FIVE

Eliza sat at the vanity in her room, her gaze fixed on her reflection for so long it felt like she had every detail of her face memorized, etched into her mind alongside the echo of his words.

Unless you’re pregnant already?

Her fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the table. The memory replayed again. His voice. Her answer.

How she had quickly pulled away from his arms and told him she wasn’t pregnant. The way he looked at her like what she said didn’t matter and instead, told her to return to her room and stay there quietly for the time being.

Fighting the dizziness that suddenly plagued her, Eliza had wanted to argue with him but could only gather enough strength to ask him what he meant by that, Alaric’s response cold and firm, almost rehearsed.

“I’m yet to inform the pack elders of your presence. I need time to plan everything carefully, so in the meantime, just lay low. Don’t try to mess up my plan again so just do I say.”

She shut her eyes briefly, trying to push the thoughts away, but they refused to leave. They had followed her through the entire night, clinging to her mind no matter how many times she turned in bed, no matter how tightly she forced her eyes shut.

I need time to plan everything carefully.

Plan.

The word alone made her chest tighten. Plan what?Her life? Her body? Her future?

A sharp knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Eliza?”

She blinked, her reflection snapping back into focus. The maid from yesterday stood by the door, her head slightly bowed. “Breakfast is ready. The Dowager Luna requested your presence.”

Eliza hesitated for a moment. Then slowly, she stood and replied her quietly. “Alright.”

With a sigh, she watched the maid leave and prepared herself to follow suit. This was her new life and as foreign as it still felt, she needed to prepare herself to get used to it.

Dressed in one of the gowns the Dowager Luna had filled her closet with in such a short time span, she stepped out of the room and made her way to the dining. The hall was just as grand as the rest of the palace—long tables, high ceilings, and an air of quiet authority that made every step feel measured.

But what truly made her pause was the Dowager Luna and Luna queen already seated at the table.

Pamela Storm looked as composed and welcoming as she had the day before and right next to her, Rebecca had the same expression as she did the previous day- elegant, poised, beautiful in a way that demanded attention without effort and unfriendly. Extremely so.

Eliza swallowed and stepped forward, bowing her head slightly. “Good morning.”

“Ah, there she is,” Pamela’s voice carried warmth as she gestured toward the empty seat. “Come, sit. You must be starving.”

Eliza forced a small nod and took her seat.

“I hope you slept well,” Rebecca unexpectedly spoke up, her tone smooth, her eyes resting on Eliza with quiet scrutiny.

“I—” Eliza hesitated. “Yes.”

It was a lie but an easy one.

“I see,” Rebecca’s lips curved faintly, like she could see right through it. She reached for her cup and took a sip of the contents, barely looking away from Eliza. “I imagine you have a lot on your mind. Especially in your condition.”

Eliza immediately blinked. “My condition?”

Rebecca glanced at her, almost amused. She lowered her gaze to her stomach and repeated, “yes, your condition.”

“Oh, no,” Eliza’s eyes immediately widened. She glanced at Pamela who seemed amused and quickly returned her gaze to Rebecca. “Did Alaric—did he tell you I’m pregnant?”

“Of course,” Rebecca replied without hesitation. “My husband doesn’t keep anything from me.”

Eliza’s chest tightened.

“No, I’m not—I’m not sure that I am,” she said carefully. “Pregnant, I mean.”

Rebecca didn’t even blink.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said simply.

Eliza frowned slightly. “What?”

“You will be,” Rebecca added, taking another calm sip of her drink. “That is why you’re here, isn’t it?”

The words landed heavily. Alaric had made them clear to her the previous day but hearing it from Rebecca had a whole new effect.

“Oh, um, yeah,” Eliza’s fingers curled against her lap, the little appetite she had managed to gather from staring at the feast in front of her immediately vanishing. “I guess I—“

“Rebecca,” Pamela cut in gently, a warning laced beneath her tone. “Let the girl breathe.”

“I am simply stating the obvious,” Rebecca replied, unfazed.

“You’re the Luna Queen,” Pamela’s tone became more serious. “I don’t need to lecture you for you to know even obvious things can be said with a little more care.”

A brief silence followed, Eliza’s gaze settling on her lap. She could hear the sound of cutlery clinking as they resumed their meals, her now bruised lips being the only thing she could feast on.

She remained in that position for a while until the faint sounds of footsteps echoing from the hallway managed to catch her attention. Slowly, she raised her head and almost immediately, watched Alaric appear.

He walked past the entrance of the dining hall, his presence alone enough to shift the air. Eliza quickly looked away, her gaze landing on Rebecca as she watched her face soften instantly.

“Alaric,” Rebecca called out to him, immediately rising to her feet. “You’re here. Didn’t you say you were going to skip breakfast?”

“I did. Just came to confirm a few things.”

Eliza didn’t look away, watching as Rebecca approached him with graceful movements. Her hand rested lightly on his arm as she spoke to him, her expression softer than Eliza had seen just moments ago.

Alaric didn’t pull away or resist her touches. He looked rather comfortable as he replied Rebecca’s questions and responded to her touch. Like it was normal. Like she belonged there.

Feeling her chest tighten, Eliza quickly looked away. Of course, they looked natural. She was his Luna. The woman he actually loved and wanted. She on the other hand, was just a product of circumstance.

“Child?” Pamela’s voice broke through her thoughts.

Eliza blinked, forcing herself to look up. The older woman was watching her carefully, a slight smile on her face.

“You shouldn’t let your thoughts weigh you down so early in the morning,” Pamela said softly. “It doesn’t suit a young lady like you.”

Eliza managed a small smile and replied her, “I’m fine, thank you.”

“You have to be fine,” Pamela nodded. “The palace isn’t for the week. And given your status, things would only get more complicated. So, you have to be fine.”

Her words were gentle, her smile on her face the entire time. Eliza nodded gently in appreciation but could only think about how ironic it all felt.

She truly wasn’t destined to have it all. From her parents dying when she was young to even now.

Back at the Grey Pack, when she had a man who loved her, the world stood against her.

And now that she stood in a place where she might be accepted, the man beside her—

Was one who would never love her at all.