Chapter 3
Ava's trembling hands pressed against her abdomen as morning sunlight filtered through the leather window coverings, casting golden rays across her pale face.
Three days of violent nausea had forced her to confront a shocking reality—she was pregnant.
"This can't be happening..." she whispered, but her body's changes couldn't lie. The tender breasts, hypersensitive smell, and that strange, bone-deep exhaustion.
What terrified her most was the warmth pulsing from her belly each night. Last night during the full moon, she'd watched in horror as her abdomen glowed with faint silver light!
"This child..." Ava's voice echoed in the empty stone house, "he carries Lucas's bloodline."
Fear and joy waged war in her chest. This wasn't an ordinary human pregnancy—the fetus carried ancient werewolf blood.
The private stone house was bathed in moonlight, silver streams pooling on the floor like liquid mercury.
Ava wrung her hands nervously, waiting for Lucas's return. When he pushed through the door, her heart nearly burst from her chest.
"Lucas, I need to tell you something..." Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
"What is it?" He moved toward her, amber eyes flickering with concern.
She continued, "I'm pregnant."
Lucas froze as if struck by lightning.
Then his face exploded with pure, radiant joy!
"Are you serious?" His entire body shook with excitement as he dropped to his knees before her, pressing his nose gently to her belly.
"I can smell him!" Lucas's voice cracked with emotion, "The little pup... milk-sweet moon musk... he's so strong!"
Ava was stunned by his reaction. Lucas's eyes blazed golden, excited like a child on Christmas morning.
But worry quickly clouded her relief: "A child like this... will the pack accept him?"
Lucas pulled her into his arms fiercely: "Ava, once I have complete control of the pack, I'll make you my Luna. Our child will be the future heir!"
In the council hall, torches flickered ominously, creating an atmosphere thick enough to choke on.
The elders sat around the stone table, their expressions grim as storm clouds.
Eldred rose slowly, his voice tolling like a funeral bell: "Alpha, personal feelings cannot supersede pack survival."
"What are you saying?" Lucas's tone dropped to a dangerous growl.
"Bella has begun her journey here." Another elder spoke gravely, "The ancient bloodline marriage concerns our peace with primordial powers."
"Refusing this union will lead to pack annihilation!" Eldred's voice boomed through the hall, "This is the only path to avoid war!"
Lucas's fists clenched until his knuckles cracked. He thought of Ava, of their unborn child, and his heart felt like it was being carved out with a dull blade.
"You're asking me to abandon the woman carrying my heir!" The words exploded from him before he could stop them.
The elders exchanged knowing glances. Eldred's eyes narrowed: "A bastard child from human blood cannot be your heir, Alpha. You know this."
Lucas felt something shatter inside his chest. His wolf howled in agony, clawing at his ribs, demanding he tear these old fools apart.
But the rational part of his mind—the part trained to lead—whispered the terrible truth: "They're right. Without Bella's alliance, everyone dies. Including Ava and our child."
"The pack numbers," another elder pressed mercilessly. "Can you sacrifice them all for one woman?"
One woman. As if Ava were just any woman. As if she hadn't saved his life, hadn't carried his mark, hadn't lit up like starlight when she'd told him about their child.
Lucas's breathing turned ragged. He thought of Ava's hands on her belly, the wonder in her eyes, the way she'd whispered "our baby" like it was the most precious secret in the world.
"How long?" His voice came out strangled. "How long do I have?"
"The ceremony must be completed by the next full moon," Eldred said softly, almost gently. "Fourteen days, Alpha."
Fourteen days to break the heart of the only woman he'd ever loved.
"I understand." The words tore from his throat like broken glass.
At the village entrance, ancient stone gates emerged from morning mist like sentinels.
A magnificent procession approached slowly, led by a woman beautiful enough to stop hearts.
Bella!
She wore ceremonial moon goddess robes, silver hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall, blue eyes deep as ancient wells. Most awe-inspiring was the powerful aura radiating from her—the majesty of ancient bloodlines.
Pack members dropped to their knees in reverence, even the elders bowed respectfully.
"Lucas." Bella's voice was elegant and cold as winter wind, "Our family anticipates this union. Ancient bloodlines will bring Silver Moon new power."
She raised her hand, and moon essence danced between her fingers like silk threads. Villagers gasped in awe.
"Bella, welcome to our territory." Lucas maintained surface courtesy while internally roaring: I must protect Ava. She cannot discover our secret!
But Bella's keen nose was already detecting something in the air...
The moonlight cottage sat at the village edge, surrounded by ancient trees, hidden from prying eyes.
"Ava, this is only temporary." Lucas looked apologetically at the modest room, "When the time is right, I'll bring you back."
Ava fought back tears: "I understand. For our child, I'll wait."
She understood the necessary concealment, but the pain in her heart crashed like tsunami waves. Forced separation from her lover, hiding like some shameful secret.
Lucas kissed her forehead: "I'll visit you often."
After he left, Ava caressed her belly, feeling the fetus's moon energy pulse. This was her only comfort.
She thought, "When will these days of hiding end?"
Three nights later, soft footsteps approached the moonlight cottage.
Ava peered alertly through the window, seeing an elegant figure materializing at her door.
Bella!
"Ava?" The knock was gentle but commanding, "I'm Bella. May I come in?"
Ava's heart thundered, but she had no choice: "Please, enter."
Bella stepped inside, blue eyes glinting dangerously in the dim light.
"I hear you're an excellent healer. Lucas speaks very highly of you." Bella's smile was flawlessly beautiful yet spine-chilling.
"Thank you for the kind words. I simply do my duty." Ava struggled to remain calm.
Bella paced slowly around the room, nose twitching as she sampled the air. When she approached Ava, she suddenly stopped dead.
"Interesting scent..." Bella's smile turned predatory, "Not quite pure, is it?"
Ava's blood turned to ice.
"But everyone has their secrets, don't they?" Bella turned to leave, pausing at the doorway, "I very much look forward to us becoming... friends."
After the footsteps faded, Ava collapsed into her chair.
She knew—Bella had sensed something.
Danger was closing in.
And there was nowhere left to run.