Chapter 0001

Ember POV

Alpha Paris wasn't my fated mate. We chose each other to be mates because in spite of what we already knew, we believed we were both in love back five years ago and thought it would be enough. However, Paris finally found his fated mate, Kate, a year after our fourth wedding anniversary and here I am, still stuck in our fifth year of marriage as his Luna.

I had never truly considered doubting my choice about staying in our marriage. That is, Until today, when Queen Luna Lara, my mother-in-law made the wildest order that I had ever heard.

" Ember, we don’t have much time! What the hell are you thinking? Are you not aware that Kate’s life is in danger because of what you did? You need to donate your kidney to save her! Do you hear me?" She raged, and hearing her thunderous voice made me shudder.

We were inside the operating room already, but I still had double thoughts in my head about whether to proceed with this operation or not because there’s no reason that her kidney will get affected by a stab that was merely a scratch.

"Mom, is this nece--ssa--ry? I mean, we could actually find someone else, r-right?" I stammered trying to convince her to find anyone but not me.

She walked closer and clumped her hands on my face. Her sharp gaze on me, making my whole body freeze in fear.

" It's your fault that Kate's kidney got damaged! If you had not stabbed her, then perhaps you wouldn't be in this position!", Luna Lara was bent on insisting that it was my fault but they didn't know the whole story.

I didn't stab her. In spite of the fact that her appearance made Paris and I estranged, I was nice to my husband’s fated mate and would never go out of my way to hurt her. I know I was lacking when it came to bearing an Alpha's child but I still had a conscience that would not let me hurt Paris' destined mate. She was the one who hurt herself and was trying to frame me.

When we had begun fighting, I had seen a weird purple herb in her hands and soon realized that it’s a poisonous plant called wolfsbane which has been extinct for many years among shapeshifters like us. It could affect our kidneys. The problem was that they didnt want to believe me. They had no idea what Kate was hiding behind her innocent smile. I couldn’t blame them,even I just realized it today.

She let me go and firmly ordered me to do as she said or they would be sending me to prison right away.

" If you do not do it, we won’t have a choice but to drag you to jail, Ember! If you want this matter to end smoothly, to make amends for your crime, you will have to give one of your kidneys to her, do I make myself clear?" Luna Lara pressed, in order for me to obey her, but none of it was fair.

" No!--- I can't! I don't want to. Please, just this once hear me out, Mother!", I tried to convince her that it was not my fault that Kate was hurt. My whole body trembled thinking inside this operating room, they would get my kidney. I didn't dream of being treated like this for five years of being a faithful and obedient wife and Luna for my Alpha and his family.

" So, you're disobeying me now, huh Ember?", Mother Luna talked back with her eyes glaring at me.

" No! Mother, you know that I-- I can't do that. I've always followed your orders and for five years, I didn't complain about anything! But, this one is just unfair! Why would I give my kidney to her when I'm innocent!", I protested with my soft sniffs.

I shifted my eyes to Kate and I saw how she sneered secretly at me one moment, then the next moment, her expression changed easily into one of an innocent girl.

" Luna, I'm sorry for my behavior. This was all my fault. I made Ember furious yesterday. If I had not provoked her, maybe---", she stopped for a moment covering her face as she made those false sniffs.

" I'll take responsibility as much as I can. I am willing to sacrifice my life if I have to. I'm sorry, Ember. I really hope you can understand my condition." She added as she made a show of shedding her fake tears before us all.

Queen Luna Lara came closer and caressed her hair with much care.

I felt jealous seeing them like that because being her daughter-in-law for five years meant nothing to her. I haven't felt loved by her even today. I saw the kindness in her eyes when she sat beside Kate and comforted her.

" No, it's not your fault, dear. Take a rest and sooner the doctor will come to start the operation." She whispered to her ears and I overheard it. Of course, that's what shapeshifters possessed, their active hearing ability.

I suddenly felt weak in my legs at any moment, I would collapse in fear. I won't let them operate me. I saw hope inside the operating room when I felt a strong energy approaching and when the door opened widely, I was right, my husband Paris came with his head held high. As an Alpha, his presence was the most powerful one and even though I wasn't his fated mate, the bonds between us weren't ordinary. We were mated through love and not by fate. His masculine scent made my wolf jump in excitement though this was the first time that I had a closer look at him.

" My Alpha, I'm glad you came. Help me! Mother wanted me to donate my kidney to Kate. I said I don't want to. I didn't do anything", I said coming closer to convince him.

Our body was so close that I could sniff his mint scent, so addicting and captivating. He pressed his hands on my arms which made me at ease. He cupped my face so dearly and I could feel the warmth of his hands. I've been waiting for this moment to be close to him. I waited for him to defend me, but it's not what I expected.

" Ember?", she called my name in his command voice.

I gulped and answered my husband. I looked up and our eyes met, making me shiver my toes. Those looks were decisive.

" Ember, can you do me a favor? You will obey whatever I told you, right?", his voice was like a warning.

I keep listening, but any minute, I'm going to break. I tried to remain calm as he went on.

" You know how badly I wanted have an heir of my own right? Please my Luna, help Kate and our baby. Just accept the operation, okay? If you do as I say, you won't get punished. Do you hear me?", His actions was comforting when he walked closer and hold my hands so dearly but when he started his words, they were like a sharp knife striking my ears. I thought he would protect me, but he's more concerned about his fated mate's condition. I hastily let go of his grip.

" Why do I have to do this? I'm the victim here but why did no one want to hear me out? Do you think that it's my fault?", I shouted in desperation.

This was the first time that I raised my voice to my Alpha when Kate began to distract our conversation.

" Yes, Ember! This is your fault and you can't run away with it . Why? Because-----because I have Alpha's child in my womb, so without your kidney I might die!", hearing Kate's confession shocked me.

My whole body turned numb as I slowly shifted my eyes to Paris. I want to confirm it to him myself.

" Was it true? Tell me! Did--did Kate was pregnant that's why you're willing to sacri --- fice me because of her child?", I can hear my stuttering voice. This whole truth wants me to kill myself. I felt like my whole world shattered in one day. I kept tightening my jaws so as not to cry.

His expression didn't change. I couldn't see any remorse from it. He seems not to care about me anymore. He took a deep breath and coldly told me his thoughts about this matter.

" Yes, she is. Now that you know, I suppose now you know better than to disobey me, right Ember? I can't stand here and watch either Kate or our baby die !"He said, his eyes widening with each word he spoke to me.

Reality hit me right then and it was a fatal blow. I felt like I lost almost half of my life to realize that my husband had a child with someone else.

" No! I can't do that! You betrayed me! How can you do this to me, Paris? Why?" I cried, unable to take any of it anymore. My tears fall as raindrops from heaven.

I had still had tears trailing down my cheeks, my face to the ground when Christina moved toward me and slapped me.

" How dare you disobey my brother? He's our Alpha and he has the right to order you!", she yelled at me and I quickly cupped my swollen face while my eyes shifted to my husband.

I thought he would scold his sister for hurting me but he didn't do anything. I saw Kate set a smirk on me which made me feel so useless. I can feel the moisture in my eyes and any minute my tears will explode. I waited for him to show a little ounce of empathy for me, but it didn't happen.

When I was 17, Paris found me and courted me until he proposed to me to be his Luna after I reached 19. Because I loved him, I accepted his marriage proposal even though we were not each other's mates. We were happy and in love back then until in our third year of marriage, we decided to consult a doctor because I couldn't produce an heir until the doctor informed us about my infertility. A year later, Paris found his fated mate Kate. Even so, I trusted my husband because he chose me to be the Luna of his pack and he promised me that he still loves me even though I can't offer him an heir. Yes, I thought I made the right decision that I chose him to be my Alpha but when I learned that he cheated on me, I had been forced to change my beliefs.

***

I started to burst into laughter like a person who had lost half her mind , if not all of it. And as I looked at them, one after the other, I wondered how I pitifully lived my life for almost five years with them.