ESMERALDA’S POV.
I find it weird now that I have thought about it. If Anthony truly is my mate, something I have no doubts of now, then why can’t he feel it? I am sure what I felt was true, I indeed felt the mate bond so…what is up with his reaction?
Is he truly indifferent? Does he really still want that woman over me, over his mate?
“She must have done something to him,” My wolf said, tried to reason. She sounded so certain, I could not help but listen and try to make sense of her words. “Maybe she used witchcraft on him or something?”
“Witchcraft?” I shook my head at my wolf’s thoughts. “She is human, you can tell as well. So, that is out of the picture.” There is no doubt she is human, I would have been able to sense if she is a witch, we all would.
Before my wolf could say anything further, I decided to return back home, as I have been out in the woods the entire day and it is getting late. It is best if I return home now. Instead of going to the pack house where I have been staying though, I decided to head to my parent’s house, knowing it is the one place I can go to avoid everyone.
The last thing I need is the looks of pity I would be getting from everyone, along with whatever judgmental looks they must have cooked up and stored by now. And I most definitely do not want to settle my sight on either Anthony or that human woman of his, I am not so sure I will remain calm.
It has been a hassle holding my wolf back when even I feel feral inside. It is best if I do not take risks and try to settle this somehow. Not to mention, the rage won’t be good for my baby.
With that thought in mind, I headed back home. However, the moment I stepped feet and took steps into the house, I was met by the sight of the woman whom birthed me storming in my direction. And before I could speak or even attempt to, her hand rose upwards and a sting registered on my face as she slapped me.
My head moved to the side following the impact, and I found myself releasing a small breath due to the unexpected action. It stings, I admit. But the pain in my heart is bigger.
Pointing an accusing finger at me, she scolded. “You are so useless!” She hissed, her eyes narrowed and her tone cold. “You let Anthony fall in love with another woman! Are you that incompetent? You could not even keep a man?”
My hand reached out and covered the spot she slapped, unable to believe she would actually blame me for that, as if we can do anything to stop a man if he intends to cheat. Can we? Of course not.
“I knew having a female child is useless,” My father’s voice came, in a hiss as he stepped into the room as well, staring at me with a disappointed look. “I told you to abort her when we had the chance,” He directed the statement to my mother, uncaring that I am practically there, listening.
She shifted her glare from me, then hissed lowly as she crossed her arms over her torso. “I thought we would be able to get her to marry Anthony someday,” She said to him, as if they have not made that a well known fact already. “But now that she has lost him, she truly is useless. I regret birthing such a disappointment,” She turned to look at me, then screamed right in my face. “I should have gotten rid of you when I had the chance!”
Her words were not supposed to hurt me. I know already. I have already known because they made it clear countless times that they favored male kids to female kids. That they favored my brother Cole regardless of how many times he got into trouble. I tried to be good enough for them.
I studied harder, I trained harder, heck I can beat Cole on a one on one combat any day, and I thought all this would be enough to show them I am worthy…apparently not.
Cole has always mocked me that I am merely wasting my time by trying hard, he was right. I should have listened to him all those years he tamped me down and walked all over me as our parents allowed.
“You better find a way to fix this,” My father threatened, his tone low as he held my gaze. “Become his mistress for all I care. But, fix this. Else, you can forget about being our daughter and find some other parents.”
With that said, they turned around and disappeared leaving me all alone.
My hand subconsciously went to my belly, as I caressed it. The pain in my heart made it difficult for me to breathe, I felt the pain slowly growing in on me, till the point I feel as though I would collapse any minute now.
Mustering the small strength I have, I left the room and went in search of the one person I trust to see me in this state. I know it is late, so, when I showed up in front of his home and knocked on it, as he made an appearance, I found myself apologizing almost immediately.
“I am sorry for showing up unannounced,” I said, my tone laced with exhaustion due to the day’s collective activities and emotional whirlwind.
My long time friend, and a doctor—the sole person aware of my pregnancy, Davis seemed taken aback by my presence. But, he quickly recovered and then shifted. “Esmeralda, come in, please.” He ushered me in, and I did just that.
Settling down on the first couch in sight, Davis disappeared further into the small home he lives alone as he is an orphan and unmated, before appearing again with a cup of water which he dropped on the table for me.
I took the water, then thanked him because I truly am in need of it. After quenching my thirst, I looked at him, my expression serious.
“Are you okay?” He beat me to ask, before I could speak. His tone was warm, and laced with worry and genuine concern. “About everything, I mean.” That is nice of him, I know he has always been the one person that has always cared for me—an act that made him hated by my brother and the others…my parents and Anthony inclusive.
But, he never bothered. He still cared for me. Always has.
I sighed, then shook my head. “No.” I said earnestly. “But, that is not why I am here.” Turning around to face him completely, my expression yawed serious as I spoke again. “Davis I need you to help keep my pregnancy a secret, please do so for me.” Preparing myself, I decided to tell him the conclusion I have come to. “I am leaving the pack, Davis. Until then, I need it to become a secret.”
His brows drew in, and he seems to be contemplating it. Eventually, he caved in. “I am not happy about this,” He expressed his dislike towards the entire thing. “But you need to be very careful, Esmeralda. If this is what you want, I won’t stop you. But I need to remind you that you are still at a high risk of miscarriage.”
“I know,” I breathed out. “I will be careful, I promise.”
He sighed. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
I nodded. “I am.” I confirmed. “I am leaving this forsaken pack.”
ANTHONY’S POV.Claire is my mate; she has to be.I fell in love with her at first sight. She is beautiful, and the moment I saw her on the battlefield despite the chaos surrounding us, I felt the bond between us. Even in her weak and fragile state, she is still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and I felt pulled towards her. I knew then she is my mate, and I want no one else.It is only right I bring her back to my pack and make her my Luna.Even though everyone is against my decision apparently, I have no regrets. I know what I feel for her. They may not understand it now, but they would later on. A mate is always the best thing to happen to happen to a wolf, and to an Alpha wolf, a Luna, a fated mate is not just the best thing to happen to him but to the pack as well.So, this is ultimately for everyone as well. I will still choose Claire as my mate over and over again if I have to.At night, I was prepared to mate with Claire for the first time ever. With the whole turmoil
ESMERALDA’S POV.I watched every emotion display across Anthony’s face, every bit of it since I turned around and met his gaze.Confusion was the first emotion to flick across his features, followed by surprise as his lips parted slightly and his eyes dilated. My best guess is, he has finally figured out that there is a bond between us.I felt it when he was following me around, I could tell it is him from the scent. I was simply taking a stroll in the forest to clear my head and decide when I would leave the pack when I heard it—the snap of twigs as someone’s presence became known, and as my steps hastened, so did his.However, at a point, I realized there is no point running away. I am not guilty of anything after all, and the only reason I did so was to avoid talking to him lest he decides to bring up the mistress issue again and heaven help me, I might do something I certainly will not regret.The look I saw on his face though, somehow lit up what I thought had diminished or shoul
ESMERALDA’S POV.I felt as though I am floating, I could not exactly feel myself bounded to anything, but rather, I was free. I tried to move my body, open my eyes, or shift my finger at the very least but none of that worked. Instead, I felt unable to do anything, and wherever I looked around, I could only see darkness nothing else.I tried to speak to my wolf through my mind, but I could not do that also. It felt as though I am in a different universe from the one she is in. I could not even feel her. My reality began to blur out though and before I know it, I had lost the ability to think all together. In the distance though, I heard muffled, unfamiliar voices. My skin, it felt a bit chilly, but the same time, bound to something incredibly warm. I could not decipher a single word though as the darkness took me with it, and the only thing I could decipher, the pain that took over my body.The next time I felt myself awake, I could actually open my eyes, though it proved to be a diff
ESMERALDA’S POV.Today is a very special day for me. I am finally turning nineteen and it is all I have longed for all these years. Why? Because all the women in the pack meet their mates on tier 19th birthday, meaning I will finally meet my mate today as well.My two friends, Kate and Hannah have both met their mates already as they are older than I am, Kate by two years and Hannah by one. They were lucky enough to be one of those people that meet their mates on their 19th birthday. Kate was mated to my brother, Cole, the future Beta being our father’s eldest and only male child, while Hannah was mated to a warrior, Orion. They both happen to have one of those cute relationships that will make you envy them and yearn for your own relationship with your mate.I have just one wish for my mate though, for it to be Anthony—my fiancée, and future Alpha of our Pack, the BloodMoon Pack. We have been engaged for nearly two years now, due to my parent’s wish for me to marry him but I never mi
ESMERALDA’S POV.I thought seeing Anthony with that woman in his arm could somehow be a misunderstanding of some sort, perhaps, there has to be.However, the words that escaped his lips chased away anything related to that thought.“Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Claire,” He paused, as the place quietened down, wanting to hear what it is he would say exactly. His next words hung thickly in the air, “She would be,” he looked down at her, his lips slanted into a warm smile. “My Luna.”I felt my heart drop to the pit of my stomach, my toes curling as I felt breathing become such a difficult task. That sentence, I feel as though it ripped my heart right out of my chest with it.Silence ensued, thick with tension and wariness, as if they all shared the same sentiment as I. However, the one that found the strength to break the silence was Anthony’s father, “Anthony, what is this nonsense you are spewing?” His tone was anything but calm, the fury behind it impossible to miss.Ant