Fiona's POV

I woke up to a ceiling stained with brown patches and a sharp scent of herbs telling me I was in the pack clinic. I tried sitting up, but my body protested as soreness wrapped around my limbs like chains and a dull ache pulsed in my lower abdomen. My mouth tasted bitter. 

"Easy there," came a familiar voice. 

I turned to see the pack doctor, Miriam, setting down a vial on the counter looking both relieved and worn out.

"You scared everyone," she continued gently. "Your wolf nearly gave out from the stress."

I gave her a faint nod as I allowed my memories to trickle back to my vow renewal night with Kael and how he left me alone the whole night to fuck his little miss. 

"How long was I out?" I croaked.

"A day and a half."

"A whole day?!" 

"And half," she added.

"Have Alpha Kael come to see me?"

Her smile flattered.

"I...I sent Gareth to inform him that night after he had dropped you off. But..." She glanced towards the door, then back to me. "But I haven't seen or heard from him since then."

I swung my legs off the bed, wincing in pain. I had to go find Kael and see what was keeping him away even though I already knew. 

"No, no," Miriam rushed towards me. "Luna, please. You need to start taking things easily from now on for the sake of the little one growing inside you."

I froze. "The what?"

"The baby," she said gently, "You're pregnant."

I stared blankly at her as my breath hitched. "I'm...having a baby?" The words rolled out in a whisper.

 She nodded.

Despite the storm of betrayal, my heart lifted as our childless years had once been Kael's greatest worry and talk of the day before Laila returned. 

I clutched my stomach, a small smile breaking through my lips. "Have you told anyone? Alpha Kael needs to hear about this at once," I said, trying to stand up again, but Miriam held me down.

"No, I haven't, but you need to rest and allow Gareth to go fetch the Alpha for you."

"But he has been on that all day," I stressed, frowning.

Just then, the door swung open, revealing Gareth. The frown on my face was instantly replaced with a warm smile.

"Finally," Miriam said with relief, also smiling.

But seeing he was alone, our smiles faded. 

"Where is Alpha Kael?" I asked impatiently.

"He's...busy," Gareth said flatly. "He asked me to escort you back to your room and that he would come check in on you once he is done with what he is working on."

"This is insane," I muttered breathlessly as I jumped off the bed and stormed out of the clinic before they could stop me.

I marched into the pack house and went straight to Kael's chamber with Nyra stirring uneasily within me. 

Just as I reached the hallway, I saw him about to step into his room.

"Kael!" I called with a damning voice that was sharp with frustration.

His hand froze on the door knob as he turned in my direction, faint surprise flashing in his eyes. "Fiona?"

"I'm glad to find you here. We need to talk."

I moved to make my way into the room, but he blocked the entrance with his broad frame. 

Frowning, "why aren't you letting me in?" I asked.

"No...no reason in particular. Whatever you want to say, we can talk about it out here, can't we?"

It was at this point the familiar honeysuckle scent that I characterize Laila with hit me, snapping my composure into pieces.

"So this is what you're busy with?" I barked at his face.

Without a word, Kael seized my hand and dragged me straight to the front yard. 

"Why are you doing this?" Kael asked with a low voice that was edged with steel as the tension between us now crackled like wildfire.

"Doing what?" I snapped. "I walked in on you fucking your ex two nights ago and babysitting her this morning while I fought for my life at the pack clinic and you dare stand there and question my reaction?"

 "Fiona..."

"Don't Fiona me! You keep empowering her to humiliate me publicly and act like I am overreacting to it," I interrupted.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in an exasperated manner. "You're overthinking this and making everything harder by playing the victim."

I stared at him, stunned. "What...what did you just say to me?" I asked in a voice that could pass as a whisper.

"You should know," he went on, "an Alpha is entitled to other females even though he has a Luna. And let's not forget this is my first love we're talking about, not some random rogue."

His words pierced through what little hope I had left, leaving me dumbfounded for a while.

"She's the only one who can handle and satisfy me, you know what I am talking about don't you?"

With tears burning in my eyes, "What are you insinuating, Kael?" I roared. 

"That you'll never be enough for me, not the way she is so you better start getting used to the way things are around here now," he replied, his lips curved into a cruel smirk.

"You bastard!" I spat, anger surging through me like fire, scorching my veins. My wolf growled deep inside, wanting time for her to take over the moment.

"Watch your tongue woman if you don't want to start considering rejecting you," he took a step closer to me till we were only inches away, seizing me with his gaze for a while before turning to walk away.

"If that is how you truly feel, then maybe it is time we both stop dancing around. You want to reject me? Fine, go ahead! Reject me. Reject me and your heir if that will make you happy!"

His head snapped back. "Heir?"

"You heard me right," my hands trembled, "I am carrying your pup, your heir."

His lips parted despite himself. "A heir?" 

"Yes."

He turned fully around and stepped back to me, his presence now overwhelming as his scent ignited the mate bond, with my wolf aching to submit. But I forced myself to resist. 

"I can't deny our bond, Fiona. Neither can you. So stop fighting me because of this unwarranted anger of yours plus you know I love you," Kael's lips brushed my ear as he whispered in a husky voice.

His words almost unraveled me, and I was so close to pulling him into a tight hug, but I clenched my fist, glaring up at him. "Are you still going to go on with denying the fact that we are perfectly made for each other, then reject me and your heir just because of that pathetic parasite clinging to you?"

Before Kael could answer, a familiar voice cut in. "Kael, you're out here."

I whipped my head around to see Laila, arms crossed beneath her saggy breast. Rolling my eyes, I scoffed, "Here comes the walking disgrace herself."

"Fiona," Kael called cautiously.

"It's fine, Kael. Let her spit her venom. She's right after all, I deserve whatever she calls me, I deserve what's happening to me. I brought it all on myself anyways," She said in a well rehearsed manner.

Tilting my head sideways, I smirked coldly. "Why are you really here?" 

She allowed her gaze darted from me to Kael and then to me again before going on to say, "I was exiled from my pack for an offense I didn't commit. I had nowhere else to go so I found my way back to my home."

"Bullshit!" I roared. "You came back because Kael is Alpha, so enough of your sob stories."

Laila scoffed. "My return has nothing to do with Kael or his position as Alpha."

"Oh really?" I sneered. "It's hard not to think otherwise, considering you once broke his heart because of that very position.

"That is all in the past now," she retorted.

"So if you are not here scheming, then why are you here?" I pressed, shifting the weight of my body to my left hip.

"I have told you everything, and if you won't listen, I don't think there is a need for this conversation anymore." She turned on her heel, ready to walk away but as she took a few steps, her body wavered.

"Laila?" Kael called quizzically.

She staggered a few more times before dropping flat to the ground.

"Laila!" Kael exclaimed as he dropped on his knees beside her, cradling her in panic. "Help! Somebody help!" He yelled with his eyes wide in terror.

Gareth rushed out of the house in no time, sprinting towards them.

I stood there for a moment, watching the chaotic scene unfold in front of me before I turned around and quietly walked back to my room.

I closed the door and sat on the bed, the scene replaying in my mind like a broken record.

"Exiled for a crime she didn't commit?" I scoffed bitterly, "I'll never buy that."

I was certain Laila was not here of her own will but someone else. Someone had planted her back in Kael's life, and they meant to use his weakness for Laila as a weapon against us.

But no matter how I turned the issue over in my mind, one truth kept pressing and that was how I'd only get answers from the man who knew Laila best.

Alpha Derek.

The leader of the Silvercrest pack that is blind, yet feared more than sighted Alphas as he gutted traitors with one claw and wielded power that couldn't be matched. They said making a deal with him was like shaking hands with the devil making it shocking  that Laila once stood a chance with him.

His presence was indeed a sacred one, but I had no choice. To be able to get Laila out of the way and get my marriage back to what it used to be before that whore showed up, I need to find the hole in her story that no one seemed to be noticing, and point it out for all to see. And if there was no hole...then I would dig one myself. 

All in all, I needed the blind Alpha.

But the question now was how do I get into his presence?

Fiona's POV

The silence in my room no longer comforted me, it only reminded me of Kael's madness as I sat curled by the window, hand on my belly that was yet to show signs, drained from the morning nausea and sleepless nights. 

It hurt so much to know that I could vanish and Kael wouldn't flinch but I couldn't do anything about the pain.

 My mind was a huge mess and my only hope was Alpha Derek. But finding a way into his presence was a burden on its own. 

Anger churned in my stomach, more violent than the morning sickness and I could not help but crave a cup of hot chocolate which had slowly become my favorite over the years. 

Getting on my feet, I shed the oversized hoodie I had lived in for days, slipped into another dress that made me look less homeless, and made my way to the kitchen where I found Cassie, a former warrior from my pack, Eva and two other omegas.

They were talking excitedly and giggling loudly in between like they had just hit a jackpot. As soon as they caught sight of me, they chorused "Luna Fiona," softly.

Flashing them a warm smile, I walked toward the counter, helping myself with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. "What's the excitement about?" I asked curiously.

"Haven't you heard?" Cassie was the first to speak, her eyes shining brightly.

"Heard what?" I retorted, sipping slowly.

"About the elite combat, The Ravaryn Trails to be precise, happening in the Moonfang pack next tomorrow," Eva quickly chimed in.

I blinked. "I...I didn't hear anything like that."

Cassie leaned forward eagerly before saying, "Well, I think you need to attend and serenade them with your skills."

I shook my head. "I have too much on my plate to think about some festival."

"Oh, too bad," Cassie sighed dramatically. "If the festival wasn't an exclusive one, open to only Alphas, their mates, the elders and a few high ranks, I would have loved to attend because it is rumoured that Alpha Derek would be marking his presence there."

With my cup freezing halfway to my lips, "Alpha Derek?!" I echoed, my eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes," Cassie said with a grin, "the almighty blind Alpha would be there. And if you ask me, Luna, I would say you shouldn't miss such an opportunity to show how good your skills are to the rest of the world."

"It's been ages since I last trained. I don't think I still have my touch," I replied, shaking my head slowly.

"That's not a big deal," Cassie countered quickly. "We can practice now to see how rusty it might have gotten, which I doubt if it has."

"Now?" I asked.

"Or would you rather have it another way?" She teased, and I glanced down at my dress, unsure. 

I gave in to Cassie's proposal, and we both made our way to the training ground with the others whispering excitedly behind us.

When we got there, the field was dried, but not completely empty, just as I like it. As custom, Cassie and I bowed softly to one another before the sparring began.

We faced off in a circle as murmurs tore through the little crowd present, obviously wondering if I still had my touch I was once known for. 

Well, isn't that what we are here to find out?

Cassia made a swift leg sweep that was meant to knock me off balance as her first move, but I dodged, spun, and countered it with a knee jab that forced her back. She smirked. "Still quick, huh?"

"You tell me," I replied, stepping forward.

Despite my wounded heart, I dodged and countered Cassia's attack. She lunged for a shoulder lock but I flipped back and landed in a crouch, sending the crowd to explode with cheers.

Then Cassia shifted.

Her wolf-a lean gray wolf-growled playfully, challenging on. 

Without hesitation, I leapt, summoning Nyra mid-air. My bones shifted and my skin stretched in a raw painful but beautiful moment as she answered my call. Fur sprouted as I landed with a thunderous growl, Nyra standing tall despite the past weeks of battling heartbreak.

The crowd roared excitedly, but I cared more about the spark of strength returning to me than winning the fight.

Her wolf lunged at me and Nyra met her in the air, slamming and pinning her to the ground with my claws. Cassie yelped in defeat and I shifted back to my human form as the crowd broke into applause.

Bringing me a bottle of water with a bright smile spreading across her face, "You see, Luna, that wasn't bad at all. I think you should reconsider going to the festival."

"Yes, I agree," Cassie added, "all you need is a little more practice and you would be all set."

"I think so," I admitted, walking away.

"Where are you going? I thought we would practice some more," Cassie called after me.

"I need to go see the Alpha and inquire more about this Ravaryn festival in question," I shot back.

I made my way to Alpha Kael's chamber, and I found Laila on the bed, covered with a duvet and her dark hair spilling on the pillow. I froze, surprised by her presence because I thought she was at the pack clinic receiving treatment after what happened the other day.

With my heart racing, "What are you doing in my mate's chamber instead of the pack clinic?" I growled angrily.

She turned her head lazily to me and without any remorse, "It wasn't my intention to be here, but the pack doctor recommended it because of my condition and I had no reason not to agree with that," she said in an infuriately calm manner as she slipped out of bed.

With my brows arched in confusion, I asked what condition she meant only for her to gasp and giggle before saying, "Oh, sorry, I thought you were already aware."

Her smugness made my stomach twist and I stared blankly at her.

"I'm pregnant," she smirked, breaking the silence, "and Miriam said I need all the rest I can get. That is why I am here with him, resting and also having some fun to keep the hole open as advised, you know what I mean, right?" She giggled again.

Taking a step closer, I let the bottle water I was holding slip off my hand as I balled my fist. "Did you just say you are pregnant?"

"You heard me right," she replied smugly, "I am carrying the Alpha's pup."

"How dare you allow yourself to get pregnant for him? So sleeping with him wasn't enough for you, whore?" I thundered, my heart sinking into my stomach.

She lifted her chin. "You can call me all the names you want, but what I won't accept is you blaming me for my fertility. By the way, you shouldn't be that daft to expect everyone to be barren like you."

Rage overtook me in an instant, and my hand struck her cheek in a slap. Before she could recover, I shoved her hard onto the bed and dived on her. We both struggled to gain control with Laila crying out loud and me trying to shut her up.

The door burst open and Alpha Kael stormed in with two guards. Their strong hand yanked me back, giving Laila the chance to kick me hard in my stomach. Air whooshed out of my lungs, forcing me to surrender. 

Kael was by her side within a blink of an eye, lifting her head on his lap and stroking her hair while she cried profusely, whispering broken words about how I attacked her.

Leaving her side, "How dare you raise those filthy hands of yours on her?" Kael growled, pinning me against the wall with his grip fierce and rough.

"Kael, I...I..."

"Silence!" He cut me off sharply, his eyes digging a hole into my soul. "If you ever lay your hand or even the tiniest finger on Laila again, I will not hesitate to have your head chopped off in front of the whole pack," he roared, saliva spewing on my face.

"Kael?!" I exclaimed, tears rolling freely down my face as his threats pierced through me like a dagger, shattering everything that is left of him in me.

"Guards," he barked, turning his back to me, "Escort her to her room now. She's under house arrest until further notice."

"No, Kael. No, you can't do this," I cried frantically.

"I can. And I just did." 

My body instantly went cold as I thought about how the house arrest had slimmed my chances of seeing the one person that can help me unmask Laila.

Fiona's POV

I sat at the edge of the bed, eyes burning, and heart heavier than it was this morning. The silence in the room, which was broken by the clock's tick and occasional murmurs of the guards Kael had planted in front of my room to watch me, was suffocating.

Laila's pregnancy announcement had gutted me, but the house arrest sealed it all. And now, the Ravaryn festival-my chance to reach Alpha Derek-was slipping away just when I thought the moon goddess finally remembered me.

I have never felt this hopeless in my entire life before, my mind was clouded and my eyes looked distant. But despite this pit of despair I was thrown in, giving up wasn't an option as I still believe a miracle could come before the festival and it did come that morning. 

I was seated at my dressing table, running a comb through my hair with slow strokes when I heard the door creek open without a knock.

"Fiona?"

I turned to see Kael leaned casually against the doorframe, with his damp golden-blonde hair dripping onto his shoulders. The way his eyes racked over me in a carefree manner like he hadn't just gotten his mistress pregnant under my nose and locked me away for getting angry about it, made me feel even more useless for a mate and more like a possession he still has right to claim.

"I'm going to the Ravaryn Festival," he announced, "Laila is down with a cold, she can't go. So, I want you to come with me."

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I said..."

"I heard what you said perfectly," I cut sharply, "I am just wondering why I get to be treated like a side piece that is only picked up because your little miss is unavailable. I'm your Luna, Kael. I should be your first pick in everything."

"That is not what this is," he replied.

"Then what exactly is it?" I yelled.

After a short moment of silence, "You should be grateful I'm even considering taking you despite your misbehaviors. Get dressed. We leave in one hour," Kael stated.

He walked out, leaving me trembling with humiliation and rage at the thought of how I had been reduced to nothing. Shoving the bitterness aside, I forced myself to focus on what truly mattered.

 After having my bath, I slipped into an emerald silk gown, not caring if it impressed him as he wouldn't be able to see me anyway, and quickly applied a light layer of makeup on my face before stepping out of the room. The moment I got outside the courtyard, the line of SUVs on the driveway came into view along with Kael standing beside the first car, checking his watch.

 I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly as I made my way to him. Just as I was about to step into the back seat of the opened car Kael was beside, "Alpha Kael," a familiar voice called out from behind us, and I turned to see Laila dressed stunningly in a wine-red velvet gown that hugged her bump that was surprisingly showing already like a crown.

What the hell? What is she doing out here, dressed? Isn't she supposed to be down with a cold and locked away in the pack clinic to rest?

 Kael's face lit up. "Laila?" He rushed to her and snuck his hands protectively around her waist. "What are you doing here? I thought..."

 She planted a kiss on his lips before he could finish and went on to say, "It was all an act. I wanted to see if you would stay back for me," giggling lightly. 

 "Laila," Kael stressed, grinning from ear to ear.

 "Anyways, I'm coming with you," she said simply.

 "Are you sure?" Kael asked.

 "Don't you want me to?"

 "Of course. I would love that."

 And just like that, they turned, walking towards me. I also turned to enter the car when Kael's voice stopped me. 

 "Fiona, ride in the next car with Gareth, Laila is riding with me."

 I opened my mouth to protest, but shame silenced me. Swallowing my pride as I thought about how this wasn't the moment to act on it, I headed to the next car where Gareth waited with a sympathetic look on his face. 

 The drive to the Moonfang pack took less than three hours, but somehow, it felt endless. When we finally arrived, Alphas and elders from different packs across the region were mingling and the atmosphere was agog with celebration. 

 I trailed behind Kael and Laila like an unwanted shadow, watching elders scold him for bringing his mistress to such a gathering while he mumbled incoherent excuses. As they asked after me, I slipped away, smirking at Laila's face that was flushed with embarrassment.

The festival glowed with Silver lanterns, silk banners carrying intricate patterns, and the soft flutes that serenade the air. But I barely paid attention to it as my eyes swept the crowd, searching for Alpha Derek.

"Luna Fiona," a voice called beside me, and I turned to see two young wolves, approaching me. One held a clipboard and the other a sack bag.

"Do you want to take part in the brawl challenge?" The clipboard boy asked.

"Uhm..."

"You can join one of the exhibition fights, it's tradition and a great way to make a name," he continued. "Plus players are matched fairly and you don't know your opponent till you are called up."

I hesitated. "What category will I play in?"

"Mixed Combat. Group red, round four."

The other boy pulled a folded outfit-a fitted black vest top, crimson pants with gold sash and arm wrap-from his sack. He pointed to the tents nearby, "You can change there."

I went ahead to change quickly and returned as the festival began with the commentator, an elderly woman with blonde hair and an annoying high pitch voice, announcing the first match. Looking for a space to sit, I spotted Kael and Laila with Gareth. I held their gaze for a while before slipping away to sit alone.

As the matches unfolded, I kept looking forward to his arrival, but there was no sign of him. My hope was starting to fade, thinking it might just be rumors, when a convoy of black Escalades that flanked a white Rolls-Royce arrived. Warriors in red spilled out in numbers, surrounding the white car. I stopped breathing as Alpha Derek stepped out.

He had a tall, towering look with dark tousled hair that looked artfully disheveled with a chiseled jaw like a sculptor's masterpiece. He was adorned with dark shades, a black coat trimmed in silver, and held a silver cane with a wolf-handle.

He snapped his head in my direction and I was about to roll my eyes away when I remembered he's blind. But the way he moved, with warriors flanking him on all sides, no one will ever guess it. His presence sucked the air from the atmosphere, forcing heads to turn.

I watched him disappear into the front row, wondering why he'd attend an event he couldn't see. Still, I hoped his ears worked well enough to hear my name being echoed when I won the brawl. My thoughts which were trying to piece together what I would say to him when I finally got his attention scattered as the commentator went on to say, "Up next-representing the Moonveil pack...Luna Fiona!"

Cheers erupted around me as I made my way to the stage, my heart pounding louder than the drums.

As the commentator went ahead to announce my opponent, the crowd erupted once again with loud applause. But I froze with my breath hitched, and lips slightly parted. The noise faded into nothing as I stared, wide-eyed and numb.