Bella didn't look at either of them as she spoke. "No, Alpha Alfred. You've got the wrong person. I don't know you."

Alfred stared at her, shocked. Why was she lying?

Bella bowed slightly and walked away, holding back the tears in her eyes. She didn't dare look back.

Selina leaned close to Roland's ear and whispered, "Alpha Roland, that bitch was definitely trying to seduce Alpha Alfred."

Roland's eyes narrowed as he looked at Alfred, who sat quietly, staring into space, still thinking about Bella.

Roland forced a smile. "My apologies, Alpha Alfred. Please excuse me for a moment."

He stood and followed Bella outside.

Bella was walking down the poolside, taking deep breaths. But she didn't get far before Roland grabbed her hair from behind and yanked it back hard.

"You filthy whore!" he growled.

Bella screamed, "What are you talking about?! Let go of me!"

"You think you can seduce someone right under my nose?!" he shouted, dragging her closer to the water. "This is what you get for disobeying me!"

Inside the room, Alfred stood by the window. He saw everything: Roland dragging Bella, her screams, the fear in her eyes. He clenched his fists.

She's in trouble, he told himself.

Outside, Roland pushed Bella's face toward the pool water.

"No! Please!" she cried, struggling.

Roland laughed darkly. "You should have stayed in your place."

He shoved her head into the water.

Bella kicked and fought, bubbles rising as she screamed under the surface.

Alfred couldn't take it anymore. He dashed out of the room, ignoring the guards, and ran straight to the pool.

Roland pulled Bella's head up, breathing heavy. "Have you learned your lesson yet?"

Bella gasped for air and looked at him with hate. "Go to hell."

He sneered. "How about I send you there myself?"

He shoved her head back into the water again, laughing.

Suddenly...

A strong kick hit Roland from behind, sending him crashing to the ground.

Bella's head came out of the water, coughing and gasping.

Roland groaned in pain, looking up to see who it was.

It was Alpha Alfred.

"Oh my," Alfred said calmly, pretending, "I'm sorry, Alpha Roland. I didn't realize it was you. I thought it was some low-life harassing the staff."

Roland forced a laugh from the ground. "How kind of you! We were only joking, of course."

Alfred reached out his hand to help Bella.

She looked at it, her heart racing.

He's an Alpha... Can I really trust him?

She lowered her eyes and stood on her own, not taking his hand.

Dripping wet and shivering, she walked away.

Alfred's eyes followed her until she disappeared into the hallway.

Bella entered her small room. Her hair was soaked, her dress stuck to her skin. She dropped to her knees, crying.

"When will this nightmare ever end?" she whispered.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind her.

"Have you been living like this all along?"

Bella turned quickly, startled. "Sir! What are you doing in my room?"

"I'm sorry," Alfred said softly. "I didn't mean to scare you."

He stepped forward slowly. "Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Alpha Alfred, leader of the Moonshadow Pack. Do you... Remember me?"

Bella's heart jumped.

How could I forget the Alpha who took my virginity that night under the moonlight? She said in her thoughts.

She looked down. "I remember... But that night was a mistake."

Alfred shook his head. "It wasn't a mistake for me. I've been looking for you ever since."

He stepped closer, gently. "Please, don't push me away. You're more than just a maid. You have a name... and a life."

Bella hesitated. Then she looked up at him and said, "My name is Bella."

Alfred's eyes moved down to her arm. He noticed the scars, old bruises and burn marks. His jaw tightened.

"Bella... how many times?" he asked softly.

"What?" she said, confused.

He gently touched her arm. "How many times did they hurt you?"

Bella turned her body away, ashamed. "I... I lost count."

He adjusted her wet hair and whispered, "I'm so sorry. Pain is all you've known."

Bella couldn't hold back anymore. She cried into his chest. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close.

When was the last time someone held me like this? she wondered.

But then she pulled away.

"No... I can't fall for him," she thought. "He's an Alpha."

She stepped back. "I'm just a maid. You shouldn't be here. It's late."

He held her arm gently. "Bella, come with me. I will protect you. I swear. You'll never have to live like this again."

She shook her head. "You want me in your pack... so I can continue being a maid?"

"No," Alfred said. "You'll never be a maid again."

He stepped even closer and slowly touched her stomach.

"You're pregnant... with my pup."

Bella froze. "What...? That's impossible."

Alfred looked into her eyes. "It's real, Bella. I can feel it.

Bella stepped back, heart pounding. "No... this can't be..."

Bella said, "We were only together a few nights ago. How can I be pregnant?"

Alfred looked at her seriously, "I'm an Alpha, Bella. That means my seed takes root faster than that of an ordinary wolf."

He leaned closer, placing his nose gently against her chest. He inhaled deeply, then looked into her eyes.

"I can smell it, Bella," he whispered. "You're carrying my pup. Our pup."

Bella's eyes widened, her hand trembling. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

"I'll talk to Roland," Alfred continued. "I'll tell him to release you. I'll protect you and our pup."

He stepped even closer. "Come with me to my pack. Please."

Bella looked at him, speechless. Something in his eyes was different this time, softer, protective.

But she was still afraid.

She stepped back, voice quiet. "I don't know, Alfred. I need more time to decide on that."

He nodded slowly. "I'll wait for your answer."

With one last look, Alfred turned and left the room.

But what they didn't know was that Selina had been hiding in the shadows the entire time. She had heard everything. Her hand was over her mouth in shock as she whispered to herself.

"That slut is pregnant! With Alpha Alfred's pup?"

Her lips curved into a wicked smile.

"I need to tell Alpha Roland."

Back in Bella's room, she sat quietly, one hand resting protectively over her stomach. Her heart was pounding with fear and confusion.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

Selina stepped in, flanked by two pack warriors. Her voice was cold and sharp.

"Take her. Now!"

Bella tried to resist, but she was no match for the warriors. They dragged her away while Selina smirked.

Meanwhile, Roland sat comfortably across from Alfred, pretending to be relaxed.

"Alpha Alfred," he said with a smile, "I thought we wrapped up the treaty talks yesterday. Is there something else you wanted to discuss?"

Alfred nodded, serious. "Yes. I'm looking for one of your pack members. Name your conditions for handing them over."

Selina, seated nearby, raised an eyebrow. "And who's the lucky person that caught your attention?"

"Bella," Alfred said plainly. "The girl I saw at the pool yesterday."

Selina scoffed. "But she's just a maid."

Roland laughed lightly, putting on an act. "No, no... Let me think... Bella, you said? I don't know anyone by that name."

He glanced at his men, giving them a silent signal. "But we do have someone the pack calls... 'bitch.' Maybe that's who you mean."

With that, Roland waved his hand, and the guards pulled off the cover of a large iron cage at the side of the room.

Alfred's heart nearly stopped.

Inside the cage, bruised and weak, sat Bella.

He jumped to his feet. "Bella!"

Her eyes filled with tears. "Alfred... help me."

Alfred turned to Roland, fury burning in his gaze. "What did you do to her?"

Roland shrugged, sipping his drink. "She opened her legs for some guy and got herself pregnant. I'm just giving her what she deserves."

Without hesitation, Alfred stormed to the cage, gripped the iron bars, and ripped the door open with raw Alpha strength.

Alfred pulled open the cage and rushed in, kneeling beside Bella. Her face was swollen, her lips cracked, and bruises covered her arms. He gently untied the chains from her wrists and ankles.

"Don't worry," Alfred said softly, holding her close. "I'm here now. You're safe."

Bella's lips trembled. "Alpha Alfred-"

"I'm gonna get you out of here," he said firmly.

With one arm around her back and the other under her knees, Alfred carefully lifted Bella out of the cage. The room was dead silent, but tension filled the air like a storm about to break.

Suddenly, Roland stepped forward, his eyes dark and angry.

"This is my territory!" Roland shouted. "She is my servant! I was teaching her a lesson. You have no right!"

Alfred turned slowly, eyes glowing with rage. "I'll decide what right I have," he snapped. "I'm done asking."

Then his voice dropped, but the weight of his words hit like thunder.

"She's pregnant with my pup. I'm taking her with me. And that's final."

The pack gasped.

Roland's lips curled into a cruel smile. "You can't take her with you, because..." he grabbed Bella's wrist, "she's my mate."

Bella's eyes widened. "I'm your... mate?"

Alfred growled. "You disgusting bastard. How dare you bind her to you?"

Roland leaned in close to Bella, whispering with venom. "Don't fool yourself, Bella. You're just a maid. Did you really think you could become a Luna?"

But Bella, with all her strength, stood tall beside Alfred. Her voice shook, but she didn't look away.

"I refuse to be your mate."

Roland froze. "What?"

She raised her chin. "I, Bella White, reject Roland Hill, Alpha of the Wolfsbane Pack, as my mate!"

Immediately, Roland screamed in pain. His hand clutched his chest; his knees buckled.

"You bitch!" he howled. "You think you can break our bond? Fine!"

He grabbed her wrist tightly. "Well, I, Roland Hill, reject your rejection!"

The room seemed to shake. The energy between them snapped like lightning.

"That's it!" Roland roared. "None of you is leaving today!"

Alfred's eyes changed. His inner wolf had taken over. He stood tall, growling, ready for battle.

Roland shifted too, bones cracking, fur ripping through his skin.

"Let me teach you a lesson, Alpha," Roland hissed.

They clashed. Fists and claws. Snarls and blood. The fight was wild, brutal. But Alfred was stronger. He pinned Roland down and beat him until Roland could no longer stand.

Roland coughed, blood dripping from his mouth. "She's just a fucking maid! You really want her that bad?"

Alfred kicked him hard across the jaw. "How dare you call her that?"

Roland groaned under his boot.

Bella rushed over. "You're hurt," she said, voice soft, eyes full of fear.

"I'm fine," Alfred said, touching her face gently. "Let's get out of here."

As Alfred turned, holding Bella's hand, Roland grabbed a silver knife from the floor and rushed at them.

"NO!" Bella screamed.

Roland drove the knife forward, but Alfred turned just in time to shield Bella. The knife stabbed deep into Alfred's back.

Blood poured.

Bella screamed again, catching him as he stumbled.

"You bastard!" Alfred growled. With a roar, he turned and punched Roland so hard, he flew across the room and landed hard on the floor, blood dripping from his mouth.

Roland laughed, lying there, defeated but still wicked. "You think you can take her away from me?" he wheezed. "As long as she has the branding on her face... I can track her down."

Bella touched her face, suddenly remembering the small glowing mark above her cheekbone, a burn mark Roland gave her years ago.

But Alfred walked to her. Calmly. Gently. He placed his glowing hand over her face.

"Not anymore," he said.

His Alpha power flowed through his palm. The mark sizzled, then vanished like smoke. Bella gasped as the mark disappeared.

Alfred turned back to Roland, now barely conscious on the ground.

"She's no longer a maid," Alfred said coldly. "From now on, she belongs to no one... but herself."

Alfred said to Bella, "Let's go." And she left with him.

Roland, still lying on the ground, blood at the corner of his mouth, growled weakly, "This isn't over, Alpha Alfred..."

Alfred didn't look back.

They arrived at a quiet house on the edge of his territory, far from the pack's eyes. It was the same place Alfred once stayed with Bella. The air was peaceful, but their hearts were still racing from everything that had happened.

Bella sat beside him with the first aid kit in her hand. Guilt filled her eyes.

"You got hurt because of me," she whispered. "I don't even know how to thank you."

"There's no need to thank me," Alfred said, watching her carefully. "I promised I was going to take you with me."

Bella slowly unbuttoned his shirt, her fingers trembling. She tried not to look at his chest, but Alfred noticed and smiled gently.

"Go on," he said.

She hesitated like she was about to pull her hand away. But he gently caught her wrist.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Nothing."

She took some cream and leaned in. As she gently applied it to the wound, Alfred groaned in pain. Bella panicked.

"Did I hurt you? I'll be more gentle..."

"No need," he said, holding back a smile. "You're doing great."

He leaned closer, looking deep into her eyes. "Do you want me?"

Bella's eyes widened. Before she could reply, he kissed her again, this time, deeply. She gasped against his lips, and her hand slipped over his wound.

He groaned, but when she pulled away to apologize, something strange happened.

The wound began to heal, right before her eyes.

Bella stared. "Your injury, it's gone."

Alfred looked at her in amazement. He gently took her hand. "You healed me."

"I... I don't know what's happening," Bella whispered. "How do I have this power? I don't even have a wolf yet."

Before Alfred could respond, there was a knock at the door.

Alfred's Beta, James, stepped in quickly. "Alpha Alfred, we need to talk. It's urgent."

"Speak," Alfred said, still holding Bella's hand.

Bella tried to stand up and give them some privacy. But Alfred stopped her. "Stay. Whatever he has to say, you deserve to know too."

James cleared his throat, glancing between them. "We're approaching Moonshadow Pack territory. How do you plan to introduce Ms. White to the elders?"

Alfred's tone sharpened. "Get to the point."

James hesitated. "She's a maid. The elders will never accept her as one of us."

Bella lowered her head. "Alpha Alfred, I'm not going back with you."

"What?" he turned to her, eyes wide.

"I'm grateful you saved me, truly. But I won't cause you more trouble."

Alfred opened his mouth to speak, but she continued, "The elders... the pack. They'll never see me as worthy. And I don't have a wolf. I can't be a Luna."

Alfred stood. "Then I'll disguise you as my Luna."

Bella blinked. "Alfred...?"

He stepped closer. "Don't worry. I'll handle it."

James tried to interrupt. "Alpha, you just secured your place as Wolf King. If the elders find out your Luna was a maid..."

"She's not a maid," Alfred snapped. "And all you have to do is keep that secret."

He looked back at Bella. His voice softened. "Bella, your safety and our child mean everything to me. The best way to protect you is if you stay with me. Trust me. Please come back with me."

Tears slid down Bella's cheeks. Her thoughts raced.

Don't be carried away, Bella.

He's only doing this because of the pup.

You were lucky enough to escape Roland, don't start hoping for more...

But she wiped her tears and nodded. "Alright. Teach me how to be a Luna."

Alfred finally arrived in his pack with Bella.

In the night, Bella was sleeping, and felt a movement of someone's hand moving slowly and smoothly on her face. She opened her eyes a little and said, Alpha Alfred, is that you The moment she opened her eyes, it was Roland. He grabbed her neck, laughing and said, You think you're safe now, bitch? Soon, your pathetic past will come to light.

Bella panicked, no!

He yelled, You're mine. My mate, forever.

Bella opened her eyes. It was a dream, but immediately Bella looked up and saw a lady standing in front of her.

Bella opened her eyes and saw a beautiful woman standing in front of her. The woman had long blonde hair and cold green eyes. She wore an expensive dress that looked like it cost more than Bella had ever seen.

"Guards!" the woman called out sharply.

Two large men rushed into the room and grabbed Bella by her arms, pulling her roughly to the ground.

Bella winced in pain. "What are you doing? Let go of me!"

The blonde woman smiled, but it was not a kind smile. "Look like I have found the bitch who seduced Alpha Alfred."

Bella looked up at her, confused and scared. "Who are you?"

The woman laughed coldly. "You don't deserve to know who I am. The only thing you need to know is that I am the real Luna of this pack."

She stepped closer, looking down at Bella like she was dirt. "Guards, how about we introduce this bitch to the elders?"

"No, wait!" Bella tried to struggle, but the guards were too strong. They dragged her out of the room while she kicked and fought.

The woman followed behind them, her high heels clicking on the stone floor.

The hall was dark and cold. Old men sat in tall chairs, looking down at Bella like she was some kind of criminal. Their faces were mean and unwelcoming.

The guards threw Bella on the floor in front of them. She landed hard on her knees, her hands scraping against the rough stone.

"Elders," the blonde woman said sweetly, "I found this troublemaker in our territory."

One of the elders, an old man with gray hair and angry eyes, spoke up. "Who is this girl?"

"This is the reason for all the problems between our pack and the Wolfsbane Pack," the woman lied smoothly. "She was causing trouble there, and now she's here trying to seduce our Alpha."

Bella's eyes went wide. "That's not true! I didn't cause any trouble!"

"Silence!" another elder shouted. "You will speak only when we tell you to speak!"

The blonde woman walked around Bella slowly, like a hunter circling its prey. "Look at her, Elders. She has no wolf. She's weak. She's nothing but a maid who thinks she can climb above her station."

"I'm not a maid anymore," Bella said quietly, but loud enough for them to hear.

The elders laughed.

"Not a maid?" the first elder said. "Then what are you? A princess?"

They laughed harder, and Bella felt her face turn red with shame.

The blonde woman leaned down close to Bella's ear and whispered, "I know you're pregnant with Alfred's child. But that won't save you. The elders will never accept you as Luna. Never."

Bella's heart stopped. How did she know about the baby?

"Elders," the woman said louder, "this girl is dangerous. She uses her body to manipulate our Alpha. She's probably working as a spy for other packs."

"No!" Bella stood up quickly. "I would never do that! I'm not a spy!"

One of the guards hit her in the back, making her fall down again.

"Stay down, girl," the guard said roughly.

The eldest of the elders, a man with a long white beard, stood up from his chair. His voice was deep and scary.

"Girl, you stand accused of being a spy and causing trouble between packs. What do you say to defend yourself?"

Bella looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I was a prisoner in the Wolfsbane Pack for seven years. Alpha Alfred saved me. I never caused any trouble. I just want to be safe."

"Lies," the blonde woman said quickly. "She's trained to say these things. Look at her - she doesn't even have a wolf. How can someone without a wolf be trusted?"

The elders nodded, agreeing with her.

"She's right," one of them said. "A wolfless person cannot be part of our pack. They bring bad luck."

"And weakness," another added.

Bella felt like her heart was breaking. These people hated her before they even knew her. Just because she didn't have a wolf.

The blonde woman smiled triumphantly. "Elders, I suggest we lock her up until Alpha Alfred returns. Then we can decide what to do with her properly."

"Agreed," the eldest elder said. "Guards, take her to the prison cells."

"Wait!" Bella cried out. "Please, just let me explain-"

But the guards were already pulling her away.

As they dragged her through the halls, Bella heard the blonde woman talking to the elders behind her.

"Don't worry," the woman said. "Once Alfred sees how the pack feels about her, he'll understand that I'm the only suitable Luna for him. This little problem will be solved soon."

The cell was cold, dark, and wet. Water dripped from the ceiling, and the air smelled bad. Bella sat in the corner, hugging her knees to her chest.

She put her hand on her stomach, thinking about the baby growing inside her.

"I'm sorry, little one," she whispered. "I wanted to give you a safe life, but I don't know if I can."

Footsteps echoed in the hallway outside her cell.

A guard appeared with a tray of food - if you could call it food. It was just some old bread and dirty water.

"Here," the guard said, sliding the tray under the bars. "The Luna said you get one meal a day."

"Luna?" Bella asked. "You mean that blonde woman?"

The guard laughed. "Lady Lydia has been preparing to be Luna for years. Everyone knows she and Alpha Alfred will be mated soon."

Lydia. So that was her name.

"But Alpha Alfred brought me here himself," Bella said softly.

"So?" the guard shrugged. "Alpha Alfred brings many women here. Doesn't mean anything. Lady Lydia is his true mate."

The guard walked away, leaving Bella alone in the darkness.

But what the guard said bothered her. Did Alfred really bring many women here? Was she just another one?

She thought about the night they spent together by the pool. The way he looked at her. The way he saved her from Roland. It felt real.

But maybe she was just being stupid. Maybe Alfred was just being kind because of the baby.

Hours passed. Bella didn't know if it was day or night in the dark cell.