A Slave Became A Respected Luna

CINDY'S POV

"Breaking news: Alpha Luis Fenrir, leader of the respected Fenrir Pack, turned thirty today! It's time for him to choose a Luna, and his mansion is reportedly overflowing with single women vying for the position. Who will be the lucky lady to become the next Luna of the Fenrir Pack?"

The radio reporter's announcement filled the room as I mopped the floor.

"Move it, Cinderella!" my adoptive mother, Aunt Jezel, snarled, kicking the bucket of water.

The black water splashed, soaking the thick living room rug. This enraged Aunt Jezel further, and she ordered me to clean it immediately.

I spent the entire morning cleaning the house and scrubbing the rug. Her twin daughters, Stephany and Jenny, were occupied with frivolous activities. Stephany slept most of the day, while Jenny was out flirting in the park.

They're twentyfive, my age, and should be helping with the housework, but Aunt Jezel tolerates their laziness. I do all the chores—cooking, cleaning, washing, and grocery shopping—as if I were their maid. It's physically and mentally exhausting, but I can't leave.

Every day is like slavery. I wake before sunrise to boil water for their baths, chop wood for the fire, and carry buckets of water. Then I clean the house, only to have it dirtied again by Aunt Jezel's judgmental friends who lounge around all day. Her daughters devour everything I cook, leaving me with only scraps. At night, I sleep not in the large bedroom my father built for me, but in the stables, amidst the smell of horse manure.

After my father's death and his marriage to Aunt Jezel, she seized his money and manipulated him into leaving his will in her favor, ensuring I received nothing. She even manipulated him into giving her ownership of this house.

The bottom line: I'm broke and have nowhere else to go.

"When will my luck change, little mouse?" I whispered to my only companion, a white mouse.

Like the mouse, I feel like a pest in this house, an unwanted guest. I cry myself to sleep every night. Despite the pain and heartache, there was this one boy I truly loved: Henry Fenrir, our neighbor and Alpha Luis' nephew.

We were friends for three years, lovers for two. But Jenny seduced him one night during a large celebration at Henry's mansion. Everyone in town was invited, including me, but Aunt Jezel forbade it.

"Why would a trash like you be welcomed in the Fenrir mansion? Stop dreaming, brat. You'll end up dead like your mother, unloved."

Her cruelty was so hurtful I didn't try to sneak out to attend the party.

The next day, I snuck out at 3 p.m. to meet Henry at our usual spot at the forest's edge, where he taught me to control my wolf, use my strength and be intimate with each other.

But he didn't show up for five days. Worried, I secretly went to his house and found him in the garden with Jenny sitting on his lap. Worse, when Jenny saw me, she smirked and kissed him—and he kissed her back.

I ran home and cried on my straw bed in the stables.

The next morning, I was surprised to see Henry at our house, dressed in a formal suit, a stark contrast to my ragged clothes and messy bun. I thought he was visiting me, but then Jenny appeared, caressing her flat stomach.

"I'm pregnant with Henry's heir," she announced.

Everyone rejoiced, but not me. I wanted to confront them. My wolf urged me to transform in anger, but I controlled myself. I have no right to demand anything from him. I'm nothing.

The cheers were interrupted by a knock. Aunt Jezel opened the door to a messenger in a cloak who handed her an envelope.

Aunt Jezel opened it and read aloud: "Congratulations, Lunaris family. You are invited to a party at Alpha Luis' mansion to participate in the Night of Finding the Luna. Please wear formal attire and present any eligible young ladies in your household for the Alpha's selection. You might even be the one he seeks."

Stephany and Jenny squealed, saying how much they wanted to attend. But they abruptly stopped when I blurted out that I also wanted to go.

"What?" Aunt Jezel asked, disbelief written on her face. "Clean the house and cook. A slave couldn't be the Alpha's Luna."

CINDY'S POV

The day of the party arrived. It was held at 7:00 in the evening. All the beautiful single ladies in town wore their extravagant dresses for the alpha's attention.

Aunt Jezel and her daughters were busy all day preparing their dresses and applying makeup. Meanwhile, I spent my mornings cleaning and cooking again.

"Can I go to the party, Aunt Jezel?" I asked again as I knelt and fastened the highheeled sandals on her foot.

"You?" she laughed. "A stupid, ugly servant attending a party hoping Alpha Luis will choose you? Don't be foolish, Cindy. No one will love you."

Her daughters laughed. Then, Stephany spilled the glass of orange juice I had freshly squeezed, at her request, and ordered me to clean it up.

"Whose dress is this?" Jenny asked, seeing a cheap, unflattering dress in the kitchen.

"Iit's mine."

Even if I hadn't told them the truth, the sisters would have ripped it up. I tried to stop them, but my dress was quickly torn. I cried. It was handmade. How could they be so heartless?

When night fell, the three of them went out in an automobile. I watched them from the window, filled with anguish and sorrow.

But as I cried, there was a knock on the door. I wiped my tears and opened it to see a beautiful lady in a white dress and radiating presence. She glowed so brightly I was almost blinded.

It was the moon goddess.

"Don't cry, Cindy," she said. "Come outside. Attend the party."

"Bbut I can't. I don't have a dress. I don't even know where to rent an automobile."

She smiled, gently took my hand, and led me outside. There, I saw a shining black automobile with a private driver. The moon goddess held a beautiful blue dress with small butterfly sleeves.

"Wear this and capture Alpha Luis' heart."

My heart leaped with joy as the automobile stopped in front of Alpha Luis' mansion. Many people were ascending the huge staircase to the entrance. My mouth gaped. The mansion was so large it seemed like a castle.

"Cindy, be authentic. Spread love. Alpha Luis will choose you as his Luna. But remember, come back home before midnight strikes or else, the dress, the automobile, the private driver, everything I lend to you will vanish," the moon goddess reminded me.

I was overwhelmed when I went inside. There were so many people that I bumped elbows with others constantly.

Suddenly, a bell rang. Everyone stopped talking, eating, or walking. We all faced the top of the grand staircase where Alpha Luis stood. Even from a distance, I sensed his dominating aura. He exuded authority.

My heart pounded as he slowly descended the stairs.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, I will choose my Luna. I have traveled the world to find her, but to no avail. Tonight, these beautiful ladies will have the chance to show me they are worthy to be my mate."

The girls squealed and rushed to the front to line up. Seeing Stephany approaching, I quickly moved forward with the girls to hide. But then there was a commotion. The girls stampeded. I couldn't breathe so I struggled to get to the front for a space. And suddenly, I found myself falling at Alpha Luis' feet.

I stiffened at the sight of his boots. Looking up, my breath hitched. I noticed his pupils dilated and his eyes widen.

My wolf, Citi, thrashed. She became restless, and her howls nearly shattered my ears when I looked at him.

Then, a pair of arms helped me up. Alpha Luis raised me to my feet. When our eyes met, I heard Citi whisper, "mate.

"You're my mate," I heard Alpha Luis say.

I could feel the eyes of the people on me. They gasped and murmured, wondering who I was.

"Is she from here?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen her in our town."

"Maybe she's a witch."

Everyone's attention was on me. I wanted to leave, but I heard a familiar voice.

"I know her," Aunt Jezel said, stepping forward from the crowd. "She is my stepdaughter. She is the one who killed her father."

The crowd was shocked, especially Alpha Luis. Was she trying to portray me as a villain in front of him?

CINDY'S POV

"No, I didn't," I retorted.

I looked at my stepmother, who was surprised to see me fighting back this time.

"How can an 8yearold kill an adult? As a matter of fact, you were with him when I found him lying on the floor unconscious."

"How dare you—"

"Enough," Alpha Luis cut Aunt Jezel off. He stepped in front of me to protect me from her.

"Don't accuse without proof. If you won't respect this event, you may leave now. Guards!"

In a second, two guards grabbed her arms and dragged her away. People moved aside to give way as Aunt Jezel tried to break free from their grip and screamed at the top of her lungs.

Stephany and Jenny ran towards their mother, hoping they could talk the guards into releasing her.

When the three were cast outside, the atmosphere of the mansion slowly returned to normal. The music continued, people talked, and Luis and I danced the night away. Everyone watched us as we devoured the wide space in the center with the gracefulness of our dance.

After our dance, Luis and I went to the balcony, where no one else was present. It was just the two of us. We talked under the full moon, sharing childhood memories and secrets that strengthened our connection.

But I heard a bell ring again. I remembered what the moon goddess said. When Luis said it was already 12 o'clock, I hurriedly excused myself and ran outside the mansion.

"Please tell me what your name is."

I heard Luis ask from the entrance, but I couldn't answer him because I was already running down the stairs while holding my dress up. I noticed my necklace slipped and fell on one of the stairs. I was about to retrieve it, but I saw Luis running down to stop me from leaving, so I left the necklace and ran towards my waiting automobile.

When I arrived home, a painful slap to the face greeted me.

"You, bitch! Making me embarrassed tonight? Is it because Alpha Luis is your mate, so you think you're superior now!?" Aunt Jezel shouted at me.

Jenny stepped forward, pointing at my cheap, worn, tattered clothes. The beautiful gown I wore was gone, and I was back in my old clothes. "And look at you. You're a piece of trash. You shouldn't belong here, Cindy. You should be grateful mom adopted you, so you should show some manners."

"You're nothing like your pet mice," Stephany interjected. "Both of you are pests in this household."

They were so angry that they started pulling my hair and slapping my face. I cried so much I almost couldn't breathe. I yelled for help, but no one came. Our house is far from our neighbors.

But they weren't satisfied. They put me in the dark storage room with nothing but old, broken furniture; dust and cobwebs were everywhere. They imprisoned me there.

"Let me out!" I yelled as I banged my fist on the door, but all I could hear was laughter from the other side.

That night, I cried until I fell asleep.

———

ALPHA LUIS' POV

I need to find the girl I danced from the party who also owned the necklace. I know she's my mate. My wolf is reacting to her presence, and for some unexplainable reason, I'm drawn to her. I want to protect her.

So I went to her residence, Lunaris family. My messenger indicated this is where she lives.

"Alpha Luis! What brings you here?" A middleaged widow greeted me at the door. "Was it for my daughters, Stephany and Jenny?"

Her daughters, who were obviously lazy and nosy, peeked out from beside the door.

"No, I came here for your stepdaughter."

The lady frowned. "Who? Cindy?"

I didn't know her name yet, but maybe it's Cindy. "Yes," I said, unsure.

The lady frowned. "Oh, dear, Alpha. After she disrespected me last night, she went home and packed her things. She said she's going to your mansion to marry you for your money. I tried to reason with her, but she said it was her chance to escape this poor life since she had effectively seduced you that night."

What the lady said made me uneasy. My mate was after my money? Is that why she didn't tell me her name last night?

CINDY'S POV

I woke up to the sound of an automobile engine going off the road. I blinked, trying to decipher where I was, and realized I was still in the storage room.

Even though my stomach growled loudly because I hadn't eaten, I mustered all my energy to pound my fist on the door and screamed, "Let me out!"

Were they trying to kill me?

I stopped when I heard footsteps near the room. The small catdoor at the bottom of the door opened, and a tray containing a plate of leftover food and brownish water was dropped inside.

"Eat up! Thank us for still letting you live," Aunt Jezel's voice said.

"Auntie, please, open the door. I won't ever rebel against you again."

But she just laughed and walked away.

I don't know how many days passed while I was imprisoned in the storage room. It felt like forever. I hadn't bathed or seen the sun. They really treated me like an animal.

One day, I was lying on the makeshift bed I'd made when the catdoor on the lower part of the main door opened. The person who left my food spoke. It was Henry.

I quickly scrambled to my feet and peeked through the catdoor to plead with Henry to let me out.

"I can't possibly do it."

"Why?" I asked, my eyes streaked with tears. I was surprised my eyes weren't dry from crying all the time.

"You were a bad girl, Cindy. It's right for you to be punished like this."

"I thought you loved me."

He laughed. "You think so? Let me tell you the truth, Cindy. It wasn't you I loved. It was Jenny. Don't be so delusional."

Suddenly, Jenny appeared beside him, caressing her small baby bump. She smirked as she looked at me.

"Pathetic. He was just using you to be close to me. Who would want to be with an abandoned daughter like you?"

No matter how many insults they threw at me, I was still affected. It hurt so much that I'd served them, yet I wasn't worthy of their acceptance as part of their family.

When Henry left to go home, Jenny stayed in front of the storage room. She threw insults at me, saying I should be dead.

I was okay with their insults, really, but when she mentioned my father and how I'd killed my mother during childbirth, I snapped.

"Your family is evil. You should all be dead, instead," I said, and that made her cry.

Her mother and sister came to her and were shocked when Jenny told them what I'd said.

Aunt Jezel was furious. For the first time since she'd locked me up, she opened the door and stormed toward me. She grabbed my hair and dragged me outside.

I was almost blinded when the light hit my eyes; I hadn't seen sunlight for days. She dragged me to the stables. The horses neighed as Aunt Jezel pushed me into a pile of horse manure. My face was covered in it, and I could even taste it. I wanted to cry, but I controlled myself.

"That's what you deserve for being ungrateful to us. You want to be free, right? Well, then, go. No one would accept you, anyway. You'll come back here again, and you'll be cleaning horse shit again."

That night, after cleaning myself, I decided to follow my plan to leave the house for good. Even though my body ached from Aunt Jezel and her daughters' slaps and kicks, I packed my clothes and left my father's house, poisoned by her.

I walked past Henry's house and cried. Afterward, I wiped my tears and straightened my posture. I picked up the love letters he'd sent me before from my bag and threw them in their mailbox, along with a new letter for him that said: I loved you, but you treated me like an animal. Now, you will all regret what you did to me.

CINDY'S POV

Good morning, folks. In today's news, our respected Alpha Luis continues his search for the unnamed girl who owned the fallen necklace. He is willing to turn over every stone in the country just for this girl because, finally, she was his fated mate.

The radio crackled with a news report. The people in the pub were alert, halting their drinking and talking to focus on the radio.

The pub has a large radio behind the counter for the public to hear the latest news. People love to be here in the evening, especially on Friday nights, to relax. And I'm glad I got to work here because the ambiance is refreshing.

When I left my stepfamily, I went to the next town and found myself in front of this pub. It was evening, and no one was outside. Luckily, the pub's owner, Mr. Jerry, went out to take out the trash and saw me lying beside the entrance.

He quickly got me inside and gave me something to eat. I thought all people were bad, just like my stepmother and stepsisters. But Mr. Jerry proved to me that everyone can be kind if they choose to be. He took care of me while I was in my vulnerable state. He fed me, bought me clothes, and gave me money to buy my needs.

"Why are you so kind to me?" I said one day.

He smiled sweetly, like a father looking out for his daughter. "You're reminding me of my dead daughter. She was just your age when she was stolen from me because of her illness."

To repay his kindness, I worked for his pub. I became a waitress. Customers, regular or not, treated me kindly, and I never experienced harassment.

In this town, the people are friendly, warm, and respectful. Now I see why they are really supporting the reign of Alpha Luis in the country, because he is also like them: friendly, warm, respectful, and born in this town.

So, when they knew that he was searching for his mate for many full moons, they helped in the search, too. They searched by interrogating young ladies who attended the party and relaying the message to the pack's council.

But for whatever reason, they didn't ask anything from me. Maybe because I was from a different town, so they thought I was out of the equation? But still, I was puzzled and glad at the same time. I'm trying to get my life together, and this normalcy is what I wanted, not unnecessary attention.

When my shift was over and I returned to my small room on the second floor of the pub, I dreamed of him again. Most importantly, I dreamed about the time we spent at the party.

Morning came. As usual, I started mopping the floor and cleaning the windows.

"You don't have to do that, Cindy," Mr. Jerry said when he entered the pub and found me wiping the tables.

"It's the least I can do for your kindness to me."

Again, he let me do what I wanted. The two other workers entered after a minute, and then the number of customers who came inside slowly increased. For a short period, the bar was full of customers, even though it was still afternoon.

I was busy putting a glass of beer on a customer's table when I heard the sound of the chime on the door, indicating someone had entered. When I turned around to greet the newcomers, I froze when I came face to face with my Aunt Jezel and her daughter.

"Well, well, well, look who's here," Aunt Jezel said as she stepped forward to me.

"The brat has found a cheap job. A waitress? Oh, come on. Didn't the owner of this establishment realize you are fit to be a janitor?" Stephany added.

Jenny, with a large bump on her belly, laughed. "I bet she has slept with lots of men here. Are you giving them the satisfaction they want every night, Cindy? Is Alpha Luis not enough for you to seduce?"

All the customers' attention was on us now. They were intrigued by the scene in front of them. Even now, these three still love to be in the spotlight.

Are they really craving to be the center of attention? Well, I'll give them what they want.

"Are you that obsessed with me that you really followed me here? You're all so pathetic for not having a life of your own. I guess the money from my father's savings is gone, so you want me to take care of you. Well, news flash, I'm not the old, stupid Cindy anymore. Now, get out!" I ordered, pointing outside.

The surprise and shock were evident on their faces. They couldn't speak because of the humiliation. But then, Aunt Jezel raised her hand to slap me, but a hand stopped her midway.

When I looked at the man who stopped her, my mouth dropped open. It was Alpha Luis.

CINDY'S POV

Alpha Luis is here, and he's protecting me. I can't believe I get to see him in person again.

"Your mind is brainwashed by that girl, Alpha. You should get away from her," Aunt Jezel said.

"An abuser should be the one to get away from her. No one should mess with my mate, or else I'll banish you from this country."

Aunt Jezel and her daughters were scared. They immediately shuffled out of the pub, afraid of Alpha's threat. When they were gone, the people inside cheered.

"All hail our incoming Luna!"

They were all happy that Alpha Luis visited his old town and, especially, that he'd finally met me, his missing mate. Because of that, the owner opened the pub, offering free drinks to all customers. We had a minicelebration, and Alpha Luis's messengers spread the news.

"Good morning, folks. Our dear Alpha Luis finally found his mate in a pub in his old town. You can really find your true love in your old town, eh? What a day to celebrate! We now have a Luna."

The pub's radio greeted me when I went downstairs to prepare the pub for opening. Usually, I woke up before Mr. Jerry, but today, he was already there.

"Good morning, Luna. You have a guest."

I saw Alpha Luis sitting at one of the tables. When he saw me, he stood up and gestured for me to sit in the next chair.

"Hi!" he greeted, smiling. "I'm Luis. May I know your name?"

I halted, thinking that letting him know my name might be a rude thing to do, but I composed myself. "My real name is Cinderella. But, please, call me Cindy."

"Cindy," he whispered, nodding.

"What are you doing here so early?" I said.

"I'm here to legalize our bond." He produced a contract. "If you sign it, you accept our bond. But if you reject it, then..." He trailed off, smiling sadly.

If I rejected this, it meant we'd be mateless forever. It's my dream to have a family, but more than that, part of me wanted to sign it to get back at Henry and my stepfamily. If Henry saw me happily living with his bachelor uncle, I'm sure he'd be dripping with jealousy.

Without a second thought, I signed the paper. "I accept you as my mate, Alpha Luis."

After that, he told me we'd be living in his mansion. The werewolf scouts packed my things, and four automobiles were ready to drive us there. I thanked Mr. Jerry for his help before getting into a car with Alpha Luis.

My days in the mansion were a new experience. I was pampered like a princess. The maids tended to my clothes, bath, food, and other necessities.

When Alpha Luis was done with work at the pack council building, he spent ample time sightseeing with me, just the two of us. We walked on the beach at sunset, ran as wolves in the woods, ate at fancy restaurants, and I participated in a donation drive.

He was so passionate, unlike Henry. Despite not knowing the extent of the abuse I suffered from my stepfamily, he knew deep inside his heart that he'd protect me.

"I don't want any bruises on her. Understood?" He said to his maids one day. It warmed my heart because I proved Aunt Jezel wrong. Someone was willing to love me.

That night, while we were having dinner, a messenger knocked on the door.

"Alpha, your exgirlfriend wants to see you. It's urgent."

We made eye contact, and I knew what he meant. He wanted me to go with him. Together, we went to the mansion entrance and saw a lady in a white dress with long black hair.

She was beautiful, but her face was tearstained. When she saw me, she pointed.

"You!" she shouted. "You're not his mate. I should be his Luna. I'm the real owner of that necklace from the party."

CINDY'S POV

The pack council interrogated the girl, who was temporarily staying at the council's quarters while the investigation was ongoing. I didn't know what the deal was with her, but I was sure she wasn't telling the truth. I was the true owner of the necklace.

I was walking in the hallway of the quarters, taking Alpha Luis his lunchbox, when I turned the corner and saw Patricia, the girl who claimed to be the necklace's owner.

"I'm amazed you have the guts to be in the council's quarters when you're not the real Luna," Patricia said, crossing her arms.

"I am the real Luna," I emphasized. "You're the impostor, the alpha's exgirlfriend trying to win him back to improve her reputation."

She looked surprised by my reply.

Did she think I would back down just because I look innocent? She was wrong. I had been through a lot at my old home at the hands of my stepmother and stepsisters. After years spent in Mr. Jerry's town and at the pub, I'd learned to fight back and stand up for myself. I was no longer someone who could be easily treated like an animal.

"Let's see," she said, raising an eyebrow. "When the investigation proves I'm the real owner of the necklace, you'd better pack your clothes before I throw them out of the mansion."

She walked past me, hitting my shoulder.

When I reached Alpha Luis's office, I gave him his lunchbox, and we spent some time talking and laughing. Then, someone knocked. Beta Eric entered.

"Alpha, the investigation is over. We need your presence in the meeting room to discuss the findings."

Alpha Luis looked at me and took my hand. We walked together to the meeting room, where the Gamma, the Omega, two elders, and Patricia were waiting.

Alpha Luis sat at the far end of the table, and I sat beside him.

"We've figured out Patricia's identity," Beta said, looking at Patricia. "She isn't the Alpha's Luna. She's just after Alpha's power. It's you, Ms. Cindy. You're his Luna."

"What? No!" Patricia shouted, slamming the table in rage. "You're deceived by that girl! I am the real Luna!"

I stood up. "If you won't accept the truth, you can leave."

At Alpha's whistle, two guardians entered, grabbed Patricia, and dragged her from the meeting room, amidst screams and protests.

"You did great," Alpha whispered after I sat down.

Because of the incident, Alpha Luis, wanting to avoid further damage to his reputation and prevent my humiliation, decided to parade us around the country.

We took a fiveday trip in a float, showcasing my presence as his Luna. The float was surrounded by werewolf scouts and guardians to ensure our safety. The locals were cheering our presence. The radio constantly announced the parade and my status as the official Luna.

It was slightly embarrassing, but also great, that Alpha Luis wasn't ashamed to have me as his Luna. If it had been Henry, he would have certainly denied me. I wonder what he'll react with this. I hope he'll regret breaking up with me for Jenny and receive the karma he deserves.

We returned to Alpha's mansion safely. A small celebration was held in the banquet hall with the councils, elders, and powerful men from around the country. A small crowd applauded as Alpha and I walked the red carpet to our seats on stage.

The emcee kept the celebration lively with his witty punchlines. I laughed a couple of times, and during that, I noticed Alpha looking at me lovingly. After dinner, the audience lined up to give me gifts. Some gave vegetables, domestic animals, and plants; others gave packaged gifts.

When it was time to unwrap the gifts, all eyes were on me. I chose the red gift first because of a fascinating smell emitting from it. When I opened the gift, my eyes widen with shock and horror.

"It's a time bomb!"

CINDY'S POV

Alpha Luis immediately grabbed the bomb and ran outside. The timer showed seconds when Alpha threw it far into the air. The time bomb exploded, and the night was tainted with red, orange, and white. It made the sky shine like day.

"Are you okay?" Alpha asked, checking my body for wounds or scratches.

I cupped his face, looking at his worried eyes. "I'm fine. Thank you for protecting me."

"Of course, I will. I won't let anyone hurt you," he said, before kissing me on the lips.

I could feel the affection in the kiss, like I was precious to him. Never in my life had I experienced that after my dad died. He was the one who showed me what love is. And for that, he is more than my mate; he is the one I want to spend my life with.

It was clear to all of the Fenrir Pack that I was receiving death threats. Alpha Luis was worried for my safety, so he doubled my private scouts and guardians. Along with that, Beta Eric was also training me.

In the morning, I would help clean, tend to the plants, and make the interior of the mansion beautiful with flower decorations and my own paintings. Then I'd give Alpha Luis his lunch, which I personally cooked, in his office. By the time afternoon arrived, Beta Eric and I would be on the training grounds, and he would teach me how to defend myself in case of another attack.

"Urgh!" Beta Eric groaned when I pinned him to the ground. "That hurt. Let me go," he added, tapping the ground to gesture for me to release him.

I did so and helped him stand up. "Did I do it right?"

"You impressed me," he nodded. "You're a fast learner, just like the Alpha. No wonder you are mated with him."

After the session, I cleaned myself in the bathroom from all the sweat. When I went outside, I was taken aback by a guy waiting for me in front of the door. He was tall and had a sinister look.

"Hi, there, baby girl. Want some fun?" he asked. "In bed?"

I pushed him aside, but I shrieked in pain when he grabbed me by the hair and pinned me to the wall. This guy! Who did this pervert think he could harm? A Luna? I would teach him a lesson.

Before he could do anything, I kicked his shin so hard he knelt down in pain. I punched his face, and blood gushed from his nose.

"Don't you dare harm me or any girls around, or else you won't see another day."

I told Alpha Luis what happened, and he made sure the guy was punished. Alpha Luis put him in prison and he was punished severely. Messengers and broadcasters told the public about the pervert, ensuring no one would do it to anyone else, especially girls.

One morning, as I was using a water sprinkler to water the plants, a lady approached me to thank me for fighting for their safety.

"If it weren't for you, Luna, our Alpha wouldn't have made the law about sexual abusers stricter. We are really grateful you are our Luna."

I was so touched by what she said that I hugged her tightly and gave her the cupcakes I had baked.

While we were in the kitchen, with personal chefs all around, a maid came to tell me some news.

"Someone is looking for you, Luna," she said, her eyes filled with anxiety.

"Who?"

"I don't know. But he's knocking down some werewolf scouts just to talk to you."

I hurriedly went outside the mansion only to be greeted by Henry, who was screaming my name.

"Cindy! Cindy! Thank goodness, you're here. We need to talk." He immediately ran towards me and held my hand tightly.

I pulled my hand away, which made him frown.

"What are you doing here?"

"I want you to break up with the Alpha, Cindy. He's not your true fated mate; I am. Remember the time I taught you how to bring out your wolf? I made you transform because your wolf appeared for me. Believe me, Cindy. Ditch the Alpha and come back to me."

CINDY'S POV

"What are you doing here?"

Suddenly, Alpha Luis appeared, walking beside me. He instinctively put me behind him to protect me from Henry. I grabbed his arm and squeezed it to reassure him that I was safe.

"Uuncle," Henry stammered. "II need to talk to Cindy."

"Why? To abuse her again? I know what you all did to her. I know how much suffering she endured, and I won't let that happen again," Alpha Luis said, pointing at Henry.

Then, he gently grabbed me and pulled me towards the entrance but someone else grabbed my other arm. I looked at that person. It was Henry, breathing heavily.

"Cindy, I'm sorry. It's my fault. I didn't see your value, but now I regret it. I don't want to be with Jenny anymore. I want you."

Henry's eyes were pleading, moist with tears.

"I love you, Cindy," Henry added.

I remembered those days in my old house. The way they made me a servant, imprisoned me in the storage room, and how no one, not even Henry, saved me from that disaster.

But now, my life has changed. And I will not return to my old life just to be abused again.

"I said, stay away from her—"

Alpha Luis stopped, his rage subsiding when I calmly touched his chest and looked him in the eye. I nodded and smiled before turning to Henry. Afterward, I pulled my arm away from him.

"I loved you, Henry. I thought you were my buoy, keeping me afloat in the sea of misery I was in, but it turns out you were the anchor that made me drown even further. I gave you a chance, but I won't make the same mistake again. I'm happy with Luis, so please let me go," I said before linking my arm through Alpha Luis' and leaving Henry outside, shivering in the cold breeze.

That morning, I woke up with kisses on my cheeks. When I turned around, I saw Alpha Luis smiling at me.

"Good morning, sleepyhead."

"Good morning," I said, my voice hoarse from a good night's sleep.

"I prepared breakfast for you," he gestured to the tray of food on the bed, and I gasped. He always made me feel loved.

Together, we ate breakfast in bed. We chatted and laughed until he told me we would go on vacation to one of his rest houses.

I instantly agreed so we could have more time together. These past few days, he had been busy with work, so I missed him, and he felt the same way.

He was really willing to take a day off from work just to spend some time with me.

The day arrived for our trip to his rest house on the west side of the country. It was located along a beautiful beach with a nice view of the blue ocean and sunrise. The place is a tourist spot where locals and people from other countries come to surf and swim.

Alpha Luis' rest house is a simple cabin, a façade to make people believe it was owned by an ordinary person, not a powerful Alpha. He said he sometimes goes there to be a normal person, and I was the first girl he invited.

"What do you think of the view?" he said, hugging me from behind as we watched the sunset from the balcony.

I smiled, resting my head on his chest.

"It's magnificent. Thank you for bringing me here."

"You deserve nothing but the best in the world, my Luna."

I tilted my head to look at his face. The sun's rays illuminated his long, narrow nose, deepset eyes, thick eyebrows, and sharp jawline. I kissed his jaw, captivated by his handsome appearance.

He chuckled and looked at me, then at my lips. In an instant, he kissed me. I don't know how we ended up so quickly in the bedroom kissing. And there, as twilight painted the world, I was claimed by the country's dominant Alpha.

We had so much fun in his rest house. The planned oneweek vacation became a monthlong stay.

Truthfully, I was saddened when we returned to his mansion. It was back to normal. He left for work early, and when I woke up, I was alone in my bed. But it didn't make me lonely because he always left a bouquet of roses and a love letter on the empty side of the bed to compensate for his absence.

One day, while trying a new cake recipe, a strong smell made me nauseous. I rushed to the lavatory to vomit.

"What happened, Luna?" the maid asked, coming to my aid.

"I don't know. I feel dizzy."

"You need to rest while I'll call a doctor."

I was lying in bed, waiting for the doctor's test results. A knock on the bedroom door broke the silence, and the doctor entered with my two personal maids.

For some reason, the doctor was smiling as she approached the bed.

"Congratulations, Luna," she began. "You're pregnant."

CINDY'S POV

When I heard the good news, I instinctively touched my belly and imagined my child.

Who will he inherit his traits? Will his eyes resemble his father's? Will his lips resemble mine? I hope he inherits the strength and chivalry his father possesses. And if she's a girl, I hope she's as resilient as I am.

I tried to be patient and wait for him to come home. When he finally arrived, I told the maids to summon him to the garden.

I was sketching a flower, sitting on the green Bermuda grass in my pastel dress when he surprised me with a kiss on the cheek.

"My lovely mate, what is it that you called me for?" he asked, smiling sweetly while eyeing me with affection.

I looked up at him and touched his face. "I'm afraid you're going to have to double the protection of this mansion."

"Why?" he frowned. "Did anyone try to harm you?"

"No. It's just that I don't want our baby to be in danger."

As I said it, his eyes widened. He was about to say something but decided to shut his mouth because he couldn't utter a word.

"I'm pregnant with your heir, Luis."

As quick as lightning, I was showered with kisses from him. I shrieked when I fell to the ground and he went on top of me. Then he bent down to smell my neck.

"Oh dear, you don't know how much I love you. When I went to see you earlier, I already smelled something different in you, something that made my wolf react. And when I found out the truth, it felt like a dream. You made my empty world complete and whole, my Luna. I love you so much."

That morning, Alpha Luis gathered all the messengers and broadcasters to spread the news about my pregnancy and the future of the Pack. He was so ecstatic that he held another celebration for it in the banquet hall.

All night, Alpha Luis wouldn't leave my side. He would hold my waist and walk beside me carefully. When he sensed I wanted something, he would ask me what it was and get it for me. And when he felt I was tired, he stopped the party to let me rest.

Throughout my pregnancy, he was so handson. That time when I had a weird craving for a milkshake made of mayonnaise, ketchup, and pumpkin, he made it for me even though he was disgusted by the combination. When I was awakened late at night because of discomfort, he would sleep on the couch to give me all the space in the bed.

In just a few months, my belly grew bigger and bigger, and Alpha Luis often took a day off to take care of me. It made me feel like I wasn't alone in this pregnancy.

One day, Alpha Luis went to work to make up for his absences when I felt a sharp pain in my belly. I thought it was fleeting, but it worsened. Minutes later, my water broke.

"Help!" I called. "I'm going into labor!"

The maids saw me clutching the edge of the bed so hard when they entered the bedroom. Without wasting any more time, they carried me outside where an automobile was waiting.

"Tell Luis! Tell Luis!" I screamed throughout the ride to the hospital.

I couldn't remember the moment I was carried into the delivery room, but I remember Alpha Luis barging in when I was in the middle of delivery. He held my hand so tightly. And although I was the one delivering the baby, he was the one covered in sweat.

"It's fine, darling. I'm here, don't worry."

Then I heard a baby cry for the first time. It felt so surreal, like my hearing was heightened only by my baby's sound. I couldn't help but cry, imagining a new addition to my life and my new role as a mother in addition to being a wife. I did it! We did it! We are now a complete family!

The midwife gave me my baby. It was wiped clean of blood and mucus, but it smelled just like me and Alpha Luis.

"It's a boy," the midwife said.

"Where is my mate?" I asked, looking around. Suddenly, he wasn't by my side.

"He's on the floor, madame, passed out. But he's okay. He'll come to his consciousness in no time."

We stayed in a private room for a couple of days until the doctors ensured our baby's vital signs were good.

Then we went home in four automobile convoys. Alpha Luis wouldn't let anyone hold the baby, other than me. But more often than that, he would carried him for me, seeing that I was still recovering from labor.

Having a baby was a different kind of experience. We had sleepless nights and challenging cries from the baby, but it was all rewarded by his smiles and laughter.

"We're going to name him Luim," he said.

"I love that."

After days of spending time with just the three of us in the mansion to take care for our baby, Alpha Luis went back to work and focused on the pack.

I was in the garden, not with sketches or a watering can, but with my baby Luim in a stroller, humming him a melody.

It was a peaceful day, or so I thought. In a blink of an eye, a strange hand covered my nose and mouth with a handkerchief that smelled awful. I resisted, but the person circled his arms around my torso to prevent me from escaping.

No! I need to get out of here. My baby is in danger!