His Refusal

(Asher)

The business dealing off the island had left me tired and in a bad mood. Fucking humans always trying to double-cross anyone and everyone. But they didn't understand that I could see right through them.

Pouring myself some scotch, I tried to relax in my study chair. My head rested on its back as I closed my eyes and tried to find some semblance of peace.

The door to my study knocked and I knew it would be Eden, my butler and my beta. Only he was stupid enough to disturb me when I enjoyed sitting in solitude.

"Enter," I ordered and the doorknob twisted. The door opened revealing Eden's happy face. He strolled inside and perched himself on the seat opposite me.

"You are back, how did the meeting go?" he asked, grabbing himself a glass and pouring some scotch from the decanter.

"The usual, humans thought they could double cross me and I put them right in their place," I answered, taking a slow sip of the scotch as it burned its way down my throat.

"Well, to lighten your mood. I have brought good news." Joy danced in his words as he tilted his head slightly.

"What?"

"One of the she-wolves is pregnant with your child. The embryo survived, you are going to become a father soon," he announced leaning closer, the enthusiasm evident.

For a normal werewolf or person, this would have been joyous news. But I was far from being normal, after what happened with my family and my mate.

All this business with surrogacy and she-wolves was Eden's idea. I had no interest in women, not after what my fated mate did to me. Even if I did, I was incompatible to mate with any she-wolf who wasn't my mate. The immense power of my wolf was something they couldn't contain and would end up dying.

But a child was a necessity to further my lineage and to take over the family business. I was already 29 with no male heir to my name or a woman in my life.

At a point, I might have celebrated the idea of having a family but that part of me was dead now, gone dark. My light had been lost. I didn't wish to even touch a woman or let anyone get closer to me, hence the surrogacy option. Also it was safer for the she-wolves. This was only a means to an end for me though.

"See to it that she is comfortable and all her needs are met. So the baby is born healthy."

Eden grinned, thinking I cared.

"She requests a meeting…" his words were hardly out of his mouth and my anger surged. I knew how women operated. They would dig their nails into you and act as if they owned you, only to betray you in the end.

"Absolutely not. You know how I feel about the topic of meeting women. She stays where she is and whatever she needs just fulfil it without bringing it to me," I told him sternly, trying to put an end to this conversation.

"But, no one has ever been able to achieve what she has. Maybe she could be your….I mean just meet her, she deserves this much." Eden changed his words midway when I sent a seething glare his way.

"I am not meeting her, ever. And that's final. After she gives birth, send her on her way with whatever she demands. Money, jewels, clothes. That's what women mostly want these days. I am sure she wants to ask me for money."

Eden leaned back in his chair and placed the glass down at my words. Disappointment was written in bold letters on his forehead. He had always held out hope for me which I had lost a long time ago.

"Asher!" He began.

"This conversation is over, let me get some rest. I am tired," I told him in a dismissive tone, raking my midnight-black hair with my fingers. He sighed heavily, before getting up and leaving, closing the door behind him.

I emptied the scotch glass in my throat and banged it on the mahogany side table. It rattled from the force I applied.

'We are going to have a pup with some unknown woman?' Blaze stirred in my head. I could feel the surge of his power, it was quite a task to keep him contained.

'Seems like it,' I answered, still trying to digest the news. A child was a big responsibility and so much would change with his arrival.

Then there was a chance of that woman trying to stay in the picture. That's something I didn't want. So I made up my mind and knew what the right course of action would be at the required time.

Maybe my decision was wrong but I needed to safeguard my heart. Women brought destruction, they were cunning and most importantly gold-diggers. No way I was letting this one wriggle her way into my life.

***

Over the past few months, I constantly received the news about this pregnant she-wolf. I didn't even ask her name, knowing it would make her seem more real. This way she was just anonymous. Eden badgered me from time to time to meet her at least once but I refused.

Her pregnancy had turned out to be difficult as Eden informed me, she could hardly keep food down and struggled to eat or sleep.

After six months, finally, the news of the baby to be soon born was brought to me. Since It was a complicated pregnancy they were going to perform a C-section. It was time to give my final decision so I called Eden. He could deliver my message to the doctors in the lab.

Once he picked up the phone I said in a monotone voice while keeping all my emotions in check.

"Once the baby is delivered he should be brought to me and tell her that she gave birth to a stillborn pup. No way is she going to be part of our lives."

Emergency C-section

(Anna)

The king's refusal to meet or summon me squashed all my hopes. I blamed myself though for keeping high expectations from someone who let innocent people get tortured. I was nothing but an incubator for his child.

"I am sorry, Sara. He has been quite busy lately. I am sure once he gets some time, he will summon you." Eden made excuses for his king but I could understand that he was not going to give me the time of the day.

I decided to find my own way and follow my own destiny. I wasn't going to rely on anyone, anymore.

"It's alright." I felt dejected as I decided not to request to see him anymore.

"Don't worry, you will be handsomely compensated for all your troubles. Whatever you need just let me know and I will ensure that it's provided," he informed me as if it wasn't my child I was supposed to give them but a mere commodity.

Although I knew I would have to give up the child, it didn't hurt any less.

With special permission, I was allowed to take walks in the small garden outside the room I had been allotted. The spring season had returned to the world and air brimmed with sweet fragrances of hundreds of flowers that grew in the garden. Multicoloured butterflies did their mating dance on them.

My tummy had begun to show, I was already three months pregnant and it was almost three and half months since I had washed on this island and my life had exponentially changed.

Gently I rubbed my belly, I had been trying but struggling to keep my emotions in check. As much as I tried to detach myself from this child, I couldn't wrap the idea around my head of letting him or her go.

"I will come back for you, I promise," I whispered, my voice clouding from the outburst of emotions.

***

The next three months were extremely difficult. I constantly vomited although I was given a very balanced diet consisting of all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for the proper growth of the baby.

Due to so many changes in my body and the bloated tummy, it was hard to sleep. Plus I was mostly kept isolated and under heavy security. Every step was monitored and scrutinized.

But my baby kept me company, his kicking and movements always brought a smile to my face, I felt as if he or she was trying to send me a message or cheer me up.

During the final days before the delivery, the baby refused to change the position. My appointed doctor took a detailed ultrasound and informed me.

"We will have to perform a C-section tomorrow, the baby is breech."

My heart sank, more than myself I was worried about my child whose gender hadn't been revealed to me, no matter how many times I asked.

"Will the baby be alright?" I apprehensively asked. My arms protectively went around my tummy.

"Yes, no harm will come to the baby. Just remain calm," she instructed with a professional smile. But my heart wouldn't ease down, a fleeting feeling was settling in my stomach.

***

The next day I changed into a green gown and was wheeled into the operating theatre. Eden and Linda were present by my side. Eden with his gracious smile and Linda with her stern expression. It jagged my heart to see their king hadn't bothered to turn up even at the birth of his child.

What kind of callous man was he?

It stung to think but I had to keep strong for my child.

"Sara, you will be fine. Don't worry." Eden gave me hope before walking out. I nodded at him with a smile.

I was put under anesthesia and lost consciousness, my last thoughts were of my baby and I couldn't wait to hold him or her in my arms.

When I opened my eyes again, there was a low humming of monitors all around me. Other than that it was quiet. I let my heavy eyes adjust to my surroundings and observed I had been shifted to a room from the operation theatre.

Swivelling my head around I tried to look for my child but I could see no one.

"Hey! Anyone," I tried to call out but my voice came out so low, so weak.

The white door opened and Linda walked inside.

"You are awake," she said, as usual, lacking any kind of warmth in her voice. I wondered if the woman was a cyborg.

"Where is my baby?" I asked, trying to sit up but could hardly move or feel my lower half due to the surgery.

A slight hesitation I observed on her face as she spoke.

"The baby was stillborn. I am sorry."

The news fell like a bolt of lightning and my heart almost stopped. I couldn't believe what she was saying. Only yesterday the doctor had said the baby was fine and now she said he or she was stillborn.

"You are lying," I yelled at her in frustration, losing all kinds of control. My body was shaking from grief and frustration. The tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't even hold my baby and they were telling me he was gone.

"It was a baby boy but he wasn't breathing, we had to bury him as you were still unconscious. King's orders."

My mind reeled. One after the other, calamities were falling on me. My insides clenched, the emotional pain was worse than the physical pain and there was nothing compared to the loss of the child.

I lost track of time after this event, I couldn't eat or speak, all I did was cry and lie on the bed as my body healed but the scars I carried inside my heart would never. Without Sable it was even harder.

Eden came to visit me, his face held traces of remorse and sadness.

"I am really sorry Sara, for what happened. Let me know whatever you need and I promise to provide," he said, sitting on the chair beside my bed. But my heart was in shambles and I didn't desire anything from these people.

Seeing me stay quiet and not answer himself he spoke again.

"Our king, would like to speak to you. Please! Hear him out," he requested and my head spun in his direction in disbelief.

The asshole wished to speak now when my child was gone.

New Life New Identity

(Anna)

"Hello!" I said in a low voice, not having the strength to even speak.

A deep voice, rough at the edges and yet smooth as chocolate answered from the other end.

"Hello! I am sorry about the baby."

"Me too," I answered, trying to hold my tears at bay. This man didn't even bother to come see me after everything I had been put through. The world surely was filled with callous men and they all seemed to have been thrown in my lap.

"I understand how you must be feeling right now. Eden told me how problematic and difficult your pregnancy was. To compensate for that, I would grant you a wish. You can ask me for anything and I will provide. Money, jewels, property. Whatever." He spoke like a typical man who thought women only desired materialistic things.

When in reality women wanted love, protection and loyalty.

I didn't correct him though. I was done depending on people and putting up with their crap.

"I just want to leave this place. Once I am healed enough to travel, can you please arrange for a mode of transport to take me off this island?"

Silence followed by request and if I hadn't heard his ragged breath, I would have thought he had hung up on me. Maybe he was surprised that I didn't ask him for money.

He spoke in a low baritone voice, taking his time.

"That can be arranged. Are you sure you don't want anything else?"

"I am certain, thank you for your time." He didn't grant me an audience when I had requested it and now that I couldn't give him an heir I didn't feel like asking him for anything.

Taking favours always came back to bite you and I didn't want to be dependent on anyone in this regard. I would find Shadow on my own and train to become stronger.

The call went dead and I handed the cell phone back to Eden. He offered me an apologetic smile which I didn't return. It seemed like I had forgotten to smile. Despair gripped me and I thought I would never be happy again.

***

Two weeks later, I was declared fit enough to travel and was allowed to leave this forsaken place behind.

A special boat had been arranged to take me to the nearest port. Eden came to see me off with a large backpack. Handing it to me he said.

"Here, I have packed you some food, water, clothes and other essentials."

"You didn't have to, Eden." I was reluctant to accept but he insisted.

"It's the least I could do and I wish you all the best in the future." Eden it seemed was the only decent wolf on this island and he had always treated me with respect and kindness.

"Thank you!" I mumbled and climbed on the deck of the boat. But I couldn't shake this feeling that someone was constantly watching me. It felt eerie.

"Goodbye, Sara," Eden shouted out. I took a last glance at the island and felt like I was leaving a part of my soul behind. The boat roared to life and began to move away from the shore.

My eyes suddenly cast a glimpse of someone in the distance. My sight was not heightened anymore because I still couldn't connect with Sable. So I couldn't figure out who the male was apart from the fact that he was staring directly at me. I could sense the sharpness of his gaze even from a distance.

Who was he?

Before I could take a closer look the boat took a turn around the cliffs and the strange man disappeared.

It was near the evening when we reached the nearest port of the city of Jorda. Father had said that Shadow headquarters was somewhere underground and on one of the islands. I just had to find it.

Opening the backpack I checked what was inside. Apart from food, a few jeans and T-shirts, there was another leather bag like a small briefcase. Opening it I found it was filled with hundred-dollar notes. Eden didn't say anything about money but he still left me tons, it would be enough for a fresh start.

A small smile made its way to my lips.

"Lady, here you are," the captain called out to me announcing it was time to get off.

Thanking the captain, I wore my backpack and jumped off the boat onto the shore.

It was time to find Shadow and pursue my revenge plan.

***

(Five years later)

The metal cage rattled as I punched the hulking male in front of me and he stumbled backwards. The half-fingered gloves I wore didn't let my knuckles get bruised as I launched another punch using all the force I possessed. It connected directly with his jaw and he fell flat on the ring's floor, raising his hands in the gesture of giving up.

"An, show mercy," he jokingly said and I burst out laughing. Offering him my hand I hauled him up and he jumped to his feet.

"You are ready, I think you have learnt every trick, every technique we could offer," he appreciated, patting my shoulder.

"Learnt from the best," I answered, taking off my gloves one by one to hit the shower.

"I am proud of the woman you have become. You are stronger and faster than any other werewolf I have ever trained. Remember tomorrow you have a solo mission and it's a very important but easy one for someone of your calibre. Still, be careful," Claude said, walking beside me.

"I will be, thank you, Claude. And my mission is to become the top assassin this organisation has ever produced even to surpass the legendary leader of the Shadow." I declared and Claude knowingly smiled at me as I walked out of the training field.

"I will see you later." He waved and walked in the opposite direction. I headed to my room.

Jumping into a cold shower after a heated training session was bliss. I let the water droplets cool down my body and reflected on the last five years of my life.

From Anna, I had become An, a ruthless assassin, who killed without remorse. Gone was the innocent girl, everyone enjoyed taking advantage of. I was faster and stronger and I had carried out innumerable missions for my organisation, Shadow.

Proficient in handling weapons from small pistols to launching missiles. With the strength I had acquired, I could subdue most werewolves.

And now it was time to bid farewell to them and embark on my revenge plan. Tomorrow will be my last mission and then I will go for Noah and Ruby. Show them that they had messed with the wrong girl.

"I am coming for both of you," I said while staring at my reflection in the mirror.