002

002

ELIANA

I woke up the next morning feeling completely drained. I wished I could just wake up from this crazy dream, but unfortunately, I couldn't.

I couldn't shake the memory of the ridiculously handsome man from the nightclub, but I tried to ignore it. I had bigger problems to worry about.

I got out of bed and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I barely recognized the person staring back at me. I checked the clock on the wall—it was six AM.

Gabriel was nowhere to be found. I didn't need to ask where he was. The answer was obvious.

The door creaked open, and he walked in. Seeing him again hurt even more than I expected. Our eyes met, and my heart sank.

He broke the silence, his voice devoid of warmth. "My beta informed me that you visited our headquarters. What was the purpose of your visit?” I felt a pang in my heart as I noticed the change in him. He was different, and it hurt. Usually, he'd greet me with a kiss or some affection, but tonight, there was nothing.

I shook my head, trying to hold back tears. "Nothing," I whispered, my voice trembling.

"What was Vivian doing at the pack's headquarters today?" I asked, watching for his response. He didn't bat an eyelid.

"This is a better explanation," Gabriel announced, handing me a file.

My confusion deepened as I took the file, my mind racing. What could be worse than Gabriel's betrayal?

I gazed at the document, my worst fears confirmed. "Divorce Agreement" was emblazoned across the top in bold, crimson letters.

My vision began to blur, the words bleeding together like tears on wet paper.

'No, no, no...'

The room spun, the darkness encroaching on my peripheral vision. My knees buckled.

Gabriel's voice, distant and muffled, called out to me.

"Eliana! Eliana!" But it was too late.

Everything went black.

*******

My eyes fluttered open, greeted by the sterile scent of antiseptic and the steady beeping of machines. I blinked, disoriented, and focused on the familiar face, smiling warmly at me.

"Doctor Kate," I whispered, my voice hoarse.

"Welcome, Luna," Doctor Kate said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "You've been out for a while. How are you feeling?"

My gaze drifted around the hospital room, memories flooding back. Gabriel, Vivian, the divorce papers...

I winced, pain and heartache resurfacing.

"What happened?" I asked, trying to sit up.

Doctor Kate gently pressed me back onto the bed. "You fainted; the alpha's beta, Xavier, brought you here. You've been unconscious for a few hours."

My eyes widened. "Gabriel? Is he...?"

"Luna, you need to rest," Dr. Kate ignored my question; she knew what I was going to ask, and her eyes filled with concern.

"Your babies need you."

I quickly touched my stomach, my voice trembling."My babies?" I asked, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"Yes, Luna, you're pregnant," she stated, her expression unreadable. "Weren't you aware?"

"I_"I'm... I'm pregnant? I'm pregnant!” I exclaimed, a surge of excitement followed by a pang of reality. My mind flashed back to everything that had happened, and my joy was quickly tempered.

"I hope the baby is okay," I asked, my hands wrapping around my stomach in a gentle, reassuring gesture.

"Of course they are." Kate offered a faint, reassuring smile.

"They?" I asked, my eyes widening in surprise.

"You're having twins, Luna," she said, beaming. I smiled back at her, feeling a surge of excitement.

This should've been the happiest day of my life. Regrettably, fate had other plans.

"The ultrasound showed no signs of distress, but we need to monitor you closely. Your body is under immense strain, carrying twins while... dealing with your condition."

I grasped Kate's hand, my eyes locking onto hers with a desperate plea. "Please, don't tell anyone about this pregnancy. Not even Gab... the alpha." I knew my rejection was close. I needed to get used to calling him alpha.

Kate's expression turned solemn, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't worry, Luna. Your secret is safe with me."

My grip on Kate's hand tightened, my eyes brimming with tears. "I can't let him find out. Not yet."

Kate's face softened, understanding etched on her features. "Your reasons are yours alone, Luna. I'll keep your trust." I hoped she would stop calling Luna. I was no longer their Luna, maybe not now, but soon. The thought made my heart flip into my stomach.

I gazed up at the ceiling, my thoughts racing wildly. How was I going to start over? I had thought marrying Gabriel would be my victory, my escape from the tumultuous life I left behind.

But now, pregnant and rejected by the alpha, I felt lost again. The memories of my past mistakes and heartaches resurfaced, taunting me.

Starting over seemed like an impossible feat.

I left the hospital, my heart heavy with uncertainty. I headed towards the place that was once my home, but the warmth and excitement that usually greeted me was now tainted.

I pushed the door open, expecting silence and solitude. Instead, I was met with the sound of laughter echoing through the halls. My heart sank.

'I hope he didn't bring that bitch to our home.' I felt anger simmering as I stomped up the staircase, my footsteps heavy with indignation.

The laughter grew louder, and I recognized Vivian's cackle, mingling with Gabriel's deep chuckles. My eyes burned with tears, my vision blurring.

With a heavy heart, I climbed each step. Pretending a strength I didn't feel. At the door, I dabbed away tears, composing myself. Taking a calming breath, I steeled myself to face the love-turned-disappointment that had shattered my world.

I stepped into the room, my gaze falling upon the intimate scene. Vivian's raven hair cascaded over my pillow...my Valentine's gift pillow from Gabriel, her body hidden beneath the rumpled blanket. Gabriel's obsidian orbs locked onto mine, his expression unreadable.

"Haven't you heard of knocking?" Vivian's icy voice cut through the room. I ignored her.

"Let's get through with the rejection," Gabriel said, standing up. I was expecting it, but my heart still reacted in a way I hated.

"Here?" I asked, my heart attempting to leave my rib cage.

"Yes." His voice was so cold, like he was talking to a stranger.

I looked at Vivian, expecting her to exit the room, but instead, her piercing gaze pinned me with accusation, as if I was the one usurping her mate. Her eyes sparkled with malice, eager to witness my humiliation. The thought of her reveling in my rejection was suffocating.

"Don't you think it's best if this remains just between the two of us?"

There was an emphasis on the just—a clear indication that Vivian's presence was no longer welcome. I could feel her burning gaze on me, even without looking her way.

Gabriel's voice was glacial, his tone unforgiving. "Vivian can stay." I shivered, shocked by the icy disdain in his words. Never had I witnessed him speak to anyone with such contempt, let alone me, the woman he once swore to cherish and protect. His words felt like a bucket of frigid water, drenching me in humiliation and betrayal.

I struggled to conceal my shock, but it was futile. Vivian's eyes sparkled with triumph as a smug smile crept onto her face. Her gloating expression ignited a fierce urge within me, my fingers twitching with the intense desire to crush that pretty face of hers.

"I, Gabriel Blackwood, King of the Shadow Pack, reject you, Eliana Astrid, as my Luna and mate." He was intentional about breaking our bonds. Guess he was desperate to make Vivian his Luna.

A searing anguish ripped through me, suffocating my very essence. The air thickened, crushing me beneath its oppressive weight. Though my body trembled, I forced myself upright, feigning strength as icy sweat trickled down my spine.

"I, Eliana Astrid, former Luna of the Moonlight Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Gabriel Blackwood. May the pack's laws and the moon's witness seal our severed bond."

Those words sliced through my soul, each syllable a painful surrender. Yet, I uttered them steadfastly, without faltering. Pride swelled within me; I'd accepted the rejection with dignity, masking the anguish brewing beneath.

Gabriel's eyes narrowed, surprise flickering across his face. For a fleeting moment, his mask of indifference slipped, revealing a glimmer of astonishment. He hadn't anticipated my swift acceptance, expecting instead desperation, pleas, or tears.-That I will never do.

Gabriel strode to his desk, yanked open the locker, and retrieved a paper. He handed me the check, his expression impassive. "This is a check for five million dollars. Consider it a parting gift. Use it to take care of yourself."

I gazed at Gabriel with disdain, my voice laced with contempt. "Keep it. I don't need your charity." I turned on my heel, striding out of the room with measured calm, though my heart raced furiously, threatening to burst free from my chest.

I stood alone outside, the silence a stark reminder that he wouldn't follow. The dam broke, unleashing a torrent of scalding tears down my cheeks. Each hot, salty drop echoed the anguish ripping through my shattered heart.

Paralyzed by uncertainty, I gazed blankly at the staircase, my mind drifting thousands of miles away.

'What do I do now?’