Luna. Chapter 5

(Lyra’s POV)

Two weeks had passed since Seraphina's arrival, and I was starting to wonder if I'd imagined the life Kael and I had built together. She'd grown stronger, more confident, and somehow that made everything worse. When she'd been weak and trembling, I could at least tell myself that Kael's attentiveness was pure compassion. Now, watching her laugh at his jokes and touch his arm when she spoke, all I. feel angry.

I was getting dressed for the day when I heard her voice from downstairs, clearer and more animated than I'd heard it since her return.

"Oh, Kael, these are perfect! They fit like they were made for me."

Curious despite myself, I made my way downstairs to find Seraphina modeling one of my favorite sweaters - a soft cashmere piece in deep blue that Kael had bought me for my birthday. She was also wearing my pearl earrings and what looked suspiciously like my favorite jeans.

"Seraphina," I said restrainedly, "I think you're wearing my clothes."

She looked down at herself with exaggerated surprise. "Oh! Are these yours? They were in the guest room closet. I just assumed..."

"I put some of my winter things in there for storage," I explained, trying to keep my voice level. "I can show you where we keep the donated clothes for pack members who need them."

"That's so thoughtful," she said, but made no move to change. "But these fit so well, and Kael said I looked beautiful in this color. You don't mind sharing, do you? We're practically family now."

Kael, who had been silently watching this exchange, cleared his throat. "Seraphina, why don't you pick out some things from the donation pile? I'm sure we can find something that works."

"Of course," she said with a sweet smile, but I caught the flash of annoyance in her eyes. "Though it seems silly to change when these fit so perfectly. Lyra has excellent taste."

She was testing boundaries, seeing how much she could get away with. And Kael, despite his suggestion, wasn't exactly demanding she change out of my clothes.

"I'll help you find something else," I offered, forcing a smile.

"Actually," Kael interjected, "we need to leave for the pack meeting in a few minutes. Maybe we can sort this out later?"

So I had to watch my husband leave for an important pack meeting with another woman wearing my clothes, my jewelry, even my perfume. They walked out together, looking like the perfect couple, while I stood in the doorway feeling like a stranger in my own life.

When they returned that afternoon, I was waiting in the living room with a carefully prepared speech. 

I couldn't stand it any longer and I was going to tell him the truth about my pregnancy.

I believe when Karl knew I was pregnant, his focus went back to our family.

"How was the meeting?" I asked as they came through the door.

"Productive," Kael said, helping Seraphina out of her jacket - my jacket. "The council is implementing new security measures based on Seraphina's intelligence about the Shadow Den pack."

"She's been incredibly helpful," Seraphina added, settling onto the couch like she belonged there. "It feels good to finally be useful again."

"I'm sure it does." I took a deep breath. "Kael, could I speak with you privately? There's something important I need to tell you."

He glanced at Seraphina, who suddenly looked fragile and uncertain again. "Could it wait? Seraphina had a difficult day - talking about her captivity at the meeting brought back some painful memories."

"I understand that, but this really can't wait any longer-"

"Kael?" Seraphina's voice was small, vulnerable. "I'm feeling dizzy again. Could you help me upstairs?"

Without hesitation, he moved to her side, supporting her weight as she leaned against him. "Of course. Lyra, we'll talk at dinner, okay?"

But at dinner, Seraphina dominated the conversation with stories of her recovery and gratitude for Kael's care. After dinner, she had a headache and needed him to read to her. And after that, she couldn't sleep and needed his company.

It was nearly midnight when Kael finally came to our bedroom. I was sitting up in bed, having waited hours for this moment.

"We need to talk," I said before he could speak.

"Lyra, it's late. Can't this wait until tomorrow?"

"I've been trying to tell you something for two weeks. It can't wait anymore." I took a shaky breath. "Kael, I'm pregnant."

He froze halfway through unbuttoning his shirt. "What?"

"I'm pregnant. Four and a half months pregnant. We're having a baby."

The silence stretched between us like a chasm. When he finally spoke, he was not happy as I had imagined, but instead cold and suspicious.

"Four and a half months? That would mean..."

"Yes, it means the baby was conceived before Seraphina came back. It's your child, Kael."

His face flashed with shock, confusion, and finally plunged me into the abyss of his naked suspicion.

"Are you sure it's mine?"

The question hit me like a physical slap. "What did you just say?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean... it's just, the timing..." He ran his hands through his hair. "You've been different lately. Distant. Secretive."

"I've been different because I've been trying to tell you we're having a baby while watching you devote yourself to another woman!"

"Don't raise your voice. Seraphina needs her rest."

Even now, even in this moment, his first concern was Seraphina.

"Are you seriously more worried about waking her up than about the fact that you just accused me of cheating?"

"I didn't accuse you of anything. I just asked a question."

"A horrible question that no husband should ever ask his wife." Tears were flowing now, and I didn't try to stop them. "How could you even think that?"

"Because I don't understand why you would keep this from me for so long. If you were really pregnant with my child, why wouldn't you tell me immediately?"

"Because I wanted it to be special! I wanted to find the right moment, the perfect way to share our joy. But there hasn't been a moment when you weren't too busy taking care of her to focus on us."

Kael sat heavily on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. "This is a lot to process."

"It's a lot to process?" I stood up, fury giving me strength. "I'm carrying your child, and your response is that it's 'a lot to process'?"

"That's not what I meant-"

"Yes, it is. Because if Seraphina had told you she was pregnant, you would have been over the moon. You would have celebrated and planned and probably moved her into our bedroom to take better care of her."

"That's not fair."

"None of this is fair! I'm supposed to be your wife, your partner, the most important woman in your life. Instead, I'm competing with a ghost for my husband's attention, and apparently losing."

I grabbed my pillow and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To the guest room downstairs. Since you clearly prefer having her close by anyway."

"Lyra, wait-"