ALWAYS THE LUNA

Chapter4

ADA

I called Owen and asked him to help load my bags into the car. He asked whether everything was all right, and I assured him that it was. There was no need to tell him about the divorce. Everyone would find out soon enough.

“Take me to my grandma’s place,” I instructed. He knew where my grandmother lived because he had driven me there a few times before.

My grandmother was the only family I had left. She was the mother of my late mum. Right now, all I had was her and my baby. She had never supported my decision to abandon my dreams just to devote myself to Adrian and his pack.

After my parents died, I had lived with Sarah’s family. Her dad was my dad’s brother. They had treated me well initially, but Sarah had resented my presence. She was always turning her parents against me until my relationship with them deteriorated. She had manipulated them into hating me. She bullied me relentlessly, yet no one ever believed my side of the story. She always portrayed herself as an angel while making me look like the devil. Little did anyone know that Sarah had been the devil in my life.

She had made my life miserable after I slept with Adrian, became pregnant, and was forced to marry him. Despite everything she had done, no one had believed me. Not even Adrian.

After a short drive, we arrived at my grandmother’s house. She had always wanted me to live with her, but I hadn’t wanted to become a burden. That was why I had endured living with Sarah and her family.

I intended to stay with my grandmother for only a few days while I figured out what to do next. Adrian had given me a substantial alimony. I wished I could reject it because I wanted nothing that belonged to him, but I had very little to my name. I hadn’t even attended college, which meant finding a decent job capable of supporting me and my baby would be difficult. Apart from the alimony, I had taken nothing else. Not the cars he had bought me, nor the expensive jewellery or any of the other gifts.

I stepped out of the car, and Owen helped me with my luggage. There was a peculiar look in his eyes. Maybe he suspected something. After all, I had never visited my grandmother with so many bags before.

I thanked him, and after he drove away, I knocked on the door. A moment later, it swung open.

“Grandma…” My voice broke.

“Ada?” She didn’t look surprised until she noticed the large bags beside me.

She asked no questions. Instead, she helped me inside. The moment I entered, I collapsed into her arms and sobbed uncontrollably. I had promised myself that I wouldn’t cry for Adrian again, but the agony in my heart was unbearable.

…

I told Grandma everything. By the time I finished, she was seething with rage.

“How could they cast you aside after everything you sacrificed for them?” she demanded furiously. “You helped turn that pack into what it is today. You stood by Adrian and helped him become who he is, and this is how those ungrateful people repay you?”

She shook her head, her expression clouded with regret. “This is my fault. I should never have allowed you to abandon your dreams and devote yourself to those ungrateful people.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Grandma. I was the one who made that decision. Besides, even though I didn’t attend college, I’m still educated. I received private lessons.”

“Those lessons were mainly about politics. You always wanted to become a doctor. Those people destroyed your dream.”

It was the law. I had known what I was getting myself into when I agreed to marry Adrian. I could study whatever I wanted before becoming a Luna, but once I assumed that position, formal education was no longer an option. The only lessons available to me were private classes that taught me about politics and how to become a good Luna.

“Does he know you’re pregnant?” Grandma asked after she had calmed down.

“No. He has Sarah now. I don’t think this pregnancy will be enough to make him stay in a marriage he clearly doesn’t want.” My voice trembled as I admitted my greatest fear. “I’m terrified he might take my baby away from me.”

“I would rather die than stand by and watch him take my great-grandchild.” Her voice hardened with determination. “It’s a good thing you kept your pregnancy a secret. He doesn’t deserve to be the father of this child.”

Grandma pulled me into her arms again. “You’re strong, my child. I know you’ll get through this.”

Would I?

“Has he rejected you yet?” she asked.

“Not yet.”

“It won’t hurt the baby, will it?”

“According to the doctor, it may or may not harm the baby,” I replied.

“Oh, my goodness, Ada. What if it does?” Her voice was thick with worry.

“It won’t. I’ll be careful.”

“Besides the doctor, who else knows about the baby?”

“No one. I’ll meet with the doctor and ask her to keep it a secret. We’re close friends, and I believe she’ll respect my wishes.”

Grandma held my hand, gently stroking it before placing her palm against my stomach. A faint smile touched her lips, but sadness lingered in her eyes. She could feel my anguish, the pain that refused to leave me. I needed to remain strong for my baby, especially if we were going to go through with the rejection.

“I can feel the life growing inside you.” She looked directly into my eyes. “I’ll protect you and this baby, even if it means leaving this pack and going somewhere far away where that bastard will never find us.”

“Thank you, Grandma,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around her.

“You don’t have to thank me, my child. Keeping you safe is my responsibility.” She gently rubbed my back, comforting me.

I truly didn’t want to drag Grandma into my problems, but I knew I couldn’t face everything alone. I desperately needed someone by my side.