Message from the author: don't forget to add to your library my other novels, "Is this Destiny?" and "Accident Prone".

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Author's note: this is from Tessa's point of view

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When I heard that pups will be joining us, a mix of emotions overwhelmed me and I knew that Vitto sensed it because I could feel Vitto's concern through our mate bond.

Vitto is the best mate in the world, and I should be happy, but there is an inexplicable heaviness that grips my heart.

I grew up in the Swiftfur pack, and I remember the stories about the fortunate ones who found their mate. The Moon Goddess is watching us, and she decides who is worthy. Finding your mate is like finding where you belong, you complete each other, and there are only love and bliss until the end of the days. That is how the story goes, at least.

I did what I was told and followed rules with the hope that I will be worthy of a mate.

After my nineteenth birthday, my parents asked me what I plan to do with my life, because staying as an unskilled Omega would be a waste of my talents. I decided to start training to be a tracker. I was the fastest she-wolf in my generation and my sense of smell was in the top five, seniors included.

It took me three months flat to become a junior tracker. That was a record.

On a fateful sunny morning, I was in the forest, on a mission to collect the honey mushrooms. It was not an official mission; it was something my mother asked me to do. She can cook them to perfection, and I love their sweet and nutty flavor. Usually, I would collect a few extra and put them in a jar to enjoy in the evening the sight of bioluminescence that makes them appear magical.

I was running through the forest and taking in scents, forgetting how far I strayed from the Swiftfur territory. Grass, moist soil, daisies, a fox… and then the most pleasant scent of lime entered my system and I had to find it. Of course, it was Vitto; he was patrolling the border of the Bluemoon pack.

Our eyes met and we walked toward each other, as possessed.

"Mate…", I heard him say and my lips lifted into a smile.

'Mate…', Amber, my wolf, responded. 'Say it, so that he can hear…'

And my world changed completely as it started revolving around Vitto.

Less than a week later, I was officially a member of the Bluemoon pack, and Vitto and I completed the mating ceremony which strengthened our mate bond. I was in Heaven.

I remember the evening when Vitto returned from his patrol and stopped at the door of our small house that was absolutely perfect for the two of us. We even had an extra bedroom that could be used as a nursery.

The Alpha of the Bluemoon pack ensured that all pack members have food, clothes, and adequate accommodations, regardless of the status.

Vitto gave me an incredulous look while taking deep breaths.

"Your scent… it's different…", he said.

I was unable to prevent my lips from lifting into a smile. The scent of she-wolf changes after mating (which happened four weeks prior), and when she is expecting pups.

"Let's not jump to conclusions, love. I will go to the pack doctor tomorrow to confirm."

Vitto scooped me into his arms and twirled me and I never heard him laugh with pure joy like that evening.

Too bad that the war started before I reached the pack doctor. We had to flee.

We were aware that the Alpha was unstable since our Luna passed, and that more than one faction was trying to take advantage of his distraught state, but no one anticipated several packs launching a coordinated attack at the same time when some of our own pack members rebelled.

The fact that Bluemoon pack members plotted against the Alpha and no one knew about it, hinted that witches were involved. They can create potions to block others from peering into one's mind.

Vitto was a warrior, so he stayed behind, while I hid in a cave outside Bluemoon territory with a number of she-wolves and pups.

Vitto found me two endless weeks later. He was broken and dispirited with numerous wounds on his body which healed very slowly because of his exhaustion.

I never told him how much it hurt when I started bleeding, but I guess he felt my pain through our bond. Our pup was gone, and we mourned together.

Everyone thinks that Vitto and I are not having pups because he doesn't want to, but they don't know that we are trying and it's not working.

Three years ago, I bumped into a she-wolf I grew up with, Lisa. She worked as a nurse in the Swiftfur pack, and I asked her for a favor, to give me a checkup.

"Nothing is wrong with you, Tessa…", Lisa said.

"Why can't I have pups then?"

She gave me a complex expression. "It's not just you, Tessa. Look around. How many young pups do you see?"

I didn't get it. "What do you mean?"

"It seems that after the war, she-wolves are having difficulty conceiving."

"Did we get poisoned? Or is it a spell?", I asked while panic swelled inside me and I cradled my belly protectively.

Lisa shook her head. "No. A few of us are researching this and there is nothing out of the ordinary. Old Sam believes that this is the curse from the Moon Goddess. People rebelled against the supreme Alpha, and she was saddened to see her children slaughter each other over the power that doesn't belong to them."

Old Sam was the shaman in the Dark Star pack. He was ancient and knew all kinds of stories, but… "A curse from the Moon Goddess?"

I would believe it more if she said that a witch and a creature hunter joined hands to work against us.

"Think about it, Tessa. The most powerful Alphas perished in the war, leaving the weaker ones to chase their own tails while losing pack members. Even the wolves who left for North America and Asia are unable to have pups; exceptions are the ones who are mated with someone from foreign packs. Old Sam said that unless we unite and the stability is returned, the Moon Goddess will not forgive us…"

That conversation with Lisa was replaying in my mind over and over again.

When Fynn said that three pups are coming to stay with us, I was hoping that they will be under eight years old. I would call Lisa and tell her that she was wrong, but then Fynn said that they are teenagers, and my hopes of having a pup collapsed.

Was Lisa right? Is this a curse? Who can unite us and return stability?

The strong ones like Fynn don't want to lead a pack, and I can't blame him.

After seeing most of his friends perish in the war because some Alphas thought that they can take over the Bluemoon pack and make it theirs, I wouldn't want to be involved in leading a pack either.

Those Alphas attended meetings and parties with Damiano. Fynn saw them shake hands and pat each other on the shoulder and share laughter and… backstab Damiano while he was grieving for his soulmate.

"Hey!", Ari shouted from the hallway and I jolted, suddenly realizing that I'm in the kitchen.

I was in the middle of chopping carrots and I nearly cut myself.

"What?", I asked.

"Do you think I can borrow Martine to help me with setting up the rooms?", Ari asked sweetly. "The pups will be here soon, and I'm running behind."

Martine is an omega, the skillless she-wolf who helps wherever needed. Martine was elbow-deep in peeling the potatoes and I knew that Ari was only looking to avoid duties.

"I need Martine here.", I said dryly. "The rooms are clean, you only need to set up the beds and ensure they have towels and toiletries. Don't tell me that's too much for you."

Ari snorted and left the kitchen.

I shook my head and focused on carrots.

"Thanks…", Martine mumbled, and I hummed in response.

Ari is not a bad she-wolf, but she is lazy. Her favorite activity is to hit on guys, and she will look for any opportunity to avoid chores.

I was thinking about the pups. They are either rogues or from a smaller pack, that is the only explanation why they would be here, because if they came from a decent pack, they would be taken care of.

We know that Aldus is responsible for maintaining order in the area so that we are not exposed to humans. There is a good chance that he picked up the pups somewhere, but that's not like Aldus. He definitely encountered many pups over the years, why did he decide to take care of these?

"We should make something for dessert. A cake, maybe?", I asked Martine.

She nodded in agreement. "The pups will love it."

I wiped my hands on the kitchen cloth. "I will check what we have in the pantry before we start planning. It's late to make it for lunch, but we can make it for dinner."

We always have handy flour, eggs, sugar, and cocoa. The question was if we have enough for thirty werewolves, each with a huge appetite.

"We will be making a chocolate cake!", I exclaimed when I exited the pantry.

"Sounds delicious.", Vitto said in a low voice that made my insides shiver.

"Why are you here?", I asked as he snaked his arms around my waist.

Vitto's touch felt like home. Always.

"The pups arrived. Do you want to welcome them?"

I glanced at Martine who waved at me to go.

"The meat in the oven needs to be turned in fifteen minutes. Return by then…", Martine reminded me.

Before we stepped outside, I heard the lecherous exchange between Otto and Bert. Sure, they are only talking, and would never force anything on a woman if she is not willing but hearing such comments is not pleasant. Aldus brought her here, what if she is a creature with good hearing?

I was surprised when Fynn growled, and I was not the only one shocked.

The guys are naughty with dirty mouths, but Fynn never cared about it. And he even rushed to welcome them. How unusual.

"Be nice to pups and don't scare them. They would not be here if they had an easy time…", I said to everyone gathered and gave Vitto a peck on the lips before returning to the kitchen. I need to flip the meat so that it's evenly roasted with a perfect golden crust on each side.

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See Tessa's and Vitto's photo in the comments.

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