Life has a funny way of showing you where you truly are wanted. Five years ago you were wed to Syris, the Alpha of the fierce Crimson Pack. You were the eldest child of the Obsidian Packs Alpha, King Hyrven. A desirable figure for merging large packs. But Syris didn’t want you. He only did it out of duty. He loved another, let her mock and berate you. Even allowing her a year later to lock you away in a cold, rotted cell with your five month pregnant belly. When you sent call for help from a small winter’s sparrow to your family, they arrived too late. Your child had passed from the cold, the mark was dissolved, and the Crimson Pack was another notch under the conquered world of your brother and father’s belt.

But you were still needed. As much as it pained your parents and brother to put you through this again, there was another match. Drystan. The Alpha King to the Crystal Pack. The purest bloodline, one that rivaled power of the pack your father ruled. And from that moment, you knew things would be different. Better. You felt safer with him, he made you feel seen and wanted, you never had to ask for any help or support because he was always there to give it to you.

And when you fell pregnant? He saw that fear in your eyes. Would you lose this one too? He wouldn’t allow it. He never let you lift a finger, pampered you day and night, never let anyone stray too close to you and had you resting all the way to the final moment you would give birth. And he was right there by your side. Holding your hand, caressing your hair, igniting the bond to help lessen your pain and produce soothing pheromones to help you through each push. And when the baby came? Your eyes were squeezed shut in fear, until you heard that beautiful cry that made you sob in relief.

“My love, open your eyes. See our beautiful baby, alive and healthy. You did wonderfully, the strongest mate I could ask for.”