Broken Connection

MAELIS

“Is the luna really pregnant?”

Hura’s question hung heavily in the silence between us. Her eyes remained fixed on my stomach, wide with disbelief, as if she could see through the thin gown.

I opened my mouth, but the words were stuck. And for a second, I didn’t know how to get myself out of this situation. Should I lie to her the way I had lied to Theron?

Twice, Theron had almost caught me, but my lie had shielded me. But this… it was different.

She was basically seeing the screen.

I stared at her face, it was filled with worry, and most especially, loyalty.

This was the same face that had helped me off the floor without asking a single question, and had made my years spent in the pack house a bit more comfortable.

I couldn’t bring myself to lie to her.

I drew in a slow breath and nodded. “Yes,” I said. “I’m pregnant.”

Hura’s knees hit the floor so fast that the sound made both me and Sera jump in fear. Tears immediately fell down her cheeks as she pressed both hands over her mouth, whimpering loudly.

Sera and I exchanged a quick look, wondering what was happening.

The tears looked too heavy for my announcement. It felt like she’d hoped for this miracle for a long time and when it finally came, she didn’t know how to react. Or perhaps she was crying because of something else?

My throat felt tight as I struggled to swallow the lump in my throat.

“Hura…” I started. She dropped her hands and looked up at me, her eyes red and glistening with tears. A weak smile broke across her face even as more tears fell.

“I’m sorry, Luna,” she whispered. “I’m just… I’m so happy. You are having a baby. After everything… you are finally having a baby.”

The pure, unguarded joy in her voice caught me off guard. I had expected fear, or worry, or even something different, but not this… Not someone crying because she was genuinely happy for me.

Sera reached down and gently pulled Hura back to her feet. “You don't have to cry.”

“I know…” she let out a soft laugh amidst tears. “It’s a good thing right?”

It was a good thing indeed, but what if she runs her mouth to others?

Why hadn’t I thought of this before telling her?

“You can’t tell anyone,” I said, keeping my voice low. “No one. Not even the other maids, the guards, or anyone in this pack. If word gets out…”

“I swear,” Hura said immediately, wiping her face with the back of her hand. “I swear on my life, Luna. I won’t say a word.”

I hesitated, then added the only part she needed to know. “The pregnancy isn’t stable yet. That’s all I’m going to say. I need time to stabilize my pregnancy before telling anyone about it.”

Hura nodded, still sniffling. “I’ll take care of you, my lady. Whatever you need, be it food, rest, or covering for you… anything. I won’t let anyone bother you. I promise,” She bowed.

The sincerity in her voice made my chest tighten with something I couldn’t quite describe. I stared at her silently for a few seconds before finally giving her a nod.

Suddenly, the mind-link opened without warning, and Theron’s voice slid into my head, telling me to come to the ceremony.

His voice held nothing but coldness and disdain. I frowned in annoyance and cut the connection before he could say another word.

Sera saw the shift in my expression, and asked, “What is it?”

“He wants me at the ceremony, apparently there’s a rite I need to perform.” I scrunched my nose.

Sera’s face tightened. “You’re not stable enough to start doing Luna’s duties just yet, Mae. The rupture only just stopped bleeding. If you push yourself—”

I held my hands up as an idea crossed my mind.

“If he needs my presence, then I’ll go.”

“No, you can—”

“I know what this ritual needs,” I said, already swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “It needs the Luna. If I’m not there, Nerine will stand in my place, and I’m not going to give her that power.”

“Mae—” Sera argued.

“I’m going.” I stood carefully, testing the dull ache in my stomach. It was still there, but manageable.

Sera stared at me. “What are you planning?”

I didn’t answer but simply held her gaze until she exhaled and looked away.

We got home in no time, and Hura helped me change in silence. I slipped into my black flowing dress, then draped a formal mourning Luna robe over it, the black fabric decorated with silver embroidery.

Placing the Luna crown on my head, I smiled smugly.

Why had I forgotten I was still the Luna and that I held more power than Nerine?

As long as I remained Luna, I would use the crown to my advantage.

By the time I reached the hall, the second stage of the rites was already underway.

I pushed the door hard enough that the sound broke through the silence in the hall.

I stared at the altar and saw Nerine standing at the table, one hand hovering over the open wooden box that held the ancient whiskers. She looked up, her lips parting in surprise.

Theron stood beside her. A look of surprise appeared on his face but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

Caden waited quietly and innocently in front of them, completely unaware of everything happening around him.

I walked down the long aisle without rushing, and when I reached the table I stopped.

I gazed coldly at Nerine and commanded her to step away.

Nerine’s lips tightened, and for a split second rage flashed behind her eyes. Then she masked it with a smile and glanced toward Theron as if waiting for him to order me out.

But he didn’t speak.

He didn’t have the right to send me away.

Seeing she was still waiting for Theron’s approval, I stepped forward, close enough that she had to move or be pushed. She chose to move, limping like a clown who had a show to put on.

I ignored her performance and stared at the ancient whiskers lying in the open box, which were shiny and delicate.

I took the ones meant for Luna’s part of the binding and turned to Caden. The boy looked up at me, uncertain. I lowered myself carefully so we were closer to the same height.

“It’s all right,” I said quietly, only for him to hear. “This part is simple.”

He gave a small nod and shape-shifted into a brown fur pup.

I completed the first half of the binding the way tradition required, pressing the whiskers gently against his chin and speaking the short words that sealed the Luna’s connection.

Everyone watched silently, and I could feel Theron’s eyes on my face the entire time.

When I finished, I stepped back just far enough to give him room for the Alpha’s portion.

Theron moved forward, reaching for the second parcel of whiskers that still sat in the box.

I shifted my weight slowly as if steadying myself and moved closer to where the box was placed. My hand struck the box gently, causing it to fall and shatter on the floor.

For one second, everyone froze.

Then gasps erupted, and everyone began to murmur in disbelief.

Theron’s head snapped toward me. His face had gone white in a way I had never seen before and slowly, his eyes went to the broken box.

Suddenly, an elder’s voice rang out in agony. “This is bad luck! The ritual must cease now or we risk the child being named heir!”