Lunar Betrayal: The Alpha's Regrets

The air was heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth, the faint rustling of leaves breaking the eerie stillness of the forest. Elena Rivers walked cautiously, her hands resting protectively over her swollen belly. The cold nipped at her exposed skin, and her breath came out in shallow, visible puffs. She hadn’t planned to wander so far from the cabin, but the need for a moment of solitude had driven her here.

She paused, tilting her head at the faint sound of crunching leaves. Before she could react, a low growl rumbled from the underbrush. Her heart seized. A pair of golden eyes emerged from the shadows, locked onto her like a predator sizing up its prey. It was a wolf, its sleek gray coat blending almost seamlessly with the forest.

Panic surged through her, and she stumbled backward, her heel catching on an exposed root. “No,” she whispered, clutching her stomach. The wolf lunged, snarling. Elena threw up her arms in a futile attempt to shield herself. Pain seared through her shoulder as sharp teeth sank into her flesh.

“Help!” Her voice cracked, raw with desperation.

Through the haze of pain and terror, she caught sight of movement in the distance. A figure—tall, broad-shouldered—stood just beyond the clearing. Relief flooded her. “Hayden!” she screamed, reaching out toward him. Her mate. Her protector.

But Hayden Sundown didn’t move. His golden eyes, so similar to the wolf’s, flickered with something unreadable. Without a word, he turned his back and walked away.

The betrayal stung sharper than the wolf’s bite. Elena screamed after him, her voice laced with disbelief and fury. “How could you?”

The wolf’s growls grew louder, snapping her focus back to the immediate threat. She kicked out with all the strength she could muster, connecting with the animal’s ribs. It yelped and backed off momentarily, giving her a chance to scramble to her feet. Blood trickled down her arm, her vision swaying as she stumbled toward the cabin.

Hours later, Elena sat on the edge of the bed, her body trembling from shock and exhaustion. The pack healer looked at her with sympathy, “I’m sorry, the pup couldn’t survive the stress.”

The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood. The pack healer had done what she could, but the toll was evident. Her child—her unborn hope—was gone.

Tears streamed silently down her face. She hadn’t even realized how much she had yearned for this child until it was ripped away. She glanced at the empty crib in the corner of the room, a cruel reminder of what she had lost.

Her sorrow quickly gave way to anger. Hayden had been her mate, bound to her by destiny, yet he had abandoned her in her most vulnerable moment. She replayed the scene in her mind, the cold indifference in his eyes as he turned away. It wasn’t the first time he had let her down, but this betrayal was unforgivable.

The door creaked open, and Hayden stepped inside, his expression as unreadable as ever. He leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed. “You should’ve stayed closer to the cabin,” he said, his tone devoid of sympathy.

Elena’s nails dug into her palms. “That’s all you have to say?” Her voice was low, trembling with rage. “I was attacked. I lost —” Her voice broke, but she forced herself to continue. “I’m hurt.”

Was all Elena could say. She had wanted to surprise Hayden with the pregnancy that perhaps her being pregnant would bring his attention back to her, his mate.

But now her pup, her poor pup, was gone. She wanted to tell him it was all his fault, but she couldn’t find herself to speak on it. She remained quiet.

Hayden’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. The silence was louder than any excuse he could have offered.

“Do you even care?” she demanded, rising to her feet despite the dizziness that threatened to overtake her. She searched his face for any sign of remorse, but there was none. Instead, his gaze flickered briefly to the bandage on her arm before he turned away again.

“I have responsibilities,” he said flatly. “You’ll recover.”

It was the final straw. “Responsibilities?” she spoke softly. “Is that what you call sneaking off to her?”

Hayden froze, his back still turned to her. Elena’s chest heaved as she continued, the words spilling out in a calm manner that didn’t quite match what she felt inside. “Don’t think I don’t know about her, Hayden. About the nights you disappear without a word. The whispers, the scent on your clothes—do you think I’m blind?”

He didn’t deny it. That hurt more than anything.

Elena clenched her fists, her nails biting into her skin. “I gave up everything for you,” she said, her voice breaking. “I left my family, my life, because I believed in us. And this is what I get in return?”

Hayden turned to face her, his expression as cold as ever. “You don’t belong with them,” he said, his tone sharp. “You belong here.”

Elena laughed bitterly, her voice as soft as a breeze. “Here? With a mate who abandons me? Who cheats on me? No, Hayden. I don’t belong here. Not anymore.”

“You’re not going anywhere, you obey may, Elena,” He said with gritted teeth.

Elena stayed quiet. It was useless for her to keep speaking.

Her decision was made. She wouldn’t waste another moment on someone who saw her as disposable. The Rivers family business back in Silverthorn wasn’t just her past; it was her chance to rebuild, to reclaim her life.