MY ALPHA HUSBAND WANTS ME DEAD

Serena’s POV

 

The whispers wake me before dawn.

 

I lie still in the Luna’s bed, my bed, though it hasn’t felt like mine in months, and listen as voices leak through the door.

 

“…pregnant…”

 

“…finally an heir…”

 

“…the Luna never stood a chance…”

 

My fingers tense around the sheets. I stay quiet, hoping I misheard them, but I know I didn’t. I know exactly what those whispers mean.

 

I get up slowly, feet cold against the floor. The moon hangs pale outside the window like it can’t be bothered to shine properly. Fitting, considering the morning I’m about to walk into.

 

The voices get louder in the hall.

 

“Sapphire looked radiant.”

 

“The Alpha was staring at her the whole time.”

 

“At least someone can give him an heir.”

 

Of course it’s Sapphire. It was always going to be her. I saw this coming months ago, but I kept pretending Ronan would never go that far.

 

Pretending never saved anyone.

 

I reach for the door, but it swings open before I touch it. Two omega servants almost crashed into me.

 

“Luna Serena!” the younger one blurts, bowing too fast. “We weren’t…”

 

“You were talking about Sapphire’s announcement,” I say. “I heard.”

 

The pity on their faces is worse than the whispers.

 

“Is it true?” I ask.

 

Mira swallows. “Yes, Luna. She announced it at breakfast. She’s carrying the Alpha’s child.”

 

The world tilts, but I force myself steady. I learned how to stand even when everything inside me is breaking. The former Alpha made sure of that when I was a girl. Pain teaches discipline.

 

“I see,” I say. “Thank you.”

 

I walk past them. If I fall apart now, I fall apart in front of everyone. That won’t happen.

 

The packhouse is awake and buzzing. People stop talking when they see me, eyes sliding away fast. They don’t even try to hide their relief, relief that it’s me being replaced and not them. I ignore all of it and keep walking.

 

I’ve survived worse.

 

I survived being an orphan in a pack that only valued bloodlines.

I survived the former Alpha’s dungeons, the scar on my back proves it.

I survived being chosen as Luna by a man who never really wanted me.

 

I can survive this too.

 

The dining hall goes silent when I enter. Dozens of eyes lock onto me.

 

And there she is, Sapphire Dane. Sitting at the head of the table. In my seat.

 

She looks bright and triumphant, hand pressed to her flat stomach like she’s already carrying royalty. Ravenfall colors drape off her like she was born to wear them.

 

But it’s the shirt over her dress that hits me hardest.

 

Ronan’s shirt.

 

The one he wears on lazy mornings. The one I used to steal out of his closet just to feel close to him.

 

She’s wearing it like a prize.

 

My eyes find Ronan down the table. He won’t look at me. His jaw is tight, his face controlled, but he looks guilty, and angry that I exist to remind him of it.

 

“Luna Serena!” Sapphire calls, her voice too sweet. “Did you hear the news? I’m giving the pack an heir. Isn’t it wonderful?”

 

I want to rip that smug expression off her face. But I keep myself calm.

 

“Congratulations,” I say. “Though announcing a pregnancy so early is risky. Most wolves wait until the second trimester.”

 

Her smile dips, just for a heartbeat, before she recovers.

 

“Oh, I’m confident everything will go smoothly,” she says. “The Alpha and I have been… trying for months.”

 

The room murmurs.

 

I walk to my seat, my rightful one, and sit. Only then do I look at Ronan.

 

“Ronan,” I say quietly. “We need to talk.”

 

He flicks his eyes toward me, then away. “Not now.”

 

“Yes, now,” I say. “Your mistress just announced her pregnancy and she’s wearing your shirt. I think that qualifies as urgent.”

 

His jaw flexes.

 

Sapphire leans forward. “Serena, maybe you should rest. You look worn out. The stress of failing for so long must be hard.”

 

Gasps echo around us.

 

I don’t blink. “Sapphire, how’s your father? Elder Dane. I heard he’s struggling with the fact that everyone knows his daughter sleeps her way through half the pack. It must be embarrassing.”

 

Her face drains of color.

 

“How dare you—”

 

“That’s enough,” Ronan snaps, standing. “Council. With me.”

 

My stomach sinks. The council. Of course.

 

Six elders rise. Together, they could strip me of my title with a single word. And they’re already looking at me like the decision is made.

 

“Luna Serena,” Elder Marcus says, “your presence is required.”

 

“Of course.”

 

The walk to the council chamber feels like a death march. Whispers trail behind us.

 

“…about time…”

 

“…never fit to be Luna…”

 

“…Sapphire is perfect…”

 

The scar on my back burns like fire. I push the memory down and keep walking.

 

Inside the council chamber, Ronan sits at the head of the table. The elders take their seats. I’m left standing like a criminal.

 

Elder Marcus clears his throat. “Serena, this meeting is about the future of the pack.”

 

“My inability to conceive,” I say. “Go on.”

 

His eyebrows rise. “Yes. Three years without an heir is…”

 

“I know my duties,” I say. “But fertility issues aren’t one-sided. Has the Alpha been examined?”

 

Ronan’s head snaps up. “Watch it.”

 

“I’m just stating facts,” I reply. “Unless this meeting is only about justifying a decision already made.”

 

Silence.

 

Elder Thorne leans back. “You always were sharper than you looked. Yes, the decision is made. The pack needs an heir. Sapphire is pregnant. You are not. Therefore…”

 

“You no longer need me,” I finished. “Say it clearly.”

 

Ronan finally speaks, voice cold. “You’ve served your role. But I need a Luna who can give me an heir. Since you cannot…”

 

“Since I cannot,” I cut in, “you’ll replace me with someone who had no problem climbing into our bed.”

 

His face tightens.

 

“This isn’t about—”

 

“It’s exactly about that,” I say. “You stopped trying with me long before this.”

 

“Enough!” He slams his hand on the table, Alpha power rolling through the air. My wolf flinches, but I force her down.

 

“You will not speak to me like that,” he says. “You are done here, Serena. The council agrees. The pack agrees. You stand alone.”

 

The words slice through me.

 

But I refuse to bow.

 

“Fine,” I say. “Give me the formal dissolution in writing. I want…”

 

The door bursts open.

 

Sapphire stumbles in, clutching her stomach. “Help! Someone help me! I’ve been poisoned!”

 

Everything freezes.

 

Then Ronan is beside her instantly, catching her as she falls.

 

Her eyes lock onto mine.

 

“It was her,” she gasps, pointing at me. “Serena gave me tea. She said it would help my nausea. But it was poison. She’s trying to kill my baby.”

 

“What?” I choke out. “I never…”

 

No one listens.

 

“Guards!” Ronan roars. “Seize her!”

 

I back up as guards storm in. “I didn’t poison her! Ronan, you know me!”

 

“I know you’re desperate,” he says coldly. “I know you’re capable of this.”

 

The guards grab me. I don’t fight. If I struggle, I look guilty. If I run, I look guilty.

 

They snap cuffs around my wrists.

 

“Ronan,” I whisper. “Look at me.”

 

He meets my eyes for a second.

 

There is nothing there.

 

No doubt.

No hesitation.

Nothing.

 

“Take her to the dungeons,” he orders. “We’ll hold a tribunal after Sapphire is examined.”

 

As they drag me past Sapphire, she leans in and whispers:

 

“I warned you not to get in my way.”

 

Then she pulls back, looking like a victim again.

 

It hits me all at once.

 

This was planned.

Every step.

Every lie.

Every whisper.

 

And Ronan believed all of it.