Usher could not speak. Mireya had successfully silenced him. He was trapped in a growing sense of guilt.
Usher’s pride and ego plummeted to their lowest depths. He was an Alpha, but this happened to Mireya, the woman he loved. Not only could he not give Mireya the respect she deserved, but he could not find Mireya’s understanding.
Usher felt a blow to his self-esteem. He felt embarrassed and worthless, unable to give Mireya her rightful place.
“Forgive me, Mireya,” Usher begged.
Mireya shook her head, smiling. “It’s okay, Usher. I understand.”
“I know you understand my situation, but I can’t let this go on,” Usher said, looking at Mireya with a serious expression. Mireya raised her eyebrows, signaling curiosity. “I will take you to The Palace tonight.”
Mireya’s eyes widened. “U-Usher.”
“To hell with Ayla or The Sacred Ceremony to bless you. I don’t care about any of that. Let people think of you as Luna or not, but you are my mate and Luna. I love you and I will make you happy.”
Mireya’s eyes turned red. Heat engulfed her, and soon her eyes glistened with tears. “Oh, Usher.”
“Forgive me for keeping you waiting all this time, Mireya. Now it is time for you to be happy with me in The Palace.”
Usher’s words weren’t just words. As an Alpha who always stood by his words, Usher made good on his promises. Starting that night, he brought Mireya to The Palace. He ordered the servants to prepare a new and special room for Mireya. He ordered the room to be decorated with unparalleled luxury, making sure that Mireya would lack for nothing.
Mireya was overjoyed. Usher’s treatment made her forget all the worries of the past month.
The same was true for Usher. Mireya’s presence in The Palace made him calmer and more composed. His emotions were under control and most of all, he felt happy. Even though Mireya had her own room, it was only for personal things. Mireya always spent the night with him in the Alpha’s room. They talked, made love, without caring about anything, including the reactions of the pack.
It didn’t take long for the news to spread. Everyone knew about it, and of course it became a hot topic for days. Everyone was talking about it, including Jemma and Ayla.
Unfortunately, there was nothing Jemma and Ayla could do. They couldn’t come to The Palace and demand that Usher banish Mireya. Even bringing a mistress to live in The Palace was considered improper, but there was nothing they could do about it. There was no law in The Rulebook that explicitly prohibited such actions. Moreover, the ancestors all seemed to believe that such laws were unnecessary. After all, it was impossible for an Alpha to openly betray his Luna.
So, Jemma and Ayla tried to be patient. They consoled themselves with the firm belief that Mireya would never be able to become Luna. Even if Usher gave her a mandate, it wouldn’t mean anything. In the eyes of the pack, Mireya really had no ability to become a Luna.
Unfortunately, Mireya did not care about such things anymore. Now she disregarded the status and the recognition of the pack. In reality, she was the one at Usher’s side. Whether they recognized it or not, she was no different from a Luna. She had authority and everyone had to obey her.
Mireya basked in her triumph. She was confident and navigated her days with pure joy, especially as her due date approached.
The Palace was on high alert. Usher instructed Garth to prepare everything without exception. The best doctors were arranged and Usher never left Mireya’s side for a moment.
Usher stood by Mireya’s side. He held her hand and guided her through the agonizing process of childbirth. He spoke reassuring words, and when the baby’s cries filled the room, they were filled with joy.
The healthy and robust baby boy had a handsome face that promised everyone who saw him would fall in love. Everyone would adore him. Except for Ayla.
Ayla should have come to The Palace that day. The news of Mireya’s birth had reached her ears. So, she prepared herself and put on her cloak, especially considering the recent gusty winds.
Ayla looked at the sky and wrinkled her forehead. Summer had just arrived, but lately the weather felt more like fall or winter. The sky was dark and the wind felt icy, creating an unsettling feeling.
Ayla’s arrival was greeted with respect by all the inhabitants of The Palace. She was immediately taken to Mireya’s room.
Mireya was sitting by the bed, leaning against the headboard. Next to her was Usher, cradling her baby.
“Ayla,” Usher said enthusiastically as he approached her. “Allow me to present our son, Philip Thorne. I hope you will say a prayer for him.”
Ayla forced a smile. Even if she could not accept Mireya’s presence, that didn’t mean she could neglect Philip. After all, it was her duty to pray for and bless the birth of every werewolf.
Ayla took a deep breath. She held out her hand, and Philip shifted in Usher’s arms. She leaned down and greeted the baby.
“Hello, Philip. Welcome to the Frostholm Pack. I hope you’ll be a-”
Ayla’s words were cut off. The smile faded from her face. The air she inhaled seemed to catch in her throat.
Usher furrowed his brow. Ayla’s behavior seemed unusual. “Ayla, what’s wrong?”
Ayla froze. Sweat suddenly appeared on her forehead, drenching her face. She shivered and her lips turned pale.
“No. Moon Goddess, I beg you.”
Mireya straightened her back. “Usher, what is wrong with Ayla?”
Usher couldn’t answer. He shook his head and turned back to Ayla. “Ayla, answer my question. What’s wrong? Don’t make me anxious.”
“A-A-Alpha,” Ayla whispered with uneven breaths. She looked at Usher with intense fear. Unconsciously, tears streamed down her face. “Disaster. A great disaster will befall the Frostholm Pack.”
Usher was stunned, shocked to the core. ” Disaster?”
Ayla nodded, then looked at Philip. “This baby will bring disaster to the Frostholm Pack.”
*