LUNA ELARA

"Elara! Get down here this instant!" The Alpha Mother's voice cut through Elara's fitful sleep like a knife. She jolted awake, her heart racing. What now? She scrambled out of bed, throwing on the first dress she could find. As she rushed to brush her hair, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror - pale, tired, with dark circles under her eyes. Some Luna she was. "I said now, you girl!" Elara hurried down the stairs, nearly tripping over her own feet. The main hall of the Silverridge Pack House was buzzing with activity. Pack members were gathered in small groups, whispering excitedly. Something was happening. The Alpha Mother stood in the center of it all, her face twisted in its usual scowl. "Finally," she spat. "We have an important meeting, and you're lazing about in bed. Typical." "I'm sorry, Alpha Mother," Elara murmured, keeping her eyes down. "What meeting?" She didn't answer, just grabbed Elara's arm and dragged her towards the council chamber. As they passed, Elara heard the whispers: "There she is, the barren Luna." "Three years and not even a hint of a pup." "The Alpha deserves better." Each word was like a slap, but she'd learned to hide her pain. She lifted her chin, pretending their words didn't cut her to the core. As they entered the council chamber, Elara's eyes widened in surprise. Sitting there, looking radiant and happy, was her best friend, Lyra. What was she doing here? "Lyra?" she gasped. "What-" "Luna," her husband's cold voice interrupted her. Alpha Kaelen stood at the head of the table, his face unreadable. "Sit down. We have an announcement to make." Elara took her seat, confusion and dread battling in her stomach. Lyra wouldn't meet her eyes. "As you all know," Kaelen began, "our pack has suffered without an heir. It's clear that Luna Elara is... incapable of providing one." The words hit her like a physical blow. She struggled to breathe as he continued. "Therefore, I've decided to take a second mate. Lyra has agreed to become my Luna and bear my children." The room spun around Elara. Lyra... her best friend... her husband... "The wedding will be next week," Kaelen said, his voice distant in her ears. "Luna Elara will, of course, step down from her duties." Elara looked at Lyra, silently begging her to deny it. But she just gave Elara a small, almost pitying smile. The room fell silent, all eyes on her. She struggled to find her voice, to say something—anything—but the words wouldn't come. Her best friend and her husband. The betrayal cut deeper than any insult ever could. "Luna Elara," the Alpha Mother's voice dripped with false sympathy, "you understand, don't you? It's for the good of the pack." Elara nodded mechanically, her mind reeling. How long had they been planning this? How many nights had Lyra comforted her about her struggles while knowing she would replace her? "You'll move your things to the servants' quarters today," Kaelen said, not even looking at her. "Lyra will take over your duties immediately." "I—" Elara started to speak, but Lyra interrupted. "Don't worry, Luna," she said, her voice sickly sweet. "I'll take good care of everything. You must be so relieved to be free of the burden." Burden. Is that all she'd been to them? A useless burden? After Lyra's sickly sweet words, something inside Elara snapped. The room suddenly felt too small, too suffocating. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. She needed to get out. She stood up abruptly, her chair clattering to the floor behind her. The noise echoed in the sudden silence of the room. Everyone's eyes were on her, waiting for her reaction. Expecting tears, perhaps. Or rage. But she gave them nothing. Her chest felt like it was being crushed. Each breath was a struggle. The betrayal, the humiliation, the loss - it was all too much. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. What could she possibly say? She looked at Lyra, her best friend - no, her former best friend. But she looked away. Then Elara turned to Kaelen, the man she'd loved for three years, the man she'd tried so hard to please. He wouldn't even meet her gaze. The pain was overwhelming. It felt like her heart was being ripped out of her chest. Tears burned behind her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her break. Without a word, Elara turned and walked out of the room. Her legs were shaking so badly she was afraid she might collapse. But somehow, she managed to keep moving. One foot in front of the other. Away from the whispers. Away from the pitying looks. Away from the life she thought she had. As soon as she was out of sight, she broke into a run. She raced through the pack house, ignoring the startled looks from other pack members. She didn't stop until she reached the garden at the back of the house. There, hidden behind a large moonwood tree, she finally let go. The sobs tore from her throat, violent and raw. She sank to the ground, her entire body shaking with the force of her grief. Years of hope, of trying, of enduring - all for nothing. In one cruel moment, everything had been taken from her. She didn't know how long she sat there, crying until she had no tears left. By the time she gathered herself enough to stand, the sun was setting. She wiped her face, taking deep breaths. She had to go back. She had to face them. The thought made her stomach churn, but she forced herself to stand. With shaky legs, she made her way back to the pack house. The halls were eerily quiet as she walked to her former room. Her things were already packed in boxes, stacked neatly by the door. They couldn't wait to get rid of her. With a heavy heart, Elara began the humiliating task of moving her life to the servants' quarters. Each step she took felt like her life was coming to an end. No one offered to help. No one even looked at her. Her new "home" was a tiny room, barely big enough for a bed and a small dresser. The walls were bare, the paint peeling. This was what she'd been reduced to - from Luna to less than a servant in a matter of hours. As she unpacked, her roommate Mira, a former maid she used to oversee, gave her an awkward smile. "I'm sorry, Luna," she whispered. At least someone still used her title. Elara collapsed onto the narrow bed, exhaustion finally overtaking her. And she slept off.