The Sound of Betrayal

Astrid's POV 

“Darius…” I gasped as his lips found mine, the sound swallowed by his low growl.

His hand moved with aching slowness, fingers curling inside me as his palm pressed against my core.

“Darius…” I whispered, breathless, overwhelmed but still instinctively shielding my round belly with one hand. “Careful—you’ll push the babies.”

His breath hit my ear, just as I thought he’d stop, his lips found mine again, hard, insistent. I could feel his hardness even get closer, too close.

My hands gripped his shoulders, trying to push him back. “Darius, stop!”

With a sharp exhale, he stopped, chest heaving, eyes dark and unreadable.

I was overwhelmed by tension.

Just a year ago, I married Alpha Darius.

For years before that, I thought no one could ever truly want me. My curves had always been my curse, proof that I wasn’t like the other she-wolves in our pack. I was the girl people joked about, the one who tried every diet, every run, every spell of hormone treatment that never worked.

No one had expected me to become Luna. But the moment Darius discovered I was his mate, he didn’t hesitate. He claimed me in front of everyone, shocking the entire pack.

Now, a year later, I’m carrying his twins.

As an Alpha, he’d always been in control, especially in bed. I used to love that about him.

But now, with our babies inside me, I had to be careful, even if that meant disappointing him.

“The doctor said I’m in my third trimester,” I reminded softly, trying to lighten the moment with a nervous smile. “Alpha pups tend to get a little… excited. I don’t want to go into labor because you couldn’t control yourself.”

That earned me a dark, amused flicker in his eyes.

“Fuck,” he muttered, voice low and rough, grabbing my hand and guiding it to him instead. “Once the pups are born, don’t you dare refuse me again.”

A shiver ran through me, not from fear, but from the strange sweetness of surrender. I blushed, murmuring, “Let’s talk after we see the doctor first.”

  He kissed my forehead, then my shoulder. "Sure. Tomorrow we'll go. Hear their heartbeats. Make sure everything's perfect."

He'd never missed a single checkup. His devotion to the babies, to me, was absolute.

I nodded, comforted by the thought, my fingers tracing over his hand on my belly. "I love you," I murmured.

He pressed me closer, one hand sliding over my breast while the other rested on my swelling belly.

“The little wolves,” he murmured, “I can’t wait to meet them. Just… two more months.”

I closed my eyes slowly as his heartbeat thudded steadily beneath my ear.

  When I woke the next morning, Darius was already up, finishing the Pack's paperwork. 

We drove to the hospital, and as we walked in, his phone buzzed.

“Shit,” he said under his breath, reading the screen. “Some of the young wolves got into trouble. I have to go handle it.”

I was stunned and speechless for a second. A part of me screaming no. He’d been leaving a lot lately, always for something urgent, always for the pack. I reminded myself that this was what being Luna meant: understanding, supporting, not becoming another burden.

“It’s okay,” I said softly. “Go. The pack needs you.”

He exhaled, guilt flickering in his eyes as he tilted my chin up. “I’m sorry. If anything feels off, call me immediately, okay?”

I managed a small smile. “I’m not a child, Darius.”

 "That's my strong Luna." He kissed my cheek, shared a quick kiss before he left.

  I went through every test on my own, one after another. The twins wouldn't cooperate, so the ultrasound took forever.

 Finally, Dr. Vale handed me the reports with a warm smile. "The twins look healthy, Luna. But watch your weight. It could make delivery harder."

  I nodded, even as the words stung. Pregnant or not, I was still the fat one.

  I left her office, walking slowly toward the elevator with one hand on my belly. The babies kicked softly, like they could feel my unease.

  The elevator stopped on the second floor to let people out. Through the open doors, I saw someone unexpected. My mother, Teresa.

For a moment, I felt relieved, but it faded almost immediately.

Mom was the OB-GYN for our pack, but she’d never once spoken to me about my own pregnancy. The only reason she’d be on the general medicine floor would be… Iris.

My sister. Beautiful, delicate Iris.

Born with a blood disorder, she had always been the fragile center of our family’s world. When we were little, I’d watch my parents hover over her cradle, taking her in and out of hospitals while barely remembering how many meals I’d gone without.

As we grew older, things only got worse. To better look after Iris, I was sent to live with my grandmother for years, becoming almost a stranger in my own family. 

The more invisible I felt, and the more I ate to calm the ache in my chest. The more weight I gained, the more my family criticized and ignored me. It felt like a vicious cycle.

Still, seeing my mother’s familiar figure now, I couldn’t help the small, ridiculous hope that bloomed in my chest. Maybe after visiting Iris, she’d stop by my floor. Just once. Just to ask how I was.

I moved closer to the half-closed door, ready to call her name, but stopped when I heard my father’s voice from inside the room.

“Iris is getting worse,” he said quietly. “Her body’s rejecting the last transplant.”

My heart tightened. Poor Iris. I leaned in, ready to knock, until my mother’s voice cut through.

“How is Astrid?” she asked. “Any signs of early labor?”

I blinked, confused. Why would she—

“I already told you many times. We need her cord blood now. From the twins. We’ll schedule a C-section. Tomorrow, if possible.”

For a moment, everything went silent.

Cord blood? From my twins? They… they were planning to take my pups early?

The words didn’t make sense. Then they did. And when they did, my world tilted. My pulse roared in my ears. I pressed a hand to my mouth, shaking so hard my knees nearly gave out. 

My own parents wanted to CUT me open for my sister?

My legs gave way.

I slid down the wall, arms wrapping instinctively around my belly.

“No…” I whispered, tears burning behind my eyes. “No, please…”

I reached for the mind-link, desperate. Darius. I have to tell Darius! He’ll stop them. He’ll protect our babies…

Then I heard a third voice from inside the room.

“I could try again,” the man said quietly. “Let Astrid go into labor naturally.”

It was Darius.