The beginning

Chapter 1

"The baby is a girl, Alpha," the midwife announced.

The air crackled with tension as the piercing cry of a newborn filled the room. There was no way to tell the time amidst the ice and glaciers of Antarctica. The midwives hesitated, unsure of who should take the baby. They stood side by side, their hands trembling. Their lips quivered and they exchanged glances.

The Alpha King, his eyes cold and distant, did not bother to look at the midwives or soften his gaze at the sight of his newborn child. Instead, his focus remained on his weak wife, lying on a bed soaked in blood with her legs still spread apart.

His Luna.

Even without raising her head, she could feel his intense gaze and already knew what he had in mind. Tears blurred her vision as she wondered what the future held for her child. Her thoughts were scattered and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't put them all together. Would her child eve see the light of day?

"Bring her to me," he commanded, his voice a low purr. The midwives handed the baby to their youngest colleague, who extended her arms hesitantly. To their surprise, the Alpha King took the baby from her, his expression calm despite the storm brewing inside him. Someone was supposed to suffer for this, he had to pour out his anger and frustration on someone, but who remained unanswered as he stared down at the tiny life in his arms.

"Leave the room. All of you," he ordered. The midwives quickly complied, grateful to have their heads intact for another day. The young maiden hesitated, watching the Luna weep in pain, too weak to even lift her head. Her heart went out to her knowing that she or the child might not live to see the next day.

Unable to contain his anger, the Alpha King noticed the maiden's presence and swiftly kicked her out of the room, the baby still cradled in his arms. She wailed in pain as she picked herself up, blood staining her lip. The Alpha King closed the door behind her.

His Luna shuddered helplessly as he approached her on the woolen bed. The pain of childbirth wracked her body, worsened by the icy morning wind. She was too weak to reach for her furs and keep herself warm.

Taking a seat beside her, the Alpha King gently placed the baby down.

"What is this, Victoria? Can you explain to me what this nonsense is?" he asked softly, his hands scraping the bedstand. His anger lingered in the air, ready to be unleashed. Myra silently counted the seconds, knowing that her life hung by a thread. One snap was all it would take and she would be saying good bye to her life and child too.

"I wanted a son, and you gave me a girl?!" his voice rose, causing Victoria to shudder. She quickly reaches for the child, pulling her closer. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched the baby tightly, fighting the pain coursing through her body.

"Of What use are you to me?" he roared, his grip on the bedstand causing it to shatter. Victoria fell to the jagged floor, her baby crying even louder.

"You are here for one purpose only and that is to Bear me a son!" he struck the stone wall, causing it to crumble like glass. "Did I ever touch you after that one night?!"

Fear paralyzed Victoria. She crawled backward, not minding the sharp rocks cutting into her palms. Holding her baby close to her chest, she fought back the urge to cry. She had to be strong if she was to survive this.

"I never touched you again. I provided for you, gave you your space, and everything you desired. So why a girl?! What use is she to me? What do I bloody need a girl for?!"

Another strike to the wall created a gaping hole, allowing the frigid morning breeze to blow in ice flakes. The Alpha King's eyes grew even darker, surrounded by swirling mist. Just like his younger brother, Draco, had described.

"This is what happens when he's angry. He becomes something...else. And when he does, someone dies."

Victoria swallowed hard. It was her turn to die. 'please save me, moon goddess', she prayed silently.

"I don't know what you're going to do with that child, but I want no part in it," the Alpha King sneered, his back turned towards her. "I want a son, and if you cannot give me one, I will have your head for dinner."

With two more slams, Victoria realized she was alone in the room.

The Alpha King had left.

Overwhelmed with grief, Victoria broke into tears, devastated by the fate she had feared. She had given birth to a girl, and even though she had once believed otherwise, a part of her blamed herself. If only she had borne a boy, she wouldn't have to endure this torment. The Alpha King would have been pleased.

It had been more than nine months since the night she discovered she was destined to be the Alpha King's true mate. In that moment, as they mated in silence, a glimmer of hope had sparked in Myra's heart. She hoped that if the Alpha King recognized her as his true Luna, he would change for the better. For her.

She had endured his cruelty for months, clinging to that glimmer of hope, praying it wouldn't fade away and leave her heart broken. But the Alpha King was who he was, and not even Draco could change that.

As tears continued to stream down her face, Victoria leaned against the wall. Weak. Helpless. She looked down at her child as consciousness slipped away, the fragile hope fading from her heart. Everything became clear. She was no longer blinded by false hope. She knew what she had to do, and she would fight to ensure her child's safety.