CHAPTER 10 _ THE FIRST CRY
1201 Words
Morning sunlight spilled across the ancient halls of the Midnight Pack, bathing the stone corridors in a warm silver glow.
For the first time in many days...
Peace had returned.
The warriors resumed their duties.
Omegas moved quietly through the palace.
Beyond the towering walls, the people of Midnight carried on with their daily lives, unaware that destiny was already moving toward them.
Inside Luna's private chambers...
Viera carefully arranged fresh herbs upon a wooden table before placing a hand against her swollen stomach.
The child within her shifted gently.
A soft smile touched her lips.
She was ready.
Any day now...
Her son would enter the world.
"You should not be doing that."
The gentle voice made Viera turn immediately.
Luna Seraphine Blackthorne stood near the doorway, one hand resting over her own rounded stomach.
Unlike the powerful Alphas who ruled through strength, Seraphine carried authority through kindness.
Every omega loved her.
Every warrior respected her.
Every child smiled whenever she walked past.
"My Luna."
Viera lowered her head respectfully.
"You should be resting," Seraphine said with a smile.
"You are carrying life."
Viera smiled shyly.
"And so are you, my Luna."
Seraphine laughed softly.
"That is exactly why I know how heavy those baskets feel."
She walked closer.
"I have told you three times already."
"You should take leave until your child is born."
Viera lowered her eyes.
"Serving you has never felt like work."
Seraphine reached out and gently squeezed her hand.
"You are stubborn."
Viera smiled.
Both women laughed quietly.
The atmosphere inside the chamber became warm.
Peaceful.
For a brief moment...
The burdens of politics, rival packs, and hidden conspiracies felt very far away.
Just then, another woman entered.
Ramona.
Luna's chief maiden.
She carried a basket filled with carefully prepared herbs and clean cloth.
"My Luna."
She bowed respectfully.
"The birthing chambers have been prepared."
"The midwives are ready."
"The healing herbs have been arranged."
Seraphine nodded with satisfaction.
"Thank you, Ramona."
Ramona smiled warmly.
"It is my duty."
Her eyes shifted briefly toward Viera.
"And yours as well."
Viera returned the smile.
None of them knew...
That within days...
Everything they loved would be consumed.
Hours later...
The palace remained unusually peaceful.
Viera followed Seraphine through one of the inner corridors while carrying fresh linens.
Suddenly,
She stopped.
A sharp pain shot through her body.
Her hand flew to her stomach.
She inhaled sharply.
Ramona noticed immediately.
"Viera?"
Another contraction.
Stronger.
The basket slipped from Viera's hands.
Before it struck the floor, Ramona caught it.
Seraphine stepped forward.
"Look at me."
Viera struggled to breathe.
"My Luna..."
"I think..."
Another wave of pain interrupted her.
Seraphine's expression immediately changed.
"It's time."
Ramona wasted no time.
"Call the midwives!"
Omegas hurried in every direction.
Within moments, several experienced women rushed into the corridor.
Carefully...
They supported Viera as another contraction bent her forward.
"Easy."
"Slow breaths."
"We're almost there."
As they led her away, Seraphine remained standing in the corridor, watching quietly.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"May the Moon Goddess watch over you."
Word spread quickly among the trusted warriors.
Not across the entire pack.
Only among those Alpha Kael had personally entrusted with Megan's secret.
Commander Megan received the news while overseeing the training grounds.
One of Kael's personal guards approached quietly.
"Commander."
Megan turned.
The guard lowered his voice.
"It has begun."
For one brief second...
The fearless Midnight Blade forgot how to breathe.
His child.
Without another word, he dismissed the warriors under his command and walked away.
Not too quickly.
Not too slowly.
Anyone watching would see nothing unusual.
Only another commander responded to pack _ house business.
Inside...
His heart pounded harder than it ever had during battle.
Outside the small birthing chamber...
Megan stood alone.
Hands folded behind his back.
His expression remained calm.
Disciplined.
Controlled.
Exactly as Midnight's greatest warrior should appear.
Then,
A scream echoed from inside.
His jaw tightened.
Another.
His fingers slowly curled into fists.
He had stood before charging armies without fear.
Yet hearing the woman he loved cry out in pain...
Left him completely helpless.
One of the trusted warriors approached quietly.
"Commander."
Megan looked toward him.
The warrior offered a respectful bow.
"Alpha Kael asked me to remind you..."
"He said..."
"'Remain strong.'"
For the first time that day...
A faint smile appeared on Megan's face.
Despite everything...
His Alpha had not abandoned him.
The knowledge strengthened him more than the warrior realized.
He straightened his shoulders.
And waited.
Time seemed endless.
The screams continued.
Then...
Silence followed, and suddenly the cry of a baby…
Megan's heart nearly stopped.
The door slowly opened.
One of the trusted attendants stepped outside.
She looked at him.
Then smiled.
"Commander..."
"It's a boy."
For a heartbeat...
The mighty Midnight Blade forgot every lesson discipline had ever taught him.
Joy flooded his face.
Real…… Pure…….. Unrestrained.
He stepped toward the doorway.
Inside...
Viera lay exhausted upon the bed.
Sweat clung to her face.
Yet when she saw him...
She smiled.
A small bundle rested beside her.
"Our son."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
Megan approached slowly.
Almost afraid to touch him.
Then...
He carefully lifted the child into his arms.
The tiny fingers wrapped around one of his own.
Something inside him changed forever.
He looked down at the sleeping infant.
"So small..."
"So innocent..."
His voice trembled slightly.
"You carry my blood."
He gently touched the child's forehead.
"May your courage surpass mine."
"May your honor never be broken."
"And may the Moon Goddess watch every step you take."
Viera watched silently as tears gathered in her eyes.
"What will you call him?"
Megan smiled softly.
After a long silence...
"I will call him..."
“Raegar”
"A son worthy of the blood that flows within me, with a commanding presence."
For a brief moment...
Nothing else mattered.
Not politics…… Not alliances….. Not rival packs.
Only a father...
Holding his son for the very first time.
Far beyond Midnight's borders...
Inside Redclaw Palace...
A lone messenger knelt before Alpha Darius.
"My Alpha."
"The child has been born."
Silence.
Then...
A slow smile spread across Darius's face.
"So..."
"The day has finally arrived.
He rose calmly from his seat.
His eyes carried neither excitement nor mercy.
Only purpose.
"Summon the Shaman."
Moments later...
The old man entered.
Ancient markings covered his arms.
Around his neck hung charms fashioned from bone and silver.
He bowed deeply.
"My Alpha."
Darius studied him.
"Is everything prepared?"
The old Shaman smiled.
"Exactly as you commanded."
Darius stepped closer.
"There will be no mistakes."
"There cannot be."
The Shaman nodded once.
"There won't be."
He walked toward a stone altar hidden within the chamber.
Upon it rested a long wooden box wrapped in black cloth.
Slowly...
The old man removed the covering.
Darius looked down.
A wicked smile curved across his lips.
"Excellent."
He looked toward the direction of Midnight.
"Let them celebrate tonight."
His voice became almost a whisper.
"Because before the next moon sets..."
"Their greatest joy..."
He smiled.
"...will become the beginning of their downfall."
The torches flickered.
The chamber fell silent.
And hidden within the wooden box...
Something deadly waited to be unleashed.
- Writer
