That night Dominic didn’t return home, instead Beta Jayden showed up with a bouquet of freshly plucked flowers.
“Luna…. Alpha has sent these for you. Like always.”
I looked at the dark red roses, and my mind instantly flooded with the memories of the night when I took a dagger to save Dominic from a rogue attack, the night he finally turned to me, accepted the bond, and made me his Luna.
Kneeling under the moonlight, red roses pressed to his chest he had vowed solemnly:
"Elara, I cannot promise you love. My heart still belongs to Amelia. But I will give you roses every single day so you never forget…you are my true mate, and I will protect you."
I believed that was enough. That if I let him carve pieces out of me…my dignity, my body, my children and smiled through it all… one day he would finally look at me.
My lashes quivered as I touched the petals almost absentmindedly before a thorn pierced my finger, making me stagger back as if burned.
"Throw them in the trash." I said, turning away.
My love for Dominic flickered dangerously, like a candle on its last breath before extinguishing completely.
“Beta Jayden.” My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper as I lifted my bloodshot eyes to meet his. “Five years ago, I saved your family, so answer me now.”
“Your loyalty… is it to the Blood Moon Pack… or to me?”A heavy silence followed as he hesitated before finally answering.
“You, Luna.” A faint smile touched my lips, broken and hollow.
“Good…..Prepare for the pack severance bond. Send my message to the werewolf council that I am going to reject Dominic four days from now.”
The color drained from his face. “Rejection? Luna, you can’t! Also, if you sever your bond with the Blood Moon Pack, you will be cast out and become a rogue!”
I didn’t flinch, replying calmly.
“Then let it be….I will take my sons and leave this pack for good.”
Jayden left without another word. The door clicking shut as I sat alone in the darkness, hand pressed to my empty womb, the scent of roses choking the air until I finally closed my eyes.
The next day, my eyes fluttered open to small hands pressing against my forehead.
"Is mommy sick?" my eldest son Alec, whispered worriedly.
For a fleeting second, my heart lurched as I bent instinctively, arms opening to pull him to my chest. "I-I am fine, don’t worry about me-”
“That’s good.” Alec cut in quickly. “If Mommy keeps acting sick, how will she take care of Auntie Amelia?”
My hands froze mid-air, eyes widening as the warmth in them shattered instantly.
“W-What did you say?” My voice came weak as I quivered, praying that I heard it wrong.
“Mom, you shouldn’t lie uselessly.” Leo said innocently, his tone unusually serious for a child. “Auntie just woke up. The healer said she needs a clean, quiet place, so hurry up and clean dad’s room of all your things!”
Alec nodded quickly, tugging at his brother’s sleeve as he looked at me with bright, expectant eyes.
“Yes! Mom it will be better if you move to the storage room beside our nursery, that way, when we need you, you can come quickly!”
Each word landed softly yet it struck me like thousands of needles were prickling my skin.
“Leave.” I swallowed against the rawness in my throat as my fingers curled sharply at my sides.
The children scowled turning away before shutting the door with a loud bang.
In the past, my two sons lovingly fought over me like I was their sun: who got the first morning kiss, who made the best Mother's Day card, who got to curl up in my lap.
I used to laugh at their silly antics before scooping them both into my arms and reassure dotingly- “Mommy loves you both! Stop fighting.”
Now their eyes held no love, only disdain.
The door hadn't even fully closed behind them when Dominic walked inside, setting his cufflinks slowly in the mirror.
“Amelia is coming back in two days, make sure you prepare all her favorite dishes. Its her special welcoming party so don’t wear something too loud.”
When I didn’t move, didn’t rush to him like I always did, his fingers stilled mid-motion.
Only then did he seem to notice me.
Walking towards me he gently pressed his palm against my forehead, checking my temperature.
“Are you still sick?" My eyes locked with his.
For a long moment, I just stared at the man who had once held my hand through twelve hours of labor, sweat on his brow, tears in his eyes. "I wish I could suffer the pain instead of you Elara." he had whispered then.
Gone was that boy who fretted over my papercuts. The bestfriend who filled my lap with hundreds of chocolates to just stop me from crying, was long buried under the ‘Alpha’ title.
If not him..then who else could have poisoned my children’s mind drop by drop until our bond was nothing but a hollow shell.
Dominic frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
I didn't answer, making him sigh. “Elara..is this about yesterday? I am glad that you didn’t throw a tantrum and just gave up the crown.”
He studied me for a moment, then his voice softened. Almost gentle.
“It's good that you are being obedient like this. Don’t worry, if you continue to be reasonable, I will make sure you lack nothing. You will have a place in this pack. The children will visit you and no one would cast you out.
Once Amelia recovers and understands the…circumstances, I will give the Luna position back to you.”
It was then he leaned down without a warning and pressed his lips to mine as if reassuring me.
The instant his mouth touched my skin, revulsion crawled through me like thousands of insects squirming under my flesh.
The sounds of those lewd moans detonated in my head with full force as bile rose my throat. I gagged, scurrying away instantly.
Dominic’s eyes deepened with meaning.
“You….don’t tell me you got pregnant again?”
