Chapter 05

This was Shamia's first kiss, so she couldn't help but feel scared. She pushed Andrick away, but he was much stronger than her. Remembering his kindness to shield her and giving her a new life, she didn't resist anymore.

When Andrick stopped, he held the woman in front of him by the cheeks and stared intently. "Ingrid... I knew you'd come back to me. I knew you wouldn't leave me."

Shamia froze. She realized the man had mistaken her for another woman. She felt a pang of sadness that her first kiss had gone just like that. She removed his hands from her face and bowed her head. "I'm sorry, I-I'm not Ingrid... I'm Shamia."

Andrick froze for a moment after he regained his senses. He pulled his face away to properly see the woman in front of him. Upon realizing it was Shamia, he looked slightly panicked. "Oh, it's you.... I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." He held his forehead and leaned against the edge of the table. "I was drunk, please don't be mad at me."

Earlier, Shamia had been unsure how to feel upon learning that Andrick had someone else in mind, but now that he'd mistaken her for that person, her negative emotions had doubled. She smiled bitterly, knowing she shouldn't have gotten her hopes up. In that moment, she decided not to read too much into his kindness and help. She sat down beside him. "It's okay. Can I ask something? Who's Ingrid?"

Andrick let out a deep sigh first. "Ingrid is... a childhood friend. Actually, of both Hector's and mine. She's an orphan, but we grew up together. She's special to me, and she was my first love, but..." Andrick's fists clenched, his face darkened.

Just moments ago, he received news from the people he tasked to find her, and upon hearing that she had been found, he felt elated. However, his hope was quickly crushed when he learned that she had ended up with another man - an alpha from a pack with a higher social status than the Ridgewood pack.

The Ridgewood pack where Andrick and Ingrid belonged to was considered one of the weakest among the Werewolf packs, so it's likely why Ingrid went with someone else, because–she wanted a higher status.

Following a tip from Ingrid that she had been taken by a group of rogues, Andrick, along with Hector and his men, launched a search for her in the mountains. However, the truth was that she was blinded by the luxuries offered to her by an Alpha who had a crush on her, so she ran off with him.

"Shamia..." Andrick called out, taking her hand. "When I first saw you, I couldn't explain why I felt drawn to you, even when I heard your voice. I felt like something was telling me that I needed to protect you."

'Because she's our mate. I already told you, didn't I?' said Kirr, Andrick's wolf spirit.

He couldn't agree with Kirr's claim as he didn't feel any mate bond with Shamia, that's why he was certain she wasn't his mate.

"Shamia, I hope you'll give me a chance to show you how I feel about you." Andrick's gaze dropped to her stomach. "I'll accept the baby you've conceived and I'm willing to be a father to it."

Shamia seemed incredulous as Andrick suddenly confessed, especially when he said he'd accept her baby even if he's not his real father. Tears suddenly streamed down her face.

Seeing her like this, Andrick suddenly worried. "A-are you okay? Did I say something–"

"Thank you..." Shamia interrupted. "I thought I'd be plagued by sufferings all my life until my last breath, just to fully pay for the sins I committed against my family. But I never thought the moon goddess would still be kind to me, and send you to lift me out of my misery. Andrick... thank you so much." And she hugged him.

"Even if I don't know the hardships you've gone through, from now on, I'll be your family." Andrick wrapped his arms tightly around Shamia and they stayed in that embrace for a long time.

............

"What?! No! I won't allow it!" A furious old man slammed his fist on the table, glaring at the two in front of him.

"Dad, I can't abandon Shamia, she is now my responsibility. I hope you'll bless our relationship." Andrick replied, holding Shamia tightly as she cowered in fear.

"Give you my blessing? A luna without a wolf spirit? Have you gone mad, Andrick?! Even the council elders will oppose such nonsense!"

"I know. But I want to be with Shamia, no matter what."

Despite his father's objections, Andrick still stood by Shamia. This prompted Gregor, to seek out some council members, hoping they could talk sense into his son, but it was to no avail. Gregor thought of a plan, and a dangerous scheme formed in his mind.

"Elder Alpha, the one you've ordered to be captured is already in the cage," a beta reported.

"Good! Instruct your team to take their positions. Be prepared for any eventuality and ensure Alpha doesn't suffer serious harm." After the beta left: 'Andrick, son, forgive me.... I just couldn't think of any other way.'

That night at the Mansion, a carnifex suddenly appeared, attacking the guards and maids without mercy. As the alpha, Andrick had to defend his territory, but he was no match for the beast and was badly hurt.

Shamia, who had been hidden by Andrick in a safe and secure place, watched in horror as everything unfolded. She wanted to help, but she knew she was powerless. For the first time, she felt useless, frustrated by her own weakness and being wolfless.

Just as the carnifex was about to finish off Andrick, the betas, who were secretly stationed to protect him, sprang into action in their wolf forms and took down the beast.

The news of the carnifex attack on the Alpha's mansion spread like wildfire the next morning. As Andrick recovered in the hospital, the pack was thrown into fear.

"Ms. Shamia, Elder Alpha is here to see you," a servant announced.

Shamia's anxiety spiked. She knew Gregor didn't like her, and without Andrick by her side, she was unsure how to face him.

"I want to talk to you," Gregor said, taking advantage of Andrick's absence. "I'll get straight to the point..." He pulled out a check from his jacket and laid it on the table. "This is a large sum, enough for you to live comfortably. All I want is for you to leave my son alone."

Shamia froze, her eyes fixed on the check. When Andrick decided to stand by her, she had also made up her mind to stay by his side, not just for her own sake, but for her unborn child's as well. She pursed her lips and pushed the cheque back to its owner. "I-I'm sorry, but... I won't leave Andrick."

Gregor's eyes chilled. "Do you know that my son almost died last night?... Haven't you figured out why I and the council are dead set against you? Being a wolfless means you'll only become a burden, you're of no use to Andrick. So, how can you help him in times of need or crisis, do you understand?"

Shamia bit her lip. She admitted it to herself, but what could she do? Due to the injuries she sustained when she was just four years old, it was impossible for her to become a full-fledged werewolf.

"If you really care about Andrick and have any sense of shame, you'd take this money and disappear for good." With that, Gregor left the check and left.

Shamia couldn't sleep that night, her mind racing with thoughts. Gregor was right; she'd only hold Andrick back if she stayed. That night, she made up her mind–she wouldn't let Andrick suffer because of her.