Alpha‘s Regret : His Shunned Luna

Lyra

I stood outside Caleb's bedroom door, my heart pounding against my ribs.

He had come home early tonight. He remembered our wedding anniversary. Maybe this was the perfect moment to bring up having a baby.

Then, a strange sound came from inside. A low, muffled groan. I pressed my ear closer to the door.

Caleb was pleasuring himself.

For a moment, I couldn't move. His heavy breathing and muffled groans pounded in my ears, stirring a humiliating mix of shame, embarrassment, and helplessness until I could barely breathe.

He would rather satisfy himself than touch me. The lingerie suddenly felt like it was burning against my skin. 

His breathing grew faster and more ragged. Then, at the height of his release, "Sera..."

That single name struck me like a bolt of lightning.

I clapped a hand over my mouth, stifling a sob. I turned to leave, but in my panic, I knocked into a vase in the hallway. Before I could steady myself, my leg gave way, and I crashed hard to the floor.

"Lyra? You're back?" Caleb's hoarse, concerned voice came from inside the room.

"Sorry... I just wanted to..." The words about having a baby caught in my throat. I stammered through my response, struggling to get back on my feet, but my leg refused to cooperate.

The next second, the door opened.

Caleb stood in the doorway, his shirt half-unbuttoned, his breathing still slightly heavy. "Are you okay? Let me help you." He reached out, gently trying to lift me into his arms.

"No! I mean It's alright. I can do it on my own." I forced myself upright, nearly losing my balance again. Finally, I caught hold of the wall and slowly managed to stand.

His hand froze in midair. I couldn't bring myself to look at his expression. I limped awkwardly back to my bedroom as quickly as I could.

Everyone thought I wasn't good enough for Caleb. I even believed it sometimes.

Yet before the accident, I had had a pair of strong, healthy legs, too.

"You look pale, Lyra." Caleb followed me into the room, his voice soft as he searched my face. "Should I call the healer?"

"No," I whispered, staring down at my lap. "I'm fine."

He stood over me for a quiet moment, his gaze sweeping over the crimson lace clinging to my frame before he sighed gently.

"You... you don't have to wear things like this, Lyra." His tone was gentle, almost careful. "Simple, comfortable clothes suit you much better."

His gaze lingered for only a second before quickly moving away from my exposed leg.

"Of course." I forced myself to smile.

"Have you been taking the herbal medicine I gave you last time?"

"Yes. Thank you."

“Did you come to the study to see me about something?”

”Nothing.“

And just like that, our conversation was over.

When the lights went out, he pulled back the covers for me before sliding into his side of the bed.

Neither of us mentioned what had happened outside his bedroom. Neither of us mentioned Seraphina.

His one and only.

The woman who had suddenly walked out of his life.

Caleb had been drunk and drowning in grief after Seraphina left him without a word. When thirty rogues ambushed us at the border and Caleb was left bleeding out, I didn't hesitate to fight to save my Alpha.

I had been one of the brightest young warriors in the Pack's elite vanguard. An Omega, yes, but unmatched in speed, tactical skill, and wolf. I had dreamed of becoming a field commander. I had a future.

Then the silver-laced, poisoned blade meant for his heart struck me instead.

It destroyed the muscles in my leg, killed my wolf, and ended everything I'd spent my life fighting to become.

Driven by guilt, Caleb pulled himself together and gave me the best doctors, expensive treatments, a luxury estate, a black card, and the title of Luna.

Everything except his mark and his heart.

I convinced myself that, with time, his guilt might turn into affection.

Tonight proved how wrong I was.

Caleb returned carrying a glass of water. He walked over to my side of the bed and set it gently on my nightstand.

I waited until his breathing evened out and he fell asleep. Then, careful not to make a sound, I reached under my pillow for my phone and opened the email I'd read a thousand times since it arrived:

> OFFICIAL ADMISSION NOTICE: LYCAN WAR ACADEMY

> Special Reintegration & Command Track (for non-shifting personnel and injured veterans).

> Tracks: Tactical Command, Military Medicine, Logistics, Specialized Combat.

> Orientation begins in 30 days.

I had originally planned to show him the acceptance letter tonight. I had secretly hoped he would look at me, tell me he needed me, the Pack needed me, and ask me to stay.

I wiped the quiet tears from my face, a cold, sharp resolve settling into my bones. I pulled up the academy's verification portal and tapped the glowing blue button:

[CONFIRM ATTENDANCE & INITIATE 30-DAY COUNTDOWN]

The next morning, I woke before dawn.

For three years, I'd risen at 5:00 AM to cook Caleb's eggs, brew his coffee, and lay out his suit and tie.

Today, I stayed in bed.

He lingered by the bedroom door before leaving, probably wondering why I'd broken my routine. 

Once the house was empty, I took a bath, changed into comfortable clothes, and buried myself in tactical command textbooks. If I wanted to survive the academy, I had to get stronger on my own.

Hours later, my phone buzzed nonstop.

Tagged posts. Group messages. Livestream notifications.

One headline shot straight to the top of the Pack's public network.

SERAPHINA ROSEWOOD RETURNS TO THE SILVERMOON PACK!

The high-definition clip showed Caleb at the Pack’s downtown lounge, surrounded by champagne and flashing cameras.

He stood at the center of the crowd, looking impossibly handsome in a charcoal suit. But it was his smile that made my blood run cold—relaxed, tender, and warmer than anything I'd seen in our three years of marriage.

Seraphina stood beside him in a stunning white dress, nestled against his side. His arm circled her waist as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, making her burst into laughter.

The crowd erupted.

"Look at them! It's like they've never been apart. SWEET."

"You finally got her back, Alpha!"

"Throw the cripple out! Our TRUE Luna is finally home!"