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.

Meeting Oliver

(Anna)

The next day I set out on my mission. The black leather pants and jacket tightly hugged my body. My auburn hair were neatly tied in a ponytail and my hands were in black glovelettes. The nail of my index finger never grew back because of the damage caused to the nail bed. The two others had grown. A constant reminder of how I had been treated in the past but never again.

Placing my shuriken knives, ninja stars and two Glock 22 pistols in the hidden places of my costume and black combat boots, I set out.

The AH-64 Apache helicopter was a black beast and my favourite among the aircraft. Its sleek body and fitted missiles gave it a unique look. I grazed its metal body with my fingers and did a quick inspection.

"Standing tall, boy." I patted its side as if it were my pet.

Climbing inside the helicopter I strapped up.

Turning on the power I did quick pre-start checks and then fired up the engines. It roared to life.

Claude had sent me the coordinates, I fed them into my FMS (computer system which shows the location and distance on screen) and lifted the helicopter above the ground. Soon I was airborne heading towards the ship which was my prime target.

As I flew over the vast sea with blue waters I couldn't help but recall the day I had jumped into the Vaium Sea, the very day when my whole life had been toppled.

A bitter smile appeared on my face.

The system beeped letting me know we were near our target. It was a cargo ship and my mission was to hit and sink it. As I manoeuvred my helicopter near the ship I saw the huge logo embossed on the side of the black and red ship. The logo of Ruby's pack, The Shadow Howl came into view.

My bitter smile turned sinister, there couldn't have been any sweeter revenge than this. Knowing her now, I could guess the cargo must contain something illegal. That's why it was sanctioned to be destroyed.

Locking in the target I hit the button and launched two missiles. The helicopter slightly shook as two missiles whirred from it and hit the target in clean shots.

"Burn, Ruby's cargo," I yelled.

Boom!

The noise was music to my ear. I fist-bumped at the success and watched in satisfaction from a safe distance with my Apache still hovering in the air.

The ship's rudder and deck completely blew up as orangish yellow fire erupted followed by black smoke.

The panicked crew jumped out into the water with life jackets as they watched the ship go down slowly. Lifeboat they were able to secure a while some of them threw hateful looks in my direction. Too bad they couldn't do much about it.

Accomplishing my mission I turned the helicopter around and decided to head back to the Shadow Headquarters.

But my happiness was short-lived, the system of Apache began malfunctioning as if it had been tampered with. I slightly panicked for I could now hear a beeping sound coming from inside my helicopter.

Being trained in all kinds of military weapons and explosive devices I knew this was a very minuscule IED device. Turned on when a certain distance had been travelled by the aircraft and so small it was difficult to detect.

"Fuck!" I shouted in frustration. Someone was going to be dead when I was going to return to headquarters.

I knew I had to keep a cool head and figure out a way. The helicopter had stopped responding; it could blow out at any moment. I needed to jump.

Unbuckling myself, I ran to the back of the helicopter and grabbed the emergency parachute. Hastily putting it on I bid a silent farewell to my Apache and jumped after opening the latch.

My assumptions were correct, exactly after 10 seconds of my jumping, the helicopter blew up in a massive explosion.

The force from the explosion hit my parachute sending me propelling downways. My heart leapt into my chest as the air was sucked out of my lungs but luck seemed to be on my side.

I spotted another ship and soon I dropped on its deck, rolling over to cushion my fall and earth the energy. I was on all fours, trying to catch my breath with my hand on my heart. This was really unfortunate.

I still had to observe my surroundings and understand where I had landed when a tiny pair of neatly polished black Oxford shoes appeared in front of my eyes.

I trailed my gaze up to the tiny creature wearing perfectly ironed black dress pants and an immaculate white collared Ralph Lauren shirt. He stretched out his chubby little hand towards me and offered a warm smile.

He was the cutest kid I had ever seen with chubby cheeks like two ripe apples, perfectly back-styled raven-shaded hair and emerald-coloured eyes. And that adorable smile spread on his oval face. He couldn't be more than five or six years of age.

"Are you alright ma'am?" He respectfully asked in a sweet voice, still offering me his hand.

I took it and scrambled to my feet, his tiny fingers instantly curved around mine giving me his warmth.

"I am, young man, thank you. What is your name?" I asked, swiftly smiling at him. It was like a smile had appeared on my face of its own accord. Two guards with him stood behind me and were throwing me apprehensive looks but stayed put for now as if he had signalled them to not make a move.

I disentangled myself from the parachute.

"Oliver Ludwing," he replied confidently.

"That's a very nice name." I pulled his fluffy cheek and diverted my attention to the guards who were holding guns.

"Who is the owner of the ship? I need a ride to the nearest port. Can you direct me to him?" Before they could speak the little boy piped in.

"I am the owner of this ship, become my Luna and I will give this to you and anything else you want," he spoke in such a serious voice that I had to purse my lips to not burst out laughing at his boldness and the statement.

"Is that right?" I asked, tilting my head at him.

"Yes!" He said in an extremely serious voice.

I ruffled his hair and gave him a warm smile but he let go of my hand and hugged me, burying his face in my belly as his tiny arms went around my waist.

"Please!" He requested.

Before I could answer the boy the gun fires echoed and I could hear the men shouting behind me. Turning around I saw a lifeboat containing surviving members of the Shadow Howl Pack from the ship I had blown earlier.

"Oh! No," I shouted and shoved Oliver in the arms of his guards, "Take him to safety and I will handle these men. Is there anyone else on the ship?"

Panicked they shook their heads when Oliver spoke again in a frightened voice.

"No, I ran away alone with my two guards. There is no one with us except the Captain."

The bizarreness had my head rolling but I had no time to waste, I had to take care of the enemy and ensure this boy who seemed so familiar remained safe.

"Don't worry, Oliver. I will protect you with my life," I told him with a nod and reached for my weapons.