The Alpha's Rejected Pregnant Luna

Chapter 3: The trespasser

Zane's POV

Blood. The scent hit me before I saw her.

I'd been patrolling the borders personally tonight, too restless to sleep. The rain made tracking harder, but not impossible. Someone had crossed into my territory ten minutes ago. The trail led here, to a massive pine tree.

She was curled beneath it, so small I almost missed her in the darkness. Her blue dress was soaked with rain and blood. Too much blood.

"Sam," I called through the mind link. "Get Doctor Hayes to the pack hospital. Right now."

"On it, Alpha. What's wrong?"

"We have a situation."

I knelt beside the girl, carefully turning her over. She was young, maybe in her twenties. Strawberry blonde hair stuck to her pale face. Her lips were turning blue.

But it was the scent that made me freeze. Pregnancy hormones mixed with rejection sickness. She was carrying a pup and had been recently rejected. The combination was lethal.

"Please... save my pup..."

Her eyes fluttered open for just a moment. Amber, like warm honey. Then she went limp again.

I didn't hesitate. Gathering her in my arms, I ran as fast as I could.

She weighed almost nothing, like holding a broken bird. The blood trail she left would attract rogues soon. We needed to move fast.

My pack house came into view, lights blazing. Sam waited at the entrance with Doctor Hayes.

"Operating room," Hayes ordered after one look. "She's hemorrhaging badly."

I laid her on the operating table, stepping back to let Hayes work. But I couldn't leave. Something about this girl...

"Rejected while pregnant," Hayes muttered, hooking up IVs. "Barbaric. The incomplete bond is tearing her apart."

"Can you save them?" The question came out harsher than intended.

"I'll try. But Alpha... she smells like Silver Moon Pack."

Silver Moon. Garrett Storm's pack. His father was a snake, always pushing boundaries. Is that why she ran here? Did she know my reputation would keep them from following?

"Alpha, you should know," Sam said quietly, "Beta Storm announced his engagement tonight. To someone else."

The puzzle pieces clicked. This girl was Garrett's mate. He'd rejected her while she carried his pup, publicly humiliated her.

"The fool," I growled.

Hayes worked for two hours. I stayed, pacing the room like a caged animal. Why did I care? She was just another refugee. But something about her pulled at me.

"There," Hayes finally said, exhausted. "She's stable. The pup too, though it's still early. She needs rest and proper care."

"She stays," I decided. "Put her in the guest wing."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Boss, she's a trespasser. Pack law says…"

"I know what it says." My voice dropped dangerously. "She stays."

I watched them move her to a bed, attaching monitoring equipment. In sleep, she looked peaceful despite everything she'd endured.

Her hand rested on her stomach protectively, even unconscious. A mother defending her young.

"Find out everything about her," I ordered Sam. "But quietly."

Morning came too quickly. I was in my office when she woke, her panicked heartbeat echoing through the pack house.

I made my way to her room, stopping outside the door. Through the crack, I could see her trying to sit up.

"Careful," I said, entering. "You almost died last night."

She froze, those amber eyes wide with fear. "Alpha Frost."

"You know who I am."

"Everyone knows who you are." Her voice was weak but steady. "You kill trespassers."

I moved closer, noting how she didn't cower. Interesting. "You bled all over my border. Getting blood out of pine needles is impossible."

Confusion flickered across her face. Was that... a joke?

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'll leave. Just... please. Let me go. I won't trouble you."

"You're in no condition to leave. Doctor's orders." I sat in the chair beside her bed. "What's your name?"

"Celeste."

"Full name."

"Celeste Winters."

"The Silver Moon pack healer." It wasn't a question. I'd heard of her. Talented, they said. Mated to the Beta who treated her like dirt.

Her hand moved to her stomach. "My pup?"

"Alive. You both are, somehow."

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. You're a trespasser in my territory. There's a price for my protection."

Fear flashed in her eyes, but also determination. "What do you want?"

I leaned back, studying her. The plan formed instantly, perfect in its simplicity.

"I need a Luna."

She blinked. "What?"

"Not real," I clarified. "A contract. One year. You pretend to be my mate, I protect you and your pup."

"Why would you…"

"My ex, Thea, won't accept we're over. The pack council agrees with her. They want me mated by winter. You need protection. I need a fake mate. We both win."

She stared at me like I'd grown two heads. "You want me to pretend to be your Luna? I'm pregnant with another man's pup!"

"Perfect cover story. Everyone will think it's mine."

"That's insane."

"That's survival." I stood. "Think about it. Your choice. Stay and accept my deal, or leave and face whatever waits outside. The choice is yours"

I headed for the door, then paused. "Oh, and Celeste? Garrett Storm has already told everyone you're dead. That you bled out at the border. So really, where else can you go?"

Her sharp intake of breath followed me out.

I'd just offered her salvation with strings attached.

Question was, would she be desperate enough to take it?