1. Bearing Bad News

Bella's POV

I was dreading to go back to the pack’s hospital, but I hadn’t been feeling well. Dr Janna entered the room again. She had insisted on doing a pregnancy test. “Dr Janna, how is the result today?” I already knew the answer, and I have learned the hard way not to have any expectations. Not to mention that Jasper has been away for three months, summoned to war by the Lycan King, along with all other Alphas. The chances of me being pregnant were null.

There is nothing I yearn more in this world than to have a pup, but for five years since I have been mated to my Alpha Jasper, all I ever heard was, ‘not pregnant.’ Each time I hear it, I feel like a permanently embedded knife twists my insides. Barren, the pack members would whispered behind my back, but I can’t stop them. I can’t punish them for telling the truth.

I closed my eyes and touched my belly. Willing a child appear inside my womb. How wonderful it would be to quiet down all those gossipers. The whispers won’t follow me anymore. The pack members wouldn’t look at me with scorn or pity.

“Is our Luna cursed? Five years and no heir? I would be ashamed if I were her.”

“Are the Luna and Alpha even fated mates? I don’t think so. But what other reason can there be for Alpha to marry her? She is barren. He should reject her.”

“I heard her family is very powerful. Alpha married her only for that reason. We need an heir. We are already powerful. He doesn't need her.”

Every single day, all those whispers would gnaw at my insides. Does Jasper even know about them? The pack members didn’t even care to get their facts right. Yes, my father and brothers were really powerful, but Jasper and I are fated mates. We love each other. I needed my family so much right now, but they all have gone to war at the northern border.

Dr. Janna kept reading the results, but then her frowned turned into a bright smile. “ Congratulations, Luna! You are pregnant!” Janna’s eyes were watering as she broke the news.

“Janna, you don’t have to lie to me just to make me happy." I know I was hopeful, but I’m already used to hearing the bad news. Janna was one of the few friends I had made in this pack. She and her mate Beta Luca had been front row witnesses of my struggle to conceive.

“Luna, you are really pregnant!” She showed me the result. Positive!

I read the test paper again and again.

That was true!

Thank you, Goddess! "You are carrying the heir of Riverbank pack in your womb,” Jenna said with excitement. My tears started running. I hugged the test to my chest. Please Goddess don’t wake me up if this is just a dream. But, it was true, I’m finally pregnant!

My first thought was to tell Jasper. He will be thrilled. He would have celebrated with me if he was here. He had mentioned kids, an heir, at the beginning of our marriage. Our dream will finally become true. What a great surprise I will be giving him when he comes back.

“Please Janna, don’t say a word to anyone. I want Jasper to hear it from me.” Janna nodded, and I left the hospital immediately. I didn’t think I would be able to keep this news inside my chest for long. I needed to call Jasper.

I took the main road towards the Alpha’s mansion when I saw several SUVs parked there. I easily recognized Jasper’s car. Goddess, this day was getting better and better. Jasper was back! As I walked closer, 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 almost pushed her when he saw me, I bet he was as excited to see me as I was.

“Jasper!” I whispered yelled as 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 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 baby 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, trying to relax, but the kiss, my pregnancy, his presence, all the emotions were bursting out of my chest. “I have good ne…”

“Bella.” He lifted his hand about to touch my face, but he stopped midwa, letting it fall again. He didn’t look happy.

“What?” I asked, letting him go first. The good news will come later.

“I’m the bearer of bad news, Bella.” His eyes were avoiding me. He rubbed his chin with one of his hands, and then he passed his fingers through his hair. He did that a lot when something was worrying him.

“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 both of your brothers didn’t make it.” I froze, unable to move or articulate any words. My brain broke down, unable to process that sentence. The buzzing in my ears intensified.

“Bella! Are you okay?” Dead my family, is dead?

“Bella!” Jasper shook my shoulders, bringing me back to reality. My teary eyes locked with his intense ones.

“Tell me is not true.” I whimpered. The pressure in my chest was making it impossible to breathe. I could not withstand this pain. My chest was tearing apart. I was a mess, and tears were running down my eyes.

My body went limp, unable to support myself any longer, and I slid to the ground. Jasper caught me before I fell and held me tight.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered. My mouth opened, unable to articulate any word. My chest rose and felt rapidly, and the air left from my lungs, but I managed to say one thing before everything went black.

“Who killed them?”