"What are you doing?"

I jolted out of shock, pulling away from the kiss with Baron. Fear immediately seized me as my brain recognizes the voice even before I turn to see the face.

"What does it look like she's doing, Mister?" Baron's tone was challenging.

"She does not belong to you!" Ben threw a challenging glare right back.

Baron erupted in a mirthless, mocking chortle. "Yeah? Tell that to the Moon Goddess, fella."

"Baron please." I begged, knowing how much of in trouble I was in that moment.

"Come here this minute, Scarlett before I deal with you." Ben's angry tone reverberated.

Jolting in fear and apprehension, I took slow steps towards him. To my utmost surprise, Baron pulled me back to his side. "She's in school and as long as she's in Stone Shadow academy and pack, she's mine!"

"Scarlett!" Ben called in warning.

"Let go, Baron, please. I don't want any trouble." My chest was beginning to pound heavily, my breaths coming in short.

I could feel an episode coming on but I held it in. No need to disgrace myself before my...Baron.

"I'll have you on you're butting in family matter." Ben stepped forward to grab me from Baron who held on firmly.

"Please..." I could not breathe fine. "G-guys..."

"I don't care who you are. You have no right to hold my daughter and keep her away from me."

Baron's eyes flashed. "Try me, buddy."

Their arguments continued, their voices increasing by the second while I was struggling to hold myself from falling to the floor and collapsing.

I didn't bother talking as I would not want to worsen my case. When it showed sign of starting, it was best to keep mute and reserve strength.

I heard footsteps approaching. I could not tell how many they were but it was more than one person.

"What's going on here, Baron?"

It was the boys and Katherina, they were here.

"Are you okay?" A soft hand touched my arm.

I managed a smile. "Yes, thank you."

It was Katherina and she was staring at me with concerns in her eyes. She seemed doubtful over my response but didn't say anything.

"Tell this jerk to leave this school, Aaron or else I'll deal with him." His statement was directed to Aaron, his twin brother and Katherina's mate but he had his glare fixed on Ben, my stepfather.

I wish I had the strength to step in and beg them to stop, but I didn't.

I was trying to stand strong especially with Katherina watching me like a hawk. She was suspecting something was wrong with me. My condition was one I never left people see or know.

I found it embarrassing so I mostly kept it to myself.

"She's my responsibility and she's coming with me now!" Ben spat. "Come here this minute, Scarlett!" Her ordered me.

I made to go to him though reluctantly. Baron wound a protective arm around me, I wasn't sure he knew what was wrong with me at the moment. His Alpha wolf was more interested in bullying Ben into submission.

"She's not going anywhere."

"Let the girl go, Baron. Even though he's a jerk, he's her family." Zach stated, giving Ben a condescending once-over.

"She's an adult. More than eighteen, I'm sure she can speak for herself." Baron replied stubbornly.

Ben continued to argue with him, I couldn't really hear them anymore. The arguments were loud, chaotic echoes to my ears.

My heart pounded faster, beads of sweat formed on my forehead, my breath were coming in short, low wheezes.

"Something's wrong with her, guys." Katherina's voice disrupted their argument.

"Let her go, boy. I need to take her home." I heard Ben say to them, he was coming for me.

But Baron was already lifting me bridal style. I could barely make a sentence at this point.

I was trying to reach for the inhaler in my pocket.

"Wait, Baron. She's trying to reach out for something in her back pocket." This was from the voice I'd come to recognize as Luke's.

"It's her inhaler. Give me that girl." Ben cussed.

"One more step and I'll have your guts splattered on the walls of this hallway." Baron threatened. "Kathy, reach out and get whatever it is."

Her held me close to his chest as Katherina brought out my breathing pump.

"She's asthmatic?" One of the guys, I didn't know which said.

"Administer it, fast!" There was a note of urgency mixed with anger in Ben's tone.

It was Katherina who put it iny mouth and pumped hard. I took in three long, mouthfuls of air before I weakly pushed her hand away from my mouth, signalling I'd had enough.

"Let's take her to the clinic, quick." Still in Baron's arms, he hurried towards where I supposed was the clinic.

I was new but had no idea where it was located. I saw, heard and knew everything that was happening around me but I couldn't talk.

This was embarrassing for me.

Baron glanced at my face every now and then as he hurried with me in his arms. There was worry, concern and pity.

There. That was the look I hated the most.

Those who didn't bully me, pitied me. I sometimes think that was worse than the bullying itself.

I shut my eyes so I would not have to keeping meeting his gaze.

"Hey, are you okay?" He nudged me a bit.

I nodded my head but kept my eyes closed.

Soon I felt myself being lowered on a bed in a room that had air conditioning. With how hot I felt, the cold air was a welcome but I knew it was not for long before it affected me again.

"Reduce it." My eyes were still closed, my voice was low and held a little tremble at the edge.

"What?" He lowered his head so he could hear me better.

"The AC, reduce it." I repeated weakly.

But Like had beaten him to it and reduced the cold, crisp air. "Okay?"

I nodded. I searched the room, Ben was nowhere in sight. My heart pounded in fear. Who knew what fate awaited me at home.

When I reached the front of the house, I was too nervous and scared to go in.

I heaved a sigh and stood, watching the house.

"Standing out there won't make it any easier for you, Scarlett." His voice, menacing and a bit threatening, had me jolting in more fear.

I met his eyes observing me from one of the windows. I swallowed and slowly walked into the house.

It was already evening. Baron had not wanted me to leave, if he'd had his way, he would have wanted me to go home with him. I was in enough trouble as it already stands, I could not afford not coming home else Ben would have my head.

Scared but having no choice, I entered the house. He was already sitting on the sofa, watching me as I stepped into the house.

"Good evening." I greeted nervously, waiting for him to pounce on me and give me the beating of my life.

"I told you not to mingle with that guy and his family, Scarlett. You chose to disobey me." He was sipping a bottle of beer.

I immediately went on my knees to show how remorseful and submissive I was. Ben liked to be in power. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

My eyes pleaded for mercy while my body quaked a bit.

"You know when you go all submissive, I find it hard to go through with my punishment that you so deserve." I knew he was observing me.

"I-I'm s-sorry, please." I begged because it was theo nly thing I could.

"I have given it a lot of thought. You've already had a rough day given your condition. Punishing you will just worsen it and I don't want that for you. Come here." He beckoned.

"Hm?" I could not believe my ears. He was letting me off the hook?

"Don't make me change my mind."

I immediately walked over to him. He pointed to his laps. Not wanting to but knowing it wasn't a good idea plus he was letting me go this time, I slowly lowered myself on his lap.

His hands began to caress my body in a suggestive manner, I tried to stay still without flinching. It was almost impossible but I managed until I felt his fingers crawling beneath my shirt.

I jumped with a start.

"What is it?" He eyed me.

"I-I want to pee plus the doctor said I needed some rest." That had been Baron and Katherina singing it into my ear., not the doctor.

Heis eyes continued to roam my body. I hoped he would let me. "But you can rest on my body."

"The doctor said as soon as I got home, I should rest until my body has gotten back the energy it lost during the episode." I insisted with my lies.

"You can go." He waved me away. "But you return as soon as you've gotten your rest, you hear me?"

I nodded and fled his sight. When I got toy own room, tears filled my eyes and poured downy cheeks.

How long would I continue to live like this? I had no one to go to. No friends nor family. I wish I knew where my mother was. I'd have gone to her.

It's been years since I last set my sights on her. Maybe I should try running away but the thought of Ben finding me was enough to derail me from that trail of thought.

I heard shuffling of feet, immediately, I peeled off my clothes, changed, hurried into the bed and covered myself. My back was to the entrance of the room.

I felt him standing at the doorway.

"Are you sleeping, sweet pea?"

I closed my eyes, shut my lids tightly. I wanted him to think I was asleep so he would go away.

"Are you pretending to be sleeping? You can't be that fast asleep already." I could tell he was observing my expression.

I opened my eyes because it was the safer option for me compared to beating. "No, I'm not sleeping already. I just closed my eyes, I'm resting...just like the doctor said."

"I'll let you rest but there's something you'll do for me."

My heart skipped. "What's that?"

"You can move around with that Baron guy but one condition." His smile was fishy.

"W-what?" I didn't want to get too happy that he was letting me get close to my mate.

But to my surprise, he said nothing else. Then he stood. "Don't worry about it. Just do your thing with your mate."

I didn't like the way he'd uttered the word 'mate' as though it was something to be disgusted about, but at least, he was giving permission and acknowledging Baron was my mate.

"Okay." I nodded and waited for him to leave.

As soon as he did, I shook my body in pure excitement. There was no more holding back. Baron had seen me at my worst today and still stayed by me.

He knew I was an Omega wolf, still that didn't stop him. He had checked all the boxes right and I was so happy.

His siblings seemed welcoming, asides Aaron and the other cold, non-talking guy. They both seemed to have something against me.

Zach wasn't exactly friendly but he appeared to be watching me, trying to get to know me before he opened up himself. As for the last boy, Lucas, that one was so friendly and cute.

I remembered how he'd stood up for Katherina's mom and punched Ben. He has no time loosening up around me.

I had no idea how this pack would work out for me given my past experience in my old pack but the Moon Goddess seemed to be smiling on me, ready to change my luck and I was all too happy to accept it.

An Alpha mate! I still had a hard time believing it. Even my age mates from my old pack would also have a hard time believing it as well.

Scarlett, the sick werewolf who was cursed to be mateless.

Those were their exact mocking words. But the Moon Goddess had a different plan and I was glad the kind of plan she had.

LUNA ELIZABETH

Laughter bubbles in my throat, listening to my husband talk.

I was on the phone with him, seated comfortably in the back of one of the six convoys my husband had go with me to this Luna meeting I was on my way to.

After that bastard's appearance, much to my shock and disdain, few days back, the house had been tensed and almost silent, until two days ago.

I had to beg my Alpha for understanding and when he heard the whole story, he finally saw my point and forgave me.

I was happy we were on good terms again. I wouldn't want anything to ruin the beautiful life with the man the Moon Goddess had shown mercy by giving him to me.

"I love you, baby." His tone was filled with love and affection. "Got to go. I have a pack meeting. Need to address some pack issue."

"I love you too. But pack issue? You never told me about any pack issue." I had to ask.

"Nothing major, honey. Just have fun doing whatever you women love to do." He blew me a kiss and the call disconnected.

I paid attention to my surroundings. Watched canopies of trees sweep by in fast motion. Houses floating past. I enjoyed the scenery, took in the small pleasures of life and thanking the Moon Goddess for them.

The car I was in stopped.

My brows furrowed. "Why are we stopping?" I questioned my driver.

"Someone is causing the hold up in front, Luna. I just got alerted by the others in front. Let me go see who it is." He unstrapped himself and got down.

It was no later than five minutes when I heard the ruckus myself. Curious and finding myself annoyed over whatever this was, I climbed down to go see for myself.

There were about three guards trying to stop someone from coming towards my vehicle. I strained my neck to see the face.

"Leave me alone, you dimwits! I'm here for my wife."

"If you do not restrain yourself, mister. We're going to have to deal with you harshly."

My blood ran cold as soon as I recognized the voice. Not with fear, but with anger.

I marched up to the front of the vehicle where he was still struggling with them. I saw his face then. "What the hell do you want from me, Ben? What are you doing here?" My voice was flat and cold. A little mean, if you may.

The guards released their hold on him once noticing my presence. They bowed and parted for me to have a clearer view of him.

"I'm here to see you."

My eyes roamed his entire frame in something resembling disgust. When my gaze reached his eyes, there was desperation..and some kind of plea for understanding.

I wasn't fazed. "To see me? Why? Why do you want to see me?"

"Because you're my wife."

The words were barley out of his mouth when I raised my hand to strike his face hard and without remorse. "You must be out of your mind, you fool! You abandoned me and my daughter. You left us to go through hell alone. You were out there starting a new life with another woman while I went hungry and almost homeless with my daughter."

Righteous fury trembled my frame.

"You never for once in over twenty years care to know how I was faring. How my daughter was faring. Probably you heard somewhere that the Moon Goddess has been kind to me and Katherine. Now you come here, making a fool of yourself and making proclamations like you have the right."

Emotions ran wild and barely controlled.

My Luna wolf was ready to tear this bastard in shreds for the pains of the past.

I could even hear my voice had gotten deeper - almost like a growl.

"You have no right, Ben! Absolutely no right! You made the choice when you ran out on us years ago. You do not get the right to return and want the family you rejected. I'm with a better man now. The best man, in fact. And I am so glad you left us, because even when you were there, you were not what I'd naturally pray to have as a husband. So thank you for leaving. But," I wagged a warning finger in his stunned face. "Let this be the second and last time you'll show your face to me, Ben. The next time, I'll deal with you as a Luna does to anyone who dares disrespect her. You're a subject in Stone Shadow, remain so."

I swerved on my heel to leave, but to my astonishment, he grabbed a hand, ready to pull me back. "Wait, I have..."

His words were cut off by a grunt.

The guards forced him to his knees.

Provoked to the rim, I commanded. "Roughen him up."

My security showed no mercy - they kicked and slapped and beat.

One even slid off his belt and used as a whip.

When I was satisfied seeing the blood on his face, I raised a hand. "That's enough. Push him out of the way and continue this journey."

They shoved him to the edge of the road that he almost rolled into a nearby bush.

There were bystanders watching this scenario. I walked back to my vehicle already opened by a guard and slid in.

I put a call across to my husband. I wanted someone to talk to. My hands were shaking, I didn't even realize tears were on the surface until they rolled down my face.

I swiped at them, hating that I was crying.

I was in a better place now. So was my daughter. But it didn't erase the hell that man had put me through, and I thought I had forgotten all about it until he showed up again.

"Hello, Lizzy, I'm in a..."

"I know. I'm sorry for," I paused to control tears.

"Are you crying?" The genuine concern that erupted from him and reached my ears made me utter a silent gratitude to the Moon Goddess for giving him to me.

He wasn't just my husband. He was my savior. My second chance at hope, life and love.

"I...I just wanted to talk to you. You make me feel calm, safe and protected." I told him without shame.

"Someone hurt you?" He went on full Alpha mode. His tone now deepened to that of his powerful wolf, dark too.

"Ben tried to..."

"That bastard! Don't worry, my love, he'll be dealt with. Where are you now? Do you think you're still up for this journey?"

A sniffle. "Yes. I won't let his presence ruin anything for me. I'm just...just worried about Katherine."

There, I finally said it. Ben was a psycho. A lunatic. I might be able to fight him off, but what about my daughter who was even more vulnerable now that she was pregnant?

"Hey, do you think the boys will let any harm come to her?" He sounded reasonable.

I couldn't help but nod. "Yeah, you're right. That's right."

"I have to go, love. When you get home, we'll talk all about it, okay?"

I nodded, mustering courage from his words. "Okay."

The call disconnected.

I drew a deep breath, brought out my compact mirror to retouch my makeup.

My husband was right. If Ben tried to play dumb games, he would soon realize I wasn't alone anymore...and so it was with my daughter.