The Unclaimed Luna

Hope in the darkness

(Emma)

I woke up to a gentle knock on the door. My eyes fluttered open, and I groaned softly, still feeling the burden. of exhaustion in my bones. The last thing I wanted right now was to deal with anything, but I knew I had to. The last few hours had been a blur, and I wasn’t sure how long I had slept.

I got up and opened the door, seeing that it was Dr. Harris. He stepped in, holding a small clipboard and a bottle of something.

"How are you feeling, Emma?" he asked, his voice calm, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes.

I sat back on the bed and rubbed my face. “Tired. Mostly,” I muttered, my voice thick from sleep. "How's the pup?"

He gave a small nod, his expression softening. “Your pup is fine, for now. But I want to talk to you about your stress levels. You’ve been under a lot lately, and it’s affecting your health. You can’t keep pushing yourself like this.”

I swallowed hard, thinking about what he said. I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew he was right. I’d been pushing myself too much. The emotional stress, the constant fight inside me—it was all building, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could handle it.

He moved closer and handed me the bottle, the label marked with a prescription I didn't care to read. "These will help ease your stress and help you relax. But, Emma," he continued, his voice firm but gentle, "you need to take better care of yourself. If you keep stressing like this, it could put your pregnancy at risk. The pup needs you to stay calm. Please, take it seriously."

I nodded, my throat tight as I swallowed against the lump that formed there. "I’ll try," I said, not sure if I really could.

Dr. Harris seemed to sense my hesitation and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I know this is hard for you, but you're strong. Just… don't let everything overwhelm you. We’ll get through this, okay?"

I forced a smile, though it felt strained. "Thanks, Dr. Harris."

He gave me a nod, his concern still clear. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to mind link me. And please, get some rest. I’m going to check in with you tomorrow.”

After he left, I sank back into the bed, letting the silence fill the room. I couldn’t ignore the feeling of heaviness that settled on me.

I couldn’t get the images of Darius out of my head—the kiss, the control, the arrogance. Lauren, who he is in love with. It was all too much. And now, with the added pressure of my pregnancy, it felt like I was drowning in everything.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself, but the anger was still there. It didn’t go away just because I tried to breathe through it. My wolf shifted inside me, her presence warm but restless.

‘Emma, you need to calm down,’ she said, her voice in my mind like a soft growl.

I let out a long breath, rubbing my face. ‘I know, Lyra. It’s just… everything. I don’t know how much longer I can keep pretending everything’s fine. He kissed me, and I felt like it was just another way for him to control me. I’m not sure what to do anymore.’

Lyra’s voice was firm but understanding. ‘You know you’re not weak, right? He doesn’t control you. You’re the one who decides what happens next. He doesn’t get to dictate your life, and especially not your feelings.’

I flinched at the thought. ‘I know that. I know I should stand up for myself. But I feel like I’ve been fighting for so long. I can’t keep doing it, not with everything else going on.’

‘You’re not alone in this. I’m with you, Emma. We’ll get through it together. Just don’t give in to the anger. It’s eating at you, and it’s not helping.’

Her words were comforting, but the truth behind them hurts. She was right. I couldn’t let the anger control me, not when it could harm my pup. I needed to be stronger, not just for me, but for them.

‘I just don’t know how to let go of it,’ I admitted.

‘You don’t have to let it go all at once. Just take it one step at a time. I’m here, and I won’t let you fall,’ Lyra assured me.

I felt a tear slip down my cheek, though I hadn’t meant for it to. ‘I’m so tired, Lyra. I’m tired of feeling like I’m fighting against everything and everyone. I’m tired of being alone in this.’

‘You’re not alone,’ she repeated, her voice softer now. ‘You never were. You just have to remember that. And you need to take care of yourself. For the pup. For us.’

I closed my eyes again, focusing on my breathing, trying to find some peace. I needed to stop being so hard on myself, to stop thinking I had to do it all alone. I had Lyra, I had my pup, and that was enough. For now, that had to be enough.

But that didn’t mean I had an answer for what to do with Darius. He had crossed a line. I wasn’t going to let him think he could control me. I wasn’t going to let him think I was just going to fall into line because of some bond.

The silence was almost comforting, but my thoughts kept going back to him and Lauren. I couldn’t escape it, not completely. Every time I thought I had a handle on it, my mind would take me back to that kiss, that moment when he thought he could just claim me.

Lyra’s voice was there again. ‘Don’t waste your energy on them. They don't deserve your thoughts. They don't deserve to take up space in your mind. You’re better than that. Focus on you. Focus on us.’

I wasn’t going to let him control me. And if he came back, I’d make sure he knew that once and for all.