Chapter Four: The Luna with an Hybrid Child

A week had passed since their return to the pack, and Adelia had made a full recovery. However, Russe couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had taken root inside him. He had a nagging suspicion that they were still being watched, still in danger.

One night, as he was walking through the cabin halls, he heard whispers coming from a nearby room. He stopped and listened, trying to make out what was being said.

“...Russe...Adelia...must be stopped...”

Russe’s heart began to race as he heard the somewhat familiar voices. He knew that he had to act fast if he wanted to uncover them. He burst into the room, his transforming to his werewolf form. But he was too late, the owners of the voices had strangely vanished.

Russe crept around the room, his wolf senses on high alert. He could smell a faint trail that led towards the forest, and he knew that it was their only chance to catch up with the intruders. He dashed towards the forest, his small paws crunching against the snow as he ran. The trail was growing stronger, and his instincts were telling him that he was getting closer.

As he entered deeper into the forest, the trail split into two. Russe sniffed both trails, but he couldn’t tell which one was the one that he was looking for. He made a quick decision and followed the trail on the right, hoping that he had made the right choice.

He ran for what felt like hours, his breaths coming in short pants, and his tongue lolling out of his mouth. The trail was growing weaker, but he could still smell the intruders. He was about to give up when he heard a twig snap behind him.

Russe spun around, his wolf instincts kicking in as he prepared to defend himself. But what he saw made him pause. It was Reina, dressed in thick furs and holding a bow. She looked at him with relieved eyes, and he could smell the faint scent of  sweat on her.

“Russe?” she asked, her voice low and husky. Russe didn’t answer, but he didn’t feel threatened by her either. He tilted his head to the side, sniffing at the air.

“You’re looking for the intruders,” Reina said, and Russe barked in response. “I’ve been tracking them too. They’re dangerous. Tell me, how did you discover them?.”

Russe hesitated, but then he explained the previous conversation he overheard. 

Reina listened intently, her eyes widening with each passing moment. “We have to stop them,” she said, determination in her voice. Russe nodded in agreement, ready to do whatever it takes to protect their pack.

Together, they continued to track the intruders, following the faint scent that led them deeper into the forest. As they moved, Russe caught glimpses of Reina’s face, illuminated by the moonlight. He had always seen her in a friend’s point of view, but now in this moment, with the thrill of the hunt coursing through his veins, he found himself drawn to her in a way he never had before. ‘No, thus should not be happening. I’m in love with Adelia.’ He cautioned his mind.

After searching for the intruders for hours but to no avail, they both decided to return to the pack. 

On getting back to his office, he continued to ponder on the previous conversation he heard. He couldn’t shake off this ominous feeling he was having at that moment.

‘Bammm!’ the door flung open. Russe immediately turned towards the disturbing noise and he saw Reina panting as she reported.

“Russe, your... your...Adelia....she...” 

“ What happened to Adelia?” Russe asked with a worry stricken face.

“She...sh.. she... fainted!” Reina continued.

“What?!” Without wasting another second, Russe dashed towards the door. Leaving behind the ‘now’ expressionless Reina.

On getting to Adelia’s cabin, he saw the Pack’s shaman treating her. His eyes turned gentle, seeing the beautiful woman fast asleep.

“Hasn’t she been showing symptoms of recent?” the old shaman asked, still feeling her pulse.

“What symptoms?” Russe asked confusedly. He didn’t notice any symptoms of sickness, she had been really okay this past week.

“Well, she is pregnant. And it’s been two weeks now.” The old shaman announced, looking at the people crowding the room.

The old shaman’s diagnosis sounded like a thunder clap in his head.

Russe’s heart raced as he looked at Adelia’s still form on the bed. Pregnant? He couldn’t believe it. How could he have missed the signs? He had been so focused on their mission to protect the Pack from danger that he hadn’t paid enough attention to Adelia’s well-being. To think that he even caused her to be extremely unhappy with him that she had broke off the wedding.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his. She looked so peaceful, like she didn’t have a care in the world. But Russe knew the truth. They were living in dangerous times and bringing a child into this world would only make things more complicated.

“She is really pregnant?” Russe asked again disbelievingly.

“Yes, Alpha Russe.” The old shaman confirmed 

As he sat there, lost in thought, he felt a sudden pang of guilt. How could he have been so careless? Adelia was the love of his life and he had failed her. He vowed then and there to be a better partner, to protect her and their unborn child no matter what.

“But....” the old shaman paused.

Russe looked at him, a beautiful smile was still plastered on his face.

“What is it, old one?” he asked.

“Pardon my words Alpha, but I believe she carries an outcast child.”

Russe’s eyes widened at the shaman’s words. An outcast child? He had heard of such things, but he had never personally encountered one. His mind was swirling with questions, but he knew he had to focus on Adelia and their unborn child first.

“What does that mean?” Russe asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“It means that your child may have abilities that are not common among our kind, which her a sign of a child born of a werewolf and human.’ The old shaman explained, his eyes filled with wisdom.

“What?! You... you mean... she...Adelia is pregnant with an hybrid child? An outcast, fathered by a real human?” Russe shrieked in horror, his seemed to have crashed into a thousand pieces.

“Forgive me Alpha, but I’m afraid that is indeed correct.” The old shaman responded.

The cold wind crept in from the window, slicing his face painfully. He thought he still had a chance with her since she came back to him, who... just who would have thought that she.... damn! He could feel those knives going through his heart.

“Everyone out! Now!” Russe roared with a great anger that his followers had not seen in years.

As soon as the room had cleared, Russe slammed the door shut.  The news of Adelia’s pregnancy with an outcast child had hit him hard, and he didn’t know how to process it. Due to the loud noise, Adelia awoke to an angry Russe who immediately turned to face her, his eyes blazing with fury. She cowered before him, her hand instinctively going to her flat belly.

“You knew,” he spat, his voice low and dangerous. “You knew you were cheating on me, that’s why you rejected me on our wedding right. You had an human lover!”

Adelia’s eyes widened in fear as she shook her head. “No Russe, listen to me.” she whispered. “I swear on my life, I would never!”

He had always been taught that werewolves should only mate with their own kind, and the idea of a hybrid child was frowned upon. How could she leave him for some smelly human!

Russe took a step forward, his hand curling into a fist. “Don’t lie to me,” he growled. “How could I not smell the human on you? You betrayed me, Adelia. You slept with a human and now you’re carrying its bastard child.”

Adelia flinched as he reached out and grabbed her by the arm, his grip tight and painful. “Please, Russe,” she begged, tears streaming down her face. “I loved you. I never meant for this to happen. I just couldn’t help falling in love with him. Please, forgive me.”

“Oh great! You loved me and same you fell in love, with an human guy?! Why do you have to do this, Adelia? You just keep reminding me over and over again, just how inadequate I am for you Adelia!” He voiced again. Adelia winced as Russe’s grip tightened around her arm. She knew he was angry, but she had never seen him like this before. Russe was always the one who kept his emotions in check, but now he was losing control.