Crimson Moon Redemption: My Alpha's Brutal Mistake
Chapter 46: Labor shift (Annabelle)

Chapter 46: Labor shift (Annabelle)

I expected him to appear upset, but instead, he smiled. "How long will you continue with this Alpha business? Is it so difficult to address me directly?"

A hint of embarrassment crossed my face, but when my gaze met Apphia’s, I couldn’t help but smile.

"Okay, Zion, let me assist you with any issues," I said earnestly, his smile widening.

"It’s nice to hear my name casually on your lips, but there isn’t much of a problem. Relax and familiarize yourself with the pack house. I’ll be back before you know it, and you don’t have to repay me. You and I both know we owe you more than that."

It was too late to stop him; he left as soon as the words left his mouth. Having rested well at Dina’s hut, I felt quite energetic. "Can you show me around the pack house?" I asked Apphia, and she beamed. "I thought you’d never ask."

The pack house was larger than I had expected from my first glimpse, and the tour was exactly what I needed.

The floating vanities were impressive, and Zion had arranged everything to make me feel at home, reminiscent of the house he had given me before.

Alpha Zion returned late at night, so I was already asleep by then. The next day, I had breakfast with the family. It felt like I finally had a real family, all thanks to Alpha Zion. "Are you enjoying your meal?" he asked, his seriousness making him even more attractive, leaving me feeling shy.

"Yes, Alpha, it’s perfect," I replied, keeping my gaze on my plate. Apphia had informed me that Alpha Zion had the kitchen prepare my favorite dishes, and the carrot juice was delicious. This time, it was served with beetroot cake sweetened with dates.

"If you call me Alpha again..." he started in a threatening tone, but I interrupted, "Sorry, Zion." He smiled and didn’t say anything more. The days passed peacefully. I would go to training, work, and then return to the pack house. Due to our joint activities at the pack house, Apphia and I had become close.

"I can see the way our Alpha likes you," she said out of the blue while we were preparing for training. I froze momentarily. "I like him too," I said truthfully, excitement shining in her eyes.

"You do? Then why don’t you tell him?" she asked seriously. I shook my head. After my last conversation with Zion about the matter, he never mentioned it again, so most likely, he had moved on.

"He’s my Alpha, and his mate might be out there somewhere." I wished he was my mate, but unfortunately, I still haven’t connected with my wolf.

Sometimes, I even questioned if I was truly a vampire, whenever I remember Draven, the vampire prince but I felt comfortable in the sunlight and never thirsted for blood.

"You make a valid point. Before meeting Madai, I was in love with our Alpha, but the moment we met, all my feelings for him vanished," Apphia confessed, adding,

"But Bella, you should be cautious. Some people fall so deeply in love with someone else that they end up rejecting their destined mates."

I didn’t want to be the cause of him rejecting his destined mate, and I certainly didn’t want to reject mine. However, the person my mother said was destined for me is Alpha Zach.

Now that we have become sworn enemies, that scenario seems impossible, but the fact that I still couldn’t shift troubled me deeply.

"I understand, Apphia. I love Zion too much to create any issues for him or our tribe," I reassured her, grateful for her warm smile.

"Let’s hurry. Rumors are spreading that your presence has significantly increased production and improved the tribe’s efficiency," she shared, sparking my excitement.

"That’s good to hear, but I believe it’s a collective effort," I replied modestly, but she shook her head. "You have no idea. I heard that the Crimson Moon tribe is..."

"I don’t want to hear it," I interjected quickly, not wanting to hear anything related to Alpha Zach. Apphia respected my wish, and hand in hand, we went for training together. Zion was already there with beta Madai, and as soon as our eyes met, he winked at me, causing my cheeks to blush.

He would often flirt but never made any serious advances. We grew closer as the days turned into weeks and weeks into months, but Zion never mentioned his interest in taking our relationship further.

The moon goddess favored me, and no one noticed my bump until my sixth month. Like the wind, rumors began circulating, with most tribe members insisting on knowing the father of my unborn pup.

As usual, I couldn’t say because I had no idea. My red hair had grown a few inches, but I made sure to always wear my wig.

Thanks to Zion, no one dared to ask directly about the father of my pup, providing me with the comfort and security I needed in this tribe.

During my last visit a week ago, Dina assured me that my pup was doing well, which made me very happy.

The initial happiness I felt during my pregnancy was overshadowed by increased cravings in the later months, particularly for red foods like beets and tomatoes. With Apphia’s assistance, I learned to make beetroot drinks and cakes, as well as carrot juice with a touch of ginger and orange.

Zion took care of me, preparing these treats in large quantities and storing them in the fridge. Each night, he would kiss me goodnight on the forehead, showing his love, but there was a hidden concern in his eyes.

When I inquired about it, he hesitated before mentioning Alpha Zach. I reassured him that as long as we were safe, I wasn’t concerned about that issue.

Despite my reluctance to hear more, I could sense his pain. That night, I struggled to sleep, leaving me unprepared for training the next day. Apphia noticed something was amiss when she arrived to fetch me.

"Your water broke. We need to take you to the healer," she announced urgently. As the door swung open, Zion appeared, his expression filled with worry. What did you say?"

Without waiting for Apphia to repeat her words, he swept me into his arms and trotted to the healer’s hut.

The pain intensified every second, but my discomfort outweighed it, and I demanded, "Please get me out. It’s too hot in here."

I felt like I was going to die in the hut, but Dina was reluctant. "You can’t deliver your pup outside."

"But I will die in here," I pointed out. She seemed to be in deep thought before finally succumbing. "Fine, I’ll take you out."

As soon as we reached the front of her hut, I lost control, and the dress she had put on me to make me relax tore. My pains multiplied by ten, and I groaned from it.

"What’s wrong with her?" I heard Zion’s voice faintly. Dina had a slight fear in her eyes. "It hasn’t happened before, Alpha, but it looks like she’s about to shift."

Fear spiraled through me. No one shifts during labor, so what if I lose my pup? Why did my first shift have to come during my labor?

Zion was about to say something, but his jaws dropped after transformation. Dina looked afraid, and Apphia fainted.