Chapter 2

Kael Black's hand was still resting on Lila's swollen belly, his Alpha gaze so tender it could melt.

Seeing this, my wolf inside me howled wildly, trying to ease the sharp pain in my heart.

For so many years, I cleared out the rebellious factions in his Pack, ensuring his safety in the Alpha position.

Yet, in the end, I was still no match for Lila, who only knew how to look at him with adoring eyes.

"Elara, don't be mad at Kael."

Lila lay on the bed, a harmless smile on her face.

"Dr. Ellis said my health isn't great. Kael was afraid something would happen to me and the baby, which is why he kept it from you."

"We're all doing this for your own good. You've been Luna for so many years, yet your womb has been empty.

The elders of the Pack have gossiped endlessly about it.

They all say that you inherited Alpha Seraphina's bloodline, but you can't even bear a pup, bringing shame to the legendary Wolf King."

She said, patting my hand affectionately,

"Once the baby is born, he'll be registered under your name.

He'll share in Alpha Seraphina's glorious bloodline, and he can call you 'mother,' okay?"

My father cleared his throat, adopting his Silverveil Pack Alpha demeanor, and barked sharply,

trying to assert an authority he'd never dared to show my mother:

"Elara! The pup Lila is carrying is the firstborn of the Ironvein Pack, and the hope of our Silverveil Pack!"

"Your sister is sharing the burden for you, for both Packs. Instead of being grateful, you're giving everyone a cold shoulder?

Don't forget, your mother set the rule that you were to protect the Silverveil Pack!"

Kael finally removed his hand from Lila's belly and walked towards me.

He tried to take my hand, but I sidestepped, avoiding him.

A flicker of annoyed defiance crossed his eyes. He was so used to my obedience,

used to me smoothing over every storm for him, allowing him to sit securely in the Alpha position.

"Elara, we've been mates for so many years, don't you understand me?"

"Everything I'm doing is for you, for both our Packs. I can't let other Packs talk behind your back, calling you a she-wolf who can't bear pups, saying the legendary Wolf King's daughter can't even manage basic reproduction."

I looked at him, unable to say a word.

He would never understand that my mother becoming the only female Alpha wasn't about bearing pups.

It was about her ability to protect the entire Western Territory's wolf kin on her own.

He also didn't understand that I never cared about idle gossip.

I only cared that the people my mother gave her life to protect, now turned around and trampled her legacy underfoot.

Seeing I was unmoved, Kael's patience finally ran out.

"Alright, stop being dramatic. I've already had the kitchen prepare a feast to celebrate this happy occasion."

"As Luna of the Ironvein Pack, you should at least show some appreciation."

He turned to help Lila, a tenderness in his movements I had never seen before.

"Lila, what do you want to eat? Should I have the hunting party go catch the freshest venison?"

Lila leaned weakly against him, pouting playfully:

"I want soup, and I want you to feed me yourself."

"Alright, whatever you wish."

They acted intimately as if I wasn't even there, treating me like a transparent ornament.

Standing there, I felt ridiculously superfluous.

Just then, Dr. Ellis, the Pack's doctor, walked in with his medical bag.

He had been my mother's exclusive doctor but, after her death, he became Lila's.

With a beaming smile, he pulled a bloodline test report from his bag, his voice loud, intentionally letting everyone in the room hear:

"Alpha Kael, Alpha Roderick, congratulations!"

He handed the report to Kael, his tone full of flattery:

"Miss Lila's pregnancy is very stable, and the bloodline test shows it's a male pup!"

Kael passionately kissed Lila, his aura practically vibrating with joy.