Not Your Luna Anymore

Moronia I stared at the pregnancy test. The faint blue line appeared. It was barely visible at first, but darkening with each passing second. I blinked. Tried to be certain I was seeing things. After three long years of disappointment, could it really be? I set the test down on the bathroom counter. the small 'clink' of plastic against marble sound unnaturally loud in the silence. I fumbled with the box. I nearly dropped it as I reached for another test. And another. My claws involuntarily extended, puncturing the cardboard as I tore open each package. I forced myself to look. Each test confirmed what the first had told me the same thing. There were two lines, two plus signs, two 'pregnant' readouts. A laugh bubbled up from my chest. I pressed my hands to my still-flat stomach, imagining the tiny life growing within. My wolf, usually a constant presence in the back of my mind, was uncharacteristically quiet. "Isa, you are stunned." I said to my wolf, "We did it. We really did it." I caught sight of myself in the mirror. The honey-blonde hair tumbled over my shoulders, green eyes wide with wonder. For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine how I'd look in a few months, my belly swollen with child. Maximilian's child. Maximilian. My mate, my husband, my Alpha. A grin spread across my face as I imagined his reaction. We'd been trying for so long, both of us aching for a family of our own. Now, finally, our dream was coming true. I tidied up the bathroom, tucking the positive tests into the pocket of my robe. I wanted to tell Max in person, to see the joy light up his stormy gray eyes. To feel his strong arms wrap around me as he lifted me off my feet in celebration. Three years ago, I was 22, still finding my footing after leaving my father's pack. Destiny had brought me to Heartstone. Maximilian was 27, already a strong and respected Alpha. I remember the first time our eyes met across the crowded meeting hall. The world had seemed to stop spinning, everything fading away except for him. The mate bond had flared to life between us, an unbreakable tether linking our souls. We married just two moons later. I'd thrown myself into my new role as Luna, determined to be worthy of both Maximilian and the pack. There had been a steep learning curve, but I'd persevered, driven by my love for Max and my desire to be the best Luna I could be. The past three years hadn't been without their challenges. The pressure to produce an heir weighed heavily on both of us. Each month that passed without a pregnancy felt like a personal failure. I had visited doctors. But three years, still, nothing had worked. Until now. I made my way to the kitchen, pulling ingredients from the fridge and cabinets. I'd make all of Max's favorites for dinner tonight - garlic and herb roasted lamb, rosemary potatoes, fresh green beans. And for dessert, the dark chocolate mousse he loved so much. I found myself humming. My heightened werewolf senses picked up on subtle changes I hadn't noticed before. The faintest hint of a new scent clinged to my skin, a slight alteration in my own heartbeat. I wondered if Max would notice. Alphas were known for their keen senses, even more refined than the average werewolf. Would he be able to tell as soon as he walked through the door? The thought sent a thrill of excitement through me. Hours passed as I cooked, the kitchen filling with mouthwatering aromas. I set the table with our best china, lit candles. And I put on the dress Max had given me for our last anniversary, a silky emerald green number that brought out the color of my eyes. The sun was setting by the time I heard the rumble of Max's truck in the driveway. My heart leapt, and I smoothed my hands over my dress, suddenly nervous. This was the moment I'd been dreaming of for so long. The front door opened, and I moved to greet my husband. "Max!" I called out, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. "I'm so glad you're home. I have something to tell-" The words died in my throat as Maximilian stepped into view. His jaw was clenched, tension radiating from every line of his body. There was none of the warmth I was used to seeing in his eyes when he looked at me. Instead, his gaze was cold, almost...detached. "Moronia," he said, his deep voice devoid of its usual affection. "We need to talk." A chill ran down my spine, my wolf whining in distress. Something was very, very wrong. "Of course," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "What is it? Did something happen at the pack meeting?" Max's expression didn't change as he reached into his jacket pocket. "I've made a decision," he said, pulling out a thick envelope. The world tilted beneath my feet as he held out the envelope. With numb fingers, I took it and opened. "DIVORCE AGREEMENT?" I whispered, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not when everything was finally falling into place. Maximilian's eyes were cold as he thrust the envelope towards me. "Read it and sign it as soon as possible, Moronia. There's no room for negotiation here." I stared at him, uncomprehending. "Max," I said, my voice breaking. "Please, don't do this. Whatever's wrong, we can fix it. We're mates. We're-" "We're done," he cut me off, his tone final and dismissive. "I want to end this farce of a partnership as soon as possible. The love of my life is back, and I won't keep her waiting any longer." The pregnancy test in my pocket felt like it was burning a hole through the fabric. I opened my mouth, the words I'm pregnant on the tip of my tongue. But something stopped me. As if from a great distance, I heard myself say, "You mean Vanessa, don't you?" Vanessa is the daughter of my stepmother and her last husband, my stepsister. I've heard some rumors about her dating Maximilian before. But Vanessa has been away from the pack for over years now, so how could this possibly be true. A smirk played across Max's lips, devoid of any warmth. "Yes, Vanie. She's back, and I must give her everything she deserves. She'll be my true partner, my real Luna." His words were like physical blows, each one landing with devastating precision. I struggled to breathe, to think. "But our bond," I whispered. Max scoffed, the sound harsh and grating. "A mistake. What we had pales in comparison to my connection with Vanessa. You were just... convenient. A placeholder until she returned." I flinched, his cruel words cutting deeper than any claw ever could. "I expect those papers signed by morning," Max continued, his tone businesslike. "I'll be staying with Vanessa for the next few days. That should give you time to pack your things and leave." He turned away, heading for the stairs, presumably to pack a bag. I stood frozen in the entryway, the divorce papers clutched in one hand, the other pressed against my stomach where our child was growing. "Oh, and Moronia?" Max paused at the foot of the stairs, not even bothering to look back at me. "Don't bother trying to challenge this. The pack lawyers have ensured everything is ironclad. It's over." With that, he ascended the stairs, leaving me alone with my shattered world. How had everything gone so wrong? How had my world crumbled in the space of a few moments? The mate I thought I knew, the love I believed unbreakable, had been nothing but an illusion.