Aunt

Elara drank the healer’s tea the next morning. It tasted bitter, like burned leaves, but she forced it down. Her nose wrinkled, and her stomach twisted, but she didn’t throw up.

She had to be strong.

As she stepped outside, cold air hit her face. The sky was gray, and the wind smelled like snow. Winter was coming fast. That made everything harder. Less food. More work. And tighter rules.

The leader of the rogue pack, Clay, was in a bad mood.

He shouted at two wolves for dropping firewood. Then he growled at Lena for cooking too slow. Everyone walked on eggshells.

Elara kept her head down and did her chores quickly. She scrubbed the laundry with frozen fingers and didn’t complain once, even when her hands turned red and sore.

She knew she couldn’t draw attention.

But as the day passed, her body grew weak. Her legs shook, and her back hurt more. She hid behind the shed and rested a few minutes, then rushed back before anyone noticed.

Mira found her later, sitting near the well.

“You look worse today,” Mira said softly.

“I’m fine,” Elara said, forcing a small smile.

Mira frowned but didn’t argue. “The guards said something strange this morning. A visitor came to talk to Clay.”

“A visitor?” Elara asked, heart jumping.

“A messenger wolf. From the Alpha Council.”

Elara’s blood went cold. “What did he want?”

“No one knows,” Mira whispered. “But I heard Clay yelling about a missing female. Something about a scent that doesn’t belong to any known pack.”

Elara’s hands shook.

Was it about her?

Was the masked Alpha looking for her?

She ran to the back of the kitchen and tried to breathe. Her heart was beating so fast it hurt. She touched her belly.

Was he angry?

She didn’t know what's going to happen that scared her more.

Later that night, the pack gathered near the fire pit for food. Elara stayed in the shadows, not eating. Her stomach felt too tight. She watched leader Clay walk around with sharp eyes .

He stopped in front of Jasper.

“Any strange scents?” he asked.

“Not yet,” Jasper answered. “But the wind’s scent is not like before . If someone’s hiding something, we’ll find it soon.”

Elara held her breath.

She had used the healer’s tea. Was it enough?

Suddenly, Clay’s head turned, and his nose twitched. He walked toward where Elara stood.

Her heart dropped.

She backed away slowly, hiding behind a wood pile. He stopped before reaching her. Sniffed the air again.

Then turned and walked away.

She waited until he was gone, then ran back to her hut, locking the door tight.

She couldn’t stay much longer.

The tea was helping, but it wouldn’t last. Her scent was changing. Her body too. Soon, someone would know.

She lay on her mattress, tears sliding down her cheeks.

“I can’t stay here,for long ” she whispered.

But where would she go?

The forest was dangerous. Rogues, hunters, and worse things lived there. And she was pregnant. Alone.

Still, staying meant risk. If they found out, they might take her baby. Or give her to the Council. Or to the masked Alpha.

Elara closed her eyes, trying to think.

She needed a plan.

Maybe the healer could help her leave. Maybe Mira would cover for her one last time.

But she had to move soon,She had only days left before her secret was no longer a secret.

Elara lay on her thin mattress, staring at the ceiling made of wooden planks and dried leaves. The room was quiet, too quiet. Only the wind outside made a soft, howling sound.

She placed her hand gently over her belly.

"I'm sorry, little one," she whispered. "I don’t know what to do yet, but I promise I’ll protect you."

A few huts away, Selena was speaking with the healer.

“I want stronger medicine for Elara,” Selena said, her arms crossed. “She’s been sick for weeks. Weak. Always tired. I thought your herbs were supposed to help her.”

The old healer didn’t answer right away. She was mixing dried leaves and roots, her hands moving slow.

“I gave her more than herbs,” the healer finally said.

Selena raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

The healer looked up, her eyes sharp and knowing. “You’re her aunt, aren’t you? The one who brought her here three years ago after her parents were killed?”

Selena nodded.

“Then you deserve to know the truth.”

The healer leaned in close and whispered something.

Selena’s eyes widened. “Pregnant?” she said, her voice sharp with shock.

The healer nodded.

“No, that’s not possible. Elara ,she never had a mate, she's just a child!”

“She’s not,” the healer said firmly. “She’s a woman now. And she’s carrying life. I smelled it. I gave her tea to mask the scent, but it won’t hide her for long.”

Selena stepped back, her hands trembling. “Who? Who did this to her?”

The healer sighed. “She won’t say. But I have my guesses. There was talk after the Moon Festival. A powerful Alpha wearing a mask and alone. Someone said a wolf from the High Packs came down to blend with the crowd.”

Selena’s mind raced. “She did go to the festival. She was quiet for days after. Pale. Distant.”

“And now she’s with child.”

Selena sat down hard on a wooden stool, pressing her palm against her forehead. “Oh Moon Goddess,” she breathed. “If Clay finds out…”

“She will be punished. Or worse,” the healer said grimly. “You know what he does to unmated females with pups. He sees them as weak links.”

Selena’s heart twisted.

Elara had already lost her parents, her home, her name.

Now this?

“She came to me for help,” the healer said. “Not because she was ashamed, but because she was afraid. She wants to keep the child.”

Selena’s eyes softened.

“She was always so full of dreams,” she whispered. “Even after everything. And I let her live here, thinking it was safe…”

“You still have time,” the healer said. “But not much.”

Selena stood up. Her eyes burned, not with tears, but with decision.

“I’ll protect her. I won’t let Clay take her child. I don’t care who the father is.”

The healer nodded. “She’ll need a safe way out soon. If you can stall the guards, I can help prepare her journey. But you must act fast. The Alpha Council is watching our pack now.”

Selena clenched her jaw. “Then we’ll make them look the other way.”

That night, Elara was still awake when her hut door creaked open.

She sat up, heart pounding. “Who’s there?”

“It’s me,” Selena said quietly, stepping inside and closing the door.

Elara stared at her aunt’s face. Something in her chest sank.

“You know.”

Selena walked over and sat beside her. She touched Elara’s hair, brushing it behind her ear like she used to when Elara was little.

“I know everything.”

Tears filled Elara’s eyes. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I didn’t even know his name. He was just… he was kind. For one night. I was so lonely. And I…I didn’t think it would…”

Selena pulled her into a hug. “Shh. You don’t have to explain. You’re not alone now. I’m here.”

Elara sobbed into her aunt’s shoulder, holding on tight. Her fear, her shame, her worry,all of it spilled out like rain, she cried for till her heart calmed down 

After a long while, Selena pulled back.

“We have to make a plan,” she said gently. “Clay’s sniffing around. And someone from the Council came today.”

“I can’t let them take the baby,” Elara said, her voice steady.

“They won’t,” Selena promised. “But you’ll have to leave before the next full moon. The scent will be too strong by then.”

“Where will I go?”

“The healer knows a place,” Selena said. “A hidden den in the mountains. Far from the Alpha’s lands. But you’ll have to go alone.”

Elara nodded slowly. Her hands cradled her belly.

“I’ll go,” she whispered. “For the baby.”

Selena kissed her forehead. “You’re stronger than you think.”

Outside, the moon began to rise. Its silver light touched the roof of Elara’s hut, quiet and gentle.