The Betrayed Luna

Hana's POV "Why won't you trust me?" I wailed, my words shaking with indignation as angry tears poured down my face. Dave's gaze flamed with anger as he glared at me, teeth clenched together. "Trust you?" he snarled, his tone a guttural growl. "You think I'd trust a Luna who tried to kill my mate—and our baby? My heart broke. His words cut deeper than any knife could ever. "I didn't do it, Dave!" I begged, moving closer in spite of the anger emanating from him. "I love you. I would never hurt Monica. I would never hurt a child—yours or anybody else's." Monica, who stood beside Dave like a snake in satin, had a smug look on her face that infuriated me. She held her belly like a trophy and leaned against Dave. "She's lying," she said with a smooth voice, full of feigned innocence. "She's just trying to save herself. I saw her—beside my plate that evening. She had something in her hand." I gazed at her in amazement. "That's a lie! I wasn't anywhere near your plate, Monica. You're spinning everything around—like you always do—to steal everything from me!" Dave's eyes flicked back and forth between us, conflicted. His fists bunched up at his sides. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't believe Monica?" he snarled, every word that fell from his lips hard and loaded. "Because she always resented me!" I screamed, no longer able to keep the flames bottled up. "She's manipulated you, Dave, and you don't even realize it!" Around us, murmurs traveled through the court like a ripple of suspicion. Pack members talked behind their hands, their faces furrowed with uncertainty. I could feel their censure like knives pressed against my skin. Panicked, I clutched at Dave and pulled on his arm. "Please, Dave—listen to me." He ripped his arm from my grasp as if I'd burned him. His gaze spat with revulsion. "Don't touch me with those disgusting hands," he spat. "We both know what you've done, Hana. You've attempted to murder my heir. My child. How dare you? "I swear, Dave," I said, dropping to my knees in front of him. "I didn't poison anything. You know me. You know I wouldn't do that!" But the court was unforgiving. Unforgiving. Some pointed fingers, others whispered "murderer," their eyes sparkling with glee. They didn't want to believe I was innocent. It was simpler to despise me. Monica had everything—charm, pretended innocence, flawless curves, and a mouth that could make lies look like the truth. And she used it all against me. At her baby shower, I was accused of trying to poison her food—because allegedly I was jealous. And perhaps I was jealous. Who wouldn't be, aware that their own mate hosted a party for another woman who was pregnant with his child? Especially when I'd been married to him for years… and never gotten pregnant. But now—now I was pregnant. Three weeks. A faint heartbeat developing inside me. But no one cared. No one believed me. I inched forward on shaking arms, holding Dave's hand. "I'm pregnant, Dave. With your baby. Can't you at least consider—" "Shut up!" he bellowed, pushing me back so hard I landed harshly on the marble floor. I gasped, shocked. His fury took my breath away. "You have some nerve to look me in the face and lie like that," he snarled. "You f*****g liar!" I was frozen. My body shook, shattered more by his words than his shove. Tears clouded my eyes as I whispered, "Would it… would it matter to you? If something happened to me? Or the baby?" There was a brief moment of stillness. Dave spun around, his face expressionless. Hope danced in my chest like a flickering candle. It was snuffed out just as soon. "Guards," Dave growled, not even turning to look at me. "Take her away to the dungeon, leave the false lying pregnant b***h there until I judge tomorrow." The agony was continuous, a searing pain that clung to me. I begged of Dave, my voice shaking, "Dave, please, I beg you!Don't toss me away like this .I know I've hurt you,but I'm begging for mercy.please forgive me." Dave's eyes drifted, a flash of consideration in them. Desperation was behind my words."I love you Dave,I didn't mean to hurt you Please, let me make it right .I'll do anything to clear my name and prove my love to gain your forgiveness." But his expression stiffened and my heart dropped."Dave,I'll vow I'll be improved. Don't reject me like this ,I can't live without you." He looked at the guards ,his mind made up."Take her belongings,burn them,and give her fifteen lashes for her disobedience." Fear clutched me as the guards moved forward,their hands prepared to grab me."No ,Dave ,please I beg you, please," I wailed out,but his face remained cold and merciless. The guards pulled me away but I couldn't help but shriek. "Dave,don't do this!I love you,please I'll do anything to make things right." The dungeon engulfed me,it's darkness echoing my sobs.Each lash stung,a physical manifestation of my shattered hopes."Dave,I'm sorry, " I whispered between gasps,hoping he could hear my plea even from a distance. As the lashes went on, my wails grow louder,the agony and the knowledge of losing him ripping my soul apart."Please, Dave forgive me!I'll bear anything just don't leave me like this!""But Dave heart remained unshaken, and with every lash my world fell apart. The ashes of.my torched belongings reflected the devastation of my dreams. The guards, unmoved by my pleas,performed their heartless task,and I held on to the hope that somehow my screams would find their way into Dave's heart. As the agony grew,so did my desperation. "I love you Dave..Our child is worth a chance at a family.Please,don't let this be our demise."I cried out in hope that he would hear me. But my entreaties fell on deaf ears,he spat on me,turned around and left and the darkness of the dungeon enfolded me,wrapping around the pieces of a love that had broken. Tears flowed down my face,a silent waterfall of grief. Amidst my despair,Monica came with a cruel grin,speaking to me from within the prison cell."Hello,Bestie,"she taunted, the words dripping in mockery. I stared at Monica with a mixture of disdain and disbelief.i could not believe she had the guts to call me bestie after the pain she had subjected me to.She was a person whom I trusted,loved,she taught me the ways of the palace,but she stole my husband and my life away from me."What do you want?"I asked my voice strained but defiant. Monica laughed, the voice ringing through the walls of the cell."I came check up on you,nothing more."she taunted enjoying in the pains she had orchestrated. "Are you certain you came here to check up on me,or is this merely another opportunity for you to gloat?"I challenge Monica ,my voice laced with bitterness and defiance. Monica laughed, the voice ringing through the air like.a warped melody. "True,because I already won."she taunted, her confidence in every harsh syllable. Lifting my head,I pinned Monica with unwavering stare."Are you sure?"l challenged myself."You and I both know that the baby is fake."