Chapter 001: The Little Maid

I could have sworn the moon goddess was mocking me. Because an hour earlier, my biggest worry had been finishing my chores before the ceremony. Funny how fate loves to play with the hearts of the innocent.

"Giselle!" Kira yanked me up from the floor. "You have to see this! The crown prince is choosing his Luna today!"

Her eyes sparkled with the same warmth they had when she'd first found me crying in the garden five years ago. She'd been my protector ever since, the crown princess who treated a lowly maid like a sister.

"Kira, no." I tried to pull away. "You know omegas aren't allowed at royal gatherings."

She rolled her eyes, "You're with me. No one will dare say anything to the crown princess of the witch realm."

"But I’m an orphan and …. "

"Just stay close to me!" She dragged me deeper into the crowd, pushing past other nobles.

"Kira, please," I whispered. "I shouldn't be here."

She wasn't listening, she dragged me further, making me miss my steps , and I lost my grip on her hand. 

I stumbled forward, but was caught by a strong hands. Our eyes met for a split second and my world exploded.

Prince Xavier's eyes widened, "Who let an omega into this gathering?" "And a servant at that?"

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't move. Every wolf in the room could smell my omega scent now.

"Your Highness, I—" My voice shook.

I rose my head and my world stopped spinning. Our eyes met and I immediately felt something, yes I felt the bond.

"Seize her!" A guard's rough voice broke through my thought. "How dare a mere omega—"

"Stop." Prince Xavier's command cut through the air. Even the guard flinched.

My legs trembled beneath me. I could feel a strong connection between I and the Prince. 

"Follow me." He turned away sharply, not bothering to see if I obeyed.

What choice did I have? I wasn’t sure why he ordered me to follow him, did he also feel the bond? Or I was going to get punished.

*Don't be stupid, Giselle*, I scolded myself. *You're just a lowly omega. An orphan. The crown prince would never feel a bond with you nor accept someone like you as his mate.*

But I couldn't ignore the pull.

Whispers followed us down the corridor. I could hear them all – "filthy omega," "how dare she," "probably trying to seduce the prince."

My cheeks burned with shame. What was I thinking, coming here? Kira had promised to protect me, but where was she now?

He led me to a secluded chamber and I felt My heartbeat in my ears.

In an instant, I found myself pinned against the cold stone wall. 

"Tell me you feel it too." His voice was rough. "The bond between us."

"I... I..." My voice trembled. I managed a weak nod, tears threatening to spill.

"But my prince, I'm just—" 

"Just what? An omega?" His finger traced my jawline, sending shivers down my spine. "Do you think I care about that the moment our eyes met?"

"But today... your mate choice ceremony..." The words slipped out of my mouth.

His lips curved into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Don't you see? I've been waiting for you."

Before I could protest, his lips crashed into mine. The kiss was fire, I felt my whole body shiver.

"I feel it too," he whispered against my lips. "The bond. It's perfect. You're perfect."

I melted under his touch and let him carry on, but i should have known better.

His hands began to wander around my body, I didn't stop him. He promised to make me his mate and I gave him everything, my body, my innocence. 

Afterwards, he held me close, his fingers moving on my bare skin.

"You'll be my Luna," he whispered. "Tonight, at the ceremony, I'll choose you."

My eyes widened. "But the nobles... they'll never accept—"

"Let me worry about that." He pressed a kiss to my forehead. 

I should have noticed how his eyes never met mine when he said it.

That evening, I stood at the back of the great hall, My hands trembled as I waited, remembering his promises.

"Today, I will choose my Luna. Xavier's voice rang through the hall.

My heart pounded in my chest. This was it.

His eyes swept the crowd, passing over me as if I were invisible. "I choose..." 

The pause felt like an eternity.

"Princess Kira of the Witch Realm."

The world stopped.

My best friend stepped forward, radiant in her royal gown, a brilliant smile on her face.

No. 

This couldn't be happening.

I wanted to scream, to run forward, to remind him of what we'd shared mere hours ago. But my legs wouldn't move.

"Isn't it wonderful?" someone whispered nearby. "The crown prince and the witch princess. A perfect match."

I watched In tears as they seal their union with a kiss.  

Amidst the crowd's cheering, our eyes met. The corner of his mouth lifted in a wicked smile.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I took to my heels.

I didn't care who saw me flee, My feet carried me until I collapsed in the servants' quarters.

"Goddess," I sobbed, clutching my chest. "Please... please let me die. I can't bear this pain."

But the goddess wasn't done with her cruel game.

———-

Two weeks later, I woke up feeling extremely tired. 

I dragged myself through my morning duties, barely able to keep my eyes open.

"Giselle, you look awful," Martha, one of the older maids, touched my forehead. "Are you feeling ill?"

"I'm fine," I mumbled.

I hadn't seen Xavier since that day.But rumors about their love flew everywhere.

"Girl, you're white as a sheet," Martha frowned, taking the cleaning rag from my trembling hands. "Go rest. I'll cover for you."

I didn't argue. My legs felt weak as I went back to the servants' quarters. The moment I sat on my bed, I felt nauseous .

I barely made it to the washroom.

As I slumped against the cold stone wall And Everything went black.

When I finally opened my eyes, The scent of the pack clinic filled my nostrils, making my stomach turn again.

"Thank the goddess, you're awake!" Martha's worried face came into view.

I tried to sit up, but my head spun. "What... what happened?"

"You fainted right outside the washroom,” The pack doctor replied walking in. 

“ We also ran some tests while you were unconscious and it says, YOU’RE PREGNANT “