Chapter 4: You Chose Her

Elena's POV

I returned to my bedroom and placed the things I had collected from the nursery on the bed. The little clothes, blankets, and toys I had carefully chosen for our future child were scattered across the sheets. Just yesterday, I had imagined arranging everything in the nursery and preparing to welcome the baby I had prayed for. Now, another woman would be using that room for her child.

My eyes were still red from crying when the door opened and my husband walked in. He glanced at the things on the bed before looking at me with a frown.

"What exactly are you so upset about?" he asked. "I have just returned from fighting a war, yet instead of welcoming me, you keep losing your temper. First, you argued with me yesterday, and now you're making trouble over a room. What do you expect me to do?"

I stared at him in disbelief. After everything he had done, he still expected me to welcome him with a smile as though nothing had happened.

"I expect you to remember that you have a wife!" I replied. "You betrayed our mate bond, got another woman pregnant, and brought her into our home. Now you've even given her the nursery I prepared for our future child. What's next? Will she take my bedroom, my position as Luna, or will you make her your mate too?"

His expression hardened. "That's enough. You've been Luna for years without giving this pack an heir. The elders have complained about it countless times. Ciara is a warrior who has fought beside me and proven herself to this pack. The child she's carrying will be strong. Isn't that good for everyone?"

I felt another piece of my heart break. Instead of admitting that he had hurt me, he was using my inability to give the pack an heir as an excuse for his betrayal.

"What about me?" I asked quietly. "Have you even thought about how I feel? I have spent years trying to give you a child. Do you think I haven't suffered enough listening to the elders talk about me?"

He sighed impatiently. "I know this isn't easy for you, but you need to understand the situation. The pack needs an heir, and I have a responsibility to my people."

"And what about your responsibility to your wife?"

He didn't answer.

I lowered my eyes, unable to hold back my tears. There was something I had wanted to tell him since the moment he returned with Ciara. I had hoped he would be happy, but after everything he had said, I wasn't sure I wanted to share the news anymore.

"I'm pregnant too," I whispered.

He stared at me before shaking his head. "Don't joke with me, sweetheart. We've tried for years without success. Are you sure?"

His words hurt more than I expected. I had imagined him smiling, pulling me into his arms, and asking how far along I was. Instead, he looked doubtful, almost as though he didn't believe I could be carrying his child.

"Yes," I answered. "I found out recently. I'm four weeks pregnant."

I searched his face for happiness, but there was none. He only looked surprised and uncertain. I had waited so long for this moment, yet the joy I had imagined never came.

Instead, I asked, "If I'm really pregnant, will you send Ciara away?"

He went quiet before answering, "No. She's carrying my child too. I cannot abandon them."

My heart sank. Even if I was pregnant, nothing would change. Ciara would still live in our home, and her child would still have a place in our marriage. He had already made his decision, and my pregnancy wasn't enough to make him reconsider.

I looked down at my stomach, remembering how long I had waited for this baby. I had hoped that having our own child would finally silence the elders and make me feel secure in my position as Luna. But now, even that happiness felt ruined.

I was a wolf-less Omega who couldn't fight beside her husband or give the pack the strong heir they wanted. Ciara was a warrior, the Beta's daughter, and someone the pack respected. Now she was carrying the Alpha's child too.

What chance did I have against her?

"Then I want a divorce," I said.

His eyes widened. "What did you just say?"

"Divorce me and set me free. If you want to keep her in our home, then there's no reason for us to remain married."

"No!" he snapped. "I will never divorce you. You are my Luna, and you will always remain my Luna."

I let out a bitter laugh. "What does being your Luna even mean anymore? You have another woman carrying your child, yet you expect me to stay here and pretend everything is fine. Everyone will laugh at me while I continue wearing this title."

"Watch your words. I am your Alpha and your mate."

"And I am tired!" I cried. "I'm tired of being humiliated and watching you choose her while expecting me to accept everything. Please, just let me go."

I had once believed being his Luna was the greatest blessing the Moon Goddess could give me. I had loved him and done everything I could to make our marriage work. Even when the pack members looked down on me because I had no wolf, I held on because I believed my husband would always stand beside me.

But now, he was the one making me feel worthless. The title I had once been proud of felt more like a cage than a blessing. I wanted my freedom. I wanted to raise my child somewhere I wouldn't have to compete with another woman for my husband's attention.

He looked at me without saying anything, his expression making it clear that he wouldn't change his mind.

Before either of us could speak again, a knock sounded at the door.

"Alpha, the Beta has arrived. He wishes to discuss the arrangements concerning Ciara and the pup."

My husband turned towards the door. "Stay here. I need to speak with him."

"I'm not staying here. I want to leave."

He ignored me and walked out. A moment later, I heard the lock turning from the outside.

"You will stay until you calm down," he said through the door. "Don't go anywhere or think about divorce. I'll return when I'm done speaking with the Beta."

I grabbed the handle and pulled. "Open the door! You cannot lock me in here!"

But he was already walking away. I stood there, stunned that my own husband had locked me inside like a prisoner. I was his wife, not someone he could lock away whenever I refused to agree with him.

Still, I told myself he would return soon and let me out. Perhaps after speaking with the Beta, he would calm down and listen to me.

An hour passed, then another. Nobody came.

I sat on the bed, watching the door and waiting for the sound of his footsteps. My throat was dry, and my stomach hurt from hunger. I hadn't eaten since the previous day, and I was beginning to feel weak.

I got up and knocked on the door again. "Please, can someone bring me some water?"

After a while, a guard answered, "What do you want, Luna?"

"Please, I haven't eaten either. Could you bring me something?"

He laughed. "Why should we waste the pack's resources on someone who cannot respect her Alpha? A Luna who defies her husband and cannot give the pack an heir has no right to make demands."

I stood silently, shocked by his words. For years, I had treated the servants kindly and done everything expected of me as Luna. Yet, the moment my husband brought another woman home, they had turned against me.

"Please," I whispered. "I'm only asking for some water."

He didn't answer. I heard his footsteps moving away, and soon the hallway became quiet again.

Slowly, I returned to the bed and sat down. My husband had promised to come back, so I kept waiting. The weakness in my body was getting worse, and I placed a hand over my stomach.

"Just a little longer," I whispered to my baby. "Everything will be fine."

But I wasn't sure I believed those words anymore.

My head grew heavy, and my vision became blurry. I tried to focus on the door, hoping someone would come, but the room seemed to be moving around me. I couldn't understand how my husband could leave me without food or water, knowing I was pregnant. Had he already forgotten about our baby?

I couldn't let anything happen to my child. Whatever happened between my husband and me, the baby was innocent. I had to protect it.

I tried to stand and reach the bed, but my legs could barely support me. I reached for the bedside table, missing it completely. The room spun, and before I could steady myself, I sank to the floor.

One hand rested over my stomach as I struggled to remain conscious. I wanted to call for help, but my voice failed me.

My husband had promised to return, but he hadn't. The pack had turned against me, and I was alone in the very home where I was supposed to be protected.

My last thought was of the little life growing inside me. I prayed that my baby would be safe.

Then everything went dark.