Prologue

Isabella's Pov

Everything changing in the blink of an eye is something I can't seem to get used to. Even after all these months. Bloodmoon Pack the once powerful and most wealthy pack in all of the South is now in shambles. We now survived through rations of food, and some weeks were better than others, where we would be starved for days, only getting leftovers three times a week. 

We were forbidden from ever owning cars, private businesses and from hunting on pack grounds without the Alpha's authorization, and anyone caught flaunting his orders were severely punished. You would be considered lucky and seen as the Alpha's favourite if you are ever caught and you only got a few whips of the Alpha's thong. The punishment was usually flogging and isolation in the Alpha's dungeon with no sunlight, food or water. 

But even with all these restrictions. It wasn't easy to survive without going against the rules. It was the only way to not end up dead from hunger and exhaustion from all the work that was forced upon us. I had to risk getting caught by sneaking into the Alpha's mansion once a week to stash up on some of the canned foods I lacked, it was either that or I and my baby would die from hunger. 

And today would not be any different.

I'm quite aware of my surroundings, It's not my first time neither will be my last time doing this. I only come here after dusk when its easier to navigate around the guards without getting caught. Thankfully, I made friends with one of the Alpha's cooks who was a lovely person, she always hid a key for me in a small opening by the side of the kitchen door.

I quickly unlock the door making sure to open it gently so I can avoid the creaking sound from alerting the guards or the other maids. I carefully pile up all the canned foods I want in my backpack, doing it quietly so I don't drop any, when I overhear some voices and footsteps in the distance approaching the kitchen. I look around for a place to hide in panic, this was not supposed to happen!, Finding a shadowy alcove I quickly duck into it, shaking in fear, my throat is suddenly dry and I can already see myself getting whipped and locked up if the guards ever picks up my scent. 

From where I am hidden, I can see a group of guards walk pass me. One them suddenly stops moving and intently peer in my direction. My heart is racing faster and faster with every passing second as his stares feels like needles pricking into me. 

Thankfully, he does not get into the kitchen neither does he notice anything suspicious. They just keep on moving, their boisterous laughter echoing in the hallway, their clothes are stained with blood and the four of them each have a sack I suspect are the bodies of my slain pack members. I breathe out the air I did not know I was holding on to, wondering when all these would end when we would not have to live in constant fear and anguish. 

But unfortunately things just kept getting worse as all the ranked pack members Alpha Josh felt were a threat to his rule and control were either tortured and used as lab rats for their experiments, or they were bundled out of the pack to be sold off as slaves to other packs. The others who had the opportunity to flee, denounced the pack so they would not be traced and lived as rogues and lone wolfs in wherever they were accepted whilst some started new lives in the human cities. The Pack members who were left were constantly harassed and there weren't any more differences between ranked pack members and the Omegas of the pack, everyone was now on the same level as we were all treated as slaves for the Silvercrest pack.

I still remember that night like it was yesterday. The night the Silvercrest Alpha accompanied by his pack warriors invaded our pack, bringing with them the ripped-out heads of my Mate, Hunter, and the Alpha. It was a dark night for Bloodmoon Pack everyone was either mourning their slain mate, brother, or the Alpha's death, whilst the Sivercrest Alpha accompanied by his warriors scorned and laughed at our misery and pain whilst basking in the abundance of their spoils.

I've never felt so much pain as I did that day, seeing my Mate's head thrown around and kicked like a ball by those monsters broke me in every possible way. it felt like my heart was physically being ripped to pieces over and over again. I felt nothing more than to rip their legs and hands from their bodies and feed it to them. But I held back because of my baby, he was the only thing I had left of Vincent, I wouldn't want his lineage to go into extinction because of my lack of control and rashness. 

I constantly had vivid nightmares of Vincent being chained to the ceiling of a house by his neck, his face swollen and battered, and blood dripping profusely from everywhere in his body, he was always begging me to save him from the torture and pain. Those terrifying nightmares would plague my entire being leaving me breathless, panting, and in tears begging him to hold on for me to come save him... 

I drag myself home, my body aching from stress, hunger and pain. I just want to get home and lie down on my bed and doze off till the next morning. I'm almost at my door when I notice a figure there, I can't quite get who the person is till I moved closer and noticed it was my friend Marla standing akimbo looking visibly upset.

 "It's time you stopped this Bella, it's no longer safe and reasonable for you to keep sneaking out like this, think of your health and that of your unborn child, I told you to always inform me when you run out of food, I will do the sneaking and stealing. Not you, not in your condition! Please." She scolded. Marla was my best friend and we had been friends right from birth as our mothers were also great friends. She was my backbone and confidant every time and anytime I was in a tough position and needed help.    

 "I don't know how to continue to go on without my mate Marla, I'm a living corpse. And I want to be able to survive on my own without always relying on you for everything." I said, trying not to cry again as I had already reached my crying limit for today, but the tears just keeps pouring. My wolf Keira keeps howling in sadness, wailing for her mate to come back to her.

 "You'll be fine..its just time and you will get over it. And because you are a strong she-wolf, you will live for your son and train him to be strong and brave like his father. Trust me, just stop sneaking out to the Alpha's mansion." I nod my head agreeing with all she had said. I hug her tightly and she pats my back soothingly, my mum joins in the hug and I immediately feel at peace, like I can finally let go of the pain of Vincent's demise and only hold on to the sweet memories we shared.             

I'm lying on my bed, rubbing my protruding tummy, feeling his numerous kicks.

"What do you think we should name our pup Keira? I asked my wolf . 

"Sebastián! His name will be Sebastián. Vincent would've wanted him to answer that, I believe he will be the saviour this pack needs from the hands of those monsters in the future. Our boy will grow up to be strong and courageous and stop this evil".