Raven

For weeks, I felt a pull I couldn’t explain, something urging me to spy on Alpha Xavier. It didn’t make sense, but tonight, I gave in. I found myself sneaking through the darkened halls, my heart pounding as I approached his office. I pressed myself against the cold stone wall with my senses heightened, picking up every sound. That’s when her scent hit me —Celeste, the beta’s daughter who circled Alpha Xavier like a predator. My wolf stirred, but I shoved her back down. This wasn’t the time to lose control.

“You don’t need her anymore, Alpha,” Celeste purred.

“She’s weak. She’ll never give you what I can.”

Weak? My nails dug into the stone wall, scraping against the rough surface. Celeste, that snake, was trying to replace me.

Alpha Xavier’s voice was low and calm but unmistakable.

“You’re right. The pack needs an heir. You’re carrying my child, and that’s what matters now.”

I froze. His child? My blood ran cold as the meaning of his words sank in. The late nights, the distance, and the coldness weren’t because of pack business. It was because of her. My chest tightened, and I had to bite my lip from making a sound. Then, Celeste’s smug laughter filled the room, ringing my ears like a victory bell.

“I knew you’d see it my way,” she said triumphantly and chuckling.

“She’s only holding you back, Alpha. Once the baby is born, the pack will accept me as Luna. They won’t have a choice.”

I couldn’t breathe. My grip on the stone tightened until my fingers throbbed, but I didn’t care, I barely felt it. I stood beside Alpha Xavier as his Luna for five years. And now, because I hadn’t given him a child, he was tossing me aside like I was nothing.

“I’ve made my choice,” Alpha Xavier said coldly.

That was it. He’d chosen Celeste. My body shook, and I stumbled back, barely able to keep my feet moving as I ran away from the office.

When I reached our cabin, I slammed the door and immediately collapsed onto the bed. Tears welled in my eyes, but I controlled them. I couldn’t afford to be weak right now. My mind raced, trying to understand what I’d heard, but it all pointed to the same thing: Celeste had won. She was carrying his child and was all that mattered to him. So, I cried.

After several minutes, my tears dried up and birthed rage. Celeste might have his child, but that didn’t make her Luna. That title was mine, and I had fought for it with everything I had. She couldn’t just walk in and take it.

Slowly, I pushed myself to stand in front of the mirror. I looked like a mess. My hair clung to my damp skin, my eyes swollen from crying, but there was a fire behind them.

I paced the room, thinking. Confronting wouldn't help. Charging in full of rage would only give Celeste the satisfaction of seeing me break. No, I needed to be smarter. I needed a plan.

A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. My heart jumped when I saw Alpha Xavier open the door. Tonight, he came home early. He stood in the doorway, his face unreadable but his presence filled the room with tension.

"What are you doing here? Didn't you say you must take care of something important for the pack's business?” I demanded.

Alpha Xavier didn't respond right away and just closed the door.

“We need to talk.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes at him.

“There’s nothing to talk about. You made your choice.”

"What?" he said in surprise.

I didn't respond but just looked at him. He closed his eyes as he realized I knew about his betrayal. Alpha Xavier stepped closer, and his eyes were so dark that I couldn't understand.

“It’s not that simple, Raven.”

I laughed.

“It’s actually that simple. You chose Celeste. Now you’re here to what? Explain? Justify it?”

His jaw tightened, trying to control his temper. But I knew he was pissed.

“I didn’t want it to happen like this.”

“Then why did it?” I snapped.

“You’ve been lying to me for months, and now you expect me to just accept this?”

"Look Raven... my parents had been hoping for grandchildren until they died, and we still haven't had at least one. The elders, the pack, all were asking when."

I was about to argue with him when the door burst open. Celeste stormed into the room, annoyed to see me. I glared at her, but she only smirked.

"I knew you would be here, Alpha Xavier. You couldn't stay away from her, could you?” Celeste spat.

Raven

Alpha Xavier's expression hardened as he turned to Celeste.

"Now is not the time, Celeste. This is none of your business," Alpha Xavier said, irritated.

Celeste's hand touched her stomach as if protectively cradling the life growing inside her.

"It is now. You promised me, Alpha Xavier. Now is the time to tell her, to end things with her."

I walked to her, my wolf fuming, desperate to take control, and ripped her to pieces.

“Get out, Celeste! Now!” I yelled.

She only chuckled with her eyes flicking between Alpha Xavier and me with satisfaction.

“Or what? Please, Raven! It's over between you two. You're done being Luna. And soon, everyone will know and agree because Alpha Xavier and I will have a son."

Before I could respond, a sharp pain shot through my side. I gasped, stumbling backward, my hand went to my stomach as the pain intensified.

“Raven!” Alpha Xavier’s voice sounded distant as if he was fading away.

He rushed to my side and looked like he was yelling, but I could barely hear him. My vision blurred, and my body convulsed from the pain. I hit the ground. And the last thing I saw was Celeste’s triumphant smile before everything went black.

The sterile scent of antiseptic filled my nose the moment I woke. I blinked against the harsh fluorescent light, disoriented. At first, I wasn’t sure why I was at the pack's hospital. Then it hit me — Alpha Xavier, Celeste, their child. And a cold, hollow ache formed in my chest, spreading through my body.

I shot upright, ignoring the sharp ache in my abdomen. I felt panic when I touched my stomach, thinking I was wounded. But there was none. The memory of collapsing went back and made me ask what happened to me.

The door creaked open, and Sarah, the pack doctor, entered with her eyes widened when she saw me sitting up.

"Luna Raven, you’re awake," she said softly, moving to my bedside.

"You need to rest."

“How long have I been here?” I demanded.

"Two days," she replied while checking my vitals.

"You collapsed from shock."

I scoffed with anger.

"No, I collapsed because my mate decided to throw me away for a beta’s daughter."

What I said didn't surprise her, but I could see pity in her eyes.

"You need to take it easy. Your body’s been through a lot..."

"I need to see Alpha Xavier," I interrupted, pushing the blankets aside and swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. My head spun, but I gripped the bedframe, forcing myself to stand.

“Luna Raven, you can’t...”

I ignored her, pulled on the thin robe beside my bed, and headed towards the door. I could still hear Sarah's protests, but they faded as I reached the hallway.

The white walls closed around me, making the space feel suffocating. My thoughts whirled, but I managed to arrive at Alpha Xavier's office. My hand trembled when I reached for the door. Doubt crept into me, but I chose to ignore it.

I opened the door without knocking and went inside. Alpha Xavier sat behind his desk, his eyes dark and brooding as they met mine. He looked stoic, but there was a flicker of guilt.

"Raven," he said, standing slowly.

“Don’t...” I cut him off and glared.

"Don’t you dare act like you care."

He moved around the desk, but I stepped back. I couldn’t bear to be near him.

"I’m sorry," he said with a rough voice.

"This isn’t how I wanted things to be."

I let out a bitter laugh, folding my arms across my chest to keep from shaking.

"Really? You didn’t want things to be like this? You didn’t want to betray me with a beta’s daughter who’s carrying your child?"

His jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with anger.

"I didn’t have a choice, Raven. The pack needs an heir. You know that."

"I know the pack needs a Luna who can lead them. And last time I checked, that’s still me."

My words came out sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care. I needed Alpha Xavier to understand how deep the betrayal cut.

"I’m not replacing you," he said, stepping closer.

"Celeste’s pregnancy..."

"Is just the beginning, Alpha Xavier," I interrupted, my voice shaking. "She’s already acting like she’s taken my place. Do you honestly think this end with her just giving you a child? She wants everything."

He was silent, and his gaze dropped to the floor. I could see the conflict in his eyes and the weight of his decisions pressed on him. But none of it mattered to me now.

"I never wanted to hurt you," he whispered.

"But you did," I snapped.

"You broke everything we had, Alpha Xavier. You destroyed us."

His silence only fueled my rage. I moved close to him, almost shaking.

"You’ve chosen her. Maybe not officially, not yet, but we both know where this is heading."

He opened his mouth to respond, but a soft knock on the door interrupted him. We both turned as Celeste walked in... again.

"Am I interrupting?" she asked sweetly with a smirk.

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lunge at her. My wolf growled inside me, itching for a fight, but I held her back.

"Celeste," Xavier said, his tone colder now.

"Again, this isn't the time!"

"Alpha Xavier, it is!" she said, stepping further into the room.

"After all, we should be honest with each other, shouldn’t we? Luna Raven deserves to know everything. We need to stop hiding my pregnancy."

"How many times should I tell you to get out!" I hissed.

She ignored me, her eyes glinting with satisfaction.

"You’re fighting a losing battle, Luna Raven. The pack already sees me as the future. Once the baby is born, no one will care about you anymore."

"That’s enough, Celeste!" Alpha Xavier ordered.

"Why are you protecting her?" Celeste’s voice was sharp, her eyes narrowing at Alpha Xavier.

"She’s holding you back. The pack deserves better."

"You’ll never be Luna," I spat.

"You might be carrying his child, but you’ll never be me."

Her smile widened.

"You’re right. I’ll be better."

Something inside me snapped and I lunged at her. But Alpha Xavier caught me before I could reach her, pulling me back with a strength that sent me reeling.

"Raven, stop!" he shouted, holding me tightly as I struggled against him.

I froze, panting with rage, my eyes locked on Celeste still smiling.

"You’re pathetic! This pack will never follow someone as weak as you. You even collapsed by just knowing I was pregnant. Is that what you call strong?" Celeste mocked.

The words stung, but I forced myself to calm down, pulling away from Alpha Xavier’s grip.

"Get out of my way, Xavier," I said coldly.

I could feel Alpha Xavier’s eyes, but I refused to look at him nor to address and submit to him as Alpha.

"Raven..."

"I said move!" I yelled.

After a long pause, he finally stepped aside with an unreadable expression. And without another word, I stormed out of the room, my chest heaving with controlled anger.

This wasn’t over. I will make them pay.

Raven

The tension in the pack was like a storm brewing. As I walked through the grounds, it was impossible to miss the hushed whispers and the sideways glances. They were already anticipating the change soon.

I headed toward the training grounds. Warriors sparred, but all stopped when I passed. Whispers started to erupt, but they couldn't look straight at me and talked directly at me.

“Luna Raven,” a voice called.

I turned to see Connor, one of the warriors, leaning against the fence, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“Still hanging on, huh?”

I stopped but kept my voice steady.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged and stepped forward with that same arrogant look.

“Just wondering how long you’ll be around, now that Celeste’s... you know.”

My wolf stirred, but I held her back. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“I’ve earned my place to earn that title. I’m not going anywhere.”

Connor chuckled, crossing his arms.

“This pack needs more than just loyalty, Luna Raven. It needs a future. Celeste’s giving them that.”

His words hit like a slap, but I kept my voice cold.

“I’ve given them strength. Leadership. What have you done?”

“Loyalty only goes so far. Without an heir, what’s left to secure the pack’s future?”

Before I could respond, Luka, one of the councils, appeared, ending the confrontation.

“Connor, that’s enough!”

Connor hesitated but nodded to Luka. He walked away but sneered at me.

Luka turned to me and softly said, “Come on... walk with me.”

We silently walked toward the woods. Once we were deep in the trees, Luka looked around and then finally spoke.

“The pack’s worried, Luna Raven. They’re questioning things.”

“They’re questioning me,” I replied, hiding my frustration.

Luka nodded.

“They’re restless. They see the pregnancy and think it’s what the pack needs—a guarantee.”

“So, they’re ready to throw me aside because I haven’t given them a child?”

“It’s not that simple. It’s not personally about you. It’s about tradition. Legacy. The pack wanted stability, and they see that in Celeste’s child.”

“So, everything I’ve done means nothing?”

“It does matter. But you need to remind them of why you’re Luna. You can’t let this consume you. You have to show them your strength.”

“But I don’t know how,” I admitted, feeling a knot in my chest.

“Every day, they see her. The pregnancy was all they cared about. They are all excited about it.”

“They care about more than that. Being Luna is more than giving the Alpha an heir. Show them what they’re risking if they turn against you.”

His words hit home. I had been so consumed by Celeste’s pregnancy that I’d forgotten my strength. I was among those who were a good strategist.

“You’re right. I’ve been letting this control me. I had lost my focus.”

Luka gave a small nod.

"Good. Because the pack needs you, whether they realize it or not. You just need to remind them,” he said and smiled.

As we walked back, the tension weighing on me started to ease. But as we reached the edge of the woods, a familiar scent of pine mixed with earth hit me.

Alpha Xavier.

I froze, spotting him talking to Celeste. They were standing close, their voices low, but I could hear fragments of their conversation as I approached.

“Stop worrying about her. Can't you see everything falling into place now?” Celeste said softly but with confidence.

“Once the baby’s here, things will be different. You'll see that it was the best decision you ever made because the pack would be happy. After all, like you said, the pack is the most important. And you will forget about Raven. You could cast her away easily because she will not be useful to you.”

Alpha Xavier’s voice was quieter, but there was tension in it.

“It’s not that simple, Celeste. Raven is my mate. She had supported me and the pack for five years. She is in pain, and I understood that. But I cannot just abandon her. She is still part of the pack.”

Celeste stepped closer, her hand brushing his arm.

“For the pack. For our child. It’s the right thing to do, even if it's harsh for her. She is just one person, Alpha Xavier. What is losing one against losing the entire pack.”

I stopped, and my heart pounded. They hadn’t seen me, but their words cut deep. I turned and walked away before they could notice me. Luka rushed after me, preventing another confrontation.

“Now’s not the time to confront them,” he warned quietly.

“I know,” I muttered, my mind racing. But it didn’t mean I would stand back and let Celeste take everything.

As we neared the packhouse, a plan started forming. But as I reached the steps, something or someone caught my eye. A figure stepped out of the shadows, watching me closely. It was Cassandra, one of the pack’s healers.

“Luna Raven,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I slowed, confusion creeping in.

“Cassandra? What is it?”

Cassandra didn't respond. She was a shy girl but an excellent healer. She easily learned anything that you teach her. However, because of her shyness and jealousy of others, she often gets bullied.

"Do you need help, Cassandra?" I asked, concerned.

Her expression was calm, but her eyes were sharp and focused. She seemed upset and sad.

“We need to talk.”

There was something in her tone that made my heart race. I glanced around to make sure no one was nearby. Luka had left, and we were the only ones left.

“What is it?” I asked again, keeping my voice steady despite the growing unease.

She stepped closer, her voice dropping lower.

“It’s about Celeste. There’s something you need to know.”

My blood ran cold.

“What?” I whispered, my heart pounding as dread settled in.

Cassandra hesitated, and her eyes darting around once more. Then she leaned in, her voice barely audible.

“She’s been lying. About the baby.”