Cursed Moon Agatha's Triumph

Matilda, the queen, lay on the labor bed, her face contorted in pain. Sweat dripped down her forehead, and her hazel eyes squeezed shut as another contraction hit. The room was dimly lit, with only a few candles flickering, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The air was thick with tension, and the scent of blood and sweat hung heavy.

"Push, Your Majesty!" the midwife encouraged, her voice firm but gentle. "The baby is crowning!"

Matilda gritted her teeth and pushed with all her might. The pain was excruciating, but she was determined to bring her child into the world.

Suddenly, a faint howling echoed outside the labor room, sending shivers down Matilda's spine. She opened her eyes, her gaze locking onto the midwife's worried face.

"What was that?" Matilda painted, her voice barely audible.

The midwife hesitated before speaking in a hushed tone, "It's the wolves, Your Majesty. They sense something... unusual."

Matilda's eyes widened as another contraction hit, and she pushed with all her might. The howling grew louder, and the room seemed to darken, as if the shadows themselves were closing in.

"Please," Matilda begged, her voice strained. "Help me!"

The midwife's hands were steady as she guided the baby out, but her eyes betrayed a hint of fear. "It's a girl, Your Majesty," she announced, her voice trembling.

As the baby's first cry filled the room, the howling outside ceased, and an unsettling silence fell over the labor room.

Matilda's tears fell upon the baby's soft skin as she gazed into her tiny face. The little one's eyes were shut tight, but Matilda knew that when they opened, they would reveal a deep blue, a color that seemed to hold a world of its own. She felt a mix of emotions: joy, love, and a hint of fear. The prophecy echoed in her mind like a haunting melody.

"A daughter," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Oh, dear moon, a daughter."

The midwife's expression was sympathetic, but her eyes held a hint of wariness. "She's a beautiful baby, Your Majesty," she said softly. "But... the prophecy..."

Matilda's grip on the baby tightened. She knew what was coming. The pack's laws were clear: any child born under the full moon, especially a princess, was seen as a harbinger of doom. Her mind raced as she thought of her mate, Rodney, the pack's Alpha. He would have to make a choice, one that would determine their daughter's fate.

"Take her away," Matilda heard herself say, her voice barely audible. "Keep her safe. Hide her from the pack until... until we can figure out what to do."

The midwife nodded, her face somber. "As you wish, Your Majesty. But... What about the Alpha? He'll want to know about the baby."

Matilda's eyes closed, and she took a deep breath. "I'll handle Rodney. Just make sure our daughter is safe. Name her Agatha, and tell no one of her existence."

As the midwife wrapped the baby in a soft cloth and disappeared into the shadows, Matilda felt a chill run down her spine. She knew that this was just the beginning of a dangerous game, one that would test the very fabric of their pack's existence.

Matilda's eyes scanned the dimly lit room, ensuring they were alone. She beckoned to another maid, who approached with a curious expression. "Ella, I need you to fetch Darren for me. Discreetly," Matilda emphasized, her voice low and urgent.

Ella's eyes widened slightly, but she nodded and vanished into the night. Matilda's heart raced as she waited, her mind racing with scenarios. She could trust Darren, her loyal guard and friend. He would know what to do.

The door creaked open, and Darren entered, his rugged face etched with concern. "Matilda, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice low.

Matilda's grip on the bed sheets tightened. "It's the baby, Darren. They'll want to take her away from me. The prophecy... they'll see her as a threat."

Darren's expression darkened. "I won't let that happen, Matilda. We'll protect her together."

Tears pricked at the corners of Matilda's eyes. "I knew I could count on you, Darren. Please, take her and hide her. Keep her safe until... until we can figure out what to do next."

Darren nodded, his jaw set in determination. "I'll take care of it, Matilda. I promise."

As he turned to leave, Matilda called out, her voice barely audible. "Name her Agatha, Darren. And keep her hidden from the pack's prying eyes."

Darren's nod was almost imperceptible, but Matilda knew she could trust him with her life – and her daughter's.

Darren's feet felt heavy as he walked away from the Queen's chambers, the weight of his task settling upon him like a shroud. Betrayal, that's what it was. Betrayal of the Alpha, his friend and leader. His heart raced with the thought of deceiving Rodney, but the Queen's pleading eyes and the tiny life that depended on him kept him rooted to his decision.

He couldn't shake off the feeling of being trapped, caught between loyalty and duty. His mind wrestled with the moral implications, but the Queen's words echoed in his mind: "She's just an innocent child, Darren. She doesn't deserve to die because of a prophecy."

As he approached the secret location where the baby was hidden, he felt a sense of trepidation. What if he was caught? What if he couldn't protect her? The what-ifs swirled in his head like a maelstrom, but he pushed them aside and focused on the task at hand.

He entered the small room, and his eyes adjusted to the dim light. The baby lay in a makeshift cradle, her tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. Darren's heart swelled with a mix of emotions: sadness, guilt, and a hint of hope.

"Agatha," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'll keep you safe, little one. I promise."

The baby stirred, and her eyes opened, locking onto his. Darren felt a jolt of connection, as if she knew he was her only hope. He smiled, trying to reassure her, and himself, that everything would be alright. But deep down, he knew the road ahead would be treacherous, and he was walking a thin line between loyalty and betrayal.

Rodney's eyes blazed with anger and worry as he stormed into the Queen's chambers, his guards flanking him. "Matilda, what's going on?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing. "I've received news of the birth, a princess. Where is she?"

The Queen's face was pale, her eyes sunken, but her gaze remained defiant. "I won't tell you, Rodney," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "You'll only seek to harm her."

Rodney's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. "Harm her? You know the prophecy, Matilda. She's a curse to our pack. I won't let her bring destruction upon us."

The Queen's laughter was cold, mirthless. "You're so blind, Rodney. You only see what you want to see. But I won't let you take her from me. She's my daughter, and I'll protect her with my life."

Rodney's face darkened, his voice dropping to a growl. "You're not thinking clearly, Matilda. You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. I'll find her, with or without your help."

He turned to his guards. "Secure the castle. Search every room, every corner. Find that baby, and bring her to me."

The guards nodded, dispersing to begin their search. Rodney's eyes locked onto the Queen, his gaze piercing. "You can't hide her forever, Matilda. I'll find her, and I'll do what's necessary to protect our pack."

The Queen's eyes flashed with determination, but she remained silent, her lips pressed into a thin line. Rodney's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with strategies to uncover the baby's whereabouts. He would stop at nothing to fulfill the prophecy and ensure the pack's safety, even if it meant going against his own mate.

The castle were all secured and no movement for that time. The guards finally found Darren in a hidden corner of the castle, his eyes darting around nervously. "Darren, what are you hiding?" one of the guards asked, their hand on the hilt of their sword.

Darren's grip on the bundle in his arms tightened. "Nothing, I'm just... just carrying some clothes."

The guard's eyes narrowed. "Let us see."

Darren hesitated, his eyes flicking to the Alpha, who was watching the scene unfold with growing interest. "No, I won't let you."

The Alpha's voice was cold, commanding. "Darren, expose what you're hiding."

The guard stepped forward, his hand reaching out to uncover the bundle. Darren tried to shield it, but the guard was too quick. The cloth was pulled back, revealing the tiny face of the baby.

The Alpha's expression fell, disappointment etched on his face. "Darren, how could you betray me like this?"

Darren stood tall, his eyes flashing with determination. "I won't let you harm her, Alpha. She's innocent."

The Alpha's voice was low, menacing. "Give her to me, Darren. She's a curse to our pack."

Darren's grip on the baby tightened. "I'll protect her with my life."

The Alpha's eyes narrowed, his face darkening. "You're willing to go against me, your Alpha, for a cursed child?"

Darren's jaw set, his eyes locked onto the Alpha. "I'm willing to protect her, no matter what it takes."