Chapter 3: Just Let Me Go

The gathering in the living room lasted until late afternoon.

Everyone was there.

Former Alpha Thorne and Luna Elena sat at the front like they owned the place. The Beta couple sat close by, laughing with the others. Pack members filled the chairs and sofas, holding cups and plates like it was a celebration.

The room smelled like cedar smoke from the fireplace and roasted meat from the kitchen.

They laughed like nothing was wrong.

Like I wasn’t eight months pregnant.

Like I wasn’t standing there, trying to breathe through the tightness in my chest.

When someone needed iced tea, they called my name.

When someone needed a plate cleared, they looked at me.

That was all I was good for. A servant.

A background piece in my own home.

Elena made sure I felt it.

She glanced at me and smiled without warmth. “Your roses are dying again, Ava. A Luna should know how to care for her garden. It’s symbolic.”

I forced a polite smile. “I’ve been busy.”

Elena’s lips tightened. “Of course. The human condition.”

Clara, sitting beside Rowan like she belonged there, tilted her head. Her voice was sweet and soft.

“Luna Elena, please. Ava has been doing so well. She has a lot on her plate.”

The words sounded kind, but the tone felt sharp. It was the kind of kindness that was meant to hurt.

I swallowed my anger and stayed quiet.

Dinner was worse.

They set the long oak table like it was a pack meeting. Plates were heavy with food, and candles lit the room with warm light. But there was nothing warm about the way they treated me.

They placed me at the far end of the table, far away from Rowan, while Clara sat beside him like she was his Luna.

Everyone spoke freely about pack matters. Finances. Borders. Winter festival plans.

No one asked about my clinic appointment.

No one asked about the baby.

I sat there, holding my fork, feeling like my throat was closing.

Halfway through the meal, Elena stood up with a small velvet box in her hands.

The room went quiet immediately.

Everyone watched her.

Even Rowan straightened slightly, like he already knew what was coming.

Elena opened the box slowly, like she was performing a sacred act.

Inside was a heavy silver necklace. The chain was thick and detailed, shaped like moons and vines. In the center was a crescent pendant with a moonstone that caught the candlelight and glowed softly.

My heart dropped.

I knew that necklace.

I had seen it in old pack portraits, resting on the necks of past Lunas.

Elena lifted the box higher so everyone could see it.

“This necklace has been passed down for five generations,” she announced. “It belongs to the true Luna of Silver Ridge. It carries blessing and protection from the Moon Goddess. It gives strength to the one who wears it.”

My fingers tightened around my fork.

True Luna.

Elena turned and held the box out to Clara.

Clara’s eyes widened. She pressed her hands to her mouth like she was shocked.

“No,” she whispered. “Luna Elena, I can’t accept that. It belongs to Ava.”

Her voice trembled just enough to sound sincere. But I knew that tone.

Elena smiled like a proud mother. “Don’t be silly, child. You deserve it more than someone who is only borrowing the title.”

Rowan’s father nodded slowly.

Clara’s mother wiped at her eyes like she was watching something beautiful.

The ranked wolves murmured approval.

I stared down at my plate. The meat looked like ash. I could barely breathe.

Rowan cleared his throat.

His voice was calm, almost gentle. “If Mother believes you should have it, Clara… then you should take it.”

I gripped the edge of the table, forcing myself not to break down.

Clara paused for a second, acting like she was unsure. Then she lowered her head. “If that’s what you want, Rowan…”

Elena stepped forward and clasped the necklace around Clara’s neck.

The moonstone settled perfectly between her collarbones, shining against her pale skin.

Applause broke out around the table.

Someone, maybe Gareth, laughed loudly. “It looks perfect on the real Luna.”

That was when something inside me snapped.

I pushed my chair back slowly. The legs scraped loudly against the floor.

Every head turned toward me.

“Excuse me,” I said quietly.

I walked down the hallway to the small sitting room we rarely used. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, trying to calm my breathing.

My hands were shaking.

My whole body felt hot with anger.

I pressed my palm to my belly. The baby moved gently, as if trying to comfort me.

“I’m okay,” I whispered. “I’m okay.”

But I wasn’t.

The doorknob turned.

I didn’t even have time to wipe my face before Clara slipped inside.

She shut the door softly and smiled at me.

“Ava,” she began, her voice low and sweet. “I’m really sorry. I tried to refuse. I really did.”

I stared at her.

She took a step closer, touching the necklace like it belonged to her.

“I even told them you’re the rightful Luna,” she continued. “You’re so strong. Going to those appointments alone. Carrying everything by yourself.”

Her eyes sparkled, but not with kindness.

“I could never do that,” she said softly. “Rowan is always with me.”

My throat tightened.

Clara leaned in closer, like she wanted to whisper a secret.

“Even when you two are sleeping,” she added, “if I call… he comes running.”

I felt sick.

Then she stroked the moonstone again and smiled wider.

“He had Luna Elena bring this the moment I said I liked it.”

My hands curled into fists.

I looked her straight in the eyes. “Then why didn’t he make you Luna years ago?” I asked quietly.

For a brief second, her mask slipped.

Something sharp flashed in her eyes.

Then she gasped dramatically and pressed a hand to her chest.

“Ava…” she whispered, swaying like she was about to faint.

A few seconds later, the door burst open.

Rowan rushed in like a storm.

His eyes scanned the room. “What happened?”

Clara stumbled toward him, trembling. “Please… give it back to Ava. I don’t want it if it upsets her this much.”

Rowan caught her immediately, holding her like she was made of glass.

Then he raised his gaze to meet mine, my heart squeezed painfully. Do I ever matter to him at all?

As expected, his next words was deep and cruel.

“Why are you always jealous?” he demanded. “It’s just a necklace. It means nothing.”

“It means nothing?” I repeated.

I had enough.

I was done being treated like I was nothing.

I stepped back, shaking my head, trying to stop the tears that threatened to fall.

“I don’t want your necklace,” I said. “I don’t want any of this anymore.”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “Ava.”

“I’m leaving,” I said clearly.

His face showed surprise for a second, then annoyance.

“You don’t have to be so dramatic.”

Dramatic.

That word hit me like a slap.

The only crime I had ever committed was falling in love with an Alpha who treated me like garbage.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the divorce papers.

I had printed them two nights ago when I couldn’t sleep. I had signed them with shaking hands, hoping I wouldn’t have to use them.

But now I knew better.

I placed the papers in front of him.

“I’ll keep the baby,” I said. “You can have Clara. You can have the necklace. You can have the pack. You can have everything.”

I swallowed hard, forcing the words out.

“Just let me go.”