Everyone thought Zed would end up with Amber. So did River — until Amber left, and fate forced her to take her sister’s place. River stepped in as his mate, his Luna, and the one who held his world together. While Zed loathed her, River ruled beside him… until one night changed everything. Three years of cold marriage vanished in one mistake — and one missed period later, River had something to tell him. But when she went to tell him, Amber was back. And this time, she didn’t just want Zed. She wanted River gone — with one deadly lie that could take everything. Even her life.
View More(River's POV)
My heart throbbed as I looked nervously at the two lines on my pregnancy test.
“Congratulations, Luna River. You're pregnant. It's good news for the pack.”
I pulled up a faint smile and nodded, tears blurring my eyes.
I never expected that this day was coming. I've imagined multiple times that Zed was going to turn over and look at me. But with time, this imagination became just my wishful thinking.
My hands instinctively went to my stomach as I rubbed it gently. He was going to be happy about the baby, right?
I bit my lips anxiously as I tried to hold back my tears.
“Thank you, doctor,” I said, smiling. “But can you please keep this a secret? I want to give him a surprise.”
The doctor nodded, agreeing with me. “It's better to keep it hidden as the first few months of the pregnancy is always dangerous. Luna River, you'll have to follow all the safety measures. This is the heir to our pack.”
I smiled faintly as she kept lecturing me about the safety measures and gave me multiple medicines for the baby’s nourishment.
As I exited the hospital, I sighed, putting a hand on my tummy.
But did Zed really want the baby?
I closed my eyes and recalled the day it happened.
Zed was wasted, fully wasted after the elite party. I had only wanted to take him back to his room and leave him there.
But things took a different turn when he wrapped his arms around me and bit my earlobes.
My heart thumped with excitement at my mate’s touch but I pushed him away. I knew that he'd regret it.
But instead, he whispered to me that he loved me, that he'd never regret it.
I let out a deep frown as I remembered his cold eyes the next day. It was full of disdain, and anger. It was as if I betrayed him.
I shut my eyes as I recalled his exact words. “How dare you, River? Do you really think you've become my Luna? How dare you scheme against me? Tsk, even if we've slept together, you're nothing to me, and you're just a substitute. So, remember your position. Amber is the only one in my heart.”
I couldn't utter a single word. At that time, I understood his sweet whispers weren't meant for me but for Amber, my twin sister.
Tears dropped down my cheeks as I nervously looked at the test report. Was he going to be happy that I was having his child?
I shivered at the thought of meeting his cold eyes again. What if he wanted me to abort the baby?
My lips trembled. I wanted the baby. I didn't want to abort it. It was my child with my mate, Zed.
Even if our marriage is loveless, he still wouldn't bear to kill his child, right?
A million thoughts wandered in my mind. I was excited for the baby, but I also felt nervous and afraid while thinking about Zed.
We had been married for three years. But in these three years, he had never touched me, never even looked at me.
In his eyes, there was only Amber, who left him right before their wedding.
To save both of the family’s reputations, I was married to my mate, Zed.
Everyone was surprised, and Zed hated the idea. He just wanted to chase Amber back, but he was stuck with me.
At first, he was always on guard and hated me. It took me years to change that by being by his side and always helping him. But it changed just in a night. The day he became wasted, and mistook me for Amber. Again, he turned cold, and disgusted, even to meet my eyes.
I sighed and clenched my teeth.
No matter what, I had to let Zed know about my pregnancy. If he wanted the baby, maybe we would finally become closer. And, if he didn't… I would be my baby’s only parent.
I was never an important person to someone. My parents? They preferred Amber over me. My mate? He was always in love with my twin. My classmates and teachers? Either they turned their eyes on me or would always compare me with Amber.
I never understood why I had to face it. We were both the Beta’s daughters, both of us looked the same, but I got better marks than her.
However, every time I did better than her, my parents would be angry and Amber would still overshadow me somehow.
I like Amber too, but sometimes, I can't help but hate her.
Others even joked that I became the Luna because of Amber’s kind heart of not taking her sister's mate. And… I couldn't even refute it because Zed is still in love with Amber.
Tears blurred my vision as I took a deep sigh.
Honestly, I didn't want Amber to come back. I have no idea what would happen if she came back. My life had just gone a little better after she was gone, and I helped in restoring the pack’s glory. But if she were to come back, my life would be a mess again.
It was selfish but Amber was the first one to give up on Zed because his position wasn't secured.
At that time, Zed’s uncle came back with his armies to have the Crescent Moon Pack. And, everyone was uncertain about what was going to happen.
In the end, I helped Zed with turning the tides with his uncle and even helped him secure his position over the years. That's how he came to accept my presence, even if he didn't love me.
It took me all to gain Zed’s trust but only a little time to lose it all.
I gritted my teeth before calming myself. But I was now glad that this happened. I was going to become a mom.
I was finally going to have something of my own, and I was already sure that I'd do everything for my baby. He was going to become my first friend…
I smiled faintly and then sighed, looking at the door in front of me.
I was already back at the mansion.
Gathering my courage, I decided to tell Zed upfront but as I entered inside, my lips parted with surprise.
Zed was hugging another woman tightly…
“Amber…?”
River POVThe sun was just rising, painting the sky with pale shades of pink and gold. I stood at the edge of the cliff near our home, the sound of waves crashing below mingling with the soft morning breeze. Steven and Lilian played near the sand, their laughter bright, innocent. I watched them, my heart swelling and aching all at once.The house behind me was quiet for the first time in months. Quiet, but alive with memories of Zed, his voice, his touch, the way he would laugh at even the smallest things Steven did. I could still feel him around me, in every heartbeat, in every breath I took.“Mommy!” Steven’s voice pulled me back. I turned, smiling as he ran toward me, Lilian’s tiny hand clasped in his. They were chasing each other, stumbling in the sand, and for a fleeting moment, the world felt perfect again.I knelt, brushing Steven’s hair from his forehead. “Careful, baby,” I said softly, trying not to let my voice shake. “Don’t fall.”Steven grinned, his teeth showing, and look
River POVThe air smelled of fresh flowers and salt from the nearby beach, mingling in a way that made my chest ache with joy. Sunlight poured through the open windows of the clearing where our pack had gathered, glinting off the soft white of the wedding decorations. Everything was perfect. For a moment, I let myself believe that nothing could touch this day.Steven clutched Lilian’s tiny hand, walking carefully down the aisle beside the flower petals. His grin was bright, his excitement contagious. “Look, Mom! I’m holding her hand!” he whispered, eyes sparkling with pride. Lilian gurgled softly in his tiny grip, and my heart swelled so much it felt like it might burst.And then I saw him. Zed. Standing at the end of the aisle, tall, strong, golden eyes fixed on me, every ounce of his presence radiating love, protection, and something fierce I’d never stop needing. My stomach flipped, my throat tight, and I found myself smiling through tears I hadn’t realized had formed.The pack el
Zed POVThe air in the delivery room was thick with antiseptic and tension, buzzing with the urgent energy of doctors and nurses moving around us. River’s hands gripped mine so tightly I could feel her pulse through her fingers, her knuckles white, nails biting into my skin. Every groan, every gasp, every sharp intake of breath she made tore through me, a wolfish ache in my chest I couldn’t suppress.“Breathe, River. You’ve got this. I’m right here,” I whispered, leaning close so my forehead rested against hers. Her hair clung to her sweat-damp forehead, and I brushed it back gently, trying to offer her a moment of comfort amid the chaos.“I… I can’t,” she gasped, voice trembling, tears sliding down her cheeks. “It hurts… it hurts so much…”“Yes, it hurts,” I murmured, kissing her temple. “I know it does. But look at me. You are bringing our daughter into this world. You are stronger than anything, River. I swear, I will never leave your side. Not now, not ever.”Her lips quivered, a
Zed POVThe sun was warm against my back, the smell of salt tangling with the crisp ocean breeze. I glanced down at River as she lay stretched on the mat, her hair fanned around her like a halo, eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, a soft smile on her face as she watched Steven and me play beach ball.He laughed, sprinting barefoot on the sand, and I feigned a wild swing before hitting the ball a little too hard. I didn’t mean it, but the next thing I knew, Steven stumbled, arms flailing, and fell backward into the sand with a little yelp.River groaned behind her shades. “Zed!” she called, springing to her feet, grabbing a towel from the mat. “Be careful! Look at him! My poor baby!”I chuckled and jogged over, brushing the sand from Steven’s hair. “He’s fine. Don’t worry, baby. He’s tougher than you think.”“You think that’s funny?” she shot back, walking toward us, towel in hand. Her voice had that sharp edge, but I caught the playful glint in her eyes.Steven giggled, holding his f
River POVThe corridors of the pack estate felt unusually quiet that morning, the kind of silence that hangs just before a storm breaks, or in this case, before a life changes forever. My hands twisted nervously in the hem of my blouse as I walked toward the lounge. The scent of fresh coffee and polished wood didn’t calm me as it usually did. Today felt heavy with expectation. Today felt important. I had no idea why. Not yet.Zed was already there, leaning casually against the railing, but even from a distance, I could sense the tension in his posture. Not the tense, aggressive sort he sometimes carried, but a quiet, resolute kind of focus. My pulse quickened. Whatever was about to happen, I knew it would change everything.He straightened as I approached, his golden eyes locking onto mine. There was a softness there, but also something unshakably serious.“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, voice low, carrying that quiet power that always made my knees a little weak.I hesitated,
River POV I sat on the edge of the bed, one hand resting lightly on my stomach, feeling the tiny, almost imperceptible flutter of life. The sensation made my chest tighten, a mixture of awe, disbelief, and a fragile hope I hadn’t allowed myself to feel in months.Steven was finally home… Resumes school even.Zed sat nearby, quietly sorting the scattered remnants of Steven’s day: a small stack of coloring books, a pencil case tipped over, crayons rolling across the table. He didn’t crowd me; he never did. He had learned patience these past weeks, showing support without forcing it, moving close enough that his presence was steady and comforting, but not overwhelming. Every so often, his eyes flicked to me, golden and searching, silently asking: Are you ready to let me back in?The baby kicked again, a sharper flutter this time. I gasped, instinctively clutching my stomach. Zed noticed immediately.“Feeling something?” he asked, voice low, almost reverent. He moved closer but didn’t
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