Chapter 0004

ZAIA.

The next day I reach the Pack Hall early. Sebastian has texted to say he’ll send a car, but I refuse, saying I’ll make my way there by myself.

I have donned a simple black dress, and Mom has pinned my hair back in a neat bun. 

“Are you sure you don’t want me to accompany you inside?” Mom asks, holding my hands.

I nod, “I’ll be alright, just wait here for me.” 

Leaving her outside, I head inside, making my way to the third floor. I’m surprised he hasn’t changed the pin code. Maybe he forgot. 

Approaching Sebastian’s office, I’m about to raise my hand to knock when I hear the sound of talking coming from inside.

“But I want to be here.” Annalise’s sweet voice comes. She moans and I can just envision her pouting as if she is a child deprived of her favourite treat.

“This is between me and Zaia. I will meet you outside when it’s done.” 

Annalise obviously wants to stay and witness how Sebastian rejects me.

A huge part of me is relieved that he has refused her. This is already humiliating, and if Sebastian allows her to stay and see how I suffer from the rejection, it will only be the icing on the cake for her.

She has already taken everything from me, but she still doesn’t want to miss a chance to hurt me. 

“Fine, then.” I hear her say.

The door is pulled up and I come face to face with Annalise.

She looks me over, a smug smile on her pretty face, but it just makes her look ugly. She doesn’t say a word, her shoulder hitting mine as she walks out. 

I glance at her back as she hums to herself. Of course, for her, this rejection is something to celebrate. 

I look ahead to where Sebastian is sitting behind his desk. He looks handsome in a navy suit, but his face is emotionless. 

I step inside and shut the door behind me. Sebastian stands up and walks toward me as he looks me dead in the eye. 

A tense silence fills the air.

“Care for a drink?” He asks, taking two glasses from his bar and picking up a bottle of what was once my favourite wine.

“No, thank you.” I say quietly. I can’t drink because I’m pregnant.

He can save the wine and celebrate with Annalise. His mood instantly darkens at my refusal and he pours himself a full glass, downing it in one go.

“Then let us get this rejection over with.” He says coldly, placing his glass down harder than necessary.

I take a deep breath, my heart hammering as I prepare myself as best I can. “Let’s.” I reply, my eyes flashing with determination. 

I will not show him how this is breaking me.

He observes me for a moment, no emotion showing.

“I, Alpha Sebastian King of the Dark Hollow Falls Pack, reject you, Zaia Toussaint, as my mate and Luna.”

I gasp, as pain rips at my chest and I feel the violent pull of the bond tear through me, but I keep my head up, refusing to feed Annalise’s smug look of victory when they laugh over this moment together.

Sebastian is watching me, almost as if doesn’t think I can do it.

“I Zaia Toussaint, former Luna of the Dark Hollow Falls Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Sebastian King.” A whimper leaves my lips as I feel the final threads of the bond between us break, and I’m left in agony. I clutch my neck, feeling it burn.

“You accepted.” He murmurs in the distance, but I can’t focus, as the pain heightens, I’m struggling to breathe. My vision darkens and I turn my head to look at the man I once called my own.

Our eyes meet one final time before I succumb to the pain…

—--

The incessant beeping of a machine makes me crack open my eyelids. My entire body is aching as if I have run a marathon. 

A groan leaves my lips as I look around to see Valerie and Mom talking. They turn and look at me.

“You’re awake, Zaia!” Mom says,as she rushes over to me.

“Ms Walton, please, allow me to run some tests.” 

I force a smile to tell Mom I’m fine as I lie here, a huge gaping hole in my chest and there’s a part of me wanting to give up.

“Are my babies ok Valerie?” I whisper.

“Yes, they are stronger than you think. You should care more about yourself. You are still weak and your blood pressure is low.” Valerie scolds. “So he rejected you and you let him? Why didn’t you tell him you are pregnant?” 

Mom shuts the door, keeping watch as she looks over at us tentatively. 

“He wouldn’t have cared.” I reply, turning my head away, trying to hide my tears.

A tense silence falls as she finishes her tests. 

“Well, you are lucky enough that you aren’t worse off. You will feel weak for a while, but keep your energy up and do not stop eating. In a few weeks, you may feel better physically, but mentally, I can’t say.”

“Thanks, you saved me again. Can I ask you to not tell anyone about my pregnancy? Even to Sebas… the Alpha. I will go far away.” I say quietly. I can’t call him Sebastian anymore. 

She pauses, her pen pressed against the paper on her clipboard before she sighs and nods.

“I figured as much, but are you sure Zaia, you are still our Luna.”

I smile bitterly. “Luna? That is not my title anymore.”

She places her clipboard down, tilting her head. “You will always be Luna to me and for many in this pack. Believe me.”

I’m not so sure anymore…

“When can she leave the hospital?” Mom asks.

“I would say she can leave, but when she does, please be aware that she needs bed rest. At least two weeks. Please.”

“Don’t worry, I will make sure she does.” Mom says firmly. “We will leave this place.”

“Where will we go?” I ask quietly.

“Anywhere but here. If you don’t want him to know, then we must leave before he realises you are carrying his children.”

I nod. “Yes, that’s best…” 

“Okay, I will go call a cab. I won’t be long. Take care of her, Doctor.” Mom promises before she hurries from the room.

Valerie sighs. “Are you certain about this?”

“Yes,” I reply, staring blankly at the wall ahead.

I feel dead inside.

She pats my shoulder, sighing heavily. Her pager beeps.

“I will be back.” She says, giving me a small smile before she hurries from the room and I’m left alone.

A part of me had hoped Sebastian would come to visit me… I fainted in front of him, but he really is happy to be rid of me.

Suddenly the door is pulled open, and for a split second, my heart leaps, thinking maybe, just maybe, it is him, but to my dismay, it’s Annalise who saunters in.

“Oh, so it’s true! You pretended to faint just so you could gain sympathy and delay the rejection?” She sneers contemptuously.

I bite the inside of my cheek as I look back at her. “Don’t worry, he rejected me and I accepted it. You won.” I try to hide my pain.

For a mere second, she looks surprised before she smiles gleefully.

“Oh? Well, that’s great…” She says, strutting over to the bed. “There is no place for you in our lives, especially since we’re going to become parents soon.”

I gasp, unable to hide my hurt as I stare at her stomach as she strokes it gently.

“What?” 

He had cheated on me…

“Does it hurt? Knowing your man was busy with me when you were playing a good little wife at home?” She taunts. “What do you think was happening all those nights he came home late?”

I open my mouth, about to reply, not wanting her to see how much she is hurting me when I hear Mom cursing.

“Ah look, a filthy cockroach made its way into the hospital room! The entire place needs sterilising!” She says, making Annalise spin around.

“Do you mean me?” She asks accusingly.

“Of course I did! I have never seen an uglier roach in my life! You look just like your mother.” Mom sneers, planting her hands on her hips, “Do you think just by putting on some makeup and pretty clothes that you will become pretty? Your true colours show through. Now get out! My daughter is not well, and the doctor made it clear she should not be around vermin!” 

I hide my smile as Annalise stands there, her mouth hanging open. 

“M-My father will hear of this!”

“Oh please, I would like to see what he does!” Mom snaps back. Annalise’s head whips around to me, casting me one final glare before she storms from the room.

“Come, the taxi will be here in fifteen minutes. You know there is barely any signal around here. I might need to change my network,” 

I smile faintly at her. “Thank you.” I say softly as I sit up. 

She pauses and looks down at me. The corners of her eyes crinkle as she smiles warmly at me.

“What else are mothers for? I will always be right here.” She says gently as she helps me off the bed. “Now come, we will head down.”

I nod, allowing her to lead the way from the hospital. I feel stares on me, but I don’t bother looking back. I will only look forward.

Sebastian and Annalise can stay happy, together.

You win Annalise, he’s all yours.