Chapter 2

Yara

I stood frozen in the middle of our once-beautiful bedroom, the scent of roses now turning my stomach. Ian’s words hung in the air like smoke after a wildfire; thick, choking, and impossible to ignore.

“You can’t be serious,” I whispered, my voice barely holding together. “You’re kicking me out of my own room? For her?”

He crossed his arms, his tall, muscular frame filling the doorway like a wall I could no longer breach. Those grey eyes that once looked at me with nothing but love now held only cold affection. “It’s not kicking you out, Yara. It’s practical. Mira is carrying my pup. She needs comfort, space, and rest. The guesthouse is still a part of the mansion. You’ll be fine there.”

Fine. The word tasted like ash.

Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. “Three years, Ian. I stood by you through every battle, every late night planning raids, every moment you doubted yourself. And now, because some woman you met on a battlefield spreads her legs once, I’m suddenly disposable?”

His jaw tightened. “Enough, Yara.”

Ian’s expression softened as he looked at her. “Mira is not just some woman. She is the daughter of Beta Vladimir from the northern territories where we fought the rogues. And thanks to the legs she spread once, this pack has been blessed with an Alpha successor. You on the other hand have been spreading the same legs for three years and what do you have to show for it?”

The humiliation burned so deep I felt it in my bones. I wanted to scream the truth at him: I am the Alpha King’s daughter! I could have had any Alpha in the kingdom, but I chose you. I lowered my rank, lied about my dead parents, all for love. But saying it now would only make me look more pathetic; like a fallen princess begging for scraps.

Instead, I lifted my chin, forcing steel into my voice even as my heart fractured. “So that’s it? You reject our bond over a child that isn’t even here yet?”

“I’m not rejecting our bond,” he said, stepping closer. His hand reached out as if to touch my shoulder, but I jerked away. “We’re still mates. But things have to change. Mira stays. You… adjust. We can coexist peacefully without all this drama.”

Mira’s eyes met mine with a mix of fake sympathy and triumph.

“Luna,” she said softly, the title sounding like a mockery on her lips. “I’m sorry it had to be this way. I never meant to come between you two. But Ian’s child… I have to protect it.”

Ian moved to her side instantly, his arm slipping around her waist in a possessive hold that used to be mine. The sight made bile rise in my throat.

“Pack the Luna’s things,” he ordered one of the omegas hovering nervously outside. “Move them to the eastern guesthouse.”

I didn’t wait for the pitying looks. I grabbed a small bag myself, stuffing in only what I needed; a few clothes, the silver comb my mother had given me before she passed on, and the little wooden wolf carving Ian had made for me on our first anniversary. Everything else, the decorated room, the rose petals, the dreams could burn for all I cared.

As I walked past them, Mira’s voice floated after me, sugary sweet. “I’ll take good care of the room, Luna. Maybe you can visit sometime if you're bored.”

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. The walk to the guesthouse felt like a funeral procession. Maids who had celebrated my preparations just hours ago now avoided my gaze.

The guesthouse was small and dusty, nothing like the home I had built. I sank onto the edge of the plain bed, my body shaking with silent sobs. How did it come to this? I had sent that message to Father thinking this mission was a blessing. Now it felt like a curse.

Night fell slowly. I refused dinner, my appetite gone. But sleep wouldn’t come either. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ian’s hand locked with hers. Heard his voice announcing her pregnancy to the entire pack on our anniversary.

A soft knock startled me shortly after I sat on the edge of the plain bed. Maria, one of the few omegas who had helped decorate the room earlier in the day entered carrying the last of my things. Her face was flushed with anger, eyes blazing as she set the trunk down with more force than necessary.

“Luna… why?” she burst out, voice trembling with fury. “Why didn’t you fight back? How could you surrender so peacefully and let that… that woman take your place? This is your home! Your pack!”

I looked up at her, surprised by the fire in her usually gentle demeanor.

“Shh… What if someone hears you?”

Maria dropped to one knee in front of me, taking my hands in hers. “I pledge my allegiance to you and only you, Luna Yara. No one else owns my loyalty — not Alpha Ian, not that northern whore, and certainly not the child she carries. You have been kind and fair to us omegas from the day you became Luna. I will serve no other. Tell me what you need, and I will do it. Even if it means going against the Alpha himself.”

Her words wrapped around my broken heart like a warm blanket. For the first time since Ian’s return, I didn’t feel completely alone. Someone still saw me. Someone still chose me.

“Thank you, Maria,” I whispered, squeezing her hands as fresh tears stung my eyes. “You don’t know how much that means right now.”

She nodded fiercely, then helped me unpack a few things in silence, her presence a quiet comfort in the cold little guesthouse.

But the night wasn’t over.

Sometime after midnight, another knock sounded. I opened the door to find Mira standing there, alone, glowing with satisfaction.

“I hope the guesthouse is comfortable enough for you, Luna,” she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Her eyes scanned the plain room with barely hidden disdain. “It must be quite the change after the main chambers.”

I clenched my fists. “What do you want, Mira?”

She tilted her head, rubbing her belly in slow circles. “I just wanted to thank you properly. For stepping aside so graciously. Ian was worried you’d cause more drama, but you’re handling it… adequately.” Her smile sharpened. “Once the boy is born, perhaps you can help with the nursery. Since you can’t seem to provide an heir yourself, it would be the perfect way for you to remain useful.”

Rage exploded inside me. I stepped forward, my wolf stirring dangerously close to the surface. “Get out.”

Mira’s eyes widened in mock fear, but she didn’t move. “You wouldn’t hurt a pregnant woman, would you, Luna? Ian wouldn’t like that.”

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay still. “Leave. Now.”

She turned dramatically, but as she reached the doorway, she stumbled, or pretended to. Her foot caught on the threshold, and she pitched forward with a sharp cry, hands flying to her stomach.

“No!” she gasped, collapsing to her knees outside.

I rushed forward instinctively, but it was too late. Blood stained her dress. Real blood.

“Guards!” Mira screamed, her voice breaking into sobs. “She pushed me! The Luna pushed me!”