THE LUNA WHO WAS NEVER ENOUGH

I hadn't even processed her words before feeling a sharp sting across my face as his mother slapped me, sending me crashing to the floor. “I should have known it!” She yelled, while I sat there in a daze, my vision blurred with tears as my brain finally processed what was happening. The slap must have jolted it awake.

“Is this true?” I could hear the rage and disbelief in Kieran's voice, but what made my heart contract with pain was the relief in his voice. It was subtle, but it was there.

Then, I realized it. The only reason he kept me was because of my baby. The only thing keeping him and Selen apart was my baby, and now that there's a chance that barrier never even existed, he could finally be with the woman he truly cared about.

I didn't speak. I couldn't.

The moment I opened my mouth, I knew for certain hot tears would follow after. There was no point defending myself because they wouldn't believe me, and Selen even brought a document along with her.

I could get one from the hospital where I was treated, but they'd say I forged it. Even if I showed undeniable proof, they'd find a way to make sure I was painted the villain.

Someone grabbed my hair, yanking my head up. Kieran. His eyes were burning with hot fury, and my brain must have been messing with me because I could have sworn I saw a glimpse of hurt in his eyes.

“I'm talking to you, Lyanna, and I expect a fucking answer!” He said, and for a moment, I wondered if he'd believe me if I denied it till I heard his next words, “Why did you lie about your pregnancy?”

I let out a sigh, and I could hear exhaustion in my own voice. He wasn't asking if it was true or not, and why would I expect otherwise? Selene was the saint, and I was the devil trying to seperate them.

“I'm sorry for keeping it from you, Kieran,” Selene sniffed, and I would have rolled my eyes if not for how exhausted I was.

He released his hold on my head, shoving me aside roughly before rushing to Selene's side. I glanced at her to see tears streaming down her eyes. “When I found out, s-she threatened me using her position as Luna. I know I'm weak, but I told her I'd still tell you because I can't betray you. Even if it cost me my life, I'd never betray you.” The tears fell faster, her voice breaking.

“She promised she'd tell you, but I found out she was going to lie about losing her baby. To make you feel guilty, she was going to claim she lost the baby the night of the anniversary. So I found the doctor who diagnosed her and he confessed she paid him.”

“How could you be such a demon?” One of his friends asked.

Another scoffed, “I always knew you were evil, but to think you'd lie about being pregnant and try to make Kieran guilty over something that didn't exist.”

“She's not even saying anything. The nerve.”

“The truth is out. What can she say? What lies will she tell?”

Rage bubbled within me, blocking out their words. I hated them all—Kieran, Selene, His family, his friends, the doctor, and the world itself. But most of all, myself.

Of all the people I could have told about my child, I told Selene. I should have told Kieran immediately.

But what difference would that make?

It was my fault. I should have left when I had the chance but I didn't. And now… my baby wasn't just gone, but they're saying it never existed. I could feel the tears threatening to spill, but they couldn't see me break. I wouldn't let them.

Kieran's eyes locked with mine, and my body stiffened under the intensity of the murder in his eyes. Those eyes… my body trembled with fear.

What would he do to me?

Luckily, Selene kept being dramatic and when I was certain they were all occupied with her, I summoned all the strength I had as a Luna, and in a split second, I was outside the house.

The heavens must have been on my side because, at that exact moment, a taxi rolled down the street. I didn't think, I just ran, yanking the door open and throwing myself inside. “Hurry! To Ravenhollow Lane!” My words came fast, my heart beating wildly against my ribs. Fear coiled tight around my heart, squeezing, suffocating. I didn't dare look back.

Kieran had never laid his hands on me, but I'd seen what he did to enemies and rouges. And he always had that look in his eyes… the exact same one he had when he looked at me.

I was almost certain he'd torture me to death.

The taxi rolled to a stop at the mouth of Ravenhollow Lane, its engine humming softly in the silence. I paid the fare, hesitating for a moment before stepping out. Only then did I realize it was raining.

Just great!

My feet felt heavy, but I forced them forward towards my parents house, freezing when I saw them. Kieran's guards.

Shit! I immediately ducked behind the small fence. I expected they'd come looking for me, but not that fast. “Don’t worry,” I heard my mother say smoothly. "She’ll come back. And when she does, I’ll hand her over myself.”