The Rejected Luna’s Secret

Chapter Four: The Healer’s Secret

The cabin creaked in the wind, its walls barely holding against the storm outside. Elara sat by the fire, her fingers tracing the edge of the wooden bowl in her lap. The herbs inside steamed gently, their scent sharp and earthy. She had spent the morning gathering them from the forest, her knowledge of healing passed down from her mother, who had been the healer of Blackthorn before her.

Mara was out hunting, leaving Elara alone with her thoughts. The silence was both a comfort and a torment. It gave her space to think, to plan, but it also left room for the memories she was trying to escape. Kael’s face flashed in her mind, the way his eyes had darkened when he rejected her, the way his voice had been so cold, so final.

She pressed a hand to her stomach, feeling the slight swell beneath her fingers. The child was growing, and with it, her fear. If anyone found out, they would come for her. Kael would come for her. And she couldn’t let that happen.

A rustling outside the cabin pulled her from her thoughts. She tensed, her senses sharpening. The door creaked open, and Mara stepped inside, her arms laden with fresh game. She dropped the rabbits onto the table with a satisfied grin.

"Dinner," she said, wiping her hands on her trousers. "You’re getting better at that fire. Almost didn’t burn the place down this time."

Elara managed a small smile. "Almost."

Mara sat across from her, her sharp eyes studying Elara’s face. "You’re quiet today. More than usual."

Elara shrugged, stirring the herbs absently. "Just thinking."

"About him?"

Elara’s fingers stilled. She didn’t need to ask who Mara meant. "No."

Mara raised an eyebrow. "Liar."

Elara sighed, setting the bowl aside. "It doesn’t matter. He made his choice. I made mine."

Mara leaned forward. "And what’s that? Living out here forever? Hiding?"

Elara’s jaw tightened. "If that’s what it takes."

Mara’s expression softened. "You don’t have to do this alone, you know. There are others like us. Others who can help."

Elara looked away, her gaze fixed on the fire. She wanted to trust Mara, wanted to believe that she wasn’t alone. But trust didn’t come easily, not after what she’d been through.

"I appreciate that," Elara said quietly. "But I can’t risk it. Not yet."

Mara didn’t push, but Elara could see the questions in her eyes. She didn’t blame her. She was a stranger, a former Luna cast out by her pack. Mara had every right to be wary.

"You’re a healer," Mara said after a moment. "That’s useful. There are packs out there that would pay good money for someone with your skills."

Elara shook her head. "I can’t go near the packs. Not yet."

Mara’s eyes narrowed. "Why not?"

Elara hesitated. She hadn’t told anyone about the pregnancy, hadn’t even hinted at it. But Mara had been kind to her, had given her a place to stay when she had nowhere else to go. Maybe it was time to trust someone.

"I’m not just a rogue," Elara said slowly. "I’m carrying Kael’s heir."

Mara’s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. "You’re pregnant?"

Elara nodded, her hand instinctively going to her stomach. "Yes. And if Kael or any of the other Alphas find out, they’ll come for me. For the child."

Mara was silent for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she nodded. "That changes things."

Elara watched her carefully. "Does it change your mind about helping me?"

Mara’s gaze was steady. "No. But it means we need to be more careful. If Kael’s looking for you, he won’t stop until he finds you. And if he finds out about the child..."

Elara’s stomach twisted. "He’ll take it from me."

Mara’s expression darkened. "Then we make sure he doesn’t find out."

Elara let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. "Thank you."

Mara nodded, then stood, moving to the table to begin preparing the rabbits. "You’re not the first pregnant rogue I’ve helped. And you won’t be the last."

Elara watched her, a flicker of hope warming her chest. Maybe she wasn’t as alone as she thought.

The next morning, Elara woke to the sound of voices outside the cabin. She sat up slowly, her hand going to the dagger she kept under her pillow. Mara was already awake, her expression tense as she listened at the door.

"Who is it?" Elara whispered.

Mara held up a hand, her ears straining. Then, slowly, she turned to Elara, her face pale. "It’s Kael’s warriors. They’re looking for you."

Elara’s heart pounded in her chest. She had known this might happen, had known that Kael wouldn’t let her go so easily. But she hadn’t expected him to send his warriors after her so soon.

Mara moved to the window, peering out carefully. "They’re scouting the area. They don’t know you’re here yet."

Elara stood, her mind racing. She couldn’t stay here, not if Kael’s warriors were nearby. She couldn’t risk them finding her, finding out about the child.

"We need to leave," Elara said, her voice low and urgent. "Now."

Mara nodded, already moving to gather their things. "There’s a cave system to the north. We can hide there until they’re gone."

Elara didn’t hesitate. She grabbed her satchel, her fingers brushing against the herbs she had gathered. She couldn’t leave them behind. They were her only way to keep herself and the child healthy.

The two women moved quickly, slipping out the back of the cabin and into the dense forest. Elara could hear the warriors’ voices growing louder, their footsteps crunching on the underbrush. She moved silently, her breath steady despite the fear clawing at her chest.

They reached the cave system just as the warriors’ voices faded into the distance. Mara led the way inside, the darkness swallowing them whole. Elara’s wolf stirred inside her, her senses sharpening in the dim light.

"We’ll be safe here," Mara said, her voice low. "For now."

Elara nodded, her mind already racing with plans. She couldn’t stay here forever. She needed to find a way to disappear, to make sure Kael never found her.

Because if he did, she wouldn’t just lose her freedom.

She would lose her child.

And that was a risk she couldn’t afford to take.