Chapter 3

"Annabelle, I know you only picked me because you didn't have a choice. Still, I promise to do the best within my abilities to provide you with a good life," Landon said seriously.

I turned to face him, but we were closer than I expected. I was pressed flush against his chest.

I looked up into his green eyes and slowly enunciated, "You're wrong, Landon. I willingly chose you to be my husband, so you should also think of me as your future partner."

A trace of complexity flickered in his eyes. Then, he said, "I understand."

…

My wedding day soon arrived.

The wedding that the Whitefang pack threw for Meredith was even grander than it had been in my past life. They even managed to invite the previous alliance chairman to act as an officiant. And so, all Otherkin attended the wedding.

Meanwhile, the zombie clan's wedding was on a much smaller scale. It was cozy and private. There weren't any VIP guests or Otherkin present, but I saw genuine joy on the faces of all the zombies. They all gave Landon and me their sincerest blessings.

I ran into Meredith after the ceremony. She held her head high, displaying the mark on her neck. She said, "I never would've expected Kevin to be so… voracious for me. If things continue like this, I think I'll soon produce the very first heir."

I smiled politely. "Good luck with that."

She was too naive. She didn't understand that humans and werewolves were two different species. It wouldn't be easy to conceive, and it would take longer than usual.

She had naively thought that since I'd gotten pregnant so quickly in my past life, she would naturally have everything I'd once had after stealing the man to whom I'd been married.

She'd even assured the Whitefang pack's elders that she would get pregnant within six months. Thanks to her bragging, almost everyone was aware of this. Even Kevin believed her claims and showered her with more love and affection than before.

Meredith seemed to already see the day she would become the wife of the alliance's chairman. She stuck her nose in the air and looked at me contemptuously as she said, "Forget it. I know you won't understand. You've married into squalor, after all. Maybe the next time we run into each other will be when you're begging on the streets."

To her surprise, I grabbed her arm and snarled, "Apologize, Meredith. Apologize to the zombies now!"

That angered her. She shook me off and snapped, "Have you lost your mind, Annabelle? Don't touch me, you scum!"

The guests in the hall stopped and crowded around to watch us argue. Soon, Dad was also attracted by the ruckus. After finding out what had happened, he forced Meredith to apologize to the zombies.

Even if the zombies were on the lowest rung of the Otherkin's social ladder, that didn't mean they would allow a mere human to insult them.

Before leaving, Meredith glared at me and hissed, "Just wait, Annabelle. I'll take away everything you once had! This time, I'll be the chairman's wife!"

…

That night was my and Landon's wedding night. I froze as I stared at his body.

His toned chest and defined abs made for a more delectable body than I'd imagined. However, what surprised me was that no one had ever said he would be so well-endowed in certain aspects… nine inches, to be exact.

That realization instantly made me heat up.

Landon misunderstood my reaction, and his face, which was slightly flushed in embarrassment, turned ashen. He picked up his clothes from beside the bed and started pulling them on.

"What are you doing?" I swiped the clothes from him and threw them away, looking at him in displeasure.

He lowered his head awkwardly, not daring to meet my eyes. His green eyes dulled. "I thought… you were unwilling…"

Instead of saying anything, I used my actions to prove myself to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed myself against his body, kissing him passionately. His familiar fragrance enveloped me.

I murmured, "Landon, you smell amazing…"

That made his ears turn bright red. The next thing I knew, he captured my lips in an even more searing kiss. In between kisses, he whispered, "A zombie's fated partner is the only one who can see what we truly look like and smell the fragrance unique to us. I'm a lucky man, Annabelle."

Our bodies remained pressed together as we shared a passionate night. It wasn't until dawn, when the first light of day slowly crept over the horizon, that Landon stopped as I begged for mercy in exhaustion.

He'd lasted way too long…

That was my final thought before passing out.

…

Three months later, I received news that Meredith was pregnant.

I was stunned. Over the past millennia, no one had ever conceived an Otherkin's child in such a short time.

The Whitefang pack even had a special ceremony to celebrate the imminent arrival of a new life. Everyone was invited to attend.

"This must be a blessing from the Moon Goddess! Having an heir in just three months is nothing short of a miracle!" Kevin held up his wine glass as he proudly announced the good news. It was almost as if there was no doubt that he would be the next alliance chairman.

Everyone started flattering and currying favor with him. They all thought that he would surely be the next chairman, and that this was their best opportunity to suck up to him.

Per Meredith's request, I was seated beside her. Her belly was already swollen, and she caressed it while gloating in my face.

"It's been three months, Annabelle. Why isn't there any news of you being pregnant? You can't do it, right? It's such a shame," she said, her tone tinged with mockery.

A human and Otherkin child grew rapidly, so five months was enough to carry it to term. I glanced at her belly, figuring she would have her child in another three months.

However, Meredith evidently wasn't aware that she would be in for a rough ride when giving birth to her pup if she didn't control her diet.

I'd followed a strict diet in my past life, but the pain of labor had still tormented me for a day and night. I'd almost died before giving birth to Tim.

I said calmly, "Historically, the fastest an Otherkin has ever impregnated a human is a year, yet you've only taken three months. What exactly did you do to get pregnant? That's a question that only you can answer."

Meredith's eyes widened in horror, and her voice became shrill. "What are you talking about, Annabelle?"

She was still as easily goaded as always.

"I wish you luck for when you're in labor, Meredith." I held up my champagne flute and left the celebration with my arm in Landon's.

…

Three months later, Meredith endured the pain of labor for three days and nights before finally giving birth.

However, the Whitefang pack didn't spread the good news about the birth even after a week had passed. They'd even turned Dad away when he'd gone to visit. There was no doubt that something had gone wrong with the baby.

Late one night, Dad summoned me home. Landon went with me.

Meredith wept in Dad's arms as she held a baby with red eyes. He smiled when he saw us, revealing his sharp fangs. He was clearly a vampire's child!

Meredith was still trying to make excuses for herself. "This is our child! It's just that… something's gone wrong!"

Kevin's expression was hideous, and he clenched his fists tightly, clearly enraged. "You're a whore, Meredith! Who did you sleep with behind my back? Tell me who the asshole is, or I'll kill this bastard right now!"