Chapter Two

“Xavier, I love this dress. Today I will wear it. Perhaps we can shop for a beautiful dress for my upcoming Luna ceremony.” Anna gushed excitedly as she twirled around the bedroom, holding one of Dellas' most beautiful dresses against herself. Xavier glanced up and felt his wolf's dislike of the omega touching his exes' belongings.

Xavier's stomach churned at the sight of Anna holding Luna Della's dress, a twinge of discomfort settling in his chest. The dress symbolised Luna, a reminder of the love they once shared, and seeing Anna covet it filled him with a sense of unease.

"Anna, that dress belongs to Luna," Xavier said, his voice tinged with disapproval. "It's not yours to wear. And we haven't discussed anything about you becoming the Luna. You are merely carrying my child.”

Anna's expression shifted, her smile faltering at Xavier's words. "But Xavier, I thought... I thought we were moving forward, starting a new chapter together," she said, a note of defensiveness creeping into her tone.

Xavier hesitated, torn between appeasing Anna and honouring the memory of Luna. He knew he had to tread carefully, navigating the delicate balance between his past and present. "I understand, Anna. But that dress holds sentimental value to me. It's not something we should take lightly, and the pack needs time to adjust to such a big chance of circumstances. You know how much they adored Della.” he explained, his eyes pleading with her to see reason.

Anna's expression darkened, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. "Fine, Xavier. But she's gone, and she rejected you, but you still want her. Have it your way," she said tersely, tossing the dress back onto the bed before storming out of the room.

Xavier watched Anna storm out of the room, her words echoing in his mind. He knew she was right in some aspects, Luna had indeed rejected him and moved on, but the wounds were still fresh, the memories still raw. He couldn't just erase the love he had felt for Luna, no matter how much he tried to move forward with Anna.

As he looked at Luna Della's dress lying on the bed, a sense of longing washed over him. He missed her, missed the connection they had shared, missed the comfort and understanding in her eyes. Luna had been his rock, his guiding light, and losing her had left a void in his heart that he couldn't ignore.

“Alpha, is it true? Is Della really gone?” Marcella rushed down the grand hallways when she spotted Xavier coming out of his office.

Xavier turned to Marcella, his Beta, with a heavy heart as he processed the reality of Luna Della's departure. The weight of her absence settled heavily on his shoulders, a burden he wasn't sure he could bear.

"Yes, Marcella," Xavier replied solemnly, his voice laced with sorrow. "Luna Della has left, she rejected me as her mate and alpha. She's gone." The words felt like a heavy weight on his tongue, the finality of it sinking in with each passing moment.

Marcella's eyes widened in shock, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief. "But why, alpha? What happened?" Her voice was filled with concern and confusion, mirroring the tumultuous emotions swirling within Xavier's own heart.

Xavier hesitated, unsure of how to explain the complex web of emotions and choices that had led to Luna Della's departure. "It's... complicated, Marcella. I made a choice, one that... hurt her deeply," he admitted, the guilt and regret evident in his tone. "I chose Anna, the omega who is carrying my child, over Luna. And she couldn't bear it."

As Xavier stood in his chambers, contemplating the difficult choices he had made and the uncertain future that lay ahead, Marcella's expression hardened. The sympathy in her eyes gave way to a steely resolve, and she took a step back, her features set in determination.

"Alpha, I cannot stand by and watch you make decisions that go against the values of our pack," Marcella said firmly, her voice clear and unwavering. "Choosing Anna over Luna Della, betraying the bond you shared with our former Luna, it goes against everything we stand for. I cannot support this."

Xavier's heart sank at Marcella's words. He had always valued her counsel and loyalty, but now he found himself at a crossroads, torn between the expectations of his pack and his own desires. The weight of his decision pressed heavily on his shoulders, the consequences of his actions coming into sharp focus.

"Marcella, I understand your concerns, but I have to consider the future of our pack," Xavier replied, his voice tinged with regret. "Anna is carrying my child, and I have a duty to protect and provide for them. I'm asking for your trust and support in this matter."

Marcella's expression softened slightly, a flicker of doubt crossing her features. She had always trusted Xavier's judgment, but this was a situation unlike any they had faced before. The conflict between loyalty to the past and the demands of the present weighed heavily on her, leaving her torn between her loyalty to Xavier and her own sense of morality.

"Alpha, I... I need time to process this," Marcella said quietly, her eyes betraying the turmoil within her. "I want what's best for the pack, but I also need to stand by my principles. Give me some time to think."

As Xavier stood alone in his chambers, the weight of Marcella's disagreement heavy on his shoulders, he knew that the harmony of the pack was at stake. His heart ached with the conflict between his duty as alpha, the memory of Luna Della, and his burgeoning family with Anna.

Deep in thought, Xavier decided to seek counsel from an elder pack member, an old friend who had always offered wise advice in times of need. He made his way to Elder Sophia's home, a humble cottage nestled in the heart of the pack territory.

Elder Sophia welcomed Xavier with a warm smile, sensing the turmoil within him. As they sat by the crackling fireplace, Xavier poured out his heart, recounting the recent events that had shaken the pack's foundation.

Sophia listened intently, her wise gaze fixed on Xavier's troubled face. When he had finished speaking, she took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking.

"Xavier, my child, the path of leadership is never easy. Sometimes, we must make choices that are hard for others to understand. But it is in these difficult moments that we are truly tested," Sophia said gently, her voice filled with wisdom born of a lifetime of experience.

She continued, "Remember that you must lead with both your head and your heart. The decisions you make will have far-reaching consequences, but stay true to your values and the good of the pack. Trust in yourself, but also listen to the voices of those who care for you."