01. His Fated Mate Is Back

MELANIA….

“I have some good news, Luna. Congratulations, you are pregnant.” Layla, announced grinning from ear to ear. And I felt like I was struck by lightning as the doctor stretched her hand forward with the pregnancy report.

I stared down at the test report in my hands where it indicated my pregnancy and truly, I was three weeks pregnant. A wave of strong emotions clashed over me as I looked at the glaring evidence.

My hands were shaking uncontrollably. It was just one time sex and I became pregnant? Cyrus doesn't want to have a child with me, he had made it clear to me when we signed our contract marriage.

It's been three years of our marriage. And I almost forgot that we were in a contract marriage because of the way Cyrus treated me. I never expected the cold ruthless Alpha Cyrus to treat me with so much tenderness. He cared about me so much.

When I fell ill he would stay by my side all night. He was never picky about food, and liked the food I made for him. He will take me out to have dinner. He would bring gifts for me when he came back from business trips. He would buy a cake for me on my birthday and celebrate with me. He never made me think like we were in a contract marriage. He always cared about me.

But now when I'm pregnant with his child, it reminded me of my place. I was just the substitute Luna. He never slept with me during these three years of our marriage life. Until that one fateful night when he was drunk and his emotions were too high. The next day he didn’t forget to mention that ‘It was a mistake’.

I understood his point of view. Because I knew from the beginning that his heart belonged to someone else. His fated mate. Who abandoned him and left because he met with an accident and it took away his ability to walk. The werewolf council declared that if he doesn't choose his Luna then he has to step down as the Alpha. That's how he married me.

I didn't know how I was going to explain this to Cyrus when he himself gave me medicine the next morning he slept with me to avoid getting pregnant. It was a miracle that the medicine didn't work.

“Are you alright, Luna Melania? You don't look happy.” Layla’s voice brought me back to reality and I looked up at her.

I forced a smile at her. “No, I'm happy. It's just that I’m… too shocked. It was really unexpected.”

Indeed, quite a shocking one.

“I understand." Layla offered a consoling smile and did not ask further questions about my reactions which I appreciated.

Layla smiled gleefully. “Alpha Cyrus would be so happy. Go give him the good news.”

I nodded my head.

“I’ll take my leave now.” Saying that I rose from the chair and left her cabin.

As I walked out of the cabin I felt my heart heavy with each step. How am I going to tell him that I'm pregnant? Will he ask me to get rid of it?

I exited the hospital and approached the waiting car, the driver already opening the door for me. I slid into the backseat of the car and the driver drove off to the house. The whole ride back home I kept thinking how to talk to Cyrus. He will be back tonight from his business trip. He has been out for a business trip nearly half a month.

I didn't realise when I reached home. The driver held the door open for me and I got out of the car. I headed inside the house, going straight to my room to calm my mind. But a voice stopped me when I was near the staircase.

“Where have you been all this while, Melania?”

I composed my expression before turning around. I forced a smile at my mother-in-law. She narrowed her eyes on me, eyeing me with a judgmental gaze.

“I went to the hospital for a health checkup, Mother.” I said softly.

And she snorted venomously. “What's the point of going for a check-up? It's been three years and you failed to give me a grandchild. Don't tell me that you are infertile.”

“Mother, you have already checked my report, it says, I'm healthy.” I kept my tone in check while talking to her so as not to sound rude.

“Then you want to say that there is something wrong with my son?” She snapped at me, pointing her finger at me accusingly.

“I didn't mean that, mother. Maybe, it's not the right time.” I tried to calm her down.

She scoffed at me. “It's not about time. It's just that you are a jinx. I don't understand why Cyrus married you in the first place. If Cyrus didn't meet with the accident three years ago then he didn't have to marry you. He would be happily married to Athena. His fated mate and the girl he loves.”

I pressed my lips together. “And don't forget that's why she abandoned him and left. What a shame.” I reminded her what her dearest Athena had done to her son if she had forgotten.

Her jaw clenched hard and she gritted her teeth, pointing her finger at me. “You…”

“If you are done, please allow me to leave, Mother. I'm tired.” Saying that I turned and ascended the stairs to my room.

I didn't go down to have lunch, so my personal maid Mindy brought my meal to my room. The whole day I stayed in my room. I was lying on my bed when someone knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

“Luna, it's me, Mindy.” A voice replied from the other side of the door.

I got up from the bed and went to open it. “What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to disturb me tonight.”l I snapped at her irritatedly.

“Luna, Alpha is back. And he requested your presence in his study.” My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Cyrus returning. But why did he suddenly request my presence in his study just after coming back from the trip? What's the urgency?

“Luna, I want to tell you something.” Mindy’s voice was hesitant.

“What's wrong, why do you look like this?” I asked, suddenly noticing her pale face.

She bit her bottom lip looking down then looked up to speak. She said quickly in one go. “Lady Athena, also returned with him.” My heart stopped beating for a while and my eyes went wide in shock.

Athena Brown is back!

Now I understand why he wants to see me so urgently. Now that his first love has returned he wants me gone. That was the deal between us when we signed the contract papers. Now it's time to fulfil my promise.

“You can go now.” I dismissed her and closed the door.

I collapsed on the floor as my legs gave up. Tears rolled down from my eyes. What would happen to my child then? Should I tell him about the baby? No, if I tell him then either he will tell me to get rid of it or after giving birth to leave the baby with him. It's better I leave with the baby. After Athena’s return there's no place for me in this house.

I thought Athena would never return. Because I have found out through my connection that she got married there with some rich man. Then why is she back now?

I placed my hand over my belly. “Sweetheart, Mommy will protect you. I’ve to be strong for you.” I wiped my tears and rose to my feet. I composed myself and walked out of the room heading to his study room. While on my way I heard my mother-in-law’s voice coming from downstairs.

“You have no idea how happy I'm that you are back. I won't let you go anywhere now. You will stay by Cyrus's side forever. He forgot to smile after you left. Now that you're back, he can be happy again. I wish you both a happy life together.”

My heart clenched painfully at the words. She was right, I've never seen a smile on Cyrus's lips in these three years. He was always angry because of his legs. It's been six months since his legs got better and he can walk now.

I didn't wait there and headed straight to Cyrus's study room. I knocked on the door before entering. He was sitting behind his desk leaning against his chair. His eyes were closed. And I could see how exhausted he looked from his face.

“Cyrus, you asked for me.” I spoke and Cyrus opened his eyes. He straightened on his chair while resting his arms on the table.

“Please have a seat, Melania.” He motioned me to have a seat across from him.

“No, I'm fine.” I softly shook my head.

And forced a smile at him hiding my pain. “Congratulations, Cyrus. Lady Athena is back. Your fated mate, the one you always loved.”

He nodded his head. “Yeah. She's back. So we need to talk.”

“What's there to talk about? It was decided long ago. I was just the substitute Luna until your fated mate returns. You always believed that one day she'll come back. See, you were right. She has returned to you. Let's put an end to this contract marriage. Now you have your true Luna. I’ve fulfilled my role.

It took everything in me not to break down in front of him. I was holding back my tears.

Cyrus pushed some papers in front of me. And place a pen on it. “Sign it.”