Hannah, Luna of Black Moon above

Kyle POV

I enter the kitchen, and I'm surprised to see Hayden sitting by the wooden table surrounded by papers. He doesn't look very well, he may have woken up from his coma, but I know he still carries the aftereffect of being poisoned.

According to Gideon, our pack doctor, it was a miracle that he managed to survive the injection of so much Red Venom and still didn't shift. Red Venom is a substance restricted in the werewolf's world, no matter of circumstance, those who use it are punished severely, the poison is undetectable and forces werewolves into feral shift and bloodlust, and the majority of those who were poisoned will not survive. But somehow, both Hank and Hayden managed to do it.

Hank was saved by me and other omegas, but Hayden didn't have that kind of help. He didn't go feral but was forced into a coma, and even though he woke up, he can't shift anymore. The loss of the wolf should've killed him, so I presume he still has it, just can't communicate with him.

"Hey Kyle, can I hold my favorite nephew?" he says when he spots me.

I smile and come closer to give him Carson, who, of course, starts to wiggle instantly, but fortunately, doesn't cry. I doubt I will be able to handle another couple of hours of his crying.

"Why are sitting in the kitchen?" I ask.

"Well, Mikkeli and Hannah are arguing in his office, we were supposed to go through the pack budget today, but I don't want to interrupt them. Since Mikkeli is more focused recently on training joint warriors teams from both packs, he pushed the pack's budget on Hannah and me, and Hannah doesn't feel well recently, so she pushed everything on me," he says.

"And you are not happy?" I ask.

"Balancing such a big amount of assets is not easy, especially since the Full Moon territory has been heavily underfunded. I wonder what the hell Ryan was doing with the money for the last ten years; the numbers are just ridiculous. "

"Probably that's also why he had much fewer warriors than I originally thought his pack had had," says Mikkeli entering the kitchen.

He makes himself a mug of black coffee and sits beside Hayden and me. He smiles at Carson and gently touches his cheek. Hayden makes a move to give him my son, and for the moment, I see the panic in Mikkeli's eyes, but still, he accepts the challenge and holds my baby boy, who keeps calm.

Maybe my son only cries when he is with me; maybe he just doesn't like me.

"You ok, Kyle?" Mikkeli asks and makes me stop spacing out.

"Yes, and you, everything is good between you and Hannah?" I ask.

Mikkeli avoids looking into my eyes for a moment, then takes a big breath and...

"Hannah is pregnant," he says and makes both me and Hayden astonished; the problem is his voice, and the way he's just given us this news, is far away from cheerful. He will be the father and doesn't seem happy with that fact.

"What's wrong?" Hayden asks.

"She's three months long, so it happened during my rut or the night she marked me, and the problem is it shouldn't have happened at all in the first place."

"What do you mean?" both Hayden and I ask at the same time.

"During my rut, I was full of silver and Hannah of wolfsbane so that I couldn't mark her, but it also should've made it impossible for her to conceive. When she marked me, the wolfsbane was still in her system and silver in mine, so it shouldn't have happened either. According to Gideon, it was impossible for her to have this pregnancy, and because of that, he isn't sure if the fetus will develop normally or if she will be able to avoid miscarriage," his voice is monotonic, but I know that he is crushed because of it.

"You don't know that Mikkeli, everything may end well," Hayden says, but Mikkeli interrupts him.

"And what if not? But the worst is I can't do anything; I'm powerless in this situation."

"Hannah knows?" I ask.

"As if I was able to hide anything from her! Of course, she knows, and it's again she cheering me up even though it should be the other way around. Fuck, as an Alpha, I know what I should do; as a mate, I feel so hopeless."

I smile sadly, putting my hand on Mikkel's arm. My usually intimidating brother seems suddenly so fragile.

"You and Hannah are mates; the Goddess made you just for each other. Hannah shouldn't have been able to mark you, and yet she did; Hayden shouldn't have been able to survive Red Venom, and yet he did. Our mother shouldn't have been able to give birth to such a strong son like you, and yet she did. This child maybe shouldn't have happened, and yet it did. It's part of you and Hannah, so I'm sure it will be able to surprise us much more." I say.

"You can do it, little brother," Hayden says. "And we will all help you."

And, of course, it's when Carson decides to start crying as if he is being skinned alive. I sigh and take him into my arms, which of course, makes him scream even louder. For at least half an hour, we all try to calm him before he finally stops. 

After that, I have an occasion to talk with my brothers about starting my tracker training. To my surprise, they don't seem discontent; even more, they seem sure that I will be able to do it. And that's what makes me more nervous; I just can't fail them, although deep down inside, I'm so sure I will. But I just don't get to pity myself more because we all hear loud steps, and soon the door to the kitchen gets opened wide.

"I hope you have enough meat to feed the starving wolf!"

The person who stands by the door is a tall older wolf. His hair is now grey, but his posture and muscles are still impressive. He hasn't changed much since the last time I saw him. Just looks sadder and more tired, which shouldn't surprise me. After all, he lost his only son just a couple of months ago.

Mark, the late Beta's Tony's father and former Head Warrior of the Blackwood Pack for many years.

"Welcome back home," Mikkeli says and gives Mark a bear hug.

It's good to see them together once again; it's just sad it had to happen under such circumstances.

I make myself useful by preparing some food for Mark as he is introduced to Hannah, the twins, and Rosie. We talk for at least an hour, telling him in detail what happened here recently, or more specifically, why his son died, why both packs are merged, and who and why betrayed Mikkeli. Only my story isn't told, and I'm thankful for that; I don't want to think about or discuss my rape again.

It's good to see Mark; almost eight years ago, when Mikkeli became Alpha and Tony became the Beta, he decided that retirement is not for him, and after that was mostly busy with traveling; in our world, we call those like him lone wolves. He used to visit from time to time, and not for very long. I wonder how long he intends now to stay.

I remember him well from my childhood, especially from those years when my father, the previous Alpha, was almost all the time drunk and bullies in our pack had free reign. At some point, Mark and Dalton were the only ones who fed us. Us, I mean Mikkeli and pack's omegas. We weren't allowed to hunt, Alpha stopped caring about giving us necessary supplies on daily basis, and Mikkeli was too young to take care of that. My mother was working in Mark's house from time to time, and he always showed her care and respect. He was also the one who taught Mikkeli about fighting, and that's why my brother was able to kill our mother's abusers and survived it.

As I listen to their conversations, it makes clear that Mikkeli asked him to come home because he wants someone he can truly trust in the main house. It must be because of Hannah's pregnancy. After the pack merged, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma are always busy, we don't have the main Head Warrior, and Hayden can't shift, so Mikkeli needs someone at the house to guard Hannah and the rest of Alpha's family.

"Mikkeli, I think you should know something," Mark says" I'm sure Alpha Ryan didn't inform you when you discussed the merge that after you took over as an Alpha 8 years ago, he accepted to his pack, this jerk Dickson who you had banished."

I stiffen when I hear that name; I also remember him very well from my childhood.

Celia POV

As the pack doctor takes my daughter's blood to examine, I try not to panic. I'm not happy with the fact that this werewolf is so close to my child, but I can do nothing about it.

Kathy doesn't seem bothered by her medical examination; I think she loves all the attention she's gotten since we've come here. I try not to look in HIS direction, and I try so hard not to flinch every time he moves, but usually, I fail. I didn't have much sleep last night since no matter how hard I tried; I couldn't calm my racing heart.

I want to trust Hannah that they don't hurt us since I have no other choice, and I have to tolerate HIM also because I have no choice, but I don't want to trust him, and I don't intend to make it easy for him. What does HE even want from me at this point? I understand that HE may be surprised to find out about his daughter, but still, why would he care? Why care about a rape child you have with your worst enemy?

I flinch hard when HE suddenly touches me, and that's when I realize that the doctor is talking to me, but I spaced out so hard I haven't noticed.

"Celia, I have some questions. Kathy and Danny can wait for you in the corridor," doctor Gideon says. 

I nod and let them leave, I'm far from being comfortable with that, but still, I have no power to say no. The doctor point in the direction of a chair, and I sit, and HE sits next to me.

 "I'd like to ask you about Kathy, was she born on time?"

"I don't know, I carried her for seven months, but I've heard that your kind's pregnancy is shorter; I don't know if it was a normal time," I say.

"Normal if we take into consideration the fact that you are human, but still, how were your blood results during your pregnancy?"

"I don't know, I wasn't ever examined by any doctors," I say, and they both look at me intensively.

"You were never examined; what about birth?" Gideon asks, shocked.

I don't look at him; I focus on my hands lying on my lap.

"I was alone; I gave birth alone. I didn't... I didn't know how she would be born, would she be born as a normal baby. I was too scared to go to a hospital or to ask for any help." Before he can ask more, I continue, "I gave birth alone in my apartment. I was in labor for almost 24 hours; when she finally came, she was so pale and numb I thought she was dead, but when I touched her, she started crying. After that, she never had any health problems."

"When was the first time her wolf manifested?

"You mean her eyes? When she was three, some weeks ago, when she was throwing tantrums, her nails also got longer and sharper, and she destroyed the quilt. Her eyes usually change when she is nervous or scared, or just angry. She also likes sniffing a lot, but why do you ask me these questions? Is she not well, is something wrong?" I ask, getting nervous.

"No, she is healthy, but it's not normal for kids so young to already have signs of first shifting. Don't worry, Hank; I just think that it happened because there was no other wolf around her, which caused nervousness and quicker manifestation because Kathy's wolf didn't feel connected or safe."

"Is she at risk of shifting too early?" HE asks and seems genuinely worried, which makes me alert.

Is something wrong with my daughter?

"She may be but don't worry, the longer she stays with the pack, the better; it will get her wolf calmed significantly. Except that I don't see any problems. Celia, werewolves normally shift for the first time between the age of 12 to 14. The early shift is problematic because the body and mind of the child aren't ready for that. If they shift too early, there is a big chance that they will stay in wolf form forever. But don't worry, Kathy, for now, seems to be okay.  Now, I would like to check on you, Celia..."

"I don't want you to touch me," I interrupt him immediately. "I'm alright, and I don't have any bombs inside my body."

He smiles gently and says:

"That's good news; what about your limping? Maybe X-ray...?"

"No, I've limped for six years, and I'm fine with that. I don't want you to touch me," I repeat.

They don't push any further, and we leave the pack's infirmary. Slowly HE takes us back to the main part of the house, specifically to the living room, which is now quite crowded. The Alpha's whole family is here.

Danny is immediately hidden behind me, but Kathy seems unfazed and smiles at the twins and Rosie.

"Hank, this is Mark, our previous Head Warrior; he will be staying in the main packhouse with us since today," says Alpha Mikkeli.

HE tenses but still shakes the hand which is reached him.

"Hank Stone, the grandson of late Beta Stone from the Full Moon pack?" asks this Mark guy, and HE nods and says:

"Yes, I took over my position five years ago after my grandfather died. I'm also sorry for the loss of your son."

I don't know why, but the mood suddenly gets heavier; thankfully, Hannah suggests that we all go into the garden. "All" means children, me and Hannah and this boy Kyle, as the grown-up men stay to talk some more. I wonder if it is like it was at my clan? My grandfather and other members of our clan council were tyrants who only care about male members of the clan; they always agreed that the place of the women is in the kitchen.

Kathy runs with Rosie, and the twins ask Danny to play throw and catch with them, which he reluctantly does. He's so tensed and scarred all the time it breaks my heart. The crying of the baby makes me stop wondering. I look at Kyle as he tries to calm the child he has in his arms. He looks so tired, and I know why, cause I've been there with Kathy.

Hannah tries to help him by taking the boy, and he seems calmer but still not happy. Kyle gets nervous even more; I see his hands shaking.

"You should put his nose into your neck and let him nibble your skin," I say, and they both look at me, totally surprised, but I continue," When Kathy was the infant, she loved it."

Kyle looks hesitant but goes with my suggestion, and the child gets visibly calmer the moment he does it.

"Thank you," Kyle smiles, which makes me smile back at him.

He and Hannah start talking about his training as she offers to look after his son when he will be busy. From time to time, some members of the pack come closer to show respect to their Luna or to talk a little. Everybody is polite, but I see the hateful looks they have when they look at me; at least Kathy and Danny don't get that kind of treatment. I guess the kids are seen as kids, not bloody hungry hunters.

"Can you tell me what happened with my uncle?" I say after I gather my courage.

"He is in the dungeon, but he's alive and taken care of. His wounds get dressed, and he is fed," Hannah says. "Celia, how do you feel around Hank?"

I avoid looking at her when I say:

"I don't want him near me."

"I understand, but please bear with it, at least for a couple of days more. His wolf is livid because he suddenly found his pup, so he wants to be as close to both you and your daughter as possible. I know that it's difficult for you after what he did and..."

"He told you?" I interrupt her; I must say I'm surprised they know; she nods but soon sends me a stern look.

"I will say this only once as a Luna of this pack. I'm sorry for everything that happened to you, but you are here now, and no matter how much I want to help you, I will always put this pack first. For now, you are a prisoner, and even though you are not in chains until we are sure that you can be trusted, you will be treated like one. If you want to be free, you must convince me you are not a threat to my family and my pack. And if you ever hurt them, I will make you pay no matter how much sympathy I have for your child or your situation. Do we have that clear?"

She looks at me, and I have to lower my eyes; there is some strange aura that comes from her, like dominance but also warmth. I guess it must be Luna's thing; my mother once told me that Lunas are also very powerful, just with different kinds of powers than Alphas.

I don't get to answer her because the infant starts crying again, and I'm shocked when Kyle pulls up his shirt and let him latch onto his nipple. I clearly see he starts sucking. Kyle is a man; how the hell is that possible? He notices my dumbfound expression and says:

"I'm Carson's mother; I gave birth to him. I'm an omega, and omegas, both male and female, can give birth."

"And his father?" I don't really know why I ask that, but it's too late.

Kyle's eyes get darkened, and his face sinks.

"Dead, thank Goddess."

I know that look; I don't have to ask about anything anymore to know what happened to him.

I just could stop myself from making Hannah and Mikkeli something more than bystanders in this book :)

Vote, comment, and enjoy reading :)

Also, for everybody who feels that mpreg is a strange concept, it's still a very popular concept in werewolves' stories.  As an author, I made a choice to include it in my books, I understand that for some, it may be weird, and some may not like it, but I hope you respect it :)