LOSS
The excruciating pain that Phoebe felt around her waist after her wedding was indescribable. Balthazar became worried and afraid that he might lose his wife. The pain made her sweat profusely and she began to emit a bad odor, this made them more afraid and they consulted with the pack's doctor who ran some tests on Phoebe and his diagnosis made them tear up.
“There is a poisonous substance in her system and the only herb that can counter the poison can kill the baby.” Dr. zain said.
“What baby.”
“Your wife is a few weeks pregnant, I doubt she is aware of this.” the doctor replied.
Balthazar's body shook with sobs, “mother goddess, protect my family.” he prayed.
“Is there no other way around this?” Demetrius asked, his arms rested on his friend’s shoulder as he spoke. He had insisted on going to see the doctor with Balthazar who looked dazed throughout the morning as he watched his wife wriggle in pain.
“The poison is spreading fast, you have to choose now or risk losing both of them.”
“We would look for other alternatives. Let us leave here .” Demetrius grabbed his friend’s arm.
“Save my wife's doctor, she is more important to me.” Balthazar had always listened to his instincts and he knew any more delay could be fatal.
“I'm sorry .” the doctor glanced over at Balthazar, he had always admired his strength and today he had shown it once again.
The angry wolf growled, his perfect chance to kill both mother and child ruined again by this bald doctor, he would surely teach him a lesson.
Two
*************
Phoebe's treatment started immediately. She reacted violently, her wolf howled even when phoebe tried to stay calm. Her body jerked as she threw up and her pores had beads of sweat all over her body. Three days into her treatment, she had a heavy discharge and clogs of blood pushed out of her woman vault after hours of heavy cramping. She and Balthazar had hoped and prayed that nothing would happen to the baby but were nonetheless ready for worse.
Balthazar encouraged his wife to have faith as she couldn’t stop herself from crying, “we would have another one surely, once you feel better we would go to work immediately.” he joked and made silly gestures towards his wife, even though her heart was broken Phoebe could not resist her husband’s charm and slowly she came out of the hole of depression she was sinking into and blossomed again.
True to his words Balthazar and phoebe tried for another baby and she became pregnant again. They were both ecstatic and rejoiced, it was a dream come true. The whole pack rejoiced at the news of their alpha having a baby. Sweets were distributed and Phoebe's family came the next day with a truckload of food for a celebration, two weeks into her pregnancy Phoebe screamed as she went to the bathroom to relieve herself.
“What is it?” Balthazar ran to the bathroom, his heart thumping within him so hard it felt like it was being ripped off.
“Blood.” she cried.
“It might be nothing serious but we have to see the doctor to be sure.”
With head bowed they went to see the doctor.
“Are you cramping?” dr. zain checked phoebe
“No”
“That's a good thing, I can still hear the baby’s heartbeat, I will advise you to stay on bed rest and don’t do any chores till you pass your first trimester.”
“I will ensure she doesn’t.” balthazar replied, with a sigh of relief.
That night, things got worse and phoebe cramped heavily, she turned and rolled in pain before the doctor could get to her, her uterus contracted and the lumps of blood dropped out of her body.
“Im sorry phoebe.” Dr. Zain said when he checked her.
“No!, this can’t be happening, Balthazar, what did I do to deserve this.” she wailed uncontrollably.
Balthazar just stared at his young wife, she was the kindest woman he knew. He knew she didn't deserve this, maybe him for all those he killed in battle but not phoebe she could never hurt a fly. Drawing her so she could lean her head on his shoulder, he spoke words of comfort to her. All hope was not lost, they both were still young and could still try again. Balthazar for his sake and that of his wife hoped this was true.
Phoebe did get pregnant again but it all ended in miscarriage, at a point they both began to be afraid whenever she missed her period. The doctor decided to conduct some tests on her, but his findings were nerve-racking. The day he called them to his office to inform them of his findings his heart broke at the look of hope in their eyes. He hated that this profession made him a bearer of both good and bad news, unfortunately, today he would be telling this amazing couple that they could never have a child together.
For the first time in a long while, Balthazar cried like a baby, his wife had somehow expected the worst but he had been hopeful. Now he felt crushed and without hope.
******************************
TWO WEEKS LATER
“That's what the doctor said, the poison had destroyed phoebe's womb lining so she can’t carry a baby full term.” Balthazar told his most trusted friend
“That is sad, but is there no other option available to you both,” Demetrius asked
“Sadly no. Phoebe doesn't deserve this.”
“Neither do you.”
“I just don’t know anymore, I feel shattered. We both wanted babies, lots of them.”
“You can still father a child can't you.”
“Didn't you hear what I just said, phoebe can't carry a child to full term.” his voice sounded louder than he intended
Demetrius paced the lawn where they were both seated, “you could remarry and father a child.” his brow furrowed
“Are you crazy?”
“I'm just trying to help.” Demetrius shrugged
“This is not helping,”
“Why not ask your wife what she thinks about this, if she truly loves you she would do anything to keep you happy.”
“Shouldn't I be doing what would make her happy too? After all, I love her.”
“You are the packs alpha, you need an heir” Demetrius growled,
“This is the wrong Demetrius, it isn’t her fault.”
“Neither is the fault yours, you shouldn’t suffer because of her barrenness.”
“You better watch your tongue.”
“You better act fast before it's too late.” Demetrius stormed off without waiting for a reply
His shoulder hunched over with his hands over his face, a broken alpha wept. Would he ever be a father, could he bring himself to betray his beloved luna, by fathering a child with another woman. The darkness enveloped all around him.
“I can’t believe we are going to be parents soon.” he gently rubbed his open palms over her bulging stomach. “It looks like the moon,” Justine said laughing.“Stop trolling me,” Julia growled, she loved him so much. He had shaved his beards which he kept as a sign of respect when he mourned his first wife but since falling in love again he knew it was time to let go of his pain and embrace the happiness and joy that found him.“Thank you,” Justine became suddenly serious. The intensity in his eyes made his pupils dilate and change color. This used to scare her but not anymore.“Why are you thanking me.” she removed the stubborn strand of hair that fell over his face.&
BROKEN************Julia’s pov************I woke up disoriented, the room I found myself in looked strange. Lifting myself with my elbows, I looked around the room. The smell of fresh air filled the room from the open windows which were beautifully decorated with flowery white drapes.As I tried to recollect my thoughts I heard the sound of hurried footsteps coming towards me and panicked.‘You are awake.” the lady said to me, clutching my hands gently. She had the sweetest voice and kindest eyes, her red hair made her eyes appear huge.I only stared at he
THE SEARCH****************Narrator’s pov****************Balthazar, his beta Demetrius, and some warriors in the pack all headed out to the woods following the direction Julia gave him earlier. He had a nagging fear that her husband was already dead but he intended to be sure and also search out for the rogue wolves and ensure that they are punished.They all left at dawn, with their spears in hand and some food provisions and canteens of water. Balthazar didn't expect to stay more than a day in the woods if things went well. The journey to Just
SHATTEREDJulia knew something was wrong immediately, phoebe and Balthazar walked into the room. She had been sitting up and was almost through with the cup of hot chocolate tea she had requested for breakfast.Phoebe’s sad eyes and drawn face gave her away, she couldn’t get herself to wear a fake smile and act as if nothing had happened. Julia immediately kept her mug on the table beside her, swallowing hard she asked. “Any news, did you find Justine.” her eyes flickered from phoebe's face to Balthazar, hoping they wouldn't say what her heart was telling her they would.“You need to stay calm.” Phoebe held her hands and asked her to relax. “Everything would be alright.” she insisted&ldquo
UNTO US Phoebe could sense that something was wrong as soon as they came back from the river where Julia dispatched her husband's ashes. She had chosen to pour the ashes on her body then immersed herself into the stream to wash off. Phoebe had been against it. She was afraid that she might catch a cold or even something worse. But Julia had insisted on making her own decisions and no one had the willpower to stop a grieving wife. The African warrior who had gone with Balthazar in search of Justine had gone with them and Demetrius had not been able to come; he had gone on a trip to make more findings on the rogue wolves. According to him, he was doing it to ensure that their pack does not fall victim to them. Balthazar liked the idea and permitted him to go. He left at dawn hours befor
UNBECOMING Julia's body was washed and dressed in preparation for her burial. She had asked to be cremated and her ashes poured into the same river just like her husband. Phoebe had not taken her seriously when she made the request, she had not expected her to die so soon and suddenly. The series of misfortune that had befallen them over the past months made her numb. “We would conduct a purification ceremony after Julia's burial. We need to appease the gods and cleanse ourselves, maybe our misfortunes will end.`` Phoebe informed her husband. “I couldn't agree more, but a miracle came out of all this.’ “What miracle do you speak of,” sh
SACRIFICIAL LAMB ******************************** ALPHA BALTHAZAR'S POV ******************************** Getting a year-old lamb with no defect turned out to become mission impossible. It was either the year-old lambs had defects and the perfect ones were above a year. What intrigued me the most was the scarcity of the said animal which had never happened before. When I enquired from the farmers if they could direct me to a popular breeder within our neighborhood, I was directed to a small pack a few miles from ours. When I got to the farm, I was informed of an ambush that happened a few hours before I arrived. From the deep cuts and the way the paws of the creatures that attacked the animals, we w
GENERATIONS PAST This was not the first time they would hold a purification ceremony at a mountain pride pack. Years ago, before the birth of Balthazar's grandfather, it was believed that the pack was under the influence of a great curse caused by his great grandfather. FLASHBACK>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THIS WAS DURING THE TIME OF BALTHAZAR'S GREATGRANDFATHER. “I love you so much, Melvin. Promise you will never leave me,” Cassandra said as she stroked his bare chest. She loved him so much and would do anything for him. “I have told you so many times that you are all that I’ve got, but you still doubt me. You make me sad with these questions.” Melvin replied. He closed his eyes and listened to the waves from the str