0005.

Just as Amby reached her bedroom door, she felt a tightening in her chest, and it became difficult to breathe. She tried taking a deep breath, but it didn't help. A wave of panic washed over her as she started to lose her breath. Suddenly, she collapsed to the floor, unable to move or call for help. William, her beta, rushed into the room, having heard the commotion. He looked down at Amby, who was gasping for air, and immediately realized something was very wrong.

Without wasting any time, he sprinted to the closet and grabbed the first aid kit. He rushed to Amby's side and began performing chest compressions, trying to get her breathing again. "Luna, can you hear me?" he asked, panic rising in his voice. "You have to fight through this. Please, you have to stay with me." He continued the compressions, wishing her to regain consciousness.

After a few moments, Amby's eyes fluttered open. She was disoriented and confused, but she could feel the pain in her chest begin to subside. "What happened?" she managed to ask. William helped her to sit up, keeping a firm hand on her shoulder.

"You nearly passed out," William said, his voice still quavering with shock.

"What?" Amby asked, her own voice equally shaken. "I haven't had an episode like that in years." She sat up slowly, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over her.

"I'm not sure what triggered it," William said, studying her with concern. "Should I call the pack doctor to check on you?"

Amby shook her head. "No, please inform the Alpha instead. I need to speak with him." She stood, slowly and carefully, then made her way to the bed.

William nodded and hurried out to find the Alpha. He knew he would be with May, so he headed straight for her door and knocked gently.

The door opened, and Jake stood in the doorway, shirtless. William felt a surge of anger, but he pushed it down. This wasn't the time to lose his temper.

"Alpha," he said, his voice tense, "The Luna had an attack and nearly passed out. She asked to see you."

"Shit," Jake cursed under his breath. He hurried to grab his shirt, but May's hand on his arm stopped him.

“You ain't leaving, it isn't yet the time we agreed you would be leaving,” May said, possessively.

“May, what is wrong with you? Amby had an attack and almost passed out and you don't want me to go see her?” Jake thundered, his temper flaring.

"Still you can't leave, she isn't dead nor in a critical condition," May protested, her tone suddenly desperate. "We had an agreement. I need you here."

Jake hesitated, torn between his duty to May and his feelings for Amby. "I'm sorry, May, but Amby is my Luna. I have to go to her."

May's face crumpled, and she clutched at his arm. "Please, please don't go," she begged. "I need you."

Jake shook his head, unable to deny his bond with Amby. "I'm sorry, May," he said, gently disentangling her hands.

“You are going overboard and I'm doing everything not to lose my cool with you,” Jake said and pushed her hand away as she tried to hold him again.

“I'm doing all of this for the baby, Alpha. You have to understand.”

“Understand what? I will see you later,” Jake said and turned to leave and immediately, May moaned in pain which made him turn back to look at her.

She was clutching her stomach as she slid to the floor, her face contorted in pain which got Jake worried.

“Are you okay?” he asked, rushing towards her. He helped her up and she hugged him tight.

“I don't know what is wrong with my stomach. Don't leave please,” May pleaded and buried her face on his chest. Jake gritted his teeth as he clenched his fist in fury.

<<< LATER IN THE EVENING>>>

Jake was sorting through some documents related to pack affairs when he heard voices arguing in the general living room. He recognized them as Amby and May, and his heart sank.

He entered the living room to find the two women facing off, Amby's face flushed with anger, May's dark eyes full of fury. "You can't keep running this household, Luna," May spat.

"I don't feel safe eating anything prepared under your guidance. I'm scared for my baby, you might decide to harm her since you're barren."

Amby looked stunned and for a moment, she could only stare at May, open-mouthed. Then, her expression turned to one of pure fury. "You have to stop this madness, May," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "I would never harm your baby. It's also important to me, just as it is to you and the Alpha. Why do you keep accusing me of something so awful?"

May's eyes narrowed, her expression darkening. "I can't trust you," she hissed. "And I won't rest until you hand over the affairs of this household to me.”

“I keep getting bad feelings which I cannot ignore. Please you have to allow me to be in charge of this household until when I give birth,” May demanded, her tone full of authority.

“Never, I cannot do such a thing. Handing over the household to you is just like I'm selling my right as the Luna to you and it cannot happen when you are just a breeder and nothing else to us. You are over-demanding, May, I never knew you would turn out like this,” Amby replied, full of regrets.

As Jake cleared his throat, making his presence known in the living room, May quickly called out to him. "Alpha," she said, running to his side and clutching his arm. "I'm glad you're here."

"Is everything okay?" Jake asked, looking from May to Amby but Amby remained silent, avoiding his gaze.

"I only asked the Luna to allow me take over the leadership of this household until after the baby is born," May said, her tone calm. "But she refused."

You what?" Jake exclaimed, his eyes wide. He pulled away from May, his expression changing to that of anger. "You have no right to ask that of the Luna. She's the leader of this household, and it's not up to you to make such demands."

May's eyes widened, and a look of shock appeared on her face. "But... but... the nightmares I've been having," she stammered. "They're so vivid. And I'm worried for the baby. I just don't feel safe eating the food here."

Jake frowned, his thoughts racing. This was a mess, and he wasn't sure how to deal with it. He didn't want to dismiss May's fears, but he couldn't just allow her to undermine Amby's position as Luna.

"I understand that you're worried about the baby," he said, trying to sound understanding. "But we can't allow your fears to cause a disorder in the pack. I'll make sure the cooks prepare your food separately, and you can be assured that everything you eat will be safe. But you can't ask the Luna to step down. That's simply not possible."

May's expression dulled, and the she let out a sob.

"You don't care about your baby?" May cried, looking at Jake in disbelief. Then, she turned and ran out of the room, leaving him standing there, stunned.

Amby's face was filled with shock and dismay at May's attitude after the Alpha defended her. She started to walk away, but Jake hurried after her. "Wait, please!" he called, catching up to her and grabbing her arm. "Don't go. I'm not finished."

Amby pulled her arm away, her eyes flashing. "What could you possibly have to say?" she asked, her voice cold.

"I know I've been acting badly lately, and I'm sorry," Jake said, his tone pleading. "I've been trying to please the elders and May, and I know I've been neglecting you. But I'm here now, and I want to make things right."

Amby's expression softened, but her eyes were still wary. "Why should I believe you?" she asked, her voice, cool. "After all this time, why should I believe that you're telling the truth?"

"Because I love you," Jake said, his voice low and sincere. "I know I haven't shown it lately, but it's the truth. I want to be with you, and I want to be the mate you deserve. I know I've let you down, but I want to fix things. Please, give me another chance."

Amby hesitated, searching his face for any sign of insincerity. "You have to earn my trust back," she said, her voice softening a little. "It won't be easy, but I'm willing to give you the chance to try."

"Thank you," Jake said, relief flooding through him.

"I know it won't be easy, but I'm going to do everything I can, I promise, things are going to change from now on, you’ll be getting all of my attention, May has only been manipulative and I assure you I will no longer succumb to her schemes.”

"AHHHHHH!" A scream pierced the air, causing Amby and Jake to turn around.

"What was that?" Amby asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I don't know," Jake said, his face filled with worry. Then, they heard another scream, even more desperate than the first.

"It's coming from the stairs!" Amby cried, already starting to run towards the sound.

Jake followed close behind, his pulse racing. When they reached the stairs, they saw a maid standing at the top, her face pale.

“Alpha, May!!” a maid said on seeing them.

"What's wrong with May?" Amby demanded as she was gripped with terror.

"May… Just fell," the maid stammered, trembling. "She's bleeding. I-I don't know what to do!"

Amby and Jake exchanged a horrified look. "Where is she?" Amby asked, already rushing toward the staircase.

They found May sprawled at the bottom of the stairs, unmoving. "Is she breathing?" Jake asked, his voice strained as they climbed down.

Amby knelt next to May, her hands trembling as she checked for a pulse. "I can't tell...I don't know if she's breathing!” Amby cried out, panic rising in her voice. "The baby! We have to call for help. Now!"