Chapter 4: Ultimatum

It had barely been 2 days and the news of Valerie's pregnancy swept through the whole pack. There wasn't a living soul there who wasn't aware of the coming of the next heir.

And just like always, I had taken the hardest hit in the process.

Everyone seemed to have finally lost the little string of respect I had been holding on to as Luna. Even the maids in the Estate had slowly lost respect for me, especially after Valerie had fully moved into the Estate now.

Mathew and I had not spoken more than three words to each other in the past days. I couldn't find myself speaking to anyone. I barely even had appetite to eat these days.

Like every other day, I sat in the balcony ofcmy quarters, a book in hand, but my attention drawn far away from it. Suddenly, I heard a loud hit, causing me to look back into the bedroom.

I couldn't believe who I was seeing.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, totally perplexed as Valerie stood there; surrounded by her bags.

“I just thought it would be proper for me to move into the father of my child's bedroom.” She said, her hand against her bump that seemed to be getting bigger each passing day.

Hearing her speak, a bitter chuckle escaped my lips. “Are…are you being serious right now? This is my husband's room.”

Valerie suddenly burst out in a laugh, like I had just dropped an amusing joke. “Listen to me, sweetheart; anyone can have a husband.” She pointed out. “but not everyone can make that husband a father. Which in your case, the latter.”

The room immediately turned dead silent. I could understand that she must still be angry about everything that happened between them, but was she really going to push it as far as trying to destroy me?

“Valerie, this is…”

A knock against the door interrupted me Midway. We turned our attention to find a maid standing at the already opened door.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she bowed as she walked in. “The alpha request both your presence.”

The room turned quiet. Majorly because her words had taken me by surprise.

“Mathew is back?” I asked. He had left the estate quite early today. Even before I had woken up.

“Yes, Luna.” The maid replied, the title Luna sounding rather forced from her. “Himself and few of the pack elders are downstairs.”

“The elders are around?” Valerie asked, then immediately left her bags and rushed out of the room.

Something stirred within me, bringing about an unsettling feeling. Deep down, I knew something bad was about to happen.

~~

I had not even gotten downstairs completely; when I could already hear the round of praises from the elders; at Valerie.

I didn't expect anything less. She has always been the best and most favorable in everyone's eyes. Not just because she was once a beta's daughter and still lived under that monarch with her cousin being the next beta, but just because of who she was.

Her charm which had also pulled me closer while we were younger.

Taking a heavy breath, I finally descended the stairs. I could feel the room grow cold and quiet, as everyone's eyes pricked at me. As I made my way towards everyone, I avoided taking in anyone's glance, most especially Mathew's.

“My elders. Alpha.” I bowed; to acknowledge all the higher presence present in the room.

“Luna.” They bowed in return. Well, few of them did.

“Please, sit.” One of the elders said calmly.

There was an empty space besides Mathew; who sat at the head seat. I nodded subtly, making my way towards him until one of the elders suddenly protested.

“That's unacceptable!” One of the older men roared. “If anything, Valerie should be the one to sit beside the Alpha.”

“Exactly.” Some other of the men backed up in agreement.

I turned around, not believing what was happening.

“My dear, please; go and have a sit.” Another of the elder said.

Valerie's face brightened as she made her way, pushing me aside as she walked past me.

“Hey!” Mathew suddenly stopped her, causing the whole room to go quiet. “And who told you you can sit?”

“But…” he cut Valerie off

“Let me make this clear to you all,” his turned his focus back to the elders. “Lauren is my wife. She is my mate, and she is and always will be your Luna. If anyone is to sit besides me, it's going to be her.”

He didn't stumble in his words as he caused the whole elders to immediately zip up. I on the other hand was left speechless. Not because of what he said, but the air felt tense.

“Luna who can't give you an heir.” Valerie suddenly said, her tone bitter.

“Watch your mouth, Valerie.” Mathew glared angrily at her. “You're really beginning to overstep.”

“But she's right.” The elder who had protested earlier suddenly said. “It has been a year now, and there's still no news of your wife having a child. Not only do we have to bear the curse of having a wolf less female stand beside you as monarch, but she's still enable to produce an heir. How much more curse do you intend to bring upon this pack because of your own selfish interest?”

“Exactly!” The remaining elders roared in agreement.

This whole thing was my fault. The childlessness. The constant pressure Mathew was being placed under. I hated that I was the one putting him in such uncomfortable positions.

Valerie had eventually ended up sitting down besides Mathew, leaving only me to stand like I was the outsider. As much as I didn't like the sight of it, I knew standing wasn't probably an easy task for her at the moment, considering her condition.

“Which is why we have called for this meeting.” One of the elders said.

Mathew didn't speak. If anything, he seemed too tired and drained to even give a reaction at the moment. The whole situation had indeed taken a toll on him, even though he was the author of his own calamity.

“Lauren,” I turned my eyes to the elders before me, who all had bitter scowls on their faces. “This very matter is pertaining you the most.”

I stared at them, awaiting their next words with dread.

“Since the Alpha is reluctant to let you go, we have come up with a decision.”

The room turned quiet. Cold washed up my arms as I could feel the uneasiness in my stomach worsen.

“One month.” One of them said. “That's how long you have to produce a child.”

Shock registered on both mine and Mathew's face as neither of us understood exactly what they were driving at.

“And what happens if she doesn't get pregnant by then?” Mathew asked, his eyes shut tightly as if he knew what was coming next.

The elder let out a deep breath. “If not, she would be stripped off her title as Luna.”