FIONA

I grunted in pain as my mother roughly pushed to the center, in front of the eight pair of judgmental eyes that belonged to our pack's council. "Here she is," she spat on my face.

"Mother," I tried to reach out to her but she slapped my hands away. The way she looked down at me in disgust made tears to form in my eyes.

"So this is the rebellious teenager." I heard an elder mutter.

"Fiona Akida" Thorne's voice echoed off the vaulted ceiling. "You stand accused of bringing shame upon our pack through unlawful conception outside the sacred mate-bond. How do you answer?"

I bowed my head in shame as the rest of the hall erupted in whispers and chatters. How would I explain to them that the Alpha King of the Northern Territories was my fated mate. And that he slept with me at a seedy hotel in our pack slums, and that he rejected me and left me pregnant? Who would believe me?

Instead they would execute me for slander and blasphemy, so I just stared at my dusty feet, tears splashing from my eyes.

"Explain yourself, now!" Elder Thorne slapped the desk and I jumped.

"Mother," I called out, my voice cracking. "Please tell them. Tell them why I -"

"Silence!" he slapped the desk hard. "This is a formal hearing and you will not address the observers."

Meanwhile my mom turned her face away from me, her hands folded across her chest. I had never felt so alone.

I faced Thorne. "Yes, I slept outside my mate bond. I did it for my father's medications and I did it for Lily and Sam's school fees. I couldn't let my father suffer in pain or my siblings to lose their future because ---"

"Enough." Thorne roared. "Your circumstances do not excuse your shameful behavior. You have violated the sacred laws of our kind. You carry the child of an unknown, and it is not tolerated by our laws."

Tears streamed down my face. I turned towards my mother again. "Mama, please. You know I would never...if there had been another way..."

When she looked at me, I could see the coldness in her eyes. Why did she hate me so much? Her consistent verbal abuse about how I never provided enough was what pushed me to make this decision. I just wanted all our suffering to end, and now she's gonna live off the money while I face my punishment.

What she said next was as painful as death.

"I have no daughter who would bring such disgrace upon our family name."

I staggered backwards, one hand protecting my unborn child.

Elder Thorne rose from his seat, his voice final. "By the ancient laws of our pack, Fiona Akida you are therefore exiled from these lands. You have until sunset to gather your belongings and leave. You may never return and your name shall be struck from our records."

"No, please," I whispered, tears falling from my eyes. The heaviness of the pregnancy could not allow me bend, if not I would have bent down to beg them. "This has always been my home. I have nowhere else to go---"

The pack elders filed out one by one.

When my mother passed, her nose was high up in the air, like I was some scum. "Then go to the man who did this to you, because we cannot tolerate this here."

I finally crumbled on the floor weeping, and then when I could console myself a little, I went back home to pack my bags. I found my belongings thrown outside, with the front door locked. I knocked but there was no answer. I wanted to ask for even a little money so I could take care of myself.

How could my mom choose pack dignity over a daughter that had loyally worked all her life for her?

I started limping to goddess knows where and a harsh rain broke out, soaking me to my shoes. I was glad I lived at the border of the Northern Territories. I wanted nothing to do here, not with any of their cities that was ruled under their egoistic crazy king.

I was going to go to the Southern Lands. I have heard rumors that rogues and outcasts could find refuge there, as everybody was friendly, and that their pack laws were more accommodating. It means I could start life anew there with my unmarked pup, and nobody would look down at me.

But first I had to pass through the forest that divided the two territories. That was going to be the hardest part.

After two hours of walking under the rain, I was starving, and that's when I realized that I had not packed any food with me. Nothing. I tried to scavenge but my pregnancy had sharpened my smell to the point that found wild berries and food nauseating. Even finding shelter from the downpour was difficult. Everywhere was wet, and my legs started to tremble from exhaustion and cold and hunger.

I finally collapsed on the ground, the forest spinning around me. I was too weak to push myself up, to continue. I just wanted to lay there and begone.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to the life growing inside of me. "I'm so sorry that I couldn't do better."

Darkness crept in from the edges of my vision and I gave into it.

The first thing my body noticed was that there was warmth. When I flicked my eyes open, I was staring at an elegantly designed ceiling. By my side, a large fire roared in an antique fireplace keeping me warm. I was on a very soft bed. My hands trailed to my tommy; no cramping, no signs of distress from the baby.

I closed my eyes trying to remember the last thing that had happened to me, how did I get here?

Someone walked in, and even with my eyes closed I could feel the authority from that presence.

"How is she?" The voice was deep and commanding.

"She will recover," came another voice. It sounded like a healer. "She fainted from exhaustion and malnutrition. The child is stable though she was close to losing it before you came in. Another hour in that storm..." her words hung, and It dawned on me that I was so close to losing my child.

"I found her collapsed about three miles east of the border," the male voice spoke again. An Alpha, I realized. It had to be. "I suspect that she is from the Northern territories. She has their distinctive scent. When she wakes, we will ask her some questions, try to know the pack that she is coming from."

They will try to send me back, my heart fell.

"She must have being exiled, it's the only thing that makes sense." He continued. "A pregnant female alone in the wilderness, and she's very young."

I waited for the disgust, the condemnation, but there was only thoughtful silence.

"she'll need time to recover her strength," the healer finally said. "The baby is taking from the little reserves that she has left."

"See that she gets whatever she needs when she wakes.' The Alpha's voice was gentle. "And be kind when you are questioning her."

"Alpha, this is rare. You finding and bringing in strays. The territorial council will have something to say about this."

"Yes, but it's not in my nature to turn away pregnant females no matter their circumstances." He replied without hesitation.

The door closed softly, leaving me thinking.

There were only two Alphas that answered to the Territorial Council. The Northern Alpha King and the Southern Alpha King.

This Alpha that just left didn't sound like Alpha Sergius, The Northern Alpha King, the rude, and cold man I had a one night-stand with. He sounded very gentle and nice.

How was it that the goddess let me cross the path of the two Alpha Kings?

SERGIUS

Was this what it felt like to be so enraged knowing things were not working out for you?

I slammed my hand harshly on the desk, my anger evident on my face as all my pack mates who were standing in a corner shivered in fright while the guards, trying to act all cool, were also scared.

Standing in front of me was the fourth wife I had taken just within a few months.

Just six months, and I don't even know what is wrong with me.

Each time I try, each time I try to find a good way to make them worthy to sleep with me, things keep getting ruined.

"What is wrong with you, Ariel? I don't know what else to do to you. How did you do it? How did you lose such an important pregnancy? That child was supposed to be the heir of this pack. Do you even realize the risk? Do you even realize what you are doing? You are supposed to keep yourself protected and strong. If the maids are too stupid to protect you, then at least you should have some dignity and protect yourself. You have a responsibility, and you need to live up to it. You know that! I don't know why I still have to keep reminding you," I said angrily to her as my beta at the corner slowly walked towards me, as if he was about to whisper another pleading word to me.

I raised my hands up in the air to stop him. "Don't. This is not the right time for you to tell me what to do and what not to do," I said, feeling more enraged. "Get out of here. I don't know what else to do to you. I don't know if I need to beg you because you are the one who placed your life in danger, and now you had a miscarriage. Do you even know how important this is to me? Do you know how hard it is to have something that belongs to me while you guys keep ruining it?"

I said, trying to suppress my anger, but yet it was so evident in my voice. She didn't mutter anything but instead stayed quiet.

"Get out," I muttered as she immediately rushed out with a few of her escort mates, leaving me with the rest. "All of you out. I don't want anybody here. Get the hell out of my study room!" I said, even more enraged as they all raced off, leaving me alone with my beta.

I looked at him, frustrated, not knowing how to hide this. Should I pretend I'm angry or really show him how I feel? Because at this point, I couldn't tell what my emotions were, but I knew I was not liking what was going on.

"I don't know what to do anymore. This is not what I expected. It's not any of the things I wanted. Why are things going sideways for me? What do I have to do? I can't bear this anymore," I said.

"Maybe we have to find another way, Alpha. It's been four wives. It's not easy at all. Each of them keeps losing a child or another. It's not normal. I promise you it isn't. We have to find a solution. Shouting at your wives and everything is not going to solve the problem. There has to be a reason why all of this is happening," he said as I laughed.

"A reason? And what type of reason exactly do you think it is, huh? I don't even think I did anything wrong ever. Why am I being punished like this? Why does the Moon Goddess decide that the best way to pay me back is to make me lose everything I want? If I don't have an heir, then this throne is not even secured for me. You know that!" I said, still clenching my hands tightly into fists, trying to suppress my anger.

He slowly dropped the file on my desk. "Go through it. He's a very powerful priest. He will look into the matter, and solutions will be provided," he said before walking off.

I picked up the file, at first being reluctant to check it. I have no reasons to try alternatives. The fault is not coming from me. Clearly, each wife I take is just so reckless and useless, but at the same time, I can't really tell where exactly this issue is coming from.

I opened the first page and saw all his details, how good he was, and how he was able to make assumptions that came to reality because I wouldn't call that seeing into the future. I threw the file in annoyance and stood up. "Fuck. Things were never supposed to turn out like this. I don't even have to beg anybody, but now I have no choice. This is just so fucked up," I said, annoyed as I stepped out, seeing my beta still standing there, having some discussions with the guards.

I guess he was trying to suppress them and make them understand I was only angry and normally don't react that way. "I think it's time. I am not going to wait another day. I want to know where the problem is coming from, and if it comes from any of my wives, they are all going to leave this palace tonight," I said, enraged as he nodded.

"Oh Goddess. This better not be my fault. I have done everything possible. The only thing I want from you is to make me secure my throne. I know any little mistake from me, and it will be taken from me. I know the kind of person who is waiting for my downfall, and I am not ready to go down. Despite the fact that I heard good news about his life, I wouldn't let it affect mine.

We soon got to the priest, and he started his incantations. I sat there feeling more and more angry as he looked at me like he was surprised. Then he continued, "Please, you're taking forever. Just tell us what the situation is," I said, already becoming too impatient as my beta looked at me, signaling for me to still myself.

I stayed quiet and looked away as he laughed. "You don't have a problem. Thankfully, you caused the problem yourself. You need to find her."

"Find who?"

SERGIUS

I looked puzzled at what he said. "What do you mean? I need to. I need to beg. Who? Why do I need to even apologize to anybody? I don't owe anyone an apology."

I said, puzzled, as he laughed and continued his incantation. This time, he was louder than usual.

"You are joking around, huh? You really think this is a joke? This is important. It is important that you do this. You need to do this or else you wouldn't be able to get the good news that is waiting for you."

He said as I laughed. "At this point, nothing can be good news to me. Except if you tell me that my heir is going to arrive very soon. That something good is going to come out of everything. One of my wives is in a serious position. She had a miscarriage, and I don't plan on making it happen again. I don't care what the good news is. I need an heir. Do you even know how important it is? As your Alpha, I am commanding you to find a solution."

I said angrily as he laughed.

"You can't command me here, Alpha. You have no power in the presence of a priest. Because I am the one who would see into your future. And if I decide to not tell you the truth, I won't. In short, I made more findings. But with the way you spoke to me, I don't think I have plans of telling you."

He said as I felt even more angry.

"Can you just stop with this nonsense already? I have no time to be discussing things and pleading with you. Give me a fucking solution, priest."

I yelled aggressively as he looked at the beta. My Beta quickly rushed towards me and whispered into my ear.

"Please. He is a priest. He has seen something. If you keep trying to act so aggressively, he won't give us a solution."

He muttered as I scoffed.

"Whatever you have something. What you're searching for so badly is something somewhere waiting for you. Find it. The only way to find it is if you apologize, and I know you can do it."

He said. I stood up almost immediately, not waiting for him to continue telling me stupid words that I never wanted to hear.

"What does he expect me to do? To go around and search for someone who I supposedly offended? How do I apologize to a person I don't even know?"

I stormed out of his so-called haunt and stood outside angrily. I ran my hands through my hair aggressively. I was so frustrated I didn't even know how to react. At this point, my beta slowly placed his hands on my shoulder and said nothing.

"Can you stop with this? Stop acting like this."

I said.

"It's simple."

"It's not simple. The elders of the council are going to start a meeting on my head too. Do you know what that means? Do you even know the kind of predicament I am in? You brought me to this fucked-up man, and he is telling me to go and apologize to someone I don't even know who I am supposed to apologize to."

I said, trying my best to suppress that anger that was swelling up deep within me.

"I know that you don't want to believe him, but he is saying the truth. Honestly, this isn't the first time I am in the presence of the priest. I came here before to talk to him, to find solutions, and he told me he needed to see you. He saw something. I guess he doesn't want to tell you anymore because he believes you are being too impatient. Whoever it is, try and remember there is somebody you did something to. Whoever it is, we need to beg the person. If you want an heir, if you want things to work out. The elders are not going to take this lightly. They're not going to hear that you need to apologize to somebody. You have to make a move before they make a secret move against you and try to dethrone you. Don't forget there are chances of them dethroning you and putting somebody else there. And you know who I am talking about."

He said as I suddenly calmed down a bit. He was right. No matter how stubborn I tried to act, my brother is still going to take it from me if I don't act fast. Yes, he might be the one in charge of the southern territories, but he still has access to this place if he gets the favors of the elders.

"I don't know what to do. I don't know what to fucking do."

I said, feeling even more pissed. I paced back and forth frustrated as my beta walked towards my car, opening it, waiting for me to get in so we could drive off. But I couldn't. I couldn't just leave.

"What if I get into the car and I remember who exactly I offended? Would I have to start coming back here? Ah, this annoys me so badly."

I thought.

"I can't believe everything is pissing me off to this extent. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do."

I said again as he just stood in front of the door.

"Try and remember."

He muttered.

"I am fucking trying."

I said again while trying to calm my nerves.

"I'm sorry, I just don't know what is wrong with me, but I swear to you I am fucking trying my best to rem-oh my God."

Suddenly it came to me-flashes of memories.

"I know who it is. I know who I have offended. I know who I need to talk to. I can't beg that bitch. I can't beg Fiona. The waitress from the bar. It can't be possible. She is the one. We had a mate bond, and I rejected her. Fuck is she? The predicament in my life at this point."

I looked at my beta as he noticed I had remembered something. He rushed towards me, giving me an innate look like he wanted to really know what I was thinking.

"I think I know who it is, but I don't think I can go back to beg her. That's just the only problem."

I said.

"Who is she?"

He asked.

How do I tell him I had a mate and I rejected her because she was a waitress?