Ava's POV

The day I found out I was pregnant, my mate, Alpha Hunter, posted a photo on the pack's feed. His arm was wrapped around my best friend, Katherine , her bare, swollen belly resting against him as they posed in front of a cozy fire. The caption read: “There’s nothing stronger than the bond of pack… and family.” His hand, marked with the same mate’s band I wore, was splayed across her belly. It was unmistakable.

I clenched my jaw, barely able to breathe as I typed a quick comment, "Congratulations."

Within seconds, my phone buzzed. Katherine ’s voice, breathless and shaky, was on the other end. "Ava, I’m so sorry. I only posted it to get back at Kade after we argued! I swear it wasn’t supposed to mean anything!"

I could feel my heart racing, but before I could answer, Hunter’s voice came through the line, cold and sharp. "Ava, I know you’re reading too much into this. You’re so obsessed with being a mother that you’re letting jealousy twist everything around you. No wonder you haven’t been able to conceive.”

The line went dead, but I barely noticed. I was numb.

Minutes later, another alert popped up. Katherine had posted again. “Counting down the days until I’ll have two strong alphas protecting me.” Hunter had already liked it.

It felt like a blade twisting in my chest. Without a word, I took off my mate’s band, tossed it into the woods nearby, and headed back to the healer’s quarters to cancel the appointment I’d made for a fertility check.

Later that night, for once, Hunter came home before the moon had risen. He found the untouched herbal remedies and supplements tossed in the waste bin and scowled. We decided to opt for herbs since the drugs from the hospital weren't having an effect. To Hunter, I am just a barren wife.

"Are you throwing a tantrum over nothing?” He raised a brow. “So petty."

My voice was steady, almost detached. "I'm not angry."

He laughed, a low, mocking sound. "You threw out the fertility herbs, but sure, you’re not mad. Do whatever you want. But remember, you’re the one who’s desperate, Ava. Not me.”

I was gripping the edge of the counter, trying to steady myself, when he handed me a small, dark box. "This is from Jen. She feels bad, alright? She’s young, inexperienced… She wanted to make things right with you.”

Inside was a crystal bead. Katherine ’s favorite. She likes it a lot, in fact she loves it so much she wears it everyday causing it to be worn out and scratched, I could see the deep scuffs around the beads. They weren’t new, far from it. But the fact she’d even given them to him as a ‘gift’ felt like a slap to the face.

“Take them,” Hunter insisted, his voice edged with annoyance. “She’s been struggling lately, Ava. She doesn’t have much, and she knows this means a lot to her so it should to you.”

Just hours ago, Katherine had posted a picture wearing brand-new jade beads, captioned– “To the best alpha in the world. When favoritism feels like love.”

When I didn’t reach for the boots, Hunter’s face hardened. “Ava, seriously? You’re almost twenty-five, acting like a jealous pup. You know Katherine has no family, nothing but this pack, and still you treat her like this?”

His voice rose in irritation as he tossed the box onto the table, hard enough to make it rattle. I winced as it brushed past my head, catching me on the temple.

Hunter’s eyes widened, realizing what he’d done. “Ava, I didn’t mean—let me see it.”

I pulled away from his hand, blinking back tears. “I’m fine.”

Ignoring my protests, he pushed my hand aside, inspecting the bump starting to form. His face shifted from anger to something almost like worry. "That’s not fine. Hold on, I’ll get some ice."

He was halfway across the room when his phone buzzed, and I watched as his face softened at the name on the screen– “Peckels”

“Hunter!” Katherine ’s voice came through, fragile, breaking.

He stiffened, holding the phone close. “Jen, what’s wrong?”

“I… I’m scared,” she whimpered. “It’s just… My stomach hurts. I don’t know if it’s the baby or…”

Hunter’s tone softened, and his eyes clouded with worry. “Jen, why didn’t you call me sooner? You’re supposed to let me know immediately if anything’s wrong.”

Her voice was quiet, unsure. “I… I didn’t want to get in between you and Ava. I thought you might need to be with her tonight.”

Hunter chuckled, warm and reassuring. “Silly girl, there’s nothing Ava needs from me that can’t wait. Your safety comes first. Send your location. I’m coming.”

He hung up, turning back to me, irritation flashing again in his eyes. “Did you hear that? Katherine’s worried about you, and here you are, acting ridiculous. I’m taking her to the healer. I’ll grab ice for you on the way back.”

“Hunter,” I murmured, just as he was reaching for his jacket.

He turned, clearly exasperated. “Ava, stop being so… needy. This is about two lives—hers and the pup’s! Don’t make this about your own insecurities.”

I watched him, knowing better than to argue. Instead, I walked calmly to the coat closet, pulled out the worn leather satchel where he kept his belongings, and took out a small card. "Katherine’s health records. You’ll need it if the healer asks."

Hunter looked taken aback for a second, then he reached out and took it from my hand. “Thanks,” he murmured, almost begrudgingly.

His gaze remained on me, as if he might say something, but I forced a small smile, tilting my head. “Drive safe.”

I reached up, my hand brushing his collar, straightening it the way I always did. His expression softened just slightly, his hand reaching up to touch my shoulder.

“I’ll be back soon. Wait for me.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice, as he walked out the door and disappeared into the night. I stood alone in the quietness of the house, the fire slowly dying down to embers. I could still hear Katherine’s laughter echoing in my head, her voice intertwined with his…

Ava’s POV

After he left, I sent a quick text to one of the members of the pack about starting the process of severing the bond with Hunter. I went to bed early, hoping that the next day would feel a bit more bearable. But in the dead of night, my phone buzzed. It was 1 a.m., and as I expected, the other side of the bed was still empty.

I checked my phone and saw several messages from Katherine .

“Hunter is just so hot! I wanna devour him while he’s asleep!”

Attached was a photo of Hunter asleep. His head rested on her pink, cartoon-print pillow, his hair tousled, lips slightly parted in that way that once made my heart race. I saw the “typing…” indicator flash at the top of the chat, and then Katherine quickly deleted her messages. She sent a single sticker begging for forgiveness.

“Oops! Meant to send those to someone else, but accidentally sent them to you. I was just messing around—don’t be mad! Hunter’s already knocked out.”

Maybe she expected me to blow up her phone with furious calls, like I had in the past. But this time, I just blocked her and closed my eyes, too tired of the games to care anymore.

By morning, I steeled myself for the mocking glances from the pack. Lately, every breakfast seemed like another round of snickering and whispers behind my back, mostly coming from Katherine and her friends. When Hunter and I were bonded, the pack assumed our connection would bring strength to us both. Instead, I'd found myself shrinking in his shadow, barely holding on while he flaunted his status with Katherine by his side.

I entered the dining hall, head down, hoping to slip into my usual spot in the back. But almost immediately, I heard the murmuring.

"Look, there she is, Luna Ava," someone snickered. "She doesn’t look very Luna-like, does she?"

Someone else giggled, "Poor thing, she tries so hard."

I pretended not to hear, keeping my gaze down as I slid into my seat.

A moment later, Katherine walked in with Hunter by her side. She stumbled—deliberate, no doubt—her face flushed with mock embarrassment. Hunter’s arm went out instantly to catch her, pulling her up with ease. She leaned against him, beaming as if he’d just saved her life, and then glanced my way, giving me that same smug grin that had been haunting me lately.

Some pack members around me murmured, watching with a mix of shock and amusement. The rest, including a few Omegas, whispered among themselves, speculating about how long the “Luna” would tolerate being treated like an outsider.

It hurt. Even my own friends couldn’t look me in the eye anymore, not with the Alpha choosing Katherine over me so openly. I straightened, trying to maintain my composure. Just as I pulled out my phone to continue texting, Hunter’s deep, authoritative voice called my name.

“Ava, come here.”

I looked up, surprised to see him standing just a few feet away, arms folded, his piercing gaze fixed on me. "We need to talk."

Swallowing, I nodded, feeling everyone’s eyes on me as I stood and followed him. The whispers grew louder behind me as we entered one of the private alcoves near the hall.

Once the door closed, Hunter crossed his arms, his eyes dark and unreadable. "You didn’t call me last night. Or even text. Nothing."

I clenched my hands, forcing a calm tone. "Why would I? Katherine was with you, right? You didn’t need me."

His expression darkened, and in a flash, he grabbed my shoulders, his voice low and seething. "You’re my mate, Ava. Don't pretend you're unaffected. I didn’t come home, and I don’t buy that you’re 'not mad.'"

I shrugged off his hands, taking a step back. "I told you, I'm not mad. If you’re choosing her, that’s your decision. Just don’t expect me to—”

Before I could finish, his grip tightened. He was silent for a moment, his jaw tense. Then, almost as if catching himself, he let me go. In the sudden release, I stumbled back slightly, catching myself on the table behind me. My fingers brushed against something soft, and when I pulled my hand up, a familiar piece of lace dangled from my fingers.

Pink lace. Katherine’s.

The color drained from Hunter’s face. His mouth opened, then closed, as if struggling for an excuse. But I didn’t wait. I tossed the bra back onto the table, feeling my voice harden. “If you have nothing else to say, Alpha, I’ll be going.”

He looked as if he wanted to argue, but I turned on my heel, leaving him standing there.

Outside, I took a deep breath, trying to swallow the wave of hurt clawing up my chest. This wasn’t new. It wasn’t even unexpected. But this time, it felt final. I didn’t need his excuses or apologies, not anymore.

I went back to the main hall, picking up my phone to check for messages from my lawyer. Just as I was about to head out, I heard the familiar rumble of Hunter’s voice again.

“Ava, get in the car. We’ll drop Katherine off first, then we can go to that new place by the lake. Your favorite.”

I paused, confused. He hadn’t invited me out in ages, let alone to one of my favorite spots. Katherine poked her head out from the passenger side, grinning with that same smug look. “Sorry, Ava, I’m hitching a ride again!”

Without looking at her, I focused on the cab pulling up across the road. “You two go ahead. I’ve got… other plans.”

The amusement on Katherine ’s face faltered. She looked between Hunter and me, her eyes narrowing slightly. Hunter’s expression turned stormy, but I didn’t give him a chance to speak. Instead, I walked around his car and stepped into the cab, feeling his gaze burning into my back as I shut the door.

As the cab pulled away, I glanced out the window, taking one last look at the pack house, watching Hunter’s stunned face fade into the distance.

I wasn’t his Luna. I wasn’t his anything. But for the first time in ages, I felt a strange sense of relief.

Ava’s POV

I didn’t expect Hunter and Katherine to follow me to the pack dining hall.

The pack’s elders had invited me for a meeting, likely out of courtesy as Hunter’s “official” mate. I barely had time to sit down when Hunter and Katherine strolled in, taking seats across from me as if it were perfectly normal.

I glanced at them, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I was invited to discuss trade routes with the elders,” I explained, hinting at a need for privacy.

Hunter smirked, leaning back. “And did they say they didn’t want their alpha involved?”

I said nothing, knowing there was no winning with him in public. My role here was nothing more than a formality.

The conversation began, with elder Logan praising Hunter’s recent decision to expand alliances with neighboring packs. As the meal continued, Logan raised his glass, signaling a toast. A server approached with a glass of wine for each of us.

Just as I was about to decline politely, Katherine’s honeyed voice interrupted. “Ava’s a powerhouse. I heard she can hold her liquor better than any omega!” She grinned, her wide eyes filled with false innocence.

I froze, my throat tightening. It was the same little games Katherine had been playing for months.

“Who told you that?” I asked coolly.

Katherine ’s smile wavered, but she quickly turned to Hunter, feigning hurt. “Did I say something wrong?”

Hunter placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression darkening. “Ava, it’s just a toast. Stop making things difficult.”

I swallowed, feeling a surge of anger but kept my voice calm. “I can’t drink, Hunter. I’m pregnant.”

The room went silent, every pair of eyes locking on me. The elders looked at each other, and even Katherine ’s mask slipped momentarily.

After a heartbeat of stunned silence, Katherine stood, raising her glass. “Congratulations, Ava!” Her voice was bright and high-pitched, like this was just another harmless joke.

She raised the glass to her lips, but Hunter stopped her. “Kath, you shouldn’t drink either,” he said. “Not in your condition.”

Ignoring him, Katherine gave a mocking smile and took a sip, choking a bit as she forced it down. “No, I have to,” she insisted. “This is my apology for every time I’ve hurt Ava.” Her face flushed pink as she coughed, tears gathering in her eyes.

Hunter sprang up, glaring at me. “Look at what you’ve done, Ava. Only someone as naive as Katherine would believe your lies.”

His anger poured out, filling the room. “You know what? If you can’t get along with her, maybe we should just reject this bond. Maybe we should get a divorce!”

The sting of his words cut deep, but I held my head high. “Fine,” I said evenly. “Let’s.”

Without looking back, I rose and walked out of the hall, holding my composure until I was outside. I barely noticed the cool night air as I pulled out my phone, dialing my lawyer. Midway through explaining my decision to go through with the bond separation, headlights suddenly blinded me.

I looked up, freezing as a sleek black car came hurtling towards me at an alarming speed, tires screeching against the gravel. My heart pounded. I had just enough time to jump out of the way, collapsing onto the ground as the car swerved, sped past, and disappeared into the night.

I sat there, dazed and trembling, as a faint metallic scent filled the air.

“Are you alright?” A pack member’s voice broke through my haze. She knelt beside me, her eyes wide with concern.

I looked down, finally noticing the sticky warmth spreading across my thigh. Blood pooled around me, soaking into the earth.

The woman helped me up and rushed me to the infirmary.

At the infirmary, the pack healer glanced at my blood-stained clothes with a frown. “Ava, you should call your mate. This injury could be serious.”

I clutched my phone, staring at Hunter’s number. For a long moment, I considered calling him, hoping he might care enough to show up.

But memories of his cold indifference came rushing back. His words echoed in my head: Maybe we should get a divorce.

I sighed, letting the phone drop back into my lap.