I Was Betrayed While Carrying My Alpha's Heir

"Bring forth the future Luna!" Elder Rowan called out. His voice carried over the crowded plaza, silencing the chatter of the Blackwood Pack.

I stood at the bottom of the marble stairs. My fingers brushed against the soft fabric over my lower abdomen. A tiny, secret life grew inside me.

"Are you ready?" Elder Rowan asked, offering me an encouraging nod.

"I am," I replied. "I have wonderful news for him. I plan to tell him as soon as the ceremony ends."

"The Alpha will be overjoyed," the Elder noted.

"I hope so," I murmured.

I walked up the dais. Adrian Hawthorne stood at the center, tall and imposing. I smiled at him, expecting him to extend his arm to welcome me to his side.

He kept his hands firmly at his sides.

"Vivian, come here," Adrian commanded.

I froze.

My best friend stepped out from the front row. She wore a crimson dress, a stark contrast to my white gown. She walked past me without a single glance and placed her hand directly into Adrian’s open palm. He laced his fingers through hers.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Adrian ignored me. He raised their joined hands toward the night sky.

"I announce," Adrian shouted, his voice echoing across the silent plaza, "that from today onward, the only Luna of the Blackwood Pack will be Vivian Sinclair!"

Dead silence fell over the crowd. Nobody cheered. Nobody moved.

"Adrian?" I choked out. "Why?"

He finally turned his head. His eyes held zero warmth. "Look at yourself. You are a wolfless waste. You have no strength. You have no right to stand beside an Alpha."

"We are mates," I argued. "I gave you everything."

"You