Chapter 1

Scarlet's Pov:

The first light of dawn painted the sky in soft pastels, casting a gentle glow over the ancient woods where my pack thrives. The Silver Star Pack, a symbol of centuries of lupine history, is located in the center of this mystical world. Tall trees form a natural fortress, their branches entwined like ancient guardians.

I emerge from the depths of the woods. My auburn hair, touched by the morning dew, frames a face marked with determination.

“Now, 200 pushups in your human form,” I order. My voice carries weight and resilience, a command that demands obedience.

Within a second, the cracking of bones fills the training ground as all the members change into their human forms. Huffs and a chorus of denial can be heard, but I pay no heed to it.

“Why do we even need this training?” Nina, the delta's daughter, whines. Her hands rest over her knees as she bends forward, taking deep puffs.

“True. We are the strongest pack. We don't need any stupid training. Let Alpha Ryan come back; I'll privately talk to him,” Natasha, the beta's daughter, purrs.

A shiver runs through my veins as the words reach my ears. My wolf growls, but I restrain her before she can shift and attack Natasha.

“Training isn't just about being tough or weak. It's about more than fighting for yourself; it's also about being strong to help others who can't defend themselves,” I explain.

“We don't need training from an unstable Luna,” Natasha mutters. Embarrassment coats me as I hear her words. I know many pack members' thoughts mirror Natasha's.

Ever since I came to this pack and mated Alpha Ryan, I've been constantly having gruesome nightmares. I don't know the reason for it. Because of this, many people protest against me, saying I'm not fit to be Luna. But I always prove them wrong with my leadership skills and kind nature.

“You can't defeat your enemy with lipstick, now can you?” I retort, my words ringing in the training field. Natasha huffs and walks away.

I can feel their exhaustion and frustration in the pack link, but I refuse to acknowledge it. They need the training more, especially with the frequent attacks of rogues on neighboring packs. Magic in the pack is rare and is limited to just minor illusions and small telekinetic feats. Only few pack members can weld the magic.

As I watch them train, I notice one of the pack member struggling. He's young and inexperienced, having trouble keeping up with his opponent.

I step onto the training ground, my presence commanding attention. “Stop,” I say, my voice firm. “You're doing it all wrong.”

“You're too tense,” I continue, my voice calm.

“You need to relax and let your instincts take over.” The pack member nods, his eyes filled with determination.

Some of the pack members watch in amazement as the struggling pack member holds his own against his opponent, while others simply ignore me. They can see the difference that my guidance has made.

Before my time, omegas were forbidden from shifting and defending themselves. They were relegated to menial tasks and treated like unpaid servants, enduring constant taunts and bullying from others.

After I came to the pack, I altered the rules. Now, omegas are trained with the rest of the pack. They can shift and go to school. The Alpha and I turn a blind eye, never acknowledging the injustice.

As the training session comes to an end, I address the pack members. “You all did well today,” I say, my voice filled with pride.

“But remember, training is not just about physical strength. It's also about mental strength and resilience. You must be able to adapt to any situation and overcome any obstacle. That is what will make you truly strong.”

I turn around to enter the pack house when my eyes fly to the abundant cottage at the very end of the pack house. This cottage is surrounded by a thick fog of mystery and allure. It's like it's calling me.

“Luna,”

I blink my eyes, maybe my nightmares are taking a toll on me. Now I'm also hallucinating. With one last look at the cottage, I enter the pack house.

The pack house is a masterful blend of craftsmanship and nature, standing proudly against the backdrop of towering oaks. Vines adorned with fragrant blossoms crawl up the sturdy walls, creating a living tapestry that mirrors the vitality within. My footsteps echo in the courtyard, where pack members orchestrate their morning tasks with choreographed precision.

*********

Shutting off the shower, I dressed in a beautiful maroon dress that reached my knees. Going through my makeup, I couldn't help the excitement bubbling within me. For the pack, I may be a strong Luna. But I am a woman, after all, who loves her mate more than anything. Inside the four walls of my room, I am not the strong Luna, but the soft and vulnerable woman who melts with just a glimpse of him.

My kind and timid nature always made it difficult for me to be rough with the pack members. But as a Luna, I have to do what's best for the pack. When I first came to the pack, they were weak and there were constant attacks on the pack. Many warriors lost their lives while fighting for the pack. I put all of my efforts into the pack and made it one of the strongest packs.

Today, my mate, Alpha Ryan, was coming back from his trip from Kingdom Solsticea. It's been five months since he went on his trip. In between that, he was home for two days, but I refused to count that because for me, I want more than two days with him. For the last two years, he has been frequently traveling and working. I asked him if I could accompany him, but he always refused, saying I didn't need to worry.

I couldn't help but feel bubbly. I blushed looking at myself in the mirror. The butterflies in my stomach were killing me. Red coated my cheeks as I anticipated our night. It's been painfully five months since I bathed in his scent. How I missed his strong arms wrapped around me.

I missed how his one look would give me solace and serenity. It feels like yesterday when we met and fell in love with each other. Being fated to mate with the man you love is more than just a blessing. I didn't know when he became the reason for my existence.

I took out Alpha Ryan's shirt from the cupboard and took a long sniff of it. I closed my eyes while cherishing his scent. Hugging the shirt close to my chest, I placed a tender kiss on its sleeve.

Placing the lipstick on the vanity, I left the room and made my way to the bustling kitchen. The pack house was alive with anticipation, scampering with omegas running around, preparing for the imminent arrival of our Alpha.

I was rounding around the corner when my phone rang. I glanced at my phone. Dr. Halt's name was flashing on the screen.

Dr. Halt was Star Pack's doctor. For the last two weeks, I have been feeling nauseous. First, I ignored it thinking it would go away with time but when it didn't, I visited the pack doctor.

“Good morning, Luna,” Dr. Halt's voice greeted me as I accepted the call.

“Good morning, Dr. Halt.”

“Luna, your report came this morning. I wondered if you could make it to my clinic in an hour,” Dr. Halt said, and my heart started jackhammering against my chest. Millions of thoughts swamped my mind.

“Is everything alright, doctor?” I asked quietly.

“Yes, yes. Everything's alright. Can we talk in my clinic?” Dr. Halt quickly said as she detected the worry and anxiousness in my voice.

“Okay, I'll be there.”

I finished my conversation, grabbed my purse, and headed out the door to the clinic.

**********

“Is everything alright, doctor?” I inquired as I took a seat in front of Dr. Halt.

“Yes, Luna,” Dr. Halt said, taking off her glasses and forwarding my report card. With furrowed eyes, I took the report card and began reading it.

“Congratulations Luna, you're four weeks pregnant,” Dr. Halt said with a gentle smile on her face.

My head snapped up with the pace, and Dr. Halt looked worried that I might have snapped my neck. With wide eyes, I refused to move away from the doctor's face.

“H-how,” I opened my mouth only to close it again. My mind went numb. The doctor's words rang in my mind like a broken record. A lone tear escaped from my eye. Many emotions swirled in my eyes, love, denial, relief, and disbelief.

“Yes, Luna. You are indeed pregnant, but…,” Dr. Halt stopped as she gazed at my tear-streamed face.

My heart raced as I fired off questions at the doctor. “Is everything okay? Is my baby alright?” Anxiety grappled me as I awaited the doctor's response. Dr. Halt looked down, unable to disclose the news to her Luna.

My chest tightened, my breaths coming in short, frantic gasps as I locked eyes with the doctor. Every second of Dr. Halt's silence felt like an eternity. My hands clutched the edge of the chair, my knuckles turning white with the intensity of my tight grip.

Thousands of thoughts raced through my mind, each more terrifying than the last. My hand instinctively reached my belly as I caressed the tiny bundle of life there. I couldn't believe I was pregnant. It was too good to be true.

“Luna,” I looked up at Dr. Halt.

“Let's take an ultrasound. I have your reports but before anything, I need to check something,” Dr. Halt explained and I nodded. How much I wished Ryan were here with me.

I nodded and stood up. I gently lay down on the ultrasound bed and Dr. Halt smeared the gel on my belly.

“Ready?” Dr. Halt asked with a gentle smile. I nodded as my eyes were glued to the monitor.

As the monitor flickered to life, revealing the grainy image of my little life, a wave of awe washed over me. Tears streamed through my eyes as I gazed at the tiny form, marveling at the image of life inside me. The rhythmic thud of the baby's heartbeat filled me with a sense of protectiveness and unconditional love.

“I have all of your reports and…,”

“What's in the reports, doctor?” I inquired.

**********

Leaving the hospital in a daze and disbelief, I didn't know how to take the news. My footsteps faltered as I approached the edge of the pack house, my gaze drawn irresistibly to the abundant cottage nestled in the shadows. Its presence seemed to loom over the surrounding forest, casting a spell of mystery. For the last year, I've seen this cottage, and it strangely draws me closer to itself.

The cottage was unlike anything I had ever seen. Its walls were made of ancient, weathered wood, with creeping vines snaking their way up the sides as if trying to reclaim it for the forest.

The windows were small and shuttered tightly, denying any glimpse of what lay within. A thin wisp of smoke curled lazily from the chimney, a silent signal of life within the enigmatic dwelling.

Mother Gareth, the magical clockmaker, was said to be living there but no one in the pack had ever seen her. Rumors swirled among the pack members; some claimed that Mother Gareth possessed powers beyond comprehension, while others spoke of curses and dark rituals performed under the cover of darkness.

Despite the rumors and warnings, curiosity gnawed at me inside. A strange force pulled me toward the cottage, as if it were calling me, murmuring a dark secret in my ear.

What secrets lay hidden within those walls? What mysteries awaited discovery in the depths of the forest? And my pregnancy?