The Beast's Virgin Claim

"What do you mean by this? Do you not find me to be capable of leading the hunt as an Alpha this year?" His voice is harsh yet carries those bitter discouraging traces of doubt in them. He is fearful that I do deem him as such.

"It is not like that, you do not understand."

"What do I not understand? You have asked another Alpha to perform the duties I must for my pack."

"It is just Cronus, there are no such things when it comes to family. We help each other."

"You know how I am, Theia. I do not take aid until I feel that I absolutely need it and you know how our wolves shall look at me if I do choose to be weak this way."

"It is not being weak! It is too late to depart for the hunt, we will lose wolves this way or I will lose you. I am making it easier for us. You need help this winter, Phobos. And also every other winter."

"Every other winter? What have you done, Theia?" He asks cautiously with a hint of disbelief coating his voice.

"I-I asked Cronus to form a trade pact with you. He will deliver everything our pack needs in bulk every few months and in return, we give him something from our lands that he wants. You can end your hunt agreement with the other male for this would be more suitable for us and I-"

"Stop." He gnarls preventing my words his chest heaving as he strives to reign in his growing rage. "You want to change generations worth of traditions of our ways just with a blink of your eyes? Have you thought about how our wolves will feel?

Hunting and providing for our females runs in our blood but you expect us to be lazy and take produce from a wealthy male?" This conversation was always going to happen from my side I only procrastinated it for I was terrified of the consequences of my actions but to hell with this, I am going to put some sense into him for the sake of my future for our future.

"We need change. This winter hunt needs to end." I raise my head jut out my chin and show him my decisiveness.

"For what reason? This is our tradition how do you expect me to put an end to this just like that?"

"Because I as the Luna of this pack find it to be unnecessary when we have better ways to acquire produce. Take Cronus's offer, this will be good for us."

"I am the Alpha here!" He roars boisterously slamming his fist against the wooden table in an aggressive manner that has me cringe back from his warmth. It is swift the way I look away from him the way my lips quiver and the way tears brim in my nordic blues. I meant no harm by my actions I merely meant to make things better for us.

It takes a few seconds for him to let go of my wrist only to lift his palm and cradle my right cheek turning my face back to encounter his searching eyes that seek to read my emotions. When the first tear slips out to trickle down my cheek his eyes soften further and he gives me a slight shake of his head. "Do not cry, you know I am weak to your tears.

I apologize Drahá, forgive me." He whispers leaning forward to sit upright keenly studying my face for changes in emotion whilst he wipes my cheeks with his thumbs.

"Why do you think I did this you beast?! How do you expect me to stay seven months or more without you? How do you expect Tadeas to sleep without your chest you know he prefers yours to mine? I do not want to live the rest of my life worrying if my male will return to me or not!"

"Theia." His voice is pacifying as he combs my dishevelled locks with his fingers delicately driving them back to rest behind my ears.

"No you will listen to me this time, you keep asking for a bigger family but there is no way I will bear our pups again without you by my side. Have you not thought about what if I get pregnant while you are away, I may even birth our pups before your return! I will not and can not do that a second time.

Do you not wish to witness their birth or support me during my pregnancy?" I weep shrilly punching his chest with my fists and my male calmly captures my wrists and draws me down to him. Wrapping his arms around my quaking being he guides my head towards his neck and clasps onto me tighter.

"Hush now, I am not going anywhere yet." He murmurs into my hair his palm patting my back wanting to ease my tension. He understands. "I admit I did think about this. But as Alpha, as Luna, our duty is to put our pack first.

Do you or do you not understand this?" He asks softly but when I do not respond he kisses the top of my head urging me to do so as my fingers dig into his shirt while I hold onto him like my life depends on it. "Answer me, my sunflower."

"Yes, I understand."

"So you understand why the hunt is a necessity for the pack."

"But-" I swiftly arise meeting his eyes with my bleary ones wanting to protest but he places his finger against my mouth shushing me.

"But I understand your needs as well for they are the same as mine." He sighs as he examines my belly with an unfathomable gentleness whilst he sets his palm against the flatness. "I too wish to be here, to be a part of everything from the nine months of your pregnancy to the birth as I was not able to be so for Tadeas. But my responsibilities shackle me.

Being an Alpha and Luna comes with countless sacrifices."

"I need you to put us first this time, not as Alpha and Luna but as just Phobos and Theia," I utter as he leans up to delicately nuzzle my throat inhaling my scent to rejuvenate his insides.

"I always put you first, my queen and I always will. But this-"

"I need you to do so for this as well. I need you here beside me especially now that I-"

"You what?" He questions when I stop myself from finishing that sentence.