Moonlit betrayal

CHAPTER 4: UNANTICIPATED DEVELOPMENT

Luna woke up unusual once more. She sat up, wiping her eyes while the drapes let in sunshine. She felt, not rejuvenated but rather... away off. Her stomach grumbled uneasily.

"It's probably just stress," Luna said, attempting to get the queasiness away. "Ryder's rejection... it's been too much to manage."

She headed toward the kitchen, but the Odors from the refrigerator caused her stomach to turn over right away. She closed the door fast then moved back, palm over her mouth.

Frustration mounting, Luna asked aloud, "What's happening to me?" She had been feeling sickness, tiredness, and lately extremely keen senses for days now. Sounds were clearer, and Odors were strong.

Luna sighed and settled at the kitchen table, resting her head on her hands. She said, attempting to persuade herself it was nothing major, "It's just stress."

Luna sensed something, though, something she couldn't exactly identify deep down.

Days later, Luna went to the neighbourhood drugstore since her unusual symptoms continued. Anxiety chewing at her, she meandered through the aisles.

Her pulse pounding, she wondered, "Could it be something serious?" She paused then reached for a headache reliever. She glanced at the pregnancy tests while she perused another area. Luna fixed them, her ideas whirling around.

She said, "Impossible... right?" but her hand automatically reached for a box.

Her fingers quivering, she bought the exam and rushed back. She hurried to her cottage clutching the little bundle closely, a mix of anxiety and incredulity filling her.

Luna sat on the side of her bed at home, fixed on the pregnancy test. She inhaled deeply. "Come on, Luna, just do it; it's probably negative," she told herself.

She went to the restroom closed the door and started the test. The line seemed to go on forever. Her heart hammering, she walked nervously.

At last, she plucked the bravery to review the outcome.

Two lines cropped up.

Luna's eyes grew incredulity. Her hand shaking, she murmured, "Pregnant?" "I'm... pregnant!"

shocked, she dropped to the bathroom floor. How did this come to be? She reasoned she had been cautious.

She then remembered that evening spent with Ryder. She knew it had to have happened then since memories of their meeting washed back.

Overwhelmed, Luna muttered, "Oh no... what now?" She was expecting a baby. Baby Ryder. But Ryder wanted nothing at all related to her. He had made that agonizingly obvious.

Luna felt lost and scared and clutched herself. She thought furiously and couldn't tell him. "He will just reject us both."

That evening Luna arrived at Selene's door. Selene smiles warmly at her. Hello Luna, what brings you here?

Luna came in slowly, her face white. She remarked softly, "I need to talk."

Selene's smile darkened as she saw Luna's demeanour. She questioned, pointing Luna to sit, "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Luna drew in a long breath. "Selene..." I am pregnant.

Selene's eyes grew shocked. "Pregnant? Are you convinced?"

Luna nodded, tears welling up. "I tested and it's positive."

Selene sat next to Luna; her face wore sympathy. "Luna... what's your present plan?"

Luna shook her head and dabbed her eyes. "I'm at a loss, Selene. Ryder doesn't even want me. How can I break the news about the baby? He'll likely reject us both?"

Selene comfortingly wrapped an arm around Luna. "Perhaps... you do not need to tell him straight away. Take some time to consider what's best for you and the baby."

Luna nodded, yet her heart ached with anxiety. "You're right. I just... I don't want to make things worse. I wouldn't want to force him into this should he show no interest."

Selene squeezed Luna's hand reassuringly. "You're resilient, Luna. Whatever you decide, I'll be here. We'll face this together."

Luna mustered a weak smile, partially eased by her friend's encouragement. Thanks, Selene; I would be lost without you.

Luna's mind ran with innumerable ideas as they sat in quiet. She had a lot of thinking ahead of her even more to decide. One thing was clear, though, she would guard this small life developing inside her no matter what.

Ryder was seated in his mansion in his office staring out the window at the same moment. Ryder's head was elsewhere, the night sky black, the moon gleaming brilliantly.

Luna would not leave his thoughts. Though he tried, the link between them continued dragging at him, and wouldn't let go.

Marcus, his second-in-command and friend, came into the office and saw Ryder's preoccupation. Marcus said softly, "She's still on your mind, isn't she?"

Ryder sighs. "I know rejecting her was right. She's human. Our world isn't for her. I can't help it, Marcus. The bond is overwhelming."

Marcus nodded but appeared concerned. "I understand Ryder but be careful. Ignoring the bond could have consequences for you... and for her."

Feeling the weight of his decision, Ryder tightened his hands. "I know, Marcus. But I must protect the pack. I cannot let my feelings interfere."

Marcus looked at Ryder sympathetically. "Just be careful, Alpha. Sometimes, our choices have a way of coming back to haunt us.

Ryder nodded, his visage a mask of will. Still, deep down he felt a foreboding of approaching transformation. It was uncomfortable. Though he tried as he might, his mind kept returning to Luna.

Looking into the darkness, Ryder considered what lay ahead. He had no idea that shortly his entire universe would be turned on its axis.