Back to My Ex-Mate, Fighting with Beta

Charlotte's POV

"You're so handsome, Lucas," I said as I gently touched the cheek of the one-day-old boy in his mother's arms. His skin was still red, his cheeks were chubby, and his eyes were closed.

"His hands are so small," I remarked as I held Lucas' tiny hand. I was surprised when he weakly held my hand in return. "Ah, he's adorable."

I couldn't stop smiling. I locked eyes with Gamma Marina, happiness radiating from her face.

"You're lucky your first child is a boy." I turned to my mate, standing next to me; he was talking to Gamma Samuel with his gaze fixed on Lucas, who wasn't bothered by our presence.

"You're right, Alpha. I am so happy that my first child is a boy," said Gamma Samuel. "The future gamma for this pack is a man."

"I also hope my first child will be a boy," Eduardo raised his voice. "I want a man to be the future alpha, too. That doesn't mean I look down on women."

I turned to Gamma Marina, who touched the back of my hand, still holding Lucas's hand. She smiled at me with sadness in her eyes. She seemed to misunderstand my feelings.

I didn't have the same luck as Gamma Marina, who became pregnant right away without experiencing a miscarriage. Instead, I had to endure four miscarriages for three years.

Now, I was participating in a pregnancy program. I was following the doctor's advice to avoid strenuous activity.

"Are you pregnant again? Your last miscarriage was four months ago." Eduardo asked after we were in the car to go home.

"Not yet." I touched my stomach and turned my gaze out the window to hide the anxiety that might be shining in my eyes; I entertained myself by watching the children play with their parents' wolves.

"I told you not to leave the house," said Eduardo. I was sure he showed an angry face and a sharp gaze because he radiated a scary aura, making me shudder and not dare look at him. "Let the pack staff do it."

"I apologize." I lowered my head. I couldn't neglect my duties as Luna; I couldn't say that to Eduardo.

"Don't you want to have children?" Eduardo raised his voice. "You miscarried because it was your fault. Look at people; they meet their mate, and they immediately have children."

Eduardo was right. I was wrong; I have no right to defend myself.

The answer to his question is, of course, I really wanted to have children.

Seeing Gamma Marina smile broadly when looking at her son made me jealous. I also wanted to experience the joy of having children.

'Eduardo is mean to you.' My wolf voice echoed in my head. 'He shouldn't blame you, and why would he ask such a ridiculous thing?'

My wolf was annoyed with Eduardo, and she was even more annoyed with our mate because Eduardo rejected her mind link.

Eduardo seemed to know Thea wanted to protest and expressed her anger at him, and then Evan, Eduardo's wolf, comforted my wolf.

I glanced at Eduardo's workspace. The two warriors guarding the room nodded to me.

It had been two weeks since we last saw each other. I didn't stop him from working, but usually, he would spend time with me in the room until tomorrow morning after he went on a business trip without inviting me.

"Luna, I missed you." Beta Freya hugged me tightly.

"I missed you too, and I'm happy to see you getting along with Alpha." I smiled. "Thank you for ensuring Alpha always eats and doesn't forget to sleep, Beta."

Beta Freya replied that it was her duty, and I didn't need to thank her. She waves her hand before entering Eduardo's workspace.

I checked the time on my cell phone. Eduardo should have gotten some rest because as soon as he arrived at the pack, he came with me to Gamma's house to meet his newborn child yesterday.

I hope Eduardo didn't forget that we will celebrate his mother's birthday simply.

I couldn't leave the house while Eduardo was in the pack. I didn't expect him to go on business trips often because I couldn't help but miss him.

However, I was bored just watching movies, looking at fish in the swimming pool, watering flowers, and reading books in the flower garden behind the house.

Hah, I shouldn't complain. Eduardo forbade me from leaving the house because I couldn't get tired. After all, we wanted a child.

"Luna Charlotte." Dakota, Eduardo's mother, hugged me. I often went to her house, and she hugged me tightly as if we had never met.

"Mom." Eduardo hugged his mother. They express their longing. Then Dakota studied Eduardo from head to toe with a worried and happy look.

"I'm glad you came home alive." Dakota cupped her son's cheek.

"You are overreacting. I didn't go to war." Eduardo snorted.

"Happy birthday, Mom." I kissed Dakota's cheek. I didn't give her presents because she never wanted to accept them, so I cooked her favorite food.

"Happy birthday, my fussy mother." Eduardo taunted Dakota. Dakota hit his hand lightly with a chuckle.

"I'm so happy you always remember my birthday." Dakota hugged me and Eduardo. She patted our backs gently and cried because of happiness.

"I brought you a present. I'm sure you will accept it." Eduardo gave Dakota a necklace with a sparkling white diamond pendant. Dakota couldn't contain her happiness and immediately put it on.

"You didn't buy me something?" I whispered to Eduardo.

"No. I'm just focused on looking for a present for Mom," answered Eduardo.

Eduardo always used to bring food, drinks, or other items from the places he visited for me. So, it was only natural for me to expect him to get something for me after he went to the two packs two weeks ago.

"Beta Freya." Dakota greeted Beta Freya with a big smile. Then we ate together in a warm and intimate atmosphere.

"Why have you never tried wearing a dress like the one Beta Freya wore?" I was surprised that Eduardo suddenly asked me something like that after eating.

"Why do you ask such a thing?" Dakota looked at her son with one eyebrow raised. "Luna Charlotte is comfortable in the clothes she wears. You can't rule it."

I looked at Beta Freya, who was sitting across from me. She smiled faintly at me and then lowered her head. Beta Freya wore a short yellow dress, which shaped her slender body and exposed her shoulders and back.

I look at my appearance. I wore a light blue short dress, but I wasn't comfortable showing my shoulders and back.

'I don't understand why Eduardo is suddenly making such a big deal about your clothes,' said my wolf.

"Warrior Mark will take you home. I have work to do." Eduardo didn't allow me to protest. He assisted Beta Freya, who was struggling to descend dozens of stairs in her high heels.

Eduardo left with Beta Freya, leaving me on the terrace of his mother's house.

I was so shocked.

'Why did Eduardo leave you? Usually, he takes you home first,' my wolf commented.

I prepared Eduardo's favorite dessert: beefcake with cheese. This cake is a specialty of my pack.

Two days before Eduardo came home from his business trip without me, he asked me to make that cake. But this time, he didn't ask me, but I remembered.

"Eduardo seems very busy." I ate a banana, sitting on the sofa in the living room. I was watching my favorite movie with my mind wandering.

"Since I miscarried for the sixth time, he hasn't wanted to tell me anything about the pack or the company. He never even talked about random things that happened to him." I leaned my back against the sofa.

'Eduardo changed.' My wolf voice echoed in my head.

'What do you mean?' I asked.

'Today, he changed. As you said, usually, when he arrives at the pack after a business trip without inviting you, he won't work; he will spend time with you. He ate the beefcake with cheese you made and told you many things,' said my wolf.

'He has a lot of work. Economic growth and the process of improving pack facilities have not fully recovered since the war three months ago,' I said, thinking positively.

'Usually, his wolf will meet me. Evan didn't say he wanted to see me; he just said he missed me and was happy that Eduardo had arrived in the pack.' Thea lowered her head. Suddenly, she became gloomy.

I have to comfort my wolf. 'The day isn't over yet, Thea. Maybe when Eduardo and I go to sleep, we will switch bodies. You and Evan will meet.' I said brightly, hoping my words would ease my wolf's sadness.

Thea nodded weakly. She didn't seem to want to get her hopes up.

I looked at the clock on my cell phone. It was 10 o'clock. Eduardo never came home late at night.

I contacted him via the mind link again. 'When will you come back? It is late.'

'Soon. You are very talkative. You're annoying.' Eduardo growled, and he disconnected the mind link unilaterally.

I lowered my head. The corner of my heart painfully as if it had been pinched. It was the first time Eduardo got angry because I repeatedly contacted him. Usually, he got angry when I didn't contact him first.

I shook my head to remove my wolf words about Eduardo changing. I didn't want to have negative thoughts about my mate.

I stared at the ten beefcakes with cheese on the table. The cake is round with a soft and chewy texture. It is made with flour, beef, and cheese, resulting in a delicious taste.

My mother taught me to make that cake. I miss my parents and older brother. We haven't seen each other for a long time.

The scent of musk danced across my sense of smell, and my heart beat so fast. A wide smile spread across my face, replacing the worried and gloomy expression.

I hurried to the door, holding a plate of cheese-flavored beefcake to greet my mate.

I peeked out the window before standing in front of the door. My sense of smell was never wrong. Eduardo's black car stopped in the yard.

Eduardo exited the car and rushed to open the door for Beta Freya. Eduardo said something after a few seconds of them just staring at each other, and then Beta Freya answered his words. Beta Freya smiled and then walked away from the house.

"Beta Freya is no longer afraid of Eduardo. She could look Eduardo in the eye, and her body wouldn't shake." I commented.

I stood two steps before the door, pointing the plate at Eduardo, who came in with a tired face and messy hair. He looked at me and the cake alternately.

"Why are you waiting for me? You can sleep first if you are sleepy. Don't wait for me." Eduardo took the plate and ate his favorite cheese-flavored beefcake.

"I will sleep with you to make sure you sleep." I walked next to him.

"I'm going to bed because I'm exhausted." Eduardo was about to head to the dining room. He looked at me sharply because I didn't stop following him. "You go to the room first. I took a drink."

I nodded.

I was glad Eduardo ate the cake.

My wolf assumption was wrong. Eduardo hasn't changed. He was just tired because he had a lot of work to handle.

Oh, no, no.

Moon Goddess.

I fell asleep as soon as I got to the room!

I didn't know if Eduardo was asleep because when I woke up, I didn't find him next to me. We met in the dining room for breakfast. He said he slept, and his wolf said Eduardo only slept for three hours.

I won't let myself sleep before my mate again!

'I'm confused,' said my wolf. 'He didn't wake you up. He never lets you sleep first after he comes home from a business trip. He will invite you to do bed sports.'

My cheeks heat up. My wolf remembered such things; I even forgot it. I was so stupid.

'Eduardo is tired, Thea. I'm so glad he could sleep,' I said.

'Mm, I once heard Eduardo say that his fatigue will disappear when he is with you, and his stamina will increase a lot when you two do bed sports. He can even go for six rounds.' My wolf said that, but I was the embarrassed one.

'I don't know why you remember words like that.' I turned on the tap and pointed the hose at the trees in the yard. It was my morning routine after breakfast.

'Evan didn't even meet me. He doesn't seem to want to see me.' My wolf suddenly became gloomy. Thea asked me not to entertain her again because she only wanted Evan.

I was disappointed in myself because I didn't dare to ask Eduardo why we didn't switch bodies and let our wolves meet.

"Good morning, Luna." Beta Freya surprised me. I almost pointed the hose at her.

"Morning, Beta Freya."

"You are always diligent in watering them. I'm sure they like you." Beta Freya looked at all the plants with a smile.

"I hope they like me because I like them." I planted and cared for some flowers in the front yard and garden behind the house, treating them like my children.

I glanced at the ring with a sparkling silver diamond pendant on the ring finger of Beta Freya's right hand. "That ring is beautiful. Have you met your mate, or do you have a boyfriend?"

Beta Freya's expression shifted to one of surprise as she quickly hid her hands, her cheeks turning red. "I haven't met my mate, and I'm not dating anyone," she admitted.

"I'm sorry for asking that," I said.

"It's okay, Luna." Beta Freya showed me the ring. "This ring was a gift from Alpha. It's the first time I've received a gift from a man other than my late older brother," she said, smiling broadly as she gazed at the silver diamond ring.

'How could it be?' My wolf raised its voice, making me dizzy. 'Eduardo bought Beta Freya a ring, but he didn't buy you anything.'

I didn't envy Beta Freya.

I was just confused because Eduardo said he was only focused on buying present for his mother's birthday and forgot about his habit of bringing me souvenirs every time he went on a business trip.

Beta Freya said Eduardo bought a ring for her when Eduardo was buying a necklace for his mother.

'He forgot you,' said my wolf. 'He bought a ring for Beta Freya because Beta Freya was next to him.'

I didn't want to be trapped and believe in Thea's assumptions even though what she says makes sense.

I entered my mate's workspace with a cup of jasmine tea with less sugar, his favorite drink.

I put the tea on his table and smiled at him when Eduardo looked at me, thanked me, and drank the tea.

"Why haven't you come out yet? Is there something you want to say?" Eduardo focused his gaze on me, leaving the document for a moment.

I hesitated to open my mouth; his intimidating aura scared me. But my wolf was so loud she pushed me to ask about Beta Freya's ring.

I bit my bottom lip and squeezed my fingers. Eduardo's expression turned fierce; I had to speak before he got angry.

"I chatted with Beta Freya for a while." My heart pounded when I imagined the reaction Eduardo would show. "She said that the silver diamond ring she was wearing was your gift."

Eduardo stared at me for a long time, deep and expressionless. No air was in this room, and time appeared to stand still. I could even hear the thunderous sound of my heartbeat.

"Yes, it is true." Eduardo nodded. "Beta Freya remembers the late Beta Rocco, who often gave her women's accessories. I just don't want her to be sad and remind her that she's not alone."

I was lost for words.

My wolf was angry because I felt sorry for Beta Freya and believed Eduardo's words.

"Did you just want to ask that?" Eduardo went back to reading the document. I glanced at dozens of documents he hadn't read. "I am busy. I think you're asking an important question. You've disturbed me."

I was surprised. Eduardo never said anything like that. He used to like me coming into his workspace and asking me to sit on his lap.

"I apologize." Those were the only words that came out of my mouth. I couldn't express my sadness because of his words.

'You should ask if he doesn't remember you when he bought the ring for Beta Freya. Oh, Gosh, Charlotte.' My wolf was annoyed with me.

'No, I can't. I feel Eduardo will be furious if I ask that. I don't want to see him angry,' I said.

Freya replaced her late older brother, Beta Rocco, who died in the war three months ago, as Beta.

Initially, Beta Freya was afraid of Eduardo. I assured her that Eduardo couldn't possibly be angry with her if she did her job well.

Now that Beta Freya seemed to be comfortable with her job, she hadn't asked for my advice in a long time.

I gazed up at the brilliant sky. The scorching sun seared my skin while the mighty wind provided some cooling. The clouds were being pushed forcefully by the wind, and a flock of eagles soared towards the mountain.

A five-year-old girl with black hair in a ponytail shook me and handed me a Rubik.

"Luna, I've finished the Rubik's cube." The girl smiled very widely, showing her missing teeth. "I need time..." She counted on her fingers. "Five days. I did it myself."

"Wow, you are brilliant." I gently stroked her hair. "You can choose your gift." I held her hand to take her to the room where the gifts were kept. I smiled, seeing the girl so happy and excited.

"She didn't do anything. She didn't randomize the Rubik's cube." A fat boy blocked our way, and he pointed at the girl angrily.

"No, he's lying, Luna." The girl shook her head until her ponytail swayed, and she looked like she wanted to cry. "Luna gave me the Rubik in a scrambled state, and I solved it."

"But I never saw you holding a Rubik's cube!" The boy couldn't believe it.

"I played with the Rubik's cube before bed because I could forget my dad, and I would fall asleep without realizing it." Tears rolled down the girl's cheeks. The fat boy was shocked and panicked, trying to calm his friend.

I crouched, gently stroking the tears on the beautiful and adorable girl's cheek. She blushed and lowered her head. "I trust you. I didn't forget I gave you the Rubik's cube in a scrambled state."

"I apologize. I have accused you without proof." The boy was sorry. He didn't dare look at me. "I'm guilty, Luna. Will I be punished?"

"I will punish you if you repeat your actions," I said threateningly.

The boy's face turned pale. He promised not to be naughty again.

Every Saturday and Sunday, I visited a home for children who have been traumatized by their experiences stuck on the battlefield or by the loss of their parents due to war. It was a place where they could find support and healing for their emotional wounds.

Alpha didn't stop me because the children were always waiting for me.

I read fairytales to them and play with them. For a while, I was able to forget about my troubles, particularly my worry as a result of experiencing multiple miscarriages.

"Are you sick, Luna?" A female warrior caught me as my body nearly collapsed to the floor. My head was spinning, and she quickly rushed me to the pack hospital. I pleaded with her not to tell Eduardo.

Doctor Albert smiled so wide that his eyes narrowed after he examined me. I lay comfortably on the bed, and my dizziness disappeared instantly because Doctor Albert's smile enchanted me.

"Has Luna had her period this month?"

My eyes widened when I realized that I was supposed to have my period this week. I covered my mouth to suppress my screams.

"Congratulations. You're pregnant again, Luna," said Doctor Albert. I hope you're not too tired, and I really hope you can give birth to your child," I thanked him and begged him not to tell Eduardo.

I plan to tell Eduardo on his birthday next month. I have to take care of my pregnancy. I didn't want to have another miscarriage and see Eduardo's disappointed and sad face.

But I found myself impatient to tell my mate. My wolf rolled her eyes, and she said that I couldn't lie and she was sure I would tell Eduardo tomorrow morning.

I opened my eyes after my hands didn't find Eduardo. I turned to look at the clock on the nightstand, and my eyes widened instantly. "Midnight. I fell asleep while I was waiting for Eduardo. Is he not sleeping?"

I walked weakly to look for Eduardo. I was worried he was sleeping in his workspace. In the past, the late Beta Rocco often woke him up and told him to sleep in the room.

Now, I was replacing Beta Rocco because the warriors guarding Eduardo's office didn't dare wake Eduardo or me.

"I miss the late Beta Rocco," I said sadly.

My forehead furrowed when I smelled Eduardo's body scent from the guest room near his office. I approached the room to make sure, and I was so surprised because the door wasn't locked.

I opened it slowly. A sigh greeted me, and the darkness of the room made me couldn't see anything.

"Moan, Freya. Call my name."

"Alpha... Eduardo."