A REJECTED OMEGA HEALER BECOME THE LYCAN QUEEN

CHAPTER 1—“YOU’RE WITH A CHILD.” Astra’s POV “You’re with a child.” For a moment, I thought the old healer was mistaken. The words exchanged between us felt unsettling and unreal, echoing against the stone walls of the hut like something sacred that didn’t belong to me. The moment I had spent here began to feel unreal– a cruel joke. Because why… Why would I be with a child? I scoffed, “Huh? A… a child? That's what you said” My voice barely found its way out of my mouth. The healer nodded again with eyes kind but tired. “Very early. But strong.” Strong. I pressed a hand to my stomach, breath catching as something warm unfurled in my chest. Not pain. Not fear. It was a clear hope. It was still just settling in. I was pregnant. How could it be? I couldn't even bring myself to smile. I didn't know if I should be happy or…terrified. But the joy of motherhood — of a future finally opening and embracing me so tightly that it almost hurt. A child. After five years of swallowing my worth, of stitching wounds that were never meant to be mine, of standing beside an Alpha who only saw me when he was bleeding—this feels like the Moon herself had reached down and chosen me. “I need to tell him,” I whisper, standing up in a precise hurried step. The healer hesitated. “Tonight?” I nod. “Tonight.” “Take care of yourself now that you are pregnant, and stop risking your blood for him,” the healer mentioned. I know what she meant by him, I nodded, robbing my tummy. “Father will finally accept us now,” I muttered. --- I didn’t feel the cold as I left the hut. I couldn't hear the whispers that usually followed me through the pack. All I could think about was Karl's face when I told him. Surprise first. Then pride. Maybe even… love. “Astra, your future is sealed.” I affirmed rubbing my tummy like I had seen my mother do and I could say my face is doing nothing else but radiating. I walk faster than I ever have, heart racing ahead of my steps. I reminded myself to stay calm. After this… things will finally change between us and I can fully support him now. The guards at the Alpha quarters didn’t stop me. They never did. I was invisible—until I am useful. The corridor ahead was dim, lit only by torches that were flickering and the sound of laughter drifting toward me. Karl’s laughter. I recognized it. The sound of his chuckle had never felt this interesting to my ear. It was indeed true that a child does bring its parents together. I slowed down a bit knowing he wasn't alone. As I moved farther down the corridor, my nostril caught a sense of something strange. What is wrong with me, why is my sense getting heightened? I've never smelled something like this before…here. I frowned, gasping in the sweet, floral, cloying scent that couldn't wait to greet me before the door. My fingers curl into my palms as I step closer. The door to his chambers was ajar, light freely spilling out like a warning I would have ignored. I pushed it open and as I did so, something ate me up inside. When I did, the world before me blurred– and collapsed. What was that? For a moment I couldn’t move. A cold stillness held me in place…I could say if the ground was breaking I wouldn't still budge. My eyes widened and my heart jumped. I blinked repeatedly as if it would erase what I had just witnessed. The shock faded, leaving a dull ache in its place– heart. My chest felt heavy and I lowered my gaze to the floor. Abomination! There laid on the bed was Karl, not wounded, not dying, not calling for me. But he was certainly smiling, and I've never seen this bright side of him with me. The woman in his arms lifts her head, and when our eyes meet, her breath hitches. My best friend Kiara. For a heartbeat, none of us move. Then she gasps my name. “Astra—” “I came to tell you something,” My voice didn’t break. That surprised me most of all. Karl looked at her and then at me, irritation flashing across his face like I’ve interrupted something trivial. “You weren’t supposed to be here.” I look at the sheets twisted around their bodies. At her hand resting on his chest, where mine has rested a hundred times while keeping his heart beating. “When was I ever?” I ask softly. She scrambles off the bed, clutching the covers to her chest. “Please—listen—” “Don’t.” I finally looked at her. “Don’t speak.” My gaze returns to Karl. “I’m pregnant.” The word felt like a curse– not for me, but for him. His eyes widened even though it was just for a second before his jaw tightened. “That’s impossible,” he denied. It hit me immediately, the man I have healed sacrificed for rejecting my child. I shook my head. “It isn’t.” “You’re lying,” he snaps, stepping back as if I’m the threat now. “You’re trying to bind me.” Bind? Is that what he thinks this is, our child? As if five years of my life weren’t already his. As if the child inside me is a trap, not a miracle. “I healed you,” I said quietly. “Every time you were close to death. I held your heart in my hands.” He didn’t deny it. “I reject this,” he says coldly and boldly. “And I reject you.” Something inside me finally shatters. I don't speak. I won't let him see me break. That's never our family rule. What can break us is yet to exist and it will never. I straightened, though it was hard, placing my hand over my stomach again—not to protect myself. To protect the life he just condemned. “Then remember this,” I say, turning toward the door. “The last thing you ever took from me was mercy.” And this time, when I walk away… I don’t look back.