The anniversary

RENEE'S POV 

The scent of the dinner wafted through the room, blending with the sweet, intoxicating scent of my mate, Bane's. His dark hair fell perfectly, framing his chiseled jawline, and his sharp, intense eyes glimmered with a primal hunger that had nothing to do with the meal. Even in his casual attire, Bane radiated an undeniable dominance, his broad shoulders, sculpted chest, and the commanding aura of an Alpha. He had a lot of duties tonight, yet here he was with me.

It was our anniversary, and I had suggested we spend the evening alone, just the two of us. Despite his usual duties as the Alpha, always so wrapped up in pack matters, Bane had set aside time for me. A rare gesture, but one I cherished deeply. After all, the bond we shared, the connection between an Alpha and his mate, was not something I took lightly.

Banes gaze flicked up from his plate, and I felt my heart skip a beat. The smoldering intensity in his eyes made it impossible to stay upset for long. He was my mate, after all. The man destined for me.

“Renee's, this meal is divine,” he murmured, his voice thick with admiration. “I don’t know how you do it. Every dish is perfect, as always.”

I blushed at his praise, my heart fluttering in my chest. “Thank you, Nicholas. You’re too kind.”

His lips curved into a slight smile, but there was something in his expression a subtle tension that I couldn’t ignore. “You didn’t need to make all this. Two or three dishes would’ve been enough. It’s just us.”

I raised an eyebrow. The last thing I wanted to do was argue over something so trivial on our special day, but I couldn’t help myself. "It’s our anniversary. I wanted to make it perfect."

Before I could say more, Banes phone rang. His face darkened as he glanced at the screen, his shoulders tensing as he stood. “I’m sorry, Renee's. I have to take this,” he said, his voice apologetic. “It’s pack business.”

The disappointment hit me like a physical blow. I nodded, forcing a smile. "It’s fine. Go ahead."

As he rushed out, muttering apologies, I leaned back in my seat, feeling a familiar ache in my chest. Why did pack duties always take precedence? Our anniversary, our time together, felt like it was slipping through my fingers. I sighed deeply, trying to push the frustration down. It wasn’t like Nicholas didn’t care, he did, but sometimes, it felt like the pack came before everything else.

I covered the food, setting it aside. The anticipation of sharing my news with him, the fact that I was pregnant, carrying his pup, now seemed like a distant dream. It felt like a cruel joke. Instead of celebrating our love, I was alone in our home, with no one to share this sad moment with.

I moved to the sitting room to distract myself, curling up on the couch, exhausted from the wave of pregnancy fatigue. My eyes fluttered shut, and before I knew it, sleep claimed me.

Hours passed, and I awoke with a jolt. The house was eerily quiet. My heart sank when I saw the time—it was just past midnight. The anniversary I had so carefully planned was over. Nicholas still wasn’t home.

I dragged myself to the dining room, the untouched remnants of our dinner still waiting. I could feel the sting of abandonment, even though I knew deep down that Nicholas didn’t mean to hurt me. He just... couldn’t help being the Alpha.

I cleared the table, my movements mechanical, and sent some of the food to the trash. Maybe tomorrow, I’d tell him about the baby, but tonight? Tonight felt like a lost cause.

Nicholas still wasn’t back, and as I stood there in the quiet of our home, the weight of the moment settled in my chest. What had I expected? The Alpha always had his pack, but I needed him , my mate, now more than ever.

\---

The morning sun was just rising over the dense forest as I arrived at the pack's dining hall. The familiar buzz of activity greeted me, and so did my fellow packmates. Their expressions were a mixture of concern and curiosity.

“Luna Renna! You’re here so early! I thought the Luna had taken a two-day break,” one of the omegas said, glancing at me with wide eyes.

I forced a smile, still feeling the sting of last night, my ruined anniversary dinner with Nicholas, the Alpha of our pack.

Just as I was checking the food prepared for the pack's breakfast, Mr. Stone, the pack's advisor and a tall, imposing werewolf with a streak of gray in his hair, approached me.

“Renna,” he said, his voice low but kind. “Do you have a moment to talk?”

“Of course,” I replied, wiping my hands on a cloth.

“There’s an opportunity for advanced training with the Elders in the northern territories. Three years of learning from the most skilled cooks and healers across the packs. It’s a rare chance to elevate your role as Luna—and as an individual. What do you think?”

The offer hung in the air like a tantalizing promise. Three years. It was a long time to be away, especially with my growing connection to the pack and the child I was carrying Nicholas's heir. But the idea of stepping away from his shadow, from always being seen as just "the Luna," tugged at me.

“Take your time to decide,” Mr. Stone said, noticing my hesitation. “Speak to Nicholas. This is a life-changing opportunity.”

I nodded, but my mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts as I returned to the bustling kitchen. Would Nicholas be able to manage the pack and our pup while I was away? Would our bond withstand the distance?

Hours passed, and I was elbows-deep in preparations for the midday feast when one of the younger omegas hurried into the kitchen. Her face was pale, her hands wringing nervously.

“Luna,” she stammered. “There’s a guest demanding to see you.”

“Why? What’s the matter?” I asked, frowning.

“She... she says the food you approved is unacceptable. She’s been causing a scene,” the omega explained.

Taking a steadying breath, I followed her out to the dining hall.

“I’m Renna, Luna of this pack. I understand there’s an issue with the food,” I said, addressing the visibly pregnant woman sitting in the corner.

Her sharp eyes locked onto mine, blazing with unspoken authority. “Issue? Everything about it is a disgrace! Bland, tasteless. It’s unfit for someone in my condition",

I kept my composure, explaining the care and tradition behind our cuisine. But she wasn’t interested.

“Enough!” she snapped. “When my mate arrives, you’ll regret this. He’ll deal with you.”

I clenched my jaw, suppressing the surge of anger rising within me. Who was this woman? And what kind of power did her mate hold to think they could challenge me in my own territory?

I was about to return to my quarters when the omega interrupted me again, her voice trembling. “Luna, her mate has arrived.”

With steady breaths, I walked back into the hall, ready to face whoever this arrogant alpha was. But as I stepped inside, my breath caught in my throat.

The tall, commanding figure standing beside the woman turned to face me, his familiar dark eyes locking with mine.

It was Bane.