As I contemplated whether to entertain the thought or not, I suddenly felt a hand grasp my arm. I found my face forcefully hitting something solid.

It was Cain. He came back and roughly pulled me to him.

“If you’re in heat, Vine, why not find yourself a mate? It’s unsightly when you’re trying to get your dirty paws on somebody else’s wife!” He rudely confronted Maximus Vine.

“Oh, I already found her.” He replied with confidence, then added “She’s just in a bind as of the moment and I’m still getting things in order, as requested by someone important to both of us.”

Hearing that Maximus Vine has someone that important to him made my heart sank. For one foolish moment I wished that it was me.

“Then keep your paws on that heiress or bitch, for all I care!” Cain callously said.

I saw Maximus Vine’s eyes take a dangerous glint.

“You might want to keep your loose mouth in check, Mr. Rockford most especially when you’re speaking about somebody else’s special someone.” He gravely warned Cain.

“What? You’ll slug me?” Cain challenged him.

“If not for Miss Serena’s presence, I would” Maximus Vine honestly answered.

“Are you hitting on my wife?” Cain asked hotly.

“No.” Maximus Vine answered.

My stupid heart once again made a painful tug, but Maximus Vine’s next words were something I never expected.

“Not yet, at least.” He brazenly told Cain.

“Stay away from my wife!” Cain warned him.

“Oh, I will! As long as you stay by her side.” Maximus Vine enigmatically said.

Cain must’ve felt really pissed with their exchange for he abruptly left, dragging me with him.

Back at the manor, Cain openly showed me his disgust with the news of my pregnancy.

“You were just itching to show off to Shelly, aren't you?” He angrily confronted me.

“It wasn’t my intention, Cain. As my husband, I wanted to inform you about the baby.” I explained.

“Hah! Would I even want to know? I’m not even sure if that bastard is mine!” He nastily told me.

“What are you even saying??? Even if I try, I can’t even consider what you said as a bad joke!” I protested.

“I wasn’t joking! Perhaps Shelly was right. You are carrying Maximus Vine’s brat!” He spat at me.

Before I could even stop myself, my hand flew straight to the side of his face. I gave him a mean slap and confronted him.

“HOW DARE YOU DOUBT THIS CHILD!” I shouted. “You were my first!”

“And I really regret why I didn’t use protection that night!” He cruelly said. “All these complications are not helping Shelly’s emotions! Why do you have to get pregnant!”

“I am your wife Cain! This child is not a complication!” I reminded him.

“Yes, you are, regrettably so! Up to now, I wonder until when do we have to put up this farce? You perfectly know that it is Shelly whom I hold dear!” He spoke in such a seething manner, that I found myself speechless.

“If you have nothing to say, I’ll go to where Shelly is! I can’t leave her in that miserable state.”

He left, closing the front door with a bang It was as if he was telling me not to follow him, nor bother him anymore.

I was once again left alone to live in the estate that my mom gave me.

In my second month of pregnancy, I almost lost my child, and my life as well.

It was a full moon. I was often told that werewolves act out of their usual character during that time of the month. They either feed, hunt, fight, make love, or just keep to themselves. They can either be more passionate, more violent, timid, anything that falls on a full 180 scale.

Not once did a sighting of a werewolf was reported in our area, so I confidently went out of my house. Wandering around our impressive and vast garden, enjoying the cool night air.

A black-furred werewolf appeared out of nowhere. With its sharp teeth, it snarled as it slowly approached me.

Feeling the danger, I tried to back up a bit. But it seemed that the werewolf took it as an offensive move. It made a crazy howl.

Startled, I fell on the soft grass, and as it towered above me, ready to attack, a red-furred one appeared. Bocking the other werewolf, as if it was protecting me. The black-furred werewolf howled once more; its eyes filled with fury.

Hugging myself to protect the life inside my womb, I desperately think of someone who can come to my rescue.

Shouting for my servants was useless, I walked quite far from the house and was deep within the garden. I can’t make a call; I left my mobile phone on the bedside table.

Staring at the werewolf with the red fur, with its back on me, made me think of Maximus Vine. The color of its fur reminded me of his lustrous hair.

Should I call out his name? I must’ve lost my mind.

It was then that the werewolf with the red fur turned to look at me with its vividly blue eyes. Once again, I was reminded of Maximus Vine’s gentle gaze.

At that moment, I wondered if it was the end of me.

But the end never came for me.

The werewolf with the red fur viciously attacked my oppressor.

Biting it by the left side of its neck, my defender slashed the other werewolf’s chest with its razor-sharp claws.

Blood oozed from the ugly open wound, staggering the werewolf with the black fur. It must’ve felt that it was no match against the red-furred one. It gave one final angry howl akin to angered frustration, and fled from the scene.

The werewolf with the red fur slowly turned, its eyes met mine. It was like staring at a calm sea.

Slowly, it transformed right before me.

Standing in all his majestic stance and chiseled physique, with an immaculately handsome face, was none other than Maximus Vine.

All the tension caught up to me, I felt dizzy, and lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I was in an unfamiliar place.

The moment I opened my eyes, I saw Maximus Vine holding my hand and was kindly gazing down at me. He asked me if I’m hurt. I shook my head.

“Where am I?” I asked him.

“You’re in my residence.” He answered.

I might have shown a worried look, because he assured me that no unsavory gossip would circle around. It was then that my butler and head maid came barging into the room.

“Madam! You gave us quite the fright! Who could have thought that a werewolf would dare trespass our estate?” my head maid, who used to be my nanny, wailed.

“Master Maximus immediately informed us of the situation and beckoned us to come over to keep you company.” My butler explained.

“Thank you, Mr. Vine.” I told him in all sincerity.

“Just call me Maximus.” He said with a smile.

Despite my protests, and my incessant assurance that I am feeling fine, Maximus called for a physician just to make sure that I am not harmed in any way.

As he fussed about me and the growing life inside me, I foolishly voiced out how I wish he was the father of my unborn child.

“I wouldn’t mind.” He said seriously.

“Hey! That was just wistful thinking. I don’t want to impose on you.” I told him.

“You can impose on me about anything. You can call on me anytime you need me.” He spoke sincerely.

“If only my husband would be this attentive… even a quarter of this kind of attention will make me feel happy.” I felt tears welling up as I spoke.

“Now, now, no tears. The baby would feel sad, too.” Maximus gently wiped the corner of my eyes with his thumb.

After the doctor gave me a clean bill of health, Maximus safely escorted me back home, with my loyal house staff closely trailing after us.

Still believing that he cared, I called Cain to let him know what happened. Unexpectedly, it was father that answered. Cain can’t take calls because he’s gravely injured and was rushed to the hospital.

“Where is he now???” I frantically asked.

“No need to fuss. Your husband is in good hands.” My father said.

“I am his wife. In dire situations, it is only expected that I am by his side.” I told him.

“But your husband isn’t expecting you to.” He bluntly said.

“What do you mean isn’t expecting me to?” I asked him.

“Shelly is personally taking care of him. You’ll be an unnecessary excess.” My father said, ignoring the fact that I am Cain’s wife.

I ended the call and felt tears welling from my eyes again.

My heart sank, even the right to take care of my husband was taken over by my sister. Divorce is imminent between Cain and me.

I remembered Maximus’ words, if I’m sad I’m making my baby feel sad, too.

Wiping my tears, I lovingly held my womb; all is not lost. With the birth of our son, Cain will realize that our marriage is worth keeping.

I held onto that false hope.

On my third trimester of pregnancy, Maximus frequented my home. Bringing baby things here and there. My staff are starting to joke around, not in a malicious manner, but in admiration of his earnestness.

“Master Maximus, need we remind you that the child isn’t yours?” my butler jokingly asked him.

“Oh, it isn’t?” He jabbed.

“It is not!” My head maid faked a stern reply, then added exaggeratedly “Unfortunately so.”

“It is not unfortunate” Maximus contradicted, then added fondly “the child is truly fortunate to have Serena as its mother. She showers him with love even when he’s still inside her womb.”

At the end of my seventh month of pregnancy, Maximus hired a nurse to stay at my residence, he said that it’ll be convenient.

He’s right! As soon as my water bag broke, the nurse was quick on the uptake and called an ambulance in record time. My first experience with childbirth went smoothly because of her.

As soon as I held him in my arms, I felt a surge of pride. I named him Frederick.

A son as a first born. Surely, Cain would appreciate it.

But Cain didn’t come even when I called and told him about our son, he never showed up.

Later, I would discover that he preferred to grace Shelly’s extravagant birthday celebration where he attended as her primary escort.

Should I gatecrash and confront them?