The Betrayed Luna

Chapter 4. Meeting Him

Stephen's POV. "You bought me a what?" I thundered, my voice slicing through the thick silence of the office like a knife. The words bounced off the walls, cold and harsh, as I glared at Roy—my Beta, my second-in-command, the man who knew better than to cross certain boundaries. And yet here he was, maddeningly serene, as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb in the center of my life."A breeder," he said again, voice infuriatingly even, as if repeating it somehow eased the insult. As if this was normal. As if this was acceptable.My hands were clenched so hard at my hips I could feel my nails gnawing crescents into my palms. The blood pounding in my ears threatened to blot out my own voice. "I think you're tired of living, Roy."He held up his hands in a soothing motion. "Alpha, just listen to me—""Considering me?" I interrupted him, the laughter that exploded from my chest humorless. "Tell me how purchasing a woman like cattle is part of this genius scheme of yours."Roy had the temerity to sigh, as if I were the unreasonable one. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away—a rare moment of awkwardness for the normally unflappable man. "I know this isn't what you want—""You're damn right it's not what I want!" I growled, pushing back from the desk so hard the chair creaked against the wood floor. I strode across the office, the fury building in my chest like a live, growling creature. "Do you even hear yourself at this moment?""You've got less than two years," he said softly, "before the curse—""I know." The word tumbled out like a whip, slicing through his words and leaving him mute.The curse. That detestable thing hovering over my life like a noose, tightening with each passing day. My lungs constricted as the old fear came flooding back. I didn't need reminders. I lived among them."I know you're holding out for your fated mate—""Then why in the hell," I turned on him, fury renewed, "would you think parading a stranger into my life like she’s some kind of consolation prize would be acceptable? You think that’s something I’d be okay with?""No," Roy confessed, his tone gruff now, remorse creeping in. "But there's no time remaining for waiting on fate. "You might still be able to leave something behind. A child. An heir. She's not anyone, Stephen. She was once a Luna. She's fertile, healthy—""Don't you dare bring her down to that," I snarled, my voice low and menacing. "I don't care what she was. You stole her option. My option."Roy moved closer, his own calm beginning to break. "Do you think I enjoyed doing it? That I liked sneaking around behind your back?" She was unconscious when I brought her here. They gave her wolfsbane, Stephen. She was hardly breathing. She's in the hospital wing now. The doctor said she… she miscarried. But the bond markers indicated she's a perfect match. Genetically. Spiritually. Everything. We don't get opportunities like this."His words fell like cold stones into my belly.I was rooted to the spot, unable to move, as a wave of emotion crashed over me—"How long has she been here?" I said, voice softer now, tense."Since this morning," Roy replied. "I didn't think the match would take place so quickly. I thought I'd be able to let you know beforehand.""Shes here? Already?" I said, my entire body tightening up again. "And you're just now telling me?"Roy winced. It was slight, but I caught it."I didn't know how you'd react.""I dismissed employees for less than this, Roy.""I know." He sounded exhausted. Defeated. "I collapsed into the chair behind me, worn out in a manner I hadn't experienced in years. My temples pounded beneath the fingertips as I pressed down on them, attempting to drive out the throbbing beat of my rage and confusion.He wasn't incorrect.But that didn't make him correct."So?" Roy said after a pause. "What now?"I gazed up at him slowly, the burden of too many feelings heavy in my bones."Get out," I told him."Steph—""I said I need a minute." My tone was steel. Absolute. The sort of tone I didn't employ lightly.Roy hesitated one heartbeat longer before nodding and heading for the door, it clicking shut behind him.Now alone, I blankly regarded the wall, the silence pressing in.A breeder.

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Hana

Beeping.

Why did I smell chemicals?

I attempted to piece together where I was, but my eyelids were too heavy to lift. Everything was blurry. The sterile smell in the air, the soft hum of machines—it didn't add up.

Where was I?

And then the memories began to seep back in, agonizing and slow like an old wound opening.

Tears pricked at my eyes and spilled down my face. The betrayal stung me all over again—my ex-husband and my best friend. Two individuals to whom I had entrusted everything. I had given so much of myself to the pack. I stood by my mate, helped him through every obstacle, and yet… it never seemed to be enough.

He didn't think me. He trusted Monica.

And for that infidelity, I was ostracized. Cast out like garbage—yet still pregnant with his child.

The shock of exile had proven too much for my body to handle.

I lost my child.

A bitter breath was torn from me, and I balled my fists. My chest constricted with agony. The sorrow was so overwhelming, it hurt to breathe. My eyes swam as the suffocating weight of what I'd suffered came crashing down on me.

And then, as if that hadn't been sufficient. he sold me.

He sold me.

My eyes flew open. Panic flooded over me, erasing the haze of sleep. Where was I? Why was I in a hospital?

"She's awake," a woman's soft voice said.

I slowly moved my head in the direction of the sound and saw three people coming towards me—two women and one man. One of the women, wearing a white coat, moved closer to me.

"I'm Dr. Tina," she said, speaking in a soothing voice. "How do you feel? We've done your treatment. In a couple of days, after resting, you'll be fine."

She gestured to the man standing next to her. "This is Beta Roy."

I automatically glanced in his direction. He smiled at me, gently, reassuringly.

"Don't worry," he said. "You're safe here. What's your name?"

"Hana," I croaked.

The red-haired woman who was standing next to him spoke up with a smile. "I'll go get her something to eat. She must be starving."

"Then hurry, Ann," Roy said. "The Alpha will be arriving soon."

I shook my head weakly. "I… I don't feel like eating."

Ann frowned worriedly, rising to sit down beside me. "Poor thing. You look pale. But don't worry, you're in good hands. Tina is the best doctor in our pack."

"Oh! I forgot to introduce myself," she added with a chuckle. "I'm Ann—Roy's sister."

"I'm glad you're awake, Hana," Dr. Tina smiled as she assisted me into a sitting position carefully. "I just need to check your vitals, if that's alright."

I nodded. She took my temperature and started her examination. Her touch was light, her presence soothing. The tension in my body started to release, though just a little bit. These individuals seemed nice—nothing at all like the ones who had abused me in the past.

Even so, doubt remained.

May I ask. what sort of work am I to do?" I asked softly, attempting to raise the blanket and sit up in spite of the pain in my muscles.

The room grew quiet.

Too quiet.

Tina completed her examination hastily, suddenly more businesslike and guarded. Ann edged back towards Roy, her hitherto vibrant face falling. Even Roy, who had relaxed and been warm, stiffened up.

Why weren't they responding to me?

Something was amiss.

And then I heard it—steps coming closer. Even. Authoritative.

A figure strode into the room, and the air itself changed. He was wearing black, his dark hair a little disheveled, his aura commanding the room without uttering a word. His jaw was defined, his face expressionless. Although he was on the opposite side of the room, the raw power of his aura caused me to shiver.

The instant he walked in, all of us shut up dead quiet.

And I understood—it was him.

The White Fangs Pack Alpha.

Alpha King Stephen.