Rejected Luna's New Beginning

Morning light filtered through the curtains as I stared at the ceiling, my hand resting protectively over my stomach. The pregnancy test from yesterday still felt surreal—a tiny life growing inside me, the future heir of Silver Creek Pack. Aria stirred within me, her presence a mixture of hope and dread.

"We'll tell him today," I whispered, trying to convince myself as much as my wolf.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Darren entered, already dressed in his Alpha attire, looking every bit the powerful leader I'd once admired.

"Ready for your check-up?" he asked, his tone casual, as if yesterday's revelations hadn't shattered my world.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

To my surprise, Macy was waiting in the hallway, her perfectly styled hair and makeup a stark contrast to my simple appearance.

"Darren insisted I come along," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "After all, I'm practically family too."

The emphasis on "practically" wasn't lost on me.

Dr. Elena's office was warm and inviting, but I felt anything but comfortable as I lay on the examination table, Darren and Macy standing on either side of me.

"Just a routine confirmation," Elena said, moving the ultrasound wand across my abdomen. "And yes, there's the heartbeat. Strong and healthy."

A tear slipped down my cheek at the rapid thrumming sound. My pup. Our pup.

"Excellent," Darren said, but his eyes were on his phone, which had just lit up with a notification.

Elena smiled at me. "I'll need to do some additional tests since you're—"

"Beta Marcus needs me," Darren interrupted, already moving toward the door. "Warrior training emergency."

"Darren," I called after him, "we need to talk about this."

He paused at the doorway. "Later, Sloan. Pack business."

Macy followed him out, touching his arm as they left. "I'll make sure she gets home safely," she called over her shoulder.

I stared at the ceiling, the sound of my pup's heartbeat echoing in my ears.

---

The pack meeting hall buzzed with activity as members gathered for the monthly assembly. I sat in my designated Luna chair beside Darren's throne-like seat, trying to ignore the whispers that followed me.

"Luna Sloan looks pale today."

"Is it true about her and the Alpha?"

"Why hasn't she announced her pregnancy?"

I smoothed my dress over my still-flat stomach, wishing I could disappear.

Darren stood to address the pack, his commanding presence silencing the room instantly. "Before we discuss territory matters, I want to recognize our warriors' recent training achievements."

As he spoke, my eyes caught Macy slipping into the room, taking a seat in the front row. Her gaze met mine briefly before sliding to Darren.

"Especially Beta Marcus and Macy Howard," Darren continued, "whose dedication to strengthening our pack defenses deserves recognition."

Macy beamed as Darren gestured toward her. Their eyes locked in a way that made my stomach clench.

I cleared my throat. "Darren, perhaps we could discuss the future of the pack's heir?"

The room fell silent. Several pack members exchanged glances.

Darren's jaw tightened. "This isn't the time, Sloan."

"When is the time?" I pressed, Aria giving me courage. "Our pup deserves—"

"Enough," he cut me off, his Alpha tone washing over me like a physical force. "We'll discuss this privately."

Macy's smile widened as she reached up to adjust her necklace—a diamond pendant I'd never seen before.

---

That evening, my phone buzzed with notifications from the pack's social media platform. With trembling fingers, I opened the app.

Macy's post sat at the top of the feed: a photo of her and Darren at what appeared to be a private dinner. His arm was around her waist, her head resting on his shoulder.

"Three years of friendship with my favorite Alpha," the caption read. "Some bonds are forever. Thank you for my birthday gift!"

The photo zoomed in on her neck, where a diamond necklace glittered against her skin.

Comments flooded in below:

"Luna Macy would look good on you!"

"The Alpha and his real Luna!"

"Where's Sloan in all this?"

I scrolled further, finding another post from months ago that I'd somehow missed—Darren presenting me with a simple silver bracelet on our mating anniversary.

"Token gift for appearance's sake," someone had commented. "Notice the difference?"

Aria howled in anguish within me as I stared at the screen, the truth of my position in the pack—and in Darren's heart—finally crystal clear.

I touched my stomach, feeling the slight swell that housed our pup. "We deserve better than this," I whispered.

My phone buzzed again. Macy's latest post: a close-up of her diamond earrings.

"Only the best for those the Alpha truly cherishes," she'd written.

Something inside me hardened like steel in fire.