Chapter 1 One

Alisha's pov

The pack's annual banquet was meant to be the grand celebration of the year, yet it felt like a heavy weight was being pressed against my chest.

Crystal chandeliers spilled light across the polished floors. Music rolled through the hall in steady waves, laughter echoing from every corner.

Werewolves, majorly from alliance packs, filled the space with confidence and belonging- their fangs bared as they laughed, eyes a crimson glow when they saw something amusing.

I always felt awkward in rooms like this, even as the Luna. My husband, Alpha Zaden, commanding, admired by every female gaze in the room, stood amongst the other Alphas present.

With so much ease he carried the conversation, and by his side was our son, the spitting image of him, his eyes scanning the room for something.

"Do you want more snacks, Ben?" I smiled fondly at him, reaching to brush his hair back but he avoided my touch, almost as though he was visibly repulsed.

"Are you sick, what's wrong?" I worriedly asked, my chest hurting when he wouldn't even look at me, it's as though he didn't want to be seen with me.

Zaden momentarily paused the conversation to glance towards me and the Alphas' eyes are now on me, like I was a mere distraction.

"Leave him be, and instead make yourself a bit more useful, Alisha. Come and refill these drinks." Long gone was the smile in his eyes, instead he harbored a cold essence that made my heart squeeze.

I managed a polite smile at the other Alphas but they had resumed their conversation, setting their empty glasses down which I calmly picked.

"Natasha!" Hearing my son call that name made me freeze, and I immediately snapped my head towards the direction where he had run to with so much excitement, throwing himself into her arms.

I noticed a shift in Zaden's posture. There was a gleam in those cold eyes now as he watched the pair approach them- Ben looked so happy, a moment ago you would think otherwise.

Natasha. She was in silver. It was a designated color reserved for only the Luna, but of course that would be overlooked. She was the Alpha King's one and only treasured daughter- she could do whatever she wanted.

All eyes were on her with renewed interest. It was always like that. She could always make a head turn when she walked into a room.

The pale fabric clung to her curves. Her laughter was soft and melodic as she ruffled Ben's hair.

My fingers tightened around the tray as I watched her walk past me like I was air and hug Zaden.

She leaned in, her hand brushing his arm as she whispered something. Watching his gaze simply soften just looking at her made my throat clog with tears and restrained anger

"Dad," Ben shoved past me, tugging onto Zaden's sleeve "She said she'll teach me that combat move next time. Could we please go to the training fields tomorrow?"

Natasha smiled at him, warm and indulgent. I bit my lip hard. An Alpha set an empty glass on the tray, jerking me back to the reality that I was holding it.

"If your father allows it."

"He will," Ben replied immediately, not even glancing in my direction.

Zaden smiled and I forgot how to breathe for a second. That same smile would make my legs grow weak anytime, but knowing he only reserved that smile for anyone but me made me feel like my stomach was being ripped out.

"As long as you don't go easy on him."

They chuckle and are soon off in their own world. Natasha by his side, them both with Ben looking like an exemplary family while they laughed and discussed with the other Alphas who themselves couldn't stop oogling at her.

I stepped closer after a moment. "Dinner will be served soon, everyone," o smiled brightly. "Shall we head to the table?"

Zaden acknowledged me with a brief nod. Nothing more.

Natasha's eyes flicked to me, cool and assessing, that signature look between condescension and triumph in her eyes before she turned away again. "I'm sure we must all be starved. I know I am, let's head to the table."

"Me too." Ben stated.

"Very well, let's go." Zaden announced, And with that, they headed for the dinning hall. Ben turned towards me, and for a moment, I looked up with expectancy, only for it to come crashing at my feet when he frowned.

"Mom, you forgot my jacket."

My heart seemed to hammer in my head. "Sweetie. I- I didn't think you'd need it."

"Well, it's cold In here," he snapped. "I wanted Natasha to see I was wearing the jacket she got me."

"It's upstairs," I said quickly, setting the tray down. "I'll get it for you okay."

Without waiting for another sullen reaction, I dashed for the stairs. Tears sprang to my eyes but I quickly wiped them away.

The moment I climbed the last step, a sudden wave of dizziness slammed into me so violently I had to grip the edge of the stairs rails to stay upright. The music downstairs seemed to blur through the ringing in my ears and the bright lights smeared into dark shadows.

I quickly made it into Ben's room before the pain tore through me. It was sharp, through my stomach, coupled with a loud banging in my head- like it had been split open.

As I grabbed the jacket, I was forced forward, coughing, the sound raw and violent. I felt something leave my throat- warmth, and in horror, I looked at the jacket to see blood.

My breath caught. Panic surged. I pressed my hand to my mouth, the ringing in my ears heightening. No. Not again. Not now.

Guilt and fear filled me upon seeing the ruined jacket.

Fighting the urge to rest a bit on the bed, succumbing to my consciousness slowly drifting, I forced myself out of the room, staggering back down the stairs.

The Omegas avoided me as a plague as usual, barely even meeting my eyes. I staggered towards the hall. Each step felt heavier than the last, my body fighting me.

At the end of the table, where I was supposed to be seated between my husband and son was Natasha. She was engrossed in whatever it was Zaden was telling her and I almost lost the will to move, seeing the warmth in those blue eyes as he stared at her like she was the most amazing thing in the world.

Not once has he ever looked at me like that. Even though it felt like it was all I always wanted

The dinning hall was swarming with people as they took their designated position on their chairs around the large table.

"Mom, my jacket?" Ben stopped me in my tracks.

My chest tightened and the room around me swayed again. Black spots crowded my vision.

I handed him the alternate jacket I could find, seeing the confusion and rage in his expression, as I stood beside Zaden.

"Zaden," I said quietly, stopping their conversation. The coldness in those eyes returned as he turned to me. "I- don't feel - I don't feel good."

"You look fine to me, Alisha." He impatiently replied with an exasperated.

I pushed a hand up against my head, feeling it grow heavier and dull by the second. "No I don't- please- I've been trying to tell you for a week now. Something's definitely wrong with me. I was just in Ben's room when- "

Natasha sighed loudly. "Honestly," the irritation was clear in her voice. "Humans really are weak. A little party and she's already about to faint."

She turned to Ben. "At this state, I won't be surprised how much she neglects her own child.."

There was silence in the hall, the laughter around us slowly faltering as everyone now looked at me.

Zaden finally faced me and for a second, hope flickered in my chest. Small, but I thought he would actually stand up for me and tell this woman who's never been present in Ben's life up till just when he was grown that she was wrong.

"That's enough Natasha," his eyes moved towards me and away like I was an inconvenience. "If you're that tired, then go upstairs and rest."

I almost shook my head in disbelief. Everyone resumes their discussion, their duties, like nothing mattered, like I was merely an inconvenience.

The moment I turned towards a seat, the black spots reappeared again. Gasps echoed around the room as I coughed out blood again, just before everything went dark.

When I woke, my eyes groggily peeling open, my nose was assaulted with the smell of antiseptic.

My vision cleared to see white walls around me and the sound of a beeping machine. A thin blue sheet was pulled over my body.

A hospital.

I turned my head slowly, half expecting to see Zaden with Ben. They probably brought me here, but disappointed, I turned back to the pack doctor who just walked in, my throat tightening

"You're awake." He looked mildly surprised. "The Omegas who brought you said you passed out?"

"Yes- " my voice was croaky. "You said Omegas? What about my husband-"

"They've already been informed of your admission here." He replied with a neutral expression.

I bit my lip and nodded without a word. The doctor pulled a chair and sat closer, studying the machines connected to me before turning to me with a grave expression.

"Mrs Malroy. There's something we need to discuss."

My fingers curled Into the sheets

"It's about your condition. I'm afraid it's more serious than you think."