Claimed as the Alpha's Second Luna

Chapter 4 The Confirmation

Annie's POV:

It was dawn—I had to go to work, keep my head down, make sure no one noticed anything unusual.

When I put on the uniform Elena had prepared for me, the rough fabric kept rubbing against my swollen n*****s, making me wince, because Alexander's mouth had left them sore the night before.

Every time I moved, the friction of the fabric against my skin brought back memories of last night.

I tried not to think about it, but Alexander's panting sounds, his large hands caressing me, gripping my waist and pushing deep inside me.

He lingered in my body.

So much so that the simple morning job of cleaning the lobby felt like some kind of punishment to me.

My legs still shook each time I bent. Every movement pulled at the soreness between my thighs. When I bent to wring out the rag, pain tightened across my lower back and ran down my legs. The hard floor digging into my kneecaps was almost a relief.

I scrubbed the floor with my head down, trying to focus on my work.

Footsteps sounded behind me, followed by a familiar voice.

"Elena, you don't look well."

Alexander's voice was low and warm with concern.

My hand stopped on the cloth, and I lowered my head.

"Did you not sleep well last night?"

"It's nothing." Elena's voice carried a smile. "The change of seasons. I just haven't been sleeping well."

"I'll have the healer bring you something."

"No need. I'll handle this small matter."

I heard Alexander settle onto the sofa, probably drawing Elena down beside him.

"Elena." His tone changed, turning heavier. "Last night. My wolf lost control. I..."

My hands trembled against the wet rag.

"Whatever happened... I don't remember much. But I know I was rough with you. If I hurt you anywhere—"

"It's fine," Elena cut him off, soft. "Really. You're my mate. I'd never hold that against you."

Alexander's voice softened. "I'm lucky to have you as my mate."

He had called Elena's name throughout the night. He believed the woman beneath him was Elena. And now here he was—apologizing to her. Feeling tender. Carrying guilt.

I knelt three steps away, scrubbing the floor while he apologized to Elena for what he had done to me.

I stared at the same patch of wood—the grain blurred.

"I need to handle territory business." Alexander stood. "Rest. I'll come back at noon for lunch."

"All right."

Footsteps—toward the door.

I kept my head down. Barely breathed.

They stopped.

A gaze. Heavy. Settled on me.

"Are you new?"

I lifted my head slowly. Alexander stood above me, morning light behind him, his tall frame swallowing me in shadow. Gray eyes looked down—flat, detached. The way an Alpha looked at any servant he'd never seen.

No recognition. Nothing.

He didn't remember any of it.

"Yes." I dropped my eyes. "Luna Elena assigned me to work in the main house."

He studied me a moment longer. Then nodded.

Turned and walked away. His footsteps faded down the hall.

I stayed on my knees. The wet rag in my fist dripped onto the planks, forming slow dark pools. The hem of my skirt soaked through. I didn't move until the water had gone cold against my shins.

When my shift ended, I walked to the healer's cabin on the eastern edge of the territory. Dried herbs hung in the air—sage and something sharp I couldn't name.

I pushed the door open. Chloe stood at the medicine cabinet with her back to me, sorting glass bottles. She heard the bell and turned.

"Annie?" A smile broke across her face. "What brings you here?"

Chloe was the pack's healer and my only friend.

I stepped closer, kept my voice low. "Something's been off with my body. Low in my stomach. A few days now. Can you look?"

The smile dropped. She led me to the exam room and closed the door.

The check didn't take long.

When it was done, Chloe didn't speak. She stood at the counter with her back to me, both hands braced on the wood.

"Chloe?"

She turned around—face pale, mouth opening and closing.

"Annie." Her voice came out unsteady. "You're pregnant."

The word hung in the air—heavy as a stone.

'Pregnant. I knew. Some part of me had known since the mornings when the kitchen smells turned my stomach, since the fatigue came and went like weather. I knew—I didn't want to—and now it's out in the open, in Chloe's voice, in the pale of her face.'

"How long?" I heard myself ask.

"Not long," Chloe said. "But it's there. It's real."