Jamal Kunis POV
I felt a surge of happiness as I heard the cheers and congratulations from the wolves around me. Methis had just announced her pregnancy to the clan, and everyone seemed overjoyed by the news. I looked at her, holding her hand and smiling proudly. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and she was carrying my child. I leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead.
“You did it, my love. You gave us a ray of hope.” I whispered in her ear.
She smiled back at me, feeling my warmth and love. She knew how much this meant to me, and to the clan. I had lost three brides before her, all of them killed by the black witch who wanted to destroy the wolf clan. The clan had been in turmoil ever since, and some werewolves began to suspect that I was cursed. I was worried that this secret might be discovered, causing panic and chaos in the clan, so I deliberately suppressed the news of my brides’ deaths.
“Jamal, I’m so happy for you.” A familiar voice said behind me. I turned around and saw Remy, my best friend and beta. He hugged me tightly and patted my back.
“Thank you, Remy. You’ve always been there for me.” I said gratefully.
“Of course, Jamal. You’re my alpha and my brother. And Methis, you’re amazing. You’ve brought joy to our clan.” Remy said, turning to Methis and giving her a gentle hug.
“Thank you, Remy. You’re very kind.” Methis said shyly.
Remy smiled and winked at me. “Don’t worry, Jamal. I’ll keep an eye on her while you’re busy with your alpha duties. No one will harm her or your pup.”
I nodded, feeling relieved. Remy was loyal and trustworthy, and I knew he would protect Methis with his life.
“Jamal, Methis, congratulations!” Another voice said. I looked up and saw Jenny, the clan healer and elder. She approached us with a warm smile and a basket of herbs.
“Thank you, Jenny.” I said respectfully.
Jenny, a close friend of mine was one of the few who knew about my brides’ deaths and the black witch’s curse. She had tried to help me find a way to break it, but without success.
“Jenny, thank you for everything you’ve done for us.” Methis said gratefully.
Jenny smiled and handed her the basket. “You’re welcome, Methis. These are some herbs that will help you with your pregnancy. They will ease your nausea, strengthen your immune system, and nourish your baby.”
Methis took the basket and thanked her again.
Jenny looked at me with a serious expression. “Jamal, can I talk to you for a moment?”
I nodded and followed her to a corner of the hall.
“Jamal, I’m very happy for you and Methis. But you have to be careful. The black witch is still out there, and she won’t give up easily.” Luna said in a low voice.
“I know. That’s why I’ve arranged for Remy and some other wolves to guard Methis at all times.” I said.
“That’s good, Jamal. But it may not be enough. The black witch is cunning and powerful. She can use dark magic to harm Methis or your baby from afar.” Luna said.
I felt a chill run down my spine. “What can we do?”
She sighed. “I don’t know, Jamal. There is no known way to break the curse or stop the black witch. The only thing we can do is pray to the moon goddess for protection.”
I nodded solemnly. “Thank you, Luna. You’ve always been wise and helpful.”
She smiled sadly. “You’re welcome, Jamal. I hope the moon goddess will bless you and your family.”
We hugged briefly and returned to the crowd.
I looked at Methis again, who was chatting happily with Remy and some other wolves.
She carried my ray of hope in this dark world.
And I would do anything to keep her safe.
* * *
Methis
I felt a surge of nausea as I swallowed another pill. For the past week, I had been consuming various supplements that Luna had prescribed for me. She said they would help me with my pregnancy, but they tasted awful and made me feel sick. I wondered if they were really necessary, or if they were just part of the wolf clan’s superstitions.
After I became pregnant, I could clearly feel the warmth and enthusiasm of the wolf people. They treated me with respect and kindness, and showered me with gifts and compliments. Jamal, in particular, paid meticulous attention to my daily life, which made me feel uncomfortable. He was always by my side, holding my hand, kissing my cheek, and whispering sweet nothings in my ear. He acted like I was his true mate, his Luna, but I knew that was not the case.
I was just a human girl who had been kidnapped by him and forced to marry him. He only wanted me for my fertility, to give him an heir and save his clan from the black witch’s curse. He had lost three brides before me, all of them killed by the black witch. He had never loved them, nor did he love me. He only loved his clan and his duty.
I felt a pang of sadness as I thought about my life before Jamal. I had been a normal High school student, studying literature and dreaming of becoming a writer. I had a loving family and a few good friends. I had never been in love, but I hoped to find someone who would love me for who I was, not for what I could give them.
But all of that was gone now. I was trapped in a world of wolves and witches, where I had no choice or freedom. I was pregnant with a child that I did not want, but could not abort. I was with to a man that I did not love, but could not leave.
I sighed and put the pill bottle away. I decided to distract myself by learning something new. One of the maids had offered to teach me flower arranging, which sounded like a fun and relaxing activity. I followed her to the garden, where she showed me how to pick and cut the flowers.
“Flower arranging is an art form that expresses your emotions and personality.” She explained as she handed me a pair of scissors.
“Really? How so?” I asked curiously.
“Well, for example, roses symbolize love and passion, lilies symbolize purity and innocence, sunflowers symbolize happiness and optimism, and so on.” She said.
“I see. And what about these?” I asked, pointing at some purple flowers that looked like bells.
“Those are lavender. They symbolize calmness and tranquillity.” She said.
“I like them. They’re pretty.” I said.
“Me too. They’re my favorite.” She said with a smile.
We continued to chat as we arranged the flowers in a vase. She was very friendly and helpful, and I enjoyed her company.
We were almost done when a beautiful and noble-looking stranger appeared in the garden. She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. She wore a white dress that hugged her curves and accentuated her breasts. She looked at us with disdain and walked towards us.
“Who are you?” She asked me in a cold voice.
I felt intimidated by her presence and tone. “I-I’m Methis.” I stammered.
“Methis? What kind of name is that?” She sneered.
“It’s my name.” I said defensively.
She appraised me from top to bottom and shook her head. “You’re nothing special. You’re just a plain human girl.”
She turned to the maid and asked her in a haughty voice.
“Who is she? And what are you doing with her?”
The maid bowed her head respectfully and answered her in a timid voice.
“She’s Jamal’s wife, ma’am. And we’re just learning flower arranging.”
The stranger’s eyes widened in shock and anger. She looked at me again with disbelief and disgust.
“Jamal’s wife? You mean his bride?” She spat out the word like it was poison.
“Yes, ma’am.” The maid said nervously.
The stranger laughed mockingly and shook her head.
“No, no, no. You must be mistaken. Jamal can’t possibly marry someone like her.”
She pointed at me with contempt.
“She’s not his Luna. She’s not his true mate.”
She looked at me with a smug smile and introduced herself as a noblewoman of the wolf clan.
“I’m Laura. And I’m Jamal’s Luna.”
"What does that have to do with me?" I asked, getting a bit impatient at her rudeness.
It turned out to be a big mistake, because she absolutely let me have it.
She claimed to have known Jamal since childhood, and to have been destined to be with him.
She jealously mocked me, saying I was just a tool for surrogacy, and once I gave birth, I would have to go back to the human world.
She said Jamal did not love me, and never would.
She said I was a fool to think otherwise.
She said I should be grateful that Jamal had spared my life, and that I should not overstep my boundaries.
She said I should know my place, and stay away from Jamal.
She said a lot of things that hurt me deeply, and made me feel worthless and hopeless.
I wanted to fight back, but I did not know how.
I just did the only thing I could at that moment. I turned around and walked away.