Chapter 2:

Astrid's POV

One month later

“How the hell could you get pregnant by someone you don’t even know, Astrid!? Was this how I trained you?” His roar reverberated through the room, sending icy shivers down my spine. The anger in his voice was palpable, and I could feel every word slicing through me like a blade.

“I’m… I’m…” I stammered, trying to find the right words, but before I could finish, he struck me across the face. The force of the slap made me tumble and fall to the ground, my skin scraping against the rough floor.

“Ahhh!” I cried out in pain, my hands instinctively flying up to cover my face. The sting from the slap was nothing compared to the burning shame and regret I felt. I had never imagined that a night of revenge against my ex would lead to this—an unwanted pregnancy with a stranger.

“You have disgraced me, Astrid!” he thundered. “I rejected you, I disowned you for your wrong choices, and now you come crawling back, pregnant by someone I don’t even know? What more humiliation can you bring upon me? What more disgrace?”

My father’s face was red with fury, his eyes glaring at me with a mix of disappointment and rage. I could hardly believe he had discovered my pregnancy, but I knew he would never let me off lightly.

“I’m so sorry, Father. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen! I didn’t mean to sleep with a stranger and end up pregnant!” I pleaded, sinking to my knees. My hands were clasped together in desperation as I begged for his forgiveness.

Tears streamed down my face, and I kept my head bowed, trying to avoid his piercing gaze. I knew my father well—the Alpha of the Bluestone Pack was known for his harshness and unforgiving nature. No one dared to cross him, not even me.

“I never meant to disgrace you, Father… please forgive me!” I sobbed uncontrollably. My pleas seemed to have no effect, as he was clearly done listening to my excuses and begging.

“You didn’t mean to disgrace me? That’s just an excuse for more of your reckless behavior, Astrid!” he spat, his words laden with contempt. “I am ashamed to call you my daughter!” He spat on the floor near where I was kneeling, his disdain evident.

Turning to leave the room, he was almost out the door when I couldn’t bear to let him go without another attempt to make amends. I sprang to my feet and rushed after him. Ignoring the pain, I embraced him from behind, my arms wrapping around him tightly, hoping to stop him from leaving.

“Please, Father! Please don’t be mad at me! Please…” I begged, my voice breaking with desperation. But my actions only seemed to inflame his anger further.

He turned abruptly and, thinking he might accept my apology, I was shocked when he pushed me away forcefully. I fell to the ground, the impact knocking the breath out of me.

“You don’t deserve any pity, Astrid! You’ve brought shame upon your father without a second thought!” He was about to strike me again when the door burst open, and my mother rushed in.

She quickly grasped his hand, trying to prevent him from hitting me. “She’s your daughter, Alpha Safiya… please don’t do this! There must be another way to punish her!” My mother’s voice was desperate as she pleaded on my behalf. I remained kneeling on the floor, my head bowed, trying to remain out of sight.

“You’re right,” my father said suddenly, surprising both me and my mother. His tone was ominous, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me.

“There is a better punishment, and I think I’m going to administer it right now.” My heart sank as I lifted my head to look at him. His expression was grim, and I could sense something dreadful was about to happen.

“I HEREBY BANISH YOU, ASTRID SAFIYA, FROM THE GREYSTONE PACK!!!!!” His declaration was a thunderclap that left me reeling. The pain of his words was worse than any physical punishment I had ever received.

“What?” My voice trembled with shock and disbelief. “No, Father, please!”

“You cease to be the Alpha’s daughter, Astrid! Guards!” he bellowed. Instantly, the door swung open, revealing several men standing at attention behind him.

“Seize her and throw her out! The Alpha’s decree stands!” he commanded, turning his back on me. The guards moved swiftly, grabbing me and dragging me toward the exit. My mother continued to beg, but her pleas went unheard.

“No! Noooo!!!” I cried out, my heart breaking as I was forcibly removed from the pack. The gates of the Greystone Pack slammed shut behind me, and I could do nothing but watch in despair as I was pushed beyond the boundaries.

My father’s rejection and the loss of my family left me shattered. “Please let me in… please let me…” I continued to cry and bang on the door, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. 

Just as I was about to lose hope, a hand covered my nose from behind with a white handkerchief. I struggled to free myself, but the strength of the stranger holding me was overpowering. My vision blurred, and darkness began to close in as I lost consciousness.

“Father… please,” I whispered faintly before everything went black.

*Redmoon Pack*

When I regained consciousness, I found myself in an unfamiliar place. The environment was stark and cold, adding to my confusion and fear. I sat up on the ground, my heart racing as I scanned the surroundings.

I was about to stand and flee when a deep, menacing voice halted me in my tracks. “Going somewhere?”

My eyes shot toward the source of the voice, and there, sitting on a throne-like chair, was none other than Alpha Dane of the Redmoon Pack. He was a figure of terror—an Alpha feared by nations and kingdoms alike, known for his ruthless and unyielding nature.

He rose from his seat and began to walk toward me. Each step he took echoed through the room, amplifying my growing dread. When he reached me, he crouched down to my level, his gaze intense and unyielding. He grasped my chin firmly, turning my face to meet his piercing green eyes. His proximity sent shivers down my spine, and I felt a strange mix of fear and something else I couldn’t quite identify.

I had always despised Alpha Dane, viewing him as the embodiment of evil. Yet, his close presence stirred emotions I struggled to understand. I braced myself for the worst, expecting him to order my execution or some other grim fate. But instead, he made a statement that shocked me to my core.

“Found you, Mate!”