“Speak up!” Alpha Derrick growled, his eyes turning a shade of amber.

Fear coursed through my body at his voice, the reality of my fate dawning on me—I could be dead in minutes and nobody would even care.

“Please…” my voice squeaked. “Please save me. I don't want to die.”

Tears stung at the back of my eyes as the words rolled out of my mouth. I've done a lot of condescending things as an omega, but one thing I've never done was beg for my life.

The disdainful expression on Alpha Derrick's face made it clear that my pleas were falling on deaf ears.

“Everyone, leave!” He commanded. His words were followed by quick shuffling of feet and in split seconds, the room was empty save for the both of us. Derrick glanced over his shoulder to be sure nobody was within earshot.

“And why should I spare your insignificant life?” Derrick’s voice had reduced to a surprising whisper.

I swallowed hard, and bit my lip before saying, “I'll do anything you want me to do.”

“What makes you think that I'd want anything from you?”

“What if there's something you desperately need?” I whispered in a conspiratorial tone, pushing my luck harder.. maybe, just maybe, he'll find a need for me if I present myself as something valuable.

The thought of referring to myself as a thing formed knots in my stomach. Suddenly, Alpha Derrick’s face lit up with a thin smile.

What is he scheming this time?

“Well, I think there's something you can do for me?”

I pursed my lips as my mind ran through a thousand options. What does he want to do with me? A nanny? Maid? Object of fun for his friends?

“Be my Luna.”

My head jerked upward at his words. Is my brain so fucked up that I'm now hearing things?

“Huh?”

“You heard me right. I'll let you live on the condition that you'll become my contracted Luna.”

Fresh bead of sweat broke out of my forehead and my palm became clammy. There’s no way in the world that the most feared Alpha Derrick is asking me to be his Luna!

“Here,” Alpha Derrick tossed a brown paper envelope on my body. “This is the agreement.”

“I…I can't move,” I protested as the cold chains bit into my delicate skin. “Can you at least unbound me?”

Alpha Derrick scoffed and rolled his eyes indifferently. “Your freedom depends on your answer.”

Seriously? He wants me to sign a contract when I can't even move my body!

“You have till sunset to give me your answer,” he said and began walking towards the door.

Staring out the window, I realised that it was almost sundown, which means I don't have the luxury of time to think.

“Wait!” I called out, causing his form to stiffen, but he didn't look back.

“I've made up my mind… I will be your Luna.”

A wide smirk graced his beautiful face as he turned to face me. “That's a good choice, but I think you should read the terms of the contract first.”

“My hands are tied,” I protested.

Letting out a sigh, Derrick crossed the room in a few long strides and untied the chains. The rattling sound of chains did nothing to douse the mind-numbing effect that his musky scent had on me as every atom of oxygen I breathed in suddenly smelt like him.

“You can go through the contract and sign it. I'll have my beta pick it up when you're done.” And without another word, he sauntered out of the room, leaving me in both awe and pain.

The bang of the closed door brought me back to my senses, reminding me of the searing pain that pulsed my entire skin. Ignoring the pains, I flipped open the document and the words printed in bold italics tipped me over the edge.

“CONTRACT TO BE THE SURROGATE LUNA”

The words stared back at me daringly, as though mocking my miserable life.

“What?” I gasped. “There's no way I'm carrying Alpha Derrick's child in my womb.”

But even as the words rolled off my tongue, I knew it was mere wishful thinking. Alpha Derrick has bought my womb in exchange for my life and there was nothing I could do about it.

It's been eleven months since I signed my life away on a contract, but that impulsive decision turned out to be the best decision I'd made in my entire life.

The details of the contract were clearly stated— I would have all the benefits of a Luna, but I would not have any legal custody of my child. It was a tough decision to make, but still, I considered losing my child as collateral damage. I just wanted to live, and now, I am living the life I ever dreamt of.

Respect. Reverence. Love. Security and sense of belonging were all part of the package that came with being Alpha Derrick’s Luna. Despite his cold and detached attitude, I was still grateful for the life Alpha Derrick had given me, and most importantly, the gift of a child he offered me on a platter.

A warm smile swept across my face as I caressed the soft, lush skin of my one-month old baby— my bundle of joy. He was the spitting image of his father, inheriting Alpha Derrick’s blue eyes and defined cheekbones. My heart swelled with pride as his tiny hands wrapped around my index finger. Deep down, I knew that I was ignoring the truth that lurked underneath my smile— the duration of my contract is over and I have to leave the Whitlleburg pack.

Tears stung in my eyes as uncertainty about the future overwhelmed me. Here in the Whitlleburg pack, I am the revered Luna, but outside the boundaries of the pack, I was just a random omega whom everyone believed to be cursed. Tears spilled down my face as I lifted my little baby, and gently laid him in his crib. His innocent giggles and toothless smile tugged at my heartstrings, breaking my heart all over again.

Wiping my tears with the back of my pack, I walked to the wardrobe and began packing my clothes into a suitcase. I didn't want to leave, but I know staying back would be a foolish attempt to cling onto false hope, besides the terms of the contract were clear— Leave the pack after giving the Alpha an heir.

A feeling of claustrophobia suddenly washed over me, causing me to open the windows, and the resplendent sight greeted me once again—the lush colorful flowers that sprawled along the wide expanse of the palace compound. I inhaled deeply as the enticing scent of lavender breezed past, but suddenly, something caught my attention. It was a muscular human frame that stood in the garden, his hand carefully picking some flowers in the garden.

His scent was strangely sweet, despite the fact that I've seen him before. Unease settled in my stomach as a wave of nostalgia hit me— it's happening again.

“No, it can't be,” I murmured as I took two steps backwards. “There's no way…”

“Mate!” Bianca leaped excitedly.

It was impossible. A second chance mate for an omega?

My heartbeat began a frantic dance as the mate pull took over my senses. Looking over the garden again, my eyes caught sight of him staring back at me— he knows that I'm his mate.

Our gaze locked for a minute before I peeled my eyes away from the enchanting gaze of his hazelnut eyes. Something about him made me weak in the knees and a throbbing sensation settled in between my legs. I've never felt this way for anyone else, except Alpha Derrick, but this was different—he is my predestined mate, while Alpha Derrick was just a contracted mate.

“My lady,” a familiar female voice drew me out of my thoughts. “The Alpha is requesting your presence.”

“Uhm..” I cleared my throat. “I'll be with you shortly.”

The maidservant curtsied and left the room. I walked over to the crib where my baby laid and made sure he was fast asleep before taking deep breaths and stepping out of my room.

With each step I took, the sweet fragrance grew stronger and the pull, almost irresistible. How do I reconcile having a child for Alpha Derrick, and finding my mate almost immediately?

“Ah… here she is,” the stranger gleamed with pride as I walked into the Alpha's court. “Isn't fate so mysterious?”

A wide smile plastered across his face as he watched me with intense eyes that could strip me naked. His ogling expression gained him a deathly glare from Alpha Derrick. I stifled a smirk— I've never seen Derrick react in such an envious manner before.

“She is the Luna of Whitlleburg pack, so choose your words carefully,” Alpha Derrick said with a subtle threat laced in his voice.

“Good day, my lord,” I bowed, and raised my head, while avoiding the glare of the stranger.

“Are his words true?” Alpha Derrick said.

“Yes, my lord,” I bowed again. The words tasted like bile in my mouth. “He's my mate.”

All my life, I've wanted to be accepted by my mate, but now that the goddess is giving me a chance at having that life, I suddenly didn't want it anymore. I couldn't place my hands on the reason why I didn't want my mate. I could use my son as an excuse, but I knew it was beyond just my child, it was because of something else— it was because of…

“Hello, my name is Gareth, the alpha of the Hythress pack,” he said, stretching out his hand for a handshake. His smile was as enchanting as his face, but there was a tiny bit of insincerity lurking in his orbs.

“Hi,” I responded robotically, shaking his clammy palms. His palms were unbelievably soft for an Alpha. “I am April Gortham.”

A wider smile spread across his lips, exposing jagged incisors. I could feel Alpha Derrick's stare bore a hole at the back of George's head.

Why was he acting all protective all of a sudden?