Elaine's POV

My son Jean was in critical condition.

I've been dialling his father and my mate since two hours. He was busy taking care of the pack.

I was with Jean as he breathed ruggedly.

He was diagnosed with AIDS seven months ago. A simple flu was going to kill him.

I couldn't look at the time on my phone for how blurry my eyes became.

But there was a message from my mate's mobile.

[Have fun caring for the sick, weak child you birthed, Elaine! XoXo]

I knew who it was.

It was the human who gave my child the deadly disease.

It was unfair.

Humans discovered a cure for this fatal disease but the same principles when used on us werewolves, worsened the effect.

There was a time when Logan Fenris, my mate would leave everything to attend my needs. When I was pregnant with Jean and until when Jean turned three.

Logan's attitude changed when he met the human girl, several years younger to him, on a business trip. She was Canadian. She moved closer to our pack. My pack, despite her being different species, accepted her.

Why?

Because she could bear the fruit of an alpha.

She had resilience.

What about me and my son?

We were casted away by our own pack.

We were no longer a part of Waterstone.

"Mrs Fenris." I stood up at the doctor's call.

"Ms Elaine would be fine." I corrected. He nodded curtly.

"I'm sorry, but your son's infection has progressed. His immunity isn't suppressing the virus." He said. He looked at the nurse and continued again.

"He's contracted pneumonia." He said. My heart sank.

"What are the chances of his survival...?" I asked, tears rolling down my cheeks already.

"Less than 12%. I recommend you involve healers of your kind to treat Jean. I'm sorry." He spoke briefly and left.

What do I even do?

I've been ostracized from Waterstone. No healer would come to my aid.

That's when I took matters into my own hands.

I was barely 19 when Jean was born to me. I was 24 when I was holding both my palms close and generating healing waves from my palms, at that moment. I was born a healer. But I was never given a chance to grow.

I channeled energy to heal my son, but it was of no use.

That's when I decided to drive back to the pack, four hours away, just to beg a healer to come and help my son. Their future alpha.

Waterstone packhouse at midnight was vibrant. I didn't know what was going on.

I walked into the crowd. They were repulsed by my presence soiling their festive mood.

"Where is Logan?" I asked in a croaky voice. I hadn't eaten in five days.

"Alpha Logan? He's celebrating, Luna. I wouldn't tell you to go to him." A member of my pack suggested. I didn't listen to him and went in anyway.

I should've realized.

There he was on the lifted platform, throwing confetti and popping champagne bottles. He was clearly drunk.

"My love!" He slurred. He drunkenly strutted to me and kissed my cheek.

"It's our anniversary! Where were you!?" He asked, feigning care for me. We've been together for six years, ever since I turned 18.

"Out for weeks. Taking care of our son." I said. I was eager to get permission to take two or more healers with me. Logan Fenris is Waterstone's alpha.

"Aw~ You missed the party!" He said.

"A party without the partner present? How flaky-" I was to insult him but Logan cut me off.

"Noooo! You got it all wrong!

We are celebrating Leah's 100th day of pregnancy!" He said. My eyes widened.

"Leah? The Canadian Human? She's pregnant?" I asked. He nodded giddily.

"Oh, I'm going to be a father again!~"

My stomach churned.

My whole world went blank.

"What...?" I asked to confirm. Who was I kidding?

"That's right, Sweet Cheeks! I'm gonna be a father again! With Leah's baby!" Saying, Logan started laughing loudly with the crowd. I gazed around, embarrassment flooding my body.

"I- I don't care what's going on, but You two should get a grip and help my son." I said, shaking and in tears. Logan leaned in, his eyes an ice-cold gaze.

"Get a grip and help your son? Jean is my son too, Elaine. You don't see me caring so much about him. He was always a weak child, unworthy to be my son. I don't care what happens to him..."

Those words from Logan reminded me of the mistake I made. I shouldn't have let Logan make me a mother. I shouldn't have let him plant his seed in me when we mated, seven years ago.

I held in the anger and turned around. Suddenly, I grew incredibly dizzy and fell to my knees.

"Fuck..." I cursed, my knees have scrapped. However, my wolf Jea helped me get a grip. I stood back up and barged into the healers' hut.

"You two," I pointed to two healers randomly.

"You're coming with me." I said. Just then, it thundered outside as they jolted at the noise.

"L-Luna...we were told not to take orders from you." One responded. I raised an eyebrow.

"By who?" I inquired.

"By Alpha Logan." My world shattered again.

"Um...because you aren't our Luna anymore from this day forth, Healer Elaine..." another older woman said. I was confused.

"What do you mean? Who's the Luna then?" I asked sternly. I thought they'd answer that filthy human was the Luna. But the answer was beyond my expectations...

"It's...Mother Olga."

Mother Olga...?

Logan's Mother, the one who took care of the pack ever since her husband and mate left the pack to attain 'penance'.

I let out a shaky breath. The atmosphere grew cold very suddenly.

Jean was the last thing on my mind, before I lost consciousness and fell to the ground.

Never in a million years, I imagined I would be pregnant. Again.

A few weeks ago before Leah was to move to our pack, Logan insisted on sleeping with me. I agreed. He knotted me.

Tears of frustration fell, but what was the use?

Healer Agnes, a young yet competent healer closed the curtains before taking a seat by the bed.

"Luna Elaine...I'm sorry." She started, her eyes red.

"Sorry for what?"

"Your second pregnancy is heavily risky. The fetus is five weeks old, yet showing signs of some serious conditions I don't want to confirm yet." Healer Agnes expressed.

"I see. But I have decided to keep it." I said, caressing my baby bump that I've just noticed. The days were spent stressing over my sick son. No wonder I never noticed my deteriorating health or my pack falling apart.

"You were a Healer, right?" Agnes asked. I nodded curtly.

"I haven't practised much. But given my rank, I can. But after Jean recovers." I said. Agnes nodded again and left.

Moments later, Mother Olga walked in. She was looking furious. She stood by the side of my bed.

"Stand up." She commanded. Her tone was disdainful and temperamental. I knew I was never in her good books. She wanted to marry Logan to a wealthy Alpha's daughter but he accidentally knocked me up.

"Why are you carrying his child?" She asked. It was such a lame question.

"Because he gave me the seed?" I retorted. She wasn't amused by my answer.

Suddenly, Olga held the back of my neck with both hands and kneed my stomach. Hard. I coughed out air, but something terrible happened already.

"Ah...AHH!" I began screaming, the pain only growing. The healers and others stood over me, but I was scared away by Olga. She watched me writhe, create a mess on the ground for I just miscarried by force.

"No...no!!" I kept screaming, I was losing my mind.

"That's what you get for talking back. It shouldn't have been you, Elaine. My Leah should be carrying his child now. Not you." Olga's words weren't registering in my head. I was in too much agony.

"What is happening here?" The robust voice of my mate burst through and silenced chattering.

"Logan...help me..." I reached my hand out. He crouched down, I thought he would comfort me and help me stand up. But he clicked his tongue, repeatedly.

"Mother. Didn't I tell you to wait? We had other plans to make her terminate the pregnancy. Did you have to go ahead and do it yourself? In such a way?" He said. Logan's voice was surprisingly calm.

"She talked back. You know I don't tolerate such things." Olga replied, her arms folded against her chest.

The brief memory of her insanity struck me at the moment.

Olga had a request when I was pregnant with Jean, six years ago. I was neatly arranging my clothes when Olga barged into my chamber and barked orders.

"That stupid sandwich that you make. I want 100 of them. Right now. I've got guests coming." Olga commanded and walked away.

She gave me two hours to make them all and decorate them on a huge silver platter all by myself. She even restricted omegas and others to help me. I almost fainted by the time I was done.

I was short of five sandwiches when a slap shook me and made me fall to the ground. Olga stood over me and barked atrocities. I kept staring at the monster standing over me, eyes wide and realization settling in.

At the end of her fiasco, she commanded the warrior ranks, "Throw her in the silver cell. Maybe she will learn a lesson."

My eyes widened. I tried to stand up but Olga kicked my hand. I lost balance and fell back disgracefully.

"You should know I hate when people lower than me, disobey me." Said Olga. Just then, Logan and Leah cheerfully skipped inside and I caught them briefly.

They were holding hands. Logan's white shirt had a lipstick stain on the edge of the collar. He wasn't even trying to hide it.

"She's going to the dungeon already?" Lovan asked nonchalantly.

"Well, yes. Unless you object." Olga asked, smirking. Her filthy son smirked back and replied,

"Well, it's a learning that I won't object to. She should learn some obedience, Mother. I will always follow whatever you say." Logan gave his ultimatum. He took the hand of his mother and kissed the knuckles.

That should've been the end of my torment. But they kept reeling me in with boastful surprises and grand gestures to hide the toxicity, the harm they caused me.

I sniffled, biting my lip as I lay lifeless on the ground. Everyone left. Except for Agnes who was holding her mouth and sobbing behind her palms.

"It's no use, Agnes. You should leave too. They'll punish you for helping me." I said.

"T-They won't punish me for staying and instructing you to clean yourself up, Elaine. We can start when you are ready. If you don't take the remains out, there will be deathly complications for the mother." Agnes spoke in a trembling voice.

I was nodding my head, continuously.

After a while, Jea pulled us together and I was able to stand.

It was the most awful experience as I was sucking out my own fetus, with my own hands.

I hoped no mother would face this situation, ever.

While all of this was unfolding, my mind was still directed to Jean. He's struggling.

He's dancing on the fence to the melody that is calling him to rest in peace and the chaotic noise and screams pleading him to live.

What would he choose?

The melody or the chaotic noise?

The next day, Olga caught me eating edible leaves and berries in the forest when she summoned me back.

In the presence of Elders, she verdicted,

"Due to the increase in war activity, I need my healers to be top priority. More healers, the better. Elaine was born a healer and should serve the necessities our pack is demanding. So Elders, accept my proposal to let Elaine go nowhere and give her services to Waterstone."

Couldn't I even be consulted for an opinion? My son is dying in a human hospital because my pack refused treatment. I was recovering from a traumatic, forced miscarriage. And this is how they want me to act. Become the pack's newbie healer.

How selfish can everyone be? What's worse? The ploy is collective - against me.

I shed a tear from each eye before nodding and leaving the room. No one could have stopped me. I would have raged on them.

I called myself down and dialled the front office of the human hospital.

They seemed to be busy. It was around Christmas time for humans.

"Please...someone," I begged the Moon Goddess.

On the seventh dial, the telephone was answered by a male voice.

"Attending doctor Rayleigh speaking..."

The voice was stern yet silky. I took a shaky breath in before asking.

"Where are the receptionists? Or- or an attending nurse for the floor?" I asked.

"They've all gone for the festival, Miss. I need you to calm down, okay? I'm an attending doctor here and I will help you out." He said. Later, I learned the doctor was the only attending for three floors combined that day. What's wrong the Healthcare these days?

"Thank you. Um...my son Jean is in room 37. Please tell me his status?" I asked.

"Okay. Give me a moment, stay on line miss." He said and returned after a minute of silence.

"He's doing fine, Miss. You're Elaine, his mother. Is that correct?" He asked.

"Yes, I am his mother, Elaine. But sir, just because you sound concerned for me and you're out there taking care of patients instead of celebrating the holiday, I would want to ask of you..." I inhaled sharply,

"Please take care of my son. I'm bound by a few...things out here. I'm a werewolf. A healer rank." I said, accepting my position just for ease of explanation.

"Ah, I knew you were a werewolf, miss. And I will take care of your son. It's part of my job. But I would also want you to take care of yourself. Understood, Miss Elaine?" The doctor said. Somewhere in my heart, I felt at ease.

"Yes, doctor. Thank you. I owe you." He chuckled heartily as I said.

"No need to owe anyone anything, Miss Elaine. You're a strong mother already. And I'm just doing my job. See you." Saying, the doctor exchanged pleasantries and cut the call.

For the first time in forever, I felt as though someone was taking care of my son and...me.

Suddenly, a hand swatted the phone out of my hand. The woman stood across me, arms folded against her chest.

"See that? Didn't I tell you she was cheating on you already? She's got another MISTER taking care of that sick child." Leah spat as she turned away. Logan was leaning against the door. He smelled fresh pine and cinnamon.

Both of which I'm allergic to. I couldn't help but sneeze. The perfume was too strong.

"Logan. Can you please get out of the room? I'm suffocated by the smell." I spoke between sneezes.

"Pft! Look at her face! You're really the ugliest person I've ever seen, Elaine. Ew." Saying, Leah skipped away and into the arms of her lover.

"At least reimburse me for the phone," I said, seething with anger. Logan looked over his shoulder and said,

"She doesn't have to. I will. You're my mate, Elaine. No need to bring Leah into this when she was just trying to look out for me." Logan said and left.

How ironic. Leah was just looking out for him, huh?

In the evening, I emerged from my small chambers like a zombie. I reeked of dried sweat and blood as I made my way to the common bathroom. It had a line, so I sat there exhausted.

By the time it was my turn to use the bathroom, the omega who had gone before gave a guilty heads-up.

"Um...Healer Elaine. The water heater is broken. I'm sorry." She said. I rolled my eyes, even though it wasn't her fault. I didn't have the privilege of warm water to clean myself up. That was fine.

The real hustle started when warrior ranks were reeled in after a border attack in the south.

Olga was overlooking healers' performances. That was a task out of the blue. To say every healer was stressed under his scrutiny would be an understatement.

She came to my table. I was addressing the warrior rank with an open, bleeding wound to his calf.

"Why aren't you healing his leg? Why are you concentrating on his thigh? That's lewd." She commented with a face.

"His main artery needs to be paused so he wouldn't die of blood loss. It's basic knowledge. I'll heal his calf later-" I was explaining when she cut me off,

"Heal his calf first. And don't you dare talk back...ever again." She said, grinding her teeth and balling up her fists. I exhaled sharply and looked away.

I knew I would face the consequences, but at that moment, healing the patient was a priority.

At around 6 at dawn, the inflow of emergencies halted. Werewolves fight at night. They protect against the evils at night. Ironic, wasn't it? Because the Moon Goddess shows up at night, too.

"Her stats are too low. Isn't it?" Leah's voice was heard outside the hut. I was covered in bodily fluids from healing others when I overheard their conversation.

"Agreed. But I can't overlook the fact that her healing process is long-lasting." Said Agnes's mother, Healer Anne.

"Doesn't matter. Her efficiency will affect the pack. If she chose to heal someone fully, she had chosen to waste time and not save another wounded wolf. Think about it." Leah said to convince. My eyes widened.

"I will look into that, Luna." Saying, Healer Anne, who is the head of healers, bowed and left.

"I know you're there, Elaine." I emerged from the shadowd at Leah's call. She smirked.

"I made you stay here.

And I'll make sure I take full advantage of your stay here. I promise."

Said Leah.

But she didn't know I had a very elaborate plan, intending on NOT staying any further.