The Luna He Never Wanted

SARAH. “Luna, you're six weeks pregnant.” The world stopped for a moment, and I thought I had misheard. The room suddenly felt too quiet, and the ticking of the wall clock was echoing louder than it should. I sat stiffly on the examination chair in the pack clinic, my heart beating rapidly and my fingers curling into the thin blanket that covered my lower body. “Pregnant?” I whispered in disbelief. Across from me, Simon, the pack doctor, nodded slowly while reviewing the documents in his hands. “Yes. The test results are clear,” he looked up at me with a happy smile. “Congratulations, Luna.” Congratulations. The word sounded foreign; I didn't know if I should be happy or if this was actually good news. I didn't know how to receive this news. My heart thudded heavily against my ribs as my hand instinctively drifted to my stomach. A baby was growing in my tummy. A baby. Jason’s baby. A strange warmth bloomed in my chest, spreading slowly as a full moon does after a long time. For years, I had imagined what it would feel like to carry the baby of my mate. Immediately, I felt the warmth, something else tangled up with it—fear. Jason. The joy in my chest dimmed almost immediately. “Are you alright?” Simon asked; he must have noticed the change in my mood. “I…yes. I'm just a little bit surprised. I wasn't expecting this at all.” I blinked, forcing myself to focus. “Thats understandable.” Simon set the report aside and focused on me. “I hope you understand why you've been throwing up for the past few weeks? Morning sickness is quite common during early pregnancy.” I nodded faintly. Morning sickness, so that was what it was. For the past few days, I had blamed it on poor digestion or exhaustion. I had never dared to consider this possibility. Not because we didn't have s*x, Jason and I have had s*x just three times, and ur used condoms two times, but not the last time. And because thinking about the fact that she might be pregnant included thinking about Jason’s reaction. Will he be happy about it? Will he hate— “I will inform the Alpha with immediate effect,” Simon said, clearing his throat, and I was thrown into panic mode. “No!” I blurted out, sitting up straighter. Simon paused, looking at me weirdly. My cheeks flushed at how suddenly I replied to him, and I met his gaze nervously. “Please…dont tell Jason yet.” Simon frowned slightly before he continued. “Luna, it is my duty to inform the Alpha about important matters in the pack; this news, especially, is the most important.” “I know. I know.” I muttered as I lowered my eyes. “But could you give me some time? I promise, I'll tell him soon.” Simon studied my face carefully. I prayed he would consider this, as I've never asked him for any favor. I hoped he knew I didn't have any bad intentions and that I was asking for this one favor. “I want to tell him myself,” I added. Simon leaned back slightly in his chair, squinting his eyes at me. “Is there a problem?” he asked. My fingers tightened together in my lap. For a moment, I didn't know how to explain the complicated knot of emotions sitting in my chest. Finally, I found the voice to talk. “Umm…Jason doesn't like me,” I said softly. Simon looked surprised, and I wondered why. We were not affectionate in public; we were just two people who agreed to play our roles and had a stable relationship. I forced a smile because I didn't want him to pity me. “He accepted me because it was his duty, because of the Moon Goddess, but that doesn't mean he wanted this bond,” I said. Simon remained silent as he listened to everything I had to say. “Im not sure he would want this child.” My voice dropped lower. The words tasted bitter, and saying them aloud made them feel real. It made the truth feel heavy. Simon leaned forward as his expression softened. “Luna, the Alpha is a responsible man. Regardless of personal duty, he would not ignore his duty to his child.” I nodded politely, but deep down, I wasn't so certain. Jason had never rejected me outright, but he had also never marked me. He had never called me 'mate' with warmth; our relationship existed somewhere between duty and distance. “Please,” I said again quietly. “Let me tell him myself.” Simon exhaled slowly; the wheels were turning in his mind, and I hoped he would understand. “Alright,” he said, and relief flashed through me. “But,” he said, and my chest started beating rapidly in anticipation of what he was about to say. “I can only keep this confidential until the pregnancy reaches twelve weeks. After that, I must inform the Alpha.” “Thats fair,” I said quickly. Twelve weeks. Three months. That was enough time to sort out my feelings and get my bearings before telling him. Time to gather the courage. “Thank you, Simon,” I said sincerely. He nodded. “Take care of yourself, Luna. Early pregnancy can be quite demanding.” I stood slowly, still feeling dizzy, not from the sickness, but from the news—a baby. I placed my hand ok my stomach again, a tiny life was growing inside me. For a second, my wolf stirred in my mind. Adele’s voice was soft but excited. Adele: Our Pup. My lips curved faintly as I walked out of the office. Yes. Our pup. ————————— Jason’s black SUV was parked outside the clinic. I spotted him immediately. He was leaning casually against the driver’s door, his tall figure commanding attention even in a place as ordinary as a parking lot. The wind slightly tousled his hair, and he looked so sexy standing there. The glasses that made him look like a nerd were pushed up on his nose. My man. My mate. Even after all this time, seeing him still made my heart flutter. Jason looked up as I approached. “How did it go?” he asked, and I instinctively tightened my hold on the medical report folded in my pocket. “No serious diagnosis?” he added. I hesitated for half a second, deliberating whether I should tell him or not, but then I shook my head. “It's just a stomach bug.” Jason frowned slightly. “You've been throwing up for days.” “I guess my stomach has been sensitive lately,” I replied lightly. I got into the car and made myself comfortable. “Take better care of yourself. As Luna, looking so frail reflects badly on the pack’s image and also on mine. I can't have you looking weak,” he said in an indifferent tone. The warmth i felt earlier dimmed. Of course, this would be his reaction. “I understand. I'll be more careful.” Jason started the engine, and the car moved smoothly down the road. I watched the trees pass outside the window, my thoughts drifting back to the secret growing inside me. Should I tell him now? My wolf stirred softly as she answered me. Adele: Tell him now. She urged softly. Maybe Adele was right. Maybe Jason would be happy. After all, an heir was important to the Alpha. Gathering my courage, I spoke up again. “Karina’s baby is so adorable,” I said casually. Karina was Jason’s cousin who had just given birth. Jason glanced at me briefly. “You visited them recently?” “Yes.” I smiled faintly at the memory of the newborn baby wrapped in soft blankets. “He's so small, and when he smiles in his sleep, he's the cutest thing.” Jason chuckled. “Im looking forward to being called an uncle when he grows up.” My heart skipped a beat; this was the perfect timing. My fingers hovered over my stomach. Now, Adele whispered excitedly. Jason would be very happy, wouldn't he? “Jason, I actually have something I want to—” His phone rang suddenly, and the sharp sound cut through the car. Jason glanced at the screen and connected it to the bluetooth of the car before he picked up. “Hello,” I fell silent as the voice I dreaded rang out in the car.