SAVANNAH
As I sat in the dimly lit clinic, the scent of antiseptic filling my senses, I couldn't shake the growing knot of anxiety in my stomach. The soft hum of the ultrasound machine filled the room, and Naomi, our pack's healer, carefully spread the cool gel across my belly. My thoughts spiraled as I gripped the edge of the examination bed, my mind racing with questions I wasn't ready to face.
Was this really happening? Could the gods have finally blessed me with the one thing I had longed for more than anything?
I had spent years trying to ignore the ache in my heart whenever I saw pups running around the packhouse, laughing with their mothers. I had always put on a brave face, telling myself that maybe this was just my fate, that the Moon Goddess had other plans for me and Ragnar.
But this... this could change everything.
I glanced nervously at Naomi, who was intensely focused on the screen, her brows furrowed in concentration. The seconds felt like hours as I waited for her to speak, my heart thudding in my chest.
Finally, she looked up, her expression softening into a warm smile.
"Are you... are you sure, Naomi?" My voice trembled as I asked her.
My heart raced with joy.
"Very sure, Luna. Look here, on the ultrasound. This tiny dark spot, that's your baby. You're pregnant."
She pointed to the screen, and I saw the fragile life of my pup forming inside me.
"Why haven't I been able to smell it, or its father?" I asked, worried.
"It's still very recent, that could be why. Give it a few more days, and you should start sensing its pheromones."
I nodded, tears filling my eyes.
I was the Luna of the SilverMoon Pack. Three years ago, I had married the man I loved more than anything, even though we weren't fated mates—my Alpha, Ragnar.
I had devoted myself entirely to being the perfect Luna, the pillar Ragnar could rely on. But a shadow hung over our marriage—the issue of an heir.
I had never gotten pregnant before, and I knew I hadn't spent much time with Ragnar in bed lately, but I understood his duties as Alpha kept him stressed and busy.
"Please, don't tell anyone in the pack. I want to surprise my alpha."
"Don't worry, Luna. My lips are sealed. Congratulations!" Naomi smiled warmly, and I returned her smile, brimming with excitement.
Despite not being originally from this pack—an outsider taken in after my parents' deaths—I had never felt rejected or despised.
It was why I had dedicated myself to my role as Luna. I was grateful for the life I had, and for the wonderful man I was married to.
***
"What's with all this food? Is there a party or something?"
"Hands off!" I smacked away Silvina's greedy hands as she sneaked into the kitchen.
"Oh wow, puff pastry tarts and everything!" She plopped onto a stool; her eyes wide.
I had gone all out today, but I wanted everything to be perfect.
All of Ragnar's favorite dishes were ready!
"Well, it's our anniversary today. I'm planning a private dinner to celebrate," I said, stirring the caramel on the stove before turning off the heat.
Silvina didn't respond, and I glanced at her, curious.
"What's wrong?"
"N... nothing... it's just, I heard the Alpha had an emergency today. Didn't he tell you?"
I frowned. Ragnar rarely talked much about his work. I assumed it was to avoid stressing me out.
"No, but he'll be back. He knows today is special."
I said this with full confidence, but she looked at me strangely.
Silvina had been acting distant lately. I couldn't quite figure her out. Still, she had been the first to befriend me in this pack and had always supported me.
I valued her deeply as a friend.
"Silvi, there's something I want to tell you, but... I'll wait until tomorrow. It's really important," I said, eager to share the news, but wanting to tell Ragnar first.
"Really? You can't tell me now?" she leaned forward, munching on a homemade cookie, her curiosity piqued.
"No, no. Tomorrow. I promise you'll be the second to know," I replied, happiness practically radiating off me.
"Fine, keep your mystery. I've got things to do. Happy anniversary night," she said, sounding annoyed as she left the kitchen the same way she entered.
I glanced at the clock. I still had time.
Removing my apron, I headed upstairs to shower and get dressed.
Tonight has to be perfect. I want to celebrate the evening with my beloved mate in the best way possible.
I glanced at the clock for what felt like the thousandth time, slumped on the couch. It was past midnight, and Ragnar still hadn't arrived.
I surveyed the cold, untouched dishes on the dining table and, with a resigned sigh, headed to reheat them.
As I was in the middle of it, I heard the front door open and close. His distinctive scent wafted through the air, tickling my nose and warming my belly.
I smoothed out my burgundy dress and touched up my hair in the hallway mirror. My midnight-black hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and my intensely blue eyes, perfectly made up, stared back at me.
I made my way to the entryway, where I saw my imposing Alpha walking through the door.
"My love, how was your day? A lot of work, right?" I took his coat from him, eager to hang it up.
I noticed a folder in his hand, but I assumed it was just pack business.
I moved to kiss him, but he stepped back.
"I'm sweaty and dirty from the road. Don't soil yourself," he said, his honey-colored eyes—so intense and yet so cold—looking at me.
It was just part of his nature. Since inheriting the alpha title so young after his father's death, he had carried too many responsibilities.
His blonde hair was messily tousled in a way that was somehow sexy, and it looked damp. I caught a whiff of an unfamiliar body wash. Why would he have showered before coming home?
"Of course… give me a second, and I'll heat up the dinner. You must be hungry…"
"I'm not hungry. Savannah, we need to talk."
"But the dinner…"
"Forget the dinner. Let's go to the living room; I need to tell you something," his authoritative tone made my heart skip a beat.
I followed him, my worry escalating with each step. I slipped my hand into my skirt pocket and retrieved the folded document that announced my pregnancy.
"Why is the table full of dishes? Were you going to throw a party?" he asked, glancing at the dining room. My heart tightened.
"Darling, I know you've been swamped with pack matters, but don't tell me you forgot our anniversary. Today marks three years since we bonded," I said, sinking onto the couch.
I expected him to sit beside me, but instead, he took the armchair across from me. Ragnar had never been the clingy type, but today he seemed distant and indifferent.
Alarm bells rang in my head.
"Of course, I remembered. You can't imagine how long I've been waiting for our third anniversary," he said, though his voice lacked excitement.
I knew everything would change once I shared my news. The pack elders had been pressuring him to have an heir, and I was certain he'd be overjoyed when he heard about the pup.
"I'll be quick because I can't stand this any longer…"
"Wait! Wait, Ragnar, I have something to show you first, and then you can tell me what you need to," I interrupted him, sensing that his next words might be troubling.
I lowered my head, pulled out the folded paper from my pocket, smoothed it out, and handed it to him, my excitement palpable.
He took it, setting it on the coffee table as he started to read. I watched him nervously, hoping for the same joy and happiness I felt.
"I'm pregnant! We're going to have a pup. I'll give you an heir for the pack. I'm sure the Goddess has blessed us with a boy!"
I couldn't hold it in any longer and blurted it out. I stood, tears brimming in my eyes, and circled the table to hug him.
But despite my love and naivety, his reaction was far from what I expected from the father of my child.
"Are you sure about this, or is it some kind of trick to keep me by your side?" he asked, suddenly standing and pushing me away as I reached for him.
"Ragnar… of course, I'm sure. Look, it's the seal of the pack doctor. Why would I lie about something so important? My love, what's wrong? What's going on, my Alpha?"
"No, no, damn it!" he shouted, pacing the living room like a caged wolf. "This can't be happening, not right now!"
"Ragnar…"
"Did you tell my mother? Did you tell anyone?" he demanded, grabbing my shoulders tightly.
"N-no, my love, I was waiting for you to be the first to know. I thought… you'd be happy. I know they've been pressuring you. Alpha, you don't have to be so tense anymore. We're going to have our family."
I lifted my trembling hand to caress his cheek, but he only stared at me with his golden eyes, saying nothing.
I couldn't read his expression.
"It's true, it's true, I've been very stressed. I'm sorry," he suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace, and I finally exhaled in relief, returning his hug tenderly.
For a moment, I feared he wasn't happy about the pregnancy.
"We'll get through this together, my Alpha. I'll be the perfect Luna so that no one can point fingers at you," I whispered, lifting my head.
I wanted to kiss him, to feel his love as we hadn't in a long time.
"Let's go out. Let's have an anniversary night like it should be—wild and without limits."
He suddenly suggested, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the back of our house, which bordered the pack's forest.
"Shift into your wolf," he commanded, undressing as he spoke.
He was so sexy and strong. His hair glimmered under the moonlight, and I began the transformation into my 'wolf"—one of the biggest lies and secrets of my life, even Ragnar didn't know.
We ran freely through the pack's lands. I noticed we were drifting farther and farther away, even crossing borders, but I just kept following Ragnar's enormous white wolf as he bounded ahead.
We arrived at a remote spot at the foot of a deep cliff. The moon shone brightly overhead, and the forested landscape stretched out below us.
"Where is this? We're outside our pack; aren't we trespassing?"
I asked, looking out into the distance from the edge, now back in human form, but no one answered.
Unease grew inside me. I turned to leave, but something felt off. A crow cawed in the distance, but it was already too late.
"Do… Ragnar, what…?! Aaaaaaaahh!" I screamed as I felt wolf claws sinking into my abdomen, tearing deeply.
I tried to run, panic gripping me. I attempted to shift into my wolf form to escape into the forest, but I couldn't flee from this rabid Alpha wolf, who glared at me with blood-red eyes filled with hatred.
"Ahhh, let go of me! Ragnar, what are you doing, what are you doing?! Aaahhhh…! Help, help!" He leapt on top of me as I tried to escape.