Everything ruined

RENNA'S POV

Sofia's smugness grated against my nerves as I rose from the chair, my wolf stirring uneasily within me. Nicholas's sudden appearance had silenced Sofia, but her words still echoed in my mind.

My chest ached—not just because of what Sofia had said, but because I’d had to hear it from her and not from my mate. Nicholas, my mate, had chosen to keep it from me. The betrayal burned and I wasn’t thinking straight anymore.

I walked past him without sparing him a glance, even as he tried to stop me.

"Renna, please listen....", His voice was low, calming yet firm, the kind that made most wolves submit. But not me. Not right now.

I shrugged off his touch, my wolf growling lowly in my head. Don’t show weakness, Renna. He betrayed us.

I stormed upstairs, my vision blurred by unshed tears. Once inside our shared quarters, I slammed the door shut and collapsed onto the bed, my mind whirling with pain and disappointment.

The connection between Nicholas and me, the sacred bond of Alpha and Luna felt frayed, its edges unraveling.

A few moments later, my phone buzzed. Nicholas's name appeared on the screen. "I'm sorry," the message read.

I stared at it, my wolf growling in the back of my mind, restless and hurt. With a sharp exhale, I powered off the phone then buried my face in the pillow. I was willing to sleep but unfortunately sleep eluded me. I didn’t feel the warmth of Nikolai beside me. My wolf noted it too, her agitation simmering in the background. He hadn’t even tried to come to bed.

Or was he with Sofia? the thought slithered into my mind like poison.

 More thoughts flowed in my mind about Sofia and him and by the time sleep took me, it was plagued by nightmares of betrayal and loneliness.

The next morning, I woke to find Nicholas still absent from our bed. He still didn't come even late in the night.

Was it because of our fight, or... had he spent the night with her? My wolf snarled at the thought.

Though heart broken I dragged myself out of bed and did my morning routine. I later descended the grand staircase of the pack house, my heart heavy but my resolve firm. Nicholas was surprisingly waiting for me near the entrance, his stance as confident as ever, but his eyes betraying guilt.

"Good morning, my luna" he said, brushing his lips against my cheek.

"Morning," I replied coldly, refusing to give him the satisfaction of my warmth.

"Renna," He started, his voice steady yet careful. "About yesterday... Sofia's struggling with her pregnancy. Her wolf is restless, she is vulnerable. The pregnancy is making her....", 

"Needy?" I cut him off, venom dripping from my words. "And I'm supposed to ignore the fact that my mate—the Alpha of this pack—lied to me? That you left me in the middle of the night to be with her?"

He sighed, his powerful shoulders sagging slightly. "I didn’t lie Renna. I was at the packhouse dealing with pack business. Picking her up was—”

"A convenience?" I snarled, my wolf surging forward in my chest, a warning growl escaping my throat. He stepped closer, frustration flickering in his amber eyes.

"You think I'm stupid, Nicholas?", I snapped at him irritating him.

 His eyes darkened, his wolf flashing through as well, but he quickly regained control. "Renna, you know you're my Luna. My mate. My everything. I didn’t mean to hurt you."

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "You should’ve thought of that before prioritizing her over me. “You chose her over me, Nicholas. Your Luna. Do you even remember who I am to you anymore?” You didn’t even notice, did you? I wanted to tell you something yesterday something important but you were too busy playing hero."

His wolf bristled beneath the surface again, but he controlled it. “You’re my Luna. My mate. You know that, Renna.”

I shook my head, hurt and anger swirling inside me. "I’m going to handle pack duties. When I return, I don’t want to see her here again. Do you understand me?

Without waiting for his response, I stormed out.

---

The day passed in a blur of duties, the scents of roasted venison and freshly baked bread doing little to calm my restless wolf. When closing time came, I was tidying up in my office when a knock sounded.

“Who is it?” I called out.

“Rebecca, Luna,” my junior chef replied. “A handsome Alpha is outside with a bouquet for you.”

My heart fluttered before I could stop it. I grabbed my bag and headed out.

There he stood, my mate, my Alpha, holding lavender, my favorite flowers. Nicholas's amber eyes met mine, glimmering with hope.

“Hello, Luna,” he greeted with a small, knowing smile.

“Alpha,” I replied coolly, though my wolf was practically wagging her tail.

He stepped forward, his presence commanding. “I’ve come to apologize. Again. I failed you, Renna. Let me make it right.”

“And how do you plan to do that?”

He extended the flowers. “A weekend getaway. Just us. At our first den.”

My breath hitched. Our first den, a cabin tucked deep in the woods of our territory held so many memories. It was where we’d bonded, where he’d first declared me his Luna.

I took the bouquet reluctantly, inhaling the scent. My wolf purred softly, and I knew I couldn’t resist him forever.

“Fine,” I said softly. “But this doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you entirely.”

He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. “Thank you, love,” he murmured, brushing a kiss against my temple.

...

The drive to the cabin was peaceful, the tension between us easing slightly. But as we approached the secluded clearing, something felt... off.

A light was on in one of the windows. I stiffened when I saw it.

. "Nicholas, someone’s here." I whispered.

He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

 "That’s impossible. No one should be able to breach this territory without my permission."

I didn't reply to him, I just pointed toward the window, where a faint light flickered inside.

Nicholas hesitated. “Maybe we left it on last time...", 

Before he could finish, the door swung open. There, standing in the doorway, was Sofia with her belly prominent and her expression smug.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded, my wolf pushing to the surface, my voice sharp and commanding.

Sofia’s smug smile didn’t falter. “Oh, calm down, Renna. Nicholas's mother suggested I stay here for a while. She said it would be good for the baby.”

My vision blurred with rage. This place was sacred to Nicholas and me, a testament to our bond. And here she was, invading it like she had every other corner of my life.

I whipped around to Nicholas, fury blazing in my chest. “You knew about this?”

His eyes widened. “No, Renna, I didn’t.”

"You don’t belong here," I growled, my claws itching to extend.

Sofia placed a hand on her belly, her voice trembling. "I’ll leave... if that’s what Nicholas wants."

I turned to Nicholas, my eyes blazing. He hesitated, glancing between Sofia and me, torn.

"She’ll leave in the morning, its late and remember she is pregnant", he said finally, his voice firm but diplomatic.

My heart clenched. This wasn’t the dominance of my Alpha. This was weakness.

Seething, I stormed inside, leaving them at the door.

The scent of Sofia was lingering everywhere, choking me. To my surprise, I noticed changes, our belongings were replaced, the scent of the cabin altered.

The cabin was different. The decorations Nicholas and I had chosen together were gone, replaced by gaudy, unfamiliar items.

She’d claimed our space and everything showed that she had lived here for a pretty good time. My wolf howled in rage. She’s trying to take everything from us, Renna. Don’t let her.

I marched back to the living room, ready to confront her again. But as soon as I walked out, I froze.

Sofia was holding the bouquet Nicholas had brought for me. “Oh, Nicholas,” she cooed. “You shouldn’t have. Lavender is my favorite…”

My vision turned red, and my wolf growled.