Chapter 3

Aria's POV

"Congratulations, Luna Aria. You're pregnant."

The royal healer's words thundered in my mind. I stared at him blankly, my hand unconsciously stroking my flat abdomen.

Pregnant? After only one month with Ethan?

In my past life, Kael and I had tried for two whole years before I conceived, experiencing countless disappointments and sleepless nights. I had even secretly taken various herbs, performed rituals, and finally relied on...

"This is impossible," I murmured. "It's only been a month..."

"Indeed only a month, but this child is very healthy and strong," the healer's voice trembled with excitement. "From the life force's intensity, you're carrying an extremely powerful Alpha King bloodline!"

My inner wolf howled excitedly, also sensing this new life's presence. Unlike the fragile fetus from my past life, this child's life force blazed like fire.

Just then, the door burst open and Ethan rushed in.

"Aria? What happened?" worry covered his face. "I felt intense emotional fluctuations through our mate bond..."

The healer immediately knelt: "Alpha Ethan, congratulations! Luna Aria is pregnant!"

Ethan instantly froze, as if struck by lightning.

"You... what did you say?"

"I'm pregnant," I confirmed softly, tears unknowingly blurring my vision. "Ethan, we're going to have a child."

The next second, Ethan nearly lunged to my side, carefully pulling me into his arms. I could feel his body trembling and the joy almost overflowing.

"Really? Really?" he asked repeatedly in my ear, his voice choked. "Our child?"

"Yes," I nodded. "The healer says the child is very healthy."

Ethan suddenly released me, crouching down to press his face near my abdomen. His hand gently caressed there, his eyes filling with tears.

"Hi, little one," he spoke softly to my belly. "I'm your father."

This scene filled my heart with tremendous warmth. When Kael learned of my pregnancy in my past life, though he was happy, it was more about desire for power. But Ethan... his eyes held only pure paternal love and reverence for new life.

"This is the Moon Goddess's blessing upon us," Ethan stood up, gently kissing my forehead. "Aria, thank you. Thank you for giving me such a precious gift."

The healer wiped his tears excitedly, then rushed from the room. "I must immediately report to the Alpha King!"

Only the two of us remained in the room. Ethan again gently embraced me.

"I love you," he whispered in my ear. "I love you and our child."

"I love you too," I responded, feeling this pure happiness.

Royal Palace Great Hall, Noon

"Kingdom-wide celebration!" the Alpha King's voice echoed throughout the palace. "Aria carries an Alpha King bloodline heir! This is the Moon Goddess's greatest blessing upon Silvermoon Kingdom!"

The hall instantly erupted in thunderous cheers. Envoys from various packs rose to congratulate, the entire kingdom boiling with excitement.

I sat in the chair beside the throne, Ethan standing behind me with his hand gently on my shoulder. I could feel his continuous strength and protectiveness flowing to me.

"A national celebration in three days!" the Alpha King continued announcing. "All packs must offer their most precious gifts!"

"Congratulations, Luna Aria," pack leaders came forward to congratulate in turn.

"Moon Goddess's blessing, may the child be born safely."

"Shadowpine pack offers our most precious moonstone as tribute."

When Frostbite pack's envoy approached me, I noticed his unusually grim expression.

"Frostbite pack... congratulates Your Highness," he forced a smile, but complex emotions flickered in his eyes.

I felt Ethan's hand tighten—he also sensed something wrong.

This news had already reached Kael.

Frostbite Pack Quarters, Night

"Why her? Why not us?"

Kael paced frantically in the quarters, his face terrifyingly dark.

Maya cowered in the bed corner, fearfully watching her raging husband. She had never seen Kael so out of control.

"One month! She got pregnant in just ONE MONTH!" Kael roared. "And you..."

He spun around, glaring viciously at Maya: "You've been trying for a month—why is there still NOTHING?"

"I... I don't know..." Maya trembled. "Maybe it needs more time..."

"More time?" Kael sneered. "Aria only needed one month!"

"Maybe because her bloodline is special..." Maya tried to explain.

"Special bloodline?" dangerous flames burned in Kael's eyes. "Then tell me, what good is YOUR bloodline?"

He suddenly lunged toward the bed, roughly grabbing Maya's throat.

"Listen, you USELESS thing," he snarled. "If you're not pregnant within another month, I'll find another woman."

Maya trembled in terror: "Kael... I'll try harder... please..."

"Try harder?" Kael released his grip as Maya collapsed on the bed, coughing violently. "You better pray the Moon Goddess protects you, or else..."

He didn't finish, but the threat was clear enough.

"Something must be wrong with that child," Kael muttered to himself. "It can't be MY problem. ABSOLUTELY not!"

Shadowpine Pack Garden, Late Night

I sat alone in the snow-covered garden, enjoying the peaceful night. Moonlight spilled like water on the snow, painting the entire world silver-white.

"Still awake so late?"

A familiar voice made me instantly alert. Kael emerged from the shadows, his face iron-gray.

"I wonder what gives you the courage to trespass on Shadowpine territory," I stood calmly. "Ah, jealousy."

"Jealous?" Kael sneered. "Why would I be jealous of a LIAR?"

"Liar?" I raised an eyebrow. "That word suits you better."

Kael's face instantly darkened: "What did you do? Why can't Maya get pregnant?"

"Maybe the problem isn't with Maya," I deliberately showed a mocking smile. "Maybe it's someone... with certain unspeakable defects?"

These words struck Kael's painful spot precisely. His eyes instantly turned mad.

"What BULLSHIT are you talking about?" he roared, rushing toward me. "There's NOTHING wrong with me!"

"Really?" I stepped back. "Then why were we childless for two years in our past life? Why is Maya still empty-handed after a month now?"

"SHUT UP!" Kael lost his mind, wolf claws extending as he lunged at me.

Just then, a black shadow shot out like lightning, slamming Kael heavily to the ground.

"Kael, touch her again and I'll KILL you!"

Ethan stood before me, radiating dangerous killing intent.

Kael climbed up from the snow, also entering combat stance: "Ethan! Who do you think you are?"

"I'm her mate, father of our child."

The two Alphas faced off, the air thick with bloody scent. I could feel they might tear each other apart at any moment.

"Enough!" I stood between them. "Kael, this is Shadowpine territory. You've already crossed the line."

Kael glared at us viciously, but reason told him fighting on enemy ground was foolish.

"This isn't over," he threw out a threat and vanished into the night.