My Stepbrothers Baby by Sarwah Creed

"Today is the day I become Luna to the strongest and most ruthless Alpha in the pack, the love of my life. It should have been the happiest day of my life as an Omega, the lowest rank in the werewolf pack-but my heart knows better," I whispered to myself, voice laced with sorrow I couldn't shake.

~

In the ancient werewolf dominion of Luparia, only two things truly excited us-awakening your wolf, and finding your mate.

When either happened, it was said that the Moon Goddess herself brushed your soul with starlight. That it would ignite an adrenaline so sharp and divine, it could drive you to madness or joy.

As an Omega, I never imagined having a mate. At least, not this early. All I heard about Omegas was that they would remain mateless and wolfless for a very long time. Some never even find their wolves-not until death comes by their own hand.

It was something like tradition in the werewolf world. Omegas are the outcasts. They are treated as one and they end up as one.

So, when I turned eighteen under the light of a waning moon, I definitely wasn't expecting a mate-but silence. The tiny beeswax candle flickering atop a dry cornbread loaf was the only fire I dared hope for.

As I blew it out, a strange chill settled in my chest-as if that would be the last warmth I'd ever feel.

Then the thoughts came.

"What now? Do I keep holding onto this dream of a mate, something I may never receive? Or do I learn to exist in the space between hope and heartbreak?"

Ever since that night, I had been drowning in the heaviness of my own thoughts.

Downcast. Dejected.

But even in my darkest imagination, I never thought I would be mated to an Alpha. Not just any Alpha-Alpha Arden Valkor-and only weeks later.

He entered my life like moonlight piercing through storm clouds.

With a charming smile and promises of warmth, he reached out his hand to me-shielding me from the cruelty of the world. He gave me moments I had only dreamed of.

He was my knight in shining armor and my Romeo.

The love of my life.

Never for once since I met him, did I think he would walk me down the aisle.

And now... here I am.

Walking down the aisle under the ancient wooden arches of the Pack Hall, my steps echoing against the sacred stone, every eye on me.

People would say, "An Omega becoming a Luna-what an odd transformation."

But, it was more like a destiny change for me rather than a transformation.

Only a few people gathered in the Pack's hall, which were Alpha Arden's family and a few reputable positions in the Pack.

My union with Alpha Arden did not only shock people, it also intensified the hate they had for me.

But, they couldn't do anything about it. They wouldn't dare touch me.

People despised me and couldn't even hide it.

Arden's family hated me, too. I saw it in their eyes-the contempt, the disgust. His mother, Luna Theodata, hid a sneer beneath her perfectly drawn lips.

But I kept walking.

All that mattered was the man at the end of the aisle, waiting, smiling, reaching for me.

I took one final step... and then-

The massive oak doors of the Pack Hall burst open, the cold wind swirling through ancient tapestries. Gasps echoed in the silence as a figure stepped in.

Blonde hair cascading like golden fire, sharp jawline set with fury, and gray eyes like shards of moonlight-Vera Syrus. Daughter of Alpha Riven Syrus of the Moon Bow Pack.

Her heels clicked like war drums as she stormed forward, and every breath in the room held.

Even I, new to the Silver Bow Pack, knew who she was. Regal. Beautiful. Powerful.

The perfect Luna. The one everyone assumed would be standing where I stood.

Moon Bow Pack and Silver Bow Pack were acquainted, so, everyone thought it would only make sense if Moon Bow Pack's Alpha daughter and Silver Bow Pack's Alpha would get married.

That was the main reason my union with Arden pissed a lot of people.

Vera walked up to us as I swallowed, her heels making soft clinks on the wooden floor.

What could be the problem?

I looked at Arden. He didn't seem fazed that Vera could interrupt our wedding unannounced.

Maybe it wasn't much of a big deal then.

Vera walked up to Arden and hit him across the face.

Everyone in the hall let out a gasp.

My jaw dropped.

"How dare you, you filthy imbecile, make fun of me this way?!" Vera snarled, her voice rising with fury.

I frowned, my jaw still dropped at the slap. Then again, Arden isn't still fazed.

"Vera, can we talk about this later?" Arden tried to calm her.

"About what? What is happening?" I wondered.

She snarled, voice rising again, "Talk about what exactly? Maybe about how you came to me every night for pleasure-because your little Omega fiancée disgusts you? Or should we talk about the fact that I'm pregnant with your pup?!"

Another collective gasp filled the air in the hall-but this time, I'm not part of it.

I didn't know how to react to the piece of information.

I blinked once, twice. Trying to decipher the situation.

"What the hell is going on?!"

Arden suddenly stepped up to Vera.

"You are pregnant? Didn't you use moonroot?" he said, blinking, jaw tightening. His voice was low, almost inaudible beneath the hush that fell over the hall.

I was like, "what?!"