Chapter 2

Anna's POV

I let out a scream as I fell to the floor, heat gushing through my body.

Pain.

That's what I felt as his words echoed in my head. My wolf, Ava howling sorrowfully as I crashed to the floor.

Tears streamed down my eyes, the loud ringing in my ears blocking out the worried screams of Yvonne as she made to catch my falling frame.

How could he reject me like this?

I clutched my chest, stifling a groan as my heart beat painfully in my ribcage.

The bond I had once held dear, snapping like a fragile thread.

Two years… two years of marriage, and what ended it was a reject.

“Accept the reject.” Gunner's cruel reminder cut to me. “I don't want to waste any more time on this, I have important things to announce.”

“Can you stop being so mean to her?” Yvonne berated, glaring at her alpha with hate in her eyes. “Do you have any idea what condition she is in?”

“Yvonne,” I quickly called, sniffling. “Please, don't.” My voice quivered.

I didn't want him to know. Not anymore.

Yvonne clenched her fists in anger, her eyes blazing with unspoken emotions.

Gunner in turn narrowed his eyes at her, his blue orbs flashing with a red hue, his rage evident by the scowl on his lips at the disrespect.

Laura, like the ever loving white lotus she was, stepped forward, her eyes glistening with fake tears. “Yvonne, I know she's your friend, but you should also know your place. Just because you are the pack doctor doesn't mean you can speak that way to your alpha, especially when he's just addressing things that concern his personal life.”

I almost scoffed, but held it in.

Personal life my ass.

He was resolving his personal life, but he dared to reject me in public. Where was the so-called ‘personal’ in that?

Only those blind would fail to see the nonsense behind her words.

However, murmurs sparked in the crowd, with most agreeing on Yvonne minding her business.

I let out a mirthless laugh, a tear sliding down my eyes, as I scanned the room.

Fool.

That's what I have been.

I thought that with the time I had been Luna, the pack’s views about me would have changed, but guess I had been stupid to believe it would.

From the corner of my eyes, I spotted my adoptive parents, their burning gazes drilling deep holes into my skin. Their expressions, similar, but one I was familiar with over the years— anger.

Yvonne moved to speak, but I quickly stopped her, taking a shaky breath as I stepped forward.

I locked eyes with Gunner, tears brimming in my eyes.

This was what he wanted right? And let's be honest, I knew deep down this was going to happen.

He was the playboy.

The alpha of the pack, while I was nothing but an omega. Just because he had given me a little pitiful love for a while, who was I to think it would be forever?

Because I was his mate?

I let out another laugh, the sound jeering.

“You said I was the love of your life, so why are you breaking my heart?” I asked. I couldn't help it. I just wanted to know why.

Why would he do this to me?

I did everything he had asked me to do. So what else did he want?

He wanted a child, and we've been trying for a while, but that's okay now.

Heck, I wanted to yell surprise and tell him I was pregnant so he could stop hurting me.

My heart was on fire, getting burnt to ashes from his cruel actions.

“Did you think you were special because you were my mate?” He sneered, his brows furrowing like he was contemplating why I did. “Grow up Anna. You will never be the perfect one for me, so that's why I chose Laura, and I am sorry to break it to you but she is my one and true Luna.”

I staggered, my vision blurring as my eyes unconsciously landed on Laura.

He had his arms wrapped around her again, and she snuggled deeper in his embrace.

She threw me a nasty smile, and that was what set it all.

I wiped the tears on my face with the back of my hands, taking in a drag at the mucus in my nose.

I jutted out my chin, defiantly staring at them both.

I refuse to let them see me in tears. “I accept.” I whispered, gazing at his face.

Immediately I felt a sharp pain in my lower abdomen, and at once, I paled.

My baby.

Dread filled me instantly at the thought.

Clutching my stomach tightly, I screamed as it felt like a thousand needles were constantly stabbing me.

Moon goddess, my baby.

Please, please please! Don't let me lose my baby!

“Anna.” Yvonne hurriedly called, supporting me as my knees gave out. “Are you stupid? Why did you accept it knowing how much harm it could cause you?!” She shrieked, practically dragging my almost limp body across the floor.

Another scream left my lips, and the only thought that filled my head was my child.

Please don't die.

Please.

Please, my baby!

This is the only family I have, the reason I was still alive.

“Somebody, please help me!” She begged, “please, she's dying. We need to get her to the infirmary quickly!”

“Would you stop yelling?” Laura snapped, her voice an octave higher than it usually was. “It's just a rejection, no need to exaggerate things like this, and please you both should leave. You both are dampening the mood of everyone here.”

“Take them out of here!” Gunner's voice followed, his command causing stirs as I felt myself being picked up.

Black dots swirled in my eyes, the pain I felt, magnifying as the minutes dragged on.

Through my pained haze, I heard Yvone say, “Put her down. Gently.”

Soon, I felt my skin being poked, Yvonne’s reassuring whisper reaching my ears as she stroked my hair. “It's alright, Anna.”

“My baby,” I repeated, grabbing her arm with surprising strength. “What happened to my baby?”

“It's alright, the baby's fine.” She said, and I felt relief wash over me.

I placed a trembling palm on my stomach, tears filling my eyes as the thought that I had almost lost him consumed me.

Thank goodness my baby's safe.

Looking over gently at me, Yvone sighed, “Anna, you need to be careful. You almost lost the baby, and if it weren't for us getting to the clinic on time, I am not sure what might have happened.”

I lowered my eyelids, feeling the weight of her words.

I wanted to be careful, but what was I supposed to do?

Just as she was about to say more, a loud shrill cut through the clinic's walls, startling me and Yvonne.

“Where is she?” the voice bellowed, and I instantly paled once I recognized who the voice belonged to.

“How dare you?!” My adopted mother's howl echoed as she stepped into my ward, her face red with fury. “How dare you disgrace us like that?!”

I stiffened, words failing to form in my head under her intense gaze. “M–mom,” I stammered, but she flared.

“Speak up!” She hissed, her bleached hair falling over her face. “What shit did you pull out there?!”

I jolted, my heart beating frantically as fear took over me.

The loud beeping of the heart monitor hooked to my chest, sounding like a fire alarm.

“Miss Joe—” Yvonne called, only to be cut off by her with an angry glare.

“Please Yvonne, do not interfere in this.” She said, narrowing her eyes. “This matter has nothing to do with you, so I'd like it if you stepped out, or stayed quiet.”

Helpless, Yvonne looked over at me, and I hastingly pleaded with my eyes for Yvonne not to leave me.

Seeing Yvonne go silent, she turned to me. “Stand up right now! You think you can pretend in front of me?”

I shot up from the bed in an instant, the action sending a jolt of pain.

“I asked what the meaning of that was.” She snarled. “Why would you label your sister as a backstabbing whore in front of everyone? Isn't she your sister? What's wrong with her being with the alpha? Can't you learn to share?”

I froze, mouth hanging agape while slowly looking up at my still yelling mother.

Behind her, Yvonne's expression mirrored mine.

“What?” I huffed, staring at my foster mother in disbelief.

Did she just ask me to share my mate with Laura?

“Didn't you hear me clearly? Or are you playing dumb?” She hissed, pushing her face into mine. “Listen very well Anna, you will go back out there, and tell everyone that you were never mated with alpha Gunner, and assist Laura in her duties as Luna since she is pregnant. Am I clear?”

I felt my ears ring loudly, blood rushing to my head.

Laura was pregnant?

For the upteenth time in a day, I felt my wolf howl dejectedly, my heart breaking so hard, I felt hollow inside.

“Am. I. Clear. Anna?” Vivan repeated, spittle flying onto my face.

“Affirmative.” I responded, my voice so low I couldn't notice the life in them.

With that, she stormed out of the ward, leaving me to pick up my shattered pieces.

I don't think I can survive another blow.

“I want to leave.” I sobbed, falling into Yvonne's arms as she embraced me. “I don't want to stay here any longer. I'll die.”

“Don't worry dear,” Yvonne comforted, “everything will be alright.”

“I don't deserve this much pain.” I cried, “why is the universe being so cruel to me, why?”