Chapter 1

"I'm here again..."

I walked slowly into the small hospital room where I had spent countless hours over the past three years. It felt almost like a second home to me. But my heart wasn’t in the right place anymore—I was tired. The hospital had become a place I despised so deeply. I couldn’t even remember how many times I had come here, hoping for the same answer, only to leave disappointed.

I sat down on the wooden stool, my hands gripping the edge tightly. This was supposed to be another routine visit, just like all the others. The whispers of the pack elders echoed in my head. I had overheard them talking, and their words had stayed with me ever since.

“Luna Everleigh hasn’t given Alpha Theo an heir yet. What’s her use?”  

“Alpha Theo needs a strong alpha bloodline. She’s failing him.”  

“She’s just a useless miscreant who got lucky. Who knows what she must’ve done with her body that she hasn’t been able to reproduce.”

I bit my lip, fighting back tears. Remembering the things they said—their judgment—crushed me. Even Theo, my mate, my husband for three years had grown distant. Theodore, the son of the former alpha, had been treating me badly. The love I once saw in his eyes had faded, replaced with cold indifference. I couldn’t remember the last time he had truly smiled at me, held me, or even looked at me without disappointment.

Whenever we talked, it was always me trying to explain something while he either shouted at me or didn’t even bother to listen. He needed an heir to carry on the role of alpha, and I had failed to give him that. The bond we once shared felt frayed and weak, and with every day that passed without a pregnancy, I felt like I was slipping further from his grasp... and his love.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the nurse shuffling into the room. She was the same older nurse I had met sometime over the past three years. She gave me a small, sympathetic smile, though I could still see the pity behind it.

“You’ve been patient for so long, Luna," she said softly, setting down the small plastic cup. “Let’s see what the results have to say this time.”

I nodded, not fully trusting her. After I’d once been in a life-threatening situation and that particular nurse helped stabilize me, I began to trust her. But even now, doubt lingered.

“Go pee and bring it back,” she said.

I did what I was told, though I didn’t feel optimistic at all. Why should this time be any different?

“Let’s hope that this time will be different, Luna," the nurse said with a smile before leaving the room.

And now, I wait.

Hours passed. I sat in silence, staring at the flickering flame of the lamp, my mind wandering through a dozen different thoughts. My childhood friend, Josephine, had promised to come with me... just like she always did—for support and company. But she bailed at the last minute, claiming she was caught up in something important.

I didn’t press her. I didn’t have the energy. Still, I missed her comforting presence. Josephine had always been the one to listen, to help me navigate the suffocating expectations of the pack. She was my go-to wolf.

But lately, Josephine ad been... different. Distant. There were moments when I caught strange looks in her eyes, especially whenever Theo's name came up—or worse, when we were all in the same room. She would try to act more composed, more… sexy, like she was putting on a show.

I tried to brush it off, convincing myself I was just being paranoid. Josephine had been my friend since we were pups. Why would she ever have a reason to feel jealous? Or want my mate?

After so long, the nurse finally approached. I had already prepared myself for the usual disappointment. But something about the woman’s face was different this time. Still, I didn’t look at her. I couldn’t. I wanted to avoid crying.

“Thank you. I’ll be back next week. Same time,” I said quickly, trying to end the conversation before the emotions could surface.

“Congratulations,” the nurse said, her voice filled with so much excitement. “You’re with child, Luna!"

I blinked. My breath caught in my throat. For a moment, I couldn’t process what she had just said.

“I... I’m pregnant?” I whispered, my voice trembling. "I'm finally pregnant!"

She nodded. “Yes, Luna. The gods have blessed you. After so long, you can finally have your well-deserved happiness.”

A tidal wave of emotions crashed over me—relief, joy, disbelief. Tears streamed down my face.

I was pregnant. After three long years of trying, of heartbreak, of feeling like I wasn’t enough—I had finally gotten pregnant.

I stood up, clutching my chest. “Thank you,” I breathed, my voice shaky. “Thank you.” I wrapped my arms around her in a hug.

Without waiting for another word, I rushed out of the hospital. My feet barely touched the ground as I made my way back to the pack’s grand palace.

I couldn’t wait to tell Theo. This would change everything. The cold distance between us would melt away. He would look at me with love again, and the pack elders would finally accept me.

I burst into the palace, smiling from ear to ear. My feet flew through the halls, heart pounding in my chest. But as I neared Theo's study, I slowed down. The door was slightly open, and faint voices drifted out.

I paused, my brows furrowing. One voice was unmistakably Theo's… but the other—my stomach twisted—I couldn’t believe it. It was Josephine.

Curiosity prickled at me as I stepped closer, peering through the gap in the door.

"Maybe they were planning a surprise for me?" I thought.

But the sight that met my eyes made me freeze.

Theo and Josephine stood close—too close. Their bodies pressed tightly together, lips locked in a passionate kiss. Theo hands gripped Josephine's waist, pulling her flush against him, while her fingers tangled in his hair.

My breath hitched. Everything around me tilted. I stumbled back, a hand flying to my mouth to stifle the sob rising from my chest. The joy I’d carried just moments ago vanished, replaced by a cold, hollow ache that swallowed me whole.

“Theo...” I whispered, but it was loud enough for them to hear.

My legs buckled beneath me, and I collapsed to the ground. My vision blurred at the edges, the world slipping out of focus. The last thing I saw before everything went dark was the image of my husband and my best friend rushing toward me.

**

I woke to the sound of loud voices and the cool touch of water being dabbed on my forehead. Blinking slowly, my vision cleared—and there she was. The nurse I had just seen not long ago.

“Luna, you fainted,” she said gently. “Alpha Theo brought you back here to rest. I didn’t tell them about your pregnancy, and I don’t think you did either. If he knew, he would’ve stayed.”

I sat up slowly, my body trembling too much to move quickly. The memory of what I’d seen came rushing back, crashing over me like a wave. Fresh tears welled in my eyes.

“Luna...” the healer said softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. “What happened?”

I shook my head, too choked up to speak. My hands instinctively cradled my stomach.

She didn’t press me. She simply stayed beside me, offering a quiet, comforting presence.

After a long silence, I finally found my voice. “He betrayed me,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “Alpha Theo… and Josephine..."

The nurse didn’t say a word, but I could feel she was listening—completely.

I stood up, brushing away my tears. “I need to go to him.”

“But, Luna... are you sure?” she asked cautiously.

“Yes.” My voice came out firm, even though my heart felt like it was shattering inside me.

I stormed back to the palace, furious... no, livid. When I reached Theo's study, I didn’t bother knocking. I shoved the door open.

Theo and Josephine stood apart now. I could see guilt etched across Theo's face—but Josephine… she didn’t look nearly as remorseful.

“I was worried. It's not what you—” Theo began.

“Don’t you dare,” I snapped, my voice trembling with rage. “Don’t you dare try to explain.”

Josephine epped forward, hands raised as if to calm me. “Everleigh—"

“I am your Luna, Josephine." I glared at Josephine, cutting her in between and putting her on her place.

"Luna... please, it’s not what it looks like—”

"Not what it looks like?” I laughed bitterly. “I saw you. Kissing. Holding each other. How long has this been going on?”

Theo turned away. He didn’t answer.

His silence said eveverything.

I turned to Josephine. “You were my best friend. How could you do this to me?”

She looked down. “I didn’t mean for it to happen,” she murmured.

“But it did,” I shot back. “And you knew how much I was struggling. How much I needed his support. You knew! I confided in you... and you must have mocked me behind my back.”

Theo finally spoke again. “Everleigh, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” My voice cracked. Tears spilled again. “I gave you everything, Theodore. I fought for us. For this pack. Even after all the judgment, after how you treated me... I stayed.”

“You didn’t fight for anything,” he snapped, all trace of guilt suddenly gone. “I needed an heir, and you couldn’t give me that. Don’t blame me for getting it somewhere else.”

I stared at him, stunned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Luna,” Josephine said, her voice calm—too calm. “I’m pregnant... With Alpha Theo's child.” And then she secretly smirked at me.

I couldn’t process her words. I looked at Theo. Then Josephine. Then back again.