Chapter 2: No Longer His Luna

Aria’s POV

The guest room door clicked shut behind me, and I pressed my forehead against the wood, the chill seeping into my skin.

This wasn’t my room. This wasn’t my place. I was supposed to be beside Aiden, not shoved into a space that felt like an afterthought. The bed looked too neat, too untouched, the unfamiliar scent only making the emptiness more suffocating.

I slid down slowly until I was sitting on the floor, my back against the door. Wrapping my arms tightly around my knees, I pulled myself into the smallest shape I could manage, as though I could shrink until I simply disappeared. My body was carrying new life, fragile and unseen, yet my heart ached with a heaviness that threatened to crush me.

This wasn’t home anymore.

And if it wasn’t here, then where was it? Where could I possibly go?

The thought was too big, too frightening to face. I buried my face in my arms and let the sobs shake through me. Just for a moment. Just long enough to release what I couldn’t carry anymore.

A knock broke the silence.

My heart leapt despite itself, foolishly hoping it was him. That he had come to his senses, that he would apologize, pull me into his arms, beg me not to give up.

But when I opened the door, it wasn’t Aiden.

It was her.

I immediately wiped my tears, hoping she hadn’t noticed.

But she already had seen them.

“Hello,” Olivia said, her tone as sweet as honey.

She stood there with one hand resting on the swell of her stomach, the other smoothing down her hair like she was preparing for a performance.

“Do you need something?”

“I just wanted to check on you,” she said with a smile that made my skin crawl. “I know this must be really hard for you.”

The fake sympathy in her voice made bile rise in my throat. My hand gripped the edge of the door, fighting the temptation to slam it in her face.

“I’m fine,” I forced out the words flatly.

Her lips curved into a smirk. “Stronger than I thought. Most she wolves would have broken by now, once they realized they were no longer wanted.”

Her words clung to the air like poison.

I stiffened, my breath catching as she let her hand trail down her belly slowly, deliberately, like she was stroking a crown she’d stolen.

“You really should rest too,” she continued, tilting her head in mock concern.

Then, leaning in slightly, her voice dropped to a whisper lined with venom. “Make the most of your stay… while he still lets you.”

She stepped back, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “After all, Aria, mate or not… you don’t really know him.”

The words sliced deeper than I wanted to admit.

I stayed frozen, my heartbeat echoing in my ears, until she turned with a final sugary smile and walked away.

I slammed the door harder than necessary, the sound rattling the frame. I refused to let her see me break. Not her.

Olivia… Aiden’s first love. She chose another over him, threw him aside, and now she dared to return as if nothing had ever happened!

My chest heaved as I yanked open the bedside drawer. My fingers found the worn leather of my diary, the one place I had always been able to pour what I couldn’t say aloud. Aiden had never wanted to hear my pain. The pages had become my only confidant.

I flipped it open and scrawled the only thing burning inside me:

‘He’s never going to know about the twins…’

Morning came with heaviness in my bones. I forced myself up, dressed, and painted on the mask I had learned to wear.

The Luna still had to play her role. Even if her Alpha no longer wanted her.

When I walked into the dining hall, ready to do my duty, the sound of laughter hit me like a slap.

There they were.

Olivia sat at the head of the table, her plate piled with fresh fruit, her voice swinging and soft as though she were the lady of the house.

“Thank you, Alpha! Thank you for accepting me here again… I’m sorry for leaving you before.”

Aiden stood beside her, pouring her juice, smiling at her with warmth I hadn’t seen directed at me in years.

“It’s okay. Besides, someone needs to take care of the pup.”

Something twisted inside me, sharp and bitter.

“Morning,” I muttered.

Aiden’s smile faded the moment he saw me. His reply was flat and distant, “Morning.”

No kiss, no touch, not even a look that said he remembered I was his mate. I moved to the far end of the table and grabbed a piece of toast I didn’t want, chewing without tasting.

“Aiden,” Olivia’s voice floated across the room, sweet and delicate. “I have an appointment today. I need the healer to check on the baby.”

“Of course. I’ll take you,” he said immediately, his tone gentle, almost eager.

Not even a glance at me. Not even the courtesy of pretending I existed.

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat threatening to choke me.

By the time breakfast ended, I pushed my chair back, ready to leave when something inside me hit.

A sharp pain tore through my lower stomach.

“Argh!”

I gasped, gripping the table for support. My body bent forward, trembling, the pain was like fire spreading across my abdomen.

“Aria?” Aiden’s voice cut through the haze, startled. His eyes widened, but his body didn’t move. He froze, torn between me and—

Her.

Always her.

“What’s happening to you?” he asked, his tone confused, uncertain.

My breath came in shallow gasps. “A-Aiden,” I whispered. “Help me.”

For a heartbeat, something flickered across his face. Concern. Fear. The bond between us tugged at him, pulling him toward me. I thought, just for a second, that he might actually choose me.

“Please…”

He was about to step closer when, suddenly—

“AHHH!”

Olivia screamed.

Her hand pressed to her stomach.

Immediately, his focus snapped to her.

“Olivia!” His voice filled with panic as he rushed to her side.

I staggered, clutching my stomach. “A-Aiden… please…”

But he was already lifting her into his arms, holding her carefully, protectively.

“A-Alpha! The baby! Please! It hurts!”

“Fuck! Don’t worry! I’ll get you there!”

Just like that, he was gone.

I collapsed to the floor, my knees slamming against the cold ground. My palms scraped as I tried to push myself up, tears streaming hot and fast down my cheeks.

I dragged myself forward, inch by inch, desperate to get out of that place. My body screamed in pain, but I refused to stop.

“S-Someone! Help!”

By the time I reached the open air, I was trembling, my legs weak beneath me.

I...I must find help!

“Aria!”

My heart leapt at the sound of my name. Someone’s here…? 

A figure rushed toward me, but my vision was spinning, and I couldn’t make out his face. For a second, hope flickered inside me.

“You’re safe now,” he said firmly. “Come with me.”

He held me up, but when I took a closer look through my hazy eyes, I caught the cruel twist of his lips and the glint of a blade hidden behind his back.

My stomach dropped.

“Wait!”

Before I could react, he lunged, the blade slicing through the air. I jerked aside, the edge grazing my arm, burning my skin.

I dropped to the ground, groaning in pain.

“N-No! P-Please!”

“You should’ve stayed down,” he spat, raising the knife again.

Adrenaline roared through me. With everything I had left, I kicked out, my foot connecting hard with his knee. He stumbled, cursing.

“Fuck!”

And I ran.