Her pov:

Birds circled overhead, blood dripped down from my stomach. Each step felt like a chore. Every passing minute felt like a century.

How did it come to this?

I had trusted and given him my heart, something I had warned myself not to do, yet I did.

I should’ve expected this. It was an arranged marriage after all. Why would he even care let alone love someone he was forced to marry?

Now, because of my idiocy, I am suffering the consequences. I lay in the darkest part of the woods, trees so tall that made me feel small. Faint stars were scattered across the sky. The birds waiting for me to fall into a deep sleep, wanting a feast.

My body warmth became history. Memories faded in my head. Was this the end? Is this how I was going to go? Killed by the man whose title was my husband? All because I found out about his mistress or the fact that I hadn't given him any heirs in the past few months?

Blood pooled around me. My eyes became heavy. I had wanted to cry but my body felt so weak. I wanted to curse to whatever god existed for my shitty life but my voice was caught in my throat.

I take a deep breath as my eyes give in and flutter shut.

His pov:

My brother told me what he had done to his wife. I demanded to know her location, only to be brushed off. I had to find her. Even though my brother had treated her like a stray, she was the one and only who lit up my world. She’d stay in my room the nights my brother hit her. She seemed safe and I provided. She needed to cry and I lent her a shoulder.

I was there for every tear and the occasional smile. Even if it was forbidden, love for her had bloomed in me. But I could never tell her.

Now I have to look for her, I grab my keys and jacket. Unaware of where I was going but I had to start somewhere. I drove around the area near the manor but there was no sign of her anywhere.

I parked near an old walking trail. A trail that led into a wooded area where my family and pack would hunt in.

A low growl escaped me as I shifted. Now on four paws and my real form, I dash into the woods. Trying to sniff her out. I had memorized her lavender scent shampoo.

Every second felt too long. It felt as if I was running out of time.

Then suddenly, I get a whiff of blood… mixed with a scent of… lavender!

I dart to the location of the scent. Going deeper into the woods, the smell becomes clearer.

Finally, I spot a figure lying in the grass. Birds landing next to it, getting close.

I quickly shift back, dropping to my knees. It was her. Barely even alive. Her bleeding had slowed down.

Without wasting a second, I take off my shirt and wrap her stomach, tying the shirt tightly to secure it. I tapped on her cheek, trying to wake her up.

“Hey, wake up. Come on.”

Seeing no response, I quickly stood up and picked her up, being careful not to worsen her injury.

At full speed, I ran back to my car.

I set her down in the passenger seat, jumped into my seat, and sped off. Heading to the closest ER.

The doctors took her back and I was instructed to wait.

Time seemed to pause as I paced in the waiting room. Anxiety creeping in my stomach.

All I wanted was for her to be safe and to hold her in my arms. I wanted to punch my brother for doing this to her but decided to wait.

A single nurse had informed me that the surgery would be over soon but I was becoming impatient.

After what seemed like forever, the doctor came up to me with a face of relief.

“Everything went well, she will need to stay in ICU till she wakes up,” he said with a smooth voice.

I felt as let out the breath I hadn’t realized I held. Tears threatened to break.

I clear my throat, “may I see her?”

The doctors nodded and led me to the room where she rested.

As I entered, my eyes landed on her lying in the hospital bed, an oxygen mask on her. I walked over to her, my hand finding hers.

Her skin was faintly warm and pale. She seemed so weak as if a single hit could break her.

I sat down on the chair beside her. Keeping my hand intertwined with hers.

“I’m sorry… I should’ve been there… I should’ve protected you.” I whispered even though I knew that she couldn’t hear me.

Guilt clouded my heart. I had known of my brother’s mistreatment towards her and yet I didn’t intervene. All I ever did was be there after everything. It wasn’t enough. If I had been there, she wouldn’t be here, holding onto dear life by a single thread.

Two days had gone by and she hadn’t woken up yet. The doctors had told me that they weren’t sure when she would wake up and that only grew my hidden fear.

While I was texting my father about what my brother had done, I heard a faint gasp and my head quickly turned towards her.

As I watched her eyes flutter open, I dropped my phone and dashed to her. Taking her hand and planting a kiss on her knuckles.

A small groan escaped her lips as I sat down, keeping a soft gaze on her.

“Hey…” I said with a gentle tone.

“Hi.” She responded faintly. Her eyes still adjusting to the light.

I reach over and tuck the loose strands of hair behind her ear. “How are you feeling?”

She chuckled lightly, “Like shit.”

I smirk, “I bet… I’ve taken care of my brother.”

Her expression falls slightly, “How did you-…”

“How did I know? Well, my brother is an idiot, he confessed to me.”

Before she could respond, I spoke up again, my voice cracking, giving away the guilt I tried to hide, “I-I’m sorry…this I-is my fault-“

“It isn’t your fault.” She interrupted. “None of this is your fault. I shouldn’t have trusted him.”

Silence fell between us.

She sighs, “I know that my family and yours wanted to conjoin through me and your brother but… at this point… I want to divorce him.”

I nod, “understandable, like I said, I already took care of it which also means that you are no longer my brother’s wife.”

She looked at me confused, “What do you mean?”

I cleared my throat, “You are not my brother’s wife and I talked with our families and because they still want both families united… they agreed that you would be my wife.” I pause “I know it may be out of the sudden bu-“

“Really?!” She examines, happiness written all over her face. Something in her seemed to spark, something that had been hurt and broken but was given hope once again. The light in her eyes gleamed something that I hadn’t seen since I learned about the truth behind the walls of their marriage.

I nod.

A smile glowed on her lips, “Thank you, thank you.”

I take her hand again and give it a gentle squeeze, “I promise you that I will never lay a hand on you, I will treat you as the queen you are.”

“Thank you…I'll hold on to you to that promise.”

I chuckle as I nod, “If I ever break it, you can hit me and do whatever you want with me.” I joked with a hint of seriousness.

Her pov:

It had been two months since my ex-husband almost took my life. Two months since I was free from him. And two months since I got a new loving husband.

He asked if he could mark me as his and I agreed. When I used to be with my ex, my current husband used to be the friend I needed. He'd let me stay in his room after my ex would beat me. I hadn't realized the love and trust that grew between us till now.

Sometimes there are nights that I stay in our home alone while he is gone for family business, but he always makes sure I don't feel truly alone. He sends me boutiques of lavenders and tulips. Calling me and staying on the phone with me till I fall asleep. He makes me feel like I deserve the world.

As I worked on breakfast, I heard the door open and then close. I turn off the stove and before I could turn around, I feel the familiar warmth behind me, his arms snaked around my waist as he pulled me back to lean on his chest. His face nuzzled into my neck.

I smile as I ruffle his hair, “Welcome back.”

“I missed you,” he mumbled against my skin.

A shiver runs up my spine.

“I missed you too.” I felt as he twirled me around so I could face him.

His lips found mine and we shared a soft kiss. After a few minutes, he pulled away, resting his forehead on mine.

We swayed as we hugged. Enjoying each other's company.

His voice cuts the silence, “You smell different.” His eyebrows furrow.

I look up at him confused, I knew werewolves had a great sense of smell but I hadn't changed my perfume or shampoo recently.

“Have you taken a test recently?”

More confusion builds up in me, “a test?”

He nods, “Like a pregnancy test perhaps.”

I shake my head, “No I haven't, should I?”

He nods again, “Yeah, I think you should.”

I hesitate but don't argue, knowing I should trust him.

His pov:

My leg bounced up and down as I waited impatiently. It had been six minutes since she went into the bathroom with a test.

I lay down on the bed, covering my eyes with my hands.

I sighed, her scent had a hint of something else but I couldn't quite figure it out. My mother had told me that pregnant woman had a faint scent but I couldn't remember how she described it.

Hearing the bathroom door open, I quickly sat up. My eyes landing on the pregnancy test in her hand. Tears pooling in her eyes.

I walk over to her, “What does it say?”

She placed the test in my hand. I look down at it. Positive. It was a clear positive. I was right.

Looking back up at her, tears stream down her face.

“How do you feel?”

She smiles despite the tears rolling down her cheeks, “I'm so glad, Ive always wanted to have my own kid”

I quickly set the test down and pull her into a hug, nuzzling my face in her hair. “Im happy too, love.”

We stayed in the warm embrace, both of crying tears of happiness.

Its been three months since we found out about the pregnancy. Today, she went to the clinic and when she came home her happiness seemed to grow.

I chuckle as I see her waddle over to me as I relaxed on the couch while I fold the laundry.

“Why the huge smile, love?” I set the clothes I had in my hand aside.

She sat down next to me and rested her on shoulder. She then opened the small envelope that she held. Then took my hand and placed the ultrasound picture on my palm. She smiled.

I took it and looked at it closely. My eyes widened. Two small fetuses. Twins. We were expecting twins.

I felt as tears streamed down my face like a river in a instant.