Chapter 7

I noticed Xander’s hand in mine, and how he had intervened both our fingers. Maybe for his pack or for me. But I was grateful for this little effort. With grace and composure that had been instilled in me from childhood, I acknowledged the crowd with a regal nod and a serene smile. I had been groomed for this role since I was a child, taught the customs and responsibilities of a Luna by my mother, Ariana, the previous Luna of the Silver Moon Pack. I missed her the most at this moment but her memories always filled me with power. When we both reached the hall, Xander looked at his people with a proud expression. I also noticed that all my previous worries were in vain as everyone was so happy to see me. They were not hating me because I belonged to a certain group. While I was contemplating my next move, an elderly woman came forward. She must be around in her late fifties or early sixties. When she embraced me, I was startled. I could feel my body stiffen, and I hoped she wouldn't misunderstand my intentions. "I'm so glad Xander now has a mate. I was worried about the future of this wolf pack, but now that you're here, everything will be alright." She grinned at me, her tone filled with gratitude. Great, I thought I would be as unwelcome as the Silver Moon wolf pack, but I could feel this woman's genuine love. I returned her embrace, but her next words turned my hopes for the future into fear. "I'm so happy the Silver Moon wolf pack now has an heir." She stepped back, continuing to smile. But I immediately withdrew from her side! No, our plan didn't involve children, we were just contracted for two years, and then I would leave this place. No, this wasn't the plan. I immediately looked towards Xander, hoping he would catch my gaze. But he didn't. "I can't wait, please don't keep this old lady waiting. I want to see Xander's child running around in the pack," she couldn't sense my panic as she looked at Xander. Xander chuckled and moved toward me. “For that to happen, you all first have to leave her. I can’t have her if you all keep hogging her.” he teased and snaked his arm around my waist. “I want her for me,” he said and I could feel that there was an underlying threat in his words. I visibly gulped because now I was afraid. I was in enemy territory and this was not in our agreement. The pack members laughed at us, making me blush. “Stop teasing the girl and go have some rest.” the lady laughed at us, before moving out of our way. With his hand still on my waist he led me toward his house. “You can free me now,” I whispered to him, but I yelped as he pinched my waist. Then I heard laughter behind me. The pack members were still listening to us. We reached his house which was much bigger than mine. My house felt as if my father was an Alpha, who held every penny from the pack and used that for himself, but Xander’s house shouted comfort. Yes, the house was grander but it had the quality of love in it, which my father’s house lacked. It was a Victorian style house and unknowingly I blurted out, “Wow,” “Thanks,” he said before entering the house, still holding my waist. As soon we entered the house he left me as if I burned him. Something changed between us, I was angry, unsure of the reason. Maybe the way he removed his hand like I was disgusting or the way he indirectly told everyone that we were going to have sex with each other. But I kept my cool and followed Xander when he entered his room. And once we entered the privacy of our room, I let my anger roar. “What was that?” I asked him while keeping my anger at bay. “What?” he asked nonchalantly. “A child. Your pack wants me to bear your child. They want me to give them an heir. How are we supposed to deal with this?” I scream at him, seeing his behavior. How he gave no fucks about their wishes. “Not mine, but ours. Keep this in your shallow mind. Never let yourself forget this. For two years this pack is yours and so is your loyalty.” he said to me while opening his shirt. I gulped, his solid muscles were already visible inside his shirt and now the way he was undressing was making me lose my mind. But I shook my head, I wanted to concentrate on my anger. “Yes, two years. Only two years. After that, you will have your true mate and I will be out helping abandoned omegas. Don’t forget your deal. This thing is only supposed to last for two years after that we will be on our separate ways. I don’t want a child to be born in a loveless marriage. I don’t want my child to not know the love of his father. What if you found your true mate and abandoned me and my child? I can’t let this happen to my child.” I said. I knew all too well how difficult it was to live in a family where your father didn’t care about you. My child would not have the same fate as mine, my baby would have a loving father, who dotes not only on him but also on his mother. I would find a mate who would love me with everything he has. Something dark flickered across Xander’s eyes and in the next moment, he was standing in front of me. His body was on mine, caging me against the wall. I could feel his hard ridges as his chest touched mine. He was making me small, my heart thudded as he closed his fingers around my neck. There was no pressure, only the feel of his hand. “If you think I would ever abandon the mother of my child or my child. You are mistaken. I don’t know how you had this notion but trust me, If I have to drag you back from hell. I would, there is no escape from me.” He hissed at me. “Do you even understand the implication of your words? You cannot say anything, there has to be meaning behind them. So stop talking rubbish.” I pushed him. I knew that once he got his real mate he would drop me like yesterday’s trash. I was aware of men’s nature. They were lustful creatures and only cared about their primal needs. A low growl stopped me and the look in his eyes was pure possession. “As a good luna, you should listen to your Alpha. Everything I say should be the moon goddess's decree to you. Do you understand or do I have to make you?” he roared at me, and I narrowed my eyes at him. “Don’t be angry. How would you be good Luna, when you can’t even hide your emotions? You get angry so easily. Do you think you can handle my pack? I don’t think so. You lack the composer to do that. More than that, your habit of challenging me at every turn is something that will turn heads, and not in a good way.” he hissed at me. This made me lose my mind. How dare he tell me that I wouldn’t be a good Luna, what he really thought of himself. He might have been the Alpha of this pack but I was also equal to him. No! Perhaps he was like all the other alphas, thinking that a woman is only good when she obeys him as the moon goddess. But my mother's upbringing did not allow me to do that! "Breaking news. First of all, I am your partner, not someone you need more than I need you. I hope you understand that!" I said sternly. He froze, as if he didn't expect a she-wolf to dare speak to him like that. But I didn't want to be with him now, let alone talk about mating. "You know what kind of punishment an alpha like you deserves," I sneered at him. Before he could react, I pushed him out the door. “You..” he opened his mouth to speak but I was having none of it. I closed the door on his face and locked it from inside. “Now stay outside dear darling,” I chuckled.