The procedure was over quicker than I had anticipated. Lying in the cold, sterile operating room with the bright lights of the pack clinic glaring down on me, I felt something leave my body. Even though the pack healer had administered a numbing potion, a sharp pain pierced through me—not just physical, but a deep, soul-rending ache that made my wolf whimper softly in the back of my mind. A single tear slid from the corner of my eye as I gazed into the blinding white light above.

I failed this child.

As I was wheeled out of the operating room, I saw Jrue ahead, his towering Alpha frame unmistakable even from a distance. His focus was entirely on Lilian, who stood beside him, her delicate scent of jasmine wafting through the air. He didn’t even notice his Luna being pushed past him.

“The Alpha and his mate are so striking together. I’ve seen her come in often for check-ups, and he’s always by her side,” one of the pack healers remarked, her voice tinged with admiration.

“I heard she can’t carry pups because of her health,” another whispered.

“But does it matter? The Alpha clearly adores her. It’s something to envy.”

I stared up at the ceiling, numb to the discussion about my mate and another woman. My heart felt like a stone in my chest, heavy and unyielding. Since I’d discovered I was pregnant, I’d attended every prenatal appointment alone. Jrue always had the excuse of being swamped with pack duties—meetings with the Betas, skirmishes with rogue wolves, or negotiations with neighboring packs. Now, it was obvious: it wasn’t about his responsibilities; he simply didn’t want to be there with me.

Jrue seemed to harbor resentment since our last encounter at the clinic, and after our unpleasant exchange, he hadn’t reached out. Meanwhile, Lilian had been admitted too, her room just down the hall from mine. Even being so close, during all my time in the clinic, Jrue hadn’t noticed I was there. Of course, with Lilian being his perfect ideal—his “white moonlight”—how could he see anyone else? Her presence was like a beacon, drawing him in with her grace and beauty, while I remained invisible in the shadow of her perfection.

As the healers wheeled me further away, I caught a glimpse of Lilian’s delicate hand resting on Jrue’s arm, her fingers brushing against the mark on his wrist—the mark that should have symbolized our bond, our promise. But now, it felt like a cruel joke, a reminder of how easily he’d turned his back on me.

“Lilian,” Jrue said, his voice low and tender, the kind of tone he’d never used with me. “Are you sure you’re feeling alright? You don’t have to push yourself.”

She smiled up at him, her eyes soft and adoring. “I’m fine, Alpha. You worry too much.”

The words cut deeper than any blade. He worried for her, while I had been left to face this alone. My wolf growled softly, a sound of both pain and defiance, but I silenced her. There was no point in fighting this anymore. The bond between us—once strong and unbreakable—had been shattered the moment he’d chosen her over me.

As I was wheeled into the recovery room, I closed my eyes, trying to block out the sound of their voices, the scent of her jasmine, and the overwhelming presence of his Alpha aura. But even in the silence, the weight of his betrayal pressed down on me, a constant reminder that I was no longer his Luna, no longer his mate. I was just a shadow, fading into the background of a story that no longer belonged to me.

After being discharged from the hospital, I was taken aback to find Alpha Jrue at home.

As I entered, his expression softened under the warm light, the severe lines of his face relaxing a bit.

"Why are you home so late, Luna? I ordered takeout for us; come and eat," he said, his alpha tone slightly gentler than usual.

"I noticed some suitcases in the bedroom. Are you getting ready to head back for the Moon Festival?"

"You’re carrying our future heir. Let the pack omegas handle these tasks; don’t wear yourself out," he added, his voice carrying the weight of his alpha command.

His words reminded me of the packing I’d been doing before my hospital visit. I had assumed Alpha Jrue would spend all his time with Lilian, so I hadn’t bothered to tidy up before leaving. Now, he provided me an excuse that allowed me to avoid confronting the truth.

"Yes, Alpha, I’m getting ready for the trip back to the Shadow Moon Pack’s ancestral grounds," I replied nonchalantly, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

I glanced at the food on the table—heavy with smoked paprika and drenched in a thick tomato sauce. Just looking at it made me feel queasy.

"Lilian told me the takeout from this place is great. I ordered you a few dishes to try," Alpha Jrue said, his tone casual, as if he hadn’t just mentioned her name.

"Alpha, I can’t handle spicy food. It gives me hives. You know this, right?" I asked, my voice calm but edged with a quiet firmness.

Of course, he didn’t know. But he knew that Lilian loved spicy food.

"I overlooked that. But look, I bought a lot of supplements for you. They’re supposed to be really good for pregnant she-wolves," he said, his alpha tone softening again as he gestured toward the living room.

I followed his gesture and saw the room scattered with brightly colored packages. Just the sight of them suggested they weren’t cheap. I took a deep breath and met Alpha Jrue’s hopeful gaze.

"Return them, Alpha. I don’t need them," I said, my voice steady but laced with finality.

Upon hearing my refusal, Alpha Jrue’s expression finally hardened, his alpha aura flaring slightly.

"Melanie, I know you’re upset about Lilian. But I only see her as a sister, not the way you think," he said, his voice firm but tinged with frustration.

"She just got back in the country and doesn’t know anyone. I’m the only one who can help her. Could you understand and stop being so upset? You’re carrying our future heir now, even if you don’t want to do it for yourself," he added, his alpha tone commanding, yet there was a rare softness in his words.

It was rare for Alpha Jrue to speak gently to me, yet my chest felt like it was weighed down with stones, the humiliation suffocating. Mentioning the heir was like twisting the knife.

"I know you’re angry about me introducing you as my Beta at the pack gathering the other day. I was wrong. I just didn’t want to explain everything at that moment," he said, his voice quieter now, almost apologetic.

Listening to Alpha Jrue’s justification, I could only muster a scornful smile.

Just then, his phone rang. I glanced at the screen. It was Lilian again.

"Jrue, can you come over? My dog, Fluffy, is sick, and I want to take him to the vet," Lilian’s panicked voice streamed through the phone.

Alpha Jrue listened, then lifted his head to look at me, clearly torn.

I suddenly wanted to understand my place in his priorities.

"Alpha, there’s a pack gathering tonight. We should leave early to beat the holiday traffic," I said, my voice calm but insistent.

"It’s getting late. Could you skip going to her this time?" I pleaded, my voice softer now, almost vulnerable.

Yet, as Lilian’s voice quivered with tears on the other end, Alpha Jrue still turned and left the house.

"Take a cab, but be cautious not to jostle the heir. I need to check on Lilian first; I’ll join you later," he said, his alpha tone leaving no room for argument.

As the door closed, I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at myself.

Why did I set myself up for this humiliation when I knew what the outcome would be?

Slowly, I crouched down and hugged my midsection, seeking some comfort.

But my baby was already gone.