Betrayed Luna, Alpha King's Fate

Elara Moonvale The Alpha King was coming. That single thought repeated in my mind as I hurried through the pack grounds, issuing quiet instructions and checking every tiny detail others would overlook. I needed everything to be perfect, spotless, orderly, and in its finest state. Since Alpha King Kael Blackthorn had taken the throne after his father fell gravely ill, he had continued a tradition no recent ruler had bothered to maintain. He visited every pack in his kingdom himself, determined to see their condition and judge the effectiveness of their Alphas not through reports, but with his own eyes. I respected him deeply, from what I had heard about the way he ruled, the way he led. And I wanted him to be impressed. No… it wasn’t personal. Never for myself. But for the Grey Howl Pack. I was heading toward the ceremonial hall when the sharp crash of pottery echoed inside. My heart sank. I hurried in, already knowing something terrible had happened. And as expected… There she was. Liora. My once best friend stood near the long table, pieces of broken plates scattered at her feet. Her hands hovered over her growing belly as she took a shaky breath, her eyes shining with tears. “I… I… I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean to…” My jaw tightened. Those plates had been specially ordered, luxury imports meant to serve the Alpha King and his men. Now they were nothing but shattered ceramic. “Liora,” I said carefully, “why are you here?” Before she could answer, a familiar voice rose behind me. “Elara!” I turned instinctively and saw my mate, Rowan, striding toward us, his expression dark. His eyes flicked over the broken plates, and his steps quickened, but he didn’t stop by me. His shoulder brushed mine as he moved past, going straight to Liora. “Careful,” he said gently, guiding her away from the shards. “You’ll get hurt.” Then he looked at me. “What are you doing?” he demanded, the softness gone from his voice. “I was about to ask her why she was...” “That’s enough!” he snapped. “Why are you always making things difficult for her? Can’t you see she’s pregnant?” The words stabbed straight through my chest. “I wasn’t...” My voice trembled. “You should keep that in mind,” he continued coldly, cutting me off. “Stress could harm the pup. Do you want that to happen?” “What? No!” I denied instantly. I would never... But he had no intention of listening. He took her hand carefully, their fingers intertwining. His other hand settled protectively over her swollen belly, as if shielding something precious from the world. From me. He guided her away without another glance. But Liora turned her head slightly. The smile on her lips told me everything about what had just happned. I bent down as tears welled in my eyes and began picking up the broken pieces, but my hands were shaking. “Damn it!” I cut myself. But what was that pain, compared to my heart already shattered into a thousand pieces? My vision blurred as my body trembled, memories of that merciless night flooding my mind. I had been supposed to stay with my old pack that night, but I chose to return home, to the mate I had vowed to spend my life with. The moans from our bedroom. The scent seeping through the closed door. I didn’t know how I managed to open it. Rowan, my husband, my mate was there naked on our bed. And Liora. The woman I had pitied, protected, and brought into this pack after she had been chased out of her own, was equally naked and was riding on my husband. They didn’t stop when they saw me. She tried to get up, but Rowan held her down and made her continue riding until he finally had his release. I stood there like a fool, watching my husband with my best friend. Moaning... fu**ing... When she finally moved away, I broke from whatever the spell I was in. I screamed. I demanded answers. I cried and begged like someone who still believed vows mattered. Until Rowan spoke. “Liora is pregnant with my pup.” The world collapsed at my feet. “She’s carrying the future heir of Grey Howl.” Then he added, without hesitation, without guilt: “Something you will never be able to do.” No apology. No remorse. Just a fact. I couldn’t bear an heir. I couldn’t fulfill the one duty every Luna was expected to. That night shattered everything. Yet… I stayed. Not because I was desperate, but because I loved this pack. From the day I became their Luna, I served them with my whole heart. The warriors respected me. The omegas depended on me. Even Beta Michael and the elders took my side, reminding Rowan again and again who the true Luna was. But he didn’t care. From that night onward, Rowan spent his time openly with Liora. No one in the pack dared speak against her without facing his punishment. I carried the responsibility of the pack while their Alpha indulged in his lover and unborn pup. And Liora… She changed in ways I never imagined. When Rowan was around, she was a fragile, pitiful, pregnant omega who needed protection. When he wasn’t, she made it her mission to make my life a living hell. “You’ll never be a mother,” she would whisper. “Never a true Luna.” My wolf howled inside me, urging me to fight back, but I endured. Because the pack had already lost its Alpha to love sickness, I wouldn’t let them lose their Luna too. Maybe I am not qualified to be a true Luna, but I am a Luna who cares, who loves, and who is loyal. _________________________________________________ The next morning dawned bright and clear, unexpectedly beautiful. The Alpha King had arrived in all his majesty. Alpha King Kael. The man the whole country respects and loves. He rode at the front, clad in dark royal armor, his presence commanding respect without effort. His slightly long hair moved with the wind, his posture relaxed yet powerful. He was breathtaking. More handsome than any man I had ever seen. But that wasn’t what shattered my composure. It was the scent. The Alpha King smelled of pine and the deep, quiet power of the forest, ancient, steady, and impossible to resist. It wrapped around me, sinking into my skin, my lungs, my soul. My knees weakened as my wolf cried out in recognition. I didn’t understand what was happening, only that my entire being was being pulled toward the Alpha King. As he dismounted his horse, Rowan stepped forward and bowed deeply. “I am Rowan Greycairn, Alpha of the Grey Howl Pack,” he said respectfully. “And this is my Luna.” He took Liora’s hand and pulled her forward. Despite everything that had happened. It was the first time he had ever claimed her as Luna. The pain was merciless. It felt like I was left naked infront of everyone. Before I could process the humiliation, the Alpha King’s gaze lifted. It passed Rowan. Passed Liora. And settled on me. For the first time, our eyes locked, and for me, the whole world stopped. “You,” his deep voice commanded, his deep green eyes never leaving mine “Step forward.”