001| The Day My Mate Choose Another

~Elara~

The letter trembled in my hand, feeling heavier than any letter had the right to be.

I had practiced what I would say so many times, that I lost count on my way to his office.

This revelation was going to be difficult for both of us, but we still have each other.

But then I heard the voices.

Muffled and distant at first, until I heard the words that sliced through the still air, sharp as a blade.

“What do you mean you can’t tell her? I am not going to raise this baby in secret.”

It was Calistra’s voice.

My footsteps slowed, and my heart began pounding furiously.

This must be a misunderstanding. They are talking about something else, they had to be.

But then I heard Lucien's voice, low and unmistakable.

“Calistra, that child is as much mine as it is yours, but it’s too early. I just returned to this pack 2 days ago after being away for months… I can’t break the news to her yet. Give me some time.”

I froze.

His child?

I couldn’t breathe. My world suddenly blurred.

My hand on the doorknob trembled. Ney, my wolf stirred, as the feeling of fear and unease washed through us.

I pushed the door open. My stomach churned.

Calistra was sitting way too casually at Lucien's desk, and he was standing in front of her, his body half turned.

His eyes widened when he saw me. He quickly stepped away from her, as though she burned him.

“Elara—”

I looked between them, feeling the room spin under my feet.

“What baby?”

Oh Goddess, let this not be true.

“Luna Elara.” Calistra’s voice sounded deceptively gentle.

My eyes settled on the woman whose voice sounded too polished and controlled.

She was the healer that Lucien had brought home with him.

At least that’s what he said she was.

“Can someone tell me what the hell is going on here? Lucien?”

Lucien swallowed hard; his eyes narrowed. “It’s not what you think, I—?”

“Is it not? "What is it then?” My voice cracked.

I saw Calistra shift behind him. The soft expression that was once on her face was now replaced with a dark look.

“I’m sorry so Luna,” she murmured, “You must believe me, we didn’t plan for things to turn out this way. But I am pregnant now.” Her eyes were wailed up with tears, as perfectly as a rehearsed performance. 

She’s admitting her pregnancy.

A tear rushed down my face before I could stop it, and more followed. I turned to him, and I felt my heart tighten.

“Is the baby yours?”

“I—" He trailed off, his shoulders falling slightly.

My wolf, Ney, howled inside me.

I took a step back, my hands flying to my lips, as my sobs cracked through the air like thunder.

“How—" My voice was barely a whisper. “How could you, Lucien? After everything….”

Here I was rejoicing that my husband was finally back after almost 4 months of being away, fighting a war at the Pack borders, and now this?

He moved fast, looking so desperate. “I didn’t mean to hurt you; it was a mistake...”

“A mistake? "It wasn’t a mistake when you were sleeping with me, or was it?” Calistra was very angry, and even though her voice was low, we heard her clearly.

Lucien gritted his teeth, “It shouldn’t have happened, Calistra; we were both drunk that night.” Lucien growled. His jaw was tightly clenched.

He turned back to me urgently, grabbing my face between his palms.

“Elara, I never wanted this. We got carried away after a major victory. I don’t remember it clearly. I swear by the moon. I love you Elara, please.”

But the damage is done. It’s too late.

She is pregnant.

I stared up at him, the man who was supposed to be mine alone.

‘You have already hurt me.’ I wanted to tell him that, but my throat felt so dry.

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat.

“So, what are you going to do about her pregnancy?”

He hesitated. He was silent, long enough to give me hope.

Then, his face hardened.

“I— The baby is mine.” He turned away, “I have to take responsibility for it.”

My heart dropped. I stepped back.

“The Pack needs an heir,” he added, his tone softer now.

As if that made it right.

As if that made me disposable.

Ney went silent.

I stared at him. Lucien, my mate, my husband.

I had always believed he would do anything for me, even if it meant burning down the world.

Yet, he stood there like a noble fool, defending another woman.

The same woman who now had a smug expression on her face, obviously enjoying how everything was turning out. The woman who was trying to steal my life.

“So, you are choosing her.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

I wish I would just wake up and find this to be a nightmare.

Lucien ran his fingers through his hair, like he was the one in pain. “It’s not that simple—"

I threw the letter I’d been holding into his chest. He caught it, confused.

“I was pregnant too.”

The room immediately fell silent. For a moment, I saw the smug expression on Calistra’s face falter.

Lucien blinked. His lips parted, but no sound came out at first. His hand twitched by his side.

“What?”

I didn’t repeat it. I couldn’t even if I wanted to.

The words felt like blood in my mouth.

“I was pregnant.” I said again, this time louder, as though it would reduce the pain.

He quickly opened the envelope and pulled out the contents. My ultrasound results.

His eyes flickered. Shock. Guilt. Regret.

My hands subconsciously moved to my stomach. I couldn’t help but notice how painfully empty it felt after that day. Even Ray could hardly bear the loss.

“It was three moons ago.”

Calistra’s face turned pale, and Lucien's face was blank at first, then he stepped back as the truth burned him.

“You…... why didn’t you tell me?”

I choked. “I never got the chance to. "You were gone before I found out.” A tear finally rolled down my face.

His face twisted; his shoulders slumped.

I laughed bitterly. “I woke up in the middle of the night. My stomach was on fire. "I thought I was going to die from the pain.” I choked.

Lucien took a slow step forward. “Elara—"

I shook my head. “The healer said it was a miscarriage, maybe stress or some internal imbalance. It was strange, the baby was healthy.”

I saw his eyes now, mine burning. “But now I know the truth.”

Lucien's face paled instantly. Panic flashed across his face.

“It was the moment you betrayed me, wasn’t it?”

He staggard back, like I had slapped him.

Calistra looked away, a bitter look on her face.

My body trembled, suddenly feeling weak.

Lucien stepped forward gently, reaching to touch me. I recoiled.

His voice broke. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“No, you didn’t care…. You—"

Suddenly, everything became blurry. Just before my legs gave way, I saw her smile.

I collapsed then, but I didn’t hit the floor.

Someone caught me.