Pregnant Luna's Regretful Alpha

Chapter 04

POV: Sarina

"What?"

My voice came out choked and hesitant.

My husband took a deep breath before placing both hands on my face and stating,

"I will reject her, Sarina. You are my wife. You are my bond. This instinct… I cannot place it above my duties. Nor above what I feel for you and everything we have been through together."

A spark of hope ignited in me, but Lilian seemed on the verge of breaking down.

"What are you saying?! Are you planning to leave me?"

Trembling, still feeling the effects of the connection, Zander turned to her.

Polite yet assertive, the Alpha slightly lifted his chin before declaring,

"I'm sorry. It’s nothing personal."

"But… but I…"

"You were mistaken. You and I… we do not belong to each other. I already have a wife, and I love her. Being mates does not place you above her."

"Our union is sacred, Zander! The Moon Goddess is our witness, along with all traditions, all our beliefs, and who we are… do not reject me. Please!"

Zander was firm, but not entirely. If she kept begging, he would probably lose the courage driving him. I needed to do something.

"I'm sorry." He took a deep breath. "I, Alpha Zander of the Silver Springs Pack…"

The formal words of rejection. He was really going to say them. He had chosen me!

Lilian's eyes widened. Her hands trembled as she clutched her chest, as if she had just been stabbed. Then, suddenly, her body wavered, and she collapsed onto her knees on the floor.

"No…" she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears. "Please, don't do this to me… don't do this to us…"

Zander stepped forward, hesitant. My stomach twisted at the sight.

"Lilian—"

Before he could get closer, she lifted her gaze to me.

"Luna, I beg you," her voice came out pleading, almost a sob. "I don't have to be your rival. I accept my fate, I accept your position. Just let me stay… even if only as a servant."

I was speechless.

Was this real?

In front of others, she had also seemed weak and cowardly, but as soon as she had the chance, she completely changed her approach. She was dangerous. She had many faces, and now she was playing the victim again.

"I will be nothing but a shadow in your home. I will clean, cook, help with absolutely all household chores, and I will always be loyal and submissive to you. I will give my life for your clan. I swear it. Please, please… hear my plea."

My instincts screamed that it was a trap.

I refused to give in.

I crossed my arms, keeping my stance firm.

"No."

Lilian blinked, as if she had been struck.

"What?"

I stepped closer to her, getting face to face.

"You heard me. I won’t fall for this game, and you should be ashamed for thinking I would be that stupid."

Her expression hardened for a brief second, but she quickly returned to playing the victim.

To my shock, she suddenly threw herself backward with a scream.

"No! Stop, please!"

Zander's eyes widened.

"Sarina!" He turned to me, confused.

I froze.

"I did nothing!"

Lilian writhed on the floor, her breathing quickened as if she were terrified.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Zander's chest rose and fell heavily, his eyes shifting between me and Lilian.

"Sarina?" His voice was lower, filled with uncertainty.

I knew him too well. He was torn. Part of him wanted to believe me. But another part… was already falling into her trap.

"I didn’t touch her," I stated, my voice low but filled with anger. "She’s pretending."

Lilian sobbed dramatically, clutching her own arms as if she had just been assaulted.

"I only asked to stay… please, Luna, I never wanted to steal your place…" She cast me a pleading look. "But you hate me so much that you pushed me!"

My mouth fell open in shock.

Zander frowned, confused, but still didn't move.

"I. Did. Not. Do. That."

"Listen, dear, I understand that you're angry. But that doesn't justify being aggressive. Especially today."

"What?!"

"This is a gathering of all the clans. What do you think they will think of you now?"

"So you actually believe her? This isn’t happening! Tell me I’m having a nightmare, Zander."

My patience was wearing thin.

I looked around, realizing that others had gathered to watch the scene, probably drawn by our shouting. The gazes varied between shocked and curious.

And that was when I realized… it didn’t matter what I said now.

The damage was already done.

Lilian had planted the seed of doubt. She had managed to stain my image in front of the pack.

And Zander, even if he didn't want to, was hesitating. Worse, he was falling for her game.

Smart woman.

"Zander," my voice came out low but sharp, "if you truly believe her, then there is nothing more to be said between us."

He stiffened, as if he had been punched.

"It's not that simple. Please… try to understand me."

"I think I've heard enough."

Alpha Edgar’s voice reached me.

"Apparently, she really can't handle everything."

My blood boiled.

Enough.

I was not willing to listen to anything else from my lying husband's lips, and even less to the arrogant provocations of other Alphas.

My heart was already shattered enough.

Without saying another word, I turned my back and began walking out of the hall, feeling the gazes burning into my back.

I sensed Zander taking a step forward, but he didn’t follow.

He didn’t stop me.

And that hurt more than anything.