LUNA ELARA

Chapter 2

The next morning, Elara woke to a wave of nausea so strong it nearly knocked her off her feet. She barely made it to the shared bathroom in time. While she vomited into the toilet, Mira hovered nervously behind her.

"Luna, you don't look well," she said, concern evident in her voice. "Maybe you should see the pack doctor?"

Elara shook her head weakly. "It's just stress," she mumbled, though even as she said it, she wasn't sure. This felt different, more intense than anything she'd experienced before.

But the nausea didn't subside. If anything, it got worse as the morning wore on. By midday, she could barely stand without feeling dizzy.

"That's it," Mira declared, taking charge. "I'm taking you to Dr. Alaric. No arguments."

Too weak to protest, Elara let her half-carry her to the pack clinic. The walk felt endless, and she was acutely aware of the stares and whispers that followed them.

Dr. Alaric, a kindly older wolf who'd been with the Silverridge Pack for decades, frowned as he examined her. "How long have you been feeling like this, Luna?" he asked, his use of her title a small comfort.

"Just since this morning," she replied. "But it's probably just stress. With everything that's happened..."

He nodded sympathetically, then asked her a series of questions about her symptoms. With each answer, his eyebrows rose a little higher.

Finally, he sat back in his chair, a strange expression on his face. "Luna," he said slowly, "I think I know what's causing your illness. But I need to run a quick test to be sure."

Elara nodded, too tired to argue. What did it matter anyway? Nothing could make this day worse.

A few minutes later, Dr. Alaric returned, a look of shock on his face. He took a deep breath, then met her eyes.

"Luna Elara," he said, his voice filled with wonder, "you're pregnant."

Elara stared at Dr. Alaric, his words echoing in her head. Pregnant. She was pregnant. It didn't seem real.

"That's... that's not possible," she stammered, her hand unconsciously moving to her stomach. "We've been trying for years. I can't be..."

Dr. Alaric smiled gently. "I assure you, Luna, the test is accurate. You're about six weeks along."

Six weeks. Her mind raced, counting back. It must have been that night, the last time Kaelen and she... before he started avoiding her completely.

A whirlwind of emotions crashed over her. Joy, fear, disbelief, anger. This was everything she'd wanted for so long, but now...

"Luna?" Mira's voice broke through her thoughts. She was looking at Elara with a mix of concern and excitement. "Are you okay?"

Was she okay? She didn't even know how to answer that question.

"I... I need some time to process this," she managed to say. "Dr. Alaric, please don't tell anyone about this. Not yet."

He nodded solemnly. "Of course, Luna. Doctor-patient confidentiality. But I must advise you to take care of yourself. No stress, plenty of rest, and a good diet are crucial right now."

Elara almost laughed at that. No stress? In her situation?

As Mira and she left the clinic, her mind was spinning. What was she going to do? Should she tell Kaelen? The pack? They'd already replaced her. Would this change anything?

And then a chilling thought hit her. What if they tried to take her baby? The heir they'd been waiting for all this time. Would they push her aside and raise her child as Lyra's?

No. She wouldn't let that happen.

"Mira," she said, stopping in her tracks. "I need your help. And I need you to swear you won't tell anyone what you heard in there."

Mira nodded eagerly. "Of course, Luna. Anything you need."

Elara took a deep breath, her mind racing. "I... I need time to think. Can you cover for me if anyone asks where I am?"

Mira nodded, her eyes full of concern. "Of course, Luna. Take all the time you need."

They made their way back to the servants' quarters in silence. Elara's head was spinning with the news, and she could barely focus on putting one foot in front of the other. As soon as they were back in their tiny shared room, she collapsed onto her bed.

"Luna?" Mira's voice was hesitant. "What are you going to do?"

Elara stared at the ceiling, her hand resting on her still-flat stomach. "I don't know," she admitted. "I just... I need to think."

Mira sat on the edge of her bed, wringing her hands. "If you don't mind me saying, Luna... maybe you should tell them."

Elara turned to look at her, surprised. "Tell them? After everything they've done?"

Mira nodded slowly. "I know it's not my place, but... they cast you aside because of an heir, didn't they? And now you have one. This changes everything."

Elara sat up, considering her words. She was right, of course. This did change everything. But the memory of their cruel words, their dismissive glances, the way they cast her aside so easily... it all still stung.

"What if they try to take the baby?" she voiced her fear aloud. "What if they still don't want me, just the heir?"

Mira's eyes softened. "Luna, you're stronger than you know. If you tell them, you'll be doing it on your terms. You'll have the upper hand for once."

Elara nodded slowly, mulling over her words. She was right. If she revealed this news, she'd be the one in control. No more sneaking around, no more being pushed aside.

"You're right," she said finally, a new determination filling her. "I'll tell them. But not yet. I need to plan this carefully."

Mira smiled, relief evident on her face. "That's the Luna I know. Strong and smart."

The next morning, Elara woke up feeling way better than the previous day. The nausea was still there, but it felt different now. A reminder of the life growing inside her, rather than just another burden.

"How are you feeling, Luna?" Mira asked as she helped her sit up.

"Better," Elara said, managing a small smile. "And I've made a decision. I'm going to tell them, but not right away. I need to be smart about this."

Mira nodded approvingly. "What's your plan?"

"First, I need to confirm everything with Dr. Alaric. Then, I'll wait a few more weeks, just to be sure. After that..." she took a deep breath. "I'll confront Kaelen and the pack council."

Over the next few weeks, Elara kept her head down. She did her chores without complaint, endured the whispers and stares, and bided her time. All the while, her secret grew inside her, giving her strength.

Dr. Alaric confirmed her pregnancy and gave her vitamins to take. He eyed her knowingly but kept his word about confidentiality.

Finally, when she was about ten weeks along, Elara decided it was time. She asked Mira to deliver a message to Kaelen, requesting a pack council meeting. The look of surprise on her face when she returned told Elara everything.

"He... he agreed," she stammered. "The meeting is set for tomorrow morning."

That night, Elara barely slept. She rehearsed what she was going to say over and over in her head. By dawn, she was exhausted but determined.

As she walked into the council chamber, the room fell silent. Kaelen, Lyra, the Alpha Mother, and the other council members stared at her with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.

"What is the meaning of this, Elara?" the Alpha Mother snapped. "You have no right to call a council meeting."

Elara straightened her spine, meeting her gaze steadily. "I have every right, as the true Luna of this pack."

Confused murmurs filled the room. Kaelen leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Elara took a deep breath. This was it. The moment that would change everything.

"I'm pregnant," she announced, her voice ringing clear through the stunned silence. "I'm carrying the heir to this pack."

The room erupted into chaos. Lyra gasped, her face turning pale. The Alpha Mother jumped to her feet, shouting accusations. But Elara only had eyes for Kaelen.

He stared at her, his face filled with shock.

As the noise in the room died down a little, Alpha Kaelen's voice cut through the room. "How sure are you that this is my child? You couldn't give birth for past years, why should I believe it is mine now?"