"Push!"

"Keep pushing, Olive!"

"You're doing great, keep going!"

"Just a little more now!"

"That's it! You did it, you really did it!"

I was breathing heavily as I wiped the sweat off my brow. My entire body sore from the exertion.

Amias beamed down at me, "She's beautiful Olive."

"Thank—" I jolted and quirked my eyebrow up at him, "She?"

He nodded.

"You are giving your bassinet a gender now?" I questioned from my spot on the floor.

Amias scoffed, "But of course!"

In a whirlwind decision that was so like Amias, he and Felix announced that they wanted to adopt a baby. Werewolf baby adoption was virtually unheard of as mates tended to be fiercely loyal to their pups. However, there were rare cases where a female wolf was rejected after conception to be left on her own and raise a child; this usually meant the mother was a rogue at that point.

After everything settled down Devin and Ana declined our offer to stay with us in Malice, they said it was too stinky for them. Cue the big eye roll. So instead, the pair have spent a lot of time exploring the land—partly for enjoyment and partly to find a new place to call their own I imagined.

On their travels, Devin stumbled upon a rogue wolf who was on her own and very pregnant. Her mate rejected and banished her, she'd been on her own for months now. So when Devin politely inquired about the baby and what her intentions were with it, she was almost too happy to allow Amias and Felix to adopt it.

The rogue temporarily moved to Malice for the remainder of her pregnancy—temporarily because she was obstinately determined to get back into her pack now that she wouldn't have a baby with her.

And any day now, Amias and Felix were expecting the arrival of their baby.

At first, the thought of Amias raising a kid absolutely terrified me—no one thought he was ready for such a challenge. But, he and Felix were an were undoubtedly an incredible team. They were complete opposites of each other and it completely worked, they balanced each other nicely.

He glanced around the room, "Thanks again Ollie, that was some good teamwork action we had back there."

I frowned, "Teamwork? I read the instructions, I put it together and then I pushed the damn thing all over the room because you kept changing where you wanted it to stay."

Amias popped his tongue loudly in a very Alyssa-Edwards-esque manner. "Agree to disagree." He slung an arm around my shoulders, "Regardless...Felix, baby and I are all eternally grateful for your physical labor."

I rolled my eyes and slipped out of his arm while pulling out my phone from my pocket to check the time. It was almost noon which meant I had to get back to Matteo.

Amias saw me checking the time and he patted me on the back, "Everything is going to be fine." He assured with a bright smile, "Now get going, I don't want to face the wrath of Matteo for making you late."

He was right. This was one thing I couldn't be late for. So after a quick hug, I slipped out of his house and made my way over to our place.

Normally today wouldn't have been anything special. It would probably be just like any other day at Malice. Matteo and I would be working, Fran would be out on patrol and Amias would be working in the infirmary.

But it wasn't a normal day.

Exactly a year ago today, Alpha Isabel issued a warning bounty on my head at noon on the dot. We all immediately laughed off the threat, it seemed ridiculous for a pack like her's to make such a bold threat like that. Even after it slipped from the minds of our pack, the threat hung in the air like a silent weight over me and today the anxiety returned at full force on my shoulders.

Could she have been serious? What did she want with me? Would we be prepared? What would happen if she got to me? What would happen to the pack if a fight broke out? What if—

An arm wrapped around my waist and tugged me forwards into a chest immediately as I entered the house. I breathed in the familiar foresty scent of my mate, allowing myself to be completely enveloped by his embrace.

"I could practically see on your face the internal freak out that you've got going on in your head." Matteo remarked as he rested his chin on the top of my head.

I scrunched my nose, I didn't think it had been that obvious. The last thing I wanted was for everyone to know that I was genuinely concerned for today.

That didn't mean I didn't have faith in Matteo. I believed him when he said nothing would hurt me ever again, I truly did. But that didn't mean I wasn't allowed to worry just a little bit now and again.

Ever since we returned from Lysander's complex a year ago, I have practically been living in an eternal state of bliss with Matteo.

He showed me the ways of being a werewolf, for reals this time. While I showed him how to not be a d:ck all the time, it was a work in progress. It was remarkable to see how much we both helped each other grow every single day. Having a connection with my wolf finally was inexplicable and to be able to truly feel that connection with Matteo and my wolf felt so right, it completed me entirely.

I loved him so much it sometimes physically ached which sounded corny as sh:t but it was true. I never experienced this kind of overwhelming happiness before.

Plus, the sex was amazing.

Matteo loosened his hold on me, allowing me to step back ever so slightly and stand face to face with him.

I shrugged dismissively with a sigh, "I dunno." My hand subconsciously rubbed my forearm nervously. "It's just..."

Matteo frowned and crossed his arms and I felt my heart beat race because even to this day he was still mildly intimidating when he wanted to be. "It's just what? You don't have confidence in my abilities as Alpha to protect you—as your mate?"

I quickly shook my head, truly believing I stuck a nerve in Matteo but his fast smile that followed said otherwise. "Olive, baby, you are completely safe. No one and no curse will ever change that."

An alarm rang from Matteo's phone, he glanced up at me and showed me the screen. "It's noon."

We got the message from Isabel last year at noon. She announced a curse would befall our pack if I wasn't turned over within the year. Clearly we hadn't adhered to her warning.

So this was it. We would find out if there was any truth behind her declaration or if it was just an empty threat.

He took my hand and we walked outside together. I had a sinking, sickening suspicion it was the former.

People poured into the clearing, obviously invested and interested in the outcome of today as the threat could potentially affect each and every person here.

Matteo looked completely calm, there wasn't any sign of worry on his body. I took a deep breath, maybe he was right?

A soft voice cleared their throat beside me and when I looked over I saw Fran and Amias. Amias shot me and encouraging thumbs up to which I offered a shaky smile in return.

It would be nice if Isabel would at least be punctual with her threats.

It was virtually completely silent across the entire pack, you could probably hear a pin drop or in this case, my erratic heartbeat. Matteo had his phone out to keep time, I watched as one minute went by and then another and another until almost ten minutes passed.

Amias loudly yawned, "Well this has been great." He saluted Matteo and I, "Guess you'll live to see another day." There was shaky, half hearted laughter across the clearing as people began to disperse. Isabel had been bluffing, there was nothing wrong—no curse, no trouble, just a regular day after all.

That was until Fran fell to her knees on the floor, she was clutching her head tightly as she rolled to her side moaning in agony. It almost looked like she was having a seizure, Amias rushed over to her side immediately stabilizing her neck. Suddenly Fran stopped convulsing, her head lulling to the side into the grass. A pink fog slipped out of her mouth as if she exhaled into cold hair.

Pink fog.

Isabel appeared in the clearing last year as an apparition in pink cloudy smoke, which could only mean one thing...

The curse was real...

Now, it was in times like this where having a mate that was the complete opposite of you had its perks. For example, while I stood completely frozen in shock and mild terror, Matteo instantly went into alpha wolf mode.

You could give a girl a wolf but you can't take the scaredy cat out of the girl...or whatever saying was— point made.

I would use the excuse that I wasn't born into any power within my pack, also the whole living 93% of my life without wolf instincts seemed like a good excuse to brandish as well. But then again, the more logical half of me reminded myself that Matteo wasn't born into any power either, he was a human who was turned into a werewolf and elected into his alpha position.

I needed to get a grip and fast.

Matteo called out for more healers to attend to Fran and quickly ordered the warriors to secure the borders, adding that they were under strict orders to not let anyone in or out; we were under a full lockdown.

Amias was administering the primary aide to Fran, giving instructions to the healers swirling around him while simultaneously trying to stabilize Fran. In any other circumstance I would be so happy and proud of the healer Amias has grown into but now wasn't the time to be sentimental.

As if it couldn't get any worse, like a scene from a horror film I watched more bodies of fellow pack members suddenly crumple to the floor unconscious with pink smoke dancing out of their lips. By the time the last body collapsed into the grass there were more than twenty people afflicted by this magical attack.

I didn't even realize that I'd somehow managed to wrap my arms around Matteo's bicep for comfort at some point until he swiftly untangled himself from my vice like hold. I saw the concern mar his gaze, the weight of the reality of the situation was riding heavily on us both. Isabel's attack on Fran and our pack meant inevitable trouble for me...she would be coming for me and clearly had no regard for the well being of others. I realized how selfish that was in the moment as I felt impulsively inclined to reach back out to Matteo for support once more but I remembered that I was no longer being a sad, scared little girl...I was the mother f:cking Luna of the most terrifying pack on the face of the planet, I needed to act like it.

Easier said than done.

Duh.

I figured I would be of best use by assisting people to their homes, helping keep the peace would be right up my alley. I didn't even get the chance because the moment I gathered enough courage to try and help, Matteo returned to my side and took hold of my arm, hauling me away from the chaos and handing me off to his Beta who immediately held me fast.

I frowned and stared up at Matteo before craning my neck behind me every so often to keep an eye on what was happening. "What the hell is this? What're you doing?"

He didn't answer me, instead Matteo looked past me and over my shoulder to address Christian, "Take her inside, lock all the doors and windows—and Christian, don't let her out of your sight." Matteo turned away from me and began to shift.

I scoffed loudly, the two pricks were talking about me right in front of my face but not even sparing me so much as a glimpse. It was like I was some invisible little child to them in that moment.

Christian nodded once and began to tug me backwards away from Matteo, I blinked wildly not believing what was happening. "No way, I'm not going anywhere. This is all because of me, I should be able to stay and help. I'm the Luna, you can't just push me away like this."

Matteo paused in the middle of beginning the shift, turning back around towards me while pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Olive..." he trailed off, "We know now that Isabel wasn't bluffing a year ago, she means serious business. She's out to get you and what's happened to the pack is an example of how badly she wants to get her hands on you. There is no time to argue over this." Matteo furrowed his brow together, "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, I won't break my promise."

Before I even had the chance to respond, Matteo gave Christian a curt nod and I was being towed away once more. I stumbled at first, my feet felt like led as I watched Matteo shift and run into the dense forest out of sight. I turned back around and complied walking with Christian towards the house with no resistance.

Christian eased his hold on me once we reached the front door to the house, he moved in front of me and held the door open; waiting until I was completely inside before following behind me and locking the door behind the both of us.

He seemed like a nice guy from the little time I'd spent around him. Even though Matteo did his best to involve me in the affairs of the pack, Christian was still naturally his right hand man when it came to that stuff.

Christian had left me momentarily as he did a quick sweep of the house, locking every entrance and windows—even going as far as turning off all of the lights before he returned to my side seemingly satisfied with the security.

I was already beginning to feel like a caged animal.

"He made the right call, y'know." Christian said suddenly.

I'd been walking towards the couch when his words stopped me in my tracks. "Excuse me?"

Christian bristled instantly, I watched his entire demeanor stiffen ever so slightly. "Matteo wants just wants to protect you and keep you safe. Why would be angry at him for that?"

I recoiled, "If he really wanted to protect me, Matteo would keep me by his side. That is where it's safest for me."

He frowned and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, "Believe me, I don't like the idea of being holed up in a house while all the action is going on but we have to trust that Matteo is doing what's best. He's our Alpha after all."

"He's our Alpha after all." I muttered childishly under my breath before collapsing into the couch and placed a pillow over my face. I didn't want to deal with Christian and his rationality right now. "Well I'm the Luna after all." I grumbled again which only earned me an overly dramatic eye roll from Christian.

Suddenly the handle of the front door began to jiggle, the lock made the clear noise that it was being tampered with from the outside. I pulled the pillow from my face and slowly sat up from the couch. Christian spring over to me, holding an arm out in front of me in a protective stance. "You run when I tell you to, got it?"

I nodded wordlessly.

The lock finally clicked open and the door slowly swung inwards, I squinted in the darkness as a figure walked in and closed the door behind him.

"Identify yourself." Christian.

We waited with baited breath, wondering who could possibly be defying Matteo's orders when a loud snort cane from the intruder.

"Relax, soldier."

I let out the breath I was holding with a relieved yet haggard smile and ducked under Christian's arm, crossing the room quickly.

It was Amias.

I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him close, I knew this whole ordeal has been stressful for him too so this hug was very needed for the both of us.

After another moment or two, I stepped away from Amias and was able to finally see his face as Christian flicked on a small lamp beside us. "How's Fran? How're you?"

Amias stiffened ever so slightly and the normal smile on his face dimmed a little. "Well—"

Christian crossed the room and held up a hand to halt Amias' words, "You aren't even supposed to be here, I doubt that Alpha would be pleased to know you defied his orders and are making the Luna worried."

I made a contorted face over at Christian and brushed his hand away, "You're right, Matteo wouldn't be pleased—he would be exceptionally happy that I am safe now with his Beta and the pack's greatest healer."

Christian rolled his eyes and after giving us both one last disproving look, he stepped away and flopped down onto the couch.

Amias returned his attention to me, "Fran is stable." I smiled instantly but Amias' features didn't seem as excited by the news, "She's stable in a coma and we don't know how long it will last." He finally corrected himself.

"That is how they all are right now. Twenty one people all in this bizarre trance or comatose state, I don't know...I've never seen anything like it." Amias continued.

My heart sunk to my stomach. Fran was one of the most powerful and brave people I knew, sure we had a rocky start but by the end of our journey last year, we'd become inseparable.

And to think that I was the cause of her suffering right now, this person who I cared for so much was now indefinitely unconscious because I didn't take Isabel seriously enough to turn myself over to her.

Hell, twenty other people were suffering because of my lapse in judgment.

All of our heads snapped to the front of the house when there was suddenly escaped pounding against the door, walls and windows from the exterior. There were shouts and cries, they sounded desperate and terrified. It made me sick having to be locked away while everyone else had to deal with the attack.

I felt even more sick when I was finally able to distinguish their jumbled cries into a singular message, 'bring us the girl'.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out their logic, in their eyes an outside wolf had brought this plague upon their loved ones and home—it didn't matter that I was the Luna when I was also the root cause of their distress.

Amias touched my arm comfortingly and gently squeezed, "Don't listen to them, Olive. They don't know what they're saying right now."

I knew he was true but their chants were pounding through my ears, blocking out any logical thoughts.

Christian stepped in front of me, ushering me behind him but I wasn't having any of it. I shoved past him and made my way towards the door, if they wanted me then they most certainly would have me—this was my fault after all and it was my duty as Luna to face the consequences; no matter what Matteo or anyone else would tell me, I was the reason Isabel inflicted this curse on Malice Pack. I chose to not turn myself over to her knowing the consequences and now everyone besides me was suffering because of it, I simply couldn't stand myself if I let this continue.

Matteo was probably going to kill me but maybe he'd understand from and Alpha perspective why this would be better for the greater good.

"Are you mental?" Christian spat out.

Amias rushed to my side and took my arm, tugging me backwards away from the door. "Yeah so, that's definitely not happening, Olive Martini."

Even though I'd gotten my wolf, my strength was still not completely up to par with all of the other wolves. Afterall, they were years of training ahead of me so even though Amias was quite scrawny it was difficult to break free from his hold.