Alpha Regret: The Luna I Rejected Has A Son For Me

chapter 6

Chapter 6

Iris

It was silent for a long moment after I said those words. I could see the look on Ava’s face. She stared at me, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly open. It was as if she did not want to believe what I had just told her. She looked at me like I was speaking a language she didn’t understand.

"You are kidding, right?" she finally asked. Her voice was just a whisper. She looked around the restaurant, perhaps thinking this was a prank. "Iris, that isn't something to joke about."

I looked directly at her and shook my head. I didn't smile. I wanted her to see the truth in my eyes.

"How can I be lying about something like this, Ava? Grandpa left a will specifically for me. He gave me sixty percent of everything. That means I have the highest rank and the largest share of the Moon Claws pack. On paper, I own more of this pack than Finn or his mother ever will."

A slow change came over Ava. The shock faded, replaced by a massive, bright smile. She suddenly hit the table with her palm in pure excitement, making the silver forks rattle.

"Then why do you look so sad?" she asked, her voice full of energy. "You finally won, Iris! You hit a big share in the pack. This changes everything. It means you can do whatever you want now. You can kick them out! You can change the rules! Why don't we celebrate? Let’s order the most expensive thing on the menu."

She started to raise her hand to wave over a waiter, but I reached out and stopped her. My heart felt heavy, even with the power of the will in my bag.

I looked at her and spoke softly. "It is not just about the share of the pack, Ava. What about the pregnancy? What am I supposed to do about the baby?"

Ava stopped moving. She pulled her hand back and sat back in her chair. She went quiet for a second, the excitement leaving her face. She looked down at the table and admitted that she had totally forgotten about that part of the news.

After a long silence, she looked back at me, her expression serious.

"So, what are you going to do?" she asked. "Will you get rid of the child? It would be easier to start your new life without a reminder of Finn."

I looked at her, feeling a sharp shock go through me. I couldn't believe she would even suggest that.

"Why would you make such a suggestion?" I asked. I felt a protective hand move to my stomach. "I can't do that. I won't. The child is innocent, Ava. It didn't choose its father or this mess. I can't hurt it."

Ava studied me for a moment, seeing the determination on my face. "What are you planning on doing then? How can you rule a pack and raise his baby while he hates you?"

I looked away from her, staring out the window at the lights of the town.

"I am already planning to give birth to this child," I told her. My voice felt stronger than it had all day. "But also, I have a plan for Finn and everyone else. I am going to make sure they regret every single bit of pain they have caused me. They think they can treat me like a servant? They think they can push me around? Even the people in this pack who kicked me when I was down—I will make sure they all beg at my feet before this is over."

Just then, my phone began to vibrate on the table. The screen lit up, and I saw Finn’s name. My heart didn't flutter this time; it just felt cold. I looked at Ava. She took a slow sip of her drink, watching the phone.

"Pick it up," she said.

I waited for a few more seconds, letting it ring. Then, I picked it up and placed it to my ear. I didn't say hello. I didn't say anything.

"Where the hell are you?" Finn’s voice yelled through the phone. He sounded like he was losing his mind. I could hear his heavy breathing on the other end.

I remained silent for a moment, enjoying the fact that he was the one waiting for me for once. Then I spoke.

"What do you want, Finn? Can't I go out for a while and be free? I am a grown woman."

"Get back here right now!" he yelled. His voice was so loud I had to move the phone away from my ear. "You don't have permission to be out this late!"

I let out a short, dry chuckle. I felt a strange sense of freedom.

"I'm busy, Finn. I will come back when I am done with what I am doing, and not a minute sooner."

Before he could scream again, I ended the call. I wasn't in the mood to talk anymore or listen to his threats. I set the phone face down on the table. Ava had been watching me the whole time, a small smile playing on her lips.

"So?" she asked.

I took a slow drink of my water. "Like I said, I'm busy. Why should I go back just because he shouts? He doesn't own me."

Ava smiled wider and nodded. "That's right. You are the boss now. We should have fun."

We spent the next few hours talking about the academy and our childhood. It was almost nighttime when I finally decided it was time to face the house again. Ava drove me back in her car and dropped me off at the front gate.

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and walked inside.

The moment I stepped through the front door, I didn't even have time to turn on the light. A hand reached out of the shadows and grabbed me roughly by the neck. I gasped as I was pushed back against the wall. Finn was standing there, his face twisted with rage.

"How dare you ignore my call?" he hissed. His grip was tight, making it hard to swallow. "Are you asking for death, Iris? Do you think you can just walk in and out of this house whenever you please?"

I didn't panic. I didn't cry. I reached up and pulled his hands away from my throat with a sharp movement. I stood my ground and looked him in the eye.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked. "I told you on the phone that I was busy. The house is not on fire, Finn. The pack is not under attack. There was no emergency."

Mrs. Walker stood up from the sofa in the living room. She marched over and pointed a finger at me.

"You are such a wicked beast," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "Someone like you in this pack will just destroy everyone. You have no respect for the Alpha or this family."

I looked at her, feeling nothing but pity.

"I don't care what you say anymore. It doesn't matter when I come home. Even if I had come back hours ago, you would still find a reason to treat me this way. My presence is the problem, isn't it?"

Just then, I heard Fiona’s voice. She was standing on the stairs, looking down at us with a sad, fake expression.

"Don't blame my sister, Mom," she said softly. "She doesn't like me. We all know that. That’s why she stayed out. She just doesn't want to come back to a house where I am happy."

I looked up at her and rolled my eyes. She was such a drama queen, always making herself the center of the story. If I were given the chance, I felt like I could hit her for that fake tone.

"If there is nothing else," I said, looking back at Finn, "I am going to my room. It is late and I am tired."

As I tried to walk past him to get to the hallway, Finn stepped in my way, blocking my path. He looked at me closely, his eyes searching my face. "Who dropped you off? I heard a car."

I laughed. It was a tired, hollow sound. "Are you really such a spy now? Are all my moves watched? Do you have nothing better to do with your time?"

"What? You think it was another guy?" I asked, challenging him. "Even if I tell you it was just a friend or a girl I know, you won't believe me anyway. You’ve already made up your mind about who I am. Please, Alpha, I just want to rest. Can I beg you this one time? Just let me go to sleep. Please."

As I said the words, a sharp, sudden pain bloomed in my stomach. It was like a cramp, but deeper and more frightening. I doubled over slightly, holding my stomach with both hands.

Finn froze. He looked down at me, and for a split second, the anger vanished from his face. This time, I actually saw a flicker of real worry in his eyes. He reached out as if to catch me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice losing its edge.

I didn't want his pity. I didn't want his touch. I pushed his hands away with what little strength I had left.

"What do you care?" I snapped. "I just want to rest. That is all."

I didn't wait for him to respond. I pushed past him and walked away, not saying another word. I made it to my small room and shut the door, locking it behind me. I lay down on the hard bed, still holding my stomach.

I closed my eyes and breathed through the pain, praying with everything I had that the baby was okay.