Luna's Contract

Chapter 2

~Freya~

We stepped into the corridor outside the hall, the distant sound of celebration muffled by the thick walls.

“What’s wrong now?” Caius asked, his frustration evident.

I didn't hesitate, “What’s wrong? Look at what's happening in there, Caius. She's taken over everything—the decorations, the speeches, even the pack's attention. That's my role, not hers,” I lamented.

“Lyselle’s helping.” Caius said, his tone clipped. “You’ve been so overwhelmed lately, and you know our pup needs you to be strong enough—”

“Pup? So now you remember I'm carrying your pup. I'm overwhelmed lately, and that's because you don't back me up,” I snapped.

“You let her walk over me, and the pack sees it. They don't respect me anymore because you don't respect me.”

Caius sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You are blowing this out of proportion. Lyselle has experience—she’s making things better for everyone. This isn't about you, Freya; it's about the pack.”

My anger flared at the constant reminder of his words, always making me remember at every chance he gets to tell me I wasn't born in an affluent home and that I can't manage things rich people do. How dare he say that to my face just because of Lyselle? Yes, I might be an orphan living in the orphanage, but I did strive so hard to make it in school. I would have worked for the biggest company had it been that I didn't feel my heart waver for the heartbroken Alpha's son. He was the one who pleaded with me not to go, that he had fallen for me; he promised to make me his chosen mate, and yes, I agreed. Caius was lovable; he was sweet to me. He fulfilled his promise and treated me right, but when Lyselle just came out of the blue, he neglected me and our pup.

Doesn't he know how much it hurts for you to leave your chosen mate and run after your ex?

Is he stupid or what?

Can't he see my pains!

“Don’t you dare!” I said, my voice trembling with rage. “Don’t you dare tell me it's about the pack. This is about ‘her.’ You are letting her replace me.”

Caius express hardened, “no one is replacing you. Freya, stop being insecure,” he snapped.

The words hit me like a slap.

Before I could respond, a loud howl echoed through the night, sending a chill down my spine.

Caius stiffened, his Alpha aura oozing. “Rogues!” he muttered.

Without another word, he turned around and entered into the hall back. I followed, my heart pounding hard in my chest, the weight of the argument momentarily forgotten.

As we reached the entrance, chaos erupted. Rogues rushed in, their snarls ripping through; fear gripped my body as I heard screams from my pack members, my hands subconsciously reaching for my belly.

Mother instincts kicked in as I searched around for Caius in the midst of the chaos. Warriors scrambled to form a defensive line. My gaze darted around searching for Caius; I was so worried, so worried because I needed him. I can't shift to my wolf form, and that's because of the need to protect my pup. If I should force myself to do so, I'll harm my pup.

“O, Selene, where has this man gone to?” I muttered underneath my breath, trying my best to get away from the rogues.

My heart shattered into several pieces as I spotted him near the center, standing protectively in front of Lyselle. Tears dropped from my eyes once I had realized where his priority lay.

“Stay sharp!” Caius' voice cut through the noise, his commanding tone steady. Behind him, Lyselle—the woman now referred to as his first love.

I made sure to keep my distance, my fist clenched and my teeth gritted, forcing myself to focus. But every glance Caius soared at Lyselle, every word of reassurance he whispered to her, gnawed at me.

The attack came swiftly without warning. I dodged the first attacker, delivering a blow to its ribs before spinning to avoid another one.

“Caius!” my voice rang out when I noticed a rogue barreling towards the Alpha blind spot. But he wasn't looking at me.

“Lyselle, stay behind me,” He shouted, pivoting to shield her from harm. His claws elongated, tearing the rogue that lunged at her apart. Lyselle clung to his arm, her face pale but composed as Caius stated firmly at her side.

My stomach twisted; I wasn't able to show my dissatisfaction when another rogue rushed to my side. The numbers were overwhelming, and every second I fought alone felt like an eternity.

I groaned when I felt a hit in my back; a rogue had sneaked an attack on me. It's claw grazing my shoulders, I stumbled, blood trickling down my arm, but no help came. I wanted to give up, but I couldn't.

My pup—it needs me.

My eyes flickered to Caius again—he was still glued to Lyselle, fighting off any wolf that dared approach her.

“Caius!” I called through the mindlink as I tried to move away from the rogue who stared at me with a sickening smile.

“Caius!” I called again; this time I caught his attention. He looked at me; uncertainty flickered through his eyes. He tried to come to my side to help me, but another rogue had come to attack Lyselle, and that was all it took for his attention to be snatched away from mine.

The rogue raised me and threw me outside; I could feel my bones breaking, my life seeping away from me.

I opened my lips to scream, but no words came out; the pain was excruciating. I couldn't control the tears rushing out; the rogue came over to hit me when Beta Marcus came over to cut off his head, blood splattering on my face.

“Luna!” He called, fear evident in his eyes.

“You are hurt! Fall back!” He shouted because of the noise. I could see the rogues being overpowered, and they were leaving one by one. Before I could respond, I felt my thighs become wet, and when I tried to look down, I saw blood coming out from my legs; my eyes were becoming blurry, and then I blacked out.