Chapter 1:The Test
975 Words
Celeste's POV
The two pink lines stared back at me like an accusation.
I gripped the edge of the bathroom sink, my knuckles turning white. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not like this.
From the bedroom next door, Vera's giggle pierced through the thin wall. "Garrett, stop! Someone might hear us!"
My mate's deep chuckle followed. "Let them hear. I don't care anymore."
The pregnancy test slipped from my fingers, clattering against the marble floor. I quickly picked it up, shoving it into my pocket. My hands shook as I splashed cold water on my face.
Three years. Three years of being Garrett's mate, and he'd never once touched me. Never marked me. Never even kissed me properly. But Vera? She'd been in his bed since the day we completed our mating ceremony.
Another wave of nausea hit me. I barely made it to the toilet before throwing up. Morning sickness, the pack doctor had called it when I'd gone to her in secret last week. She'd confirmed what I already suspected, I was six weeks pregnant.
The bedroom door slammed next door. Garrett's footsteps thundered down the hall. He never used our bedroom anymore. Hadn't in two years.
I wiped my mouth and stood on shaky legs. How did this even happen? We'd only been together once, eight weeks ago during his rut. He'd been so out of control that his wolf had taken over. For one night, I'd thought everything would change. That he'd finally accept me.
The next morning, he'd looked at me with such disgust. "This never happened," he'd said. "My wolf went crazy. It meant nothing."
But it had meant something. The proof was growing inside me.
I walked to my small room at the end of the hall. As the pack healer, I could have had better quarters. But Garrett insisted I stay in the Beta wing, in the smallest room available. "To keep up appearances," he'd said.
My phone buzzed. A text from my assistant at the pack hospital: "Luna, don't forget about tonight's anniversary dinner. The Alpha expects everything perfect."
Tonight. Our third anniversary. I'd spent weeks planning it, hoping maybe this time Garrett would see me. Really see me.
I pulled out the test again, staring at those two lines. Should I tell him tonight? Maybe a pup would change things. Maybe he'd finally let go of Vera and accept our bond.
My wolf, Silver, whined in my head. "He won't care. You know he won't."
"He has to," I whispered back. "It's his pup."
I heard footsteps approaching my door. My heart jumped. Garrett?
The door opened without a knock. It was him, but his face was cold as always.
"The dinner is at seven," he said, not meeting my eyes. "Wear something decent. Important people will be there."
"Garrett, I need to tell you something.. "
"Not now, Celeste. I'm busy." He turned to leave, then paused. "And do something about your appearance. You look sick."
The door closed with a soft click. I pressed my hand to my stomach. Our pup deserved better than this. Better than a father who couldn't stand to look at me.
I spent the afternoon at the pack hospital, throwing myself into work. Healing others helped me forget my own pain. A young wolf had broken his leg during training. An elder needed treatment for her arthritis. Simple problems with simple solutions.
"Luna Celeste?" A small voice called.
I turned to see Emma, a ten-year-old orphan from the pack. She held out a bandaged hand.
"What happened, sweetie?" I knelt beside her.
"I cut it helping in the kitchen. They're preparing something big for tonight."
I carefully unwrapped the bandage. The cut was deep but clean. As I worked to heal it, Emma chattered.
"Everyone's talking about the anniversary dinner. They say Beta Garrett has a big announcement." She smiled at me. "Maybe he'll finally mark you! Wouldn't that be romantic?"
My stomach twisted. "Maybe."
After Emma left, I couldn't focus. A big announcement? Garrett hadn't mentioned anything to me.
At six o'clock, I returned to my room to prepare. I chose a simple blue dress that hid my slightly swollen belly. Looking in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. Dark circles shadowed my eyes. My strawberry blonde hair had lost its shine. Three years of rejection had worn me down to nothing.
"You're still beautiful," Silver insisted.
"Beautiful enough?" I asked.
She didn't answer.
The pack hall was decorated perfectly. White roses and silver ribbons everywhere. The cake I'd ordered sat on the main table, three tiers of perfection. Pack members filled the room, all dressed in their finest clothes.
But something was wrong. They weren't looking at me with celebration. They looked... guilty? Pitying?
Garrett stood at the front of the room, wearing his best suit. For a moment, my heart fluttered. He looked so handsome.
Then I saw her.
Vera stood beside him in a stunning red dress that clung to every curve. Her hand was linked with his.
"Thank you all for coming," Garrett's voice boomed across the hall. "I have an announcement to make."
He pulled something from his pocket. A small velvet box.
No. No, no, no.
"Vera Daniels," he said, dropping to one knee. "You are my chosen mate. Will you marry me?"
The room gasped. Or maybe that was just me. The pregnancy test in my pocket felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.
Vera squealed, "Yes! Yes, of course!"
And then, as if things couldn't get worse, Garrett stood and pulled out an envelope. He walked straight to me, his eyes finally meeting mine. But there was no warmth there. Only cold determination.
"Celeste Winters," he said loud enough for everyone to hear, "I, Garrett Storm, Beta of the Silver Moon Pack, hereby reject you as my mate."
- Writer
