Chapter 6 VI – The Strange woman

Luna Cassandra stirred awake and instinctively reached out, only to find the bed empty beside her.

Her eyes opened fully, and she glanced around the room, confused.

The sound of running water from the bathroom caught her attention.

Sitting up on the bed, she adjusted the sheets around her, her gaze fixed on the bathroom door.

Moments later, it opened, and Alpha Andrew stepped out, dressed in a casual polo and pants.

He ran a hand through his hair, offering her a small smile.

"You're awake. I didn't mean to disturb you."

"Where are you going?" Cassandra asked, her voice still heavy with sleep.

Andrew grabbed his jacket from the chair, slipping it on as he spoke.

"I need to check Milton Forest with Beta Lucas. Some of the pack guards reported seeing rogue werewolves and vampires near the area.

We can't let them settle there and make it their hideout."

Cassandra's brows furrowed in worry.

"Is it dangerous? Do you really have to go yourself?"

Andrew walked over to her and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"It's my responsibility as Alpha. Don't worry, Lucas and I can handle it. You should stay here and rest."

Cassandra hesitated before softly asking, "Andrew... will you still love me if I can't give you a child?"

Andrew sighed deeply, his shoulders tensing.

He avoided her gaze as he picked up his keys from the bedside table.

"I need to go now, Cassandra. We'll talk later."

Without another word, he turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

Cassandra sat frozen for a moment, her grip tightening on the bedsheet.

Her jaw clenched in frustration as her thoughts swirled.

Shaking her head, she got up and headed to the bathroom.

She turned on the shower, letting the warm water cascade over her.

The steam filled the room, but it did little to calm her racing mind.

She was startled by the sound of the door opening behind her.

Whipping her head around, she froze in shock as Arnold stepped inside, a sly grin on his face.

"I knew Andrew left," he said smugly, leaning casually against the doorframe.

Cassandra's expression hardened, anger flashing in her eyes.

"How dare you? And what about Regine? Shouldn't you be with her?"

Arnold chuckled, stepping closer.

"She's on her way to the pack hospital, waiting for her labor. I told her I needed to handle some pack matters."

His grin widened.

"I lied."

Cassandra glared at him, her voice dripping with contempt.

"You shouldn't be here. Get out."

Ignoring her, Arnold reached for her, his tone turning soft but with a dangerous edge.

"Cassandra, don't push me away. I know what you're feeling. Andrew has been distant, hasn't he?

You think I haven't noticed how he's starting to lose affection for you because you can't get pregnant?"

Her resolve faltered, her anger giving way to despair.

Her voice was quieter now.

"You're wrong."

Arnold smirked, his hand brushing her cheek.

"We both know you can get pregnant.

It's just... the past, the abortions, that caused complications. But trust me, you will have a child.

You just need to stop overthinking."

Cassandra's eyes filled with unshed tears as she admitted, "I need to get pregnant this month.

If I don't, everything will fall apart."

Arnold's grin turned predatory as he pulled her into an embrace.

"Then let me help you."

Her lips trembled as she nodded slowly.

Arnold's grip tightened as he whispered, "Trust me, Cassandra. This will stay between us."

He leaned in, his lips capturing hers.

Cassandra, desperate and broken, gave in.

*****

Meanwhile, Beta Lucas tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he glanced at Alpha Andrew, who sat quietly staring out the window.

The Alpha's furrowed brow and distant expression revealed his troubled thoughts.

"Alpha," Lucas began, his voice steady yet laced with concern, "don't think too much. Luna Cassandra will get pregnant. Sometimes things just take time."

Andrew sighed heavily, rubbing his temple.

"I'm not sure, Lucas. Sometimes I wonder if this is the Moon Goddess's way of telling me something."

Lucas glanced at him briefly before returning his focus to the road.

"What do you mean?"

Andrew's voice was low, almost hesitant.

"Before Cassandra became Luna, the Moon Goddess gave me signs-warnings, even-that she wasn't the right choice. But I went against those signs because I loved her. Now, five years have passed, and still no heir. What if this is my punishment for ignoring the will of the Moon Goddess?"

Lucas was quiet for a moment before he spoke, his tone calm but firm.

"Alpha, I came from an omega family. No one ever thought I'd rise to become Beta, but I did. I proved myself through loyalty and strength. If I can do that, Cassandra has a chance too. Maybe this isn't about punishment. Maybe it's about patience."

Andrew didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the trees speeding past.

"I want to believe that, Lucas," he said finally.

"But it's been almost five years. Five years without an heir. I've tried to be patient, but the pack's future depends on me having a successor."

Before he could finish, Andrew abruptly stopped talking, his body tensing as his sharp eyes focused ahead.

"What's wrong?" Lucas asked, slowing the car.

Andrew didn't reply.

As soon as Lucas parked the vehicle at the edge of Milton Forest, Andrew stepped out, scanning the area intently.

His gaze fixed on the riverbank in the distance, his wolf senses on high alert.

Without a word, Andrew broke into a run, heading toward the water.

"Alpha!" Lucas called, hurrying after him.

By the time Lucas caught up, Andrew was already at the river's edge, staring intently at something floating in the water.

"What is that?" Lucas asked, squinting to see.

Andrew didn't answer.

Instead, he quickly stripped off his shirt, pants, and shoes, leaving only his boxer shorts, and dove into the cold river without hesitation.

Lucas watched in alarm as Andrew swam with powerful strokes toward the figure in the water.

The Beta's heart raced as he stood on the shore, ready to assist if needed.

"Be careful, Alpha!" Lucas shouted, his voice carried by the wind.