1. Bearing Bad News

Bella's POV

As I stared impatiently around the white walls of the Pack’s clinic, bitter memories flashed through my mind. For five years, I have endured countless visits to the Dr. hoping it was the day when I finally heard the word pregnant. Something that my body has not been able to achieve to this day. Every time, I would leave the clinic feeling more worthless than the last.

At first, my mate Jasper had tried to be supportive, but little by little, he had grown tired of my deception and has even told me he doesn’t care if I’m barren. That word hurt me beyond words. I refused to believe I’m incapable of creating life in my womb.

My determination was stronger than nature. That’s why I’m here once again, even though my mate has been absent for 3 months. He was summoned by the Lycan King, along with all the packs' Alphas. There was unrest in the northern border. They went to fight on the battlefield to protect our country. But I was here alone fighting for my marriage.

Even though Jasper and I have been relatively happy it was just a matter of time he grew tired of me, of my constant moping, because my inability to produce a child was gnawing at my insides like a permanently embedded knife that twisted inside me every time I heard, ‘not pregnant.’ One would say I should be used to it by now, but it always hurt more than the last time.

“Luna, the tests are ready.” Dr. Janna said with a wide smile. She has been witness to my long predicament. Sometimes, she didn’t even have to say anything. Just by looking at her face, I knew. Then, I would drag myself out of her clinic to cry my heart out while the fates basked in my misery. I turned away from her, not wanting to see the pity on her face. I was preparing myself to hear the crude blow for the umpteenth time.

“You’re pregnant!” I turned slowly towards her. Even afraid to ask her to repeat it again. Afraid that in my yearning desire to become a mother, I was hearing things. She nodded vigorously, her eyes watery. “It’s true Luna, you have the heir of this pack in your womb.”

She rapidly brought a machine to conduct a sonogram. When I heard the loud beating of my child’s heart, I couldn’t contain the waterfall of tears running down my eyes. At last. I put my hands on my stomach. How I yearned for you, my child. What a wonderful surprise you will be for your dad. My father and my brothers will train him as the most lethal warrior.

“Don’t say anything yet to anyone, Dr. Janna. I want this to be a surprise for Jasper.” I took the black and white sonogram copy and pressed it to my chest. I put it on my pocket once I left the clinic. I was smiling widely to myself. I was still afraid it was just a dream, but I had suffered enough. The Goddess Selene finally took pity on me. I was closer to the Alpha’s house when I saw several black SUVs parked in front. Jasper’s back! A surge of adrenaline ran through me. My feet couldn’t carry me fast enough, my dear mate was back.

I could see the outline of Jasper’s tall and imposing figure as he untangled my friend Sadie’s arms from around his neck. “Jasper!” I jumped to his arms. A clash of emotions threatened to burst from my chest as I inhaled the familiar scent of Jasper. I locked my legs around his waist as I claimed his lips. One of his hands clasped firmly around my still small waist, and the other one buried in my hair, our tongues collided in an explosive kiss, trying to make up for 3 months away from each other.

Sadie cleared her throat, and Jasper let go of me. We were slightly panting. He put me down. My light blue eyes locked with his Hazel ones. He cleared his throat. In all of our years together, this was one of the very few times I saw him lose control. His cold mask was back on. “Jasper.” I said breathlessly. He lifted his hand about to touch my face, but he stopped midway, letting it fall again.

“I’m the bearer of bad news, Bella. His eyes were avoiding mine. He rubbed his chin with one hand and exhaled. “What is it, Jasper? Is the war not over? Do you have to go back?” He studied me for a second. His tall figure loomed over me. “Your father and 2 brothers couldn’t make it. They all died on the battlefield.”

The air left my lungs. My heart pounded inside my head. I felt like the earth was opening under me. I started pounding on Jasper’s chest with my fist. “That’s not true, Jasper? Why do you lie to me?” He grabbed my arms with force and shook me. His Beta tried to step in, but one cold gaze from Jasper made him step back. “You’re making a scene, Bella. Why would I lie to you with something like this?” He spat. His cold eyes fixed in a pointed look, when all I wanted was for him to hug me and tell me everything was going to be alright.

“Please Jasper tell me it isn’t true.” I pleaded meekly. How could I have lost my whole family in one single day. He let go of my arms, and without his support, I dropped to my knees. A chilling numbness was paralyzing my body, unable to process so much pain. My father was the one who raised me and my brothers alone. I never got to meet my mother, but he was both and everything to me. He and my brothers protected me and shaped me into what I am today. They trained me as a warrior. They taught me resilience and how to be strong.

They were almighty. A hundred men wouldn’t be able to bring down those three concrete walls. “Bella get up from the floor. You’re embarrassing yourself.” Jasper’s chiding voice sounded so far away. My child will not be able to meet their grandfather and uncles. Please Goddess don’t be so cruel. Is this what my child cost me? 3 of my loved ones? Is this a punishment for pestering you so much, Selene? A blanket of despair and agony enveloped me, making me black out.