Astrid was already a teenager when I met her. The only family member that I ever met was her grandmother.


    Astrid took a deep breath and pushed her bracelet deep inside her pockets. "I was only six years old when my mother died. I barely have any memory of her."


    "How about your father?" I prodded.


    Astrid lowered her head as she kicked the little stones by the pebbled path. "I never knew who my father was," she answered with a low voice.


    "When I was little, I never thought of


    asking questions. My father never really crossed my mind. My mother and grandmother raised me with so much love that I never felt anything I missing in my life," Astrid added as she raised her head and stared


    straight ahead.


    I slowly nodded my head as I matched her slow pace. "Do you know anything about your father?"


    Astrid''s eyes narrowed slightly as she thought about my question carefully.


    "I don''t know much about him. I tried asking Grandma questions about him, but she didn''t know anything. She doesn''t know what he looks like, what he was like, and even what his name was."


    My brows furrowed lightly. "But how could that be? How could she not know the man who impregnated her own daughter?"


    "I once asked her that, too, but she never really answered my questions properly. She just always answers me with ''I don''t know''." Astrid responded.


    I fell silent at her answer.


    "Do you think she was telling the truth?"


    Astrid sighed. "I don''t know


    anymore. If my grandmother knew


    anything, I''m sure she would have


    told me, but it''s hard for me to


    me,


    believe that she truly doesn''t know


    anything about my father." Content


    belongs to


    I pursed my lips. Maybe Astrid''s grandmother really doesn''t know anything. Even Astrid feels that way.


    "If my mother was alive. I''m sure she would have told me everything. It''s just unfortunate that she died too early," Astrid lowered her head as she was reminded of the death of her mother.


    "Do you wish to know more about your father? Do you wish to see him in the future?"


    Astrid stopped in her tracks when she heard my serious question. She fell silent for a moment as if weighing her thoughts and feelings down to give me a sure answer.


    "Ever since my mother died, my


    grandmother raised me on her own. He wasn''t there when my mother died, he wasn''t there when I got married, and he wasn''t anywhere present in my life. I don''t know if I would want to meet him.¡±,


    astrid


    continued to walk again after giving her answer.

 Chapter 72: Paternal Identity

    Chapter 72: Paternal Identity


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    "Who do you think your father is?" I asked her, curious about her answer.


    Astrid furrowed her brows, her gaze shifting inward as a thoughtful expression crossed her features.


    "My mother is a pure-blooded omega, and I am too. Most likely, my father could be an omega from a different Pack, or worse, he could be a rogue or a criminal.


    This is the reason why I sometimes think it would be best if I never met him at all. I will not know what to feel if I found out that my father is an ouw with money on his head."


    I chuckled at his far-fetched imagination. ¡°I''m sure your father is not a criminal. You are thinking too much.


    "Who knows? Maybe he''s dead." Astrid retorted.


    Suddenly, Astrid stopped in her tracks and faced me with an incredulous look in her eyes. "Wait a minute. How did our conversation turn out like this?"This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Iughed to minimize her suspicions. "I also don''t know, too," I answered lightheartedly.


    "You are asking too many questions. What is it that you want to know?" Astrid narrowed her gaze at me suspiciously. "Nothing, I was just curious. I figured out we''ve known each other for so long, but I knew nothing about your parents." "Exactly, we knew each other for so long. Howe you are asking these questions just now?" Astrid shot back. "Don''t worry, Astrid. I''m not nning to wipe out your whole family or anything," I gestured to stop her from getting serious. Astrid scowled at my unfunny joke.


    It''s okay that she gets mad at me as long as she doesn''t question why I''m asking her too many questions.


    Astrid and I fell into silence again as we continued our walk. Astrid was busy breathing the fresh air in and admiring the flowers while my mind was busy thinking about her parents and the bracelet.


    Although it''s her grandmother who gave that bracelet to her, it''s possible that the bracelet came from her father or her own mother, but just because they have the Shadowfang Pack''s bracelet, it doesn''t mean that Astrid''s parents are special.


    Astrid''s mother has been a member of the Silvermoon Pack since birth. Both Astrid''s grandparents were born into the Silvermoon Pack.


    It is Astrid''s father that we are not sure of. It could be that he is also a member of the Silvermoon Pack or a rogue. Only one thing is for sure: Astrid''s father is also a pure-blooded omega.


    He might be an omega from the Shadowfang Pack or an ouw, as Astrid had thought, who stole the bracelet from the Shadowfang Pack. "It''s the bracelet, is it? You are asking me these questions because of it?" My eyes blinked in surprise at Astrid''s sudden question."


    "You told me you will tell me once you find something about the bracelet. What did you find?"Astrid asked, making my mouth run dry. "W-What do you know about the bracelet?" I stammered out. I need to know how much of the truth I could tell her.


    "I never really thought that this


    bracelet was special. I thought it was just a cheap bracelet that my grandmother gave me as a gift. The first time I realized it has real value in it was when Killian''s mother suspected me of stealing it


    I nodded my head at her words. "It''s a precious bracelet, Astrid," I answered tersely.


    "You don''t think that my grandmother stole it, too, do you?" Astrid''s eyes went wide.


    "Of course not. That''s far from what I''m thinking. I''ve met your grandmother before. There''s no way she''s a thief," I assured her.


    "I knew it. This must be from my


    father. Maybe he really stole it from


    some rich person. If this bracelet was truly stolen, just tell me. I''m willing to give it back," Astrid answered.


    She''s really convinced that her father is a bad person. After all, he abandoned her and her mother.


    "Astrid, we do not know anything yet. In the meantime, just keep this bracelet safe with you." I reassured her to ease most of her doubts.


    "I''m going to leave now, Astrid. I still have work to do," I told her after checking out the time.


    Astrid nodded her head. "Just tell me as soon as you get news, alright?"


    I smiled at her. "Of course I will."


    "What took you so long?" Caden weed me with a question as soon as I entered the office.


    I went straight to my table without looking at him.


    "What did she say? Is she rted to the Shadowfang Pack''s Alpha or something?" Caden asked as he pressed his palms on my table.


    I chuckled at Caden''s question. "How could she be an Alpha''s daughter? She doesn''t even have a drop of Alpha blood in her," I answered.


    If she had Alpha genes, I would have detected it a long time ago. She was my student, and I trained her. I know her limits, and she is just who she is.


    Caden watched curiously as I wrote a letter, cing it inside an envelope. He watched as I melted a bright red wax and poured it onto the envelope in a circle.


    Using the stamp that Mason carved for me, I pressed it on the circle wax, leaving behind a mark of mystical sigil.


    "What is that?" Caden asked as he looked at the wax seal that already hardened.


    "I want you to have this letter delivered to the Shadowfang Pack as soon as possible," Imanded as I handed him the envelope.


    Caden looked at me, confused. "What? Who even sends letters anymore?"


    Mason told me that the only way the Shadowfang Pack would read my message to them was by sending it by letter and using their emblem on the letter. I hope this will work as he had said.


    The only way I will have my answer is by hearing Theron''s side of the story, which is the only information I don''t have.

 Chapter 73: Cancelled

    Chapter 73: Cancelled


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    I clenched my jaw as I burrowed my head into my hands, and I felt a headache starting to form in my head.


    I have a lot of reports to read and papers to sign, but I couldn''t focus on the paperwork because of the uproar going on outside.


    The Pack members were in an uproar. Their voices are raised in a cacophony of betrayal and anger as they all demand to see me and end my wedding with Giselle.


    Outside, there was palpable tension as the Pack guards did their job and pushed back the Pack members to keep them from entering the house. There was no violence, just shouting and a lot of pushing.


    The Pack members are unwilling to leave unless I go outside and show my face to them.


    For some reason, my wedding with Giselle had been exposed. Someone leaked information that I''ve been making preparations for my uing wedding with Giselle.


    I gave strict orders to keep this information a secret. I knew this was going to happen once the Pack members found out that I was nning to marry someone that is not even my mate.


    I had intended to go along with my mother''s n, which was to secure the support of other Packs first before I headed on to announce my wedding with Giselle. In this way, I could ensure the approval of my own members once I break the news.


    However, the information was leaked too early, and I had nothing to face with the protests happening outside. I could only hide in my office and pretend that I couldn''t hear them.


    I gave strict orders to keep this information a secret. Right after I found out that this secret had leaked, I ordered an investigation to be done instantly, but until now, we still haven''t found any leads yet.


    A knock on the door steeled my thoughts. When I looked up, I saw my mother''s close confidante, the omega who was always with her. "Alpha Killian, Elder Luna Victoria wishes to see you in her room immediately," she muttered softly with her head bowed down.


    I sighed. She must be calling for my attention to handle the protests outside. This wouldn''t have happened if he hadn''t rushed things.


    She wanted me to marry Giselle before she gave birth, but it wasn''t even important as long as the time was right.


    "Mother, you called for me?" I uttered as soon as I opened the door. I paused by the doorstep when I heard someone crying loudly inside.


    "Killian,e in," my mom replied as she extended her arm slightly, beckoning me to enter.


    My brows furrowed slightly when I saw Giselle crying while sitting beside my mother. Her shoulders shook as she hunched forward, her face buried in her hands.


    Muffled sobs escaped her lips, each one punctuated by a sharp intake of breath as my mom caressed her back soothingly to calm her.


    As she cries, an omega holds a box of tissue while standing on her other side to put the tissue within her reach.


    "It''s okay, Giselle. We can figure things out. You shouldn''t cry. It''s bad for the baby," my mother whispered soothingly to her, but Giselle couldn''t stop her tears.


    "What happened?" I asked as I approached them.


    My mother sighed as she dropped the invitation letter on the coffee table in front of her.


    "The wedding invitations we sent to other Packs were all sent back. No one wanted toe to the wedding," my mother exined.


    My brows furrowed. "No one?" I repeated. It''s impossible that at least one of them didn''t want toe.


    "No one," my mother responded as she gave Giselle a side hug.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    I picked up one of the returned invitations just to check. When I opened it up, they just wished us a happy wedding and gaveme excuses for why they couldn''te. I also opened the other letters, and they all contained the same thing. Content belongs to


    They all just wrote insincere wishes andme excuses while indirectly saying that they couldn''t support the wedding.


    I let out a deep breath as I dropped back the invitations on the table.


    No wonder why Giselle is crying. She''s been spending all of her time to prepare a huge wedding, only to find out that there wouldn''t be any wedding. "Let''s cancel the wedding," I suggested.


    Giselle''s tears suddenly turned back as she lifted her tear-stricken face and stared at me with wide eyes.


    Meanwhile, my mother had no reaction. She must have seen iting. She knew this was the only solution to our problems.


    "W-What? We can''t cancel it. We can have the wedding with or without guests," Giselle looked at my mother for support, but she didn''t even look at


    her.


    "Killian is right, Giselle. We need to


    cancel the wedding for now. The Pack members are protesting outside, and no guests even wish to


    come. We can have the


    once the public opinion has


    changed," my mother answered her, even though this solution didn''t also sit right with her.


    Giselle fell speechless as she stared at my mother. She thought she would side with her again this time.


    Giselle''s muscles turned tense. She couldn''t believe that was it. The wedding was over.


    My mother sighed and pulled away


    from Giselle. "This is my fault. It was my idea to rush the wedding. Don''t worry, Giselle. The wedding will still happen, but it will just not happen now.

 Chapter 74: Turning Tables

    Chapter 74: Turning Tables


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    A scream tore from my throat in a raw, guttural burst of sound as I threw the first thing I picked up with my hand to the wall, making it shatter to the ground.


    I didn''t stop there. I continued to throw all the things inside my room that were made with ss, filling my room with broken shards


    Still, it didn''t lessen the boiling anger inside my heart. I turned to my bed and the couches, flipping and throwing everything as well until my whole room looked like it was destroyed by a tornado.


    "Luna, stop it. It might harm the baby." An Omega tried to grab my arm to stop me, but I pushed her away from me, making her fall to the ground. "Ah!" The omega yelped in pain when a broken shard pierced through her palm.


    I stared at her with no care in my eyes. "Don''t call me Luna anymore! Didn''t you hear what they said? The wedding was canceled. I will never be a Luna!¡± I shouted as I pushed the chair beside me, making it tumble to the ground.


    "Miss Giselle, please stop this. The Alpha will never forgive us if something bad happens to the baby." The other omega knelt on her knees to beg me.


    I scoffed until a bitterugh escaped my mouth. This baby is not even his. I''m doomed. Everything that I worked hard for is done.


    I''ve had enough of promises. Even if Victoria promised me that I would be the Luna of the Silvermoon Pack, I know it''s not enough to just rely on her promises.


    When I want something, I need to work hard for it. Nothing would happen if I trusted on empty promises.


    Victoria might mean her promise now, but she might not mean it in the future anymore.


    I''ve lost my chance, and it is because of the selfish people who don''t want to support my wedding with Killian.


    "Alpha, have mercy on us! The moon goddess will bring destruction to our Pack if you ce someone other than your mate on the Luna position." ¡°Alpha, please hear us! Don''t marry someone who is not your mate. Luna Astrid is still alive. Please choose her instead."


    I clenched my fists tightly when I heard the voices of the Pack members protesting outside.


    It''s been months since Astrid had left, yet they are still calling her their Luna.


    Haven''t they heard that it was Astrid who chose to leave the Pack and divorced their Alpha? Astrid is a traitor, and she betrays them by leaving and abandoning her role as the Luna of their Pack and their Alpha''s mate.


    How could they tell Killian to go back to Astrid and marry her again instead?


    "You imbeciles!" I cursed under my breath.


    Your beloved Luna slept with another Alpha while she was still married to Killian. I am the one who is willing to stay and fight for your Alpha. How could you reject me?


    How could you support a woman who cheated on her husband''s uncle? You know nothing about Astrid.


    My lips curled slightly when I realized something. That''s right, they know nothing about their beloved Luna, and that is why they are doing this.


    They have no idea that Astrid cheated on Killian with her uncle and even got herself impregnated by Drystan. Astrid chose to divorce her own mate to be together with Drystan.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Once they found out that truth, let''s see if that wouldn''t change their opinion of Astrid. Let''s see if they are still going to support her.


    With that huge scandal, people will


    surely forget that I am not Killian''s mate. Once this story is out, Killian and I are going to be the victims, and people will hate Drystan and Astrid for their infidelity.


    Who would even dare to stop my wedding with Killian once the truth is out?


    With this information, the wedding doesn''t need to be canceled. I will never let this wedding get canceled.


    "Fix this room," Imanded at the kneeling omega without even sparing a nce at her. "I want it to look the same as it looked like before I entered the room."


    The omega''s eyes widened at the difficult task I gave her, but she didn''t say a word. "Y-Yes, Miss,¡± she stammered as she lowered her head in submission.


    My brows furrowed in anger as I turned on my heel to face her instantly. "From now on, you should address me as Luna, do you understand?" Her eyes turned big when I contradicted myself earlier. "Y-Yes, Luna."


    I smirked. "I will go and visit Elder Luna Victoria, I want everything to be done here on my return. If you fail to do that, I will look for a more capable omega that can serve me," I threatened them, making them swallow hard in fear.


    Even in omega positions, there are still ranks. If you serve a person in a high position, you could be


    considered one of the high-ranked omegas, depending on the person


    that you serve. Content belongs to


    I left the room with a smile on my face when I finally formted a n to keep this wedding going.


    I chuckled as I felt proud of myself for being so smart. Why didn''t I think of this sooner?


    Right now, I''m on my way to ask Elder Luna Victoria to send another invitation on the same date. This time it won''t be a wedding. It''s going to be just a simple engagement party.

 Chapter 75: Huge Losses

    Chapter 75: Huge Losses


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    ¡°Alpha Nn, maybe you could think about it first. I''ve already set the schedule, and all the materials are ready to be delivered. It''s the worst time for you to cancel." I gripped the telephone tightly in my hand as I begged to make sense with the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack.


    Since this morning, my telephone couldn''t stop ringing, and every time that I answered the calls, it was always the Alphas I had transactions with that were calling.


    All of them also wanted the same thing. They were so eager to cancel all agreements they had with me for no reason. All of the transactions and efforts that I made to ally with a lot of Packs all went down the drain.


    Suddenly, everyone wanted to take back all the words that they had said, and none of them could give me a proper reason for it.


    "Alpha Nn, I just woke up, and I haven''t even eaten breakfast yet, and a lot of Alphas had already called me and canceled all of our agreements before you. Please, Alpha Nn, spare me this one. Just ept this first batch of delivery, and after that, I''m ready to cancel everything," I pleaded with him.


    This morning, I woke up because of the calls that I''ve been receiving. My personal phone and the telephone couldn''t stop ringing. I''ve received ten cancetions within just an hour, and Alpha Nn is the eleventh person who wanted to cancel his transaction with me.


    This is not even half of the Alphas who wanted to cancel or terminate any transactions and alliances with me.


    "You don''t need to have those materials delivered, Drystan. Even if you have it delivered, I will only return it back. You are only wasting both our time and money."


    I shut my eyes tight as I pressed my hand on my forehead in frustration. "But Alpha, I had all these materials reserved just for you. I will suffer huge losses if you don''t take it," I replied as calmly as I could.


    I''ve suffered enough losses from the ten cancetions that I received. I don''t even know how the Pack is going to get by because of the boycotting that happened.


    "I don''t fucking care, Drystan!" Alpha Nn yelled at me from the phone, shocking me. "I already made transactions from a different Pack. I have no need for your materials anymore. Now stop forcing me to do business with you anymore, alright?! I don''t want to have anything to do with you in the future!"


    With that, Alpha Nn dropped the call, and the telephone started to ring again.


    I sighed as I put down the phone. Unable to control my anger, I pulled the telephone from the line, making it stop ringing anymore.


    I gripped the edge of my table until my knuckles turned white. How am I going to deal with these losses anymore?"


    "Alpha Drystan," Caden barged into the room with urgency in his voice.


    "That scumbag! I never forced him into anything. He was the one who approached me and made an agreement with me during the werewolf assembly," I hissed as I held in my anger.


    "Alpha, I think I know why they are canceling their alliances with us," Caden spoke from behind me.


    I stood up straight and turned around to face him. "What did you find?" I asked him with a straight face.


    Caden lowered his gaze. "The news


    e


    about your affair with Astrid is going around. Everyone thinks that you and Astrid were having an affair while she was still married. They also think that you really impregnated Astrid." Content


    belongs to


    My body ran cold when I heard his words. No wonder why everyone is calling to cancel any partnership with me on the same day.


    "Drystan!" Our heads turned to the door when someone called my name.


    When I looked up, I saw Astrid panting with Nova worriedly holding her arm.


    "Astrid? You shouldn''t be running around you''re pregnant," I spoke worriedly as I approached her.


    "I tried to stop her, but she wouldn''t listen," Nova answered. "She ran here as soon as she heard the news."


    I sighed. It seems the news had already reached the Pack. "Was anyone being mean to Astrid?" I asked Nova, thinking that this rumor would also ruin Astrid''s reputation.


    "Who would dare if you are their


    Alpha?" Nova retorted. "You gave them a home when they were unwanted and banished from their Pack. If it wasn''t for you, they


    iel


    wouldn''t be given a second chance


    in their life," Nova answered.


    Since the Nightsong Pack is rtively new, All our Pack memberse from different backgrounds Some were rogues seeking shelters, and others were bullied and abused by members from other Packs who came here for their safety.


    "Don''t worry, Astrid. I will exin everything to our Pack members.¡±


    I was about to step out to deal with my Pack members when Astrid suddenly grabbed my arm to stop me.


    "That''s not why I''m here," Astrid answered in between breaths. "I came here to know the situation of our Pack."


    My body froze at her question. As ate Luna, of course, she knows how bad rumors and bad reputations also affect the Pack.


    "You don''t have to think about that. I can handle everything," I answered her firmly.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Astrid tightened her grip on my arm until my skin turned red. "How many losses, Drystan? How many Alphas canceled their partnership with us?" Astrid asked me with full seriousness.


    Nova just stared at me with wide eyes.

 Chapter 76: Confrontation

    Chapter 76: Confrontation


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    All of us sat at a loss in Drystan''s office when we heard the losses that the Pack had suffered because of something that was not even real.


    Drystan was reluctant to tell me anything. It was Caden who answered all my questions when I demanded it from him.


    Apparently, all of the Packs who made an agreement with us after the Werewolf Assembly had changed their minds and wanted to pull back their partnership with us.


    Only Alpha Everest from the Frostbite Pack didn''t turn back on his words.


    I pursed my trembling lips as tears stung the back of my eyes. All of these things wouldn''t have happened if it wasn''t because of me.


    The Nightsong Pack suffered losses just so Drystan could protect me and my child from Killian.


    Drystan''s reputation was ruined because of me. With the huge losses that we suffered and without any packs who wanted to help us, the Nightsong Pack wouldn''tst, and we would be in danger of disbanding soon.


    Drystan worked hard to build this Pack from scratch, but because of me, he is going to lose everything that he worked hard for.


    "It''s okay, Astrid. I can figure things out. You don''t have to me yourself for this. I will find a way to turn things around," Drystan assured me, even with the amount of problems that were pulling him down right now.


    I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to pull myself together and keep my tears inside the back of my eyes. Because of these hormones, I couldn''t pull myself together.


    "From now on, you can let me handle the calls, Drystan. I will talk to everyone who wants to cancel their agreements with you," I offered since this is the only thing that I can do to lessen the burden I have caused them.


    "I can''t allow that, Astrid. Those Alphas are rude, and you are pregnant. Their words would only stress you out. I cannot let you deal with them," Drystan retorted.


    I sighed as my hand instinctively reached out to my belly. "Then let me handle the materials that should have been delivered instead. I will find a Pack that is willing to take them so we can lessen our losses."


    ¡°We should be thinking about the long-term effects instead. If this continues, our Pack won''t be able to sustain itself on its own. We can''t continue patching up things," Beta Caden spoke with his eyes on me.


    Unlike Drystan, who covers up things from me, Caden is very transparent. He is not cautious with his words when he speaks to me. I''m d that he is honest and straightforward.


    "Don''t worry, I already have something in mind for now. As of now, we just need to do our best to patch things up and lessen our losses to the best of our ability," I answered him.


    I nced at Nova, who had been quiet all this time. Ever since we entered the room, she''s been silent. I stared at her hands that gripped the hem of her shirt tightly. Her eyes were empty as she stared straight at nothing.


    She must be worrying about the state of the Pack.


    "What are you going to do?" Drystan asked me.


    Before I could give him an answer, someone knocked at the door, interrupting our conversation.


    "Alpha, we received an invitation from the Silvermoon Pack," The Omega spoke from the doorstep.


    My jaw shifted when I heard Pack''s name mentioned.


    Beta Caden stood up to grab the invitation from the Omega. We all watched in wait as he opened the door to read the invitation. "Throw it away. You don''t have to read it for us," Drystan spoke.


    "No, I have to hear it," I argued.


    Drystan sighed in defeat. He knows whatever this is about, and I will find out sooner orter, so it''s best for me to know it now.


    ¡°Alpha Killian and Giselle are engaged. They are inviting us for their engagement party," Caden announced after reading the contents of the invitation. "Engagement party?" Drystan''s brows furrowed. "Last time, I received a wedding invitation from them."


    "You received a wedding invitation, yet you didn''t tell me?" I raised an eyebrow at Drystan.


    Drystan leans back to his chair, avoiding my gaze. "It doesn''t matter. We are not going there anyways."


    "Why shouldn''t we? After what Killian did to us, we have to pay them a visit," I replied.


    It was a cheap shot for Killian to do this. He knew exposing this wouldn''t just ruin Drystan and my reputation. It could also ruin the lives of all the members of the Nightsong Rack. Content belongs to


    swn


    I couldn''t believe that he would do something like this. I thought too highly of him. I never thought he would do something like this out of spite.


    He even said that we were even before he left, but he did something that I would hate about him again.


    I needed to go back to the Silvermoon Pack and fix things with him. They needed to disprove the rumor that they had started


    "Thest time we saw Killian, I told


    him that I''m cutting off any rtionship.I have with him. I even told him to stay away from you and not to show himself to us anymore. Why should we do the opposite and go there to witness his engagement party?" Drystan retorted. Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Didn''t he also say we were even, yet he did something like this? He is the one who broke his words first," I argued.


    Drystan shook his head. "It doesn''t matter. I can''t let you be involved in Killian''s life again."


    "Enough!" Nova stood up and yelled, surprising all of us.


    "You care too much about Astrid,


    Drystan. What about us? What about you? Are you going to let your reputation and your Pack get ruined" Nova asked Drystan as she tried to knock some sense in him.


    swne


    ¡°Just allow Astrid to do what she wants. Everyone will suffer if we do not confront them," Nova spoke exasperatingly, leaving no room for Drystan''s disapproval.

 Chapter 77: Her Happiness

    Chapter 77: Her Happiness


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    I sat perched on the edge of my bed, a warm ceramic mug cradled in my hands as I gazed down, stirring my morning tea with a serene smile ying on my lips.


    Speaking of teas, I have just dropped a very hot and fresh one for Drystan and Astrid. The hot tea that I exposed about them had already circted around all the Packs


    I took a deep breath as I felt more happy and rxed. Today, the world seems brighter, and the air is sweeter since everything has turned in my favor. My ns had seeded atst. I could feel the thrill of aplishment coursing through my veins, mingling with theforting aroma of my freshly brewed tea.


    Finally, I could enjoy the scenic view of the Packhouse''s garden through my window in silence. The Pack members had finally stopped their protests, which gave me the peace that I needed.


    As I allowed myself to rx and enjoy my triumph, my peaceful reverie was shattered in an instant.


    Without warning, the door to her bedroom burst open, the force mming against the wall.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Startled by the loud noise, my eyes widened in shock, and I jerked backward. In one fluid motion, the mug slipped from my grasp, the remaining tea sloshed over the rim, and spilled the front of my blouse.


    "What on earth-?" I gasped. The words got caught in my throat as I stared, bewildered, at the unexpected intruder.


    "What have you done?!" Killian yelled at me angrily, making me flinch back in fear.


    I swallowed hard as my heart pounded inside my chest when I felt the immense anger radiating off him. My skin had felt numb from the hot tea that scalded me as I faced Killian, who had a vicious snarl on his face.


    "Is there something wrong?" I asked him calmly as I picked up the napkin to dab on my wet blouse.


    "I know you''re the one who did that, Giselle. There''s no one else other than us who knew that Astrid and Drystan had an affair. It''s impossible that my mother exposed that thing to someone," Killian snarled at me with his eyes narrowed into slits.


    My brows furrowed when I realized what he was getting angry at. "What''s wrong with what I did?" I stood up and shot back at Killian without denying the truth.


    So what if I did it? Why should he get angry about it?


    "Is there something bad with what I did?" I retorted.


    Killian''s brows creased as his eyes widened in a silent, incredulous stare. The muscles in his neck strained as he struggled to process the words that had just spilled from my lips.


    "What''s wrong with what you did?" Killian repeated loudly. "Don''t you even know what damage your words have caused?"


    "Then tell me!" I roared at him as I dropped the towel and my empty mug of tea on the wooden table angrily.


    "The Nightsong Pack suffered huge losses, and all the deals they had with other Packs were terminated because of you," Killian snapped at me.


    Iughed at his words. "How is that our problem? How was that my fault?" I fired back at him.


    I can''t believe that he is getting angry because the Nightsong Pack got what they deserved.


    "Isn''t it true that Astrid cheated on


    you and had an affair with your


    n


    Uncle while you were still married to her? Isn''it true that Astrid got herself pregnant with your Uncle and chose him over you? All I did was just tell the truth!" I shouted as I pointed a finger at him. Content


    belongs to


    "Astrid had all the reasons to do those things!" Killian suddenly shouted, making my jaw fall in shock.


    "Are you seriously justifying her affair?_"


    "Astrid had suffered enough while she was with me, and because of you, she still couldn''t be happy without me," Killianshed out.


    I stared at him incredulously. I can''t


    believe he is angry with what I did. "Shouldn''t you be happy that Astrid and Drystan are getting what they deserve? They are suffering not because of my words. They are just suffering from the consequences of their actions. As an Alpha and a Luna, they should have thought about their Pack and their reputation first before having an affair."


    Killian scoffed at my words. "Didn''t we also have an affair, Giselle? Didn''t I cheat on Astrid while we were still married? Do you think we should live miserable for that too?"


    My lips bobbed up and down like a fish, not knowing what to answer.


    "Take back those words you said, Giselle. Tell everyone that what you said is not true," Killian demanded me.


    My jaw fell open at his words. "I will never do that over my dead body."


    "I mean it, Giselle. You tell everyone now, or I will tell the public the truth about our engagement party," Killian retorted.


    "You wouldn''t dare!" I eximed.


    If I take back my words, what would that make me look like? Everyone hates me already. They would hate me more if they found out that I lied just to ruin Astrid''s reputation.


    "You shouldn''t have attacked


    Drystan and Astrid behind my back. From now on, you should not do anything that can harm them. If I found out that you did something like this again, I wouldn''t just hate


    yout


    for it. I will make sure that you get punished ording to your actions," Killian threatened before leaving my room.

 Chapter 78: Engagement Party

    Chapter 78: Engagement Party


    ?


    Astrid''s POV


    I did not expect less from Giselle''s engagement party. I knew that everything would be expensive and top-notch since she had invited me. There''s no way she would invite me to her engagement party, which would be less than the one that I had.


    The engagement party was held at the pack grounds, which was designed as a luxury event space. The decor isvish and opulent, the ce is swimming with fresh flowers, and for the catering, they are serving expensive champagne, fine wines, and special cocktails.


    The dinner menu featured gourmet, skillfully prepared dishes using the finest and freshest ingredients.


    I couldn''t help but think that Giselle used the Werewolf Assembly we hosted as her inspiration for her own engagement party.


    The theme is the same, but the motif is slightly different.


    "What is she doing here?"


    "She even brought the man she chose to rece her husband to visit her ex-husband''s engagement party."


    Whispers grew from the crowd as soon as we entered the venue. I maintained a straight face as I felt the crowd''s intense gazes looking at me.


    It has always been like this. In an affair, it is always the woman who gets to be med. The men always get away with it like he was some poor guy seduced by a woman.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    In this case, though, I''d rather have all the me on myself. Drystan is innocent. He epted the child as his just to protect me, and because of that, his Pack had to suffer huge losses.


    "Don''t mind them," Drystan whispered to us when he also noticed how the crowd was deliberately ignoring us as if we had an infectious disease. Nova and Drystan insisted oning with me to the engagement party even though I had told them not toe.


    I could handle the confrontation on my own, but they insisted oning with me to ensure my safety.


    "I''m gonna go," I whispered to them.


    I know the Silvermoon Pack like the back of my hand. I can make my way around the Pack to search for Giselle.


    "I''ming with you," Drystan grabbed my hand.


    I shook his hand away from my arm before anyone could notice anything. I''m just going to talk to Giselle, and I''ll be back in a few minutes. It would be better if we talk alone


    Drystan hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Fine, if you take too long, I wille to search for you."


    I nodded my head in agreement. "Nova, stay with Drystan," I told her before going on my own way.


    While no one was looking, I went to the Pack grounds and sneaked to the Packhouse to escape the guards.


    I''ve lived here for so many years, so I know how to enter the Packhouse without anyone noticing.


    As soon as I entered, I fastened my footsteps and raced up the stairs quietly before anyone could catch me.


    Omegas would always lurk in the


    hallways with cleaning tools in their hand, but because of the event, everyone was busy serving at the party outside, which made my paths clear The Pack guards are the only


    ones I needed to be wary of Content


    belongs to


    I twisted the door open and sneaked inside Giselle''s room. Once I was inside, I locked the door behind me before calling Giselle''s attention. "Are you excited to get married?" I asked behind her back.


    Giselle stood up in shock as she looked at me through her mirror before turning around to face me. "Astrid? What are you doing here?" She asked me calmly with a startled expression on her face.


    "You must be two months in at your pregnancy," Imented as I stared at her Belly that is poking through her dress like mine. "You must know his gender already?-" Content


    belongs to


    "It''s a boy," Giselle answered immediately. "The Silvermoon Pack is having their future Alpha."


    "I see," I muttered. "Killian is having two sons then."


    Giselle''s eyes widened in surprise. "You are having a son?"


    I smiled as I ced a hand over my belly. "That''s right. I''m carrying Killian''s son. Why don''t you seem surprised about that?" I questioned her.


    She looked more surprised that I''m having a son than finding out that my child is Killian''s


    Giselle blinked before collecting herself together and scoffing in disbelief. "I don''t believe you," she replied.


    I chuckled at her words. "It doesn''t matter if you don''t believe me. I can always provide proof about my child''s paternity anytime Killian asks for it.


    I can have DNA tests if he wants.


    Giselle fell speechless at my words, and she didn''t look confident anymore.


    "How about you? Can you provide proof that Killian is the father of the child that you are carrying?"


    "W-W-What?!" Giselle stuttered badly. "Killian is the father of my child! Who else would it be?"


    I smirked upon seeing her flustered reaction. "I was just asking."


    I only questioned her child''s father just to rile her up. I didn''t expect that she would react so badly.


    Giselle clenched her jaw in anger. "What are you doing here? What do you want?" Giselle demanded. "You know what I want!" I retorted. "Take back everything you said and clean our name," I demanded from her. Giselle raised an eyebrow at me. "I never said anything. It was Killian who exposed your affair."

 Chapter 79: Take Back the Words

    Chapter 79: Take Back the Words


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    The light in Astrid''s eyes dimmed a little when I told her that it was Killian who exposed her affair with Drystan. "I don''t care who exposed it," Astrid answered nkly after she concealed the emotions that crossed her features for a second like it wasn''t there.


    "What I want is that you take back everything that was said to clean our names," Astrid demanded.


    I crossed my arms together and scoffed. Killian has been forcing me to clear out their names ever since he found out what I had done, yet I never listened to him. What makes her think that I would listen to her?


    Even if she cries with blood in front of me, I will never take back what I said. "I will never do that. I just only said the truth." I rebutted.


    Astridughed at my words, taking me aback. "You want the truth? Fine, I will give you the truth. If you refuse to disprove that Drystan and I had an affair, I will expose to everyone that I''m having Killian''s baby.


    My eyes widened at Astrid''s words.


    Astrid stepped forward as she towered over me with her hands crossed. "Do you think Killian would still marry you if he finds out that I''m carrying his son?" Astridughed at me as the corner of my lips twitched in anger.


    "Since you want the truth, then I will give it to him. You know what that would mean, right? Not only will it prove that Drystan and I never had an affair, but my child could be the future Alpha of this Pack," Astrid spoke matter of factly.


    My whole body tensed at her words. I clenched my fists as I stared at her in anger. "No, you wouldn''t dare!" I snapped at her.


    Astrid smirked at me. "Would you like to bet on it?"


    I fell silent, knowing what the stakes were for me. If Killian found out that Astrid was carrying his child, he would also realize that my baby was not his because he never slept with me.


    Killian only slept with one woman, and he knows that. He just thought that he slept with me instead of Astrid.


    "Don''t put your head too high above the clouds, Giselle. Killian is only rushing to marry you because you are carrying his child. Without your baby, he would have never taken you seriously."


    I swallowed hard because of how right her words were. That''s true, but she should never know that.


    I held my head high as I collected myself together and matched her temper. "You really think that Killian would chase after you once he finds out you''re carrying his child? It''s been months since you got divorced. I thought your delusions had died already."


    Astrid''s resolve didn''t waver even after she heard my words.


    I smirked as I took


    step forward.


    "Killian chose me over you. He even proposed to me after he confessed how much he loves me, and that''s why we are getting married. This is not a shotgun wedding as you have thought. Killian and I have always been in love with each other. You just came into the picture, and ruined everything. Without you, Killian


    would have married me instead of you." This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    The corner of Astrid''s lips twitched slightly, making me feel more


    confident. "My head is not above the clouds, Astrid. You are just being delusional. So go ahead and


    l


    announce to everyone that you are having Killian''s child. Go ahead and make a fool of yourself," I challenged her after I brought up all the doubts and fears that had been eating her. Content belongs to


    Astrid just smiled at me, making my smirk falter. You think I''ll do that just so Killian and I could fix our broken rtionship?¡± Astridughed at me. "You can have Killian as much as you want. He is all yours. I''m not a person who goes back to eat my leftovers during lunch for dinner." Content belongs to


    I clenched my fist as I forced a smile on my face. She is calling Killian her leftover. She is calling me a person who eats her leftovers.


    Astrid walked towards the window of my room, where you could see the party going on outside.


    "I came here just to save the Nightsong Pack, Giselle. You and Killian are old history for me. I don''t care if you get married or get divorced in the future. I don''t care what is going on between you," Astrid spoke with a face that said she meant it all.


    "What I want is for you to take back the rumors about my affair with Drystan so everything can go back to normal. I already tried to talk sense with you, Giselle. It''s up to you if you will listen to my warnings or not.


    I will give you time. If you don''t take back the rumors about my affair with Drystan, I will announce that I''m carrying Killian''s child."

 Chapter 80: Evil Intent

    Chapter 80: Evil Intent


    ?


    Giselle''s POV


    I clenched my fists tightly as my face flushed with fury that coursed through my veins. Before I could even process the surge of my emotions, my hands were already in one. In a sudden, explosive outburst, I swept the contents of my vanity table onto the floor.


    Perfume bottles, jewelry, and an assortment of beauty products went flying, crashing, and ttering as they hit the hardwood floor with violent force.


    I pressed my lips into a tight, quivering line as I stood there with my chest heaving.


    How dare she to barge into my room and order me around! Who does she think she is to threaten me like that?


    She dares to scare me and threaten me to expose the truth and tell everyone that her child is Killian''s. Let''s see how she is going to do that.


    With a smirk on my face, I turned on my heel and stormed out of my room, leaving the scattered remains of my vanity behind. The sting of spilled perfume lingered in the room, but it was overshadowed by the lingering resentment I have against Astrid.


    I won''t let her expose the truth about her child''s father to everyone, especially Killian. At the same time, I will never take back the words I''ve already said about her affair with Drystan.


    She will never boss me around! I''m not afraid of her. She has no idea what I''m capable of.


    A smile crept up my lips when I reached the darkest part of the forest behind the Packhouse and saw the Pack Warriors and other Pack members who were loyal to me already waiting for me there.


    I summoned them to meet them here while I was on my way through the Pack link, and despite the busy event going on in our Pack, they still arrived earlier than me without letting me wait for them.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Luna,¡± all of them acknowledged my presence simultaneously as they bowed their heads before me in unison.


    All of the people who gathered here today are the people who are secretly working for me.


    You could say that they are the secret force that works for me behind the shadows. Without them, I wouldn''t have carefully executed my ns against Astrid.


    I crossed my arms together and tapped a finger on my elbow. Does Astrid even have something like this?


    Seeing everyone gathered together brought a smile to my face, and it also relieved the anger I had, which was caused by Astrid.


    Seeing their number, I''m no longer worried about Astrid''s threats anymore.


    As I have said, she has no idea what I am capable of.


    "What are your orders, Luna Giselle?" the person in front asked, his head still lowered before me.


    One of the reasons why they obey my orders and are loyal to me is because of my position and the close connection that I have with Killian.


    Even if Killian doesn''t marry me and make me his Luna, my child is still going to be the future Alpha of this Pack.


    In the end, I will always have high power and influence in this Pack in the future.


    They are serving me because they want to share or to have a piece of the power that I have.


    Of course, will generously reward


    their and loyalty. All they


    need is to do as I say, and I v


    I


    care of their career ande


    I turned on my heel, and I ced a finger under my chin.


    "I want Astrid gone. This time, you cannot afford to fail. I need her silenced forever," I spoke coldly.


    Astrid had left me with no other choice. While she''s living, she continues to bother me and disturb my peaceful life.


    Just now,


    fath Killiane threatened to expose


    that


    was the real child of


    Who knows when she


    do


    something like this agent


    W


    belongs to


    The longer that she lives, the riskier it is going to be for me. I needed her gone. That''s the only way I can have my peace of mind. "Remember, this cannot be pointed to me, understood?" I turned to face them again as I tried to make things clear to them. They cannot afford to make any mistakes.


    "You should first lure her out of the Pack and make it look like her death was just an ident. Make sure that she''s dead!" I added an emphasis to make sure that I get the message across that I''m serious and don''t want mistakes to happen. Content


    belongs to


    "L-Luna," someone stepped forward. "She''s pregnant," he spoke with his head lowered in fear.


    My brows furrowed. Of course, I know that. I''m not blind. That is also one of the reasons why I wanted her dead.


    I don''t want my child to have any rivals with his Alpha position in the future.


    I don''t want Astrid to use her son to her advantage in getting back everything that I worked hard for.


    "If you don''t want to do as I say, the rules are simple. You can just leave," I spoke firmly to remind them.


    No one moved when they heard their words, including the one who tried to contradict me.


    Of course, no one is going to choose to leave. They would be a fool to do so.


    "I will repeat. I want Astrid dead and make it look like an ident before the event starts."

 Chapter 81: Leeches

    Chapter 81: Leeches


    ?


    Nova''s POV


    The party was filled with a bustling crowd of people, yet Drystan and I seemed to go unnoticed as the other guests around us mingled and chattered with each other while excluding us.


    I felt like a fool sitting in the middle of a crowd of people where no one bothered to acknowledge us. I felt like we were just forcing ourselves into a ce where no one wanted us.


    My eyes flitted across the room. Wherever I look, I see familiar faces that used to talk to us and fill our ears with words we wanted to hear.


    Now, those people have changed. They deliberately ignore us after we fall off in disgrace.


    In thest gathering that we had, everyone was racing to have Drystan''s attention and get the chance to have a conversation with him.


    Everyone was giving him praise for how he started and developed his Pack. They were telling him what a great man he was to aplish such things and that they wanted to work with a man like him.


    Drystan''s schedule after the Werewolf Assembly was filled for weeks with only appointments to meet with them and talk about agreements, transactions, and alliances.


    Drystan worked hard toe up with an agreement that both parties would like and to make sure that everything would go smoothly.


    When everything was finally settled, and he had already invested all his time and efforts, these jerks decided to cancel everything.


    Without any proof, they immediately believe the rumor that Drystan and Astrid have been having an affair and that Astrid is carrying Drystan''s child. Although Drystan had made Killian and Giselle believe it, it was baffling for me that the others didn''t bother to verify the truth of the rumors first. These traitors don''t use their brains at all. As soon as the baseless rumor was out, they went along with the others and cut all the connections they had with us.


    I gritted my teeth, and my heart burned in anger. I sat in the middle of the room, surrounded by people who betrayed us. "Don''t mind them, Nova," Drystan spoke to me, breaking thefortable silence that surrounded us at our secluded table.


    I looked at Drystan cluelessly. "What do you mean?" I asked him. I wasn''t even doing or saying anything.


    "You keep on shooting them daggers with your eyes," Drystan answered me, making me fall silent.


    I didn''t realize that my thoughts had pierced through my facial expressions.


    I sighed and leaned back on my chair. "I couldn''t believe that they are deliberately ignoring us like nothing happened," I grumbled beneath my breath. "Maybe they knocked their head or something and had forgotten about us," Drystan replied, making me chuckle.


    "I wish that happened." I sighed wistfully. "I wish we didn''t need them. I don''t want us to have any connection with them after the misunderstanding is cleared."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    As a new Pack, we needed others''


    support to grow, especially after the huge losses that we had. This meant we had no choice but to ept their offers back again once Drystar and Astrid''s names were cleared


    We had to do that to keep the Pack going.


    QUMS


    Drystan showed me a smile. "As an Alpha, pride is the number one thing we needed to let go for the Pack."


    My heart twitched slightly as I suddenly felt bad for Drystan once again. I know how important the Nightsong Pack is to him. It is his and my sister''s legacy when she was still alive.


    I know he is also hurting by the dire situation that our Pack is in right now.


    "Have you seen Astrid yet? What is taking her so long?" Drystan asked me anxiously as he craned his neck and searched among the crowd with just his eyes.


    My eyes narrowed slightly as I stared at him. Ever since Astrid had left his line of sight, he had been very anxious and couldn''t wait for her to get back.


    Only a little bit more, and I will really


    think that he already likes her.


    Drystan is always worried about Astrid. He treats her especially, and sometimes I''m not sure if his


    el


    unreasonable kindness is out of guilt because Killian was his nephew or not anymore.


    The only thing that is keeping me from thinking that Drystan is secretly in love with Astrid is the fact that I know how much Drystan really loves my sister.


    For Drystan, my sister was not just his mate. She was more than that to him. I could say that he loved her fully for who she was. He loved her as his mate and as the woman that she was.


    With that knowledge, I know he would never love anyone else the same way he loved my older sister.


    My eyes narrowed when I saw Killianing towards me. ¡°Drystan, Killian ising," I whispered to him since his back had turned on him.


    Killian seemed to be in a rush as he jogged towards us.


    "Where is Astrid?" Killian asked us instantly after he arrived.


    Drystan was silent for a moment as he looked at Killian with anger in his eyes. "She went to talk to Giselle and then you. Haven''t you seen her?" he asked him back, choosing to push aside his anger.

 Chapter 82: Truth Exposed

    Chapter 82: Truth Exposed


    ?


    Nova''s POV


    "No, I haven''t seen her. I just saw Giselle earlier, and she wasn''t with her," Killian answered us, his brows furrowed as well.


    Drystan turned rmed when he heard Killian''s answer. "What do you mean? Astrid had left for almost an hour ago. We were waiting for her toe back. She said she''s going to talk to Giselle first before meeting you."


    I nced at Drystan and Killian back and forth as worry etched itself across their face.


    "Astrid will be fine. She used to live in this Pack. She''s not going to get lost," I joined into their conversation to ease their worries.


    We are inside the Silvermoon Pack, which is one of the most secure Packs in the world. What bad thing could happen to Astrid inside this Pack?


    However, Drystan didn''t listen to me. He stood up with an rmed expression on his face.


    "Nova, stay here. I''m going to look for Astrid," Drystan excused himself as he stood up and left before I could say anything.


    Killian also followed Drystan as he also felt worried about her. I was left alone at our table without any say about it.


    Astrid did say that we were allowed toe and look for her if she didn''te back early.


    I sat back on my chair as I fought the urge to chase after Drystan and join him in the search.


    I clenched and unclenched my fists as my heart started to race anxiously, not sure if I should continue with my ns or not.


    Astrid said she has a n on how she could fix everything and restore Drystan''s reputation, but I don''t feel confident about that.


    I know that there''s no way Giselle would go in front and announce to everyone that she was wrong.


    There''s no way Giselle would take back everything that she said since it was her goal to ruin Astrid''s reputation and destroy our Pack.


    I looked around to see who else was around. Drystan and Killian had just left, and Giselle was nowhere to be found.


    All I could see were the guests and the Pack guards. Everyone important has left.


    I took a deep breath as I stood up to gather myself. I believe this is a sign. With everybody gone, it''s the perfect time for me to go to the stage and take everything into my own hands.


    My sister and I only had each other in our entire lives. Since our parents died young, my sister and I only relied on each other, but it was I who mostly relied on her.


    Before, it used to be just my sister and me until Drystan came along.


    Drystan became my sister''s pir. He provided her every support that she needed, the same way my sister had provided for me.


    Just like how my sister and I always watched out for each other. It is also my duty to watch out for Drystan, especially since he took it as his role to watch over me ever since my sister died.


    Astrid is my friend, and she is important to me, but Drystan is important to me too.


    I couldn''t stand to see him getting wronged like this. Drystan is getting all the hate just so he can protect Astrid.


    Astrid is my friend, and I wanted to protect her too, but I can''t let Drystan suffer like this just for her


    I need to do this for Drystan and our Pack. I''m sure Astrid will understand my decision.


    "E-excuse me," I stammered as I walked to the stage, grabbed the microphone in the middle, and spoke in front.


    My grip on the microphone tightened when the whole room fell silent, and all heads turned to look at me.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Everyone had a look of surprise on their faces, not expecting to see me.


    Gathering the bit of courage that I had, I cleared my throat and continued to go on.


    I need to do this for Drystan.


    "I''m sure you all have heard about the rumor that Drystan, the Alpha of the Nightsong Pack, had an affair with Astrid, who is the newest


    member of our Pack." Everyone''s attention heightened as they waited for what I was about to say


    regarding the topic. Content belongs


    to


    "I just want everyone to know that Drystan and Astrid never had an affair with each other. It''s not true that Drystan impregnated Astrid. The father of the child that Astrid is carrying right now is none other than Killian.¡±


    That''s it, the truth is out.


    Astrid will get angry at me for exposing the truth, I know. She doesn''t want anyone to know the real father of her child because she doesn''t want to be connected in any way with Killian.


    I''m sorry that I didn''t wait for her and trusted her enough when she said that she had a n and she was going to fix anything.


    I believe that letting the truth out is the best way to handle this situation. The truth is something that we cannot all avoid.


    "Since you are all here to attend this


    engagement party, I''m sure that it''s because you support Killian''s wedding with the woman that he cheated with," I continued to talk on stage since no one was there to make me stop.


    ¡°Astrid is pregnant, and Killian is the father. Astrid never cheated, but Killian did the fake news about Astrid and Drystan''s affair must have alsoe from them. I think I have nothing more else to say. It''s all up to you to judge and decide Who to support."

 Chapter 83: Whose child is mine?

    Chapter 83: Whose child is mine?


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    Drystan and I left the venue in haste to look for Astrid. Coincidentally, Giselle was walking towards our path, about to enter the venue.


    "Killian, where are you going?" She asked me curiously as she stopped in front of me and nced at Drystan, who was walking beside me. "Giselle, have you seen Astrid?" Drystan asked her instantly.


    Giselle''s brows furrowed. "I haven''t. Thest time I''ve seen her was during the Werewolf Assembly."


    "Astrid left the venue to see you. Are you sure you haven''t seen her?" I asked her again, leaving her more confused.


    "I really didn''t. I was in my bedroom the whole time. I''m just about to enter the venue because the event is about to start."


    "Bullshit!" Drystan yelled, cutting Giselle off from her statement. "She said she''s going to talk to you. She''s been gone for almost an hour already. Where could she possibly be?"


    Giselle flinched back in fear when Drystan yelled at her. "If I really saw her, I would have told you already," she countered.


    Drystan clenched his jaw as he red at Giselle without saying a word. He looked like he wasn''t convinced by Giselle''s words, but he had no proof that she was lying.


    "Don''t worry, I already tasked all our men to search for her,¡± I muttered to assure Drystan.


    Giselle''s brows furrowed together. "I''m sure she just went somewhere to be alone. She grew up in our Pack; there''s nothing wrong that could happen to her here."


    "Astrid promised us that she woulde back as soon as she could. She told us that she''s just going to talk to you," Drystan insisted. "Maybe she was just in the Packhouse still looking for me," Giselle replied.


    ¡°It doesn''t matter. Astrid told me to look for her if it took her a long time toe back," Drystan replied.


    "If she had said that, then I would join you and look for her," I told Drystan.


    Drystan''s jaw tightened even more when he heard my words. He didn''t even bother to nce at me like he didn''t hear me say a thing. Despite the dislike in his facial expression, he didn''t refuse me. He knows that he would need me to have a better chance of finding Astrid.


    He is willing to put Astrid first and set aside our past differences just for her. Seeing his attitude, I realize that I won''t have to worry about Astrid anymore as long as she is with Drystan.


    A nervous expression crossed Giselle''s face when she heard our words. As Drystan and I were about to leave, Giselle suddenly grabbed my hand, stopping me.


    "You can''t leave," Giselle told me. "The event is about to start. You need to be there with me."


    "I''ll be back as soon as we find Astrid. Don''t worry, I will try t.tch up. Just tell the guests that something came up, and I will be back soon," I assured her.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    I pulled my hand away from her tight hold, but she grabbed my hand back again, forcing me to stop.


    "Drystan is already looking for her, and all our Pack Warriors are searching for her. Why shall you go and look for her?" Giselle spoke, trying to convince me to stay.


    I was about to answer her when a voice suddenly spoke through the speakers. It was an unfamiliar voice, and she had no right to take the stage and speak in front of the audience.


    "Nova," Drystan uttered in a whisper, with his eyes widened in shock.


    "Who is that person?!" Giselle demanded angrily since the affair of Drystan and Astrid was mentioned.


    "Since you are all here to attend this


    engagement party, I''m sure that it''s because you supported Killian''s wedding with the woman with whom he cheated. Let me expose to you the truth behind that affair," the woman continued to speak through the speakers, catching my interest in an instant.


    Giselle walked forward about to enter the venue and stop the woman on stage, but I grabbed her hand to stop her this time.


    Giselle looked up at me with wide eyes. She struggled to free herself from my hold, but I held her down tight.


    "Killian, what are you doing? I need to stop that stranger talking on stage. She''s from the Nightsong Pack; she''s there to ruin us," Giselle expressed rmingly.


    Seeing that I stopped Giselle, Drystan rushed forward to stop the person on stage from speaking the truth.


    "Where are you going?" Drystan stopped in his tracks when he heard my words.


    Seeing his reaction, I knew this was something that I needed to hear.


    I''ve


    "You''ve hidden a lot of secrets from me. I know I''ve made a mistake for cheating on. Astrid, but shouldn''t I know what the truth is?" I asked him. "Guards! Make sure he doesn''t enter the venue. Don''t let anyone stop the speaker from speaking," I ordered as I nced towards them.


    Even though was outside and I had no idea who the person speaking inside was I wanted to hear the truth that she was about to tell us, only to find out that the truth was something I never thought I &


    hear. Content belongs to


    "I would


    swne


    ¡°Astrid is pregnant, and Killian is the father." The voice rang repeatedly in my head like a broken record.


    My eyes jumped back and forth between Giselle and Drystan. It seems that all the people around me have bene fooling me all along.

 Chapter 84: Confirmation

    Chapter 84: Confirmation


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    My eyes narrowed into slits as I stared at Giselle, who was looking anywhere else but me. I pulled her arm and raised it as I gripped her arm tightly until her skin had turned red.


    This sessfully caught her attention. She finally looked at me with fear in her eyes.


    "Are her words true?" I asked her with menaceced in my voice.


    Giselle swallowed hard as her face turned pale in fear.


    "K-Killian, it hurts," she winced as she stared at her arm, which was slowly turning red.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Answer me!" I demanded as I tugged her arm without any care that she was in pain.


    Giselle bit her lower lip as she looked at me with tears misting her eyes. "Are you seriously choosing to believe her words over mine?" She asked me, trying her best to act strong in front of me, but her voice still croaked because of the tears that she was trying to hold back.


    My brows furrowed, and my lips parted slightly as I stared at her.


    Honestly, I really don''t know who and what to believe anymore.


    That night when I slept with Giselle, I couldn''t remember anything. I don''t even know what I did, and I''m not even sure if she was the person I slept with.


    My memories that night were foggy. All I could remember was feeling inexplicable heat in my body and wanting some release. I was also drugged that night, which is why I lost control of myself and hadpses of hazy memories of that night.


    When I woke up, I just found myself sharing a bed with Giselle, and both of us were naked.


    Giselle exined everything that happened to us, and I believed her since the small memories that I have matched her story.


    When I found out what I had done, I was so angry with myself for not being able to control myself and touched her. I felt remorse for what I had done, but just a few days after, Giselle found out that she was pregnant, and she told me that I was the only man that she ever slept with.


    As I thought it back, I realized I was only taking all of her words for truth. I don''t even know anything myself.


    "I only slept with one person that night," I bristled as I stared into her eyes without loosening my hold on her arm. "Was it really you?" I questioned her. Giselle''s tears finally fell as she pursed her lips together. "I am carrying your son, Killian. How can you doubt your own child?" she spoke tearfully. "Drystan, answer me honestly!" I demanded as I nced at him over my shoulder. "Did you and Astrid really have an affair?¡± Drystan averted his gaze from me. I waited for him to speak, but he seemed lost for words without knowing what to tell me. My jaw fell open, and a small bitterugh escaped my lips as I realized how I had been being yed all along.


    "Astrid never cheated on me, did she?" I asked Drystan again, but he remained silent.


    He couldn''t even deny my words because their lies were already exposed.


    I should have known that Astrid would never cheat on me. Astrid has been a dutiful wife to me and a dutiful daughter-inw to my mother. Despite herck of knowledge and experience, she worked extra hard to do her best as the Pack''s Luna.


    In the years we have been married, I have never once heard any


    comints from her. She never even retaliated whenever my mom would bully her and force her to leave and whenever I treated her rudely just because I never wanted her to be my mate.


    How could a kind person like that be secretly cheating? She couldn''t even speak a word against us, so why would she do something like this?


    ¡°Killian, this child is yours. Don''t believe them. They are just doing this to restore their ruined reputation," Giselle pleaded with me.


    Hearing her voice, I pushed her away from me, making her fall to the ground.


    "Aaaah!" Giselle shouted as she fell to the ground. She instantly held a protective hand around her belly to protect her baby.


    "That''s not my child!" I yelled at her in anger. Hearing her voice infuriated me, so I pushed her away from me.


    "Giselle!" Someone shouted behind me.


    I was about to turn around to see who it was, but the person bumped me by my shoulder, pushing me forward.


    I stared at Alpha Damien strangely as he rushed toward Giselle with a worried look on his face. I watched as she helped him shift into afortable position on the ground.


    "K-Killian, please," Giselle cried out to


    me. "I am the one wronged here. These people are trying to turn


    things against me." Giselle didn''t et


    even pay Alpha Damien any


    attention. She is just so focused on convincing me to believe her.


    I shook my head. I have no idea who is telling the truth anymore. I can''t just listen to their words anymore. I need facts.


    "How will I know that you are telling the truth?" questioned her. "I need my certainty, Giselle. I''m not going to consider this child as mine anymore unless a DNA test proves it. Without that confirmation, can''t marry you and make you the Pack''s Luna."

 Chapter 85: Danger

    Chapter 85: Danger


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    Giselle took in a sharp breath when she heard my words. She blinked her eyes and shook her head, not wanting to ept this.


    "N-No," Giselle voiced out weakly as she looked at me pleadingly.


    She tried to crawl her way towards me, but Damien held her back.


    I felt embarrassed in front of Drystan and Damien, especially because he had to see us in such a state.


    Alpha Damien had told me once before that even though Giselle was just an adopted member in his Pack, he used to see her often because she used to serve as an omega in their Packhouse.


    Because of these, they knew each other and had gotten close. It''s only normal for him to feel bad for Giselle after seeing her lying poorly on the ground.


    "If you want a DNA test, we will have to wait until the child is born. Do you really want to put our newly born child in danger just to confirm that you are the father?" Giselle questioned me.


    I looked at her emptily. I know that to have the confirmation that I wanted, we would need to wait, but I think that waiting is better than making a decision without the confirmation.


    Drystan stood in silence beside us the whole time, just watching the scene unfold. He looked so puzzled as if he was trying to piece things together within his thoughts.


    "Alpha!" As I was about to answer Giselle''s question, a Pack Warrior suddenly arrived in a hurry and chased his breath.


    "We found a bracelet just outside the Pack borders, and it has traces of Astrid''s scent. I brought it here for you to see and confirm if it is hers." The Pack Warrior spoke after bowing his head.


    I was about to take the bracelet from his hand when Drystan grabbed it first.


    "This is Astrid''s bracelet!" Drystan eximed instantly, right after taking a look at the bracelet.


    I stole the bracelet from his hand to personally take a look, and indeed, it was Astrid''s bracelet.


    It was the bracelet that my mother tried to take from her before she left the Pack.


    "I think Astrid is in danger since we found her bracelet outside our Pack borders.


    Drystan''s eyes widened. "That can''t be. Why would she leave without us?"


    "Tell all the Pack members to stop searching inside our Pack and focus their search outside instead.


    "Yes, Alpha!" The Pack Warrior answered before shifting back to his wolf to ry my message.


    "You had something to do with this, do you?" Drystan hissed as he slowly approached Giselle like a predator.


    Giselle looked up at Drystan with fear in her eyes, unable to say anything. Before Drystan could corner Giselle, Damien blocked Drystan''s path, separating him from Giselle.


    "Alpha Killian, are you not going to look for Astrid?" Damien shifted the attention to me as if he didn''t notice anything wrong with Drystan. "You can leave Giselle to me. I''ll take care of her," Damien volunteered, giving Giselle a way to escape the tension. Content belongs to


    I averted my gaze from them. "Bring her back to her room and call the Pack Doctor to check the health of the baby."


    Alpha Damien nodded his head before he stood up and carried Giselle in his arms.


    Drystan continued to walk forward, attempting to chase after them, but I raised my hand to block his path.


    Drystan red at me angrily. ¡°She''s clearly lying. I think she is hiding something from us."


    "We should just focus on looking for Astrid. We will gain nothing by staying here and chasing after empty leads," I replied sternly before running forward and shifting into my wolf in the middle of my run.


    I understand where Drystan''s anger and suspicions stem from, but it is still not right for him to use someone of something evil without any evidence.


    Giselle could be a liar, but I don''t believe she would dare to try to harm Astrid. In the past, it was always Astrid who tried to harm Giselle, and she never retaliated.


    Astrid''s POV


    My eyes fluttered open when I felt a sharp pain straining my arms. I groaned weakly as I tried to move my arms, which only amplified the pain that I


    felt.


    My eyes fluttered open as I slowly regained consciousness. Blinking away the haze, my eyes instantly widened and dread crept up my spine when I found myself IContent (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    el


    suspended high above the ground


    with my wrists bound tightly over my


    head. Content belongs to


    My heart raced in panic as the terrifying realization set in ¡ª I was trapped, dangling precariously at least 50 feet in the air.


    "H-Help!"A strangled cry escaped my lips as I strained against the ropes binding me.


    Fear overwhelmed me as I stared at


    et


    the danger below me. I have no idea how long I''ve been hanging here unconscious. I''m feeling numbing pain across both of my arms. I also don''t know how long the rope that is keeping me from falling could hold me up. Content belongs to


    I took deep breaths to calm myself down. Every frantic movement only intensified the pain in my arms, and even if I freed myself from the ropes, I would only fall to my death.


    "Help me!" I cried out once again, hoping that someone would hear me.


    I don''t know where I am, but I''m sure I''m no longer in the Silvermoon Pack.

 Chapter 86: Rescued

    Chapter 86: Rescued


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    My wolf grew restless as we searched around the forest without any lead or trail to follow. We are just blindly searching around the forest without knowing where to look for.


    I perked my ears up and heightened my senses as I ran across the forest, hoping to get a whiff of Astrid''s scent or hear her cries for help.


    The recent downpour made it harder for us to track Astrid. Not only did it make our path muddy and slippery, which made it hard for us to run and search around, but it also dampened all the other scents in the forest.


    The damp, earthy aroma masked any other discernible scents, frustrating us even more. There was nothing we could smell aside from the strong, earthy aroma that permeated the forest.


    This proved my nose as an unreliable guide in the wake of the rain. I had no choice but to focus my senses on my hearing. However, even that also proved unreliable to follow. The sounds of crickets and birds chirping in the air made it hard for me to find the specific sound that could help me in my search.


    I pushed onward despite having no hope. My pace quickened as I scanned the wet leaves and branches, searching desperately for any sign of where Astrid might be.


    I had to find her before it was toote.


    In order to maximize our search, we split ourselves into groups to cover more ground quickly and search through the surrounding area of our Pack. Drystan and I went on opposite paths to look for Astrid, leaving me alone in my search.


    I''m sure that the others were facing the same difficulty as me, but we are not going to stop our search until we find Astrid.


    I stopped to chase my breath and regain my energy. I''ve been running around for hours, and I''ve covered almost all of our pack''s surrounding forest.


    As the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack, I know our whole area like the back of my hand. I''ve searched every possible ce where Astrid could be. Where else could Astrid be?


    My mind raised, cycling through every possible scenario as I fixed my gaze intently on the forest floor. My wolf paced anxiously inside me as he thought of how his mate needed him.


    My body tensed when I finally thought of the abandoned ce not far from our Pack where Astrid could be hiding.


    Before I was even born, there used to be a Pack that lived there. However, their Pack disbanded, leaving behind ruins of what used to be a Packhouse.


    Panic welled within me as I raced to that area with my heightened senses strained to the limit. The weight of uncertainty fueled my determination ¡ª I have to reach Astrid before something awful happens. Failure is not an option.


    If Astrid is still not there, I no longer know where to look for her.


    "Help me!" A strangled cry reached my ears, making me pump my legs even faster.


    My wolf took control over my body, giving all it got to save Astrid. I dug my paws into the soft forest ground to stop myself from my momentum


    I was running at full speed, making it hard for me to stop on my own. As soon as I reached the area, I shifted into my human form.


    My eyes searched around as I


    searched for Astrid. I swear I


    her


    Crying for help just a while!


    but I couldn''t see her.


    W


    "K-Killian, help me!" Astrid shouted once again in fear.


    Following the sound of her voice, I looked up in horror when I saw Astrid high above the ground with her arms tied above her.


    "Astrid!" I shouted in fear as adrenaline rushed inside me.


    "Killian, please save me!" Astrid cried out loud, tears streaming down her face.


    "Aaahhh!" Astrid yelled at the top of her lungs when the flimsy rope that held her up suddenly broke.


    My heart almost leaped out of my


    chest, thinking that she was going to


    fall down, but thankfully, thest


    strands of the rope still held


    UMS


    on.


    "Don''t move!" I yelled to her as she broke out into sobs after the rope startled her.


    I looked around to see how I was going to get to help her out of the rope, but she was so high up that I was afraid it would be toote even if raced to reach her there. Content


    belongs to


    The rope has also thinned out. It looks like it''s not going to hold her weight much longer.


    ¡°Astrid!!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs when the rope finally broke. Astrid screamed in fear as she fell to the ground.


    Everything happened so fast. I ran towards her, hoping to catch her fall, but it was toote.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Just when I was about to reach her, Astrid had already fallen to the ground.


    ¡°Astrid!" I yelled once again as cold fear gripped me.


    I dropped to her side and carried her in my arms.


    Astrid remained lifeless as blood trailed out of her mouth.


    "Astrid!" I shouted once again, trying to wake her up.


    "No, no, n-no," I stammered out when I saw blood pooling out of her legs.


    The baby, my baby, our baby!


    ¡°Someone, please help!¡± I shouted out as I cried uncontrobly while holding Astrid in my arms.

 Chapter 87: Survivavility

    Chapter 87: Survivavility


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    My mind was nk as we rushed Astrid to the hospital. After she fell to the ground, our Pack warriors arrived to help us, and we brought her to the hospital as soon as we could.


    I held Astrid''s hand asfort, and I never took my eyes off her as we rushed her to the emergency room.


    My hands trembled slightly as I gazed upon her still form, her breathing faint and shallow as shey on the hospital bed.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Her once steady rhythm of pulse now faltered as I pressed my fingers against her wrist, filling me with a growing sense of dread.


    My eyes dart nervously to her abdomen. The swell is a stark reminder of the precious life growing inside of her.


    The precious life that could also be mine.


    I was taken aback when a nurse blocked me from my path, separating me from Astrid. I held my arm out to Astrid as the nurses continued to push her away from me and entered the emergency room.


    "Sir, you need to wait outside. No one is allowed inside the emergency room," the nurse exined to me when he saw my expression.


    My shoulders slumped, and I opened my mouth to protest, but I stopped myself, knowing that they just wanted what was best for Astrid. It''s best for Astrid if I do as they say.


    I could only watch as the nurse turned away, disappearing through the swinging doors.


    I just stood there dreadfully, with a sinking feeling settling in the pit of my stomach.


    "Astrid! What happened to her?! Where is she?!" Drysta shouted, filling the hallways with his loud voice.


    He held me by my cor as he forced me to face him.


    "She''s inside the emergency room," I spoke lifelessly.


    Drystan''s face ran cold, and his hold on my shirt loosened. He took a step back and stared at the emergency room, fear clouding his face.


    "H-how is she?" Drystan asked me. His Adam''s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.


    The heavy silence that hung between us only heightened the sense of dread coiling in the pit of his stomach.


    "She''s in critical condition," I answered him, unable to look at his face.


    "Is she going to be okay? What about the child? Is he alright?" Drystan asked with a desperate look in his eyes.


    I finally lifted my eyes to him when I heard his question. I am surprised by the way he addressed Astrid''s child; it seemed like the life inside of her wasn''t his at all.


    Could it really be possible that¡ª


    "The child has to survive no matter what. Astrid won''t be able to handle it if her unborn child dies," Drystan adds, oblivious to the shock written all over my face.


    I turned around, breaking eye


    contact with him. I''m not even sure


    In


    if Astrid is going to survive, but the baby. With the blood that has poured out of her body, it''s highly unlikely that it would still survive. Content belongs to


    swn


    Drystan sat on the chair nearest to him as my silence shattered his resolve. "I shouldn''t have brought her to your Pack. I should have said no to her. I should have tried my best to convince her not to go." Drystan spoke remorsefully as he burrowed his face into his palms.


    My brows furrowed as I remembered how I found Astrid hanging at the abandoned building, begging for her life. Someone had to put Astrid there. It''s impossible that she hanged herself there. Someone is trying to kill Astrid.


    I nced at Drystan, watching as he med himself for what happened to Astrid.


    I couldn''t think of anyone who would want Astrid dead. Nightsong Pack doesn''t have any enemies who will take revenge on Astrid.


    I wonder who would dare to harm her while she''s inside my own Pack. Who else would Astrid have offended that they would want to kill her?


    My eyebrows shot up when I remembered how suspicious Drystan felt about Giselle.


    I remember Drystan telling me that Astrid was supposed to meet with Giselle and then talk to me. However, Giselle insisted that she hadn''t seen Giselle.


    Was she kidnapped before she met Giselle, or was Giselle lying to us just like Drystan had sensed about her?


    "K-Killian, where is Astrid? How is she? I came as soon as I heard!" Before I could entertain the thoughts that I had, Giselle suddenly arrived with a worried look on her face.


    Behind her, there was Alpha Damien, keeping herpany.


    "Giselle?" I uttered her name in surprise, not expecting that I would see her here.


    "How is she?" Giselle asked me worriedly as she looked at the doors of the emergency room with a sad look on her face.


    Even though Astrid had tried to harm her many times before, she still hadn''t grown any resentment towards Astrid. How could I use Giselle of trying to harm Astrid?


    "Is she alright?" Giselle asked once again when no one answered her.


    "She will be okay," I assured her.


    Giselle heaved a sigh of relief when she heard my answer. "The Pack Warriors told me everything. I don''t think this is an ident. Killian, you should investigate this matter, further," Giselle spoke pleadingly as she tugged my arm. Content


    belongs to


    Seeing how worried she was and how much she wanted to help Astrid. I knew she couldn''t possibly be the person behind this.

 Chapter 88: Suspicions and Accusations

    Chapter 88: Suspicions and usations


    ?


    Killian''s POV


    "Don''t worry," I held Giselle by her shoulders, seeing how much she wanted justice for Astrid. "I had already asked for an investigation. Our Pack Warriors are already investigating what happened."


    Giselle sighed in relief. "I hope there''s no one out there nning to harm Astrid and her child," she muttered with her brows bent downwards and with her hand pressed to her heart.


    Drystan, who had been silently listening to our conversation, suddenly scoffed. "If any of you really cared about Astrid, you wouldn''t have caused trouble for us. If it wasn''t for that rumor you exposed, we wouldn''t bother to visit your Pack."


    Giselle bit her lower lip in shame as she averted her gaze from us. She must have felt bad now after seeing how much damage her words had already caused.


    Although she wasn''t repentant of her actions even after I caught her and forced her to take back her words, she still never meant any harm to happen to Astrid.


    She must have done that to turn away all the hate that was pointed towards us. She didn''t know that this would happen.


    As I was about to speak up and defend Giselle, I fell silent when the Pack Warrior that I''ve been waiting for finally arrived.


    Everyone''s attention turned to the person that caught my attention when they saw my reaction. All eyes followed my gaze with curiosity etched across their faces.


    Tension hung thick in the air as we watched the neer''s approach. Drystan stood up from his seat as the Pack Warrior bowed his head to us before giving his report.


    ¡°Alpha, we caught rogues around the area where you found Astrid. Upon our investigation, we found out that rogues are the ones behind this attack,¡± he reported with a straight posture.


    "That''s impossible!" Drystan blurted out with his brows furrowed together. "How could rogues be involved in this? Astrid was kidnapped within the Pack and brought outside to frame her death as an ident. Only members of the Silvermoon Pack have the ability to do this."


    ¡°Alpha Drystan, you have no right to use any member of my Pack in front of me of such a serious crime," I gritted my teeth as I stared at him sharply.


    I won''t let anyone shamelessly use anyone in our Pack and sully our reputation in front of me. He is getting too far with his assumptions. First, he suspected Giselle, and now he is suspecting all the members of my Pack.


    It''s only a matter of time before he puts the me on all of us and uses us of working together to harm Astrid.


    "No, right? Wasn''t Astrid''s bracelet found near the Pack borders? That would only mean that she was kidnapped while she was still inside the Silvermoon Pack!" Drystan insisted.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    "Alpha Drystan, although Astrid''s bracelet was indeed found near our Pack borders, it was found outside our Pack. It doesn''t prove that Astrid was kidnapped inside the Pack," the Pack Warrior argued with respect.


    ¡°Giselle, tell us the truth. Did you really not see Astrid?" Drystan turned his attention to Giselle, still insisting that Astrid was indeed attacked inside my Pack.


    Giselle shook his head. Drystan had already asked her the same question multiple times, and he always got the same answer. "I swear, I haven''t really seen her. Are you sure that she really went to see me, or did she leave the Pack in secret? That''s why she was attacked by rogues?" Content belongs to


    Drystan clenched his fists as his eyes narrowed into slits. "Astrid will never leave the Pack. She''s pregnant. She would never deliberately put herself in danger."


    "Enough!" I shouted angrily, interrupting their fight.


    "Did you interrogate the rogues? What did they say?" I asked the Pack Warrior to get to the bottom of this.


    If anyone in my pack was really


    responsible for this, I would never show mercy to them, and I would make sure that they get the punishment that they deserve.& will also do the same to Giselle if


    indeed, she nned all of this


    behind our backs. Content belongs


    to


    "We tried to catch them all alive, Alpha, but they refused to cooperate with us. They attacked our Warriors and fought against us. We were left with no choice but to kill them," The Pack Warrior answered as he lowered a little.


    ¡°And you call that an investigation!" I yelled at him, making him flinch.


    My lips pressed into a thin line when


    I realized that we had run into a dead end here. With all the rogues dead and without any proof of their involvement in the case, there is a really high chance that they were just wrongfully used.


    "Forgive me, Alpha, but aside from the rogues, there was really no one else. The fact that they fought against us also proves that they really had something to do with it," The Pack Warrior exined.


    "You''ve investigated the area where you found Astrid, but have you investigated the ce where she disappeared?" Drystan questioned us, making us fall silent


    I watched as Drystan gave Giselle a murderous stare. He is still convinced that Giselle had something to do with this.


    What if he is right? What if Giselle has been lying to me all along? It doesn''t make any sense, but it will if the DNA test proves that her child is not mine.

 Chapter 89: Dying

    Chapter 89: Dying


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    The air in the waiting room is thick with tension, not just because we were waiting for news about Astrid''s condition but also because of our conversation.


    Before a huge argument could start between us, the heavy door to the emergency room slid open with a muffled hiss, jolting us from our tense reveries.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Our heads turned around in unison to the room behind us, our eyes trained on the figure in the crisp white coat striding towards us.


    The Doctor''s expression was inscrutable, giving away one of the news they carried.


    We have forgotten about the topic we were fighting about earlier. Every one of us held our breaths as time seemed to slow to a crawl. We waited with bated breath for them to deliver the update we both dreaded and desperately needed.


    "Are you all an immediate family member of the patient?" Finally, the Doctor spoke, his words cutting through the deafening silence like a scalpel. "Astrid doesn''t have any living family members, doc. She''s a member of my Pack," I answered instantly.


    Killian, who looked like he wanted to answer the Doctor''s question earlier, fell silent beside me.


    If he and Astrid had been married until now, he would have qualified as Astrid''s immediate family member. However, they have divorced already. He is no longer considered as part of Astrid''s family.


    "If that''s so, can I ask the others to leave? I need to talk to you only," The Doctor spoke respectfully.


    "You can tell us whatever you want to say. We are also here for Astrid," Killian insisted, making the Doctor look at him with contempt.


    ¡°Alpha, I''m sorry, but I can only say this to immediate family members only. Since Astrid is not even a part of your Pack, I cannot disclose this sensitive information to you," the Doctor answered professionally as if he had already encountered many situations like this before.


    Killian stood his ground, his feet firmly nted as if anchored to the very tiles beneath him. The Doctor''s words had fallen upon deaf ears as he refused to take his request.


    "Killian," Giselle whispered next to him as she urgently tugged at his sleeve, her delicate fingers urging him to leave.


    However, Killian stayed rooted on the ground, his gaze fixed on the closed door beyond which Astrid''s fate hung in the bnce.


    "We have to go, Killian," Giselle whispered to his ears once again, her voiceced with a tremor.


    We all stared at him as we waited for him to take his leave until he realized that the Doctor was really not going to talk until he was gone.


    With a heavy weight inside his chest, he finally listened to Giselle and allowed her to pull him out of the waiting room.


    "Is she " I swallowed hard. "Is she okay?" I asked the Doctor as strongly as I could despite the fear that gripped my heart as soon as Killian and the others were out of earshot.


    The Doctor sighed. Finally, the weight of the news he had to bring had seeped through his face.


    "I''m not going to sugarcoat my


    words," The Doctor spoke in a grave


    e


    tone, making me feel more anxious. "Astrid broke a lot of bones in her fall, and she also suffered from a lot of blood clots. Normally, her injuries won''t be this serious if her wolf is in a healthy state. However, her wolf is in a dire situation more than her."


    My brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"


    ¡°Her wolf is weaker than her human body right now. I''m afraid she won''t be able to heal on her own," the Doctor answered.


    My eyes widened. How could this


    be? How could Astrid''s wolf be weaker than her human body, which is suffering from a lot of injuries? Even if she is an omega, her wolf shouldn''t be weaker than the current state of her human body.


    "Astrid''s wolf did not turn weak


    because of her injuries. Her wolf had already been weak before the ident happened. Didn''t you know about this?" The Doctor asked me curiously. "Didn''t you notice some signs that her wolf was weak?" His eyes squinted as he didn''t expect me not to know anything about this. Content belongs to


    I swallowed hard. I had no idea that Astrid''s wolf was so weak to the point that its health was worse than her human condition right now.


    "Then, h-how is she?" I stammered out without answering his question. "How is she right now?" I steeled myself, bracing for the words I knew wereing yet dreading all the same.


    "We''ve done everything in our power to stabilize her condition," the Doctor continued, his gaze never wavered from mine.


    The air seemed to crystallize around us as my world narrowed down to the devastated expression on the Doctor''s face.


    "Then she''s going to be okay, right? What can we do to help her?" I asked him, desperately hoping that there would be a way.


    "I''m... I''m sorry but Astrid is not going to recover from this," he replied with a voice low and heavy with regret.


    My heart plummeted as the little hope that I desperately clung to crumbled into dust. "She''s... she''s going to die?" I asked my voice barely above a whisper, the words catching in my throat.


    The Doctor nodded solemnly, his eyes reflecting the depth of his own anguish. "I''m afraid so. All we can do now is make her asfortable as possible and... wait."

 Chapter 90: Cruel Fate

    Chapter 90: Cruel Fate


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    My knees turned weak as the realization that Astrid was going to die threatened to overwhelm me. I had to lean against the wall for support as my mind reeled with the cruel finality of the doctor''s words.


    I shook my head, refusing to ept this. "There must be another way. We can''t just wait for her to die!" I insisted.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    The Doctor ced a sympathetic hand on my shoulder as if he had already expected reluctance from me. "Even if by some miracle she managed to push through, her health might still deteriorate once she wakes up," he paused the unspoken words hanging between them.


    "She might not be able to handle the news that she... miscarried," he finally uttered.


    I took in a sharp breath, and my eyes widened at his horrible news.


    "W-What?" I stammered as my breath left my lungs.


    "I''m sorry, Alpha, the child did not make it. We did the best that we could to save the child, but with the injuries that Miss Astrid had suffered and with her wolf''s weak condition, the child wasn''t able to hold on.


    My face fell when the doctor shared the devastating news. My shoulders sagged as a heavy weight pressed down upon me. My heart ached both for Astrid and for the child who never got the chance to live his life.


    "Alpha Drystan, I think I should take my leave," the doctor spoke solemnly so I could be alone.


    I couldn''t look into his eyes. I just nodded my head absentmindedly before he turned to leave. As soon as he was gone, my eyes grew damp, and a lump rose in my throat.


    What a cruel blow.


    Astrid had already suffered so much in her life. Her own father abandoned her and her mother when she wasn''t even born. Then, her mother died when she was just a few years old.


    Her mate, who was supposed to love her and cherish her, did nothing but hurt her. His mate never failed to make her feel how worthless and useless she was, and while they were still together, he cheated on their marriage and impregnated someone else.


    As if all of that wasn''t enough, Astrid''s grandmother died, who was the only living family member she had left.


    She was left all alone after she got divorced. Her son is the only one that she has. The only one that gave her the will to leave and to continue on to her life.


    However, even that innocent soul was still taken from her.


    What kind of fate is this? When will Astrid''s suffering ever end?"


    I sat on the chair alone in the empty waiting room as I took in the silence.


    Astrid''s son is already dead, and now she is dying too. Yet, no one still knows the person who is responsible for all of this.


    The perpetrator still runs free like nothing happened while Astrid suffers here.


    Hot tears spilled out of my eyes, and then, as soon as the tears came out, I couldn''t take it anymore. Myposure crumbled, and I broke into anguish sobs.


    I burrowed my face into my hands,


    vel.n


    trying my best to muffle my cries but heavy sobs uncontrobly. spilled out of my lips as my shoulders shook with the force of my weeping.


    Gone was the stoic, steadfast man Astrid hade to rely on. I''ve turned into a devastated soul with all my vulnerability in the open.


    Through my tears, I silently cursed the cruelty of fate. This is a loss I had never imagined having to bear, a pain I wished I could shield Astrid from entirely.


    It''s toote. I have already let her down. I promised Astrid that I was going to protect her and her child, but in the end, I broke the promise I made her. ¡°Drystan! What happened? Where is Astrid?!" Nova asked me with worry etched all over her face when she arrived.


    She pressed both of her palms to her knees as she chased her breath. She rushed all the way here, but she still arrivedte.


    "Drystan?" Nova turned quiet when


    she finally saw my state. She stood up straight with worry in her eyes, which were directed towards me "Are you-" she stopped herself from finishing her question when she saw how hard I was crying.


    This wasn''t the first time that Nova had seen me cry this hard before. The first time she ever saw me cry was when her older sister, my mate, died.


    At that time, I never stopped weeping for the death of my mate. She was a witness to my tears, and I was also a witness to hers.


    That was the only time that I ever cried, and now it is repeated once again.


    Nova did not say a word. She just ced a hand on my shoulder as she bent her knees in front of me to face me and listen to my cries.


    Since she had already seen me cry before, I did not feel ufortable in showing her my vulnerability.


    "It''s Astrid," I spoke as I tried my best


    to hold back my tears to get my words through properly. "The doctor said she not going to live much longer. What am I going to do,


    Nova? What am I going to do?"


    I


    asked her repeatedly as I broke into


    another group of sobs. Content


    belongs to

 Chapter 91: Hidden Feelings

    Chapter 91: Hidden Feelings


    ?


    Nova''s POV


    I swallowed hard as I watched Drystan break in front of me. The mighty man that I had always looked up to and relied on is now reduced to a quivering emotional wreck before my eyes.


    I tentatively reached out,ying a gentle hand on his trembling shoulder, which was the only way that I could give himfort as I desperately wished that I could take his pain away.


    For so long, Drystan had always been the strong one. He became my rock, my fortress against the storms of life ever since my sister died. He locked all his emotions away in an imprable wall, but now that wall had crumbled, exposing the bitter devastation within.


    My heart ached at the raw vulnerability that was etched across his features. He is the man I had always looked up to, the man who had always protected me and never once broke hisposure.


    I never thought that I would see Drystan get broken like this again. To see him so utterly shattered, so profoundly broken, shook me to the core. Before, it was my sister who broke him into pieces like this. I prayed that he wouldn''t get hurt like that again, but now he''s hurting worse than thest time I saw him hurt.


    "What am I going to do, Nova? What am I going to do?" The anguish in Drystan''s voice sliced through my heart. His words,ced with despair, reverberated within me, igniting a deep well of empathy and concern.


    "What happened, Drystan?" I asked him as I gripped him tightly tofort him from his tortured sobs.


    "Astrid had a miscarriage," Drystan lifted his teary eyes to me as he answered my question.


    I gasped in shock. My heart instantly ached for Astrid. We were all so excited to meet her unborn child in person, but that chance was taken away from us.


    Drystan looked at me, willing me to say something that could lift his hopes. However, I was left utterly helpless as I faced him.


    "I don''t know what to do," Drystan choked out, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°Astrid is dying. The Doctor said there''s no hope for her to live.¡±


    Tears welled in my eyes when I heard his news. Astrid and I have just known each other for months, but I have already grown close to her. The news of her dying also made me crumble.


    "Drystan," I murmured in a soothing voice. "I''m here. I''m right here with you,"


    The words felt woefully inadequate, but I hoped that they would convey the depth of my concern. Even though I''m also hurting at the news, I willed myself to be strong for Drystan.


    "When my mate... when she died, I..." he paused, swallowing hard as the memories threatened to overwhelm me. "I thought I would never recover. The pain was so unbearable, I... I didn''t know how I would move on."


    I lowered my gaze and pressed my lips together. It was the same with me. My sister was my whole life and soul. She was the one who raised me since my parents died early When she died, it felt like I lost everything.


    I know it was the same with Drystan, too. A part of him was taken away when my sister died.


    "And now, with Astrid..." Drystan''s voice trembled, the fear palpable in his words. "If I lose her too, I... I don''t know what will be left of me.¡±


    My eyes widened as I lifted my gaze to him. At that moment, I finally saw the truth that Drystan had kept so heavily guarded.


    The love, the devotion, and the profound connection he shared with Astrid. It was more than just a cherished friendship - he was secretly in love with her!


    "Y-you," I stammered. "You like her?" my words came out in an unsure voice.


    Drystan didn''t answer me, but his next words confirmed my thoughts.


    "Astrid... I can''t lose her, Nova. I just can''t." His voice cracked, the raw emotion leaving him vulnerable and exposed.


    My heart constricted as Drystan''s


    words rang out, the weight sinking in


    with a profound realization. All this


    I of his feelings towards Astrid


    time I was oblivious to th


    ???


    No wonder why he was so willing to have his reputation ruined and endanger his pack for her. No wonder why he is so broken right now. To him, this is like experiencing the death of his mate again, reliving all the trauma. Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "Drystan," I murmured with a voiceced with empathy. "I''ll always be here for you. We''ll get through this together.


    My words felt hollow even as I spoke them, for I knew that my own heart was divided. I wanted to console him, but deep down, I also yearned to have his love.


    That''s right!


    I''ve been secretly in love with my sister''s mate.


    I fell in love with him because of the kindness he showed me after my sister died. To him, I would always just be a younger sister in his eyes. He had


    never seen me as a woman.


    I''m just a person he promised to take care of in his wife''s stead.


    I was a fool to fall in love with him. I''m a crazy fool to allow myself to fall for him.


    I am stupid for getting hurt when I find out that he is secretly in love with Astrid.

 Chapter 92: Important Guests

    Chapter 92: Important Guests


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    As I found myself unable to hold back the flood of my emotions, Nova held me close, whispering soothing words from time to time, and didn''t stop rubbing gentle circles on my shoulder.


    Suddenly, our solemn silence was shattered when a Pack Warrior arrived in a rush, chasing his breath with an rmed look on his face.


    I instantly straightened myself and turned my head away from him as I wiped away my tears before he could realize that I was crying. "Alpha!" He called out with breathing in ragged gasps.


    I cleared my throat, and I sniffed my tears away as I faced him with a nk stare despite my swollen eyes giving away my tears.


    "What?" I asked him coldly as I waited for the urgent matter he had to report.


    "Beta Caden spoke to me through the Pack link and ordered me to deliver his news to you," he spoke, ignoring my swollen eyes after his gaze flitted there for a moment before he removed his gaze and lowered his head to act like he did not notice it.


    ¡°Guests from Shadowfang Pack arrived at our Pack. Beta Caden has been trying to connect to you through the Pack link, but you blocked everyone off." My eyes widened when I heard his words.


    A proud smile appeared on his face as he delivered his good news. The Shadowfang Pack had always closed themselves in their own borders, refusing to connect with anyone. All Powerful Packs had tried their best to make contact with them, but they were always pushed away.


    Yet, the Shadowfang Pack personally came to visit our small Pack that is outcasted and on the verge of bankruptcy.


    "The Shadowfang Pack? What are they doing in our Pack? What do they want?" Nova asked before I could say a word.


    Nova has no idea that I wrote a letter and addressed it to the Shadowfang Pack. I didn''t expect that they would personally travel to our Pack instead of just returning our letter.


    "Alpha! I''ve been trying to contact you. Why did you block us out?!" Beta Caden hissed as soon as I lifted up the barrier that was blocking him from contacting me through the Pack link.


    "Envoys from the Shadowfang Pack are here, and they are demanding to see you and Astrid. I do not know what to say to them!" Beta Caden added in an rmed voice.


    Earlier, I purposefully disconnected myself from the Pack link to be left alone in my own thoughts. I''ve never done that before so that the members of my Pack could easily contact me in times of emergency.


    This is the first time that I did that, not expecting that an emergency will happen coincidentally.


    I paused as I stared intently at the emergency room. The Doctor said that there was no hope, Astrid was dying, and that all we could do was wait until her body gave up.


    However, the Shadowfang Pack is


    advanced in medicine and even technology. They have all kinds of cures for all kinds of rare and strange diseases. For sure, with their help, we could still save Astrid''s life. Content belongs to


    There''s still a way to save her.


    novel.ne


    "Alpha?" The Pack Warrior stood up straight when he noticed me looking at him.


    "Call the others," Imanded him. "We are going to leave now."


    The Pack Warrior instantly bowed his head and left to do his tasks without asking any questions, leaving me and Nova on our own. "How about Astrid?" Nova asked me as soon as the Pack Warrior was gone. "I thought she was in critical danger. Is it safe to make her travel right after her operation?"


    "Don''t worry about that; the doctor will clear her," I answered without sparing her a nce as I walked out of the waiting room urgently.


    ¡°Alpha, you shoulde here now! These guests are from the Shadowfang Pack, I do not know what to say to them!" Beta Caden''s voice rang inside my head as I walked through the hospital''s hallways.


    ¡°Tell the guests that they don''t have to wait for us there. We are going to travel directly to the Shadowfang Pack,¡± I replied firmly.


    "What?!" Beta Caden blurted out,


    sending a wave of pain in my head because of his loud voice. "TheN?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Shadowfang Pack never allowed any outsiders in their Pack. What makes


    you think they will let youve


    swnov


    ¡°Just tell the guests and tell me what they say," I gave a flippant answer.


    "Are you crazy?!" Beta Caden yelled at me once again.


    He thinks I''m being overly confident just because the Shadowfang Pack dared to visit our Pack.


    However, it was more than that.


    Astrid holds an heirloom bracelet


    owned by the Alpha bloodline of the


    Shadowfang Pack. Whether the


    el


    bracelet was stolen or not, this is clearly so important for the


    Shadowfang Pack that they brought envoys to our Pack, risking their


    r¨¦putation of being independent.


    "Just do as I say! I yelled back at him. Tell them that Astrid is dying and there''s nothing that the Doctor can do. Her only hope lies on the Shadowfang Pack if they are willing to help her.¡±


    "Fine," Beta Caden replied in defeat before disconnecting.


    After a while, he connected to the Pack link again. "The guests agreed. You can go directly to their Pack and take Astrid. They promised that they would help Astrid and keep her alive."

 Chapter 93: Shadowfang Pack

    Chapter 93: Shadowfang Pack


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    ''Is this really the Shadowfang Pack?'' I asked myself within my thoughts as I stared at the vast forest with the Shadowfang Pack guards patrolling the


    area.


    Although I have never been in the Shadowfang Pack before, I''ve heard rumors of what the infamous Shadowfang Pack looked like.


    It was no secret that the Shadowfang Pack is medically and technologically advance. With their rare metals and their abundant natural resources, they have be the richest Pack among all of us which made me expect something more from them.


    In my head I was thinking of borate systems of holographic projectors and advance camouge systems to protect their Pack like something that came out of a futuristic science fiction novel.


    The rumors also said that the Shadowfang Pack has a stunning blend of organic and technological elements. They have curving structures made of unique ebony-hued metal called Luminite and a sprawlingwork of state of the art treatment facilities, researchboratories, and training centers. However, none of those were true. All I could see was just old magnificent trees sprawling the forest and if I squint my eyes and look hard, I could only see modest thatched-roof cottages dotting thendscape that is no more opulent than what we have in our own Pack.


    The Shadowfang Pack doesn''t look as special as I had thought. It''s just... normal.


    Nova shot me a puzzled nce, clearly sharing my bewilderment. "This is it?" she murmured, eyeing our surroundings with obvious skepticism. Nova was so excited when I told her that we are not going toe back to our Pack, instead we are going to travel directly to the Shadowfang Pack so that Astrid could get the proper treatment that she needed.


    Now that we have arrived, she looked a bit disappointed, but mostly in disbelief with what she saw.


    "Are you sure we are at the right ce?" Nova asked, voicing out his own unspoken doubts.


    I only shrugged helplessly. "I''m sure we are at the right ce," I answered her.


    Just then, a voice rang out across the clearing.


    "Wee, guests of the Shadowfang Pack." A tall regal figure strode towards us, d in a simple but elegant attire.


    "Greetings... sir," I muttered unsurely since I don''t know he was and what his position is.


    However, my wolf could sense how high the level of power of his wolf is. He is intimidatingly powerful, but not as powerful as me.


    He must be the Pack''s gatekeeper or something. Theron must have ced his most powerful man on guard to scare away intruders.


    "I am Beta Alek. Our Alpha has been waiting for your arrival, please follow me as I escort you to meet him," Beta Alek spoke with an air of regality.


    I gulped. I was facing the Beta of the Shadowfang Pack, the whole time. No wonder why he looks like an imposing and enigmatic figure.


    Nova and I looked at each other as Beta Alek turned around and walked inside without waiting for us.


    I wasn''t expecting that their Pack''s Beta would even personally escort us in.


    I was about to call Beta Alek and ask him what should we do about Astrid when six Rack Warriors arrived in a line with nk emotions on their faces in front of them was a man who is not wearing the same uniform as the guards. Content


    belongs to


    I watched as they went pass us and approached the ambnce where Astrid is.


    She had to travel in an ambnce because she''s still unconscious. She also needed her IV fluids and she cannot be disconnected to a heart monitor.


    "Alpha Drystan,e follow me. Let


    them take care of Miss Astrid,¡± Beta


    Alek called out to us when he


    ned


    around and saw that we didn''t follow after him.


    "Y-Yes Beta," I stuttered as I chased after him with Nova by my side.


    I took onest look behind to check on Astrid and was assured to see that a Shadowfang Pack physician is checking on her health.


    With the Shadowfang Pack''s help, there''s nothing I should worry about.


    "What''s with their outfit?" Nova asked me through the Pack link, making me look at her.


    I was also thinking about it. The outfit of the Shadowfang Pack members are... strange. I couldn''t even tell the material of the clothes that they were wearing.


    Although their clothes have different


    designs since they have differentContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    positions. It wasn''t anything I''ve ever seen before. Their outfits are


    e


    futuristic like it came out of science fiction novels.


    It stands out in contrast to their humble Pack.


    Nova and I stared curiously around us, taking in everything that we could see.


    I could finally see the cottages more closely that were visible outside their Pack''s borders.


    Everyone was looking at us as we walk. Maybe they were surprised to see new faces.


    No one dared to approach and talk to us.


    "Where''s your Packhouse?" I asked breaking the silence between us.


    "Packhouse?" Beta Alek questioned thenughs. "We don''t have one."


    My brows furrowed when I heard his answer. Does that mean they all live in humble cottages? Ever since we entered, we''ve seen nothing else but cottages.


    "Our Alpha would never live in a little Packhouse," Alek adds which confuses me even more.


    "Ah! Here it is!" Beta Alek said with a smile which I thought would look devious on him, but surprisingly it didn''t. "Wee to the central Pack!"

 Chapter 94: Rich and Powerful

    Chapter 94: Rich and Powerful


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    My jaw just fell open when I saw the vast scenery in front of us. I shouldn''t have judged the Shadowfang Pack too early. The sprawling cottages earlier had deceived us into thinking that the Shadowfang Pack would be nothing like I had expected.


    The Shadowfang Pack is a highly secretive and istedmunity that resides deep within the treacherous Shadowfang mountains, which are famous for their lore and historicalndmarks.


    It was said that the Shadowfang mountains protected the Shadowfang Pack. Many rogues and Packs had tried to colonize or attack them before, but because of their tall mountains, all their exploits only led to a failure.


    The Shadowfang mountains are two tall triangr mountains that are glued together like a curved wall, concaving the Pack with a beautiful silverke in the middle.


    The view is breathtaking, not to mention the sprawling subterranean city carved directly into the mountainside.


    I can''t imagine what they would look like at night with all the lights open. It must look like stars had fallen off from the sky.


    Different structures fill the mountain as it goes up. It''s like stairs, and there are small and big waterfalls all around the mountain, too, its waters filling theke below.


    It''s like looking at a water puzzle. It''s so rxing to trace the water as it flows from different sections before mixing together in theke.


    As my gaze fell to theke, I stared at the boats of different sizes floating on the water as the members of the Shadowfang Pack earned their living by fishing.


    The Shadowfang Pack is like paradise. I didn''t expect such a ce to exist in this world.


    The Shadowfang Pack is lucky to have discovered this ce and settled here first. They have a breathtaking view, ake filled with sea creatures, healthy gardens that could grow even the rarest and most delicate herbs, and they also have the Luminite.


    There''s nothing that they don''t have. It''s really no wonder why they are closing themselves off from the rest of us and refusing to partner with other Packs.


    The three of us continued our walk. Nova and I ambled along the winding paths, our steps light and unhurried. We didn''t feel tired as we walked. We are too caught up in our surroundings, admiring everything that we see.


    We finally arrived at the heart of the Shadowfang Pack, where their medicalplex lies, a sprawlingwork of state-of-the-art treatment facilities, researchboratories, and training centers for their Pack''s renowned physicians and medical scientists.


    Nova''s eyes sparkled with wonder as her gaze drank in the technology we had never seen before. We felt like people from the Stone Age era because we were so ignorant of the cutting-edge technology that they used.


    "I can''t believe a ce like this exists," Nova breathed, her voice hushed in reverence. "It''s like stepping into another world."


    Indeed, the ce that came out of a science fiction movie that I was expecting is finally in front of me.


    I felt out of ce as people dressed in the same uniforms swarmed around the ce, just going on with their day to do their jobs.


    Just by looking at them, I knew they were researchers and physicians, the smart guys who developed the Shadowfang Pack way ahead of us.


    All of them gave us strange looks as they walked since our casual outfits inside their very modern and minimalist room really made us stand out. Nova and I had no time to change our clothes and make ourselves look presentable. Astrid''s time is running. We had to transfer her to the Shadowfang Pack as soon as possible.


    "Where is Alpha Theron?" I asked as I stepped forward, leaning closer to Beta Alek to ask him my question in a hushed voice to avoid getting more unnecessary attention.


    I thought he would be leading us to the Packhouse or somece where their Alpha stays, but clearly, this isn''t their Packhouse. This is some sort of aboratory.


    Beta Alek stopped and turned on his


    heel to face me. "I''m sorry, Alpha Drystan. There had been a change of ns. Alpha Theron contacted me through our Pack link and ordered me to bring you to our medicalboratory instead so you won''t have to leave Astrid. He said he woulde to visit you here to personally talk to you, so I didn''t bother to exin things to you." Content


    belongs to


    I nodded my head in understanding. "Alpha Theron really cares and thinks about us. I will always remember this kindness you have shown us."


    Beta Alek just looked at me, but he didn''t speak. I couldn''t help but stare into his eyes, which were deep in thought. He must be wondering why his Alpha is giving us face.


    Not only did he break their long reputation of ignoring other Packs, but he also allowed us to enter their Pack and ordered his Beta, the person next to him in power to escort us.


    The medicines and technologies they have never shown to anyone are also being shown to us. Not only that, but they are also allowing someone outside their Pack to use it.


    ¡°Good," Beta Alek suddenly replied after a long pause. There were no reminders, no threats made.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    What could a small Pack on the brink of bankruptcy could do to them?


    ¡°Miss Astrid was already checked by our best physician," Beta Alek continued to speak as we continued our walk through the hallways. "Qur physician will exin her condition to you Beta Alek exined to us as he pushed a door open. The door that leads to Astrid''s moment.

 Chapter 95: An Old Friend

    Chapter 95: An Old Friend


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    I swallowed hard as Beta Alex ushered Nova and me into Astrid''s dimly lit quarters. My nose twitched slightly when the heavy scent of medicinal herbs entered my nostrils. The air inside the room is thick with the scent of medicine and tense anticipation.


    As I entered inside, my gaze fell upon Astrid, her lithe form motionless upon a specialized treatment cot, surrounded by a flurry of white-d physicians tending to her with solemn concentration.


    Astrid''s clothes are also changed into a white hospital robe. She looked pale and fragile inside the ss, a sign of how her life was slowly seeping out of her.


    Nova gasped softly beside me, her delicate features etched with concern as she took in the scene before us.


    I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly running dry. Different emotions churned within me: fear, worry, and no small measure of guilt. It''s my fault that Astrid is fighting for her life. I should be the one lying in that bed, not her.


    Because of me, she had lost her child.


    "H-How is she?" I managed to ask without my voice breaking.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Beta Alek opened his mouth to answer. However, he suddenly bowed, sending a wave of tension through the air.


    I slowly turned around when I felt an immense power behind me. Slowly turning, I found myself face to face with an imposing figure - Theron, the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack.


    I watched as he treaded inside the room with four guards lined up behind him. Two on his left and two on his right.


    The atmosphere in the room turned instantly tensed because of his presence. Everyone stopped what they were doing as they bowed their heads to their Alpha.


    Not wanting to offend anyone, I also bowed before Alpha Theron, copying the posture of the people around me. Nova also followed suit with a fearful expression on her face.


    Standing before us is the infamous Alpha known all over the world. We would be seeking death if we offended him.


    Alpha Theron continued walking inside without sparing us a nce. Astrid instantly caught his attention when he entered the room. He slowly approached her with a deep look in his eyes as he stared at her right through the ss.


    Feeling curious, I raised my head a little to steal a look at him. No one aside from me dared to lift their heads even a bit to risk their lives just to have a peek like what I did.


    Nostalgia hit me when I saw him again after so many years. Thest time I saw him, we were still teenagers.


    We just used to be unruly teenagers who always indulged ourselves with misconduct and mischief. We never took anything seriously and did what was fun.


    Although I had an outstanding academic background and had made a lot of achievements, when I was with Theron, we only knew how to have fun. Seeing him again after all these years reminded me of the past and the fun that we shared together.


    Theron''s face didn''t change much


    from thest memory that I had of him. He is still the same. However, his bright face had turned sagged and dull, and strands of silver had tainted his onyx hair.


    We were not the unruly teenagers that we used to be anymore. Time had already.etched its mark on us both. The weight of our


    responsibilities and the trials of the years had transformed us into the men that we have turned into. Content belongs to


    The added age in Theron''s features is a testament to the burdens of leading a Pack through this changing world.


    Decades had already passed when we separated. I wonder if we could still bring back our friendship or if it would make us feel awkward.


    Our parting was so sudden. Theron did not finish his years in the academy just like I did. Theron left early when his father suddenly took him out of the academy and called him back to his Pack.


    I thought Theron would still go back. Our schooling was not yet finished. However, Theron''s short break at school became permanent. He never came back, and since then, we''ve lost our connection.


    We never had the chance to formally give our goodbyes. After that, I thought we would never meet again.


    My eyes narrowed suspiciously as I continued to observe him in secret. I studied his stoic expression and the deep look he had in his eyes as he stared at Astrid.


    The way he looked at her was so intense; it was like he had already seen her before, and it was like he knew her. It''s almost like he misses her? What''s with that gaze?


    "Rise,¡± Theron muttered monotonously without taking his eyes off Astrid.


    Everyone stood back up in unison and stared at him expectantly.


    "Where are the other guests?" Theron asked as he finally turned to face us.


    A hint of recognition shed through his face when he saw me. My whole body tensed, not knowing how to react.


    Before, we just used to be


    ssmates. There was no need to be formal of feel afraid of offending each other, but now he is the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, and the Pack that I lead is nothingpared to his. The difference in our status stretches a long distance between us.

 Chapter 96: Real Friendship

    Chapter 96: Real Friendship


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    "Drystan?" Alpha Theron spoke my name unsurely, his brows pinched together as he studied me.


    I lowered my head in submission and reverence for him. I''m not sure what he feels about seeing me. I feel happy to see him after so many years. Of course, it might not be the same for him.


    It''s not like I had anything to be proud of. He might find it embarrassing to let anyone know that he used to be friends with a loser like me, a man who calls himself an Alpha of a falling Pack.


    "It''s really you!" Alpha Theron''s tone turned excited when he spoke his next words, which surprised me.


    I abruptly lifted my chin as I looked at him in surprise. I watched as he took confident strides towards me, and suddenly, he just wrapped his arm around me and hugged me.


    "It''s so good to see you again!" Alpha Theron spoke with a huge smile on his face. The wrinkles at the corner of his eyes deepened.


    Still caught in surprise, I forced a smile and hugged him back while my heart pounded rapidly inside my chest.


    My eyes ran to the people around us who were staring at us with wide eyes. They all stood in shock, just staring at us. Some of them even stared at us with their jaws dropped to the floor.


    Even Nova shared the same expression as them. He looked at me withplete bewilderment on her face while silently demanding an exnation from me.


    Nova also had no idea that the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack used to be my college friend.


    I have never told anyone about this, not even someone in my family.


    I gave Alpha Theron an ufortable smile when he took a step back and stared at me closely as he held me by my shoulders.


    "You still look the same as I remember. Howe you didn''t grow old?!" Alpha Theron chuckled as he asked me.


    He just looked so happy to see me. I''m d that the friend I had didn''t change.


    "Th-Thank you, Alpha," I answered formally.


    My mouth turned agape when Alpha Theron suddenly pushed my left shoulder forcefully, taking me aback.


    "Stop calling me Alpha, you nerd. It''s like we weren''t friends before," he spoke angrily, but looking at his face, he wasn''t angry at me at all.


    ¡°Come on, man, rx. Your shoulders are so tense," Alpha Theron spoke casually as he pressed my shoulders.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    I took a deep breath and shook my shoulders to rx, just as he had told me. With his casual treatment, I started to feel at ease. I feel like we are back to when we were still teenagers.


    "How could I rx? I''m talking to the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack. I still value my life and don''t dare to


    offend you," I spoke casually th"


    time since Theron recognized me as a friend, not an Alpha of another Pack. Content belongs to


    swn


    Alpha Theron chuckled. "It''s been so long. I also missed the academy. While you''re staying here, let''s catch up with each other," he invited.


    I smiled and nodded. I also feel the same too. I miss the academy, and I miss my friend much more. I''d also want to know what happened to him after we separated.


    "I''m not going to stay here that long," I told him in advance. "Once Astrid is healed, we will go back to our Pack.


    At the mention of Astrid''s name, Theron turned around and gave another look at Astrid.


    "She''s the one who owns the bracelet, you say?" Theron asks, his face turning serious once again.


    I slowly walked forward to approach Astrid. "She is," I answered. "It is as what I said in the letter. The bracelet was given as a gift by her grandmother when her mother died while she was little.


    "H-her mother is dead?" he voice out under his breath. "How?" he asked me, his eyes still not leaving Astrid.


    My brows twitched lightly at his question. "I don''t know. I didn''t know her yet when her mother died."


    Theron didn''t say a word. He continued staring at Astrid, just studying her face.


    "Alpha, the physician is here," Beta Alek spoke from behind, interrupting our conversation.


    When we turned around, the physician earlier that we saw when we arrived, their Pack walked in with a tablet in his hand. "Alpha," he spoke solemnly as he bowed his head.


    "Speak," Theron ordered.


    "Astrid is in critical condition, but she


    will turn stable soon. There''s nothing to worry about. The Shadowfang Pack isplete in medicine. We can give her the care that she needs. In just a few days, she will be awake soon," The Doctor exined, easing most of my worries.


    "But Doctor, what about her wolf? Her previous Doctor told us that something was wrong with her wolf. What is happening to her?" I asked, hoping that whatever was wrong, the Shadowfang Pack had a way of fixing it.


    S


    "That I cannot say, Alpha, but we are already looking into it. We have already run tests for her. Once the results are out, we will inform you soon," The Doctor answered me.


    "Do you know a thing called the Lunar Elixir?" Nova, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke.


    Everyone''s eyes suddenly turned towards her in surprise. My brows just furrowed as I looked at her since I had no idea what Nova was speaking of.

 Chapter 97: Lunar Elixir

    Chapter 97: Lunar Elixir


    ?


    Drystan''s POV


    "Miss, this elixir that you speak of " The Doctor was about to answer Nova''s question, but he stopped himself when Theron spoke on top of him. "What do you wish to know about the Lunar Elixir?" Theron asked Nova calmly.


    "Actually, Astrid had already seen a doctor before to find out what was wrong with her wolf. The doctor said that it was some rare disease that afflicted her wolf, and only the Lunar Elixir could cure her," Nova replied.


    "A rare disease, you say? Don''t worry, there''s no disease that our Pack cannot cure," Theron answered.


    ¡°Please forgive me for speaking once again. Astrid''s illness is not normal, and only the Lunar Elixir could cure her. If she doesn''t get cured soon, she might die," Nova spoke with her head bowed down.


    "You ignorant fool!" A loud voice filled the room, making our heads turn to where the voice came from.


    We watched as a woman wearing a physician''s uniform entered the room with a scowl on her face.


    ¡°The Lunar Elixir is our Pack''s sacred treasure. How could you beg for it to save your friend''s life,¡± she added in an angry voice. "That woman''s life means nothingpared to the legacy of the Shadowfang Pack."


    My brows furrowed as I stared at the woman who disrespected Nova in front of everyone, causing her to lose face. Who is she?


    "Asha," Theron spoke coldly.


    The woman finally stopped talking and faced Theron. "Father," she uttered as she bowed her head.


    No wonder why she had the audacity to speak her thoughts in front of Theron. It turns out that this woman who is wearing a physician''s uniform is the daughter of the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack.


    She is not just a mere physician at all.


    "You are speaking to my guests. Give them some respect!" Theron ordered his daughter angrily.


    "My apologies,¡± Asha spoke sincerely as she faced Nova and bowed her head to her.


    Nova stared at Asha in shock. The daughter of the Alpha of Shadowfang Pack is bowing her head to her. She is afraid that she will offend her. "No need," Nova spoke with wide eyes as she raised her hands to stop her.


    "I cannot ept your bow. I should be the one apologizing instead. I shouldn''t have said those words mindlessly. The Shadowfang Pack has shown us too much kindness already. It''s shameless of me to dare to ask for your Pack''s sacred treasure. I''m very sorry," Nova spoke fearfully when she realized she had offended Theron''s daughter.


    Asha just stood in front of her, unbothered. "I''m sorry if my words had also offended you," she added with genuine concern.


    "I-It''s okay," Nova stammered as she forced a smile to her face.


    "Drystan, meet my daughter. I''m sorry that you have to meet her this way," Theron looked at me as he spoke.


    "Asha, he is my friend from the academy." Theron turned to his daughter.


    Asha smiled and approached me for a handshake. "Nice to meet you," she spoke.


    As the Alpha''s daughter, she walked and spoke with proper decorum even while she was angry.


    "Nice to meet you too," I replied as I epted her handshake.


    Her hands were soft like a feather, a sign of how she was being treated as a princess. She also offered Nova a handshake. "Asha is the head of our research team and also our head physician," Theron exined to me, making me feel amazed.


    I wasn''t able to say anything in reply because Drystan had already turned his attention back to his daughter again.


    "Where were you? Didn''t I tell you to personally check on Astrid?¡± Theron asked his daughter with a straight face.


    "I have done that, father. I just went to personally gather the results from her samples," Asha answered as she scrolled through her tablet.


    I fell silent when I found out that Theron even personally tasked his daughter to take care of Astrid.


    As the head physician and the head of their research team, she must have a lot on his te already. She had to take care of a lot of projects and meet deadlines.


    However, she is sparing her time and effort just for Astrid. I couldn''t imagine the great inconvenience we had caused her.


    "The results are out, and Miss Nova''s words were right," Asha spoke after she brought down her tablet.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Astrid''s wolf fis getting weaker and weaker. We have done tests, but we couldn''t find anything wrong. This is the first time I''ve seen a disease fike


    this. Not only is this rare, but only Astrid has this kind of affliction."


    QUMS


    I pursed my lips together as I listened to her words.


    "Without the medicine we have injected into her, Astrid wouldn''t recover. Astrid can''t be dependent on strong medicines for too long Once we stop giving her medicines, her wolf will die. We are not sure if we can preserve her life if that happens."


    I gasped. "W-What does that mean?"


    "There''s a low chance that Astrid will survive after we take her off her medicines. Even if she survives, she will still lose her wolf," Asha answered solemnly.


    My body felt numb when I heard the


    news. Astrid had lost her son


    ¨¥


    already, and now she''s going to lose her wolf. How is she going to have the will to live if she loses everything that she has?

 Chapter 98

    Chapter 98: Sacred Treasure


    Drystan¡¯s POV


    I shook my head as I slowly approached Astrid. Tears threatened toe out of the back of my eyes, but I fought them back as I stared at Astrid¡¯s limp body.


    I wanted to hold her hand, but I couldn¡¯t. A ss stopped me from touching her, so I could only ce my hand on top of the ss.


    ¡°Asha, you are the best physician in our Pack. Surely, you know a way how to cure her,¡± Theron insisted.


    Asha sighed. ¡°Forgive me, Father, but the only way we could help Astrid¡¯s wolf is by curing the root of her disease, which we had no idea about.


    We can continue giving her medicine if you want, but her body would only slowly gain resistance to it, and we will have to add more dosage.


    Astrid¡¯s body would only be dependent on medicine if we did that. It will only make her health deteriorate faster and lessen her rate of survival.


    The only way I could think of in saving her is by focusing on her human self more. There¡¯s nothing else I could do to help her wolf,¡± Asha spoke in a lengthy exnation.


    I fell silent at her rational words. I only have little knowledge of medicine, but I know that what she said was right. As the head physician of the Shadowfang Pack, she is the person who knows all things the most.


    If she said there¡¯s nothing we could do, then there¡¯s nothing we


    1/4


    +15 BONUS


    could do. Unless, of course, they use the Lunar Elixir, which is the only cure for Astrid¡¯s disease.


    However, this Lunar Elixir is their Pack¡¯s sacred treasure.


    There¡¯s no way they would give it to us, and we also have no power to demand it from them, nothing to give in exchange for Astrid¡¯s life.


    ¡°What¡¯s the use of living if you don¡¯t have your wolf?¡± Theron asked his daughter to show her that her solution to the problem is also useless. ¡°You can¡¯t just save the human side. You need to save both,¡± Alpha Theron demanded.


    Asha looked at her father in bewilderment. ¡°But, father, this request would be impossible. Even if I try my best, even if I spend sleepless nights doing my research. What could I possibly do to save Astrid and her wolf?¡±


    ¡°There must be a way, Asha,¡± Theron spoke, not willing to give up. ¡°How about the Lunar Elixir? That would help, right?¡±


    My eyes turned to Theron in shock when I heard his question. Even Nova couldn¡¯t believe it.


    ¡°Father!¡± Asha gasped, her cherry lips turned wide as if her. father had just said something forbidden. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t!¡±


    Theron¡¯s gaze turned hard. ¡°If the Lunar Elixir can save Astrid and her wolf¡¯s life, then we should use it for her.¡±


    ¡°Have you gone crazy?!¡± Asha blurted out as she finally lost control of herself. ¡°She¡¯s not even a member of our Pack.¡±


    ¡°Alek,¡± Theron turned his attention to his Beta, ignoring his own daughter¡¯s words.


    Asha watched as Beta Alek came forward and bowed his head to her father. ¡°Alpha,¡± Beta Alek spoke in reverence to his


    2/4


    +16 BONUS


    leader.


    ¡°Go and bring the Lunar Elixir here,¡± Theronmanded him nonchntly.


    ¡°A¨CAlpha,¡± Beta Alek¡¯s eyes turned wide as he lifted his head and looked at his Alpha, hoping that he would take back hismand.


    ¡°Just take it, Alek. The Lunar Elixir has been stored in our private treasuries for a long time. Finally, it has found its purpose.¡±


    Asha breathed out in disbelief. ¡°What purpose is this?¡± She asked his father. ¡°We don¡¯t even know who that woman is!¡± Asha spoke angrily.


    I clenched my fists as I watched them argue with each other. I wanted to stop Theron and make him change his mind about the Lunar Elixir, but at the same time, I wanted to save Astrid and her wolf.


    I could only turn a blind eye to them and fight against myself to keep silent. No matter how precious the Lunar Elixir is, Astrid needed it.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    I know I¡¯m being selfish, but I only be irrational when ites to Astrid.


    Asha crossed her arms in anger when her father didn¡¯t change his mind.


    ¡°Asha, I will leave you in charge of this. The Lunar Elixir is also at stake here, so make sure to use it efficiently. If this fails to heal Astrid, then the Lunar Elixir will be put to waste,¡± Theron warned his daughter.


    ¡°Father, the Lunar Elixir is our Pack¡¯s sacred treasure. You


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    can¡¯t make rash decisions about it, and you shouldn¡¯t be making this kind of decision alone.¡± Asha tried to convince her father, while Beta Alek hadn¡¯t returned yet.


    ¡°I¡¯m the Pack¡¯s Alpha, Asha. My words are thew. No one is higher than me.¡±


    ¡°You are going to bring our Pack in disaster! Our ancestors guarded the Lunar Elixir with their own life. Are you ready to face the consequences of defiling such a sacred treasure?¡± Asha asked her father.


    Once again, Theron only sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve given my word, Asha, and no one could take that back.¡±


    A sacred treasure is a valuable object that a Pack is


    responsible for protecting. It is said that if a sacred treasure fails to be protected by the Pack, it will bring misfortunes to the Pack or a string of deadly disasters as they suffer from the wrath of their ancestors.


    ¡°Who is she, father? Who is she that you are willing to sacrifice our sacred treasure just for her?¡± Asha demanded her father with her sharp features.


    Selene Souchon Author


    Who do you think Astrid really is?

 Chapter 99

    Chapter 99: Healing


    Drystan¡¯s POV


    My attention turned to Theron as I waited for him to answer his daughter¡¯s question. I was so desperate for help and to save Astrid¡¯s life that I didn¡¯t even question the motive behind Theron¡¯s kindness.


    I was just d that he was there to help us, without even knowing what this could possibly mean for us.


    Why exactly is Theron so willing to help us?


    My eyes brimmed with a mixture of anticipation and unease as I waited for his answer. The weight of Asha¡¯s question hung in the air, demanding an answer from her father.


    Theron, his face nk with any emotions, paused for a moment, the seconds ticking by like the steady beat of a drum.


    ¡°Do you even know her, father? I can understand why you are willing to help her because Alpha Drystan is your friend, but why would you use the Pack¡¯s sacred treasure for her?¡± Asha asked again, forcing her father to break his silence.


    ¡°Are you questioning my decision and my authority, Asha?¡± Theron asked his daughter coldly, his eyes narrowing into slits as he red at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m your father, but I¡¯m this Pack¡¯s Alpha also. You have no right to question my decisions!¡± Theron yelled at his daughter.


    Asha¡¯s lips thinned. Her hands clenched to her sides in anger, but she doesn¡¯t dare to say a thing.


    ¡°You are my daughter, which is why I spoiled you so much. I have be too lenient with you to the point that you¡¯ve forgotten your ce,¡± Theron added, his voice turning softer this time.


    ¡°This shouldn¡¯t happen again, Asha. You¡¯ve embarrassed me in front of my guests and in front of our Pack members. You are going to make them think that I wasn¡¯t able to discipline my daughter,¡± Theron continued.


    Asha lowered her head in defeat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, father. You know that I would never question your decision and your authority, especially in public. As your daughter and a member of this Pack, I¡¯m just worried about our Pack,¡± Asha spoke with a low voice.


    Theron sighed after hearing his daughter¡¯s apology. ¡°I know what I am doing, Asha. You just have to trust in me. In the future, my decisions will make sense, and I won¡¯t have to exin things to you.¡±


    How will saving Astrid and using their Pack¡¯s sacred treasure ever make sense in the future? What is Theron thinking of right now? Doubt consumed me as I thought of Theron¡¯s true motives.


    Asha¡¯s gaze was still hard, but she remained silent.


    ¡°Alpha.¡± Beta Alek finally arrived with two omegas following behind him, carrying something that was covered with a special cloth.


    ¡°We have the Lunar Elixir,¡± Beta Alek spoke before taking off the cover to present the Lunar Elixir to us.


    My eyes turned wide in awe as I stared at their Pack¡¯s sacred treasure.


    The Lunar Elixir is a mesmerizing and otherworldly concoction. It appears as a luminescent, silvery¨Cblue liquid that seems to shimmer and dance within its thick ss container as if reflecting the ethereal light of the moon itself.


    With a transfixed gaze, Theron slowly approached the Lunar Elixir. Reverently, he reached out, his fingertips grazing the surface of the enchanted potion.


    Suddenly, he pulled his finger back as if electrocuted by the power thrumming within the Elixir.


    With such a powerful elixir, it would surely save both Astrid and her wolf¡¯s life.


    ¡°This is the first time that the Elixir is brought out of its safe room,¡± Beta Alek spoke. ¡°For centuries, our ancestors kept it safe and hidden in a locked room.¡±


    ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen what the Lunar Elixir looked like,¡± Theron whispered as he admired it for thest time before Astrid could consume it all to recover.


    Asha stepped forward to take a closer look at the Lunar Elixir. Without asking for any permission, she ced her hands around it and held it up to the light.


    Swirling iridescent currents that weren¡¯t there before showed up as they reflected the light. The liquid has a captivating depth to it, hinting at mysterious properties and arcane powers contained within.


    ¡°Such a powerful medicine, only to save the life of an omega,¡± Asha whispered under her breath, but since we have wolf ears, we all perfectly heard what she said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The Lunar Elixir can cure all types of diseases with this powerful medicine. Astrid and her wolf will wake up with great energy as early as tomorrow and heal all her injuries like nothing happened.¡± Asha spoke as she faced us like she didn¡¯t whisper any words earlier.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    All eyes were fixed on Asha as she moved with measured grace, her fingers deftly manipting the shimmering Lunar Elixir.


    The ethereal liquid seemed to respond to her touch, its luminous contents swirling and dancing with each subtle movement.


    Astridy motionless on the treatment cot, her pale features etched with the lines of suffering. Yet, as Asha carefully applied the Elixir to her wounds, a faint shimmer began to emanate from her injured skin, as if the very essence of the moon was infusing it with revitalizing energy.


    We watched with bated breath, mesmerized by sight unfolding before us. The Elixir¡¯s silvery glow cast an otherworldly light upon Astrid¡¯s face, erasing the signs of her affliction and recing them with a serene, almost ethereal, tranquility.


    Asha was intensely focused as her eyes narrowed down to the screen that showed Astrid¡¯s vitals. She made a few swipes and a few taps on it to make sure that nothing went wrong with Astrid.


    Finally, after an hour of working, Asha¡¯s shoulders rxed, and she looked at us with a small smile. ¡°Astrid is healed. The Lunar Elixir worked its magic. She and her wolf will live.¡±

 Chapter 100

    <strong>Chapter 100: Losing Her</strong>


    Killian¡¯s POV


    I paced back and forth with my arms crossed together, waiting for Drystan to call us back. Behind me, Giselle sat in silence, her gaze fixed on the empty hallway, waiting for someone to appear and call us.


    The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. My brows are furrowed with worry, my mind racing with a thousand possible scenarios, each one more dire than thest. I couldn¡¯t rest until I knew that Astrid was safe.


    Giselle, too, felt the weight of the wait, her hands sped tightly in herp, her knuckles turning white with the strain.


    ¡°How long have we been waiting here?¡± I asked Giselle as I grew more and more impatient.


    Giselle nced down at her phone, her expression pensive. It¡¯s been over two hours,¡± she murmured as her brows furrowed in confusion.


    Two hours? Something doesn¡¯t feel right. It wouldn¡¯t take the doctor two hours to exin his diagnosis, wouldn¡¯t he?


    My heart sank as I ran a hand through my hair, a frustrated sigh escaping my lips. ¡°Why haven¡¯t theye out to tell us anything?¡±


    Giselle reached out, cing aforting hand on my arm. Should we call a nurse?¡± She suggested with worry clouding her features.


    I shook my head. ¡°No need, I¡¯m going to check it myself,¡± I answered her as I strode towards Astrid¡¯s room.


    As I approached her room, my resolve began to waver, and a nagging sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach.


    I could no longer wait in the hallway.


    Giselle followed behind me, trying to match my footsteps. Her steps have be slow because she¡¯s already heavily pregnant.


    When I reached the hallway that led to Astrid¡¯s room, I stopped in my tracks when I saw janitorsing in and out of Astrid¡¯s room, emptying and cleaning the area.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± I called one of the janitor¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Yes, sir?¡± she asked as she faced me.


    My eyes roamed inside the empty room. There are no traces of Astrid and Drystan in it.


    The bed is already stripped of its linens as a pair of janitors methodically cleaned the space.


    My breath got caught in my throat as I shifted my gaze back to the janitor in front of me. ¡°Where¡¯s the patient who was in here?¡±


    The two janitors exchanged a nce, their expression somber.


    ¡°Are you rted to the patient, sir?¡± The janitor asked after she turned her attention to me.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I lied since I knew the strict rules in this hospital.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you informed, sir? The patient has moved to another hospital a short while ago. They left in a hurry.


    ¡°W-What?¡± I breathed out in disbelief as I stood there stunned.


    I¡¯ve been waiting in agony to check on Astrid, only to find out that Drystan had her transferred to a different ce without even informing me?


    ¡°In which hospital was she transferred?¡± Giselle stepped up.


    ¡°I have no idea, ma¡¯am. We were called to clean the room after the patient had already left,¡± the janitor answered.


    Giselle gave her a warm smile. ¡°Thank you for your time.¡±


    ¡°Killian,¡± Giselle called out my name when I turned on my heel to leave. ¡°Killian!¡± she yelled again as she chased after me. Where are you going?¡± she asked me with hurried footsteps.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to look for Astrid,¡± I answered her coldly.


    ¡°Killian, listen to me,¡± she said, her voice low and steady as she followed closely behind me. ¡°Astrid is safe. Drystan will take care of her. I¡¯m sure of it.¡±


    Her words were meant to reassure me, but my mind refused to be calm. ¡°How can you be so certain?¡± I demanded, my voiceced with barely contained desperation.


    ¡°I need to see her. I need to know that she¡¯s safe with my very own eyes. I can¡¯t just sit here and wait,¡± I spoke firmly.


    Giselle¡¯s expression shifted from concern to determination. With a gentle but firm touch, she grabbed me by the arm to stop me.


    ¡°I know you are worried, Killian. I am, too, but Drystan is one person we can trust to look after Astrid. He won¡¯t let anything happen to her, I promise,¡± she spoke as her grip on my arm tightened.¡±


    I clenched my jaw, and my eyes narrowed with determination. There¡¯s only one ce Drystan would take her ¨C the Nightsong Pack,¡± I spoke,pletely ignoring her words. ¡°I have to go there, Giselle. I have to see that she¡¯s safe.


    Giselle¡¯s expression shifted once again, a hint of apprehension creeping into her features. ¡°Killian, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea. The Nightsong Pack would never let us in.¡±


    Even though she was telling the truth, I didn¡¯t let her words stop me. I was already moving, my mind set on a singr goal. ¡°I have to know that Astrid is alright. I¡¯ll go alone if I have to.¡± I¡¯ve said myst words.


    Giselle¡¯s protests fell on deaf ears as I strode towards the exit. my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and unwavering resolve.


    I have already lost Astrid once. I can¡¯t lose her again this time.


    Thest time when I thought she was dead, there was hollowness inside my chest that I could never fill with whatever I did.


    The thought of losing Astrid again ¨C this time without even the chance to say goodbye would be the biggest regret of my life.


    This is my second chance to make it up to her, and I would cling to it with every fiber of my being.


    Selene Souchan


    What will Kilian see at the Nightsong Pack?

 Chapter 101

    <strong>Chapter 101: First Alliance</strong>


    Drystan¡¯s POV


    Theron, Nova, and I sat around the dining table as we ate our dinner in the Shadowfang Pack¡¯s private dining room.


    On our table, there are a lot of foods to choose from. It was more than enough to fill our hungry stomachs for tonight.


    Now that Astrid is healed, thanks to the Lunar Elixir, I can finally rx and have nothing to worry about.


    As I stared at the feast before me, I felt a familiar rumbling inside my a sensation that I hadn¡¯t felt ever since Astrid¡¯s life was put in stomach danger.


    ¨C


    Now that she was healed and my emotions no longer overwhelmed me, my body could properly function again.


    While the three of us were eating dinner and enjoying an expensive wine, Asha, who had saved Astrid¡¯s life, couldn¡¯t even join us.


    Although the Lunar Elixir worked to save Astrid¡¯s life and stabilize her condition, strict monitoring is needed on her vitals to make sure that nothing would go wrong with her.


    Asha had to stay behind and take care of Astrid and eat her dinner while doing work.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Alpha Theron, for giving us a warm wee in your Pack and saving Astrid. Without your help, we don¡¯t know what else we could do to save Astrid,¡± Nova spoke with gratitude to Theron, who was sitting right across from us.


    Theron only smiled and chuckled in response. He raised and shook his hand like it was nothing.


    However, that wasn¡¯t nothing. He used their Pack¡¯s sacred treasure to save Astrid. If it wasn¡¯t for that, I would have easily believed that Theron only agreed to help Astrid for our friendship¡¯s sake.


    However, since he used their Pack¡¯s sacred treasure to save her, it shows how desperate he is to save Astrid. This act even epasses our friendship. I don¡¯t think there is any reasonable reason for him to do that.


    I doubt that he wanted something in exchange for us. The Nightsong Pack is just a small Pack that is on the brink of bankruptcy. What could we possibly have that couldpare to their Pack¡¯s sacred treasure?


    Even if I give him everything that we have, including my life, it would never meet the worth of the Lunar Elixir.


    ¡°About the Lunar Elixir,¡± I spoke up, making everyone fall silent. ¡°What is going to happen now that your Pack¡¯s sacred treasure is gone?¡± I asked, making the atmosphere around us turn cold.


    Ishouldn¡¯t have mentioned it, but I had to. I couldn¡¯t forget Asha¡¯s words from earlier in Astrid¡¯s room.


    She spoke of disasters and distraction. I wanted to know if that is true.


    Theron only gave me an assuring smile. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that. I¡¯ve thought about my decision carefully. Even if I had the chance to go back, I would always make that same decision. As an Alpha, I don¡¯t take my words lightly,¡± Theron exined.


    I know that, but his words still didn¡¯t do a thing against the uneasiness that boiled inside of me.


    ¡°Our Pack will always remember this kindness that you showed us. From now on, we pledge our loyalty to you. We will serve your Pack until our Pack ceases to exist,¡± Nova vowed, to which I nodded my head and agreed.


    As soon as Ie back to our Pack, I will instantly make a decree to put Nova¡¯s words into our Pack¡¯s officialw.


    The Shadowfang Pack sacrificed their Pack¡¯s sacred treasure for us. It¡¯s only right that we also sacrifice our lives for them.


    Theron only smiled at Nova¡¯s words before turning his gaze to me. ¡°Look at you,¡± he muttered. ¡°I thought you¡¯d be anything else except an Alpha. I never thought you would be leading your own Pack someday.¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    1 onlyughed at his words. ¡°It¡¯s the same for you too. I also thought you would be anything else except an Alpha, but look at you now. You had turned into an Alpha of the most powerful Pack in the world. Meanwhile, I became the Alpha of the world¡¯s weakest Pack,¡± I spoke without bitterness but by finding humor about our situation.


    As the youngest sons, being an Alpha wasn¡¯t our destiny. It¡¯s the destiny of our elder brothers. However, fate has different ns for us. In some twisted fate, we became what we hadn¡¯t expected ourselves to be.


    ¡°Drystan, don¡¯t say that,¡± Nova reprimanded me, but I didn¡¯t mind her.


    What I said is true. Our Pack would be disbanding soon, but it doesn¡¯t make me sad as I thought it would.


    I guess with everything that happened with Astrid, I¡¯m just d that she¡¯s safe and alive.


    ¡°I just heard what happened about your Pack,¡± Theron spoke, catching all of our attention again. ¡°I didn¡¯t even know that you started your own Pack and became an Alpha. As the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, I don¡¯t get news outside our Pack.¡±


    I nodded my head in understanding. I¡¯m aware that Shadowfang Pack is isting itself from other Packs.


    ¡°Alpha,¡± someone spoke behind us. Our heads whirled around to face the source.


    There, we saw Beta Alek standing by the doorway like he was summoned toe.


    ¡°Beta Alek, I need you to make an announcement for me. You must


    announce this not only within our Pack but also to all other Packs. From now on, the Shadowfang Pack will be signing an alliance with the Nightsong Pack,¡± Theron dered, leaving us all speechless.

 Chapter 102

    <strong>Chapter 102: cklisted</strong>


    Killian¡¯s POV


    My journey to the Nightsong Pack was arduous and relentless, but my weary self pressed on without rest until I reached my destination.


    What should have been a leisurely 8¨Chour drive through the rolling hills and winding roads became a punishing 5¨Chour slog, as I gave up the usual road breaks in the journey and pushed myself to the limits.


    I yawned as I pressed on the gas pedal and drove through the empty road. It¡¯s already twelve midnight. I should now be sleeping, resting after everything that had happened in the Pack earlier.


    My body felt so exhausted. This morning, I had to wake up earlier than usual because of the event, and then I had to run for miles as I anxiously searched for Astrid.


    After that, I went directly to the hospital, and when I found out that Drystan and Astrid had left the hospital, I instantly pursued them.


    I haven¡¯t slept a wink since this morning.


    And now this ¨C speeding down an empty road with only the soft rumble of the car humming as if lulling me to sleep.


    Since I was in a hurry, I didn¡¯t bother to bring anyone with me and drove the car myself.


    I know it¡¯s dangerous driving alone in the middle of the night, especially since rogues usually prey on wolves at night, but I¡¯m more worried about Astrid than I am about putting myself in danger.


    I couldn¡¯t push this journey for tomorrow, so I rested in my room. I know that even if Iy on my soft bed back at home, I will never fall asleep even though my body feels severely exhausted. I would only lie there with my eyes open as I thought of Astrid.¨C


    With a deep breath, I slowed down the car when I reached a rocky dirt path. Since Packs are located in the forests and ces where no humans can find them, it¡¯s easy to get lost without a straight concrete path that leads directly to a Pack, but since I¡¯ve been here before, I know the way, like the back of my hand.


    Once you reach a dirt path, that¡¯s the sign that you are reaching your destination.


    I stopped the car and rolled down the window when I reached the borders of the Nightsong Pack.


    The Pack Warriors that were standing on guard approached my vehicle with stern expressions on their face, but when they saw my familiar face, their eyes widened in recognition.


    ¡°A¨CAlpha Killian,¡± they stuttered as they looked at me as if they had seen a ghost.


    They must not have expected that I woulde here in the middle of the night.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to visit my uncle,¡± I spoke, ready to move my vehicle again.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you are not wee here, Alpha Killian. By order of Alpha Drystan, you have been cklisted from entering the Nightsong Pack,¡± The Pack guard simply informed me without offending me.


    I turned my head to the front when the Pack guard¡¯s words echoed in the crisp night air. The Pack guard didn¡¯t have to exin. He is hinting that I already know this, so I shouldn¡¯t havee here.


    I sighed. ¡°I won¡¯t take too long. Your Alpha and I just met and talked with each other earlier. If you tell him that I¡¯m here, he will surely allow you to let me in,¡± I answered him.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alpha Killian. We are under Alpha Drystan¡¯s strict order not to let you in. If we disobey him, we will be punished,¡± The guard lowered his head as he spoke.


    I fell silent. I knew they wouldn¡¯t allow me to let me in. I was just stupidly hoping that they would consider my efforts of traveling here in the middle of the night just to see how Astrid was doing.


    It was me who saved Astrid and brought her to the hospital. Drystan should have told me something instead of escaping behind my back.


    I hope that he will at least give me what he owes me.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I replied in surrender, knowing that these guards would rather die keeping me away from their Pack than agree to let me in.


    An Alpha¡¯s word is absolute in the Pack. The Pack members would uphold his degree. Insisting what I wanted would be challenging the Alpha¡¯s authority.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I answered in surrender. ¡°Just tell me how Astrid is doing, and I¡¯m going to leave.¡±


    The Pack guard¡¯s brows furrowed when he heard my words.


    ¡°But how can we tell you that if we also had no idea how she¡¯s doing?¡± Another Pack guard that was standing behind him spoke.


    My brows knit together as my gaze darted to the man who spoke. ¡°What do you mean? Drystan took Astrid with him and left the hospital. Didn¡¯t he bring Astrid back to your Pack?¡± I asked, feeling confused.


    The Pack guard who I was talking to, nced over his shoulder and red at the guard who spoke without permission, causing him to lower his head guiltily.


    ¡°Where is Astrid?¡± I demanded. I came all the way here to find out how she is doing, but she¡¯s not even here.


    Where did Drystan take her?


    ¡°Alpha Drystan didn¡¯t return here with Astrid,¡± the Pack guard answered me.¡± Astrid is in critical danger. So they went to the Shadowfang Pack for help.¡±


    My brows furrowed even more deeply. What is Drystan thinking? What makes him think that the Shadowfang Pack would save Astrid?.


    He is only putting Astrid in more danger by taking her out of the hospital and bringing her to a ce that doesn¡¯t have any assurances of saving her.


    Without saying another word, I rolled up my window and revved the car. I¡¯m going to the Shadowfang Pack to see Astrid.


    ¡°Alpha, where are you?¡± My Beta¡¯s voice sounded inside my head as I drove my car away.


    ¡°I¡¯m still at the Nightsong Pack,¡± I answered him.


    ¡°Then have you heard the news?¡± He asked me.


    ¡°What news?¡± It was in the middle of the night, and everyone would be sleeping. What kind of news would there be?


    ¡°The Shadowfang Pack had just announced that they are making an alliance with the Nightsong Pack,¡± he shouted, making my eyes go wide.


    Selene Souchon


    Author


    What is Killian going to do now?

 Chapter 103

    Chapter 103: Signature


    Drystan¡¯s POV


    I blinked my eyes open, feeling refreshed as soon as I woke up. My brows furrowed, feeling momentarily disoriented when I saw myself in an unfamiliar room.


    ¡®This isn¡¯t my bedroom,¡® I thought to myself as I pushed myself up.


    After taking in the bedroom where I slept, I finally remembered that I didn¡¯t go home at all. I¡¯m still staying at the Shadowfang Pack as a guest.


    Slowly, memories ofst night flooded into my mind. I touched my heart, which started beating rapidly again when I remembered how Theron offered me an alliance with his Pack.


    I thought I was just dreaming. Then, when I realized that I wasn¡¯t, I thought my friend was just ying pranks on me like how we used to when we were just teenagers.


    In my mind, there¡¯s no way that the Shadowfang Pack would form an alliance with us. The Nightsong Pack is in crisis. We would just be a liability to their Pack.


    Besides, in the past decades, Shadowfang Pack has isted itself from the other Packs. It was like a strict rule of theirs or something to never


    associate themselves with other Packs.


    However, Theron was serious. After he ordered his Beta to make an announcement of this alliance, he presented me with a formal document with only my signature missing to make our alliance official.


    ¡°Sign the papers, Drystan. I¡¯m looking forward to a partnership with your Pack,¡± Theron told me with a smile as he handed me both the pen and


    papers.


    ¡°I cannot


    ¡°But-¡°I blurted out, my heart still didn¡¯t stop racing within me. ept this. The only reason why I contacted you was to know the secret behind the bracelet. I know you are just offering this alliance out of our


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    ¡°And you are still the same person who always falls for it,¡± he grinned as he handed back the pen and papers. ¡°Now sign this paper, or you make another issue for your Pack and embarrass yourself


    I sighed as I took the papers from him. I had no choice; the Pack is in the worst possible position already, and if I don¡¯t sign this, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to find a way to fix the problems in our Pack once the Shadowfang Pack is involved.


    With a sigh, I handed back the signed papers to him, making our alliance official.


    A knock on the door interrupted me from my thoughts. I cleared my thoughts after catching myself spacing out for a long time. ¡°Come in!¡± I called out.


    ¡°Drystan? Are you awake?¡± Nova softly asked as she peeked her head in.


    ¡°I am,¡± I answered as I got out of bed. ¡°Do you need anything?¡± I asked her.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Nova replied as she entered my bedroom. ¡°I just came to check if you¡¯re awake. I¡¯m going to visit Astrid. Do you want toe?¡±


    Ah, yes ¨C Astrid.


    ¡°Sure, I will,¡± I answered her.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Asha told us yesterday that Astrid is going to wake up today. I felt excited to see her wake up, but at the same time, also dreaded it. I know she would only feel in pain once she wakes up.

 Chapter 104

    <strong>Chapter 104: Awakened</strong>


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    W what happened to me?¡® I thought to myself as my heavy lids fluttered open. My head feels quite heavy as if I were hit by a ton of bricks.


    Still, I fought my eyes open. I want to know where I am. I want to know what happened and if I was saved and returned to a safe ce.


    Thest thing I remembered was my hands getting tied with my feet hanging above the ground. The next thing was falling to the ground, feeling a lot of pain, and bing unconscious because of it.


    Am I still in danger?


    ¡°Astrid? Astrid, can you hear me?¡± Drystan¡¯s familiar voice entered my ears as I fought to wake up.


    ¡°Drystan?¡± I muttered as I finally focused my gaze on him.


    ¡°I¡¯m right here,¡± he said softly as he took my hand in his. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± His brows creased with worry as he leaned over me:


    Relief washed over me as soon as I saw his face. I blinked a few times, my eyes adjusting to the light. That¡¯s when I noticed another figure standing beside Drystan ¨C Nova, who also looks equally concerned


    ¡°Nova,¡± I breathed out, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.


    ¡°We were so worried about you,¡± Nova said, her voiceced with relief. She reached out and squeezed my other hand.


    Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared back and forth at Drystan and Nova, making sure that this wasn¡¯t just a good dream.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I was so afraid. I thought I would never see them again. I was so frightened that I thought I was going to die after I fell from that height. I didn¡¯t know how I even managed to survive that high fall.


    ¡°H¨CHow long I¡¯ve been sleeping?¡± I forced out my voice as my fears threatened to choke me, Nova sat close beside me. ¡°Everything just happened yesterday,¡± she answered. ¡°You are safe and healed. There¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡±


    My brows furrowed, ¡°How?¡± I asked her. This is impossible. There¡¯s no way I fell off that height and suffered no broken bones. I thought I was just under general anesthesia, which exins why I was not in pain.


    ¡°We are at the Shadowfang Pack, Astrid. They decided to help us,¡± Drystan told me with a smile, which only confused me.


    The Shadowfang Pack? Why would they help us? I turned to look at Nova, and we locked our gazes on each other. She¡¯s the only one who knows that I¡¯ve been nning to go here to ask for my cure.


    ¡°It turns out that Drystan and the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack were high school friends. He never mentioned anything to me about it,¡± Nova replied, defending herself.


    Hearing her answer surprised me and made me curious, but there was one question that I badly wanted to know.¡±


    ¡°How about my baby? Is my child alright?¡± I asked them with fear growing inside my chest.


    I clutched my bedsheets tightly, hoping to receive good news.


    Drystan froze upon hearing my question. He just openly stared at me without saying anything.


    ¡°Nova, what happened to my son? Is he alright?¡± My lips quivered as I asked her, even though I hadn¡¯t heard an answer from her yet.


    Nova¡¯s gaze fell, a heavy sorrow etching across her features. ¡°Astrid, I¡­¡± She paused, jaw tightening as she struggled to find the words. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. It was toote. The baby¡­ the baby did not survive.


    My breath got caught in my throat, a strangled sound of anguish escaping my lips.


    ¡°N¨Cno,¡± I whispered as tears streamed down my face.


    ¡°Astrid, easy! You just woke up,¡± Drystan tried to stop me when I tried to push myself up, but I pushed his hands away, not wanting to be helped up.


    ¡°M¨Cmy baby,¡± I cried as I clenched my nket close to my heart. My heart is in so much pain that I want to rip it out.


    While I was pregnant, there were so many things that I wanted to do with my child. I couldn¡¯t wait to have him, but before I could even touch him before I could even hear his first cry, I already lost him.


    ¡®My son, my poor son,¡® Tears rolled silently down my cheeks, grieving for my unborn child that I lost.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Drystan whispered beside me with his face downcast. His jaw is tight and hard. Seeing me hurting like this also hurts him even more.


    I took in short breaths as I lowered my hands. ¡°Giselle, where is she? What happened to her?¡± I asked Drystan with my eyes wide and moist with tears.


    ¡°She is the person behind all this. She tried to kill me! She killed my child. Tell me, where is she?!¡± I demanded angrily.


    I will never let that woman get away unscathed. She must pay for everything that she had done to me.


    Drystan¡¯s eyes widened when he heard my words.


    ¡°I was about to go back to the venue when I was kidnapped after I met with Giselle. She did it to silence me,¡± I clenched my fist as I spoke.


    I¡¯m not going to let my child die in vain. I¡¯m going to make sure that she would suffer ten times worse for killing my child.


    ¡°Who is Giselle?¡± Someone spoke from behind us.


    Our eyes darted from where the voice came from, and there I saw a man that I¡¯d never met before.

 Chapter 105

    Chapter 105: Background Check


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    I gazed upon the stranger who just entered my room. I looked at him curiously, wondering who he was and what he was doing here.


    Despite this man being entirely unfamiliar to me, I felt intimidated by his presence. With his shoulders back and his head held high, he projected an aura of nobility. He has a confident air to him. His silver strands of hair streaked his dark locks, lending him a distinguished, almost noble bearing.


    ¡°Who is Giselle?¡± The man spoke again with regality when no one answered his question.


    He particrly gazed at me, directing his question to me.


    Feeling intimidated by his gaze, I turned my eyes on Drystan, locking gazes with him. Seeing my gaze, Drystan instantly knew what I wanted to say.


    ¡°Astrid, this is Alpha Theron, the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack,¡± Drystan stood up and introduced the man who had just arrived to me.


    My eyes widened, and my hand covered my mouth instinctively in shock. The man in front of me is none other than the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack. That perfectly exins why he has the countenance of a King.


    It was ignorant of me to fail to recognize who he is. ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, Alpha. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t recognize you. Please forgive me for being unable to show you my courtesy,¡± I spoke with reverence and fear of offending him.


    The man in front of me is the Alpha of the most powerful Pack in the world, and we are inside his territory. Offending him would be asking for death.


    Tinstantly wiped my tears with the back of my hand and straightened myself in front of him. I¡¯m just talking to a man who has all the power that I could imagine.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. There¡¯s no need to show your courtesy to me. You just woke up. You need to stay on your bed to rest,¡± Alpha Theron answered in understanding.


    I was about to thank him for everything that he had done for me. Drystan said that he was the reason why I managed to survive, but before I could show him my gratitude, he spoke once again. ¡°Giselle did this to you? Did I hear that right?¡± he asked me with his brows drawn together.


    He is really determined to know about the words I said, which he identally overheard earlier.


    I lowered my head and gripped my bedsheets tightly as anger coursed through me. ¡°I was kidnapped, Alpha. The person who kidnapped me clearly wanted to kill me and make my death appear like an ident. There¡¯s only one person I could think of who could do that to me. Aside from Giselle, there¡¯s no one else who would hate me so much to the point of hiring someone to kill me,¡± I spoke in a hard voice.


    Alpha Theron¡¯s breathing turned steady as he thought about my words carefully without taking his eyes off me, ¡°This Giselle that you are talking about, is she your ex¨Cmate¡¯s fiance?¡±


    I flicked my chin up when I heard his words. How did he know about that? Did he hire a private investigator to do a background check on us?


    I felt unsettled at the fact that this man in front of me knew a lot about my life. What about the others around him? Do they also know that too?


    The idea that strangers had delved into the private recesses of my life made me uneasy.


    Yet, as the seconds ticked by, my instinctive reaction slowly ebbed away when I realized how it is normal and just right for them to do this.


    Thinking about it, the Shadowfang Pack had long been a closed¨Coff society, wary of outsiders and the dangers they might pose. It was only natural for them to exercise such caution before weing them into their Pack.


    The Shadowfang Pack had never weed any outsiders to their Pack in the past. We were the first ones to break that record.


    Even outsiders who were mated to their Pack members weren¡¯t allowed to join their Pack. Their Pack member had to choose between rejecting their mates and staying with their families or leaving their Pack forever to be with their mates.


    I think it was cruel of the Shadowfang Pack to make their Pack members choose between their mate and their family.


    I¡¯ve only known about this because I¡¯ve done research about their Packs out of curiosity and to also n how I could get the cure that I needed from them.


    ¡°I know we have no evidence that will point out that Giselle is behind this, but l¡¯agree with Astrid¡¯s words. Giselle is the only person who could possibly be behind this.


    Yesterday, when Astrid was missing, Giselle insisted that she had never seen Astrid, However, earlier, Astrid told me that she had just met with Giselle before she was kidnapped. I don¡¯t see any other reason why Giselle would make that lie except if she knew something,¡± Drystan spoke up for me, making me look at him.


    ¡°Giselle said that she never saw me?!¡± I asked him again.


    Drystan nodded his head. ¡°That¡¯s right. She insisted that she never saw you.¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I knew it! I was right the whole time. Giselle would never lie about not seeing me unless she what happened to me.


    ¡°That monster!¡± I growled under my breath as my blood boiled in anger.


    ¡°Beta Alek, I need you to do a background check on Giselle. Give me everything you can find out about her,¡± Alpha Theronmanded his Beta behind him.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± Beta Alek bowed before leaving in a hurry.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Alpha Theron assured us. ¡°I will tell you everything I can find once the investigation is done.¡±

 Chapter 106

    Chapter 106: Daughter


    Drystan¡¯s POV


    ¡°Theron,¡± I uttered his name coldly and grabbed his arm when we finally reached the hallway, stopping him from his tasks.


    Seeing how I grabbed their Alpha, his entourage of guards stepped forward, their postures rigid and protective, ready to swiftly intervene and shield their Alpha from me. However, before they could eveny a finger on me, Theron raised his hand, silently signaling them to calm down.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± I hissed at Theron with my brows firmly pressed together as I stared at him with a narrowed gaze


    The air around us cackled with tension as I held my ground, unwavering, meeting Theron¡¯s piercing gaze with my own resolute stare.


    I still believe that there is a hidden motive as to why Theron would use their Pack¡¯s sacred treasure to save Astrid.


    I was about to ask him about that during dinnerst night, but he distracted me from doing that by offering me a Pack Alliance.


    I had suspected that maybe he and Astrid already knew each other from before, but their interaction earlier proved that they had no prior connection with each other.


    Astrid didn¡¯t even know that the man who was standing right in front of her was the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack.


    Since Astrid doesn¡¯t even know who he is, why is he so determined to save her?


    Theron¡¯s face remained impassive when he heard my question. He wore a carefully crafted mask of control, but I could sense that he was hiding something from me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want anything in return, Drystan. I did all this out of the kindness of my own heart,¡± Theron answered, still trying to deceive me.


    He thinks I would buy that lie just because I always fell for his tricks in the past? I might have fallen for his tricks in the past, but it was only because he had innocent intentions behind it. I couldn¡¯t tell whet insidious motives he had.


    I scoffed. ¡°I don¡¯t think you used your Pack¡¯s sacred treasure to save Astrid out of your own heart.¡±


    Theron is the closest friend that I ever had. I know him very well Despite always having so many tricks underneath his sleeve, he always had a pure heart. However, it¡¯s been years since west saw each other. have no idea how much Theron has changed.


    Since this concerns Astrid, I need to be wary and careful with him. I do not want to put Astrid in another danger again.


    ¡°I see, I see what you are trying to say,¡± Theron simply nodded his head. I felt like he was not taking me seriously.Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I took a steadying breath, my grip on his arm tightening ever so slightly until finally, he inclined his head slightly, granting me the attention I sought. ¡°If you want to know the truth,e with me to my office. I cannot let anyone hear what I¡¯m about to say,¡± Theron spoke seriously.


    My brows furrowed. What is he going to tell me? Does he really have bad intentions in helping us?


    I followed Theron to his office to listen to what he was going to say. I watched as he locked the door to his office after we entered, leaving only us in the room.


    ¡°Does this have something to do with the bracelet?¡± I asked him before he could even turn around to face me.


    My body turned rigid as I waited for what he was going to say. If the bracelet was indeed stolen, I¡¯m afraid that Theron must be doing this for revenge.


    I should have made my own investigation first before contacting him. However, only by telling him about the bracelet would I ever find out the truth


    ¡°Astrid was just a child when her grandmother gave that bracelet to her as a gift. Astnd is innocent, if you are doing this for revenge, I swear I will fight back, 1 will not let youy a single finger on Astrid,¡± I threatened him.


    I know i have no power to fight against him or his Pack, but I would do everything that i can to protect Astrid. I will never back down just because I¡¯m facing against a powerful enemy.


    ¡°You really care so much for her,¡± Theros replied, ignoring my threats.


    ¡°More than you can imagine,¡± I replied confidently with my chin held high.¡± So, don¡¯t you ever think of hurting her?¡±


    ¡°What makes you think that I would do that?¡± Theron asked me


    questioningly. ¡°She was dying, but I took her in my Pack and used our Pack¡¯s sacred treasure to save her. Why would desperately save her life if I n to harm her?¡±


    I fell speechless. I couldn¡¯t answer his question. ¡°Then why are you doing this?!¡± i demanded.


    I¡¯ve been overthinking because he has been hiding the truth from me. Why can¡¯t he just tell me the truth?


    ¡°I think¡­¡± Theron took a deep breath and paused, a conflicted expression etched on his face. ¡°I think Astrid is my daughter.¡±


    My eyes widened. ¡°What?¡± I blurted out. ¡°You¡¯re his father?¡± I repeated in disbelief. ¡°How could that be? If you are her father, then what was she doing in the Silvermoon Pack?¡±


    Theron didn¡¯t answer. He just sat on his couch and burrowed his face in his palms.


    ¡°How could Astrid be your daughter? She doesn¡¯t even have an Alpha blood,¡± I spoke again questioningly.


    It doesn¡¯t make any sense. This whole thing confounds me.

 Chapter 107

    Chapter 107: First Encounter


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    Nova never left my side. She stayed beside me, keeping mepany in this little boring room where silence enveloped us as I secretly grieved on my own.


    I curled on my bed, facing the opposite direction as emptiness filled my heart. My eyes remained open, unblinking as I thought of the unborn child that lost.


    I pressed a hand to my still¨Ct abdomen where my child used to be. Theforting swell that had given her so much joy was already gone. There¡¯s just nothing in there but the unyielding tness of my own skin.


    With a shuddering breath, I closed my eyes, shutting out the world. In the darkness, I allowed my tears to finally fall, mourning not just the child I had lost but also the mother I would never be.


    I felt hollow and useless, the emptiness inside me echoing, swallowing me whole in a depressive state.


    I know my tears couldn¡¯t bring my baby back. It would never erase how I failed as a mother and the crushing guilt that I couldn¡¯t keep my child safe.


    For this mistake, I will only forgive myself once those who killed my child get what they deserve. I will only learn to forgive myself once I see Giselle suffer for her sins with my very own eyes.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Do you feel alright? Do you feel hurt anywhere?¡± Nova asked me with concern as she sat behind me, oblivious to my tears.


    I held my breath. ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± I answered, trying my best to remove traces of tears in my voice.


    ¡°You should eat, Astrid. Try to eat at least a little,¡± Nova insisted as my food ran cold beside her.


    Suddenly, the door opened. ¡°Is that how you show your gratitude to us for saving you?¡± A cold female voice spoke!


    ¡°A¨CAsha,¡± Nova stuttered as she watched Asha saunter inside the room, towards my saline bag, and make some notes on her tablet.


    I wiped my tears away and slowly pushed myself up.


    ¡°Do you know how much it cost us to save your life?¡± Asha¡¯s brows furrowed as she stared down at Astrid, her eyes narrowing to piercing slits. ¡°Are you going to waste all of that by killing yourself to hunger?¡±


    I averted my gaze, my jaw set in stubborn defiance. I know they have spent countless hours tending to me, but in my grief, it all felt so meaningless.


    Nova stood up, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Asha. Astrid just woke up. It¡¯s normal for her not to have any appetite to eat.¡± Nova defended me.


    However, her words fell on deaf ears.


    ¡°Your friends brought you all the way to our Pack, risking their lives just to save you. They care so much about you, but you don¡¯t even care about yourself,¡± Asha pressed, her tone sharp and upromising. ¡°The world doesn¡¯t revolve around you, Astrid.¡±


    I flinched at her words, which felt like a p to my face. How dare she speak as if she knew anything about the pain that I was going through? I just lost my child! Can¡¯t I grieve about that?


    ¡°You have no idea what I¡¯ve been through!¡± I shot back, my voice trembling with barely contained emotion. ¡°I¡¯ve lost EVERYTHING. The least you could do is show a littlepassion instead of berating me like a child!¡±


    Asha scoffed. ¡°Compassion? Or do you mean pity? You can go wallow in your own self¨Cpity party if you want. We all have been through our own struggles. You are not the only person who experienced miscarriage.¡±


    ¡°Asha, stop!¡± Nova intervened when Asha¡¯s words became too personal.


    ¡°I get it, Asha. You spent countless hours trying to pull me back from the brink of death. Maybe you haven¡¯t even slept the whole night; that¡¯s why you¡¯re feeling so cranky, but the least you could do is at least respect my feelings instead of invalidating them,¡± I retorted.


    ¡°We had to sacrifice our Pack¡¯s sacred treasure just to save you, Astrid! Your worthless life was saved in exchange for our most valuable treasure. I won¡¯t let our Pack¡¯s treasure to fall in vain!¡± Asha yelled back angrily.


    ¡°What?¡± My eyes softened when I heard her words. ¡°What do you mean? Why would you use your Pack¡¯s sacred treasure to save me?¡± I asked the fire in my eyes dimming to a smolder.


    Asha scoffed. ¡°You were as good as dead when they took you to our Pack. Only the Lunar Elixir could save you, so we had to use it.¡±


    ¡°But why would you?¡± I asked again, my brows furrowing together. ¡°Why would you do that? Why can¡¯t you just let me die?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just see how important your life has be? You are just a mere omega, but because of the Lunar Elixir, your life has be valuable even though it only cured you of your normal state without enhancing your powers.


    Because of the Lunar Elixir, you have lost your right to your life. It¡¯s your duty to take care of yourself,¡± Asha spoke.-


    ¡°Wait! You didn¡¯t answer my question!¡± I blurted out as I grabbed her arm when she suddenly turned to leave.


    Asha stopped in her tracks. She nced over her shoulder and red at my hand. ¡°Get your hands off me,¡± shemanded frighteningly.


    I gasped in surprise when Asha suddenly pulled my arm. ¡°This bracelet!¡± Asha spoke with wide eyes. ¡°Where did you get this?¡±


    Selene Souchon Author


    It¡¯s Asha and Astrid¡¯s first conversation, yet there¡¯s too much hatred already

 Chapter 108

    Chapter 108: Thief


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    I bit my lower lip as I tried to pull my arm away from Asha¡¯s iron¨Ctight grasp. Her slender fingers were like bands of steel as she held me down, her eyes fixated withser¨Clike intensity on the dark silver bracelet that adorned my wrist.


    Each time I tried to pull my hand out, she would tighten her grip around my wrist, burying her nails into my skin until my arm had turned red because of theck of blood.


    ¡°I asked you a question!¡± Asha yelled at me. ¡°Where did you get this?!¡±


    I flinched at her fury. I do not understand why my bracelet made her angry.


    ¡°Asha, let her go! You are hurting her,¡± Nova demanded, unable toy a finger on the daughter of the Shadowfang Pack¡¯s Alpha.


    If only she had not been someone we could not afford to offend, Nova would have hurled her away from me to protect me.


    ¡°I¨CIt was a gift,¡± I answered her as I winced in pain.


    Suddenly, Asha twisted my arm, making me yell out loud. She held my arm in an unnatural position. She held it at a perfect angle at the edge of breaking my arm.


    ¡°Asha! Let her go!¡± Nova yelled as she stepped forward to intervene.


    However, Asha pushed her back by baring her canines and giving Nova a murderous re with her glowing golden eyes.


    Nova¡¯s wolf tucked her tail between her hind legs and pressed her ears down when Asha showed her wolf to the surface.


    Nova instinctively stepped backward. Asha¡¯s power was too much. We are nothingpared to the daughter of the Shadowfang Pack¡¯s Alpha.


    ¡°Liar!¡± Asha shouted as she turned her attention back to me. ¡°How dare you lie to me. Did you really think that I would buy your lies?¡± Asha hissed at me, her brows furrowing as she scrutinized the bracelet even more closely.


    ¡°This bracelet is my family¡¯s heirloom. We lost it years ago. So how did it end up with you?¡± Asha questioned me again.


    I took in sharp breaths as I fell a heavy pressure forming in my shoulder. ¡°I didn¡¯t lie to you. I wouldn¡¯t dare to!¡± I shot back. ¡°Look at it closely. Maybe you were mistaken. I had this bracelet since I was little.¡±


    ¡°This bracelet is made of Luminite. It even has our family¡¯s symbol on it How could I be mistaken? How could a mere omega even afford to own a Luminite bracelet?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just telling you what I know. It¡¯s true that my grandmother gave me this as a gift when I was little. Other than that, I know nothing else!¡± I reasoned out, hoping that she would believe I was innocent.


    Seeing that I was telling the truth, Asha finally dropped my arm.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then it only means that you are the daughter of the thief who stole from us,¡± Asha spoke coldly as I held my aching arm. ¡°And to think that we used our Pack¡¯s sacred treasure to save your life.¡±


    ¡°Guards! Seize her! Put her in the dungeon!¡± Asha shoutedmandingly.


    As soon as those words left her lips, the Pack guards instantly entered the room and surrounded me.


    My eyes widened as I looked gazes with Asha¡¯s using and hateful eyes.


    A thief¡¯s daughter? My mother and grandmother might be poor, but we are not criminals. I am wrongfully used here!


    Except¡­


    ¡°Asha, you can¡¯t do this! Your father entrusted Astrid to you. Hemanded you to take care of her.¡± Nova raised her arms on both sides as she blocked me from Asha¡¯s path.


    ¡°Get out of my way if you don¡¯t want to join her in the dungeon also,¡± Asha threatened her


    ¡°This bracelet is all you want, right? If it is truly yours, then you can have it,¡± I shot back as I unsped the bracelet around my wrist and threw it to her.


    The bracelet fell just a few inches to her feet. She stared at it before picking it up and holding it up to take a better look at it.


    ¡°What are you all waiting for? Bring her to the dungeon!¡± Asha yelled at the unmoving Pack guards.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Nova shouted as she guarded me from the Pack guards who were attempting to drag me away. ¡°Asha, Astrid gave you the bracelet already. Why are you still taking her?¡± Nova asked her with brows furrowed together.


    ¡°Even if she didn¡¯t steal from our Pack, she still tricked us into using the Lunar Elixir to save her life by hiding her identity from us. That should be counted as a felony. You stole our Pack¡¯s sacred treasure and used it for your own benefit!¡± Asha pointed a finger at me and exined.


    ¡°Take her away and have her punished!¡± Asha spoke with a scowl on her face.


    Fear enveloped me as the guards held my arm. Stealing a Pack¡¯s sacred treasure is a serious crime. A punishment for that could include torture to death.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Asha, you should at least inform your father about this first and let him make his decision about this matter,¡± Nova pleaded as she approached Asha for mercy.


    ¡°My father would give the same decree even if he¡¯s here. Our Pack has its ownws, and I do not have to disturb him about this,¡± Asha gave a flippant reply.


    I fell on my knees when the Pack guards dragged me out of my bed. I still felt weak and had no energy to carry my own weight. However, the Pack guards didn¡¯t stop forcing me to pull me out of the room.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Amanding voice resounded in the room, making everyone stop.

 Chapter 109

    Chapter 109: Erika


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    Everyone stopped and bowed their heads with respect when Alpha Theron entered the room.


    Alpha Theron¡¯s piercing gaze scanned the room. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion when he saw the amount of Pack guards crowding inside the room.


    But then, Alpha Theron¡¯s stern expression softened when his eyes fell upon me, kneeling weakly on the ground.


    Without hesitation, he strode towards me, concern etched on his features. Reaching down, Alpha Theron gently took my arm, helping me to my feet with a tenderness that belied his imposing stature was surprised at how much he cared. I felt ufortable receiving such treatment from a man like him.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Theron¡¯s deep voice wasced with unmistakable worry as he steadied me and carefully brought me back to bed.


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha. I¡¯m alright,¡± I replied, as I felt uneasy at the attention that he was giving me.


    It felt awkward when I saw everyone staring at us in surprise. Asha has the most interesting reaction from them all. Her expression is filled with different emotions that it is hardly readable.


    Alpha Theron stood up straight before slowly facing the others. The softness in his gaze hardened into a steely, unwavering re as he turned to them.


    ¡°What happened here?¡± His deep voice rumbled like distant thunder, brooking no argument or evasion.


    His brows furrowed, his expression morphing into one of undisguised fury. Gone was the protectiveness he had shown me in its ce, an aura of raw, unyielding authority radiated from him.


    ¨C


    The Pack guards shifted ufortably, sensing the Alpha¡¯s wrath as he demanded answers, his posture rigid and unyielding.


    Everyone present knew better than to meet that piercing gaze or offer srything less then the full truth.


    ¡°Father¡± Asha was the first one to speak. ¡°Take a look at this. I found it in her possession¡±


    I lowered my head in fear when Asha handed my bracelet to Alpha Theron.


    Drysten, who had arrived at the same time that Alpha Theron did, went beside me and ced a hand around my shoulders infort.


    Alpha Theron¡¯s grip on the bracelet tightened after he took a look at it, I thought he was going to get angry with me. However, I was surprised when he turned his fiery geze towards his daughter.


    ¡°Why do you have this?¡® he questioned her.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Asha¡¯s eyes widened, and she did not expect that reaction from her own father. ¡°Isn¡¯t this our family heirloom?¡± Asha asked him back. ¡°I saw her wearing it, so I took it from her. This bracelet was stolen from us, and she hed it.¡± Asha exined.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s you who called these Pack guards in and ordered them to menhandle Astrid Alpha Theron replied as his eyes narrowed on his daughter.


    Asha¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Manhandle?¡± she repeated. ¡°She stole the bracelet from us, father. I just did things ording to ourw.¡±


    ¡°I told you to take care of her, didn¡¯t I?!¡± Alpha Theron yelled at his daughter engrily. ¡°I entrusted her to you. If I hadn¡¯te to check on her, I wouldn¡¯t have known that you¡¯ve done something like this.


    Asha¡¯s mouth fell open in disbelief, not expecting that her father would react this way.


    ¡°What am I supposed to do then?¡± Asha retorted.


    ¡°You should have done it the way I told you to,¡± Alpha Theron answered,


    ¡°But she¡¯s a thief, father=¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not a thief, Asha!¡± Alpha Theron thundered, cutting his daughter short. ¡°This bracelet was given to her.


    Asha scowled deeply. ¡°Then it was stolen by her parents,¡± she hissed as she red at me.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what happened,¡± Alpha Theron spoke in a low voice, ¡°I gave this bracelet to her mother.¡±


    Asha¡¯s eyes went wide, including mine. I lifted my chin up and gazed at Alpha Theron in surprise. How did he know my mother?


    ¡°Why would you do that?¡± Asha asked in disbelief. ¡°She¡¯s just an omega,¡± she spoke in distaste.


    Alpha Theron pinched the bridge of his nose before he sighed. ¡°I guess it¡¯s time for me to tell the truth.¡±


    My heart pounded inside my chest. What truth is he going to tell us?


    I was little when my mother died, and because of that, I only have small memories of her. To say the least, I really know nothing about both of my parents.


    Hearing that Alpha Theron actually knew who my mother was really surprised me.


    ¡°Years ago,¡± Alpha Theron began in a strained voice. ¡°I was involved with another woman.¡±


    Asha fell silent as she locked gazes with her father. A betrayed look shed in her eyes, but she remained silent.


    ¡°She was the woman I wanted to marry. I proposed to her using this bracelet instead of an engagement ring,¡± Alpha Theron spoke as he showed the bracelet to us.


    ¡°I told her that nothing will separate us, not even our differences, so I gave her this bracelet to show how serious I was with her.¡± Alpha Theron¡¯s gaze turned deep as he thought of those memories.


    ¡°However, my brother died, and I was forced to take the Alpha position. I had no choice but to leave her. She left, and I don¡¯t know where she went. I never had any news from her ever since.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that woman¡¯s name?¡± Asha asked with a tone of hatredced in her voice.


    ¡°Erika,¡± Alpha Theron answered. ¡°That was her name.¡±

 Chapter 110

    <strong>Chapter 110: Abandonment</strong>


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    Erika? That¡¯s also my mother¡¯s name. The bracelet¡­. Alpha Theron gave it to a woman named Erika, who then gave it to me.


    My eyes slowly widened when Alpha Theron¡¯s words sank in. The woman he had been involved with, the one he had abandoned while she was pregnant


    that woman is my mother. Which meant¡­


    My breath got caught in my throat as realization dawned upon me like a ssh of cold water. Is the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack my father?


    How could that be? How could a powerful Alpha be my father who abandoned us?Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    My heart hammered inside my chest, my pulse pounding in my ears. I curled my fingers into the bedsheets, knuckles turning white from my vice¨Clike grip. as a storm of emotions clouded me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡­¡± Asha spoke, her eyes widening. ¡°Tell me, is that the name of your mother?¡± she spoke directly to me,


    My gaze flickered to Asha, my half¨Csister that I ever knew I had.


    I opened my mouth, desperate to say something ¨C anything, but the words. lodged in my throat, choking me. I could only nod my head in response to her question.


    My answer hit Asha like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind from her lungs. Her eyes went wide, and her mouth agape as she struggled to process everything.


    Shaking her head slowly, Asha took a step back as if distance could somehow make this truth disappear. Her gaze darted between Theron and me, but just like her, I was also equally caught off guard by Alpha Theron¡¯s confession.


    that she¡¯s my half-


    ¡°There¡¯s no way.¡± Asha blurted out. ¡°There¡¯s no sister!¡± Asha¡¯s fingers curled into trembling fists at her sides, nails biting.


    Every time I suffered every time I needed a father, I always wondered why he wasn¡¯t there. I can¡¯t believe that this is the reason that he will give me


    ¡°Astrid,¡± he began, voice low and thick express how deeply sorry I am. When


    th regret 1.. cannot begin to when I left your mother, I thought i


    was making the right choice, the only office. But in doing so, i abandoned you ¨C my own flesh and blood ¡°He paused, swallowing the lump in his throat ¡± robbed you of a father, and forthat, I am truly sorry¡±


    A resounding p echoed inside the room after my palm made contact with his cheek. Everyone was surprised, not expecting that I would hit the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack


    My palm stung at the sharp contact, bure one said a word. I watched as Alpha Theron held his stinging cheeke


    ¡°That is for my mother¡± i spoke hard astears streamed down my face. ¡°You don¡¯t know how much pain and handshig she went through after you left her. ¡°I pointed a finger at hum


    *After you left, she took all the responsibility. Life was so hard on her that she died early ¡°I spoke as i choked back tears


    Alpha Theron fell silent. He couldn¡¯t even look into my eyes. I¡¯ve only mentioned my mother¡¯s pan Mine was worse than hers because i had no father to protect the ¡°You¡¯re right. You robbed me of a father but you also robbed me of a mother as well!¡± I shouted at tums


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of you telling us all of this?¡± I asked him mockingly. ¡°Didn¡¯t you choose your Pack instead of us? Sace you¡¯ve already made that choice, you shouldmit to your decision unt the end,¡± I spoke emptily


    ¡°You can¡¯t choose your Pack and expect that you could also have me, Alpha Let¡¯s just act like you said nothing.¡°1 added as I turned my back on bum,

 Chapter 111

    Chapter 111: Scorned


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    Myposure crumbled, and I broke out into tears when Alpha Theron and the others finally left the room, leaving Drystan, Nova, and me behind.


    Drystan stood silently by my side, his usually stoic expression softening with concern as he regarded me. Nova, ever the perceptive one, reached out and gave my hand a gentle squeeze.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be alright,¡± Nova murmured, her voice like a soothing balm.


    Why did he have to say that? Why did he have to expose the truth now, after I just lost my child? Did he think that I would be happy to find out that he was my father? Did he think that I would run into his arms and forgive me like nothing happened by just showing remorse?


    The only emotion I felt when I heard the truth was not joy but anger. Now that I finally knew the truth, I finally knew the amount of pain that my mother went through because of him.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    As an omega mated to an Alpha, I know how it feels to be abused and oppressed because of discrimination because of the difference we had in our status.


    Being mated to an Alpha wasn¡¯t like a fairy tale. It wasn¡¯t like Cindere meeting her prince and getting her happily ever after.


    For us omegas, being mated to an Alpha or falling in love with an Alpha is a nightmare.


    When I married Killian, it wasn¡¯t a rags¨Cto¨Criches kind of story; when I married him, it was like experiencing the seven hells just being with him.


    I couldn¡¯t imagine how bad it was for my mother. She fell in love with an Alpha who promised her many things.


    Alpha Theron even proposed her marriage using their family heirloom, yet in the end, he broke all the promises he made because his Pack was more important to him.


    He impregnated my mother, and then he left her. My mother was pregnant and left on her own without a father to her unborn child.


    Being an omega was already worse than it was. How much for getting pregnant without a father?


    My mother lived in shame just because she chose to carry me instead of aborting me when she could avoid the shame she had received.


    My mother raised me, and she loved me even though my father caused her pain and ruined her already pitiful life.


    Alpha Theron abandoned me and my mother just because he chose his Pack? I would never ept that kind of reason.


    For everything that he has done against my mother, I would never forgive him.


    Alpha Theron is way worse than Killian.


    +15 BONUS


    ¡°I¡¯m done here. We should leave,¡± I spoke coldly as I pushed the nkets off me and stepped off the bed.


    However, my knees were too weak; they buckled, and I fell to the ground, unable to carry my own weight.


    ¡°Astrid!¡± Drystan yelled as he caught me perfectly in his arms, stopping my face from making contact with the floor.


    Now that I know Alpha Theron is actually my father, don¡¯t want to have any connection with him. He abandoned us, and I will never betray my mother, who never left me.


    I could still remember the tears in her eyes before she slowly lost her breath. Even when she was dying, she was unwilling to let go. After raising me, she deserved to witness me grow and see what I would turn like. However, fate is cruel.


    My mother battled with cancer, a disease that has no cure. It took her life away, including her hopes and dreams.


    If the Shadowfang Pack could pull me from the brink of death, then they could have cured my mother so easily.


    Alpha Theron did not let my mother down once, she let her down many times.


    ¡°Astrid, you haven¡¯t fully recovered yet. You should stay on your bed,¡± Drystan scolded me as he ced me back on the mattress.


    I shook my head and rested it on his shoulder. ¡°No,¡± I replied. ¡°We need to leave. I can¡¯t stay here any longer. Drystan, please¡­ take me out of here,¡± I pleaded as I fisted his shirt while tears welled in my eyes.


    Drystan didn¡¯t say a word. Instead, he just hugged me, making my tears fall again.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s hard, Astrid, but you have to hold on a little longer. You are the strongest person I know. Someday, this pain would be over, and there would only be happiness again,¡± Drystan whispered to me soothingly as he rubbed my back.


    Nova just watched in silence as we embraced each other.


    ¡°I can¡¯t take the pain anymore, Drystan. All my life, there¡¯s been nothing but pain,¡± my voice croaked as I burrowed my head into his shoulder.


    Drystan was momentarily silenced by my words. ¡°The pain will be over soon, Astrid. There¡¯s nothing that can¡¯t be healed by time, but those people who caused your pain need to pay. You can¡¯t give up like this and let them get away,¡± he reminded me.


    1 nodded my head, my eyes narrowing into slits. Of course, I have never forgotten about that. That¡¯s the only reason why I was resurrected back to life.


    Those who had hurt me, those who killed my child, especially Giselle, I will make them all pay for what they have done.


    I will never rest until they get what they deserve.

 Chapter 112

    Chapter 112: Illegitimate Child


    Asha¡¯s POV


    A palpable rage consumed me as I stormed out of the room without a clear direction to go in mind.


    A half¨Csister?? Never once in my life had I ever expected that my father would fall in love with a woman that is not my mother.


    My mom and dad were mates destined for each other. My mother patiently waited for her mate and kept herself pure while my father impregnated someone else and even promised her marriage.


    Even though they haven¡¯t met each other yet, this should be counted as an affair. My father knew that he would meet his true mateter on, but instead of waiting, he cheated on my mother.


    He actually fell in love with another girl, but because of his responsibility as an Alpha, he had to leave his mistress and marry my mother.


    My life felt like a whole lie after my father made his raw confession. All my life, I thought my mom and dad had the perfect love story.


    I grew up adoring how perfect and lovely my parents are. Even our Pack adores them so much. They are that IT couple that our Pack members look up to.


    We are like the adorable and perfect family that everyone wishes to have, where there¡¯s a loving husband, an affectionate wife, and smart and beautiful children.


    No one knows that my father was in love with another woman and even bore him an illegitimate child that is older than me and my older brother.


    They had no idea that my powerful father had fallen in love with a weak omega who was a nobodypared to my mother, who was known for her beauty throughout our Pack and came from a powerful bloodline.


    Now that I finally know his dark secrets, I wonder which one was real and how much of my life was a lie.


    I wonder which of the hugs and kisses he gave my mother really came from his heart


    When my mother was alive, she never mentioned anything to me or my brother. I wonder if she had any idea about this at all.


    If she didn¡¯t, I guess it¡¯s better that my mother didn¡¯t hear all these truths from my father. I know that it would break her heart so much if she had.


    I guess her early death is still a blessing because it kept her from knowing about these things.


    My phone rang, interrupting me from my thoughts. When I pulled my phone out of my pocket, I saw my older brother calling for a video call.


    Although we couldmunicate through the Pack link, technology is still much better because we


    can see the person that we are talking to.


    +15 BONUS


    ¡°What happened?¡± My brother¡¯s brows furrowed instantly as soon as the camera went on, and I saw the heated expression on my face.


    ¡°I told you not to pressure yourself so much. It¡¯s just a research study, just take your time, you don¡¯t have to hurry things up,¡± my brother continued without waiting for my response.


    In my life, there¡¯s nothing else that makes me feel sad, angry, and stressed except for the projects and studies that I¡¯m doing. My brother knows that, and he always reminds me to prioritize my health and go easy on myself.


    So when he saw my expression, he thought it was one of those studies again.


    ¡°It¡¯s not about my studies this time.¡± I sighed. ¡°Just tell me when are youing home.¡±


    ¡°Did something bad happen?¡± His face tightened as he leaned closer to the camera.


    I let out a deep breath. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s right for me to tell him that our father brought his illegitimate child into our Pack while he was away for business.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    I think this kind of news is something he has to know once he has returned.


    ¡°Just tell me how long you are going to be there!¡± I answered exasperatingly.


    His eyes searched around first before looking back at me. ¡°I still don¡¯t know when. Things don¡¯t look good here. Is it something serious? I could go back and stay there for a few days-¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± I spoke, interrupting him.


    I¡¯ve also heard from Beta Alek that things don¡¯t look good on his end. I don¡¯t want to give him more trouble by telling him about this and adding more things to his list of worries.


    While he¡¯s not here, I will take care of everything. I will not let Astrid take anything away from us.


    I know the likes of her. For an omega like her who had a taste of power, she would surely take her chance with my father.


    I can¡¯t let her have anything from us.


    ¡°Just focus on your job there, okay? Father has high expectations of you. You can¡¯t let him down this time,¡± I reminded him, hoping that my words would encourage him.


    Andros, my older brother, sighed, tilting his head back. ¡°I¡¯ve done nothing but work.¡±


    That¡¯s how my brother and I differ from each other. While I¡¯m obsessed with work, he is more rxed and carefree, which is not that bad since he is still a responsible person.


    ¡°Dad has ced his trust in you. You have to do your best,¡± I spoke in a more serious tone.


    Now that our father is reunited with his illegitimate child, the more that my brother and I have to prove our value to him so we can win more of his favor.

 Chapter 113

    Chapter 113: Return


    Drystan¡¯s POV


    It¡¯s been a week since we made our stay in the Shadowfang Pack. It didn¡¯t even feel that we had been here that long.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    When I turned my phone open, a thousand missed calls and a thousand messages popped up on my notifications, including a thousand emails from different Packs.


    Ever since our Pack¡¯s alliance with the Shadowfang Pack was announced, my phone never stopped ringing, and Beta Caden never stopped begging and forcing me toe back to the Pack.


    ording to him, there were lots of Alphas from different Packs who flew over to our Pack, wishing to meet me.


    Last time, when the rumor about my affair with Astrid blew up, everyone ignored me like I was invisible. They treated me like an outcast, but now that I have a connection with the Shadowfang Pack, people are so eager to talk to me like nothing happened.


    The emails, calls, and messages I received just show how shameless they are. At the time when! begged them not to cancel their partnership with me, no one listened. The only Pack who never left us was the Frostbite Pack.


    Since I am allied to the Shadowfang Pack and the Frostbite Pack is also allied to me, it would be like the Frostbite Pack is already allied with the Shadowfang Pack as well.


    The Shadowfang Pack has always refused alliances with the other Packs. The only ally they have right now is us.


    The only way that the other Packs could gain a connection with the Shadowfang Pack was by partnering with us, which is why Alphas from different Packs flew over to my Pack, desperate to talk to me.


    Poor Caden, I left everything to him. Aside from managing the Pack on his own, he had to face Alphas from different Packs who were pressuring him and demanding to see me.


    As the Alpha and the only leader of our Pack, I couldn¡¯t be away from our Pack for too long, especially with what¡¯s happening in the Pack.


    However, Astrid needed me, so I had to stay.


    I could only promise Caden that I would be back after a week. In the meantime, he just had to keep things stable and inform the guests that I was currently staying at the Shadowfang Pack, so they had to leave.


    Since Caden wouldn¡¯t stop begging me and forcing me to go back, I had to block my connection with the Pack link once again. I told Nova to block her connection with the Pack, too.


    Knowing Caden, he would surely bother Nova if he couldn¡¯t bother me.


    Astrid, on the other hand, has lost connection with our Pack link after the incident, Ever since she woke up, her wolf still hasn¡¯t resurfaced yet, which is why she couldn¡¯t connect through our Pack link.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re going back?¡± Nova asked me. ¡°I can take in charge and take care of the Pack so you could stay here with Astrid,¡± she offered.


    I shook my head. This is my responsibility as an Alpha. Why should I hand that responsibility to her if I could do that myself?


    ¡°Thank you, Nova. I appreciate your offer, but as the Pack¡¯s Alpha, I cannot be away from so long. I¡¯ve been gone for a week. I really had to go back,¡± I answered her.


    Nova and Astrid are close, and I also trust that she will take care of Astrid while I¡¯m gone.


    mij


    Pack for


    It¡¯s not like I would be gone for a week. I will make sure toe back as soon as I settle everything in our Pack.


    Nova pursed her lips. ¡°What are you going to tell Astrid?¡±


    ¡°For sure she would understand. She was a Luna before, she knows my situation,¡± I assured her before I opened the door to Astrid¡¯s room.


    ¡°Where have you been?¡± Astrid asked as soon as she saw us.


    ¡°Astrid, I need to leave,¡± I spoke in a low voice.


    As much as I wanted to stay here with her, I couldn¡¯t. The Pack needs me, and I¡¯m afraid that Caden won¡¯t be able to hold things up in the Pack if I stay here any longer.


    ¡°I¡¯m going toe with you,¡± Astrid answered, surprising me.


    ¡°You can¡¯te with me. You have to stay here so they could monitor your health and help you. Our Pack isn¡¯t as advance as this. We don¡¯t have all the medicines avable in this Pack,¡± I reasoned out to her.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m already feeling well,¡± Astrid insisted. ¡°All I do all day is rest. I could just continue my rest in our Pack.¡±


    ¡°How about your wolf?¡± Nova joined in. ¡°Have you heard from her yet?¡±


    Astrid fell silent at Nova¡¯s question.


    ¡°We can¡¯t leave this Pack until we ensure that your wolf is okay,¡± Nova added when she didn¡¯t say a word.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure my wolf is going to show herself soon,¡± Astrid replied. ¡°They used the Lunar Elixir to cure me. They said there¡¯s no disease that it couldn¡¯t cure, right?¡±


    ¡°Astrid,¡± uttered her name firmly. ¡°You should listen to Nova.¡±


    Astrid fixed me with a resolute stare. Her lips pressed into a determined line. Even after everything that she had gone through, there¡¯s one thing that didn¡¯t change.


    Her stubbornness. That expression of hers that says she would never ept the answer ¡°No.¡±

 Chapter 114

    Chapter 114: PTSD


    Drystan¡¯s POV


    In the end, Astrid managed to convince Nova and me to bring her back to the Pack in exchange for a promise that she would visit here every week for her routine checks.


    Astrid really didn¡¯t want to stay here any longer. Ever since she found out that her father was actually the Alpha of this Pack, she couldn¡¯t wait to leave.


    Asha, on the other hand, hadn¡¯t seen Asha since she found out that Astrid was her half¨Csister. She had


    never shown herself to us ever since


    When we arrived at the Shadowfang Pack, we brought nothing with us except ourselves.


    It was an unnned trip. Thankfully, the Shadowfang Pack provided us with clothes so we could change.


    Now that we are returning to our pack, we changed the clothes that we wore at Killian¡¯s engagement party since it was the only one we owned.


    ¡°Are you really sure that you¡¯de with us?¡± I asked Astrid for the umpteenth time already.


    Astrid nodded her head, not getting tired of giving me the same response.


    ¡°Even if you ask me for a million times, Drystan. I will never change my mind,¡± she replied while looking at me in the eye.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°Are we not going to tell Alpha Theron that we are teaving?¡± Nova asked after she was done¨Ccleaning the room where we stayed so it would look the same as it was before we stayed there.


    Since Astrid ising with me, there¡¯s no need for Nova to stay behind.


    Astrid averted her gaze when she heard Nova¡¯s question.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll talk to Alpha Theron. No one has toe with me. You can wait for me here,¡± I answered Nova¡¯s question, directing my words to her!


    ¡°Then, Nova and I will go out first. Let¡¯s just meet outside,¡± Astrid spoke confidently.


    Nova and Astrid left first, leaving me behind. I gave onest look around the room just to make sure


    that we did not forget anything.


    ¡°Astrid! Astrid!¡± Nova¡¯s panicking voice entered my ears.


    I hurriedly left the room and ran across the hallways until I reached them, standing near the staircase.


    ¡°Drystan!¡± Nova looked at me in panic when she saw mee out of the room.


    My gaze fell on Astrid, who was lying on the ground, unmoving, with tears welling in her eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened. She just froze up and fell,¡± Nova exined frantically as she was overwhelmed with worry.


    ¡°Astrid, Astrid breathed,¡± I spoke firmly as I crouched beside Astrid and ced a hand below her back to support her. ¡°Just breathe, Astrid!¡± I repeated,manding her to breathe.


    Astrid looked at me, her eyes red with tears and her arms trembling like she was having a seizure.


    She wasn¡¯t having a seizure. She was having a panic attack. It was fear that was consuming her, constricting her chest, her muscles tightening, making her unable to breathe.


    Something had triggered her, making her body react like this. I looked around, wondering what could have possibly triggered her when my gaze drifted to the staircase and the looming height near us.


    It¡¯s PTSD. Astrid has suffered from post¨Ctraumatic stress disorder, which she wasn¡¯t aware of.


    Because of what happened to her recently, she had developed a fear of heights that was so severe that her body would turn paralyzed because of it.


    ¡°Astrid look at m,e. Look at me,¡± Imanded her as I carried her bridal style to take her away from what was causing her trauma.


    Iid her back to her bed and held her close.


    ¡°Nova, called the doctors,¡± Imanded her.


    She nodded her head and ran outside in a hurry.


    ¡°You¡¯re safe now Astrid. Just breathe! I¡¯m here, I¡¯m not going to let anything happen to you,¡± I spoke in a soothing, gentle tone.


    ¡°Take deep breaths,¡± I whispered as I took deep breaths myself so he could match me.


    Astrid rested her head on my shoulders, matching the rising and falling of my chest. Soon enough, Astrid finally calmed down.


    I looked down on her. The first thing I noticed was how her gaze finally cleared up.


    Unbidden, shes of her ident must have reyed in her mind while she was fighting for her life.


    It has been a week since the ident, but the memory of that terrifying fall is still seared into her mind.


    Now, every time she¡¯d get near a looming height, her body would betray her, seized by a visceral, all- consuming fear.


    When Astrid could finally move, she wrapped her arms around my neck and cried like a baby.


    My heart shattered as I listened to her cries. Unbridled fury wrapped my heart as I witnessed how Killian and Giselle still continued to torment her even when they weren¡¯t allowed.


    Those monsters! They don¡¯t deserve to be forgiven.


    As Astrid and I fell deep in our embrace, Nova and the doctor that she called finally arrived.


    ¡°Is she alright?¡± I asked the doctor after she had made a thorough check on Astrid.


    ¡°She¡¯s alright,¡± The Doctor answered; even though her answer was good, she didn¡¯t look happy. ¡°Ms. Astrid is fine,¡± the doctor continued. ¡°But she needed to visit a therapist,¡± My eyes fell on Astrid, who was looking at the wall across her empty. She already knew that¡¯s what the doctor is going to tell her.

 Chapter 115

    Chapter 115: Father Figure


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    The temperature inside the room lowered, casting a chill on everyone who was present when Alpha Theron suddenly barged inside the room.


    All eyes instantly turned to him, and they instinctively bowed their heads in deference as he strode purposefully towards my side.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± he pressed, his voice tinged with a rare note of worry, but I refused to meet his gaze.


    Someone must have informed him of what happened. The news traveled to him so fast. I only turned my head away stubbornly.


    Hurt shed across Alpha Theron¡¯s eyes upon my rejection, but it was gone the second it was there as if my eyes had just yed tricks on me.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Alpha Theron¡¯s brows furrowed, a storm brewing behind his piercing eyes. ¡°What happened here?¡± he demanded, the weight of his authority filling the room.


    Silence hung heavy in the air, no one daring to speak up and incur the wrath of the powerful Alpha.


    Suddenly, the doctor spoke and exined her diagnosis of me to him. ¡°It¡¯s a panic attack, Alpha. Miss Astrid¡¯s health ispletely fine, she waspletely healed by the Lunar Elixir. To help deal with her PTSD, she will need to have a consultation with a therapist.¡±


    Alpha Theron¡¯s gaze turned hard at her words like a father who really cared about her daughter.


    ¡°Where is Asha?¡± He questioned, his brows firmly pressed together. ¡°Why is she not here?¡±


    My eyes turned hard at his words. Asha clearly didn¡¯t like me, yet he was forcing her to take care of me.


    Just like how I was surprised to find that I have a half¨Csister, Asha must have felt more surprised and even betrayed about it, too.


    I couldn¡¯t imagine how she felt to find out that the perfect family she had wasn¡¯t really perfect at all. It¡¯s normal for her to have a hard time epting that she has a half¨Csister she never knew about who is even older than her.


    Asha was supposed to be the only daughter. She was spoiled like a princess because of it, only to find out that she wasn¡¯t the only daughter of her father.


    ¡°Someone call Asha,¡± Alpha Theron ordered, oblivious to the fact that her daughter didn¡¯t want to have any connection with me. ¡°Her patient was in danger and she is not even aware of it!¡± he snapped, his face also turning red. ¡°I told her to take care of Astrid¡± he also added.


    I fell silent, refusing to turn my head to face him.


    He abandoned me and my mother. He chose to be the Pack¡¯s righteous Alpha than to be a father to me. It¡¯s toote for him to act in his role of being my father.


    It only angers me so much to see him trying to act like a father when he hasn¡¯t been for many years.


    ¡°How could she have a panic attack in her room?¡± Alpha Theron asked with confusion etched on his features as he turned back his attention to us.


    Drystan stepped forward. It was his turn to exin. ¡°We were about to leave. I was about to go to your office to tell you that we were going back.


    ¡°Leave?!¡± Alpha Theron blurted out. ¡°Can¡¯t you see what Astrid¡¯s condition is? It¡¯s too early for her to leave.¡±


    Drystan nced at me. ¡°Astrid insisted it.¡±


    ¡°She can¡¯t leave this ce until she¡¯s healed. I won¡¯t allow you to put my daughter in danger,¡± Theron spoke firmly, his eyes narrowing as he locked gazes with Drystan.


    I scoffed at his words. Unable to take it in, a bitterugh escaped my lips. ¡°I¡¯m not your daughter,¡± I hissed after he finally caught my attention. ¡°I don¡¯t have a father. I lost my father ever since he decided to abandon us,¡± I spoke bitterly.


    I don¡¯t want to hear him calling me his daughter again because I am not! I will never consider him as my father.


    Alpha Theron swallowed hard when he heard my words. Although he was hurt, he never said anything. ¡°I am the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack and Astrid has my blood,¡± Alpha Theron spoke.


    His gaze is on Drystan as if he is only addressing his words to him. ¡°If something bad happens to my daughter, everyone responsible will have to face me.¡±


    Drystan lowered his head even though he had done nothing but protect me and keep me from harm. ¡°Anyone who offends her is equivalent to offending me. Do you all understand?¡±


    Asha, as it turns out, had already arrived at the front door and had heard everything that her father had said.


    She stood at the doorway like a deer caught in headlights. She couldn¡¯t believe just how much her father cared about his illegitimate child, who was never there in their lives.


    Hatred burned in her heart when she witnessed just how eager her father was to ept Astrid into their family to make up for the things he failed to do in her life.


    Asha stormed out of the ce once again. She had already calmed her heart down before she went here until she heard her father¡¯s words again.


    ¡°No,¡± I shook my head, ¡°I don¡¯t want to have any connection with you in my life!¡± I snapped at him.


    ¡°Leave us alone. I need to talk to my daughter in private,¡± Alpha Theron spoke to the people around us.

 Chapter 116

    Chapter 116: His Chance


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    The room was covered with silence when everyone left the room.


    I turned to my side, facing the opposite direction and covered myself with a nket.


    I don¡¯t know why Alpha Theron has to stay. What else does he have to say to me? Isn¡¯t it clear that I don¡¯t want to talk to him? Haven¡¯t I pushed him enough away from me already?


    ¡°Astrid, I know you hate me. What I did to you and your mother was unforgivable, and nothing that I do will make up for all the mistakes that I had done to the both of you,¡± Alpha Theron started to speak, his voice solemn and filled with remorse.


    ¡°I don¡¯t deserve your forgiveness¡­ I never will. All that I¡¯m asking is that please give me a chance. You can hate me all you want, I will ept that, just let me be there for you. Give me a chance in your life even if I cannot break through your heart,¡± Alpha Theron pleaded.


    As the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, Alpha Theron has never pleaded with anyone before; it was always the other way around. Alphas had knelt and begged in front of him before, yet he is here, begging for me to ept him. I pursed my lips as I remained silent at his words. I don¡¯t know exactly what he is asking me for. He wanted me to give him a chance. What is he going to use it for? He said himself that he would never make up for all the mistakes he had already made in the past, so what is this chance for?


    Is he pleading with me to use him? He says he wants a chance and that it doesn¡¯t matter if I don¡¯t forgive him. Doesn¡¯t that mean he only wants me to use him?


    ¡°You are my daughter, Astrid. You are the child that Erika and I had who was separated from me for many years. I only found youst week. Give me the chance to be with you much longer,¡± Alpha Theron swallowed back the tears that choked the back of his throat.


    ¡°When I found out that your mother was dead, I was devastated. I always wished we could meet each other again. I had no idea how toote I was to see her.¡± Tears fell from my eyes upon hearing his words.


    If my mother had met him for onest time before she died, would she have been happy, or would she have been so overwhelmed with anger that she would have tried to kill him even though she could no longer move her body?


    ¡°Ever since your mother left, there wasn¡¯t a day I never thought about her. You are the only one I have of her. I don¡¯t want to repeat the same mistakes I did and let you go too and live in regret for the rest of my life,¡± Alpha Theron continued.


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t youe looking for us? You are the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, you got all the power and resources that it takes to find us. If you really thought of us and missed us that much, then why? Why didn¡¯t youe looking for us?¡± I asked back without turning to face him.


    Alpha Theron was silent for a moment. ¡°I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was doing what was best for us.¡®N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    I scoffed at his answer. Best? If he had only searched for us, then he would have had the chance to save my mother from the deadly disease that took her life.


    ¡°Astrid, I¡¯m not asking for a chance just so I could win you over. I¡¯ve already made mistakes. Whatever I do, I will always live with regret for the rest of my life. Just give me a chance to be there for you now. I will never let you and your mother down again,¡± Alpha Theron pleaded once again.


    It was my turn to fall silent.


    A chance¡­ I will give him a chance to fulfil his role to me as my father. If I did that, then I would be fully considered as a daughter of the Shadowfang Pack. Not just his daughter but also his eldest child.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I finally answered after I went down a spiral of thoughts. ¡°But only for one condition.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Alpha Theron eagerly asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone else to know that we are blood¨Crted. You can have your chance in the shadows,¡± I answered.


    Alpha Theron¡¯s eyes went wide; by the looks of it, it looked like he was having a hard time epting this.


    It seems that he has been nning to announce me as his daughter in public, just as I had thought of.


    For now, I don¡¯t think I¡¯m ready for anyone to know the truth. I¡¯m still recovering from the scars of my past.


    My child had just died, and I¡¯m still suffering from traumas. I¡¯m not ready to deal with another big thing like that again.


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you want, then so be it,¡± Alpha Theron surrendered. ¡°In exchange, you will stay here with me.¡±


    ¡°Only until I wanted to,¡± I argued, making him fall silent again.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Alpha Theron replied.


    He really doesn¡¯t have much choice. It¡¯s either he agrees with my conditions or he takes the risk of making me change my mind.

 Chapter 117

    Chapter 117: Gold¨CDigger


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    ¡°Astrid, are you alright?¡± Nova¡¯s soft voice entered my ears as soon as I stepped out of the therapist¡¯s office.


    I shook my head softly in reply as I held on her arm tight.


    Every time that I go for a session with a therapist, I always leave feeling raw and exposed afterward.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    The carefully constructed walls I had built around my emotions were always methodically dismantled, one brick at a time, by the therapists¡¯s well¨Cthought questions.


    Nova wrapped a hand around me tofort me. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re done already. You can finally rx,¡± Nova whispered soothingly as she helped me out of the room.


    I could only nod my head and swallow hard at her words. I always feel weak and out of myself after my therapy sessions.


    With the therapist¡¯s keen insights and probing questions, she always got into the buried feelings that I had desperately tried to bury and tuck away from the deepest corners of my mind.


    It¡¯s her job to unearth those buried emotions, forcing me to confront the grief that I have been suppressing.


    My miscarriage, my dark past, and then that incident. That has always been our topic.


    ¡ª


    As Nova and I walked, I could still hear the therapist¡¯s words echoing in my mind that true healing could onlye through facing traumas head¨Con, through giving voice to the experiences that had threatened to consume me.


    It is a long and painful process, draining me both physically and emotionally, but the therapist insisted it was the only way forward.


    I know that the therapist is right, that I have to keep pushing through the pain if I ever want to find my way back to wholeness. But at this moment, all I ever craved was an escape, a chance to just retreat and gather the pieces of myself back together.


    If Drystan had been here, maybe things would have been easier for me. I have only realized it just now, but I have be morefortable and rxed whenever Drystan is around. I didn¡¯t realize that my body had learned to rely more on Drystan¡¯s presence.


    Maybe that is because he was always there for me during dangerous situations. He was always the one who protected me from the different dangers I was in in the past.


    Nova suddenly stopped in her tracks, making me stop, too; when I raised my head to see what made her stop, I saw Asha standing in front of us with hatred in her eyes.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Asha asked us with coldness in her voice.


    ¡°We are going to the Alpha¡¯s office,¡± I replied.


    ¡°I¡¯ve noticed that you¡¯ve been visiting my father¡¯s office more frequently recently. I think I know what you¡¯re doing,¡± Asha¡¯s eyes narrowed suspiciously as she spoke.


    My brows furrowed in confusion. ¡°Alpha Theron told me me to visit him in his office daily.¡±


    ¡°Oh please,¡± Asha scoffed. ¡°We all know you only hang around my father just to get your hands on his money. You are nothing but a parasite,tching onto him for your own gain.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me!¡± I blurted out when she started calling me a parasite.


    ¡°I heard what happened to your Pack. The Nightsong Pack was practically bankrupt now ever since all the Alphas broke their alliances with you. That¡¯s the reason why you came here, isn¡¯t it? You are just using my father¡¯s power to keep your Pack afloat,¡± Asha said, her voice dripping with malice.


    ¡°How dare you bring that up!¡± I eximed. ¡°Drystan and I will never use anybody to save our Pack. You have no idea what Drystan had gone through to raise his Pack on his own with a clean conscience.¡±


    ¡°Save it, Astrid. Ever since you came back, my father has always been pre¨Cupied with you.


    Everyone could see how much you fawn over him to earn his favor. You are just like your mother, a gold¨Cdigger and a slut. No wonder why people would easily believe the rumors about your affair with Drystan.¡±


    My eyes widened, taken aback by Asha¡¯s sudden shift to this more personal attack. ¡°You don¡¯t bring my dead mother into this Asha,¡± I hissed at her.


    ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t I? The apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree. Why else would my father, the great Alpha of the renowned Shadowfang Pack would have an affair with a mere omega, unless if she had seduced him.¡± Asha leaned in, a cruel smile ying on her lips.


    I clenched my fists at my sides, myposure slipping. I need to control myself. I don¡¯t know how long I had to stay here in the Shadowfang Pack, but I know it would be better not to put myself on Asha¡¯s bad side.


    I know she¡¯s deliberately doing this to gain a reaction from me and to have a reason to ruin me.


    ¡°In fact, I don¡¯t believe that you are my half¨Csister. That¡¯s just impossible. You don¡¯t have an Alpha blood in you. I made tests when you arrived. You¡¯re a hundred percent omega. How could you be a child of a powerful Alpha?


    You¡¯re trying to fool us, are you? Your father must also be an omega, just like your ambitious mother. You and your mother have been using my father all along!¡±


    Fueled by her words, anger shrouded my mind, and my vision turned red. The next thing that happened was that I heard Asha screaming in fear and Nova shouting for me to stop.

 Chapter 118

    Chapter 118: TakeoverContent is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    Asha¡¯s terrified screams pierced my ears as I cked out for a moment. I couldn¡¯t see anything, nor did I know what was happening.


    I have lost control of myself, like I was trapped inside my own body.


    ¡°Astrid STOP!!! You are going to kill her!¡± Nova yelled at me, but I had no idea why she was shouting for me to stop.


    Panic started to set in as I struggled to get out of myself. I wed desperately at the boundaries of my consciousness, fighting for control over my body.


    My wolf had never done something like this before, blocking me from full control over my human body, including my other senses. All that was left of me was my sense of hearing.


    Usually, in werewolves, the human side should always have higher human control over the human form, just like how the wolf side has higher control over their wolf form.


    I don¡¯t know how my wolf managed to take full control over my human body, trapping me and keeping me from taking over.


    ¡°Lyra¡­ Lyra stop. What are you doing?¡± I spoke to my wolf.


    Lyra hadn¡¯t appeared to me for months, and now she just suddenly appeared and took over my body.


    ¡°Stop blocking me! That¡¯s my form. You cannot do this until I shift into my wolf form.¡± I tried to make her listen to me.


    Fear gripped me when I felt something bad from my wolf. That dark desire of shedding blood, that strong killing intent.


    ¡°Lyra! Lyra, stop!¡± I yelled at her as I hurriedly tried my best to w out of the ce where she had trapped me, blocking me from everything.


    Her emotions and her dark desires weren¡¯t something she wanted me to see. However, it was too strong at it leaked into the little space of connection that I still have with her.


    Even though she had blocked me of all control and of most of my senses, she couldn¡¯t fully block me from everything because I was technically still a part of her.


    I froze when a magnificent silver wolf appeared in front of me. My wolf, Lyra, is just a small wolf with a coat of dirty brown fur, but the wolf that stood in front of me is a magnificent creature that I¡¯ve never encountered before.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Lyra?¡± I asked as I wondered who this silver was and why she was inside my body.


    The silver wolf didn¡¯t answer. She just stared at me with that piercing golden gaze of hers that seemed to bore into my very soul


    Many questions filled my head as the silver wolf just stood there staring at me. ¡°Where did youe from?¡± I breathed, scarcely daring to move a muscle since I believe it wasn¡¯t Lyra who took full control of my body. It was this wolf in front of me.


    The silver wolf regarded me silently for a long moment, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its thick, lustrous coat.


    Then, without warning, it just turned around to leave.


    ¡°Where are you going? Wait! What did you do to Lyra?¡± I tried to shout after her, hoping that she would at least talk to me until she disappeared, leaving me alone and utterly captivated.


    Suddenly, the invisible confines that restrained me were lifted. As I swam back to my consciousness, I finally gained back full control and sense of my body.


    My eyes widened when I opened my eyes and saw Asha with blood dripping out of her mouth.


    I was straddling on top of her hips, pressing her to the ground with one arm raised to attack her.


    Asha¡¯s head was turned to the side. She¡¯s holding her breath, and her eyes are closed as she waits for me to hit her.


    ¡°Astrid! Please, don¡¯t kill her!¡± Nova shouted, making me turn my attention to her.


    She is standing by my side with fear in her eyes. As I turned to look at her, I noticed that my raised hand was actually holding a huge and heavy rock.


    I gasped in fear, making me drop the rock I was holding to the ground. I jumped back and crawled backward when I realized what I was doing.


    That rock! If I wasn¡¯t able to stop myself, I would have bashed that rock on Asha¡¯s head and killed her


    Asha hurriedly stood back up and distanced herself from me. With fear and anger in her eyes, she yelled at me. ¡°You tried to kill me!¡±


    I shook my head as I held myself with trembling hands. I didn¡¯t try to kill her. I don¡¯t even know what happened.


    Asha¡¯s hair was disheveled, and it looked like I had attacked her so badly because of her bruises and the blooding out of her cut lip.


    ¡°You¡¯re a murderer!¡± she shouted at the top of her lungs.


    With werewolves living in this Pack, they would have surely heard her with their special hearing.


    ¡°Lady Asha, is everything all right?¡± A Pack guard came in a hurry to check on us


    ¡°She!¡± Lady Asha immediately pointed at me. ¡°She tried to kill me.


    Nova instantly ran to my side. ¡°Astrid,¡± she whispered her name with her brows wrinkled together. ¡°Astrid, what happened to you,¡± she asked me softly.


    I couldn¡¯t speak. I¡¯m still overridden with fear.


    That silver wolf that appeared to me earlier was the one who took over my body. I couldn¡¯t forget how much she wanted to kill Asha earlier and how it was so easy for him to block me out of my body.


    At that moment, I was truly afraid I was afraid that something like this would happen again, and I might not be able to go back to my body on time.

 Chapter 119

    Chapter 119: Judgement


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    The room felt thick with tension. The air is practically crackling with unspoken conflict. After Asha and I were caught in a fight, we were brought to Alpha Theron¡¯s office to make his judgment on us and think of what punishment he should give us.


    Luckily for us, we are his daughters. We weren¡¯t directly subjected to thew. The Pack guards brought us directly to him instead of bringing us to the Pack¡¯s tribunal, the one in charge of things like this.


    ¡°This is embarrassing,¡± Alpha Theron spoke in a disappointed voice. ¨C ¡°I didn¡¯t even believe it when one of our Pack guards rushed to my office and reported that you two were fighting.¡±


    I lowered my gaze in shame, unable to meet anyone¡¯s gaze. Meanwhile, Asha is still giving me that smoldering re across from me while pressing an ice Pack on her bruised cheek.


    ¡°You two are behaving like an uneducated rabble out there,¡± Alpha Theron said, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°Even the weakest omega in our Pack has more restraint than the both of you.¡±


    Alpha Theron shook his head, the disappointment evident on every syble. ¡°You¡¯ve brought shame upon yourselves with this violent act you have disyed. What do you think people will say when they hear of this? They¡¯ll think you¡¯re nothing more than unruly savages, unfit to bear our family name.¡±


    I turned my head to the side. It sounded more like Alpha Theron was pinning all the me on Asha.


    ¡°Father, it was Astrid who attacked me first,¡± Asha spoke up as soon as her father was done speaking. ¡°Look at what she had done to me,¡± she showed her injuries.


    ¡°Asha, I expected more from you,¡± Alpha Theron pinned her with an usatory re, his lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line. ¡°It¡¯s not just yourself you¡¯ve embarrassed, but me as well. I had thought raised you well to carry both dignity and grace, but clearly, I was mistaken.¡±


    Asha¡¯s eyes widened when her father just ignored her words. ¡°It wasn¡¯t who started the fight, father Astrid attacked me first. Look at her and then look at me,¡± Asha apore, desperately trying to convince her father. ¡°She attacked the brutally,¡± she showed her injuries once again. ¡°I could win against her in a fight, but I didn¡¯t fight back.¡±


    I fell silent and didn¡¯t bother to argue with her words. On our way here, Nova exined everything that had happened to me. She said I was so swift and strong that Asha was never able to block my attacks and defend herself.


    She tried her best tond a punch on me, but she never seeded. Instead, I had beaten her up rapidlyN?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Astrid, is this true?¡± Alpha Theron turned his gaze on me.


    The evidence was already clearly there, but he still asked me. Asha sharply looked at me, waiting for me to answer her father¡¯s question.


    Hlet out a deep breath, knowing that what I was going to say to them next would be hard to exin and hard to believe, but since Alpha Theron had asked me this question, I should answer him with the truth.


    ¡°It¡¯s true that I attacked her, Alpha, but I didn¡¯t mean to do that. Something had triggered me, making me lose control of myself. It was toote when I had recovered,¡± I answered him truthfully.


    Asha scoffed when she heard my exnation. ¡°What do you mean? It was your fist that connected to my body. It was you who tried to kill me!¡±


    ¡°Asha, no one was asking you to speak,¡± Theron snapped at her, making her fall quiet.


    Asha¡¯s lips thinned in anger. Once again, she pointed her anger at me.


    ¡°What really happened here?¡± Alpha Theron demanded, his tone brooking no argument.


    My shoulders were hunched as Lavoided his piercing gaze. Instead, Asha answered the question for me


    ¡°It is what I said, Father. She attacked me first! She tried to kill me, and I didn¡¯t fight back against her,¡± Asha spoke up.


    Alpha Theron looked conflicted as his gaze went back and forth between me and then his daughter.


    Alpha Theron raised Asha. He knew her all her life. He must find it more hard to believe that Asha didn¡¯t fight against Astrid than to believe that Astrid had lost control of herself.


    Finally, Nova, who was also summoned as a witness to the fight, finally spoke. ¡°Astrid is not crazy that she would attack you for no reason. If you didn¡¯t insult her, she wouldn¡¯t have done what she did.¡±


    Asha took in a sharp breath and clenched her fist as she red at Nova.


    ¡°Astrid attacked me first, and she tried to kill me. You also saw that! She was about to use a rock to kill me!¡± Asha yelled back to silence Nova. ¡°She should be punished for attempting to kill me.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re here, so she obviously didn¡¯t attempt to kill you,¡± Nova Tetorted.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Alpha Theron silenced them before everything could turn into a petty fight. ¡°Asha, what did you tell Astrid?¡±


    Asha fell silent, unable to answer her father¡¯s question,


    ¡°We were about to pay you a visit in your office, Alpa, when we suddenly encountered Asha in the hallway. She was asking for a fight when she used us ofing here just to use you for your power to fix our Pack¡¯s reputation.¡±


    ¡°Shut your damn mouth!¡± Asha snapped, trying to intervene.


    ¡°One more word from you, Asha, and I will no longer seek the truth, and I will consider you guilty beyond doubt,¡± Alpha Theron spoke in a cold, hard voice, silencing Asha.


    ¡°She said more mean things, Alpha,¡± Nova continued. ¡°She called Astrid a slut and a gold¨Cdigger just like her own mother.¡±


    I swallowed hard when I heard those words again. I can ept all kinds of insults, but I cannot hear anyone insulting people who are close to me.


    ¡°It¡¯s no wonder why Astrid suddenly lost control of herself, Alpha. Astrid is battling with trauma. That must be the reason why she suddenly lost control of herself.¡±

 Chapter 120

    Chapter 120: GroundedContent is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    Asha¡¯s scowl deepened, and her knuckles also turned white as she gripped her armrest tightly.


    Sparks of rage flickered and danced in her eyes, casting an almost unnatural glow upon her features as rage coursed through her. ¡°How dare you try to justify Astrid¡¯s actions by using the trauma she had endured!¡± Sheshed out at Nova.


    ¡°Trauma will never be an excuse to hurt others!¡± she spat out, her voiceced with venom. ¡°Astrid made a choice tosh out, and that choice was wrong ¨C unforgivable, even. Her trauma will never justify her actions.¡±


    Suddenly, Alpha Theron stood up from his seat; his powerful frame cast a shadow upon them.


    Asha¡¯s blood ran cold as she recognized the fury etched across her father¡¯s features a look that no one ever dared to provoke before,


    ¡°You have the audacity to call Astrid and her mother a ¡®gold¨Cdigger¡® and a ¡®slut¡®?¡± Alpha Theron bellowed, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder,


    Asha shrunk back, the weight of his usation pressing down on her like a physical force. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but the words caught in her throat under the intensity of his re.


    ¡°Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done?¡± Alpha Theron continued, his eyes zing with a rage that Asha had only witnessed him use on his subordinates before but never on her. ¡°Your callous words are what provoked Astrid¡¯s attack in the first ce!¡±


    that moment, Asha had never felt more betrayed. The iniuaties > situation made her elle


    ¡°So this is my fault?¡± Asha scoffs bitterly. ¡°It¡¯s my fault that I nearly died!¡± she continued dramatically.


    Alpha Theron was taken aback by his daughter¡¯s response. She doesn¡¯t feel any remorse for her actions at all.


    ¡°Your words triggered Astrid¡¯s traumas, Asha! What has she ever done to you for you to treat your own sister like that!¡± Alpha Theron retorted.


    Asha¡¯s facial expressions turned dar! s she slowly turned her head to face me with pure hatred in her eyes, cing all the me on me.


    Asha doesn¡¯t even have to exin. The way she looks at me already speaks volumes.


    She sees me as a threat not just to her Pack but also to her family. She doesn¡¯t want me here. She wants me gone. She would never ept me as her half¨Csister.


    ¡°It¡¯s always Astrid, Astrid, ASTRID!¡± Asha screamed at her father. Ever since that outsider came into your life, you¡¯ve already forgotten that I¡¯m also your daughter!¡±


    I flinched when Alpha Theron¡¯s palm made contact with his daughter¡¯s cheek. I couldn¡¯t make myself look, feeling that even if I just stole a look, I would only add to Asha¡¯s embarrassment.


    Even though I had only known them for a short time, I know that Alpha Theron spoiled her daughter and pampered her like a princess. For sure, this was the first time that he ever raised a hand and his voice on his daughter.


    And it all happened because of me.


    Asha¡¯s shoulders heaved as she held her painful cheek. She looked into her father¡¯s eyes with a look of betrayal in her eyes.


    Alpha Theron instantly regretted what he had done to his daughter. His features softened as he slowly brought down her hand.


    ¡°Astrid tried to kill me, yet you are more worried that I triggered her,¡± Asha spoke as tears fell down from her eyes.


    Alpha Theron swallowed hard, unable to say anything. He just turned around, showing his back to us so he could no longer see his daughter¡¯s teary¨Ceyed face.


    ¡°I¡¯ve made my decision. Since you showed no remorse for your actions, you will be confined in your quarters until you learn your lesson,¡± Alpha Theronmanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. ¡°I hope this will help you clear your head and bring you back to your senses.


    ¡°No!¡± Asha blurted out.


    However, she was unable to plead her case when Alpha Theron suddenly faced her again with a thunderous look in his eyes.


    ¡°You will remain in your room until I say so!¡± Alpha Theron continued to show how serious he was. ¡°If I found out that you tried to escape, you will be met with severe consequences.¡±


    Asha¡¯s chest heaved as she boiled in anger but was unable to do anything about it. The anger still simmered beneath the surface, a fiery rage that demanded to be released. But she knewshing out would only make the situation worse.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to detain her!¡± I suddenly stood up to defend.


    Everyone¡¯s eyes turned to me when I spoke. However, instead of being grateful for my help, Asha only turned angry because I tried to help her.


    ¡°This is my fault, Astrid. I was unable to discipline my daughter well, so I had to discipline her until now. You don¡¯t have to me yourself for this,¡± Alpha Theron answered.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a big misunderstanding. There¡¯s no need for things to escte this big,¡± I argued.


    I looked down at Nova when I felt her tug at my shirt. She looked up at me with big question marks in her eyes.


    ¡®What are you doing? she seemed to speak with me through her gaze.


    I sighed and faced Alpha Theron once again.


    Just like Asha said, I¡¯m just an outsider. My mother and I weren¡¯t supposed to happen in their lives. I don¡¯t want to ruin a family, and I don¡¯t want to ruin their rtionship with my presence.


    As someone who grew up with a broken family, I don¡¯t want to break families either.


    ¡°Stop talking. I don¡¯t need your help!¡± Asha snapped at me. ¡°I would rather be imprisoned for the rest of my life than to receive help from you.¡±


    My face paled after I received her cold response. I was just trying to help.


    ¡°Fine, if that¡¯s your wish, then I will grant it!¡± Alpha Theron replied to me instead. ¡°Guards, take her away and do as I say.¡±

 Chapter 121

    Chapter 121: Silver Wolf


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    ¡°Stop ming yourself for it,¡± Nova suddenly spoke beside me, breaking me from my thoughts. ¡°It wasn¡¯t your fault. She was the one who approached us and said those mean things first. She was clearly asking for a fight.¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    I turned my gaze back to the view outside the window when I finally realized what she was talking about.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she did it on purpose. She deliberately provoked you to make you lose control. It was obvious that she was trying to make you look like a bad person in front of your father. In the end, her n backfired,¡± Nova continued talking.


    I sighed and lowered my gaze to my fingers. ¡°It¡¯s normal for her to feel that I¡¯m a threat, Nova. As someone who grew up without a father, I will never know how it feels like to grow up with one.


    Asha had experienced that, and now she¡¯s feeling that her father is slowly slipping away because of me. It¡¯s normal for her to do such things. I only wish that her fear won¡¯t be true.¡±


    Nova momentarily stopped what she was doing as she faced me. What a kind and understanding sister you are,¡± she mocked me, making me smile.


    ¡±


    ¡°I wondered what she¡¯s doing right now. Asha is used to always burying herself in her work. She must be dying of boredom right now,¡± I muttered with genuine concern. ¡°Should we pay her a visit?¡±


    ¡°Do you want to make her hate you more?¡± Nova retorted. ¡°Didn¡¯t you see how she got mad when you tried to help her?¡±


    ¡°Still, if it wasn¡¯t for her, I wouldn¡¯t have survived. I still owe her my life for taking care of me when I was fighting for my life,¡± I muttered a soft reply.


    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for your father¡¯s orders, Asha wouldn¡¯t have done that. You don¡¯t know how much she argued against saving your life. Maybe if she had known that you were her half¨Csister, she would have thrown the Lunar Elixir away.¡±


    I didn¡¯t give her an answer; I continued to stare out the window.


    ¡°Is there something else that is bothering you?¡± Nova suddenly asked.


    I sighed. There was really something else that was bothering me. I had only thought about what happened to Asha earlier when Nova brought it up.


    ¡°I just couldn¡¯t remember what happened. I don¡¯t know how I ended up hurting Asha. She¡¯s a very powerful werewolfpared to me. She could easily kill me even when we are both in human form,¡± I finally voiced out my concerns. ¡°Tell me, Nova, what did I look like when I suddenly attacked Asha?¡± ¨C


    Nova pressed her brows together as she thought about it. ¡°Your eyes are gold, and they were glowing,¡±


    Upon the mention of the word gold, I suddenly remembered the


    majestic silver wolf that I saw when I lost control of my body. That wolf had a glowing golden iris, too.


    ¡°What else?¡± I asked Nova.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t describe it, but it was like you are possessed by an evil spirit,¡± she answered unsurely.


    Iughed at her description.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling the truth, Astrid. There¡¯s no way else to subscribe to it,¡± she added seriously.


    The smile on my face faltered when I also remembered the strong desire that the silver wolf had to kill someone and shed blood. It¡¯s true that if I was only a secondte, then maybe Asha would be dead already.


    ¡°I don¡¯t kno,¡± Nova suddenly retracted her words. ¡°I think most of it, Asha was just faking it. Your wolf is just an omega, and she is a pure¨Cbred Alpha. She could easily push you off her to defend herself. I think she just allowed you to hurt her so she could show something to her father.¡±


    I fell silent at her words. I don¡¯t think that was true. I could still remember the betrayed look that Asha had in her eyes when her father chose to punish her without punishing me.


    I could still remember the genuine pain in her eyes when her father was more concerned that she triggered my traumas than he was concerned with her real bleeding injuries.


    I don¡¯t think that she took those injuries for a purpose, just like what


    Nova thought.


    My brows furrowed more deeply when I realized something. If Nova could think this way, then it is also possible that Alpha Theron has the same thoughts as her.


    Is that the reason why he easily lost his patience with her? He thought his daughter did everything on purpose to put me in a bad light, not knowing that Asha was just truly unable to protect herself from me because¡­


    I shook my head at the thought.


    Maybe that silver wolf is not real. Maybe I was just imagining things. Where would that wolf evene from?


    It¡¯s more possible that I imagined it than it was really inside my body.


    ¡°By the way, how is your wolf doing? Nova asked.


    I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I tried to search for my wolf to connect with Lyra. After searching every corner of my consciousness, I still hadn¡¯t found her.


    ¡°She¡¯s still not here,¡± I answered her


    Nova¡¯s brows furrowed. She was as confused as I was. ¡°But she just appeared earlier,¡± she replied.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I paused. ¡°Maybe she got tired. She used a lot of energy earlier,¡± I lied, just so she wouldn¡¯t have to worry.


    Nova scowled. ¡°This is Asha¡¯s fault. If she hadn¡¯t done that, we would be able to go home right now.¡±


    I gave her a smile. Just like me, she also misses Drystan so much Don¡¯t worry, Drystan promised he would be back after he¡¯s done in the Pack.¡±


    Selene Souchon Author


    What do you guys think about the mysterious silver wolf? And where is Lyra?

 Chapter 122

    <strong>Chapter 122: Unteral Law</strong>


    Drystan¡¯s POV


    A sense of belonging and relief washed over me as I approached the well-worn trails leading into the heart of my home. It has been a long journey, and now I finally found myself gazing upon the familiar territory of my Pack.


    Suddenly, thezy smile on my face was wiped away when I noticed that thendscape beyond our Pack¡¯s borders had changed.


    For some reason, tents had sprung up around, ruining the natural view of the Pack. Aside from that, there are also multiple unfamiliar faces going around as if they are legitimate settlers in the area.


    I stopped the car and went out to face them. Of all the ces where they could stay, they have gathered just inches away from my Pack¡¯s borders, adding a threat to our Pack.


    Before I could fully process these unexpected changes and speak to them, their faces suddenly lit up when they recognized me.


    ¡°It¡¯s Alpha Drystan! He¡¯s here!¡±


    ¡°Alpha Drystan is here!¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    I stood just outside my car with confusion written all over my face until familiar faces finally appeared and approached me.


    ¡°Alpha Drystan, we¡¯ve been waiting for you,¡± one of the Alphas said, his voice tinged with desperation.


    I took a look at each one of them, recognizing most of them.


    What are they doing here? Why have they gathered outside my Pack?


    I told Beta Caden to make them go home because I wouldn¡¯t being home soon. Yet, they are here, outside my Pack, making themselves at home illegally.


    ¡°Alpha Drystan, we need to talk to you.¡±


    I took a step back as everyone crowded around me. My brows furrowed, my instinct to protect my Pack warring with my curiosity.¡± What is the meaning of this?¡± I asked, gesturing at the camps.


    The Alphas exchanged a weighted nce at each other, tension palpable in the air. ¡°We¡¯vee to you in the hopes of forging a new alliance,¡± another Alpha exined, his tone grave.¡±


    ¡°Our Packs have so much we could benefit from each other. I believe that we can grow faster together.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Drystan, about the agreement I cancelledst time, I¡¯ve thought about it and realized the huge mistake I have made. Why don¡¯t we continue our agreement? This time, let us widen our partnership.¡±


    I looked at them with disbelief in my eyes as they all tried to talk on top of each other like children desperate for attention.


    My jaw tightened as I witnessed their shamelessness and audacity toe here desperately asking for a favour like they hadn¡¯t purposefully offended me before.


    None of them even felt remorse or said sorry for the offences they hadmitted against us.


    My expression hardened as their words sank in, and a simmering anger began to rise within me.


    ¡°You have the gall toe to my Pack¡¯s doorstep, uninvited and unannounced, and expect me to simply grant you the alliance that you seek?¡± My voice was low and dangerous, my eyes narrowing as 1 surveyed the gathered Alphas.


    ¡°You speak of beneficial partnerships, helping each other out, yet you conveniently neglected to mention the offences youmitted against me and my whole Pack,¡± I took a step forward, my posture radiating authority and righteous indignation.


    ¡ª


    ¡°The breach of contracts, the humiliation, the rumours you easily believed in without even asking me about it, the betrayal do you think I have forgotten those transgressions so easily?¡± My fists clenched at my sides, the muscles in my jaw tightening.


    ¡°You have the nerve to stand before me like nothing happened. Your tents are pitched just beyond my territory without my permission, and you are asking for my help.


    Is that how little you think of us? That I will forget everything and willingly ept your offers of alliances just because we are a small Pack that has not yet to prove?¡± I demanded, my voice rising with each word.


    ¡°You have no shame, no sense of remorse for the harm you have caused,¡± I spoke firmly as my gaze swept over them, my anger palpable.


    The Alphas shifted ufortably. However, I found no guilt in their eyes. Only desperation to form an alliance with my Pack.


    They don¡¯t care that they have overstepped, that their actions have consequences. All they think about is the benefits they could have if they form a connection to a Pack that is close to the Shadowfang Pack.


    Their desperation was so great that they had been willing to take this risk.


    ¡°As werewolves, loyalty is what we value the most. Yet, you Alphas don¡¯t have that very important character.¡± I paused, my chest heaving with the weight of my emotions.


    ¡°From now on, Pack is going to adhere to the Unteral Law, where we will no longer form allians or connections with anyone else, Only the Shadowfang Pack and the Frostbite Pack, who had remained loyal to us, can keep the alliance they have with us,¡± I proimed to all of them.


    The Alphas exchanged uneasy nces as they realized that they lost the only chance they had to fulfil their dreams of being connected to the Most Powerful Pack in the world.


    The Unteral Law is the samew that the Shadowfang Pack has. It is aw where a Pack¡¯s strength and survival depend solely on its own self-reliance and independence, Forging bonds to outside Packs is not allowed.


    ¡°Alpha Drystan, please allow us to make amends,¡± all of them pleaded, but my heart was already hardened, and there was nothing that was going to change my mind.

 Chapter 123

    <strong>Chapter 123: Refined Woman</strong>


    Giselle¡¯s POV


    I sat on the balcony, the warm afternoon sun dappling on my face as I bent over my sketchpad.


    A small smile yed on my lips as I delicately guided the paintbrush across the paper, coaxing the vibrant hues of a delicate orchid to life.


    With each gentle stroke, the petals unfurled on the page, their delicate leaves and subtle gradient of colour emerging under my skilled touch.


    I lost myself in the rhythm of my movements, the brush dancing across the surface, creating a serene and beautiful image.


    But as time passed by, my smile slowly faded, reced by a furrowed brow and a growing sense of dissatisfaction.


    With a frustrated huff, I pressed the bristles of the brush against the paper, covering the entire drawing with ck pigment.


    ¡°Luna, it was so beautiful. Why did you stop?¡± The omega beside me asked, who was also one of my attendants.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like it. It doesn¡¯t look like an orchid at all. It looks like I am drawing chives,¡± I rolled my eyes as I sat back on my chair with disappointment.


    ¡°That¡¯s not true. I wasn¡¯t thinking of chives while you were drawing at all. I haven¡¯t seen anyone who can paint as good as you in this Packhouse, Luna,¡± the omega replied.


    ¡°Of course, you would appreciate such a lousy drawing. For an omega like you, how could you possibly appreciate the great arts when you have never even seen them,¡± I raised an eyebrow in annoyance.


    ¡°That¡¯s true, Luna, but not even Astrid could draw a perfect circle even if she wanted to.¡±


    My eyes turned to her in interest.


    ¡°Astrid is nothing like you, Luna. She could beat a man to death, but she could never draw with her wobbly hands, and she could never dance with her stiff figure,¡± she told me with confidence.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± I asked her as a small smile threatened to form on my face.


    ¡°Of course, Luna! I¡¯m sincerely telling the truth. Astrid is more like a man. Not only that, but I also heard that scars filled her body because of her job and her training. It¡¯s truly no wonder why Killian was never attracted to her.¡±


    ughed at her words with a fan pressed to my mouth. ¡°Of course, Killian won¡¯t be attracted to someone that as manly as him. Maybe he is disgusted with her body; that¡¯s why he never shared a room with her.¡±


    I sighed. ¡°Oh, poor guy. Luckily, I came back for him, or he would never had anyone to release his hidden desires with.


    ¡°It¡¯s true, Luna; everyone felt bad for Alpha Killian because Astrid ended up as his mate. Even the Elder


    Luna was heartbroken for her son. There wasn¡¯t a day she never felt bad for her son.¡±


    My eyebrows bent downwards. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine how hard it was for Mother,¡± I replied in petyCcontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Mother, that¡¯s what I call Killian¡¯s mother.


    ¡°You, on the other hand, Luna, are filled with grace and poise. You are a refined woman blessed with talent and beauty. I was so mesmerized by your drawing earlier. I couldn¡¯t wait to discover more of yo talents.¡±


    I softly chuckled, tickled by her praises andpliments. ¡°When I was young, I used to dance in public. and people say that I¡¯ma good singer too,¡± I spoke with a pleased smile on my face.


    Her mouth fell open in awe. ¡°I can¡¯t believe such a perfect woman really exists. You already won Alpha Killian¡¯s heart by your beauty alone; you don¡¯t even need that talent anymore because of your natural beauty.¡±


    I chuckled at her words again, feeling ttered by my content. ¡°Oh, stop it! It¡¯s only because I take care of my own skin that I never had scars. I don¡¯t do man jobs. That¡¯s why I don¡¯t tan, and I don¡¯t grow a muscr build.¡±


    Sheughed at my words.


    ¡°If Killian fell in love with my beauty, then I¡¯m sure he would never let me go again if he found out about my talents.¡±


    ¡°Luna! Luna!¡± One of my attendants rushed in with excitement written all over her face.


    ¡°What is it again?¡± I asked her in annoyance.


    ¡°I have some news from the Nightsong Pack,¡± she answered with a wide, infectious grin spread across her face.


    ¡°What is it again?¡± I rolled my eyes.


    Recently, all I¡¯ve heard from their Pack was bad news. It was said that the Nightsong Pack had just


    ed an alliance with the Shadowfang Pack, which was hard to believe.


    Now, everyone that I have already made to turn against them is desperate to connect with them. All my efforts werepletely put to waste because the Shadowfang Pack stepped in to help them. Until now, I¡¯m still wondering why they finally decided to meddle with us just now. They have been perfectly fine keeping their silence and isting themselves from our matters. Why did they suddenly change their minds?


    My brows furrowed in puzzled contemtion as I mulled it over. Of all the Packs, why would they form an alliance with the Nightsong Pack, which was already on the brink of destruction? Why would they even save Astrid, a worthless omega, from dying?


    If the Shadowfang Pack didn¡¯t step in, Astrid would be dead, and the Nightsong Pack would finally be gone, just like what I wanted.


    The Shadowfang Pack ruined all my ns. They took the victory that was almost in my hands, and they even added to my problem.

 Chapter 124

    Chapter 124: An Affair


    Giselle¡¯s POV


    ¡°Luna, please don¡¯t be angry. It¡¯s bad for our future Alpha. I promise you, what I have is a piece of good news,¡± The omega who just arrived spoke with a wide, infectious grin spread across her face.


    ¡°Just speak!¡± I snapped at her in annoyance, making her cower down.


    After recovering herself, a small, imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she leaned in closer, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial murmur.


    ¡°Apparently, the Nightsong Pack is on the receiving end of a lot of hate right now,¡± she revealed, a glint of something almost akin to satisfaction flickered in her eyes.


    I raised an eyebrow at her. ¡°And how is that possible? People were just desperate to meet Alpha Drystan and form an alliance with himst time. Howe their heart changed quickly? Are you sure that your sources are correct?¡±


    ¡°Luna!¡± her eyes widened with hurt when I doubted her. ¡°It was Alpha Killian¡¯s most trusted source that had told me. I will never give you the news that I¡¯m unsure of.¡±


    Iughed when I heard her assurances. ¡°What a joke? They are so¨Ccalled Alphas, yet they are naive and narrow¨Cminded people,¡± Iughed heartily once again with my head tilting back. ¡°This is the biggest joke I¡¯ve ever heard.¡±


    My attendants alsoughed and smiled with me.


    ¡°Those Alphas had no loyalty. They are so scared of taking risks they just go where the public leads them. They were just desperate to form an alliance with Alpha Drystan, and now they hate him once again. What has happened this time?¡± I asked her.


    ¡°It turns out that when Alpha Drystan came back from the Shadowfang Pack, he pushed all the Alphas away and insulted them. He announced that he would never form an alliance with anyone except the St. wfang Pack and the Frostbite Pack, with whom he is currently allied,¡± she answered.


    I have already expected this. Alpha Drystan is not a fool like those other stupid Alphas. It¡¯s normal that he would never repeat the same mistake of epting them again after they had betrayed him.


    ¡°People are calling him ungrateful and arrogant just because they have experienced a little power. If it wasn¡¯t for the Shadowfang Pack, they would be nothing. Now that the Shadowfang Pack has their back, he is looking down on everyone.¡±


    ¡°Those Alphas are foolish to think that Alpha Drystan would forgive them easily. They are so self- absorbed that they never thought about what Alpha Drystan¡¯s reaction would be,¡± I exined to them, and they both nodded in agreement.


    ¡°You are truly wise, Luna,¡± Rhya, the omega who delivered me the news, replied.


    ¡°is this the good news that you have for me?¡± I questioned her. ¡°How is it good that the Nightsong Pack are receiving lots of hate just because people can¡¯t handle the idea of a weak Pack rising in the ranks?


    Even if they are hated, it doesn¡¯t matter as long as they have the Shadowfang Pack¡¯s favour. Everyone would rather be hated by many than be disliked by one ¡°Of course, this isn¡¯t just the news I have, Luna,¡± Rhya lowered her head before me


    ¡°What else is it? Make sure it¡¯s good; you¡¯re wasting my time,¡± I told her with dissatisfaction.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Luna, I also heard that Alpha Drystan returned alone to his Pack.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± I identally blurted out loud. I was so surprised that my back leaned forward from my chair.


    The omegas instantly lowered their heads at my sudden surprised reaction.


    I cleared my throat and leaned back in my chair again. ¡°Astrid stayed behind in the Shadowfang Pack?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, Luna,¡± Rhya answered confidently.


    I pursed my lips and squinted my eyes as I thought about it deeply. After a long moment of silence, my lips stretched widely when I finally thought of something.


    ¡°Rhya, I need you to do something for me,¡± I spoke, the corners of my lips twitching slightly upward.


    ¡°Anything, Luna,¡± she replied with her head lowered in ready obedience.


    ¡°I want you to spread another rumour with me. This time, Astrid is having an affair with the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack,¡± I chuckled at my words.


    Rhya lifted her chin up with a wide look in her eyes, ¡°Luna¡­ but will they believe that? Last time we said that she was having an affair with Alpha Drystan, everyone regretted that they believed it after it was unproven. Will they believe a rumour like this again?¡±


    ¡°Luna, think twice; we can¡¯t make another mistake again. I¡¯m afraid if the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack is included in the rumours, no one would believe it,¡± my other omega spoke up in support.


    Iughed at their cluelessness. ¡°Of course, everyone will. Didn¡¯t you say that everyone hates Nightsong Pack right now? They will do everything to bring the Nightsong Pack down, even by believing and spreading this rumour.


    I¡¯m only giving them the way how to bring them down. All they have to do is to believe this rumour, and who knows, maybe the Shadowfang Pack will think that the only way to silence these rumours is by breaking their alliance.¡±


    The omegas stared at each other with amazement in their eyes.


    ¡°You are truly wise, Luna,¡± they bowed their heads to me and spoke in unison.


    I smiled. ¡°The Shadowfang Pack had made the great mistake of supporting Astrid. Everywhere Astrid goes, she just gives bad luck. First, the Nightsong Pack nearly died because of her, and now she¡¯s going to ruin Shadowfag Pack¡¯s reputation. Let¡¯s just see how the Shadowfang Pack would react to this rumour.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think this is just a rumour, Luna. Aside from the affair, I can¡¯t think of other reasons why a powerful Pack would help losers like them. Maybe it¡¯s the truth,¡± the omega answered.


    ¡°Maybe it is,¡± I replied with a smile.

 Chapter 125

    Chapter 125: Scandalous Rumor


    Alpha Theron¡¯s POV


    My face flushed with rage as I bolted upright, mming my fist down on the sturdy wooden table with a resounding crack.


    The Warrior in front of me visibly flinched. He lowered his head submissively after he had delivered the most outrageous report that I ever heard.


    My lips thinned as my chest heaved with rapid and shallow breaths. ¡°This is preposterous!¡± I roared in anger.


    How could those people easily believe this kind of rumor? Who would evene up with it? My heart burned in anger just at the thought of it.


    ¡°Alpha, please don¡¯t get angry at me, I¡¯m just delivering the news that I heard,¡± the warrior spoke in a small voice without looking at me.


    Upon hearing his voice, my piercing gaze turned back to the cowering warrior who cowered even more.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°I¨CI¡¯m sorry, Alpha,¡± he swallowed hard, unable to meet my gaze.


    I just sighed, containing my anger in. It¡¯s unfair of me to direct my anger to him when this is not even his fault. I shouldn¡¯t me him for his report.


    I clenched my jaw as I restlessly paced back and forth across the room. I couldn¡¯tprehend how this scandalous rumors had circted among the Packs and even infiltrated my Pack and poisoned the minds of my own people.


    Rumors of an affair with Astrid? Preposterous! The more I thought about it, the more it fueled my anger.


    How could they think that I¡¯m having an affair with my own daughter. Once the truth is out, I¡¯m sure they would vomit in disgust for believing such a disgusting and outrageous rumor.


    ¡°Where did these vicious rumors came from?!¡± I demanded with a loud voice.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t started any investigation yet, Alpha. I came here to report it as soon as possible after I heard it,¡± he answered in a low voice.


    I paused and slowly nodded my head. ¡°This rumor¡­ Is it really the talk of all the Packs?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha. There¡¯s no one who hasn¡¯t heard about it. People are feasting on this rumor. They all believe it like it was verified news,¡± he replied. ¡°What should we do about this, Alpha? People areughing at us, this rumor will continue to destroy our reputation if we just let it be.¡±


    I shut my eyes tight as I thought about the long¨Cterm effects of this rumor to our Pack. Since the Nightsong Pack is included in this rumor, this will also surely negatively affect them.


    ¡°Alpha, why don¡¯t we just announce that Astrid is your daughter in public?In that way, this rumors will be easily silenced,¡± he eagerly suggested.


    1 heaved a sigh. If I could do that, I would have done that before this rumor even started.


    I¡¯m not ashamed that Astrid is my daughter. In fact, I wanted to proim to the whole world that she is MY daughter.


    I wanted the whole world to know that Astrid is my daughter and those who had offended her and will offend her in the future will be subjected to me.


    However, I had to honor her wishes.


    As I remember how much Astrid had suffered during my absence, my heart aches because I could have been there to protect her and defend her. I have failed her so many times.


    She had lived a miserable life because of me.


    Now that we finally met again, I could finally do things that I should have done for her a long time ago. ¡°Alpha, should I make the announcement?¡± He probed when I didn¡¯t give an answer.


    My expression softened as I considered the weight of his question. ¡°Astrid is indeed my daughter,¡± I began, ¡°A daughter I was only recently reunited with after years of separation.¡± I paused once again as ! slowly faced him with a resolute stare in my eyes.


    ¡°This is a special and personal matter for me and my family. Astrid deserves to be honored and be introduced to the public in a special way.¡± My expression turned hard and serious. ¡°This special announcement won¡¯t be made light and simple. I shall introduce my daughter to the whole world with the best and most memorable event.¡±


    ¡°Then Alpha, shall we start making the preparations for this event that you talk about? The sooner that everyone knows that Astrid is your daughter, the safer it would be for us. In that way, we could stop the rumors from circting before it gets bigger and gets out of our control,¡± he suggested once again.


    I pursed my lips as itched to say yes and act behind my daughter¡¯s back. However, I don¡¯t want to break her trust that is not even fully there yet.


    ¡°We can¡¯t do that,¡± I shut my eyes as I forced out my answer.


    His eyes widened at my answer. ¡°What shall we do then?¡±


    I sighed even more. ¡°When the time is right, I will present my daughter to the world. Until then, I must ask for your discretion. No one can know about this yet.¡±


    Liam¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°But the rumor, Alpha-¡±


    ¡°Just do as I say,¡± I raised my voice, cutting him off from his words. ¡°Just make sure that these rumors don¡¯t reach our Pack. No one must know this scandalous rumor, especially Astrid, Asha and my son, Andros.¡±


    Liam nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of the situation. All he could do is just submit to my decisions.

 Chapter 126

    Chapter 126: Dignified Stranger


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    I closed my eyes as I savored the earthy, floral scents that wafted through the air as Nova and I strolled through the winding garden garden Path of the Shadowfang Pack¡¯s manor.


    Instead of a Packhouse, they call this ce where their Alpha lives as a manor instead because this is his personal home.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    The Shadowfang Pack is located on two conjoined mountains with ake in the middle. Despite their unique and difficultndscape, they were able to build big structures in their area, and they are even able to nt gardens as wide as this.


    I smiled as I admired the various flowers nted in the area, which I couldn¡¯t name because Ick knowledge when ites to flowers, and gardening and nts entirely.


    I just knew that it must have took them a lot of effort to cultivate such healthy and lush nts especially in this difficult are that they have.


    like


    Flowers like this, don¡¯t usually grow on rocky soil at the steep mountain grounds. For them to grow this, it has to be well taken cared of so that the Alpha and his family will have a ce to enjoy themselves in.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Nova exhaled rxingly behind me. ¡°How long has it been since we went out for a walk?¡± Nova asked me, with her eyes still on the flowers around us.


    She held a basket tightly in her hands since we were nning to cut some flowers to add color in my room. The gardener said that we could do that as long as we don¡¯t take too much.


    Although Nova and I has been staying in the Shadowfang Pack for too long, we were mostly confined inside the four corners of my room since I was too weak and even too tired to do anything else.


    Now that I¡¯m getting therapies and also proper medication, I finally found the desire to go outside my room and explore around the ce where we¡¯ve been staying in until this garden caught our attention.


    Nova walked closely by my side with a smile on her face as she stared up at me. Even though she never said a word about it, I think she¡¯s happy to see my spirits restored, that I no longer sulk inside my room and I¡¯m finally starting to go outside more.


    ¡°I know, it had been far too long since I hadst set food outside,¡± I replied to herst statement.


    ¡°If you want, we can explore outside. Shadowfang Pack is a huge Pack, I¡¯ve been wondering what it would look like if we hike up their mountain. There must be a great view up there,¡± Nova suggested as she lifted her chin up to gaze at the mountain peak, she raised one hand to shield her eyes from the blinding light.


    Out of curiosity, I also followed her gaze. Indeed, I also wonder what it would be like if we go up there.


    ¡°Huh? Who is that person?¡± Nova mumbled.


    I nced at her, wondering what she was talking about I followed her gaze again and i saw her looking at a man walking directly towards our path.


    My brows furrowed, matching the confusion that is also etched on Nova¡¯s face.


    As the stranger approached, I took in more of his striking appearance. He was a young man, perhaps in his mid¨Ctwenties, with a tall, athletic build that suggested both strength and grace.


    His features were refined and handsome with high cheekbones, a sharp jawline, and piercing eyes the color of emeralds.


    Behind him, two warriors followed closely. Their stoic expressions and imposing statures adding to the air of mystery that surrounded the stranger.


    When our eyes met, I was taken aback by the intensity that I sensed within his gaze. There was a dangerous edge to his expression, betraying his gentle features and his refined countenance.


    I could sense an unseen tension coiling beneath his stoic expression, as if some invisible force was urging him towards a confrontation.


    I shirked back when his brows furrowed ever so slightly, his jaw tightening as their eyes locked, and I felt the weight of his scrutiny bearing down upon me.


    I couldn¡¯t understand. Is he angry at me? We areplete strangers. I¡¯m sure I have never even seen him before. Somehow, he hates me. What had I done to deserve his hate?


    Have I done something wrong when I only did nothing but stare at him?


    ¡°You¡¯re Astrid, am I right?¡± The man asked as he stopped right in front of me.


    A growing sense of unease made my stomach twist in difort. How did he know who I was?


    ¡°I am,¡± I answered curtly, wondering what his business with me was.


    ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± he asked me coldly as he red at me.


    I squinted my eyes at him, surprised by his unexpected hostility. ¡°Should I know you?¡± I asked him.


    I didn¡¯t like the way he approached me.


    He suddenlyughed at my response. ¡°You should, especially since the man you are seducing concerns me.¡±


    I lifted my eyebrows at him in surprise, not having any idea what he was talking about. ¡°Excuse me?!¡± I shot at him. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°My name is Andros. Do you now know who I am?¡± he spoke in a cold voice as he towered over me.

 Chapter 127

    Chapter 127: Half¨CBrotherContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    My brow furrowed in bewilderment when I heard his name. No hint of familiarity or recognition crossed my face after he had mentioned that his name is Andros.


    I¡¯ve been the Silvermoon Pack¡¯s Luna for so many years and I¡¯ve met many special and important people as one, but I¡¯ve never heard the name ¡°Andros¡± my entire life.


    As my Luna, it was my job to widen our Pack¡¯s connection and meet new people. ¡°Andros¡± is a name that was never in my list.


    He said I should know who he is, but his name doesn¡¯t even sound familiar to me at all even though it¡¯s a prettymon name.


    ¡°You,¡± he spat, the words dripping with contempt. ¡°You should know me.¡± he fixed me with an usatory re.


    He must have felt offended that his name didn¡¯t gain the reaction he expected from me.


    My mind raced, struggling to make sense of this confrontation. I don¡¯t know him, nor do I know why he harbors such hatred towards me. Has he mistaken me for someone else?


    However, he knew what my name was.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t believe we¡¯ve met,¡± I replied cautiously, my mind racing to make sense of the confrontation.


    ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb with me, woman,¡± he growled, his eyes arrowing to slits. ¡°I know all about you affair with my father.¡±


    I had no idea whether to deny his words orugh at the absurdity of it. Me? Having an affair with his father? Just look how old is he, his father could be double my age. I¡¯m not the type of woman who dates older me who has children my age.


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I finally managed to voice out with indignation after feeling offended by his usation. ¡°I don¡¯t even know you and I surely don¡¯t know who your father is. I¡¯m sure I haven¡¯t met your father.¡±


    The stranger scoffed at my words his lip curling in disdain. ¡°You are staying in our Pack, and you say that you have never met my father? Do you really think I would believe a stupid answer as that?¡±


    My cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. This is the first time I ever went out of my room to enjoy myself and he had ruined it.


    Without any idea, he just approached me and started picking up a fight against me. He is insisting things that I had no idea of what he¡¯s talking about.


    I swallowed hard and met his gaze to show how sincere I am in telling the truth. ¡°I can assure you, sir, I have done no such things,¡± I retorted, my toneced with offense, but still I spoke with respect even though he didn¡¯t deserve it.


    The stranger¡¯s eyes flickered as my words momentarily pierced through his resolve. He must have seen the sincerity in my eyes and heard the truth in my words. However, that wasn¡¯t enough to make him stop believing what he believes in.


    He remained unconvinced. He still thinks that I was simply ying the part of the innocent bystander, hoping to conceal the scandalous affair that he talks about.


    ¡°How would you expect me to believe that?¡± he sneered at me. The rumors about your affair with my father have been spreading like wildfire. It got so bad that this news even reached me so I had to rush back.


    People areughing at my father behind our backs. You are destroying our clean reputation with your scandalous actions.¡±


    My heart raced inside me, a strange cocktail of emotions swirled within me. ¡°What rumors?¡± I asked as I squinted my eyes at him.


    Andros scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. ¡°Do you take me for a fool?¡± he demanded, his tone dripping with contemot. ¡°The gossip has spread far ad wide ¨C your name is on the lips of every person in ourmunity including the outside Packs.¡±


    My brows furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossed my features. If rumor has truly been circting around us, then howe I have never heard a word about it?


    I fell silent and narrowed my eyes on Andros as I thought about whether believing his words or not. He could be exaggerating his words or he could also be lying about it so he could get out the truth from me


    ¡°Who is your father exactly?¡± I finally asked him. He kept talking about his father and I realized that he hadn¡¯t even mentioned a name at all.


    Andros gave me a long look, hesitating to tell me what his father¡¯s name was. He must be thinking that I was only ying with him.


    ¡°Andros, you¡¯ve mentioned your father several times now, but you¡¯ve never actually told me his name,¡± added with a calm and measured voice. ¡°Just tell me who your father is.¡±


    Andros¡¯s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of uncertainty cross his features. ¡°My father,¡± he began, his wordsced with a hint of reluctance, ¡°is Alpha Theron.¡±


    My eyes widened in surprise, the realization dawning on me like a thunderp. A rumor that Theron and I are having an affair is spreading on around us?


    Howe I¡¯ve only heard about this now? For sure, Alpha Theron had already found out about this. He has a lot of men working under him they must have reported this rumor to him already.


    ¡°Alpha Theron?¡± I repeated, my voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°He is your father?¡± I questioned him


    ¡°Now you know what I¡¯m talking about?¡± Andros spoke indifferently.


    I stood in tense silence in front of him now that I have realized that the person standing in front of me is actually my half¨Cbrother that I never knew I had.


    I¡¯ve met Asha, and I knew she was Alpha Theron¡¯s only daughter, but I never knew about the rest of Asha¡¯s siblings.

 Chapter 128

    Chapter 128: Father¡¯s Mistress


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    Finally, I understood why he is so indifferent and hostile towards me. It turns out, he is Alpha Theron¡¯s son, and with that he could do whatever he wants in the Pack without any consequences.


    He had the rights to confront me in a hostile manner inside of his own Pack.


    ¡°Now tell me, are these rumors I¡¯ve heard true?¡± He asked me with an usatory re.


    I fell silent at his question, without knowing what answer to give him. Should I tell him that I am his half- sister? Clearly he doesn¡¯t have any idea about this.


    Alpha Theron hasn¡¯t told him anything yet so why should I tell him my real identity? This is something that Alpha Theron should have done, and maybe he hadn¡¯t done it because of a reasonable exnation.


    A hard truth like this is something that Andros should find out from his father and not from her.


    ¡°Well?¡± he pressed, his toneced with a hint of desperation. ¡°I need to know Astrid. Have you been deceiving me all this time?¡± Andros questioned, his expression a mix of suspicion and uncertainty


    The weight of his words settle upon me like a heavy cloak. My heart pounded inside my chest as I grappled with what answer I should give him. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words seemed to catch in my throat, leaving me in a pensive silence.


    In the end, I could only shut my mouth and lower my head which also admittedly proved his suspicions even further.


    How could I tell him that the rumor affair was just a twist of fate, a misunderstanding that spiraled out of control? I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t even believe me if I reveal to him that I am his half¨Csister.


    Andros¡¯s expression darkened, his jaw clenching with frustration. ¡°So you admit it, then?¡± he used, his wordsced with a bitterness that cut like a knife. ¡°Why can¡¯t you give me an answer? The rumors are real, am I right? You¡¯ve denied everything and even asked me lots of questions to deter me. You knew everything that I have spoke of, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    My gaze fell to the ground, my thoughts racing as I grappled with the dilemma in front of me. If I reveal the truth, I believe things would only be worse than this.


    Andros hates me because he thinks that I¡¯ve been seducing is father. If he finds out that I am his half- sister and he thinks that it was my mother who seduced his father and had an affair with him, for sure he would only hate me even more if he finds out that truth.


    Lifting my eyes to meet Andros¡¯s gaze, I could see the conflicting emotions across his features. He waited me to say something¡­ anything, but I remained silent.


    ¡°Guards, seize her!¡± he shouted and as soon as hismand has left his mouth, his guards that were closely following behind him, surrounded and grabbed my both arms.


    Seeing the turn of events, Nova¡¯s eyes widened. She dropped the basket that she was carrying and immediately intervened to rescue me. ¡°What are you doing? You can¡¯t do this to her without Alpha


    Theron¡¯s permission.¡± Nova fought back.


    ¡°Alpha Theron is my father, as his eldest child and only son, I do not need to have his permission,¡± Andros retorted, but Nova refused to back down.


    ¡°We are the Alpha¡¯s guests. You cannot touch us without the Alpha¡¯s permission!¡± Nova shouted back. ¡°Nova,¡± I whispered her name and grabbed her arm when I saw her open her mouth once again.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    I know that she is itching to tell Andros the truth, that I am his half¨Csister which I know would never make any difference.


    ¡°As the future Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, he has the authority to do this,¡± I stopped her with my words.


    Nova looked at me with her brows pressed together and the unwillingness to yield against Andros¡¯s words.


    We both had no idea what Andros is nning to do with me. It¡¯s possible that he takes me to their Pack¡¯s dungeons or he takes me somewhere else.


    However, knowing that I¡¯m his half¨Csister will surely never stop him from doing any of that.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just do what he says, Nova,¡± I clenched her hand to assure her, but my words didn¡¯t ease any worries that she has.


    Andros got even more infuriated when he saw how I was acting. First, I was ying the role of an innocent, now I¡¯m ying the role of a hero, a person wrongfully used yet willing to go with the procedure.


    ¡°Take her away!¡± Androsmanded without bothering to argue with me anymore.


    Nova¡¯s protests fell into deaf ears as the guards started to drag me away. Suddenly, a loud voice stopped us.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here!¡± A strong and loud voice halted us into a stop.


    When we turned our heads to look where the voice came from, everyone fell into surprise when they instantly recognized Alpha Theron approaching us with his usual line of guards.


    ¡°Alpha,¡± everyone, including Andros lowered their heads to him in reverence. Nova and I also followed suit.


    ¡°What are you doing to her?¡± Where are you taking her?¡± Alpha Theron demanded again as he freed me from the Pack Warrior¡¯s hold and held me close to him to protect me.


    The guards fell silent, their heads cowered even more in fear at his question. Meanwhile, Andros had the opposite reaction, he felt more infuriated to see his father protecting what he thought was his mistress.

 Chapter 129

    Chapter 129: The Real Affair


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    I lowered my gaze when the atmosphere turned a hundred degrees lower in Kaks there s felt suffocated as tension grew between the father and son duo, both content a targ gaze.


    Both of them share the same strong personality, both were refusing to back down from each o steeled myself, preparing for the inevitable explosion between the twomanding figues.


    Just like Nova and I who had done nothing wrong, the guards who had been moments away from dragging me away, covered visibly at Alpha Theron¡¯s sudden appearance, their grip on my arm ckening at the Alpha¡¯s anger that was pointed towards it.


    ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± Alpha Theron thundered, his voice echoing through their thiness. ¡°Uhand her at once!¡±


    The guards, their faces pale with fear, quickly released Astnd, taking a step back as Theron N


    towards them, his powerful presencemanding theirplete submission


    Andros, however, reacted very differently. As he watched his father interven on Astrid¡¯s behalf, a surge of white hot rage coursed through him. His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching as he witnessed the scene unfold before him.


    ¡°So, it is true, then,¡± Andros spat, his voice dripping with contempt. ¡°You have been protecting your mistress all this time, Father.¡±


    Alpha Theron¡¯s attention snapped to Andros his expression darkening as he registered the usation.¡± What are you talking about, boy?¡± he growled, his toneced with a warning.


    Andros refused to back down, his anger fueling his reckless words. ¡°Don¡¯t y the fool, father,¡± he hissed) ¡°These rumors of your affair with Astrid ¨C I see now that they were true all along and you¡¯ve been hiding it from me, preotecting her at the expense of your own children and your own Pack.


    Alpha Theron¡¯s brows furrowed with a deep, disappointed frown as he regarded his son, Andros. The young man¡¯s usation had struck him like a blow to the chest, the weight of those words cutting him to the core.


    ¡°Andros,¡± Alpha Theron began, his voiceced with a mixture of sorrow and reproach. ¡°As my son, I had expected more from you,¡± he shook his head slowly, his piercing gaze boring into Andros¡¯s eyes. ¡°How could you believe such vile rumors, especially about your own father?¡±


    Alpha Theron¡¯s broad shoulders squared with a sense of wounded pride. He had always strived to be an honorable leader, a man of unwavering principle and integrity qualities he had hoped to instill in his heir.


    And yet, here was Andros, his only son, his own flesh and blood, seemingly willing to believe the scandalous whispers that had been circting about him and Astrid.


    As his son, he thought he would know better than believe that he would let his personal life ruin the reputation of his Pack.


    He had chosen to abandon my mother while she was still pregnant for the sake of his Pack, so how could he put his Pack in danger like this?


    ¡°I thought I had raised you to be better than this,¡± Theron continued, his voice tinged with disappointment, ¡°To have the wisdom and discernment to see beyond theseughable gossips that we often struggled with as people in power.¡±


    Andros felt offended at his father¡¯s words. It¡¯s not that he is questioning his father¡¯s integrity. He came here to confront me, to find out the truth, but they kept on giving him nothing. Every minute, we only seem to confirm his suspicions.


    Andros, whom I thought had lost all words to say, finally spoke. ¡°Then who is she? What is she even doing to our Pack? Without her, people wouldn¡¯t be thinking these kinds of things. It¡¯s because of her that people are getting the wrong ideas.¡± Andros red at me as he spoke.


    Theron took a step forward, his presencemanding the attention of all the people in the clearing.¡± Astrid is not my mistress, Andros. She is your sister.¡±


    Andros¡¯s heart pounded inside his chest as he stared back and forth at Astrid and then his father. His world suddenly turned upside down. He had confronted Astrid, certain that she was his father¡¯s mistress, but the grave expressions on their faces told a different story.


    ¡°Astrid is¡­ my half¨Csister?¡± Andros choked out, the words feeling strange and foreign on his tongue.


    This was thest thing he ever could have imagined.


    Growing up, his family had always seemed so perfect, so loving. The idea that his father had an illegitimate child, one even older than himself, was simply unfathomable.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Alpha Theron cleared his throat, meeting Andros¡¯s bewildered gaze. ¡°There¡¯s no other way to say this son, but Astrid is my daughter from before I met your mother.¡± The older man¡¯s voice was heavy with regret. ¡± should have told you long ago, but I was ashamed. I was afraid of how you would react.¡±


    Andros whirled to look at me, searching my face for any sign that this was just an borate ruse. But my solemn expression left him no room for doubt. This was no prank ¨C it was the truth, in ad simple.


    Andros ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. ¡°Since when? Since when did the two of you reconciled?¡± He demanded.


    ¡°It had only been half a month, Andros. I was nning to tell you. I didn¡¯t want you to find out about it this way. I was nning to tell you once you¡¯re back,¡± Alpha Theron exined, hoping that his son wouldn¡¯t hold this against him.

 Chapter 130

    <strong>Chapter 130: Sister</strong>


    Astrid¡¯s POV


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell us that you¡¯reing. If you had said something, we would have prepared ourselves to face you,¡± Alpha Theron spoke with his broad shoulders slumped slightly.


    Andros felt a surge of angry confusion, his brow furrowing as he realized the implication. ¡°So you¡¯re saying that it was my fault then?¡± he used, his voiceced with a bitterness he had never before directed at his father.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°If only I had told you I wasing, you could have prepared yourselves?¡± Andros repeated.


    The young man¡¯s chest heaved with the weight of his emotions, the betrayal he had felt at the rumors nowpounded by the realization that his own family had been keeping this truth from him.


    ¡°I rushed back here because I was worried, because of those rumors I had heard,¡± he spat, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of hurt and indignation. ¡°Haven¡¯t you thought that this wouldn¡¯t happen if you had just told me about this before this rumors started growing?¡±


    Alpha Theron¡¯s expression softened. ¡°Son, it was never our intention to me you,¡± he spoke, his voice low and soothing.


    ¡°You knew about the rumors, you knew what was happening. You had all the time you needed, you had all the opportunities toe out clean to us and yet you didn¡¯t. So don¡¯t lie to me by saying that you did not want things to end up like this because you made everything end up like this!¡±


    I turned my head away as I felt the weight of Andros¡¯s words. My shoulders slumped as I stared down at my hands, a profound sense of shame washed over me.


    I¡¯m an illegitimate child ¨C a mistake, a product of my parent¡¯s indiscretion.


    I never aked for this burden, to be included in the consequences of their infidelity.


    And now, here I am, feeling like a home wrecker, caught up in a tangled web that is not of my own making. The irony wasn¡¯t lost to me ¨C my whole life I was made to feel unworthy, yet I somehow managed to inflict that same pain on another.


    This is wrong, I shouldn¡¯t have been here. My father had hurt me and my mother for abandoning us, and now he is hurting his children by choosing to reconnect with me.


    I know all of these are not my fault, they were out of my control. I never wanted this, I never sought to cause any harm. I also have no power to undo the mistake of my parents.


    I was simply an unwitting pawn, a victim in this matter very much like my half¨Csiblings. However, I am at the burnt of their hatred and disappointments that should be pointed towards my parents.


    Andros turned around with hands burrowed in his hair as the weight of his realizations dawned upon him. It turns out that the truth were even worse than the rumors he had heard.


    ¡°Now everything makes sense to me. Now I know why Asha looked and sounded different thest time we spoke through video call,¡± Andros spoke, making Alpha Theron lift his chin up in interest.


    Andros heaveed a weary sigh, his brows creased with concern as his mind drifted to his sister whom he had left behind in their Pack. His heart clenched with regret and empathy for his poor sister who had to shoulder all of this burden alone without him knowing and also without his support.


    He could only imagine the loneliness that Asha must have felt, the overwhelming sense of istion as she navigated this new and devastating reality. Yet through it all, she never said a word to him.


    She kept her lips sealed, never mentioning a word to him about this issue that must have been consuming her.


    No wonder why she was asking when he woulde back.


    ¡°What did Asha tell you?¡± Alpha Theron asked.


    Clearly, he was oblivious to what his daughter is going through. He had no idea of the thoughts that his daughter has been having because of this news.


    ¡°Where is she?¡± Andros asked, ignoring his father¡¯s question. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to reach her, but she wasn¡¯t even answering. What happened to her?¡± Andros demanded as worry washed over him, as he thought of the depth of his sister¡¯s suffering while he was away.


    ¡°She was grounded locked inside her room until she realizes her mistake.¡± Alpha Theron answered. ¡°Grounded? What do you mean she¡¯s been grounded?¡± Andros asked in confusion.


    Alpha Theron has always been patient with his sister, rarely giving her any punishment. This is the first time that he gave a serious punishment for his sister.


    Alpha Theron¡¯s expression grew somber, a shadow passing over his weathered features. ¡°Your sister left me with no choice,¡± he replied, his toneced with a mixture of disappointment and regret.


    ¡°While I was away, she attacked Astrid and felt no remorse for it. Astrid even stood up to defend her, but she was ungrateful for it. I cannot let that kind of behavior go unpunished.¡± Alpha Theron exined.


    Knowing how self¨Cwilled his sister is, Andros felt even more bad for his sister. If he had¡¯t return, he wouldn¡¯t have any idea of what was happening to his sister. He had to meet her and apologize to her.


    ¡°Whatever you are nning don¡¯t do it,¡± Alpha Theron spoke firmly. ¡°I grounded her for a reason Andros and she¡¯s not allowed to connect with anyone outside until she admits her mistake.¡±


    Since this punishment was given by the Alpha, Andros cannot disobey it. If he does, this will be considered rebellion against the Alpha.


    Andros have already turned his back on them when his father¡¯s words stopped him.


    However, Andros was undeterred. He is going to see his sister no matter what.


    ¡°Then I¡¯m ready to face whatever punishment you think I deserve, father. Asha has been waiting so long for my return. Now that I¡¯m here, I¡¯m not going to waste a second to meet her.¡± With that, Andros strode off, his steps fueled with worry over his sister.


    Alpha Theron could only sigh at his son¡¯s reply. Even if he wanted to punish his son for disobeying him, how could he?


    As a father, he should be proud that his son is willing to take punishment just to be there for his sister.


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