2

Tanya’s Pov

I tasted blood before I realized I had bitten my lips. I watched in horror as she rubbed her bloated stomach in circles, a triumphant, wary smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“Care to explain this, Leon?” I whispered fiercely, each word heavy on my tongue as my gaze flickered to the stunned Leon.

He sighed, running a frantic hand through his hair as he averted my scrutinizing gaze.

“Tanya, I can't do this right now.”

“Are you being serious right now? You fucking manipulative ass-”

“I'm pregnant,” Theresa cut us off, her voice soft yet firm despite the commotion happening. “It's clearly Leon's.”

Her words pierced my already aching heart like a sharp-edged sword.

The room seemed to sway as my heart stuttered in my chest.

My stepsister was carrying my mate’s child?

I gawked at Leon, searching for any semblance of guilt or regret in his eyes. Anything that might remind me of the man I once loved and adored.

But there was nothing.

His expression was unreadable, devoid of any emotions. His face carried only boredom as though my heartbreak was a mere inconvenience.

I didn’t realise when I burst out laughing. The sound was hollow and weak.

I paused, squinting at Theresa, suspicion marring my brows.

“How long are you?” I asked her pointedly, my voice steady despite the rage brewing inside me. I needed to know how long they had been cheating behind my back!

She didn't seem fazed by the question when I asked. She merely glanced at Leon, a motherly smile I had  never seen on her face bloomed on her lips.

I swallowed a lump, fighting the urge to lurch at her.

“Four months,” she replied.

Wait…four months ago was when Leon had proposed to me to become his Luna.

I glowered at him.

That asshole!

“Is that so?” I whispered as anger festered in me.

The stolen glances, the so-called business trips with my stepsister, the unexplained absences, the subtle changes in his demeanor… I get it now.

I shook my head slowly, a sad smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

“I can't believe you have been cheating behind my back, Theresa!” I snarled at her, drawing menacingly close.

“It takes two, Tanya,” she clapped back, glancing at Leon. “Leon loves me. That's why I'm bearing the heir to the throne he always wanted.”

The word ‘heir’ slammed into me harder than the betrayal and my spine bristled with anger.

“What the fuck did you just say?!” Without warning, I yanked her hair.

“Tanya, enough-!” Leon quickly jumped between us, painfully close to Theresa as he placed a protective hand around her.

My wolf roared, threatening to tear them apart but I resisted, clenching my fists.

I chuckled bitterly. “So this is what you always wanted, wasn't it?”

Leon's gaze hardened and then he sighed.

“This isn't how you were supposed to find out but the deed had been done, I'm afraid.”

I didn't say anything. I couldn't say anything. My heart was so heavy finding out that everything we held dear had been nothing but a facade!

Leon prattled on as my quickened heartbeats roared in my ears, drowning out his words. But I could still hear him.

“It was a tough choice but I did this for the good of the pack, Tanya. You have to understand this isn't some kind of straight out devil-minded plan.”

“So you think it's okay to justify this bullshit?!" I squealed at the top of my lungs in rage. “ I hate you, Leon!”

“Tanya calm down,” he begged, covering Theresa behind him protectively.

“Calm down?! Are you insane? After everything I've done for you! What happened to the vows we made? What have I done to deserve this, Leon?!”

Before Leon could answer, the door burst open.

My parents–Alpha Agustus and Luna Rachael and the pack elder, Gregory, rushed inside. The door was shut, preventing other witnesses and onlookers from entering inside.

I snapped my neck to see them and a relief swept through me. At least they will side me and punish Leon and Theresa.

“What is going on?” My father demanded coming close between us as his gaze glided between me and Leon.

“Thank goodness you're here father. Take a look at the utter betrayal Leon had prepared for me as a wedding gift.” I said, my voice dripping with venom and sarcasm as I gestured to the two new found lovers holding hands.

My parents merely glanced at Leon and Theresa and said nothing. I blinked repeatedly hoping that it was a fever dream but it wasn't.

“Dad? Mum? Elder Gregory? Are you not going to say anything?” I demanded, my assessing and sharp gaze roaming over them as I waited for an answer.

They looked among themselves, a note of understanding passing between them that I didn't understand.

My father was the first to speak. He cleared his throat.

“Tanya…” He started as he reached for my trembling hands and squeezed it gently.  “You need to understand that duty comes first as a Luna. Sacrifices must be made whether you like it or not.”

My heart kicked up a notch.

“What are you trying to get at here?”

He paused briefly, stealing a glance at Luna Rachael before he continued.

“We are in perilous times. The enemy draws nearer with each passing day, and we cannot afford disorder within the pack. 

Granted, Leon may have made a mistake but you know why he had to do what needed to be done.”

“What..?” I could barely hear myself as hot tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.

“The pack needs an heir, Tanya,” my step mother, Luna Racheal chipped in, her words bereft of any motherly love as if she was speaking to one of the maids. “And given your condition…Leon did the right thing by  choosing duty as the Alpha-to-be instead of allowing his emotions to cloud him.”

Each word punctured a hole through my heart as a tremor of weakness shimmered through my bones. I snatched my hands from his grasp.

My own parents were against me? It felt like the entire world was against me.

I was standing in a room full of people- and yet I had never been more alone.

I sniffed back the tears threatening to spill. The last thing I wanted was to break down in front of them.

My heart thumped like a wild stampede beneath my ribs but I quickly forced a tight-lipped smile as I looked at Leon.

“So this is your duty? Sleeping with my stepsister and throwing away everything we have worked so hard for?” I demanded, the words tasting bitter in my mouth.

Leon's eyes flickered to my wrist, the exact place where my bond mark should have been and then dipped slowly to my womb.

I felt it then- the final tear in the bond snapping like a frayed thread pulled too far.

“Tanya don't make me say it.”

“Say it!” I insisted. I didn't care anymore.

“You were weak,” he continued coldly, his words biting into my flesh. “Your wolf has been dormant, unawakened for years causing the bond to weaken. I needed an efficient Luna who could stand beside me, not trail behind me hoping for a miracle from the moon goddess.”

The words struck harder than any slap.