Nora

It had been a few days since I arrived at Bloodclaw pack, and Grandma welcomed me.

“You need to eat some more. I mean, the baby needs it,” she urged when she made my favorite, and I smiled.

I was still hurt by what Mason did, but I wanted to make that part of my past. Besides, I had a new future for me, for my baby, and for Grandma. Grandma returned to the kitchen to get her bowl when the doorbell blared.

“I'll get it!” I said and pushed myself up from the dining table, rushing towards the door.

“Who's—”

The words died in my mouth the moment I saw who was standing there. A sharp V formed in both our foreheads.

“Who are…” We said it simultaneously, and there were no words.

“Who is it?” Grandma asked, but I was unable to answer. I didn't know the young man standing there.

“Asher.”

I nodded, slightly turning my head into the house. “It's Asher.”

“Oh Asher, let him in.”

Grandma was still in the kitchen, but I let him in anyway. She returned to the dinner table, and they hugged, making me confused. Then she set the two bowls she had brought from the kitchen.

“Sit, you must be—”

He smiled. “No, Grandma, I brought fresh veggies for you.”

I didn't respond and was nose-deep into the meal I ate. I must have been so invested, I didn't notice he was staring at me.

“Who's she?”

“Nora, my grandchild.”

They made small talk, causing me to roll my eyes.

“You should eat, Grandma; the food is getting cold.”

Not once did I raise my head. Well, I didn't mind until Grandma forcefully made him sit at the dinner table with us.

“I must say, Nora is gorgeous.” Creased lines built up on my forehead. I had heard that before.

Oh right, Mason. He said that and ended up hurting me like I didn't matter.

“Can we perhaps hang—”

“No.”

“But Nora,” Grandma intervened. “He could show you around the pack. You need friends.”

I rolled my eyes. “No, Grandma, I don't. I'm better off alone with my baby!” I held my tummy and pushed myself off the chair. Whatever was said seemed to have triggered my memory of Mason somehow.

“She'll come around. She's just hurt because someone hurt her, but she's the sweetest person you'll ever meet,” Grandma apologized like he was an important personality; well, I didn't care.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months; my stomach grew, and so did my closeness with Asher.

I found out why Grandma was so careful with her words; it was because he was the future alpha of the Bloodclaw pack.

“Do you love hockey?”

I blinked, taking a pause as I leaned on the tree. He had urged me to go for a little walk, but I started to feel that was a huge mistake.

“No, no, I don't, and please don't tell me you play hockey because I'm going to lose my mind.”

His sudden silence suddenly made my eyes widen. “I can't believe it. I won't make the same mistake again.”

I tried to rush out of there, but he was quick to catch up with me.

“You're not making any mistakes. I have liked you from the moment I set my eyes on you. I also told you I don't care about you being pregnant. We can raise the baby on our own.”

I sighed, shaking my head. “You can't be with me. You need a better Luna, and you're a hockey player.”

He shook his head. “I don't care; I won't stop until you finally agree to be mine.

****

“Who's ready for the game!!!” Asher yelled, and Lucas stretched out his hands to be carried.

“Me, me!”

I watched from a small distance, smiling. I guess this was the best decision I ever made, to put the past behind us and let the future continue.

We weren't married yet because he needed to settle some things with the elders, but he had brought me to the packhouse and gifted me a personal handmaid.

The last two years have been crazy. I had my son, Lucas, moved from Grandma's place to the packhouse. He lost his dad and quit hockey to rule over Bloodclaw.

“Are you ready?” He lowered his voice, capturing my lips in a short kiss.

I nodded, smiling. We usually watched hockey games as family time, and I wanted to admit I fell in love with it.

We arrived at the venue and sat in the front row, eyes fixed on the players seated in the rink.

“It's about to start.” He seemed excited, and Lucas did too. I smirked gently, watching how they bonded.

The match started, and in less than five minutes, a name echoed.

“Mason Storm scores one point.”

The name was too familiar, and my smile immediately faded as sweat formed on my face.

I doubted Mason was here. He properly quit hockey just like Asher to focus on his pack.

I watched again, and my heart skipped a beat when he saw it.

The same technique he used for his back strides. My heart skipped a beat.

“Three points!”

“Asher, I don't feel so good; I need to—”

My eyes were fixed on the rink, and it was then I sensed someone staring at me. He didn't waste time and took off his helmet, making the crowd go wild, but I froze as blood drained from my face.

“Babe, are you alright? You seem…”

His teammates swarmed him. This was my chance.

“I feel unwell. We need to leave now.”

Asher's eyes soften. “Can't you—”

“No, I feel sick.” I forced a gag, and his eyes widened. He grabbed Lucas, and I rushed out of the place while he followed behind me.

My heart raced, and I didn't calm down even after getting into the car.

He got into the driver's seat, staring at the car.

“What's wrong, do you need a doctor?”

I shook my head. “I just need to get home. I feel so sick.”

He nodded, stepping on the accelerator.

By the time we got home, he helped me to my room.

“I'll hold Lucas for a while; you rest, okay?”

I nodded, smiling softly. “I'm sorry I—”

He shook his head. “Don't worry about it. You deserve rest.”

I nodded, but the moment he stepped out, panic set in.

Mason had seen me. Would he look for me, or did I still mean nothing to him?

I had so many fears.

Nora

“You don't have to worry; he's not going to look for you. Besides, he doesn't care about you. Remember?”

I tried to calm myself, but I couldn't. There was something about the way he looked at me the moment his eyes locked with mine.

“I have to make sure he doesn't recognize me. I hope he doesn't try to do something stupid. I have moved in, and I hoped he had too.”

I lay on the bed, my mind racing. There were so many things involved, but I knew he would never be able to find me, and even if he did, there was nothing to talk about.

Days passed, and silence returned. Those past days were hell. I found myself looking around and spent most of my time indoors. Anything to make sure he didn't get to see me.

I heard a knock on the door, and before I could answer it, the door opened, revealing Asher and Lucas.

“Mommy!” Lucas rushed towards me, and I chuckled lightly, kissing his forehead.

Asher strolled over as well, kissing my head before staring at me. “How are you feeling now?

I nodded. “Better. I'm sorry I couldn't go with you to every hockey game. I just—”

He held my chin and pulled my face so I could look at him. “Well, there's no need for you to feel bad about it. You need rest, and I would be honest, the hockey game arena isn't a place for someone who needs that.”

My lips stretched into a small smile. He was always so understanding, which was something I admired about him.

He captured my lips in a small kiss, and Lucas pushed out his lips as well, but I kissed him on his forehead. Messing up his hair with my fingers.

“We’ll have a special guest from one of our neighboring packs.”

My eyes widened, but then I lowered my eyes again. I knew I wasn't Luna yet and needed to stay hidden whenever someone came to visit the pack.

“Well, I guess I'll have to stay in my room all day.”

He stretched his lips into a smirk, staring at me so much my brows knitted.

“What's going on?” I stared at him with confusion in my eyes.

“Well, you're not going to be sitting in your room this time. You're going to meet another Alpha because…”

I twisted my lips, a smile forming already because I felt like I knew what he wanted to say.

“Because you're standing in as my Luna until the ceremony.”

I blinked my eyes, shaking my head as I tried to grasp what was going on. “What? Are you fucking serious?”

I suddenly pressed my lips, turning my eyes to Lucas, who was playing.

“You're kidding, right?”

I shook my head. “I'm not kidding. I'm telling you the truth. Aren't you excited?”

He asked, and I chuckled, wrapping my arms around him. I was tired of hearing the maids whisper about me being a leech. This was a massive step for me.

“Happy? If there was a word beyond that, that's what I feel right now.”

He nodded. “Alright then. You can choose your dress in preparation. I want my Luna to stand out.”

I nodded, hugging him again. This was a huge moment for me; I couldn't wait to share it with Grandma.

***

“That's good news; I'm glad you're finally finding happiness.” Grandma said, placing her bowl of favorite pie in front of me.

“I know, right?” I exhaled, lowering my shoulders. I didn't know if I should tell her what happened with Mason.

“You're troubled. Is it about Asher?” She asked, but I shook my head.

“I sighted Luca's biological father at one of the games, and now I'm scared. What if he finds me and takes Lucas away?”

She snapped her head towards me. “You aren't going to allow that, would you?”

I shook my head. Of course I wasn't going to allow that. I mean, I had been through a lot without him; he shouldn't have such access.

“Good, that's all I needed to hear.” She moved to my side and rubbed my shoulders. “May the moon goddess guide you.”

****

The day for the special guest finally arrived, and as Luna, I was dressed up perfectly. I was expected to welcome the guest and make him feel at home before the Alpha comes in.

“You've got this, milady,” Elara, my handmaid, cheered for me. She was the only support system I had here, well, except for Asher himself.

There was a knock on the door, and my chest tightened the moment she opened the door.

I heard mumblings, and then I watched her nod her head before she turned towards me.

“He's here.”

I took in a deep breath and put on a brave face, walking towards the place. Elara was behind me, and all the while, I stared at the ground. I did that to think of the right words to say.

I sighted a pair of shoes the moment I got there, and I raised my head slowly, taking in the full outfit. However, the moment I got to his face, I turned pale.

His face was also drained of color, and the silence that grew between us was great.

I swallowed. This was my first mission; I couldn't let the past get in the way of my present.

“Welcome, Alpha Mason of the Silvermoon pack.” I greeted, bowing, but she extended her hands towards me.

I swallowed; I knew he was supposed to take his hands, but I felt my chest tighten.

“Nora?” He called, and I swallowed, stretching my hands. The moment he held my hand, he moved close, not too close to brood suspension, but enough to whisper words to me.

“I'm so glad I found you. I've been looking everywhere for—”

“Stay away from me!” I muttered, breathing hard. Just then the doors burst open, and I heard a voice.

“Mommy!” Lucas hugged me from behind, laughing, while the maid who chased after him stopped dead in her tracks.

“Milady, I'm sorry. He was too difficult to handle. I would make sure to take him away.”

I nodded, but Mason's words brought me back to reality.

“Mommy?”