THE LUNA'S REVENGE

Maya Pov I stare at the empty chair across from me and try not to cry. Again. It's our one year anniversary and my husband couldn't even be bothered to show up. I should be used to it by now. I learned not to question Adrian's choices a long time ago. "Future Luna, should we pack the food?" The young omega girl asks me quietly, her head bowed down. I look at the table full of food I spent all day preparing. There's roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, fresh bread, and even a chocolate cake. A bottle of expensive wine sits in the middle, still unopened. "Yes, please take it away," I say softly, trying to keep my voice from shaking. The omega nods and starts gathering the dishes. I watch her work and feel so stupid. What was I thinking? That Adrian would suddenly care about our anniversary? That he would come home early and smile at me? That he would hold my hand and tell me he's happy we're married? I've been such a fool. I met Adrian at a mating ceremony two years ago. I was twenty-two, fresh out of training to be a teacher at the pack school. The moment I saw him across the room, I felt it. The mate bond. It was like lightning through my whole body. He felt it too. I could tell by the way his eyes found mine. He walked over to me, and without saying much, he marked me right there. He kissed me in front of everyone. Then he brought me to Moonstone Pack to live with him. I thought we would date first. Maybe go to dinners and talk about our lives. Maybe fall in love like normal people do. But Adrian's father, Alpha Marcus, wanted us married quickly. He said the pack needed a Luna. He said Adrian needed to settle down. So we got married three months after we met. Every single day since then, Adrian has acted like I don't exist. He doesn't want to be tied down by the mate bond. He never wanted a wife. His father forced him into this marriage, and he blames me for it. I touch my stomach gently. I'm four months pregnant now. Adrian doesn't know yet. I've been hiding it with loose clothes because I'm scared to tell him. What if he gets angry? What if he tells me to get rid of the baby? I stay awake until two in the morning, waiting. Finally, I hear the front door open. Adrian walks in looking tired. He's twenty-six but so handsome it almost hurts to look at him. He has dark brown hair that's messy now, and those grey eyes that used to make my heart beat faster. He's tall and strong, exactly what an Alpha should look like. I stand up from the couch and walk toward him. Maybe if I hug him, he'll remember we're supposed to be mates. Maybe he'll feel the bond like I do every second of every day. I wrap my arms around his neck. He pushes me away. Not rough, but firm. Like I'm just something in his way. "Welcome back," I tell him, trying to smile. He doesn't answer. He just pulls off his tie and drops his jacket on the couch. Then he goes to the kitchen and pours himself some wine. The same wine I bought for our anniversary dinner. I follow him to the kitchen. He's sitting at the island counter, spinning the wine glass in his hand. He won't even look at me. "Adrian," I say quietly. "My father wants us to have breakfast with him tomorrow morning. Don't be late." His voice is cold. Then he stands up and walks past me toward his bedroom. We don't even share a bedroom. We've been married for a whole year and he's never once spent the night in the same room as me. Tears fill my eyes but I force them back. I sit down in the kitchen chair and stare at nothing. Why can't I have love like other people? Why does my own mate hate me so much? The next morning, I call my best friend Stella. She's the only person I can talk to about everything. "Can you come to Alpha Marcus's house for breakfast?" I ask her. "Adrian will be there and I don't want to sit alone while they talk about boring business stuff." "Of course!" Stella says. Her voice sounds strange. Kind of excited. "Is Adrian going to be there?" "Yes, he will," I tell her. "Bring some wine if you want. See you soon!" I hang up and get ready. I put on a big cotton sweater that hides my pregnant belly. Nobody can know yet. Not until I figure out how to tell Adrian. I drive to the pack house where Alpha Marcus lives. It's a huge building in the middle of our territory. I've always loved coming here because Alpha Marcus is so kind to me. He treats me like I'm his real daughter. He's the only one in this whole pack who actually likes me. I'm carrying a container of lasagna for him. It's his favorite food. I made it fresh this morning. When I get there, I see an omega girl cleaning the hallway. "Hello, is the Alpha available?" I ask her nicely. She smiles at me. "Yes, Luna. He's in his private wing. Should I tell him you're coming?" "No, I want to surprise him," I say. The omega bows and I walk toward the east wing where Alpha Marcus has his personal rooms. When I get to his door, I knock softly. "Alpha Marcus? Are you there?" No answer. He must be resting. But I want to give him the lasagna while it's still warm. "I'm coming in now," I call out. I turn the doorknob and push the door open. The container falls from my hands and crashes on the floor. Alpha Marcus is lying on the ground in a pool of blood. So much blood. It's everywhere, all over the beautiful wooden floor. There's a knife sticking out of his chest and more blood pouring from the wound. I can't breathe. I can't scream. I can't do anything but stare. Then my body moves on its own. I drop to my knees and crawl toward him. My hands are shaking so badly. I reach for the knife without thinking. I need to help him. I need to pull it out. I need to save him. The blood gets all over my hands. It's warm and sticky and there's so much of it. "Alpha Marcus?" My voice comes out like a whisper.