"Hey, Pamela. What are doing there? Get your ugly-looking self down here immediately. We need to go see the Alpha at this moment. One of his staff showed up yesterday and invited us over for a special assignment. We need the money to survive,” Paloma roared at her stepdaughter who had just completed most of the house chores, despite retiring to sleep the previous night in starvation.

She despised Pamela and treated her like a piece of trash. Nothing about her ever mattered to Paloma anymore. 

Living with Paloma was hell for Pamela. Life was completely meaningless for her. Every day, she wishes to just take her life and end the everlasting torment. 

  "I was home the whole day yesterday and no one showed up. What time was that? I could have missed that part," Pamela protested and questioned the ingenuity of her stepmother's claims. She was home all day yesterday and could swear no one showed up.

Somehow, Pamela feels Paloma might be telling a lie and up to mischief. 

 "You're in no position to argue with me. Would I tell you a lie? I know what I'm talking about. Go get dressed. You can't be seen like this near the Alpha looking wretched and unkempt." She clapped back to instill fear inside her. 

"I don't intend to argue with you. Even if you're right on this one, can you wait until I'm done with the house chores? I'm not done yet, mother. Remember, you instructed me to finish up before 9:30 a.m. The Alpha's quarters are a long distance. I might collapse before we arrive there. Can I please get something to eat? I'm starving.”

Paloma pleaded as she frowned her face. Her once fat neck had suddenly become thin as her skin was gradually fading away like the evening sun. She's just a teenager, yet looks older than her age. 

 "Damn you, Paloma.  Stop arguing with me. One more word from you and I'll feed your remains to the vultures. Stop calling me your mother. We are not related in any way. Don't you dare question my authority next time? When I talk, you listen. You'll go inside, have your bath, get dressed and come with me. Is that understood? I don't wanna repeat myself," Paloma threatened and forcefully grabbed Pamela by the arm, almost hurting her. She doesn't give a damn if she perishes in starvation. She was only concerned about the $10k she intended to receive from Ken after selling Pamela off. 

  "Yes, ma," Pamela obeyed and dashed back inside to freshen up. In a few minutes, she was outside looking slightly better than the last time. Even though she looked skinny, malnourished, and pale. 

  "This is what I'm talking about. You look more human now. Get in the front where I can see you. I don't trust you a bit. You might run off in a blink of an eye," she spanked Pamela's head and pushed her to the front.

  "I haven't been to the Alpha's quarter before. How do I possibly lead the way? We might get lost. I suggest you stay in front while I follow," Going against his command, Pamela folded her hand.

Paloma was speechless. The sun was gradually setting in. Aware of the vow he made to Ken the previous day, Paloma didn't argue or drag words with her. She simply pointed to the front and spoke in a soft tone. "Lead the way." Immediately, she obeyed as though she were controlled like a robot. 

     Halfway through the Alpha's quarters, Pamela got exhausted and pleaded for them to return home. She immediately fell to the ground and cried out. “I'm thirsty. Please get me water. I might die of starvation. Please, help me. “

  "Stop being lazy like a tortoise and walk like a human. You are dragging us back. The Alpha's quarter is just a stone's throw. Get up and walk. We've come a long way to quit now. Come on, you can do it. We can't afford to lose this opportunity. Poverty is scrubbing our faces in the mud. Remember the Alpha doesn't like being kept waiting," Paloma commanded with a shout.

  "No, I can't. I don't care how the Alpha feels right now. I need to rest a bit. I'm so exhausted right now. I can't do this anymore. Do you wish me dead?” Pamela refused and remained on the ground. 

 "Okay, fine. You win. I'm not even arguing with you this minute.

You've got less than five minutes to rest. I believe that should be enough to regain your lost strength.” For the very first time, Palom agreed to do it her way. She has never for once, disobeyed her orders. After a few minutes of relaxation, Paloma stretches her hand. “It's time. Be on your feet,”

 "Wait a minute. Why are you so interested in meeting the Alpha? You look so excited and desperate. Is there something you are not telling me? What are you up to?" She raised the doubt.

 " I explained to you before. The Alpha invited us to work for him. We both know how important this money is to us. Enough of the questions already. Would you get up and continue this journey with me? The sun is gradually setting out," yet again, she brainwashed Pamela. 

She frowned her face and stood up from the ground as they proceeded with the journey. She couldn't detect his lies and pretenses. 

   "Here we are. Stay right here and get the rest you can. I'll just go inside and notify the Alpha of our presence,” she instructed as he gestured to Ken's room and announced her presence.

 “Finally! Someone fulfilled his promise. thought you'd never show up. Thank the moon goddess you showed up. Where is she? Take me to her immediately.” Ken demanded. 

"Not so fast. If you keep rushing you might break a tooth. I fulfilled my promise, how about you do the same?" Paloma initiated.

"Promises? What are you talking about?"

    "I see you already forgot. Hold on a second. I'll remind you. You might be missing out on something. Where's my reward for fetching the Alpha his trophy," Paloma stretches her palm to receive the $10k  as previously agreed.

   “Now you got what you wanted. Don't you dare play games with me? Now take me to her immediately.” With a boiling temper, Ken requested violently. 

“Take a chill pill while I lead the way. And please, Pamela is just a teenager. She deserves to be pampered like Luna. I know how aggressive the Alpha could be, but please, she's too fragile. Now come with me.” 

Paloma leads Ken to Pamela.

“There she is. Pretty, huh? hahahaha. I know, right? She's all yours now!” she pointed at Pamela and walked away smiling, knowing her mission had been completed. 

Ken ensured Pamela was well monitored while he went to call Xavier. 

   Several minutes have gone and neither Pamela nor Ken has returned. Pamela was scared and worried at the same time. No one told her it would turn out this way. If only she knew her way home, she wouldn't have hesitated to leave immediately. 

    Shortly after Alpha Xavier and Ken, his BETA showed up. 

" Not bad. Even though I expected more. Anxiety has enclosed your face. Worried about your stepmother?"  Xavier asked after meeting Pamela for the first time.

   "Yes, I am. We are supposed to come work for the Alpha. She told me to wait here while he went to call the Alpha. Hold on a sec, are you Alpha Xavier? Jeez! I had no idea. Where's my mother? She's supposed to return here with you. Is she safe? What happened to her?" She asked in terror. Seeing Xavier scares Pamela but she tries to conceal the fear and act friendly. 

   "So nice of you to care about someone that doesn't give a damn about you. What a waste of generosity. News flash: You're caring for the wrong person. You don't have to worry about her. She's never gonna come back. She already got paid after selling you to us. I'm surprised you weren't aware. What am I even saying? I bet you wouldn't be here If he had told you. Your mission here is to grace my bed and birth me a son. After which you'd be set free. So you see, it's not that difficult, is it?” Xavier disclosed. 

  "Birth you a son? I don't manufacture children. My mother must have lied to you. I haven't birthed a child before. What makes you think I can give birth you one?  This is unrealistic. I can't believe I was tricked. She never mentioned this to me. I'm just a teenager. What could I possibly offer to you? Isn't it a slap in your face? I think the Alpha deserves better.” Pamela protested, facing the ground. She was scared to look into his face. His presence scares the living daylight out of her. 

“Come off it. I call the shots here. 

You're in no position to decide what's best for the Alpha. I've made my decision and there's nothing anybody can do about it. Now you need to freshen up. You're so disgusting. Tonight, we are making a baby. So brace up. Be on your best behavior.” xaciert poked fun at Madeline and instructed his BETA to take her away for a thorough body wash.  Madeline was speechless, yet helpless. She accepted her fate since she couldn't do anything to salvage the situation. She was shown to her room, where she had her bath and ate like an overfed cow. 

************

 The night was calm and fresh. The night air pulsed with the sound of cricket. Pamela shuffled to her window, narrowing her gaze at the stars in the sky. She'd be summoned to the Alpha's room to have sex with him shortly.

  "Knock! Knock! Are you in? 

The Alpha demands your presence in his room. Prepare yourself for the hour that has arrived to make a baby with the Alpha.” Ken announced as he landed a knock on her door. She wasn't surprised because she knew it would surely result in this. With an ocean of tears dripping from her eyes, Pamela stepped out with fear and anxiety hoarding her face. 

  "What are you still waiting for? You can leave. We wanna be left alone. You'd be called when needed.” Xavier dismissed Ken to be with Pamela. 

For a second, she was completely lost and not conscious of what was happening around her. 

 "What are you doing? Don't stand there staring at me like a dummy. Do what you were here for. Take off your dress and come join me on the bed and spread your legs so damn wide.

We've got a mission to accomplish.” he shouted at Pamela. The breeze was chilly on her soft palms, and she shivered like a hen drenched by the turbulent, heavy downpour. Reluctantly, she undressed herself. 

 "Come here, you peasant. I'm not here to play games!” Irritated by her sluggishness, he pulled Pamela by the hair and forcefully made love with her. Impatience was slowly killing him. He refused to be moved by her tears. She wept in anguish, gasping, pleading for Mercy, but there was none to save her. She was left alone to suffer for what she knows nothing about. 

After the lovemaking, she started bleeding from her thigh. 

“Now this is the part I detest.

Why did you lie to me? You never told me you were a virgin," Shocked by the blood, Xavier asked. Now he knows why she acted a bit awkward before the lovemaking. 

"Well, you never asked. Now you know why I acted that way. You want a baby right? You shouldn't be concerned about my virginity. It shouldn't be a problem for you,"

  "You still don't get it. Virgins cringe at me. I detest myself."

Pamela has yet to exhibit any symptoms of pregnancy. Her inability to get pregnant is becoming a major worry for Alpha Xavier. He never bargained for this delay. 

 "What is happening? What's my offense? Is the moon goddess fighting against my freedom? But she suggested that I go find some teenage girl to break the curse. Gosh! I don't wanna end up like my father and great-grandfather. I need to put a stop to this. I can't continue in this pain and darkness. I need an explanation for this madness,” Xavier muttered succinctly and called his maidens to summon Ken to his room immediately.

“You look tense. What's troubling you? You summoned my presence whatever troubles you equally affect me.” Ken showed up, placing both hands behind him. 

 “How long have we known each other?” Xavier asked sarcastically, narrowing his gaze on Ken.

"I've known you all my life. Even before you emerged as the Alpha. Why the questions?”

  “Why did you choose to betray what we had? Do you wish death upon me? It doesn't cost me anything to have you locked up for treason. It doesn't matter if I have known you all my life,” Xavier yelled at Ken as his utterances conveyed wisdom that was beyond ken comprehension. 

  "I'll be a fool to harbor such an imagination in my head. I can't even hurt a fly. What makes you think I'd be capable of such? You've known me all your life. We even grew up together. Have I exhibited some awkward behavior before?” Ken defended himself, still eager to fathom why he said that.

  "Quit the pretense, you swine. I know you're trying to deny it. Come up, open up to me. It's just you and me here. Of course, you know what I'm talking about. You were aware of my predicament, yet you made a travesty of my situation and brought me a logwood. You brought someone that wouldn't solve my problem. I need answers, Ken. Start talking now. That's a slap on my face. I should have dealt with you!”

  "I'm still confused, my Alpha. 

What has she done?”

"She's not pregnant yet, that's what I meant. Did you have anything to do with this? Did you plan this to extort money from me?.” He finally let it out with a scream. 

"Patience, my Alpha. We need to give her time. She'll come around. Trust me. She's just a kid. Let's not lose all hope on this.” he assured Alpha Xavier to allay his fear. 

"Patience you say? How long will I continue waiting for her to get pregnant? I want results. I've lost all patience in me. I'm curious. I can't wait to see her get pregnant. Why does it take so long? I thought it was supposed to be easy.  I'm tired of waiting for eternity. Did you plan this? Alpha Xavier lost his cool and sparked outrage at his BETA. 

   Astounded by the Alpha's wrath, Ken was mute and unmoved. For a prolonged silence, he was calm and carefully selected his words to avert the wrath of the Alpha. 

  "I've got an idea. Trust me, it'll work out. Should we seek the moon guardian's assistance? She might find an answer to our situation,” suggested Ken after a prolonged silence.

 "Take her name out of your mouth. She's got absolutely nothing to do with this. Just when I thought you had a better suggestion. Here you go again displaying your stupidity. Don't you have shame? You know what? I want you to go call me Pamela. I have a couple of questions to ask her. She must provide me with some answers.” he commanded. He doesn't believe his predicament requires the intervention of the moon guardian. 

Somehow, he suspected Pamela might be responsible for her inability to conceive. He paced around his room for minutes, trying to wrap his head around the situation. “Could she be barren? That's not even possible. She dares not. She must conceive. She was bleeding when I had sex with her. That makes her a virgin right?” Xavier ponders over the situation. 

   "Here she is. You requested to see her,” Ken returned with Pamela a few minutes later. 

Alpha's gaze flickered at her eyes as he leaned forward to pull her hair, “Hey, stranger. I don't know what stunt you are pulling on me. But trust me, if you don't get pregnant soon, I'll feed your remains to the vultures. I am a man of few words. I don't entertain suspense either.” He shoved her to the ground and stiffed yet another sigh of frustration at his situation. Still, on the ground, she dropped a tear from her sore eyes. So many questions plagued her mind.

     "My inability to conceive isn't any fault of mine. Last I checked, you met me as a virgin. Would a virgin be barren? I guess you know the answer to that question. Or is there something you are not telling me?” she clapped back, which resulted in a thunderstorm slap on her face from the Alpha. 

"Just shut up already. What impetus? Don't you dare speak to your Alpha in such a manner? I demand you show some respect. The only reason I'm being modest is that your mission isn't accomplished yet. Once this is over, you'd be chased out of this palace and never return. Don't play games with me.”

 "Hahaha! Amazing! What a performance. Is that all you've got? Bring it on! Show me the stuff you made of. I thought you were ruthless. I can only see a coward in front of me. You aren't worth it. Go get a life, you coward.” Her nostrils flared again, staring madly at the Alpha. Her gloaming gap lit for a moment with a profound red light, making her suddenly appear like the moon goddess herself. The situation was beginning to piss her off. Nothing ever matters to her anymore. 

  "Ken, get this leper away from my sight. Ensure she starves for the next few days. That's her punishment for disrespecting me,” Xavier commanded with a growl. Her presence was beginning to irritate him, and he might do something stupid if she didn't leave immediately. 

   “Your wish is my command,” Ken responded with a bow and forcefully pulled her by the arm. Suddenly, she got away from him and rushed out to throw up. Ken attempted to run after her but was halted by the Alpha, “Let her be.  She can't possibly escape under the watchful eyes of the guards. She will come back.”

   After throwing up, Pamela returned, looking so pale and staggering. With a move too fast, Xavier gestured to examine her body. “Your temperature is high. How long has this been happening?”

   "What do you care for? I thought you couldn't wait to get rid of me. Please let me be. I owe you no explanation,”

"Don't talk back to me. I'm not your lover or mate. Just answer the damn question!”

“For some days, I guess. I've been down with some sort of illness. I have been quite dizzy lately. Why the questions? The last time I checked, my presence disgusted you. Why the sudden change of mind?” Pamela confessed and peeked, rather confused.

"You're pregnant! It's obvious. I can see it in your eyes," Xavier exclaimed In excitement.

"Pregnant? How?  When did you suddenly become a doctor to detect a pregnant woman? I can't be pregnant. That's not even possible. And I had no idea about it.” Bewildered, she asked. 

   "This shouldn't be a shock to you. Of course, you know why you're here. You have just one assignment. Get pregnant for me. And you did. Well, I understand your surprise. It's your first pregnancy.  It's okay not to know. Finally, the moon goddess heard my cry,” Xavier jumped for joy and embraced Pamela, knowing he was one step from breaking the curse.

The di

Pamela was gradually embracing motherhood. She constantly falls weak and sad each time she recalls she won't have access to the baby after childbirth. She accepted her fate and pledged to stay strong until the baby was born.

Begging for Xavier to still keep her would be quite an impossible task. Pamela knows she is no match for him.  If it wasn't for the pregnancy, they would probably not know each other. Once she was put to bed, he would send her away from the pack with immediate effect. 

   The pregnancy was already making her experience some mood swings, which are mainly familiar to pregnant women. 

   "You haven't eaten anything. It's not good for you and my baby. You both need plenty of nourishment. I don't want any complications during childbirth. I could order them to get you food. At this stage of pregnancy, you need nutrients to nurture the baby,” Xavier suggested and indicated like an expectant father. He only cares about the child's well-being and would do anything to delight Pamela before she ends up harming the baby. Engaging her in a conflict might result in pregnancy intricacies that he wouldn't want to happen. 

 "You need to stop being nice to me. You are making a fool of yourself. Can't you see your antics aren't working? I'm not falling for it. Nice try! We all know this pregnancy is the reason you're acting this nice. Stick to your beast mode. You're better than this character you're trying so hard to portray. I know the games you're playing. I'm not a fool,” she stunned him. 

"You're so difficult and unpredictable. Bullshit! Suit your fucking self.” he frowned and looked away. 

"The moon goddess knows I detest every minute I dwell in this place. I'll never agree to be your bride for a sliver nor gold,” she bantered the Alpha and almost got slapped again, but he halted and left his hand hanging in her hair.

"Why did you stop? Go on and torture me. That's what you're known for. I'm not scared of you,”

"I'm out of here. I can't deal with your madness. I would rather not regret my action,” the Alpha restrained his Anguish and stormed out of Pamela's room.

Strolling to his chambers, he encounters Ken addressing the soldiers. He looked away and feigned a smile, trying to look so friendly and calm. The pretense was so obvious and caught Ken's attention.

Hurriedly, he gestured to the Alpha, abandoning his meeting. 

“You look unsettled. What's the matter? She is finally pregnant. You should be delighted. You've always yearned for that, don't you?” 

"It's wrong to abandon your meeting in crucial matters. Now run back to them immediately,” Xavier instructed Ken, who showed concern about his mood.

"The meeting can wait.” Ken remained adamant. 

"She has been pissing me off lately. She suddenly lost all respect for me. She manipulates me with the pregnancy. Of course, she knows I can't lay a finger on her, not when she's carrying my child.” He narrated.

"Pamela, again? I see the pregnancy had given her the impetus to disrespect you. I think you should just avoid her until the baby is born.” Ken suggested, which didn't go well with the Alpha. 

"Impossible! Not until my son is born. You know that's not going to happen. I need to keep an eye on her. That leper shouldn't be trusted. My life rests on her shoulder.” Xavier protested.

“You're so confident. You can't be so sure.” Ken tackled him. Xavier never thought about that before.

"So what are you insinuating? That I should be expecting a girl child? I doubt the moon goddess would be so cruel as to allow that to happen to me. She was aware that the arrival of the boy would break the curse. Why send a child to me?” He asked in curiosity.

  "There's only one way to find out. Let's invite the moon guardian over to confirm the baby inside Pamela,” Ken proposed as the Alpha agreed. 

"Go call the moon guardian immediately,” Xavier instructed and shuffled to his throne to cool off.  Unknown to them, Pamela had been eavesdropping on their conversation from her room. What a strange way to finally discover the truth. 

She now understands why the Alpha was so nosy to see her get pregnant.

“It's hard to reckon that I was just an instrument to liberate the Alpha from sudden death.” Pamela wept. Heartbroken by the situation, she laid a condemnation on her crooked stepmother and reprimanded her for the unfortunate incident.

"She brought this upon me. If she hadn't sold me out to the cruelest Alpha, I wouldn't be entangled in a situation like this,” she bemoaned further and decided to elope to another pack. There was no way she was going to let the Alpha take her baby. She felt cheated, humiliated, and betrayed by everyone.

To avert her worst from happening, Pamela calmly loaded a few wares, and eloped from the blood moon pack, making sure no one saw her. She wasn't certain of her destination, but only wanted to be far away from the ruthless and selfish Alpha. 9 minutes after her escape, Ken strolled in with the moon guardian.

"Go fetch Pamela immediately. The moon guardian detests lateness. I need to get to the root of this matter. I can't keep living in the dark,"  ordered, the Alpha, displaying his sets of teeth in excitement. Moments later, Ken returned without her. 

   “The worst has happened, my Alpha. She is nowhere to be found anywhere. I suspect she might have eloped with her…” Xavier landed a punch on Ken's face before he could complete his explanation. 

  "Is this a joke? How could she possibly break out under the watchful eyes of my guards? Have you dug everywhere? Make sure you find her. Hurry, she must be brought here immediately alive. Get ready to be sacrificed to the moon goddess if she doesn't show up here with you,"

"This is the height of it all.  Whenever you are ready to have a conversation with me, you know where to find me. I'll be waiting for you. Gosh! I've never been this insulted in my whole life,” the moon guardian walked away in disappointment. Xavier tried to apologize, but she ignored him. 

    "My Alpha,  there's a new development," Ken reported and bent his head.

"What stupid development are you talking about? Spill it already. I'm gradually losing my patience."Xavier fumed. 

  "I saw a few of her clothes dispersed outside. I think she just escaped not quite long ago. She wouldn't have gone far. Remember, she's heavily pregnant. I will take a few guards with me and comb everywhere.,” Ken promised.

"You're still here thinking. What are you waiting for? Go find her. Take as many wolves as you want. Ensure she's brought back alive." Alpha Xavier roared