Chapter 1

~ELENA’S  POV ~

I stood before the grand mirror in my chambers, staring at what was left of me. My hands ran down the embroidery of my ceremonial gown—heavy and  suffocating. Just like the weight of being the Alpha of Sizzle pack which I carried for years.

Unfortunately, that weight was taken off my shoulder. At first I was happy I was doing something like that. Sacrificing my position for my mate, Vernon. That was the best decision to me given the fact that I couldn’t morph.

But it turned into a nightmare after I couldn’t give him an heir. Tonight was supposed to be a night of celebration for the Alpha and his family as tradition demanded. I was suppose to be the one sitting on the silver throne made for the alpha.

Yet here I was, drowning in sorrows while the man I trusted the most made jolly in the halls, not bothering where I was. I couldn’t bring myself to admitting it. But ever since Vernon became distant from me, I knew something was wrong somewhere.

His cold looks and tone when addressing me. He stopped touching me and started sleeping outside our room. In the depths of my heart, I believed this was just a phase which we would scale through. 

But it looked impossible to me at some point. Especially whenever I see my mate with my step sister, Viola. Tears trickled down my eyes as I sat there quietly. Memories of my good times with Vernon flashing through my thoughts. 

“It’s time you gave up Elena. You’ve always been too weak for this role. You can’t even bear an heir” my sister’s bitter voice echoed in my head. She never failed to remind me of how weak and unwanted I was around. 

I shut my eyes, trying to silence the soar sting of Viola’s voice in my head. I trusted Vernon. I gave him everything. Sacrificed the only title which gave me the little respect I deserved as the alpha’s daughter, believing he would love me forever. 

The tears ran down uncontrollably until i burst into a silent sob.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. I turned around and found Vernon standing by the doorway. I hurriedly wiped my tears so he wouldn’t see me in that state. 

“The ceremony began a few hours ago,” he stated, making his way into the room. His tone made my blood run cold. “The servants reported that they finished getting you ready two hours ago. Why aren’t you in the hall with us?” He asked.

I knew to apologize. Not that he would hit me if I didn’t. But that was the only way I would avoid having problems with him. 

“I am…sorry, Vernon. I had a wardrobe malfunction so I had to change to something better” I answered him. I could feel his gaze on me. It felt like he was looking through my skin and seeing my heart to know if I was lying. 

“Join us in the hall, we have an announcement to make,” he said and turned to head out. 

“We?” I made him halt in his tracks as I stood up from the chair and turned to him. He was standing at the door already, holding the knob. I saw him fighting the urge not to ignore me before he slightly twisted his neck to look at me. 

“Viola and I” he dropped and slammed the door after he walked out. My heart dropped into my stomach at the mention of my sister’s name. Why would her name be in the same sentence with that of my mate?  

I was already having a bad feeling as I made my way to the hall. No one noticed when I walked in. They were all having fun, exchanging stories and having the best time of their lives. Viola was sitting in my chair and that pricked my skin.

“There are other seats in the hall Viola. Please move,” I whispered to her. Vernon placed his hand on hers which was resting on the table, making it very visible for me. It was strange to me until his eyes met mine.  Immediately, I found myself another chair. Distant from theirs.

A pack elder was making a speech, but all the while, my gaze was fixed on my mate and my sister. I could feel my heart boiling down already. Vernon took over and pulled in the silence, giving him the opportunity to make his grand announcement.

“It’s a tradition in Riverie and every wolf pack in Riverie to have a Luna and an heir,” he started, his words hitting me like a stray bullet. “Sizzle pack is no exception and that is why I have chosen to bring this to the public, he added. 

I adjusted in my chair as the tension in the air made its way into my heart. Everyone was silently waiting when Vernon took Viola’s hand. 

“From today henceforth, Viola will be referred to as the Luna of this pack—as she’s carrying an heir for me,” he dropped. 

While others burst into cheers, my heart burst into flames. Viola had a sickly smile on her lips which made my blood run cold. While Vernon was busy receiving praises, Viola and I indulged in an eye staring battle. 

 An heir? How? 

Oh how blind I have been! 

How foolish I was not to have noticed her sudden presence lurking around Vernon like a shadow. 

The tears welling up in my eyes were fighting its way out. My jaws trembled as I struggled to keep the tears in. I couldn’t hold back anymore and pushed out of my seat, racing for the exit. 

“Elena,” Vernon’s voice halted me. The hall went silent and I felt their gaze on me. 

‘Not this time, Vernon. Your voice can’t keep me in this room this time,’ I thought. In a swift motion, I swung the door open and rushed out. I headed back to my room where I went down on my knees, letting my pain out in form of tears.

I stayed that way for a few minutes, covering my mouth as I cried so I wouldn’t draw anyone’s attention. A knock landed on the door, but I ignored it. It came again and again, louder this time. 

“Go away Vernon!” I wailed. 

“It’s Doctor tancredi, Luna,” I heard the doctors voice call out. I didn’t want to see her either, but she wasn’t always around and I needed my results. I opened the door, turning away immediately so she wouldn’t see me in tears. 

“You can drop it on the table and leave ,” I murmured. 

“I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to leave tonight, Luna,” she replied. 

“Why?” I asked as I turned to face her. 

“I’ll need to take more test on you. The last test result came back positive. And from the looks of it, you’re two weeks pregnant,” she dropped.

Pregnant?

******