My Baby Is Mine!

Chapter 3: The Rebel's Refusal

The door slammed open, as two hefty men walked in, their feet thundering on the wooden floor. Elera's family froze with their eyes wide with shock. Elera's heart skipped a beat as she looked up to see Lukas's guards in her home, their pack leader's badge visible on their chests.

"Elera, the pack leader demands your presence," one of the guards declared.

Elera's family stared in shock, her sisters' eyes wide with excitement and fear. Her parents exchanged a worried gaze at each other, her father rising to his feet.

"What does the pack leader want with our Elera?" her father asked, his voice fierce but measured. The guards remained stone faced. "The pack leader's business is not for us to share. Elera, come with us."

Without another word, Elera followed the guards, walking confidently, leaving her stunned family behind…

Elera made her way to the hall, it's bright lights and luxurious designs contrasted her low class standards. "Here Elera, come in," one of the guards said, showing her the door to lukas's chambers. She made her way in front of Lukas, "Master Lukas, you sent for me," she said, when her eyes immediately noticed her wooden box, reserved for Aria in Lukas's hands, a rush anxiety flushed through her.

Lukas's voice was low and menacing, "do you recognize this box, Elera?" He said holding the box firmly in his hands. Elera's mind went blank as she thought wether to lie or come clean, thinking about how her box possibly got into the hands of Lukas. "Umm, I'm not sure… where did you get that from Master Lukas…?"

"Don't play dumb maid. This is yours! You're snooping around too much. Aria's pregnancy is none of your concern." Lukas declared.

Elera's heart raced with fear, as the pack's leader confronted her. Now her suspicions grew stronger. Lukas moved forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "You're meddling in things you don't understand, Elera. Aria's child is… special. And we'll do whatever it takes to ensure its safety."

Elera's eyes flashed with defiance. "What do you mean? Why is her child special…? I'm only trying to help her, Master Lukas." Lukas growled, his patience wearing thin. "Enough! you cheap maid. You've been warned. Stay away from Aria and her child, or you'll face serious consequences."

Elera's face set in determination. "I owe my life to Milady, and I'll keep helping her the best way I can, Master Lukas.

Lukas's eyes blazed with anger, but he simply nodded, "Very well. You may leave." He said visibly unsatisfied with the response.

Elera bowed her head, her heart racing. "Yes, Master Lukas." She turned to leave, but Lukas's voice stopped her.

"Elera?"

She turned back, her heart pounding.

"You're playing a dangerous game. This isn't over."

Elera nodded gingerly as she turned and walked out of the chambers, the weight of Lukas's anger and her own determination heavy on her shoulders.

Lukas barked, summoning his guards back into his chambers with a sense of desperation, mere moments after Elera left.

Lukas leaned back in his chair, a menacing look in his eye. "Gentlemen, we've handed the warning, and she refused, now we have no choice but to attack." His guards nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination.

"We need to take action," Lukas continued. "And I have a plan. I want you to plant evidence, a vital possession of the pack, in Elera's quarters. Something so exclusive, so valuable, that her possession of it will be seen as a grave betrayal."

The guards exchanged a look. "What kind of evidence, sir?" Lukas smiled. "A Moonstone pendant. It's the one thing that could bring down the entire pack. When she is found with it, i'll make sure she's put away for life."

The guards nodded, their faces grim. They knew the consequences of their actions, but they were loyal to Lukas, and they would see this plan through to the end.

Lukas's smile grew wider. "Yes, and with Elera out of the way, Aria and her child…"

One of the guards spoke up. "Where would you like us to 'find' the pendant, sir?"

Lukas's eyes narrowed, his mind working quickly. "In Elera's quarters, of course."

The guard nodded. "We'll take care of it personally, sir. It will be done by nightfall."

Lukas's eyes washing with satisfaction. "Ahhh. And once Elera is accused, I want you to make sure she's taken into custody immediately. I don't want her to have a chance to defend herself or escape."

The guard nodded again, his voice firm. "It will be done, sir. Elera will be brought to justice." Lukas burst into a low and unexpected laughter. "Yes, justice. That's exactly what this is. Justice for the Moonblade pack."

As Elera made her way to the gate of her home, she saw Aria talking with her parents who adopted a worried look.

"Milady?" She said, "Elera, what's going on? Your parents told me you were at lukas's chambers." Aria asked, "my child, my child! Are you okay?" Elera's mom asked worriedly. "Yes mum I'm fine, he simply wanted me to take care of a few things, that's all."

"A few things…?" Aria said, " milady, I need to speak with you immediately, come with me…" Elera replied urgently," "b-but… where are the both of you going? Elera's mum shouted behind the both of them.

Aria entered Elera's room, it's simple decorations greeting her as Elera slammed the door shut. "Tell me What's happening immediately!" Aria demanded, "m-milady, Lukas found my wooden box containing the map I made for your escape," "what! where and how did he find it, I thought you kept it safely?" Aria said.

"I thought I did but somehow he got his hands on it. I think his guards are spying on me," Elera replied, "oh no! How will I take care of my child. What is Lukas doing…?" Aria slurred, "calm down milady, you shouldn't stress yourself too much."

With more pronounced physical changes, Aria's pregnancy is becoming more visible by the moon. Just as the two of them were talking, they heard a loud gong from outside, calling all members of the Moon blade pack to the market center.

Elera's sisters rushed to her room hastily, "the town crier is making an announcement, they said simultaneously.

Aria and Elera, made their way to the market center where the town crier stood atop the stone steps, his voice booming out across the bustling market. "Hear ye, hear ye! By order of Pack Leader Lukas, it is announced that the union between Lila, daughter of late Mr and Mrs Emberwing, and Lukas, Pack Leader of our great pack, shall take place on the next full moon!"

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

The town crier continued, "All members of the pack are called to attend the grand ceremony, which shall take place at sundown on the special day. A feast shall follow, and all are welcome to join in the celebration!"

Aria and Elera exchanged a shocked glance at each other, amidst the bustling crowd.

Lila's heart raced with excitement, her mind spinning with thoughts of the power and status she would soon possess. She leaned into Lukas, her body pressing against his, as they gazed out over their pack, "on our wedding night, as we exchange our vows, we will take Aria's baby, and ensure the survival of the pack." Lukas assured Lila.