1 A fate worse than death.

Selene POV

I was born on the day the moon sheds its skin.

It is said that the moon sheds its skin every one thousand years and at that time, it is at its weakest. The energy from the sun and the stars would cease to feed it and anything born at that time would be bad luck. 

'A fate worse than death'. 

Since the day of the moon shed couldn't be counted by the strongest of moon priests or priestesses, everyone had to walk around with three pinches of Evening Primrose and Saffron tied around the ankle. It if gets hot and tries to burn you, it's an indication that the moon would shed its skin that day, so you hide.

I was weaker than the weakest of werewolves with a wolf as tiny as a kitten and no matter how much my parents tried to change my destiny, it was my fate to be hated by my mate and strangely, he could not leave me... for the day he does, tragedy would befall him. 

"What kept you so long?" Xavier barked as soon as I climbed into the car, shaking me out of my reverie.

He had gratefully driven me to the pack hospital for my monthly shot of Mug wort and beetroot to help preserve my strength. I couldn't tell if I had become weaker as I aged.

"I'm sorry," I murmured smoothing my dress as I sat on the seat opposite him "The doctor had to,".

"I don't care," he said coldly cutting me off "When next you have to be late; you should consider texting me first. By the way, this is the last time I will ever drive you here, you can find your way,".

I didn't say anything; I couldn't protest. Despite seven years of being mated and married to him, he still scared me a lot. Xavier Steele was the exact opposite of me. He was taller than most Alpha males with beauty that radiated in the dark.

But he had a weakness and unfortunately, it was me. Every full moon, to preserve his strength and his immunity he had to mate with me and like any other Alpha, strength was pivotal in ruling a pack.

"Did you get the pills from the doctor?" he demanded, flashing me another deadly stare.

"N-No…" I trembled "I honestly…".

"Shut up! I don't want to hear it," he barked "You are just a weasel, who can't get anything right,".

"I'm sorry. I was…"

"I said I don't want to hear your excuses!" He growled and tossed me a pack of pills.

Tears gathered in my eyes as I stared at the pills on my lap. Xavier had vowed not to have a child with me because he didn't want to ever birth a weak child. So, I was constantly forced to take birth control pills.

I wouldn't want that too. No child of mine should suffer the same fate as me – being at the mercy of your mate and the laughing stock of everyone in the pack despite being a Luna was a nightmare.

When the car halted in front of the pack house, Xavier drove off without saying another word to me. Sighing, I started to the door, ignoring the snickering sounds from the Deltas on duty. None of them respected me and I couldn't blame them. My husband always disrespected me in front of them.

"Do you want our help, Luna?" One of them called out "Are you sure you can walk?"

Ignoring their taunts, I continued walking. I could feel my breaths coming in short gasps.

"Our weak Luna," One of the Deltas taunted again and placed his hand on my back to push me when I felt a loud thud followed by a shriek. I turned to find Lucius – Xavier's Beta pinning my assailant on the wall, his pupils were black with anger.

"Show some respect for her, she's your Luna. The next time I catch any of you trying to disrespect her, I'll have your heart for dinner,".

He finally let the Delta go and they scurried away like scared cats then he turned and smiled at me before starting in my direction.

"Is it me or are you glowing today?" he stopped in front of me, a serious expression on his face as he pretended to scan through my body.

Lucius was the only one who cared for me in the pack. He was always at loggerheads with Xavier because of the way I was treated but there was not much he could do anyway. He was just a Beta and he was bound to Xavier. 

"Please," I chuckled jabbing at him lightly on the ribs "I think it's the Mug wort shot. Why didn't you tell me you were coming in today?" I complained, "I could have made your favourite,".

"And have you wear yourself out? Nah! Besides, I wanted this to be a surprise and…" he gave me another smile as his hand disappeared into the blazers he was wearing. When he brought them out, he had a necklace dangling between us.

"What's that?" I looked at him curiously.

"Happy birthing Selene. I know this is coming late but I hope you this will make it up,".

"Oh, Lucius," I fought back tears as I collected the shiny pearls from him "It's beautiful and thank you for never forgetting my birthday,".

"You're welcome," he chuckled and took them away from me again "I'll put it on for you,".

I swept my hair to one side on my shoulders and stood silently as Lucius fumbled with the clasp on the necklace until finally, he got it right. As I turned to thank him, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Giving him an apologetic smile, I fumbled in my bag for the phone and was surprised when I saw it was Doctor Trisha calling. Surprised, I answered the call.

"Hi Trisha,".

"Selene," she sounded excited, "Remember how you complained of being overly weak these days,".

"Yes,"

"Well, I was just messing around with your blood sample, trying to see if there was something, I could add to give you a burst of energy. Well," she paused and in a shrill announced "You're pregnant,".

"You're with child, Luna Selene… You're going to be a mother,".