Pregnant and Rejected

Life at the Silver Moon Pack felt like a dream come true. Far from the royal halls I once knew, yes, but the warmth and love I shared with Armand made every sacrifice worthwhile. From the moment I first laid eyes on Armand, the mate bond struck me like a lightning bolt, an undeniable force that pulled us together with an intensity I had never experienced before. I remember that day vividly. How our gazes locked across the crowded room, igniting a connection that left me breathless. The world around us faded, and all that remained was the electric current of our mate bond. In that instant, nothing else mattered. I felt as if I had known him my entire life, like he was the missing piece of my soul. My father, the Lycan King, had cut me off the day I left to be with my mate. He had hoped for a strong alliance through my marriage, envisioning me united with someone of noble Lycan blood who could support our family’s power. Instead, I chose a life among werewolves, a decision that he viewed as weak and rebellious. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that while I felt loved and accepted here, I had lost everything I had once known and loved. Yet here I was, with a new life, about to become the Luna of Armand's pack. Armand was the Alpha of the strongest warewolf pack, yet he still fell short in my father’s eyes. A fact that gnawed at me despite my happiness here. Tomorrow, the pack would gather for our wedding and my Luna ceremony. Today, the grand hall was buzzing with final preparations. I stood among the colourful decorations and the sweet scent of fresh flowers, adjusting garlands and bouquets with Selene, Armand’s sister, who was planning her own wedding to Armand's Beta Marcus. She laughed beside me, her joy as infectious as it was genuine. “This is going to be perfect,” Selene said, a bright smile lighting up her face as she adjusted the garland on the table. “Marcus and I are so excited. And I know Armand is, too. He’s been looking forward to the wedding and your Luna ceremony for weeks.” I laughed, picking up a bouquet that needed a little rearranging. “He’s probably more excited to have me officially recognized as his Luna than I am,” I teased. “He’s been such a stickler for tradition lately.” Selene grinned, her green eyes sparkling. “Well, Armand has always been one for tradition, hasn’t he? I can only imagine what he’s like behind closed doors, obsessing over every little detail.” “Obsessing is putting it lightly,” I said with a playful eye roll. “I caught him reading up on ancient Luna rituals again this morning. He’s convinced we need to perform some blessing under the full moon, or else the ceremony won’t be complete.” She burst into laughter. “That sounds like my brother, all right. Marcus is the complete opposite. He said that as long as we get married before the sun sets, he’ll consider it a success.” “Sounds like a much more relaxed approach,” I said, smiling. “But I suppose Armand just wants everything to be perfect… for us.” Selene’s smile softened, and she reached over to touch my hand. “You know, I’ve never seen him so happy. I think you’ve brought out the best in him, Amelia.” Her words warmed my heart, and I found myself momentarily speechless, feeling the joy of the life I’d built here. It wasn’t always easy, but moments like this reminded me why it was worth it. “I’m glad to hear that,” I finally said, a little breathless. “Because I have a surprise for Armand tonight at the cabin.” I dropped my voice to a whisper as if sharing a treasured secret. “I’m pregnant. I’m going to tell him tonight.” Selene’s eyes widened, and she let out a squeal of delight, pulling me into a tight hug. “That’s wonderful news! He’s going to be over the moon!” We bounced together in excitement, giddy over the new life I carried. As our joy settled, a small pang of guilt stirred within me. Maybe I should have told Armand first. After all, he was my mate. But Selene had become more than just a sister-in-law—she was my confidante, my closest friend. “I know I should’ve told him first,” I admitted sheepishly. “But you’re the first one I wanted to tell.” Selene squeezed my hands. “Don’t worry, Amelia. This moment is yours to share however you want. Besides,” she added with a grin, “I’m great at keeping secrets. My lips are sealed until you’re ready to tell everyone.” Relief washed over me. “Thank you, Selene. I can only imagine how he’ll react.” “Oh, I have a feeling he’ll be completely and utterly speechless,” she said, her eyes gleaming. “But I’ll be here if you need to celebrate or help calm him down!” The two burst into giggles over Armand's extreme emotions and reactions. After a final hug, I excused myself to prepare for tonight. Back in our shared room, I carefully chose one of Armand’s favourite dresses, a deep saphire blue that accentuated my figure and made my skin glow. I slipped it on, feeling beautiful and confident, my long silver hair cascading in soft waves down my back. I applied a touch of makeup to highlight the sparkle in my turquoise eyes, knowing that tonight would be a moment I’d cherish forever. Once ready, I sat at the small writing desk, penning a note inviting Armand to meet me at our cabin on the edge of the forest. It was our special private sanctuary where we’d shared our deepest connection, away from the eyes of the pack. Leaving the note on the bed where I knew he’d find it, I picked up the basket of treats prepared for us and set off, excitement bubbling within me. I stepped out of the pack house just as the sun dipped low, casting a warm, golden light over the Silver Star land. The sky was a blend of deep oranges and purples, making the meadows and trees glow in the fading light. The air was cool, filled with earthy scents from the forest and a hint of smoke from a distant fire. As I walked, I reflected on the beauty and charm of my new home. The Silver Star pack lands are worlds away from the castle that I grew up in. Here everything is open and alive. Instead of stone, marble, and manicured gardens, there are fields of wildflowers, clear streams, and endless woods under an open sky. It was raw, natural, and free. This place felt like it was part of me, grounding and real in ways the castle never could be. As I neared the cabin, the moon cast its silver light across the forest, illuminating the path ahead with a dim glow. An unsettling sensation washed over me. It was a burning tightness in my chest and an ache deep in my gut that took my breath away. Pushing forward, the cabin came into eyeshot, flickering candlelight spilled from the window, casting eerie shadows that danced on the ground. Armand was supposed to be away at a council meeting for at least another hour. Who would dare enter our personal cabin, especially when it was off-limits to other pack members? A fleeting thought crossed my mind. Could it be Roughes, one of the more reckless members of our pack? But I quickly dismissed that idea; our patrols would have discovered any intruders. With every step, uncertainty swirled within me, thickening the air around me. What was going on inside? My instincts urged me to approach cautiously. A knot of apprehension tightened in my stomach. I was about to be Luna, a position of respect and authority. Should I knock? Burst in? My mind raced with possibilities, each more alarming than the last, and my heartbeat echoed like thunder in the silence of the night. The burning sensation in my chest intensified, radiating through my abdomen. I steeled myself, the moonlight glimmering off my skin as I peered through the window, desperate for answers. I spotted Armand inside through the window. He must have arrived back early from the council meeting. But confusion lingered. How had he beaten me here? I was sure I would have seen him on the path. Just as I started forward, a flicker of movement caught my eye. Armand wasn’t alone. My breath caught in my throat. He wasn’t even fully clothed. And then, stepping fully into view, was a woman. She was stunning, with raven-black hair cascading down her back and skin so pale it seemed to glow in the candlelight. She moved with a graceful, deliberate confidence, her hands resting on his bare shoulders, holding him close, as if he belonged to her. I froze, my mind scrambling to understand what I was seeing. Armand’s hands gripped her waist, anchoring her to him with a possessiveness that stole the air from my lungs. The woman leaned forward, her lips finding his neck. He tilted his head to allow her better access, closing his eyes as a low groan escaped his lips. Her lips grazed his skin with desire, and he embraced her, lost in a passion that should have been reserved only for me. My heart pounded as I watched, horrified, feeling every fibre of my being scream in rejection at what was unfolding. Then, with a single motion, the woman bared her fangs. They were sharp, gleaming weapons—and sank them into his neck. The shock and pain tore through me as though her fangs had pierced my own skin. Vampires were our enemies, the bane of every wolf’s existence, and yet here was Armand, giving himself willingly, his hands drawing her closer instead of fighting back. A low, satisfied sigh escaped his lips, a sound of pure pleasure that ripped through my soul. I realized then that the searing ache burning through my chest, the twisting pain in my gut, was the pain of betrayal. My vision blurred as I watched him surrender to her bite, his expression a mixture of rapture and longing I had stupidly thought was reserved only for me. The man I loved, the man that I had planned a life, gave up everything for was revelling in the touch of our most forbidden enemy. My wolf whimpered within me, her pain echoing my own. She felt the betrayal as much as I did, recoiling from the sight of her mate entwined in a vampire’s deadly embrace. She begged to take over and rip into them both. My hand instinctively clutched my abdomen, feeling the faint presence of life. I tied a strong chain around my wolf, refusing to shift. I would not risk any injury to my child. Tears stung my eyes, my breath catching in ragged gasps. My heart hammered against my ribs, each beat resonating with the betrayal that clawed through me. Every fibre of my being, every thread of my bond to him, was tearing apart. In that moment, I knew that my dream life with Armand had suddenly turned into a heartbreaking nightmare.