THE NOTORIOUS ALPHA'S FAVORITE SLAVE

Tonight marked our third-year wedding anniversary, the same night when I first married Kevin Fosner, the Alpha from one of the most respected pack houses in Chicago—The Windcrown Pack. This evening was also a commemorative evening for the pack as the annual founder festival was taking place. Every year, all shewolves anticipate this celebration, as those who get to conceive were blessed with gifted pups. For that reason, I have been telling myself for hours now that I had to finally get pregnant tonight. I had to—at least that’s what I kept telling myself. Our marriage had been full of passion, our s*x life as mates was pretty much active for the past years. Yet, despite our efforts, I had not ever since conceived his pup—his supposed heir. “You’ll do great, Luna Amira. Hopefully the moon goddess blessed you with a pup tonight after the mating ceremony,” Dakota, my wolf, whispered inside my head. “I hope so too, Dakota,” I mumbled. Yet, just the very thought of it left me to feel more worried. Frustration of being unable to provide the Alpha an heir always gnawed at me, like a shadow that lurked to haunt in our marriage. It was Alpha Kevin who insisted we see a specialist, hoping for answers as to why I couldn’t get pregnant. But to our dismay, neither of us showed any signs of infertility. Even the doctor suggested that my fitness and diet could be reasons, but her words did little to ease the growing tension between me and Alpha Kevin. I still remember the skeptical look in the doctor’s eyes as she examined us, probably wondering how I managed to keep up with someone of Alpha Kevin’s size. His broad, tanned body exuded strength, and I often wondered if our physical differences played a role in our struggles. In bed, Kevin was rough, almost too rough, as if he was always pretty close to breaking me. He never voiced any disappointment despite my incapacity to get pregnant, but I could feel it in the silence between us. The pressures of being his luna weighed heavily on me, especially when I couldn’t fulfill the one role that mattered most—giving him an heir. Three years had passed, and each failed attempt only worsened my anxiety. Tonight, as I sat on the edge of our bed, brushing my hair and listening to the insects sing outside, I couldn’t help but wish that this time would be different. I could only wish to finally conceive. But Kevin had grown distant, preferring late-night work in his study over spending time with me. This annual founders celebration and the preparations seemed to consume him, leaving little time for anything else, particularly me. I sighed at the very thought of how joyous it must have been telling him that we were finally expecting our pup. The founder festival would be so much more meaningful if we could share that news. But my hopes were dashed when the door to our bedroom burst open with a loud bang, jolting me from my thoughts. Startled, I jumped as I saw a tall figure silhouetted in the dim light. My heart raced as he moved toward me with purpose, his large hands gripping my waist as he pulled me into a kiss. The scent of alcohol from his mouth hit me before I could even react, and I knew it was Alpha Kevin. “You’ve returned, my alpha. I’ve been waiting for you,” I greeted him, trying to hide my disappointment as I embraced him. But the smell of Bourbon drink on his lips was overpowering. He was drunk again just like any other nights when he retire to our bed. “Yes, I have, my barren luna,” he slurred, his words cutting through me like a knife. “Now serve me. Please me tonight because that is all you are capable of doing anyway.” His words stung, more than I wanted to admit. Alpha Kevin could be ruthless when he was drunk compared to how icey was his treatment towards me when he’s sober, but I knew it was the alcohol speaking. Tomorrow, he would return to his cold, distant self again, as if none of these ever happened. And to be honest, this was the only time I could felt the touch of my husband, even if it was under the haze of his intoxication. Alpha Kevin pressed his lips on mine, his mouth rough for hunger. The taste of alcohol lingering on my tongue. Yet, my body stirred as I yearned for him and for his touch, desperate for more and for him. I tried to maintain his interest by touching his bulge. He was already hard, and I could feel his c**k throbbing beneath his pants. But as I moved to unzip him, he suddenly pushed me away, his eyes wide with shock. “What’s wrong, my alpha?” I asked, fear creeping into my voice. “Had I done something wrong?” Without a word, Alpha Kevin stood and walked to the shower, slamming the door behind him. And as I sat there, stunned, I tried to make sense of what had just happened. What could I have possibly done that made him react that way? He stayed in the shower for what felt like an eternity, and when he finally came out, he was already wearing his gray silk bathrobe, and it would seem that he had no intention of picking up where we left off. And so for the first time in our three years of marriage with an active s*x life, Kevin refused to make love to me. THE NEXT MORNING, the household buzzed with preparations for the founders festival at the Timberhouse Empire Building. Normally, I had several maids attending to me, but today, only one remained by my side. It seemed everyone had been pulled into the festival preparations, leaving me alone with my thoughts. As the day wore on, I tried to push aside the hurt from the night before. Alpha Kevin was busy, as always, with the responsibilities of leading the pack for the event. The founders festival was an important event for the whole pack, and so I fully understand that this one required his full attention. The preparation went on pretty smoothly and members from the pack began to accumulate the entire ballroom. I could see some familiar faces, gammas and omegas, as well as other shewolves that were anticipating the beginning of the mating ceremony later on. As everyone seemed busy with their respective affairs, Alpha Kevin swiftly called my name, pulling me into a group of elite Wolfpack members, and I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. Alpha Kevin pulled me close, his arm wrapped possessively around my waist. “Gentlemen, this is my lovely wife, and Luna, Amira Fosner,” he said, his voice full of pride. “She has been my inspiration, the reason I work so hard. What more could a man want than to spend his life with a mate and Luna as loving and beautiful as she is?” His words were like a balm to my wounded heart. For a moment, I allowed myself to believe that perhaps he really meant saying them. But then one of the gentlemen spoke up. “Luna Amira, you haven’t changed a bit over the years. I can only hope that my future mate will be as stunning as you are.” Another one chimed in, his words sending a chill down my spine. “And what about pups? I’m sure we’ll see a little one running around soon, yes?” My heart sank. This was the one topic I dreaded, the one question I wished they would never ask. I glanced at Alpha Kevin, who was trying to maintain his composure, but I could see the tension in his jaw. Forcing a smile, I placed my hands over my stomach. “I’m sure he will come when the time is right,” I replied, hoping my voice didn’t betray my fear. The gentlemen nodded, accepting my answer, but Alpha Kevin’s grip on my arm tightened. Without another word, he excused us and led me outside, his hand clutching my arm like it would break anytime. By the time that we were already alone in the garden, his true behavior came out. “Whoever told you to butt in, huh?” He snapped, his eyes flashing with anger. I flinched, trying to explain. “My Alpha, I thought you wanted me to—” “Thought? You made me look pathetic in front of them again!” he hissed. “You just reminded everyone that you’re incapable of giving me an heir.” “You know how much I wanted to, my alpha. We can always try again, like tonight. The founders festival could be our answer.” “You seriously think that this event will still help a barren like you? Why don’t you go just back inside and serve your purpose to our guest? You’re just ruining my evening.” With that, Alpha Kevin stormed back to the party, leaving me standing alone in the garden, my tears were threatening to spill. Yet I couldn’t cry—not here, not now. I had to keep it together, for Alpha Kevin’s sake. He couldn’t afford any more embarrassment, especially not because of me. When I finally composed myself and returned to the party, I was met with a sight that turned my blood cold—Sarah, a shewolf rumored to be Alpha Kevin’s mistress. I clearly saw how she was clinging to his arm, her gaze so full of seduction towards my mate that it left me hanging with a question. What the hell was she doing here?