The Alpha's Loss, The Lycan's Luna

Aria’s POV “I never stopped loving you.” The words rang through the hall like a slap. I froze mid-breath, my fingers tightening around the stem of my glass as Alpha Lucius’s voice carried clearly above the music. Laughter and chatter died down, replaced by a stunned silence that pressed against my ears until they burned. “I loved you then,” Lucius continued, his gaze fixed on the woman in his arms, “and I love you now, Freya.” The hall erupted into gasps. My husband stood at the center of the ballroom, dressed in ceremonial black, his arm wrapped possessively around a woman who was not me. Freya’s head rested against his chest, her lips curved into a shy smile as if this moment belonged to her alone. As if I did not exist. It was our three-year anniversary. Three years since the Moon Goddess bound us. Three years since I became his Luna. Three years since I had stood right where Freya was standing now, glowing with hope, believing love was enough. Music resumed awkwardly, the musicians unsure whether to stop or continue. Lucius lifted Freya’s hand and guided her into a slow dance. She laughed softly, her fingers curling into his shoulders with practiced familiarity. I stood there, invisible. Eyes drifted toward me. Some curious. Some entertained. Most pitiful. I felt them like tiny cuts on my skin. “Poor Luna,” someone whispered. “She cannot even give him an heir.” I swallowed, my throat burning. My wolf stirred uneasily, sensing my distress, but even she seemed subdued tonight. The bond between Lucius and me felt distant, muted, like a dying echo. Freya leaned into him, her cheek brushing his jaw as she whispered something that made him smile. That smile… it was not one he gave me anymore. I set my glass down before my hands started to shake. Enough. I crossed the floor, my steps steady despite the chaos roaring inside me. Freya noticed me first. Her eyes flickered with something sharp… triumph, perhaps. Lucius did not look at me until I was standing right in front of them. “Lucius,” I said, keeping my voice level, “may I have a word with her?” His brows drew together. “Now is not the time, Aria.” “This is my anniversary celebration,” I replied quietly. “So yes… it is.” Freya’s lips curved in a mock apology as she stepped back. “If your Luna insists.” I turned and walked toward the side corridor, refusing to look back. A moment later, soft footsteps followed me. “What do you want?” Freya asked once we were alone, her tone devoid of the sweetness she had displayed moments ago. I faced her. “You need to leave.” She laughed. “Excuse me?” “You heard me. This is my home. My pack. My husband. You do not get to parade yourself in front of everyone and humiliate me.” Her eyes hardened. “Humiliate you? Aria, you did that all on your own.” I clenched my fists. “Lucius is married.” “To you,” she snapped, “a woman who stole him from me.” The words hit harder than I expected. “I did not steal anything,” I said. “The Moon Goddess chose us.” “And yet,” Freya stepped closer, her voice lowering, “here I am. And here you are… still barren.” The slap came before I could stop myself. The sound echoed down the corridor, sharp and final. Freya staggered back, her hand flying to her cheek, her eyes wide with shock before filling with tears. For a split second, I felt powerful. Vindicated. Then Lucius was there. “What did you do?” he roared. He shoved past me and caught Freya as she collapsed dramatically into his arms, sobbing. “She hit me,” Freya cried. “I did nothing, Lucius. I swear.” I opened my mouth. “She provoked me…” “You laid a hand on her,” he cut in, fury blazing in his eyes. “Have you lost your mind?” “She disrespected our marriage,” I said, my voice shaking now. “You disrespected me.” Lucius did not answer. He looked down at Freya’s flushed cheek, then back at me, disgust twisting his features. “Get out,” he said coldly. “Go to your room.” Freya clutched his chest. “Lucius, please… I feel dizzy.” That was all it took. He scooped her into his arms and walked away without another glance at me. The doors to the hall closed behind them, sealing my humiliation inside. That night, my room felt larger than ever. The candles had burned low, wax pooling onto silver trays. I sat on the edge of the bed, still wearing my ceremonial gown, staring at the door as if Lucius might walk through it at any moment. He never did. Hours passed. The bond between us pulsed faintly, then… pain exploded through my lower abdomen. I gasped, clutching my stomach as I doubled over. Another wave hit. Sharp. Punishing. I knew what it meant. Lucius was with her. In our world, a cheating male inflicted pain upon his mate. It was tradition. Balance, the elders called it. A way to deter betrayal. It did not deter anything. Tears streamed down my face as the pain intensified, each surge synchronized with images I did not want to see… his hands on her, his mouth whispering the words he once whispered to me. I screamed into my pillow until my throat burned. By morning, my eyes were swollen and my body ached. I found Lucius in the sitting room, fastening his cufflinks as if nothing had happened. “We need to talk,” I said. He did not look up. “Make it quick.” “She needs to leave,” I said. “Send Freya away.” He laughed, short and cruel. “She is not going anywhere.” I stared at him. “What?” “She will be staying here,” he said calmly. “Permanently.” The room tilted. “You cannot be serious.” “I am,” he replied. “You have failed me as a Luna. Freya will give me what you cannot.” Before I could respond, Freya appeared at the top of the stairs. “Oh,” she said, pretending to miss a step. She stumbled forward, falling hard onto the floor with a cry. Lucius rushed to her side. “Freya.” She clutched her stomach, sobbing. “There’s some liquid on the floor. She’s trying to harm me.” My head snapped up. “That is a lie. I didn’t do anything!” Lucius rose slowly and before I could react, his hand struck my face. The world went silent. “Haven’t you done enough already?” he growled. Freya whimpered. “She wants to hurt my baby. She wants me to be barren like her.” Baby… The word echoed in my mind as I stared at her in horror. “What… Did you just say?” I whispered. Freya looked up at me, tears streaking her face, her lips trembling… and then I saw a small smile slip into her lips. “I’m pregnant,” she said softly.