Chapter 1 Chapter 1

“Lucian, who is she?!” I asked my husband, my eyes fixed on the pregnant woman beside him. “She is a surrogate?!” He replied casually. “What?! Surrogate?! You mean she is carrying your child?!” I confirmed. “Yeah, since you failed to give me, something needs to be done.”“And you went ahead with this… Without discussing it with me?!”“I’m Alpha, Selene. I don’t need anyone’s permission.” He wrapped his arm around the surrogate’s shoulder and led her inside the house. “I gave you five years to provide an heir to the crystal blood moon pack, but you failed.”“Failed?!” I stared at him in disbelief. “Is that how you see me now?!” He made the surrogate sit on the couch and poured a glass of water from the dining table. “Not only me, but the entire pack sees you that way. You failed everyone.” He walked back to the surrogate and handed over the glass to her. “Thank you so much,” The surrogate said, giving him a tender smile. “I don’t care about others, Lucian. I care about what you think?”“Then I already gave you the answer, Selene.” He replied with furrowed eyes. “Anyways, have you baked the cake? I could smell.” He sniffed, closing his eyes. “Please, get a piece for Astra. She has been craving cakes and ice-creams lately.” He loosened his tie and settled down in front of the TV. “Are you fucking serious?! Here, you are tearing me apart, and all you care about are her cravings? I yelled in rage. “Because he loves his child and he wants to do everything to keep the mother of his child happy.” The surrogate intervened, gazing at Lucian. “See, this is the level of understanding I expected from you, Selene, but anyways–” Lucian remarked. Lucian locked his eyes with the surrogate, and they shared a warm smile. Suspicion crept within me, and I alternated my eyes between them. “Is this really just a surrogacy, Lucian or something more than that? Did you fuck her?” He rolled his eyes and turned his gaze to you, which is now icy. “It doesn’t matter how the child comes. What matters is that I’ll finally have an heir.”“That didn’t answer my question, Lucian?” I snapped. “Did you fuck her or not?! Yes or No! “Don’t test my patience, Selene. I already said it doesn’t matter.”“By the way, Astra is a kindergarten teacher—she loves children.” He averted his gaze back to the surrogate with an affection in his eyes. “That’s why she agreed to this. You should be thanking her instead of making a fuss about it.”“Wow, my husband is bringing a woman with his child in her, and you call it a fuss? I stared at him, my anger surging at the speed of a rocket. I grabbed the cake and smashed it onto Lucian’s face. “Then here I go, Mr Lucian!” I shouted. “Making a bigger fuss.”“What the fuck, you bitch?!” Lucian roared, standing up off the sofa. “What the fuck, Lucian. You think I'm a servant and that I would serve her cake.” I retorted. “If she craves cake, take your ass to the market and buy it yourself!” He cleared the frosting from his face and, without warning, grabbed my neck before shoving me against the wall. “Stop this drama,” he growled. I tried to push him only to feel his grip getting tighter. “Lucian, please, no. Leave her and give her time to understand your decision.” Astra butted in. “Do you see the difference, Selene?”“You should be grateful I haven’t stripped you of your title as a Luna. Otherwise, you’re nothing to me now, Selene—You are useless. So fucking stay in your limit.” He loosened the grip around my neck and walked away. “Come on, Astra.” He ordered. I coughed while tears trickled down my face. Useless?! Was that all I was to him now? A child-bearing tool that had failed its purpose, and so should be discarded. I watched him with pain while the surrogate looked at you with a smug smile. “Good night, Selene. It was nice meeting you.” She said in a honeyed tone. “I hope you will understand your husband.” She followed Lucian up the stairs, and I had no option but to watch them helplessly. Soon, they disappeared into the room and closed the door behind them. Now, he is even gonna sleep with her? My anger shot up again, and I couldn’t help but follow them and bang hard on the door. “Lucian, open the door!!” I barked. “We are not done yet!”“If she is just a surrogate then what the hell are you doing in her room?” When he didn’t open, I banged on the door harder. A moment later, the door creaked open, and Lucian appeared, infuriated. “What the hell is wrong with you? Have you forgotten all your manners?” He snapped. “Manners? You want to talk about my manners? Seriously?!” I shot back. “What about your ethics, Lucian? What about the vows you took with me? Have you forgotten those?”“Selene,” he barked, his jaw convulsed, his tone a warning. “I’m your Alpha. Mind your tone, the consequences would not be nice.”

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

“And you’re my husband. Mind your actions.” I retorted, my voice trailing off. “You are not supposed to share a room with another woman!” Lucian sighed in frustration, briefly turning his gaze to Astra, who had changed into a sexy nighty. “Excuse me,” he said, his tone contrasting to the one he used with me. “Yeah, but please make it fast, I’m dead tired.” She said in a baby tone. “Yeah, just a second.” Lucian stepped out and closed the door behind him. “You fucked her isn’t it? She is not just a surrogate, but your mistress, right?” I questioned, my heart pained. “No!! That’s not true!” He said, his tone calmer now. “I understand your anger and your insecurities.”“But believe me there is nothing like you think. I’m not breaking any vow. Everything I’m doing is for the sake of our child.”“If that’s true, let’s go to our room. Let’s make your birthday special.” I held his hand and made him walk away, but he stopped before getting rid of my grip. “I can’t, Selene. I need to be with her.” His tone went cold again. “Why? Was that one of the conditions she put before bearing your child.” I asked, my eyes arched. “No, but she gets nightmares. Terrifying ones, and she gets scared! He said. “I can’t let her stress herself or the baby. For the child’s well-being, I need to be here.”“If that’s the case, I can take your place.” I suggested, my tone placating despite my turmoil. “I will stay with her. I’ll help her with the nightmares.” He folded his palms into fists, trying to keep himself calm. “Selene, you barely know her. She wouldn’t be comfortable with you, okay?! He said with finality in his tone. “Now, please, I’m exhausted. Let me get some rest. I have a lot to handle tomorrow.” Before I could counteract, he retreated and closed the door in my face. I stared at the door; the thought of him spending the night with her put daggers into my heart. He had slept with her. She is not just a surrogate but his mistress. With tears in my eyes, I retired to my room and cried myself to sleep, only to wake up at someone’s laughter. I rose and went to find Astra and Lucian laughing and relishing breakfast. “Good morning, Selene,” She greeted me as soon as she spotted me. “Please join us.” I settled down across from her with an attitude and confidence on my face. “This is my house and he is my husband. You have joined us, not the other way around.” I could see his jaw convulsing, but she quickly gathered herself. “Oh, I’m sorry if I offended you.” She said, faking innocence. “I didn’t mean that way. I know I’m an outsider here. I shouldn’t even have breakfast with you.” She rose with crocodile tears in her eyes, but Lucian held her hand and made her sit again. “Selene, stop making fuss over petty things and Astra, don’t think you are not part of this family. You are, more than anyone. okay?” She nodded with a smile, and I felt my body simmering with anger. “Such a drama queen you are, isn’t it.” I chuckled, sarcasm mingling with frustration. “Playing so nicey-nicey to turn my husband against me.”“What?! No!”“Enough, Selene! What’s wrong with you?” Lucian intervened. “Why are you intentionally poking her? She is being nice to you, either appreciate her or leave.” He looked at me with contempt. “I guess I will leave.” I got up and walked away when Lucian called me. “By the way, I want you to make the soup for her,” He said, sipping a coffee. “Yeah, please, he said no one can beat you in it. You have magic in your hands.” Astra added, getting excited. “Look Selene, it’s better you accept the truth and be supportive. Eventually this will be our child.” Lucian said, looking at me. I locked my eyes with him, and a flicker of hope rose within me. Is she genuinely a surrogate? Is Lucian bringing this child for us? I nodded sincerely and walked away, my heart feeling lighter. Later that afternoon, I prepared the soup. I took it to Astra’s room and knocked on the door. “Yeah, come in.” She commanded. I entered to see her admiring her freshly painted nails. “What took you so long?” She said, her tone snobbish. “Don’t you know what I'm expecting? It’s not healthy to make me wait for food.” Finally, her true colors are coming out. I didn’t react, realizing I needed to handle it wisely. “Next time, I will be careful,” I said cautiously. I left the room without further argument because all I had to do was show Lucian her true color. But a moment later, a sharp scream filled the house, and I rushed to her. “You witch!” Astra’s voice rang out. “You did this on purpose!” she shrieked, glaring at me. I saw her face and hands had turned red. “You put pistachios in the soup, knowing I’m allergic! You’re trying to harm me and my child!”“What?” I stammered, horrified.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

“I didn’t know you were allergic. And how would I? We just met yesterday!”“Liar!” She spat, clutching her stomach dramatically. “I warned you! I specifically told you. You’re such a jealous and malicious woman!” Before I could defend myself, Lucian stormed in. “Astra, what happened? Are you okay.” He approached her, scanning her face and hands. “Your wife tried to harm your child!” Astra sobbed. “I told her I’m allergic. Still, she put pistachios in the soup!”“What?! How dare you?!” Lucian turned to me and, right away, gave a tight slap on my face. “I can’t believe you could stoop this low. You are disgusting, Selene.” He yelled. “Feya,” He barked, turning to the maid. “Lock her away in her room until I say so. Get her out of my sight, now!” Does he believe her over me? Do I hold no place in his heart? Tears stung my eyes as I held my burning cheek, completely shocked. After grounding me for the entire night without food, the door opened in the morning. I expected it to be Lucian, but it was Feya. “Madam, I brought you something to eat. You haven’t eaten anything since yesterday.” Sorry, but I don’t feel like eating,” I admitted. “I’m too hurt. I can never try to kill a child, not even in my dreams. Believe me, I didn’t know she was allergic to pistachios.”“I know, Madam. You don’t have to prove it to me.” I stared at her with teary eyes. “You do?”“Yes, mam. I’ve been with you for five years. I know that much about you.” Thank you, Feya. Thank you so much.” Finally, for her sake, I forced myself to eat, but as soon as I finished, a wave of nausea hit me. “Madam, are you alright?” Feya asked with worry. I nodded weakly, but moments later, I bolted to the bathroom and threw up. “I think you should see a doctor,” Feya suggested. “But what about Lucian’s punishment? He’ll take his anger out on you,” I protested weakly. “I’ll handle that.” She assured me with a determined smile. “You need to leave before they return.” I hugged her tightly and quickly left the house. But just as I reached the corner, I felt a bit dizzy and crashed into the car ahead of me. “Ouch!” I winced as the jolt made my head strike with a steering wheel. The collided car stopped, and I shook my head in frustration. Oh god, I have no energy to argue right now. I rolled my windows down, ready to offer compensation, when a strikingly handsome stepped out. Oh, my, my, my, who is this hunk?! I could sense an ebony scent from the distance. While the man approached me, I hopped out. “I’m so sorry,” I said, my voice earnest. “I’ll cover the damages.” His eyes didn’t linger anywhere but on my forehead, where I was bumped. “You’re hurt. Let me take you to the hospital.” He said in his deep voice. “Huh? No, no, I’m fine.” I protested, but right then, I retched again. “You don’t seem okay. Please, I insist.” He said firmly. “Fine.” He led me to his car and asked his driver to handle mine before putting us behind the wheels. “Are you feel nauseous because of the head injury?” He asked. “No,” I admitted. “It started before the accident. That’s the reason I was heading to the hospital.”“Seriously!! Then you shouldn’t have been driving. It’s dangerous,” He said with furrowed eyes. “Yeah, I do realize now.” Soon, we reached the hospital, and while I went inside for the check-up, he waited inside. The examination felt routine until the sonography report brought my heart into my mouth. “Doctor, are you sure?” I asked in disbelief. “Yes, Mrs. Selene,” she confirmed with a kind smile. “You’re pregnant.”“Pregnant?!” The word echoed in my mind, and the first thing that came to me was to call Lucian. “Lucian,” I spoke with excitement. “I have wonderful news!”“I’m not in the mood for any news, Selene. Especially from you.” He retorted and hung up. I called him again. “Lucian, please listen to me. It’s very important for you, us and the entire pack.” There was a pin-drop silence before he uttered again. “What is it?!”“I’m pregnant, Lucian. I’m pregnant. Crystal blood moon will soon have their legit heir.”“Huh…Lie. Another lie. Seriously, Selene, I’m fed up with you and your dirty games.”“Huh?! Game? What game?!” I asked, not following him. “Lucian, I said I’m pregnant,” I repeated. “I heard you,and Iaid you’re lying,” he replied tersely. “Now stop calling me and fucking stay away from Astra and my child.”