Arianne's POV

They say, "A person has seven doppelgängers in the world".

I hardly believed it at first, but seeing someone who looked like the man I knew made me hope it was just a look-alike. This man, who resembled Raven, was calling someone outside Jacob's club, an underground club for werewolves.

Raven, the Alpha of Crescent Claw and my boyfriend of ten years, would never forget our agreement to pick me up from the conference, let alone meet up with someone else.

But was it a coincidence that the girl who approached him looked exactly like Ember, our newly appointed Beta? If it was them, I hoped they were just running pack errands, because I couldn't understand why Raven was kissing her before they went inside the club.

"Stupid me," I whispered, closing my eyes and concentrating on mind-linking him, but to no avail. Unlike other werewolves my age, I still don't know how to mind-link the wolf I was bonded with.

Across the street at the bus station, I witnessed the scene. But I don't want to assume immediately.

Raven, please, I hope those are just errands you're doing. I can forgive you for forgetting to pick me up from the pier; it happens. But please, don't do whatever it is I suspect you're doing right now.

I swallowed hard, trying to control my tears. Then, I placed my hands on my belly and whispered, "Welcome back to us, baby. Guess your father is too busy with another girl to pick us up."

I took a cab home with my suitcase and shoulder bag. The scene replayed in my mind throughout the ride. Since his appointment as Alpha, I'd sensed him becoming distant, and I didn't want to admit why.

In the early years of our relationship, he was devoted to me. I was showered with attention, gifts, and hugs. He was so affectionate. The only thing I disliked was keeping our relationship a secret. Who would want that? I even complained at first, thinking he was hiding me.

But he said, "Darling, it's for the best. My pack expects me to mate someone they know, someone from the pack."

"'Cause I'm just an outsider? A she-wolf adopted by your elder because I was abandoned?" I retorted.

"No, that's not it. They're very keen on who their leader mates with. You know, they least expect you. But I promise they'll accept you someday."

I cried at that, and he comforted me, even taking a night run with me in the forest in our wolf forms. It seemed sweet, and it was, but when a guardian found us, he quickly said, "I was just running with my best friend."

He always called me his best friend, and we were, until we fell in love. Our passion to each other created a life inside me. But would he be excited to know about it?

[Arianne, you're here!?] Jenn, my adopted sister, exclaimed on the phone. [You're already done with the conference?]

"Yes," I said, sitting in the backseat, watching the trees blur past.

[Why didn't you tell us? We could have picked you up.]

"Don't bother. I can get home myself."

Besides, I assumed Raven would, but I guess it was another girl he picked up instead.

[Okay, I'll meet you at the house. Gosh, we missed you.]

I smiled as we said goodbye. I missed them, too. It had been two months since I left for a conference in another country. The werewolf community is a secret society hidden from humans. The conference aimed to maintain our secrecy, peace among packs and humans, and the loyalty of the leaders.

Raven couldn't attend because of an ambush on the northern border. He had to stay, so he sent me as the representative. Ember, the newly elected Beta, should have gone, but Raven insisted I go.

Two weeks after arriving, I discovered I was pregnant with Raven's baby. Our baby.

"She's back."

It was 6 pm when I arrived at Crescent Claw territory. I saw the surprised faces of the guardians as I walked in. Their eyes were on me as they smelled my pregnancy.

The territory was as organized as I'd left it. Brick houses lined the edge, and in the center stood a large two-story mansion housing the Alpha's residence, ceremony hall, office, and meeting place.

I could hear mellow music, the clinking of glasses, and women's laughter. The hall was brightly lit, as if a celebration were underway. I placed my hand on my belly.

"I hope it's us they're celebrating."

I quickened my pace. Other werewolves outside looked shocked, staring at me.

"I can smell her pregnancy."

"Who could be that unlucky guy?"

I ignored their whispers and headed to the mansion's entrance. As I stepped inside, the music stopped, and everyone fell silent—not because of me, but because Raven walked onto the raised platform, assuming a dominant posture.

"It's a good evening, indeed, folks. Tonight, we celebrate the happiest moment in our pack: the arrival of a new generation."

I stopped, watching Ember walk to Raven, who had his hands on her belly.

"Because my Beta is pregnant with my heir."

I froze. The banquet erupted in cheers, claps, and howls, but my ears rang. Ember was pregnant with his baby? How could this be?

Then, Raven saw me, and his smile vanished.

Arianne's POV

"Why are you here?"

Before I could react, Raven pulled me toward his office. I could hear the band begin to play outside. As much as I wanted to enjoy it, Raven had already locked the office door to confront me.

"The conference is over, Babe. Where did you expect me to go?"

He sighed in frustration, combing his hair away from his face. Why was he so upset?

"Yeah, I mean, you should have called me to pick you up. You surprised me."

"And I was surprised by the news of you having a baby with Ember. When did you intend to tell me that?"

Is that why they were at that club? Were they secretly having an affair there?

I looked him in the eye, searching for guilt, but saw none. There was something dark in his eyes now—authority and coldness. He wasn't like this before.

"It's for the sake of the pack, Arianne."

I was taken aback when he didn't use our endearment.

"To impregnate another woman while you have a girlfriend?"

"She's a beta. The pack wants me to choose her instead of you."

His words hit me like a blow. Since I'd set foot on their territory and Elder Haxim had adopted me, I'd been nothing but a loser in the pack's eyes. Being a werewolf meant loyalty and camaraderie, but being abandoned meant being unwanted. Nobody wants to be with someone unwanted because it's considered a bad omen for the pack, except for Elder Haxim and Raven. Unfortunately, the former was now dead and the latter was becoming indifferent.

I was about to speak when we were interrupted by a knock on the door. He opened it to reveal Ember outside, showing off her belly as she caressed it.

"Hi, Ari! You're finally back! How was the trip?"

"It's fine. I was about to report to Raven the announcements from the higher-ups."

"Of course, it's your task as the representative of Crescent Claw. How lucky you are. But well, maybe we're both lucky, knowing I'm carrying Raven's child."

I saw Raven put his hand on Ember's shoulder and gently pinch her arm affectionately.

"Yeah, we're really lucky because I'm pregnant with his child, too," I announced.

Both their eyes widened.

"P-pregnant?" Ember stammered, looking at me and then at Raven.

"How?" Raven asked.

"When I left, that's when I found out about my pregnancy. It's already been two months, Raven."

"Are you sure it's from him?"

"Are you questioning my honesty?"

"We don't know; maybe you were with someone at the conference," Raven accused.

I was shocked. He thought I was betraying him when he was the one cheating? Fine, I admit I didn't have the right to possess him because our relationship was secret. But he should have known my loyalty to him was unwavering.

"How dare you, Raven! You think I'm a slut? Why don't we take a test to prove it?"

"How did you get pregnant by him when you weren't even mates?"

"'Cause we are bonded! We are in a relationship!" I blurted out.

The revelation stopped Ember. In a second, she clutched her stomach, crouching in pain.

"Ember, are you okay?" Raven asked then looked at me. "Look what you've done!"

"I-I don't know. I'm sorry."

My chest pounded. It wasn't my intention. I just wanted to tell the truth.

I saw his concern as he carried Ember bridal style. He rushed outside, and I followed.

"I'm sorry, Raven. I'm really sorry. I had no idea it would result in this. I was just telling her the truth."

He kept walking until I sensed we were being watched.

"Don't follow us," he said sternly, making my breath paused for a moment. Yet, I still followed.

"I'm sorry."

Raven stopped and turned to shout at me. "I said don't follow us! You'll kill Ember and my child!"

"What about our child?" I couldn't hold back my tears. I'd been struggling to keep them at bay, but his actions were making them fall.

"It's not our child, Arianne! Don't tell lies just to get my nobility."

My feet froze. I was stunned by his words. I could hear the whispers and chatter of the people in the banquet, but all I saw was his back as he walked away with Ember.

Ember's POV

She's a great actress, I must say. How she had the guts to claim Raven was her baby's father is a testament to her skills as a con woman.

"Are you feeling okay, Beta Ember?" one of the healers asked as I ate my porridge.

"No."

No one would be okay when another woman is expecting Raven's baby, and it's a month older than mine. That means that baby will be the eldest and the future Alpha of Crescent Claw. Unless it's a baby girl—and I hope it is—but to ensure there's no future threat, I need to make a plan.

"That brat really wanted to tear you two apart, Beta. How horrendous of her to make a scene at the celebration!" the second healer commented.

"No wonder she was abandoned as a baby. Maybe their elder prophesied she'd bring chaos to their pack," the first healer said.

Arianne was now in bad standing with the pack, and I smiled at that thought.

Suddenly, there was a knock, and Raven entered.

"Honey, how are you feeling? Is the baby okay? Is there anything you need?"

The healers politely excused themselves to give us privacy. Raven came to me and sat beside me on the bed. Without saying anything, he took my bowl of porridge and spoon to feed me.

"Are you still thinking about what Arianne said?"

"Yeah."

"I assure you it's not mine. Why would I want an heir from an outcast?"

"But she looked so sure and said you were in a relationship with her."

He sighed. "Yeah, we were, but that was a long time ago. Elder Darius already talked some sense into me. It's you I love, okay?"

I looked at him disapprovingly. I know he loves me, and deep down, I desperately want him to marry me and secure my position as Luna. But I'm restless about him having a firstborn with other woman.

"Please, tell me, what can I do for you to forgive me, sweetheart?"

I blinked, my plan brewing in my mind. This is the perfect opportunity.

"I want Arianne to be transferred to the northern border and assigned as a guardian," I said firmly. "I want her out of our lives."

———

Arianne's POV

"This will be your new quarters," the Warrior said as he helped me bring my things into my new room.

When he left, I stood in the doorway, observing the interior design. It was small—a single bed, a restroom near the door, and a small table by the window.

I couldn't believe Raven had moved me here. Elder Haxim's house was near the southern border where I'd lived for twenty years, not here. When Raven called me to his office, I thought he'd apologize and make amends. Instead, he moved me to the northern border, where most of the dangerous attacks occurred. Worse, he made me a territory guardian while pregnant.

"Be strong, Arianne. You're going to be alright," I caressed my belly. "We're going to be alright, baby."

My first night shift began at 7 p.m. Only two of us were at each watchtower beside a tall metal gate: me, on the right, and Guardian Steven on the left. He was a considerate guy, always asking if I needed a rest knowing I was pregnant.

"What is Alpha thinking? Letting a pregnant woman guard the border? He's insane!"

"I can't do anything about it. He's the authority."

The decade Raven and I shared had vanished from his memory; he treated me like a lowly servant now.

"Still, you need to—"

Guardian Steven couldn't finish what he'd say when we heard rustling in the bushes outside the territory. We looked at each other. Even from meters away, I could sense his apprehension.

"Arianne, get out of here. Save your baby."

A huge werewolf sped toward Steven's watchtower and climbed it. My mouth dropped when his arm was bitten.

"Get out of here, Arianne!" he shouted.

That snapped me to attention. I immediately pulled the bell to call for backup.

"Steven!" I called as he transformed into a wolf and leaped outside the border.

I didn't know what to do. I wanted to help him, but I was scared for my baby. Werewolves shouldn't transform while pregnant because the changes in the mother's cells could affect the developing baby. But backup was delayed.

I flinched when Steven howled in the distance. Closing my eyes, I decided to transform, feeling my body expand and my senses sharpen. Then, someone bit me and dragged me outside. The watchtower was tall, so my body hit hard on impact. Despite the excruciating pain, I managed to bite the enemy's neck and scratch his eye. That made him retreat, giving me time to escape.

Fortunately, the metal gate opened, and several warriors ran to our aid. I limped inside, my senses blurring. Grabbing a towel from a warrior's item using my snout, I covered myself before shifting back to human form.

"It hurts!" I shouted, gritting my teeth. My belly hurt intensely, as if something was tearing inside. Looking down, I saw red liquid trickling down my legs.

No! My baby!