I do not want to be the one putting two and two together in case whatever this is is not the truth, I thought as I was walking down to where the pack was celebrating.
No jumping to conclusions here, I said repeatedly, consoling myself as if that would reduce the weight pressing on my neck.
There was a massive bonfire; some people were dancing, and some were just drinking alcohol, the celebration was in full swing. I was supposed to be the one celebrating the most, but celebrating eluded me in this moment.
Pack mother Mira was the one carrying my baby; they would name him tonight and I needed to be there when they were naming him.
She had come to me earlier in the day to see my baby; she's one of those that I loved in this pack, she is kind and protective of every woman in the pack, werewolf or not. There's something about her presence that makes me feel safe and heard.
Helen was beside her, smiling gently as she adjusted my baby's covering.
I looked around; my husband was nowhere in sight. A strange tightness formed in my throat, but I swallowed it down immediately.
I walked to meet Pack mother Mira, immediately she saw me, her face softened into a warm smile, she handed my baby carefully to Helen before giving me a massive hug.
I wonder why her hug was prompting tears from my eyes, but I swallowed it down.
No tears.
Today is a day of joy and celebration.
"All hail the Luna of the Valemont pack," she said at the top of her voice.
The pack clapped and hooted in response. The sounds should have reassured me or even made me happy, but no, I still feel worried.
She hugged me once more, "there will be a celebration in seven days for the official Luna presentation. I know you must be happy right now; I am also happy for you." She meant it; I heard it in her voice, she was one of those few people I told my story to; after all, she was the one that employed me here.
Oh, how I wish I were happy! I do not even know how to feel right now; I am supposed to be happy but I can't deny the fact that things do not seem right.
"It is time to name the heir; we can't name him without the alpha," Pack mother Mira said, "where is your husband?" She frowned faintly, looking around.
Seems like she's the only innocent person in this pack, because it was obvious she didn't know what was going on.
Not like I have grasped the full detail, either. My eyes swept across the gathering looking for possible places my husband could be, but he was still nowhere in sight.
"Let's dance..." she cuts in, "you know you will dance at the luna presentation ceremony; what better time to practice it?" She inserted herself with cheers and chuckles.
She moved me to where people were dancing the local folk dance of the pack while my eyes were still searching desperately for that familiar figure, that tall and huge figure that has taken over my every thought.
We were dancing together; I was mainly following her steps.
I was enjoying it until I heard the two girls near me discussing; one said, "have you heard that Lady Serena is back to the pack?"
The other replied, "oh, yes, I know; the Alpha has an heir now; it's time for her to take her rightful place."
My body stiffened; even the Pack Mother noticed it, she immediately snapped at the both of them and they scrambled away.
She turned to me; my face had turned ashen, for the pack mother to react that way, it's probably true.
"Don't pay attention to gossip." She told me.
"Excuse me." I just needed to get away; I needed to be alone. I hate that I am in the dark; everyone knows something apart from me.
"Listen to me..." she lifted my chin lightly. "our Alpha is not unwise; he knows you are the best thing to ever happen to him, not that selfish girl and you need to trust him to make the right decision."
I nodded in reply, because what else could I do? So I excused myself respectfully; I needed to find my husband; he has some explaining to do.
I started looking for him in the midst of the crowd. I walked around for some minutes; I was beginning to feel tired but I pushed on.
Some pack members looked at me weirdly; I could only roll my eyes inwardly.
I asked some of his friends; none of them answered well; most of them deflected.
My guts told me something was wrong but I kept going.
Then I saw another of his friends, the one that made it obvious she didn't like me; she is a close friend of Serena.
Hating me now makes sense.
"Hi Jen, have you seen my husband?" I asked her.
"Why are you looking for him when you know the love of his life has come back, of course they are together," she spat.
Her voice sounded like venom.
"Excuse me," I inhaled slowly, trying to keep the anger in me in check.
"Lady Serena was here for a while now; he had gone to see her off minutes ago, so walk to the gate; you might see them there." She was speaking with hatred.
Without answering her, I walked to the gate. Serena had traveled barely a year into our marriage, so I had known her for close to two years before she disappeared. I did not ask anyone about her disappearance because, obviously, I did not care.
I walked to the gate praying silently that he was not with her and they had all been lying.
Or that the pack mother was the only one saying the truth.
I kept walking to the gate; the whole place was quiet because, obviously, everyone was celebrating, waiting for their heir to be named.
I saw two figures in the dark in an embrace. "lord help me, please don't let it be my husband," I prayed silently as I walked closer to them.
If I were a werewolf, I would have been able to see them and hear what they were saying.
But these two did not look like they were talking.
As I stepped closer, I saw Serena's sea-green eyeballs look at me; she had definitely seen me.
She kissed my husband and he framed her face as he kissed her back.
My world shattered beneath the moonlight.
