THE WRONG MATE (One month of lies)

 

CELESTE MAGNUS POV  

The pack doctor laid his hand on my tummy, rubbing it in a slow, round circle. Suddenly his hand stopped moving. 

Instantly, I tensed. I watched his face fall in sadness, and restlessness gripped me as I wondered what could be wrong. 

“Luna, your wolf is beginning to slip into slumber. You must terminate the pregnancy immediately.” He disclosed.

My heart skipped a beat. My hands flew to my stomach protectively as though I could shield the tiny life inside of me from what he’d just said. Tears burned behind my eyes. 

The child I’ve longed for has finally come—but now my wolf is falling asleep. How could that be possible?

My tears spilled down my chin as I shook my head in refusal. “How could that be? I can feel my child. She’s so lively—she even responds to my touch.”  

The doctor let out a heavy sigh, staring at me with so much pity. “Luna, her health is only temporary,” He said, shattering every last shred of hope I had left. “Once your wolf falls asleep, your body will weaken rapidly, and the pup will feed on your energy. Without your wolf, you won’t be able to provide what she needs to survive.”  

I sniffed back tears, my heart almost ripping apart in pain. “Are you asking me to give up my child?” My voice trembled. 

The doctor nodded slowly, “There’s a high chance both you and your child will die if you keep her.”  

I shook my head fiercely, “I can’t terminate this pregnancy. My baby has to live. She will not die.” I desperately grabbed the doctor's white coat, my lips quivering in tears, “Doctor, please help me. You can’t let my baby die.” I pleaded with all the strength left in me.

The doctor studied me for a long moment. I didn't know what was going through his mind, all I cared about was whether he would offer me a solution. 

“Okay, Okay. Let go of my coat. I have come up with a solution.” He said, slightly moving away from my grip. “This is the only option left, Luna,” he  muttered. His voice was calm, yet devoid of emotion. 

I gulped down the heavy lump in my throat, and nodded slowly.

“Unless you can awaken your wolf within a month. Your mate, the Alpha has the best chance of waking her, through his scent, his touch, his mark. But the scent of your mate on you... it’s far too faint.”  

I fall silent. It’s been so long since I’ve been in the same room as Alpha Adrien. He’s always too busy—only on the full moon does he honor pack tradition and come to my room.

I raised my gaze to the doctor, my fingers clutched into fist, in determination. “I will do it, doctor.” I muttered.

Did I walk into a disappointing marriage? The answer was obvious. 

I still remember the first day I saw Adrien—he came to the Arizona Wolf Pack palace ball. He was the charismatic Alpha on the scene.  Even though there were many Alpha’s begging for the princess' first dance—I chose Adrien.

The moment he held my hand, I knew we were destined mates.

I fell helplessly in love with him from that very moment. Our relationship went well, and he soon proposed. I thought it was the beginning of our happiness.

My father, Alpha King, Woden Magnus of the Arizona Wolf Pack, supported and blessed our union.

I thought our love would burn forever. That we were meant for each other. But after the wedding he grew distant, I told myself he was busy with work, but the saddest thing for me was that he gave me only a temporary mark.

To make matters worse, my father passed away. My authority as a princess is gone, and I could feel the sadness of my power slipping away. Could it be that Adrien married me just because of my status as a princess? Impossible, he is not such a snobbish person.

I told myself that if we had a child, things would change. Now even that dream was about to shatter.  

At this moment, I could accept a failed marriage, but I cannot let my innocent child die.  

I placed a hand on my slightly swollen belly and made up my mind. I could not lose this child. My heart ached painfully, as I turned and gripped my servant’s hand.

“Where is the Alpha?” I asked.

The servant hesitated, lowering her head.

My brows furrowed in confusion at the silence. “I asked you a damn question. Where the hell is the Alpha.” I angrily stamped my fist in the bed.

“I-I’m sorry, Luna,” She sputtered. “Miss Hazel woke up with a headache this morning. The Alpha went to tend to her.”  

The news made me sick. I fought to hold back the nausea, gripping the railing beside me to steady myself.

Hazel was the daughter of Beta, and also a childhood friend of Alpha Adrien. Her health had always been fragile. Adrien had even moved her into a private villa and visited often to care for her.  

I struggled to get off the bed. I had to speak with Adrien. I needed him more than ever at this moment. Even if he didn’t do it because of me—l knew he hated me with every fiber of being, but at least he should do it because of his child. I had to awaken my wolf. 

 I rushed out of the building and entered the car waiting outside. “Take me to the Villa. I want to see the Alpha.” 

“B-but Luna no want is allowed to—-“

“Are you disobeying my orders now?” I interrupted him sharply, my voice dripping with cold menace as I glared at him.

He shook his head quickly, ignited the engine, and sped off. Today I would step into that Villa everyone whispered about. I don’t care anymore what anyone would say or do. 

The car halted. I hastily alighted from the car and made my way to the entrance, but the guards stopped me. 

“You can’t go in, Luna,”  one of the guards stepped forward and said. 

“Why the hell is everyone trying to stop me today.” I hissed angrily.  I raised my hand and I snapped my fingers, releasing my Luna aura in a powerful moon aura. They both dropped to their knees, and were forced to submit to me. 

Without hesitation, I ran into the Villa, my eyes wandering around, searching desperately for Alpha Adrien. Nowhere to be found.  I rushed into the main building, bursting inside without knocking and instantly froze dead in my tracks. My heart shattered into tiny pieces at the sight before me.

There was Adrien, attending to Hazel with great care. She lay in bed, like a baby, gazing at him softly—the two of them looking like a loving couple. The sight felt like an icy dagger straight through my heart. 

I slowly stepped fully inside, trying every possible means to hold back my tears. No, I couldn't afford to let them see me crying because of them? I wouldn’t do that.

“Adrien, I want to have a word with you.” I almost screamed to get their attention.

He heard me, yet he didn’t turn. It seemed  I was unworthy even of his glance. “The words can wait, Celeste.”  He said flatly, wiping Hazel’s forehead with the wet napkin.

His words felt like a slap across my face. I gulped, trying to hold back the tears pooling in my eyes. I won't cry because of him.

“Adrien, it’s important, if I don’t speak to you now, it might be too late.” My voice trembled, almost pleading.

“I don’t care!” He snapped, turning his cold glance at me for the first time. “You can say whatever you have to say in front of us.” 

I shook my head repeatedly. “I can’t say it in front of her, Adrien, and you know it!” I almost flared up, struggling to control my anger.

Hazel lay back on the bed, her lips stretching into a prideful smirk, as she stared at me as if she had won a trophy. She didn't speak. She didn't have it.

“If you don’t have anything to say, you can go. Hazel is sick. She doesn’t want any disturbance.” He said dismissively, waving his hand at me. 

He turned his attention back to Hazel, whose face twisted in a fake pain to get his attention, she clung to her stomach.

The dismissal sliced deeper than any blade. My heart was racing because of my pup’s condition, but Adrien ignored me totally, focusing on Hazel. 

Without a second thought I stepped forward and grabbed his arms, pulling me. “We need to talk now!” 

Adrien’s face darkened instantly, he tried to withdraw his arms from my hold, as if my touch disgusted him. 

“You have no sense of boundaries, do you?” He barked in pure fury. “Bursting into someone else's room, making a scene—-”

“This is important.” I retorted, yelling at his face. My chest rising and falling in rapid breath.

“Ohh…please. Nothing you have to say matters anymore, Celeste, I'm divorcing you.” His voice thundered.