RETURN OF THE LUNA: RECLAIMING HER BACK

Clark POV

“s**t!" The word slipped out before I could stop it. My trembling hands held two striped pregnancy tests, each screaming the truth I couldn't ignore.

I was pregnant. Pregnant for the Alpha of this pack. I should’ve felt joy, but all I could muster was dread. Even though Lucian was my mate, he was bound to another—the one destined to be crowned Luna. His chosen mate, Sarah.

The tests trembled in my grasp as I thought of her. Sarah hated me with passion. To her, I was a threat, a constant reminder of Lucian’s defiance against their arranged future. He flaunted me openly, declaring to her face that he would never truly accept her. But Sarah was relentless, channeling her fury into every cruel word and deed directed my way.

She was waiting outside the bathroom now, likely tapping her heel impatiently against the floor. Any moment, she’d barge in. My pulse quickened. I needed to hide these tests—fast.

I wasn't even able to move an inch before the door swung open. “What’s taking so long, healer?” Her voice dripped with venomous sarcasm.

“No… nothing,” I stammered, pushing the evidence behind me, clenching it tightly in my fist.

Her footsteps moved closer. “And what’s that you’re hiding?” She raised a brow, suspicion gleaming in her eyes.

“Nothing. It’s nothing.” My voice faltered. I took a step back, but it was useless. A gust of air rushed past me, and in a flash, she was right in front of me. Her intense gaze pinned me down, her dominance crushing my resolve.

As always, I looked away, unable to meet her eyes. My heart thundered in my chest as I clung to the tests.

She grabbed my wrist abruptly, yanking my arm upward. Pain shot through me, and I winced as her smile widened, wicked and triumphant.

“Ah, music to my ears,” she purred. “Now, let’s see what a pathetic little healer like you is hiding.”

Her eyes darted down. I’d loosened my grip without realizing it, and the damning evidence lay exposed in her view. Her face darkened instantly, her eyes flashing with rage.

My heart stopped. A lump formed in my throat as I watched her expression transform from triumph to murderous fury.

Before I could speak, her hand struck my cheek with such force that the stars blurred my vision. The sting burned, tears spilling down my face involuntarily. Another slap followed, knocking me to the floor.

Pain radiated through my body as I landed hard, cheek pressed against the cold floor. Sarah’s hand found my hair, yanking it back with brutal force until my scalp screamed in protest.

“You dared to get pregnant by my Lucian?!” she spat, her voice like acid. “Why didn’t you use contraception, you conniving slut? Oh, I know why. You thought this would make him yours, didn’t you? Didn’t you?! He’s mine. Do you hear me? Mine and mine alone!”

Her grip tightened painfully, and I gasped.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered through the tears. “I swear, I’ll leave you alone. You can have him. I’ll stay out of your way.”

But my words only seemed to fuel her fury. Her hand released my hair, but the reprieve was short-lived. Her foot came down hard on my stomach, knocking the air from my lungs.

“You won’t have him, and neither will that bastard inside you!” she roared, her laughter sharp and unhinged. Her stomps were relentless, each one more excruciating than the last.

I clutched my abdomen desperately, trying to shield it from her blows, but it was useless. The pain was unbearable like my life was slipping away with every cruel strike.

“Please!” I sobbed, clawing at her leg weakly. “Spare me! I’ll leave. I’ll give up everything—him, the bond, everything. Just let me go!”

She sneered, shoving me away. I collapsed, curling into a protective ball as her foot came down again and again.

“Clark?”

Lucian’s voice echoed from the doorway, cutting through the haze of pain. Sarah froze, her foot hovering in midair. Her entire demeanour shifted in an instant.

She smoothed her hair and adjusted her clothes, her expression softening into a mask of innocence.

“Go hide,” she hissed at me under her breath. “If he sees you like this, you’re dead.”

She strode toward the door, leaving me crumpled on the floor, clutching my stomach as Lucian’s footsteps drew closer.

Slowly, I clung to the shower frame again, dragging myself toward it with trembling hands. I slid behind it, curling my body as tightly as possible. My arms instinctively wrapped around my stomach, silently praying that my baby was unharmed. I couldn’t afford to lose my child.

“Oh, Clark… she went downstairs just now to attend to a sick member. In the meantime, I need to talk to you... Come with me, Raphy,” Sarah's voice echoed from the other side of the door.

“Okay, whatever it is, make it snappy. I need to get to Clark,” Lucian responded. His voice was like a balm, easing the panic clawing at my chest.

The sound of retreating footsteps followed, and then the door clicked shut. They had left. Relief flooded through me, leaving me momentarily lightheaded.

I loved Lucian more than anything and would never let him go—not for Sarah, not for anyone. He was my hope, my second-chance mate.

I remember the day I met him as vividly as if it had just happened. I had been tending to a guard’s wounded shoulder when I discovered that one of the soldiers, Preston, was my mate. But instead of joy, the moment turned into a nightmare as Preston rejected me outright in front of everyone. His rejection had no explanation, though deep down, I suspected it was because I was weak. Healers were often considered the weakest wolves in the pack, while soldiers like Preston thrived on strength and dominance.

Shame and heartbreak had consumed me that day. I ran off to a quiet corner and sobbed uncontrollably, mourning the loss of a dream I had cherished for so long. Being mated to someone—someone who would cherish, protect, and love me unconditionally—has been my imagination.

Lost in my despair, I didn’t notice anyone approaching until a hand gently wiped away my tears. When I looked up, it was him—Alpha Lucian. His dark eyes softened with concern, his presence both commanding and comforting.

“Mate,” he said simply.

It was the first time I had ever seen him up close, and my shattered heart began to mend at that instant. Despite knowing, he had a betrothed, I couldn’t stop myself from falling for him. Every day since, my love for him has grown deeper.

Lucian had shown me what it felt like to be wanted, cherished, and seen. I gave him my all—my heart, my soul, and my innocence. He never promised me the title of Luna, but I could tell from the way he looked at Sarah with disdain that he despised her. If he had the choice, I knew he would mark me as his Luna.

The chime of my phone pulled me out of my thoughts. It vibrated softly in my pocket, the screen lighting up with a message.

*“I checked your room, but you weren’t there. Come meet me at our secret spot—I have a surprise for you.”*

A small smile crept onto my lips. Lucian. My sweet Raph.

This was the perfect moment. I would tell him he was going to be a father—a symbol of our love. The thought gave me newfound strength. I pushed myself to my feet, stripped off my clothes, and stepped into the shower. The cool water washed away the remnants of Sarah’s attack, leaving me feeling renewed and determined.

____

I tucked my hair behind my ears and cleared my throat before pushing the door open. Lucian had a surprise for me, but the biggest surprise of all would be mine to give.

As I stepped inside the room, the lights suddenly went off, and almost instantly, the door shut behind me.

“Raph?” My voice trembled as I called out, my heart pounding with both excitement and unease.

Before I could say more, a hand pressed firmly against my lips. “Ssh,” a deep voice murmured.

A strong arm circled my waist, pulling me backwards against a hard, muscular frame. My breath hitched as his groin pressed against me, igniting a fire I couldn’t suppress. Warm lips brushed against my neck, nibbling softly, and a moan escaped before I could stop it.

“Raph… you can’t mark me... you have a Lu…”

My words were cut short as I was spun around abruptly. The man lifted me into his arms and carried me to the bed. My heart raced, my senses consumed by him. I couldn’t think, couldn’t resist.

His lips claimed mine in a passionate kiss, one that was intoxicatingly different. His taste was unfamiliar—strawberries and vodka.

Confusion stirred within me, but desire clouded my judgment. His lips trailed down my neck, his hands working to peel away my dress. I fumbled with his shirt, trying to remove it.

And then, the lights flickered on.

He jolted away from me, burying his face in the bedspread. My heart thundered in my chest as I sat up, turning toward the intruder who had shattered the moment and my heart dropped into my stomach.

There he was—Alpha Lucian.

His golden eyes burned with anger, his presence radiating power and fury.

My mate.

I froze, staring at the stranger beside me and then back at Lucian.

This wasn’t Lucian.

Panic consumed me as realization hit. I almost got intimate with a stranger, and worst, I had been caught—cheating.

And now, death awaited me.