2: Death

Ophelia's bad mood turned sour when she saw Finlay hungrily kissing Elodie, his mistress. His large hand cupped the swell of her butt through her skirt as they attacked their mouths like lions.

She was used to this. She reminded herself. But why did she always feel pain? The only feeling she shared with Finlay was the mutual feeling of dislike. Aside from that, nothing more. There was no love or affection.

Why then did she feel as though her heart was continually getting pierced with closely packed needles?

It was because she knew her husband cared for his mistress more than her. She was just there to perform Luna's duties, while Elodie was the woman who had his heart. They literally did everything together. Fought by each other's side because Elodie was masculine and could easily tackle a powerful man. While she, Ophelia was the homely, fragile wife with delicate hands and a weak wolf because she came from the Omega family.

Finlay backed Elodie at a wall and did so many unspeakable things to her. He toyed with the rosey peak of her bust and slid his tongue into her mouth, hooked her leg on his butt, and grind into her, earning a breathy moan.

The castle servants were divulging, ensuring their Alpha had privacy with his mistress.

Through her window, Ophelia watched them with bitterness. She didn't love Finlay, but she was her husband. She could still recall the countless nights she bit on her sheet covers in tears as she overheard helpless moans and groans from her husband and his mistress, as they pleasured themselves.

"We should have a baby when you return." Elodie broke off the kiss and pressed her head against Finlay's.

"Yes, my sweet," Finlay replied in between catching his breath.

Ophelia placed her hands on the windowsill and watched as her husband's mistress saw him off, after exchanging one last passionate kiss with him like her life depended on it.

"What's more upsetting? I've seen worse." Ophelia muttered under her breath then whirled her head back to Irene who had wordlessly taken over the knitting from where she stopped.

"You could use a touch of hastiness, Irene." Ophelia fetched her skirt as she walked back to her bedside where roughly fifty knitted caps and cardigans lay. She spent sleepless nights working on them. When Finlay made love to Elodie and made sure their moans were distinct, she focused her attention on the caps.

***

Mid-afternoon, the next day.

The kids at the pack house orphanage were thrilled to get knitted cardigans and caps from Ophelia. They hugged her, adding dirt to her clothes, but she didn't mind. She had a gift with children, loved and showered them with affection. It was such a shame she couldn't bear one at twenty-two.

"The new rogues do not eat greens without meat. Some of them even go to the height of requesting fresh meat, dripping with blood. Barbaric!" Lady Abena shuddered. She was the matron who managed the orphanage and an acquaintance of Ophelia who often visited.

"It makes them stronger," Ophelia smiled up at the woman from where she had a sleeping infant on her bosoms.

"Doesn't make it any less barbaric. They're kids for Pete's sake." Lady Abena persisted in distaste and then paused to caution the rowdy toddlers who were running about.

"I'll have some servants send in fifty loaves of bread from the bakery and two sheeps from the livestock farm." Ophelia offered with a small smile.

And Lady Abena rushed to her side, clasping Ophelia's hand in hers in gratitude. "You're too kind, my Luna. The moon goddess is taking too long to bless you with a child."

It wasn't a scornful statement, but Ophelia brushed it off because she wasn't in the mood to be reminded of being sterile.

"Erica is still running a fever?"

"Yes, my Luna. She's been moody all day, having a high temperature and constantly throwing up."

"Seek for the aid of doctor Gabe, make it known to him that I sent you."

"Yes, my Luna. I'll do just that."

The entrance door bursts open, awakening the sleeping child in Ophelia's arms.

"My Luna!" It was a brown wolf running in fast gallops. When it neared the ajar door, it shifted into Irene, Ophelia's maid.

"What is it?" Ophelia immediately asked as she stood on her full height and propped the kid on her hip. A dreadful feeling was seeping through her because she had never seen Irene looking so panicked before.

"Speak!" Ophelia commanded in an authoritative tone.

"Tis' about the Alpha, my Luna." Irene breathed out, almost choking on her own breath.

The noise going around in the orphanage immediately went on a full stop, making everywhere as quiet as a graveyard. Even Lady Abena had fear befalling her face because there was this unsettling dullness seeping into the atmosphere.

"What happened to the Alpha?" Ophelia calmly inquired as she transferred the baby to the other side of her hip.

"News reached the castle that Alpha Finlay and his men got ambushed last night. They murdered all his men, including his Beta, Wolfhard." The tremble in Irene's voice gave out how shaken she was feeling.

"And my husband?" Ophelia croaked out, then bit down on her bottom lip as she gently put the kid down. Her heart was doing dangerous somersaults in her chest and blood floated over her head, making her feel dizzy.

"Answer me, Irene. What about Finlay?" She asked in a dangerously low tone.

"D-d-dead, my Luna. They took his head."