Chapter 1 Chapter one

“congratulations. You’re pregnant.”Cyrus Mehra, the pack healer, announced with a wide smile.

My whole body froze. It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck me, pregnant? The word echoed in my head, too heavy, too unreal.

My breath caught as I turned to the healer, her face glowing with joy.

“Cyrus, please… tell me this is a joke,” I whispered, though my lips trembled with a happiness I could barely contain.

Her smile deepened. “I’m not joking, dear. It’s the truth. You’re pregnant. We’re expecting the pack’s heir.”

Her words filled my ears like a melody, sweet and endless, one I never wanted to stop. After years of waiting, years of silent prayers and bitter disappointment, I was finally going to bear the Slytherin Pack’s heir.I had only come in because of a little dizziness, but fate had given me this miracle. After seven long years, life was stirring within me.

“This is incredible news,” Cyrus said warmly. “We should inform the Alpha at once. He’ll be overjoyed.”

“Yes,” I breathed, my lips curving into a smile I couldn’t suppress. “Claus will go wild with happiness when he hears.”

But then Cyrus’s tone shifted. “There’s a problem.”My smile faltered, fear latching onto my chest like claws.

“What kind of problem?” My voice came out small, almost breaking.

“You’re burning,” she murmured, pressing her palm to my forehead for the thirteenth time, her brows knitting together. “Your womb is fragile and tender. You must be very careful, Ellie. There’s a risk you could lose the baby.”

My heart stuttered. For a moment, dread clawed at me, then eased slightly when I realized it wasn’t something worse.“So… it’s not too serious? Not something I should be terrified about?” I asked softly.

Cyrus leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You are carrying the heir of the Slytherin Pack. Of course it’s something to be worried about. We cannot afford to lose this child.”

I swallowed, forcing a shaky chuckle. I wanted, no, needed, to believe everything would be fine.

“I can’t wait to tell Claus,” I said, determination rising in me. “I have to return to the pack house immediately.”

“Just pray it’s a boy,” Cyrus said, her smile widening again.

I giggled lightly, resting a hand over my stomach. “I don’t care about the gender. Boy or girl, I’ll cherish them with all my heart.”

“Here.” She handed me a small bottle of herbs. “Take this after your first meal every day. It will strengthen you and make labor easier.”

I accepted it carefully, clutching it close, before slipping on my cloak.

The pack grounds were always busy, and dangerous. I couldn’t risk being seen, not until Claus was the first to hear this life-changing news.

Our pack was mixed with rogue werewolves who were still trying to control themselves.

Because of this, the Moon Goddess had no choice but to appoint Claus, my mate, and his twin brother, Sylvia, as the two Alphas of the pack. With both of them ruling together, the rogues had been kept in check, and the powerless werewolves could finally breathe in peace.

I stepped out of Miss Cyrus’ healer house, pulling my cloak tighter as I walked through the market. My heart was still fluttering with joy, but I kept my head down. Then I noticed a crowd gathering.I slowed my steps, listening.

“Poor woman. What did she even do? Just asked if he wanted to buy a vegetable,” someone whispered.

“He’s the one making it look like our Alphas are devils. But the truth is, he’s the devil. Sometimes I wonder if he isn’t a hybrid witch. His eyes are always bloodly,” another muttered bitterly.

I pressed into the crowd, lowering my head as I tried to see what was happening. Of course, it was Roger, the pack’s Beta, and adviser to my mate and his brother.My stomach twisted. I should have guessed.He raised his whip high and brought it down hard against a woman’s back.

She stumbled, falling to her knees.“I’m sorry, Beta Roger! I didn’t know it was you!” she cried, tears streaming down her face.

“You dare stop me? You dare show me no respect? How dare you!” he bellowed, striking her again.

My hands clenched the hem of my cloak, trembling with anger. Roger had always been a problem. I’d begged Claus to see the truth about him, but he always brushed it off. Roger thought he was the Alpha himself, consumed with pride and power.

The Moon Goddess alone knew how much I despised him.I wanted to rush forward, to help the poor woman… but my palm brushed my stomach. My secret. My pup. If I exposed myself now, if Roger or anyone else turned on me… I couldn’t risk it.Guilt burned in my chest as I turned away and headed for the pack house.

Inside, I moved through the quiet hallway toward the court chamber where Claus would be.

I returned the greetings of the maids with soft nods, my mind heavy with everything I had just seen.

Suddenly, a strong hand yanked me into the shadows, slamming me against the wall.A startled yelp escaped me.

Golden hazel eyes stared into mine. My heart leapt. “Claus!” I whispered in relief.

But then his lips curved into a smirk.“So, you still can’t tell the difference between me and your mate?”

My blood ran cold. My eyes widened. “Sylvia,” I breathed, shoving away from him and stepping back.“Don’t you ever touch me like that again,” I hissed, my voice shaking.

His smirk twisted darker. “Or what will you do?” His tone was sharp, mocking.

Of course. How could I not have noticed? Sylvia always wore black. His aura was different, darker, heavier. Claus never had that edge. But still… the same eyes, the same voice, the same movements. They were identical, and for years, this had been my torment.

I edged back again, but too slow. His arm snaked around my waist and yanked me against his chest. My pulse raced as panic spread through me.

“Let me go!” I shoved at him, but his grip tightened.

His voice dropped to a chilling whisper, his breath hot against my ear.“How long will you make me wait, Ellie? How long before you admit I’m the one the Moon Goddess chose for you? Huh?”His gaze locked onto mine, dangerous and unyielding. “Or should I just tell Claus that we’re both tied to the same mate?”

My whole body froze.