Chapter 2. Please, Please, Please

BELLADONNA

Luna Sophia wore bitterness all over her face when she found me standing in front of her office. Silently, she let me in. I was sure she'd seen herself how her son dumped me in front of everyone.

"I beg you to convince Ryder to talk to me, Luna."

My shoulders were shaking with the turmoil raging in my head.

Before I came here, I had gone to Ryder's room, to his office, to the library, but he had vanished. His beta, Liam, said Ryder had left to fulfill his new duties as an Alpha. Whatever it was, he did it to avoid me.

"Take it easy, Bella." Luna Sophia sighed, sitting beside me. "If you keep this unstable mood, of course, he won't want to see you!"

I looked at her, tears streaming from my eyes.

She was the mother figure I had known for the past six years. The only person I could pour my heart out to, because the Edgeburn family was all I had after my parents died when I was twelve. My father was her husband’s beta and we lived next to each other, so she did me a favor by accepting me with open arms.

I grasped her hands.

"Then what should I do? Our relationship shouldn’t end this way! You know I have loved Ryder all my life. I can't be without him. He is my fated mate and he knows that! And then what? Is he going to reject me and break our sacred bond the Moon Goddess had bestowed upon us?"

I couldn’t hold back my tears. I buried my face in her lap, but she pushed me gently, forcing me to sit up. Luna Sophia had always taught me to stay composed, to be in control of my emotions—an essential quality of a Luna.

But how could I be calm when I was about to lose my mate?

"I've heard Ryder’s side and I don't think you'd play with fire behind his back. But if Ryder has made up his mind, I’m sorry, sweetheart, I can't interfere.”

She paused before continuing.

“Give it some time, Bella. Your emotions are still running high. Go home and rest for now. I’ll give you a break from your duties.”

As I stood up, I realized one thing; even the woman who had treated me like her own daughter had chosen her son over me. Her promise felt like a hollow consolation, a polite way to get rid of me.

Luna Sophia escorted me out of her office. With weary strides and every ounce of optimism drained from my body, I made my way down the hallway and out the packhouse.

Reaching home, I threw myself on the sofa. This huge building was devoid and desolate. Fear squeezed me hard, I could barely breathe. I loathed being alone.

Using my last hope, I took out my phone and dialed Daisy. It was connected within seconds.

“Daisy, can you come over? I really need some company. Please?"

“Sorry, I’m busy,” Daisy replied coldly before cutting off the call abruptly.

I sighed, feeling the sting of rejection. I tried calling another friend.

“I can't help you, Bella. Ryder’s furious. He’s forbidden anyone from contacting you.”

My grip tightened around the phone, and I tossed it into the trash. Tears streamed down my face.

“Why is everyone abandoning me?”

For the next few days of hell, I kept running into Ryder when I was assisting Luna Sophia. I was down in the dumps and couldn't even feign a proper smile. How could I ignore my sweet memories with Ryder and accept that it was all water under the bridge?

On numerous attempts, I swallowed my pride and begged for time to talk to her, but it always led to a harsh rejection. Eventually, my efforts to reach Ryder paid off.

My heart hammered in an overwhelming mix of hope and fear. It was just a mere storm in a teacup. I hoped he wouldn't stay angry so we could make up and everything would be normal again.

Ryder stood by the window, his gaze hard and unyielding. I had never seen such fury in his eyes, one that could knock someone powerless.

“You’ve got one minute. Talk.”

“I’m sorry, Ryder. It was only a misunderstanding. I’m loyal to you. I love you more than anything.” My voice trembled, but I pushed forward, determined. “I even… I even gave up my virginity to you. Please, believe me.”

Ryder’s fists clenched, his face darkening with anger.

“Loyal? If you were truly loyal, you wouldn’t have let another man touch you! I can’t fucking trust you, Belle!” he shouted, his voice laced with betrayal. “I can’t believe I almost made you my Luna.”

"Ryder—" I tried to explain, but my words caught in my throat as I met his seething, angry eyes.

"This conversation is over! Don't come to me again! You'll still be my mother's assistant, but don't you dare show up in my presence! Do your job and stay out of my shit. That’s the only way I let you stay. Make every bit of my last mercy count!" he spat, his voice shaking with rage.

My chest tightened, tears welling up in my eyes as I struggled against the heart-wrenching pain.

"Ryder, please, I’m begging you—"

I grabbed his arm, but he wrenched it away, his face twisted in disgust.

“If you keep pushing, I’ll kick you out of Ambersky!” he spat, his voice filled with icy venom.

Fear surged through me. Was it really all because of yesterday’s misunderstanding?

“What about us? We’re fated mates, Ryder! Are you going to reject me?”

"Get the fuck out, Belle, before I make you!"

His voice cracked like a whip. With a sharp motion, he turned away, leaving me alone in the crushing silence.

The world collapsed around me, ready to devour me whole. For the first time, I truly felt alone.

Throughout that month, the rumors of Ryder and me spread like wildfire through the Ambersky pack. Girls eyed me with pity, and some with disdain, as they vied for Ryder's attention in hope to win his heart.

I continued working as Luna Sophia’s assistant. Unlike Alpha Rowan, who retired early, she stayed involved in pack affairs until a new Luna was found—someone who should have been me.

Day by day, crossing paths with Ryder became rare. He spent most of his time away, monitoring the pack’s activities or dealing with other matters. If we did, he acted like I didn’t exist. It was agonizing, this infinite torment. I wished he'd tell me what I had to do to earn his forgiveness.

That day, my head throbbed with a sudden wave of nausea. I was sent home early due to a storm brewing in my stomach. For two hours, I was in the bathroom, vomiting until I had nothing left.

I leaned against the bathroom wall, eyeing the small calendar above the sink. A sudden fright flooded through me. I hesitantly picked up the pregnancy test kit.

Five minutes in, my whole body was shaking.

Two lines. Positive.

"No way," I slapped a hand to my mouth. "Oh no, oh no, oh no...."

I rushed out of the house and headed straight to Ryder’s office. Liam blocked my way, his face set in a stern frown.

“Ryder, I need to talk!” I shouted, my voice breaking as I tried to bang the door. “Please!”

But nothing. He didn’t even bat an eye.

My world turned upside down and pulled the rug out from under me without anyone by my side. Left me with this little gift thriving in my belly.

I pushed Liam away, returning home with tears and shattered future.

"It's just you and me, baby." I caressed my stomach lovingly, clenching both hands into fists. "Let's get the fuck out of this wicked pack."