The Promise He Broke

 

MAELIS

 

For a few seconds, I froze in my spot, staring at Theron from across the council chamber, waiting for him to take back his words.

 

But he didn’t.

 

Instead, he proceeded to shatter my hope completely, “Not only would I decide when to unbind the union but also to decide when everything ends.”

 

When he meant everything, I needed no one to tell me he had meant the contract.

 

My fingers curled slowly against my dress. A few hours ago, he had agreed to let me go, and he had looked at me as though my request meant nothing and said he would arrange the council meeting to officially announce it.

 

Now, he had taken that promise back in front of everyone.

 

I forced myself to stand straight. “Alpha,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the tremor in my chest. “You agreed to my request earlier.”

His grey eyes settled on me. “I changed my mind.”

 

He said it so casually that anyone in the room could tell he didn’t actually think about it before changing his mind.

 

It felt like the life I had spent five years building around him could be erased with four words.

 

I swallowed hard, fighting back the tears threatening to fall. “When did you change your mind? Was it after I left the clinic?”

 

His jaw tightened slightly. “The circumstances have changed.”

 

I glanced at Nerine. She was sitting beside him, one hand resting comfortably on his arm.

 

She didn’t look surprised, instead, her lips curled up in a quick cold smile.

 

She already knew.

 

Of course she did.

 

Nerine lowered her eyes, pretending to be uncomfortable with the conversation.

 

“I don’t want to cause trouble between you and Alpha,” she said softly. “If my return is the reason you’re uncomfortable, I can—”

 

“Don’t.” Theron’s voice stopped her immediately.

 

His hand clasped hers. “You are not the problem, and you’re not going anywhere.”

 

My chest tightened.

 

I looked away before they could see what that did to me.

 

The Head Councilman cleared his throat, rising to his feet. “Luna Maelis, there is another thing you should understand.”

 

I turned toward him, swallowing hard.

 

“The heir legitimacy rite begins tomorrow. It will take approximately one month to complete.” He continued.

 

My brows drew together. “And what does that have to do with my request?”

 

The old man exchanged glances with the other elders before turning towards me. “A Luna cannot be removed from her position while the legitimacy of a new heir is being determined. The stability of the pack must remain unquestioned during the process.”

 

I stared at him.

 

“One month?” I asked.

 

“Yes.” He affirmed, and my hands moved instinctively toward my stomach.

 

One month.

 

Sera’s voice returned to me like a threat, ‘Less than a month, Maelis.’

 

My heart began to thud harder. My baby didn’t have a month.

 

I looked at Theron, he wasn’t looking at me anymore, he was speaking quietly with one of the elders, as though none of this concerned him.

 

As though he hadn’t promised me freedom that afternoon, as though he hadn’t watched me walk away believing I had finally found a way out.

 

As though, he didn’t just ruin my chances by announcing Caden as his heir! Why didn’t he announce our unbinding first!?

 

“That’s because he never put you first,” Mia, my wolf whined in my head. “He never puts us first.”

 

She was right, and now, would I have to wait till my child is gone???

 

My nails dug into my palm. “What happens after the one month?” I asked.

 

The Head Council looked at me. “You may petition again.”

 

A bitter laugh almost escaped me. “Again?” The word came out quieter than I intended.

 

I had to survive another month trapped here just to ask permission to leave again.

 

And the bitter part? My child might not survive long enough to see that day.

 

I looked at Theron once more, and he finally met my eyes.

 

There was no apology in them, he only had that same controlled expression he wore whenever he had already made a decision. I knew then that pleading would change nothing.

 

So I lowered my gaze. “I understand, and would wait till the month is over.”

 

The meeting continued, with some matters I  heard almost none of.

 

Every word blurred beneath the pounding in my heart, and the sting in my chest begging for me to let it out and cry. I placed a hand in my chest, rubbing in circles as I tried to control my raging emotions.

 

When the council finally dismissed us, I rose before anyone could stop me, and walked out.

 

The moment the doors closed behind me, I released the breath I had been holding.

 

My legs felt weak and I pressed my palm against the wall for support.

 

‘One month.’ The word rang in my ears like mockery.

 

I had spent five years waiting for Theron to choose me, and now I couldn’t spend another month waiting for him to decide whether I deserved freedom.

 

Not anymore.

 

Breathing heavily, I returned to my room and shut the door behind me.

 

My eyes landed on the small table near the window, it was the contract paper. I walked toward them slowly and picked them up.

 

My thumb brushed over the clause about custody once more and I folded the contract and placed it back.

 

I couldn’t tell him about my pregnancy.

 

If he knew about the baby, the contract would become another weapon against me.

 

A knock sounded on the door and I stiffened.

 

Before I could answer, the door opened, and Sera stepped inside.

 

The moment she saw my face, hers changed.

 

“What happened?” She rushed towards me, holding my hand.

 

I closed my eyes briefly, and sighed, “He changed his mind.”

 

She understood immediately, and twitched her lips,  “He didn’t agree to the unbinding?”

 

I nodded. “The Council said I can’t be removed while his child's legitimacy is being determined. And it takes one month.”

Her brows furrowed in confusion and I immediately briefed her of Nerine’s return with Theron’s child.

 

“This doesn’t make any sense,” she said, shaking her head slightly.

 

I nodded, sighing out loud as her gaze dropped to my stomach.

 

“Maelis, we don’t have a month.” She whispered.

 

“I know,” My voice cracked.

 

“Then you have to tell Theron,” She pushed.

 

I pulled my hands away, stepping back slightly. “No, I can’t.”

 

“He needs to know what is happening to his child.” She insisted, her gaze hard.

 

“He needs to know what is happening to my child,” I corrected quietly. “And then what? He takes the baby from me?”

 

Sera fell silent.

 

I looked down at my hands. “He already has the right to take my child when this contract ends. If he knows I’m pregnant, he won’t let me leave.”

 

“How are you sure he will, Alpha Theron might let you—“

 

“I know him better, Sera,” I replied before she could finish her words.

 

Five years had taught me exactly how Theron loved; When something belonged to him, he protected it.

 

But I had never been something he chose.

 

I looked toward the window, fighting back the tears.  “I can’t risk my baby for a hope that doesn’t exist.”

 

Sera’s expression softened.“Then what are you going to do?”

 

I wiped the tears gathering beneath my eyes. “I’ll make them let me go.”

 

She frowned. “How?”

I looked back at her, and replied, “ I read years ago in the Lunaris that the heir rites can be paused under certain circumstances.” I paused. “They said an unbinding needs grounds. So I’m going to give the Council exactly what it needs and show the whole pack how their perfect Alpha has neglected his Luna and failed in his duties for years. I will fight with everything I have to protect my child.”

 

“Maelis…”

 

“I have five years of it.” I turned to face her, my voice steadier now.

 

Five years of sleeping alone, five years of attending pack functions beside a man who barely looked at me, and five years of watching him yearn for another woman.

 

I had spent those years thinking none of it mattered that one day, he’d look at me differently.

 

But now, this could save my life and my baby’s.

 

“Wait… are you planning to file a petition against the Alpha?” She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

“Yes,” I affirmed. “Now, I’d look for evidence to back my claims and save my baby.”

 

“Did you just say your baby?”  A familiar voice sounded from behind.