Chapter 1: The Council That Ended Me

AUREN'S POV 

"Luna Auren, you are no longer fit to be Luna of this pack."

The words slammed into me like a gut punch, I forgot how to breathe.

My fingers tightened around the back of the empty chair beside me as the council hall blurred.

Then Elder Vayric cleared his throat and spoke again.

"The pack needs an heir” his voice bellowed for all to hear. “You have not been able to produce one, and the worst part?” He quirked an eyebrow “your wolf remains inactive."

A loud murmur of agreement spread through the elders, not surprise. 

I stood frozen at the center of the room. This was clearly not a discussion I thought I was called for.

They had already decided over my case and was giving their verdict.

Slowly, my eyes found Melvin, My mate, My husband, Alpha to Thornridge.

He stood at the front of the hall, shoulders squared, with his expression tight. He said nothing. He didn't stop them like he used to. 

He didn't shut their audacity like he did when their whispers of my incompetence as a Luna got to him.

The knot in my stomach tightened.

“Mel–Melvin?"

My voice came out weaker than I wanted.

His jaw flexed, he looked away without saying a word to me. Like he had no control over what was being done over my case anymore.

My eyes scanned through the room, not one elder looked uncomfortable. Not one person stood up for me.

I have spent two years being Alpha Melvin's wife and Luna to Thornridge, two years on herbal treatments.

Two years of different healers, flowing in and out of Thornridge, Two years of prayers to the Moon Goddess.

Two years of pretending the whispers didn't hurt and now being reminded of my incompetence like I decide my destiny. 

Elder Vayric folded his hands in front of his chest.

"We have taken note of the needs of Thornridge and one important need is Certainty"

A cruel laugh broke through my face, it didn't sound like mine.

"Certainty?" My eyes trembled as I struggled to keep my gaze on Elder Vayric.

“Yes, the pack needs to be under a strong and capable hand, someone who is fit to carry herself, how much more a pack with so much influence like Thornridge”.

My eyes burned as I gazed at Melvin who wouldn't even look at my face.

"So that's all I am now? A problem that needs solving?"

No one answered, not even Melvin. Everything in me wished he would say something, tell them he hadn't given up on me.

He once stood beside me beneath the waterfall and promised that no matter how long it took, we would face everything together.

He once held my hands and swore my first shift would happen with him by my side.

The man who kissed my forehead and called me his future. Today, he felt farther than he ever had.

Then, the council doors opened, every head turned. My heart leaped for joy when I saw my best friend and personal guard, Selene.

“Oh, thank you Moon Goddess”. I whispered, only for my ears. 

Selene Varktor walked into the hall, I believed she had come to help me, she had been beside me in my weakest and vulnerable moments, through every failed healer visit, she knew me better after Alpha Melvin.

She had been with me during my sleepless night, through every cruel rumor, through every public embarrassment.

“Selene, thank the goddess you are here”

I almost smiled. “ I don't know what….” I paused and stared at her. There was something strange in the way she looked at me, she never looked at me this way, ever.

Then she walked past me, the smile faded slowly, my stomach dropped. My gaze followed her all the way, till she stopped beside Melvin.

My wolf growled, everything around me was muffled into a hum. The room suddenly felt too small.

I stared at her as I tried to understand why she had that look on her face.

"Selene?" Her name jumped off my mouth.

She didn't answer, I could see her struggle with a folded document in her hand. She moved it close to her chest like her life depended on it.

Something about her expression felt wrong, not guilty, like she was fully aware of what was happening in the room and I was the odd one out. 

My pulse pounded, "Selene," I repeated.

She finally looked at me, then at Melvin and held out the document.

"You need to tell her."

The hall went silent, My heart skipped, the hard lump in my throat slid down before i realized.

Selene's voice remained steady. 

"Or I will."

I frowned, I looked at the elders, they looked away and adjusted, I looked back at Selene.

"What are you talking about?"

Neither of them answered, I took a step forward.

"Melvin?" No answer “Can someone say something already, this isn't making any sense, say something!!” I barked.

Selene opened her mouth, before she could speak, Melvin lifted a hand. She stopped.

My chest tightened, beads of sweat plastered themselves across my forehead. My instincts told me what this silence and movements meant, but I refused to accept it. 

No, Melvin loves me to death, maybe he found out what Selene was hiding. 

I looked up, Melvin took the document from her hand, then he stepped forward and took her hand.

The entire room disappeared, the only thing I could see was their joined hands.

I waited for him to let go, he didn't.

Melvin's voice finally broke through the room.

"Honorable Elders of Thornridge."

Every muscle in my body locked, he lifted the document.

"This report confirms Selene's pregnancy."

The words slapped me so hard, I staggered backwards and was able to catch myself with the desk close by.

Pregnancy? Wh…What?

For a second, I didn't understand why the room felt like it was spinning.

Then he continued with the most devastating news that made my world shatter.

"She is carrying my child."

The floor vanished beneath me.