The woods were dark. The sky was obscured by clouds which had hidden the moon from view. A breeze blew at that moment, carrying away the clouds. Moonlight washed the scene, bathing the tree tops, and the ground in a silvery haze. Mist rose from the ground, obscuring the view. Tanya walked ahead in slow steps. She was far from her home. How had she wandered so far? Suddenly there was a howl, a long high pitched one. She turned to see a black wolf nearing her. She should fear it, her mind said, but her heart lifted to see the monstrous creature. She walked towards it, opening her arms wide, as if to welcome it. The huge wolf ran towards her, until they were upon each other, hugging, mingling, then almost merging into one, till he sank his fangs into her neck. A scream of pain escaped Tanya's lips. She sat up, to find herself on her bed. So, it had all been a dream! What a strange dream, she mused. She wiped her brow and again felt the painful movement of her baby inside her. So, that was what had made her scream! She looked down at herself. The baby had kicked and though it was normal for babies to do so, it was no ordinary baby. It was a werewolf one. That too of a strong, Alpha werewolf like Neil. So, obviously it had pained her. Tanya smiled at the thought of her baby. It was so precious. Her only bond left with Neil. She already loved it, no matter that it would cause her additional hardship to bring up such a baby alone. Had Neil been with her, it would have been a joy to bring up her child in the werewolf territory where it would have learned the ways of its people. Alas! Her child would have to grow up in the city, unknown to its father. With a sigh, Tanya leaned against the pillows, staring out of the darkened window. What was Neil doing? Was he with Renee?
Ray looked at Neil, then lowered his eyes. "You may not like my choice of a mate, Alpha." he said, doubt tinging is voice. "Who is she?" Neil asked in an icy voice, his fingers slowly turning into claws as he imagined Tanya as Ray's mate. He would see his opponent biting the dust. "Em….Emma….a witch...Head Witch Sabine's niece, is my mate Alpha. I know how much you dislike the witches, so I wanted to be sure before approaching you for your permission," Ray uttered in a shaking voice. A giant wave of relief swept through Neil. He let out the pent up sigh and relaxed in the chair. "Why, congratulations man! You have my permission to go ahead with the mating ceremony," Neil said with a grin, a natural one after a long time. Stunned, Ray got up to hug his old friend, an awkward moment for the two men who had been the best buddies. "I am happy for you, Ray. When did this happen?" Neil asked, curious. "We met when I went to the coven to find a cure for the curse. Since then we have met many times and slowly realized that we love each other. She is the mate the Moon God meant for me to have." "Your union would mark the beginning of a peaceful period between the two communities, Beta Ray. It would be remembered for years to come," Joe predicted with a smile.
Neil took a sip of his drink, raising his glass to Ray first. The two friends had sat together after a long time. They had a lot to catch up on. "I can't believe that Tara came to you with her complaint. She should have talked to me,"Ray protested. "She was greatly upset at the idea of going abroad for studies, but I think it would be good for her," Neil showed his support for the decision. "I don't wish to offend you, but I don't like her keeping the company of Renee," Ray said cautiously. "Why should it offend me?" Neil glanced at the other man. Ray licked his suddenly dry lips, "She is, after all your fiancee." Neil moved over to the window, lighting a cigarette, "Renee and I are no longer an item," he smiled, before continuing, "I broke off my engagement last evening." It was almost midnight and the two men had been drinking to celebrate Ray's upcoming mating ceremony. To say that Ray was stunned would be an understatement. He had never expected Neil to break off his relationship to Renee. They had been lovers for long. "What...what do you propose to do now?" he asked. "Frankly, I have no idea. How...how is Tanya? I heard that you had met her in the city." Neil tried to feign disinterest, but the fine tremor of his hands gave him away. "How do you expect her to be? She is making an effort to move on with her life."
Ray looked at the man in front of him. For the first time in his life, he saw Neil undecided, and so clearly trying to hide his interest. He itched to tell his friend about the baby, but it was Tanya's secret and only she alone could decide to reveal it. "Oh!" that was all Neil said, before bidding him good night and walking towards his bedroom. He undressed and lay on the bed, staring at the emptiness of the other side. He imagined Tanya's head on the other pillow, or her arm around his waist. She liked to snuggle with him during her sleep, her face hidden in his chest. The yearning to have that face pressed to his chest almost drove him out of his mind. Neil jackknifed into a sitting position. He could not go on like this. He had to see Tanya, even if for one last time. He would start for the city in the morning, he decided, before laying down again, snuggling her pillow to his chest, trying to pretend that it was Tanya in his arms.
Tanya diced the potatoes and put the roast in the oven. Her mother was at the office, while she had her day off, thanks to Polly's niece who was helping her aunt out that day. So, she had decided to start dinner early. Something fancy which her mother would appreciate, like this roast with the trimmings. Then putting on the kettle, she sat down, putting her feet up on the chair in front. The quietness of the afternoon soothed her nerves. She could sit here for a while with her cup of tea. She had just taken the first sip from her cup when the doorbell rang. Tanya frowned. It was too early for her mother to be back. Ray too had returned to the pack territory, taking Emma with him. Slowly, she got up, massaging her aching back, to go to the door. The person at the door was impatiently ringing the bell again. Irritated, Tanya pulled open the door, to instantly fall back in surprise. The women who stood there were the last people she had expected to find on her doorstep. In a strapless knee length dress and with her face heavily made up, Renee stood in her high heels, and behind her in jeans and a frilly top, stood Tara, her lips twisted into a sneer.
As Tanya tried to shut the door on their face, they pushed it aside and walked in. Fearful, Tanya wondered. Why were they here? She had left Neil and given up on her relationship with him too. Why did they turn up here then? "Hello there," Renee greeted her with false sweetness, staring at the bulge of her stomach. "Does Neil know that you are carrying his cub?" she sneered. Shaking her head, Tanya backed away from the two women. They usually meant trouble and she could bet that today would be no exception. "Why….why...are you here?" she stammered out, unable to think of any one good reason for their presence at her house. "Why do you think? Neil and I are getting married shortly and I wanted to make sure that you are out of his life for good," Renee informed her haughtily. "I….already….left...him," she mumbled, licking her dry lips. The hostile stance of the two girls was clearly an indication that they meant her harm. She was fearful for her baby.
Renee looked at Tanya's condition. She had not expected the other woman to be pregnant with Neil's cub. If Neil found out, he would feel obliged to take her back in. If she, Renee, could not have him as her mate, she would not allow this sorry excuse for a woman to be with Neil too. It was a stroke of good luck that Tara had found out the address from that witch, Emma. So, here they were, with a plan to finish off Tanya for good. Pity they would have to kill Neil's cub too. "Please leave. I have nothing to do with Neil any longer," Tanya pleaded, backing into a chair. "How can we believe you? What if you turn at his doorstep with your baby?" Renee asked, her voice high pitched, almost a scream. Tanya sank down on the chair. Her legs refused to support her any longer. Her heart was racing at an alarming speed. "I swear….I wont…..I will leave the city…..go away somewhere else," she promised, her voice shaking. "I don't believe you. As long as you and your cub are alive, I can't be happy with Neil. You deserve to die, Tanya, for ever walking into Neil's life, and daring to carry an Alpha cub." With that Renee lunged towards her, with her claws bared. "Leave her Renee. For the cub's sake, lets leave her and go. She says she will go far away," Tara suggested, her face ashen. She loved her cousin and could not stand to see his cub harmed. "I don't believe her Tara. You go away if you like. I shall finish her off before I leave here," Renee threw behind her shoulder before advancing on Tanya. Tara ran out of the room, tears blinding her eyes, until she slammed into the chest of a person who had just pulled open the door.