One

Melinda’s POV

"Is it another no?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Am I not pregnant again?"

Dr. Thomas stared at the report in his hands without answering.

My stomach sank.

Of course. It was the same look he wore every time he told me the news I already expected.

Three years of trying but always disappointment. I thought I had become accustomed to the disappointment I felt and I had accepted that I was barren and too weak to carry an Alpha child but every time I sat across from him for assessment I still hoped.

I forced a smile and pushed myself to my feet.

"I should've known better. I only came because I've been feeling nauseous lately. I guess I got my hopes up again."

"Melinda."

I froze.

His voice sounded different.

"It isn't the same as before."

My heart stopped.

He looked up from the report and smiled.

"You're pregnant."

I stared at him.

I heard him but my mind could not understand what was going on.

“Pregnant?” I repeated weakly.

He chuckled softly.

“Yes.” He nodded. “You are with child.”

The word echoed loudly inside my head.

“No…” The room around me seemed to spin,

"I am pregnant?" I whispered. The word felt strange on my tongue,

"Are you... are you absolutely sure?" I asked shaking.

"I checked the blood work twice," Dr. Thomas chuckled gently, nodding his head. "There is no mistake, you are going to be a mother."

A tear spilled before I realised I was crying then another.

Before I could stop myself, a sob tore out of my throat. I covered my mouth with both hands, my shoulders shaking violently.

“Easy now,” he said gently. “Easy.”

But I could not stop.

For years everyone in Blackwood Pack whispered about me. They had looked at me with pity and disgust.

The barren Luna who could not give Alpha Carl an heir.

I had endured every insult from elders, mocking stares, every hushed conversation that fell silent when I walked past even the women who laughed openly during gatherings, thinking I could not hear them.

Because what else could I do?

But now—

“I’m really pregnant…” I whispered through tears.

Thomas smiled kindly.

“Yes, Melinda.”

I looked down slowly at my stomach, it was still flat but there was a baby there and it belonged to me and Carl.

My baby.

My chest hurt from how hard my heart was beating.

Thomas walked around the desk and handed me a cloth.

“You should rest more,” he advised. “The pregnancy is still early.”

I nodded quickly, tears still falling freely.

“Yes… yes, of course…”

“I will print the official report,” he said. “Wait here for a moment.”

The moment the door clicked shut, I sat down and dropped my hands from my face and slowly, carefully, lowered them to my stomach.

There is a life inside me now, I closed my eyes, letting the joy wash over me.

All this time I was just a useless luna who couldn't give them an heir and everyone treated me like a temporary guest including Carl.

But this changed everything. Maybe this would fix us and bring him back to me.

I pictured it Carl holding a tiny baby in his large, strong arms his expression soft instead of distant

Suddenly I heard footsteps outside the office. It was faint, but my ears picked it up.

I snapped my eyes open and looked toward the wood panels.

My heart skipped a beat,

"Dr. Thomas?" I called, staring at the door.

Nobody entered.

After several seconds, the footsteps slowly disappeared down the hallway.

I frowned slightly.

I must be too nervous after hearing the news. My mind was starting to play tricks on me. I wiped my tears from my cheeks when the door opened, and Dr. Thomas walked back in, holding a crisp white sheet of paper.

He handed it to me with a warm smile. "Here you go, Melinda, your text result."

My fingers trembled as I took the paper.

"Thank you, Thank you so much."

I had to tell Carl immediately; I took out my phone and called but it went to voicemail.

Ashley… I had to let her know too, she’d be over the moon to hear I was pregnant. She was the only friend I had left in Blackwood. I called but it wasn’t connecting either.

The moment I stepped out into the pack house I walked furiously to Carl's office;

Pack members were going about their day but the feeling returned.

Out of pure habit, my body tensed. My hand flew up to adjust the high neckline of my dress, trying to make myself look smaller, trying to hide from their cold stares.

I kept my eyes glued to the dirt path, avoiding their gazes like I always did.

Soon I won't have to hide anymore; If only they knew what I am holding.

I hurried past the common houses my whole mind set on Carl.

I needed to see the look on my husband’s face when I told him the news. I could already imagine his dark eyes softening, his strong arms wrapping around my waist, lifting me off the ground.

With every step I climbed, my excitement grew until I was practically running down the hallway toward his office.

I reached the door of his office raising my hand, ready to knock, my smile wider than it had been in years when a loud voice from inside stopped me.

“…wonderful news for Blackwood Pack.!"

It was an Elder’s voice. I paused, my hand hovering an inch away from the door.

Carl was in a meeting? I didn't want to interrupt pack business, but the excitement in the voice made me curious.

“At last, the pack finally has hope for a true heir.”

My hand slowly dropped from the door handle.

Then, another voice spoke. It was soft, sweet, and entirely familiar.

"Thank you, Elder Richard. I am just happy that I can finally give this pack what it truly needs."

Ashley.

My blood ran cold.

Ashley was my best friend and the daughter of Elder Richard; Why was she in Carl’s office with the council of elders?

"A true heir," another elder, boomed happily.

"The true heir Blackwood has been waiting for!

The hallway around me seemed to grow ice-cold. I stood there, completely frozen, my ears ringing as the words sank into my mind.

“The child and Ashley will be protected fully, of course. She is the future Luna and must remain safe.”

Future Luna.

My breathing became shallow.

I could barely stand.

Ashley spoke softly again.

“You are all too kind.”

“We must begin preparations immediately," An Elder was saying,

Since you are carrying the future of this pack you will be treated with the highest honor.”

My legs felt like lead and it all clicked.

Ashley was pregnant

I couldn't move, my mind was screaming at me to turn around and run but my body refused to obey. I stood there, glued to the floor,

And what about Melinda?"

"Yes," I heard a cold and annoyed voice.

"What should be done about the barren Luna? She has embarrassed Blackwood long enough,” another elder muttered coldly.

“The Alpha deserves a proper Luna beside him and now that Ashley is pregnant with Carl's baby, she has no purpose here."

My fingers slowly squeezed the report I held as my hand began to shake violently.

Someone else spoke.

“It’s true she is useless but what should be done about her?

The barren Luna cannot remain once Ashley’s child is born.”

My vision blurred instantly.

I pressed my free hand against the wall to steady myself.

My chest hurt I could barely breathe.

Finally I heard Carl clear his throat,

My entire body froze.

The office became completely silent as everyone waited for the Alpha..

My heart pounded painfully against my ribs. Surely he would stop them right.

“We will discuss Melinda later.”

The pain that spread through my chest nearly dropped me to my knees.

He didn’t stop them, he didn’t even acknowledge me as his wife.

He just called me Melinda.

Ashley spoke again

“And what if she discovers the truth before then after all, she doesn't know that you came to my bed every time you left hers.”