CHAPTER THREE

AVA’S POV

The second I saw her face, something inside me broke. Fresh tears filled my eyes and without saying a word, I stepped forward and threw my arms around her.

She didn’t ask what happened nor demand an explanation. She just wrapped her arms around me and held me as if all she knew all I needed right now was comfort. Right there, at her doorstep.

Eventually, she guided me inside and sat me down on the couch. A warm mug appeared in my hands moments later, and for several minutes neither of us spoke.

Only when I felt capable of forming words did I finally tell her everything. And when I finished speaking, the silence that settled over the room was deafening. Both of us just sit there, with no words coming.

“Do you want to run?”

I blinked, looking at her with confused expression. “What?”

“Do you want to run?” she asked again and I couldn't believe after everything i just said, that’s the only words she could think of.

“What does that have to do with everything I just said?”

“Well, I think we both need one.” she said, already standing up. “Don’t worry. Shifting won't hurt our little pup in there. It's still early.”

Less than ten minutes later, we were already taking off our clothes in the forest behind her house. I wasn't feeling it initially, but the moment we shifted, instinct took over.

I ran. Very fast. I ran as though I could outrun the pain chasing me.

As though every mile put more distance between me and the memory of finding the two of them together. The wind whipped through my fur while my paws pounded against the earth. My wolf welcomed the freedom, pouring every ounce of grief and rage into the run.

Hours seemed to pass before I finally slowed.

Shifting back into my human form, I collapsed onto the grass and stared up at the endless blue sky overhead, my chest rising and falling so fast, trying to catch my breath.

A few moments later, Gina dropped beside me, breathing so fast.

“I overheard Natalie's conversation once. At the salon. Bragging.”

“You didn't tell me shit.”

“You are so lovesick. Would you have believed me? And moreover, never in my wildest dream will I believe Cayden would do such. So I thought she was just…” she took a heavy sigh.

Silence settled between us again. The wind rustled through the trees overhead while clouds drifted lazily across the sky.

“So what do you want to do now?”

“I don’t know.” My eyes remained fixed on the clouds drifting above us. “But first, I need to hear his decision after I tell him about my pregnancy.” I said, placing my hand on my stomach, feeling the life that was already growing.

‘No matter what happens, I won’t let it affect you. You at least deserved one chance for your father to know about your existence before I walked away forever.’

Gina turned onto her side to face me. “And then?”

“If he chooses us, then I’ll stay. We’ll figure out how to co-parent. But our marriage…” My voice faltered. “Our marriage is obviously over. I’ll remain as his Luna but only in title, and secure my child’s future as his heir. After everything I’ve endured, I deserve at least that much. I’ll consider it compensation.”

“And if he doesn’t…..” I swallowed hard, closing my eyes, imagining the worst scenario.

A warm hand slipped into mine. I opened my eyes and turned my head, only to see her smiling softly at me.

“Whatever happens,” she said, squeezing my hand gently, “Just know I’ll always be here for you.”

A small smile finally appeared on my lips and For the first time all day, I felt like I could breathe again.

We stayed there for a long time, watching the clouds drift across the sky while the forest whispered around us.

"Since you're staying tonight, how about we grab some groceries because..."

"Because your house is filled with junks,"

She bumped her elbow against my side and I burst into laughter.

*

*

*

But unfortunately, things didn’t go the way I planned.

When I returned, the first thing I saw was the maids carrying things out of the nursery.

My child’s nursery.

The nursery I had spent five years preparing. Five years of hope. Five years of dreams. Five years of buying tiny clothes, decorating the walls, and imagining the day I would finally place my baby in that crib.

Every item in that room carried a piece of my heart. And now they were taking it apart as if it meant nothing.

“You aren’t mad at me, are you?” Natalie asked, and then let out a sympathetic sigh. “I really didn’t want to do this, but Cayden insisted. He said that after all, you are…”

“No.” I shook my head. “That’s impossible. He wouldn’t do that.”

“Oh, yeah, he did. That’s why I’m changing everything that doesn’t suit my taste.”

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. The world around me seemed to fade into silence.

Cayden had given her the nursery. The nursery that was supposed to belong to our child. The nursery I had spent years preparing through every disappointment, every failed attempt, every sleepless night spent praying for a miracle.

And now that the moon goddess had finally granted my prayers, now that I am supposed to be looking forward to the day I would bring my child into this nursery, he took it and handed it to his mistress.

My chest tightened painfully.

It felt as though someone had reached inside me and ripped something out.

He had already taken my trust.

He had already broken my marriage.

And now he was taking the only thing that belongs to my child.

My hands curled into fists at my sides as I watched one of the maids nearly drop a wooden toy from a box.

“Careful, darling,” Natalie said mockingly. “You wouldn’t want to break the Luna's imaginary child’s things.”

The maids immediately lowered their heads, apologizing. But what for? After all, they are only following orders. His orders.

Natalie turned back to me with a smug smile. “Well, now that you’re here and know everything, there’s no reason to keep pretending anymore. Maybe we can finally have a proper conversation.”

“You think I want to talk to you?” I snapped. “I have nothing to discuss with a slut.”

“You can call me whatever names you want.” She shrugged. “It doesn’t change the fact that I’m still the one with the upper hand.” She rubbed her stomach, pushing it forward proudly.

I stared at her in disbelief. Wondering how I had never seen through her act? How had I spent years treating her like like a real sister in law while she was waiting for an opportunity to take over my place?

Not trusting myself to say another word, I turned to leave.

“Don’t blame me, Ava,” she called after me. “You owe me this much.”

I turned back. “I owe you nothing.”

“No, you owe me everything. Everything you have should have been mine.”

I frowned.

“Excuse me?”

“That position.” She pointed toward the pack house around us. “That title. That life. I should have had all of it.” Her eyes burned with years of resentment. “I’ve been by Cayden’s side my entire life. Loving him. Waiting for him. Then you came along and claimed him because of some stupid mate bond.”

She laughed bitterly.

“And I had to stand there and watch the man I loved choose a plain-looking, boring little bitch over me.”

My jaw clenched.

“But the Moon Goddess finally gave me another chance.” She rubbed her stomach possessively. “A chance for him to seek something you couldn’t give him from me.”

My stomach twisted.

Her smile widened. “And trust me, Ava. Cayden now treasures me far more than he ever treasured you.”

“And now you have him, are you satisfied?” I forced a smile. “Maybe I’m actually grateful you took him. I think you two deserve each other. ”

“Says the woman who couldn’t even get pregnant.”

The smile vanished from my face.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed, Cayden told me everything. I even heard about that ridiculous thing you used to do after sex. You know. Raising your legs in the air and lying upside down, hoping it would help you get pregnant when there is nothing there but a cold womb.”

The blood drained from my face.

“Tell me, Ava,” she mocked. “Does your neck still work? Or did all that effort leave permanent damage?”

The maids suddenly found the floor very interesting. No one dared look at me

Embarrassment burned through every inch of my body and right now I wanted nothing than the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

The insult stung.

God, it stung.

But I refused to let her see how much damage she was doing. I gritted my teeth and fought back the tears threatening to spill.

Not able to take it anymore, because if I spend another seconds here, I might really break. So without another word, I turned and walked away. The door shut behind me with a loud thud and I slid down, breaking into tears.

Everywhere I looked, I saw flashes of yesterday—the moment I had walked in and found them together on this very bed. The bed we once shared. The bed where he had whispered promises of forever.

Now it reeked of nothing but betrayal.

No.

I can’t do this.

This is too much.

I can’t keep pretending everything is fine.

My hand trembled as I pressed it against my stomach.

“I’m sorry, child. I can’t give you the complete family you deserve. But mommy will definitely protect you,” I whispered softly. “I promise. Even if your daddy doesn’t want us anymore, I always will.”

My voice cracked halfway through and another tear slipped down my cheek.

I quickly wiped it away and drew in a shaky breath.

Crying wouldn’t solve anything. And staying here certainly wouldn’t.

Slowly, I pushed myself to my feet and walked toward the wardrobe. I am done here. I couldn’t stay here for another second.

So I started packing.

I pulled out dresses, shoes, handbags, and everything I would need for the next few weeks. Soon, the room became cluttered with open suitcases and neatly folded clothes. Yet when I reached the jewelry compartment, my hands froze.