Rebirth of the Alpha Queen

"Alpha Queen Valeria, push a little more. The pups are almost here," the female doctor said as she injected another vial of power enhancer into Valeria’s vein. "Darling, just a bit more. Our pups will be the strongest and the most beautiful in the whole pack," Alpha King Carden said, holding her hand tightly. For a split second, something strange flickered in his eyes, but no one noticed. Valeria’s golden eyes were filled with tears. Her whole body trembled from the pain, but she kept pushing. She could feel Carden’s grip hurting her, but that pain felt like nothing compared to what she was going through. "Carden… it hurts so much. I don’t have any strength left," she cried, her voice breaking as she forced herself to push again. She had always been strong. Stronger than most. But ever since she got pregnant, her strength had been fading day by day. Still, none of that mattered. As long as her pups were born safely, she would have no regrets. "Darling, you can do it," Carden said while opening his mindlink. He sent a message to someone. A hint of impatience flickered within his eyes when he couldn't establish a connection with that person. A quarter hour past. Valeria's face had already turned white, but she still couldn't be able to give birth to their pups. The pack doctors asked Carden if they could do a C-section, or else they couldn't really save both mother and child. "No Luna of My EmberMoon Pack ever used a C-Section. While my Val is the first Alpha Queen of EmberMoon Pack, she must give birth to our child naturally. The more labor time, the more powerful my pups will be." Carden said plainly. Before the pack doctors could say anything, the door suddenly opened. A woman in a white dress walked in, holding a bowl filled with red liquid. The doctors immediately lowered their heads and stepped back. "Healer Maya… we have tried everything, but none of the medicine is working on Alpha Queen Valeria. Her body is too strong to react to it. Alpha Carden refused the surgery. So, we can only rely on your healing now," the head doctor said, wiping the sweat off her forehead. "Step aside. I will handle her," Maya said calmly as she walked toward the bed. The doctor hesitated for a moment, but one sharp look from Alpha Carden was enough. She quickly left with the rest of the staff. Now, only three people remained in the room. Valeria. Carden. Maya. "Val, I collected the moonlight grass and twin moon fruit for you. I infused it all with my healing energy. This will help you deliver safely. Drink it," Maya said softly as she lifted the bowl to Valeria’s lips. Valeria drank without hesitation. She would never distrust the best friend who gave up the blessing of the moon goddess just because she liked Alpha Carden. "Maya… I really don’t know what I would do without you," she said weakly as a warm wave of energy spread through her body. Maya smiled gently and placed a hand on her belly. "This is nothing. We are best friends, after all." Maya said with a smile. For a moment, some strange emotions flashed in her eyes. However, she hid it quickly before Valeria could catch it. "Val, you can talk later. Focus now," Carden said as he moved closer and gently stroked her head. "There are only ten minutes left before the Lunar Hour. A pup born during that time will be blessed by the Moon Goddess herself." Valeria nodded, taking a deep breath. What she didn’t see… …was Carden’s other hand resting on Maya’s waist, wandering playfully. She gathered all her strength and pushed again. The pain was unbearable, but her heart felt warm. Her mate and her best friend were right beside her. That was enough. "One minute left," Maya said softly, but her eyes flickered. Without warning, she pressed her hand hard against Valeria’s belly. "Ahhh!" Valeria screamed as sharp claws dug into her skin. Before she could even react, everything happened too fast. Two cries filled the room. The twins were born. Their tiny bodies glowed with faint silver light. A clear sign of the Moon Goddess’s blessing. Maya picked up one child. Carden took the other. And then… they laughed. But it wasn’t the laugh of joy. It was something that made Valeria shiver uncontrollably. She felt like she should snatch her children and run away. She tried to keep her calm as these two people were the closest to her. They could never hurt her and her babies. Maybe she was too tired to feel like this. Before she could think more, she heard something. "Finally… the last ingredient," Carden said, staring at the child in his arms. Maya’s face lit up with excitement. "Yeah, darling. At last, we did it! We don’t have to hide anymore. With this, you and our son, Ryan, will become unmatched in the entire Eastern region." Valeria froze. 'Maya and Carden's son is Ryan?' 'But didn't Maya say Ryan was from her one-night stand with someone unknown?' Her heart skipped. "What… are you saying…?" She wanted to verify what she just heard. "Exactly what you heard," Carden said with a laugh. "I don’t have to pretend anymore. Acting as if I cared for you was exhausting. You weren't even my true mate. Just because of your monstrous strength...I had to fake our bond for so long." He snapped his fingers. Two figures in black robes appeared out of nowhere. "Take them. Give them to Madam Yuna. She knows what to do," he ordered casually as if he was talking about objects, not his own children. "No… no! Carden, stop!" Valeria tried to get up, but her body failed her. Everything felt heavy. Her vision blurred. "Give me my children back!" Her voice broke. "Carden… they are your children too. Please… don’t hurt them. Don't you want more power? I will give you my core. They don't even have any core yet. Just let them live," she begged, tears streaming down her face. Maya let out a soft laugh. "Val, you are really cute. You still don’t understand? You have been poisoned for a long time now. Your core is useless to anyone except someone from my bloodline, the Dark Healer Werewolves." She leaned closer. "And lucky you… I am exactly one with Dark Healer wolf." Valeria’s world was shattered. "Why… why are you doing this…?" she whispered. "If you hate me, then kill me. But please… let them live…" Carden’s expression turned cold. "Even if they are my children, so what? You stole the place that belonged to my true mate. You lived as my Luna for far too long. Now you and your children will pay for it." His claws extended slowly. "You are no longer needed. So, go to hell." Before Valeria could react, he drove his hand into her chest. Pain exploded through her body. Her core… …was ripped out. "Ahh...!" Her scream echoed within the room, then broke into silence. Blood dripped down as Carden tossed her aside to a corner like she meant nothing. She lay on the floor, unable to move, her vision fading. Through her blurry eyes, she saw it clearly. Maya stepped into Carden’s arms, taking her core without any hesitation. Maya smiled as she absorbed it slowly. "Card… what if she comes back as a ghost wolf?" Maya asked lightly. Carden chuckled and played with her hair. "She won’t. I will make sure of that. Throw her body into the abyss of Evil. Let those creatures below devour her body and soul. Nothing will remain." Valeria heard all, but couldn’t feel her body anymore. It was not like changing anything Still, her heart still hurt with regrets and burning for revenge, but she felt her soul was starting to leave her battered body. So this was the truth. If she had not trusted them too much… If she had not loved them blindly… Her children… won't be lost, right? Tears of blood rolled down her cheeks. If only… If only she had another chance. If she could take her revenge. For that, she would give anything. Even her soul. That was her last thought. Darkness swallowed her whole. Behind her, Maya’s voice echoed faintly. "Don’t blame us, Val. Blame yourself for being too strong… and too foolish." Then everything went silent.