Luna. Chapter 7

(Lyra’s POV)

I spent the rest of the morning in our bedroom, mechanically folding clothes and placing them in a suitcase. Each piece of clothing felt like a goodbye.

The sweater Kael had given me for Christmas, the dress I'd worn on our first official date, the pajamas that still smelled like him.

My hands paused over a framed photo on the dresser - our wedding picture. We looked so happy, so certain of our future together. Kael's eyes in the photo held nothing but love and hope. The man in that picture would never have accused me of faking a pregnancy for attention.

A soft knock on the door interrupted my packing. "Come in," I called, expecting Kael.

Instead, Seraphina entered, looking perfectly put together in yet another outfit I recognized as mine. She took in the suitcase, the scattered clothes, my tear-stained face.

"Oh my," she said with manufactured concern. "Going somewhere?"

"I think it's best if I stay somewhere else for a while. Give you and Kael space to... reconnect."

"That's very understanding of you." She moved closer, her fingers trailing over the jewelry box on my dresser. "I hope you don't mind me saying this, but I think you're making the right choice."

I looked up sharply. "Excuse me?"

"Well, it's just... Kael has seemed so much happier since I returned. More like his old self." She picked up my grandmother's pearl necklace, examining it in the light. "We have such a deep connection, you know. The kind that survives separation, trauma, even... other relationships."

"Other relationships meaning my marriage to him?"

"I'm not trying to be cruel," she said, clasping the necklace around her own throat. "But surely you've noticed that what you and Kael have is more of a... practical arrangement? The pack needed him to marry, you needed security. It served its purpose."

"You don't know anything about my marriage."

"Don't I?" She turned to face me, my pearls glowing against her pale skin. "I know that he never stopped loving me. I know that he only married you because the pack council insisted he needed a Luna. And I know that the first chance he got to have me back, he took it."

Every word made me feel more sad, but I couldn't deny it."You're wrong."

"Am I? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like he believes his wife is lying about being pregnant just to manipulate him. That doesn't sound like the behavior of a man deeply in love."

I stood up abruptly, anger giving me strength. "Get out."

"Of course." She smiled sweetly, but her fingers went to my pearls, adjusting them possessively. "I just wanted to thank you for being so gracious about everything. Not every woman would be mature enough to step aside when she's clearly not wanted anymore."

"I said get out."

"The pearls look lovely on me, don't you think? Kael always said I had the perfect neck for jewelry." She touched the clasp gently. "I think I'll keep them. A small token of appreciation for your understanding."

Before I could respond, she was gone, taking my grandmother's necklace with her. I sank back onto the bed, feeling like I'd just been robbed of more than jewelry.

Half an hour later, Kael appeared in the doorway. He took in the packed suitcase without surprise.

"Where will you go?" he asked quietly.

"My father's house, probably. Or maybe I'll rent something in town." I zipped up the suitcase with more force than necessary. "I'm sure you and Seraphina will be more comfortable without me here."

"Lyra, this doesn't have to be permanent. If you can just admit what really happened, if you can explain why you felt the need to create this elaborate story-"

"Stop." I held up my hand. "I am pregnant with your child. That is the truth, whether you choose to believe it or not. But I'm not going to stay here and be treated like a liar and a manipulator."

"Then prove it. Take a pregnancy test. See a different doctor."

"I shouldn't have to prove my pregnancy to my own husband." I picked up my suitcase, surprised by how light it felt. "The fact that you're asking me to is proof enough that this marriage is already over."

As I headed for the door, Kael caught my arm gently. "I don't want you to go."

"Yes, you do. Maybe not consciously, but part of you wants me gone so you can have your perfect reunion with her." I looked down at where his hand touched my arm. "You just don't want to be the one who asks for it."

"That's not true."

"Isn't it? Because you haven't fought for us at all. The moment she walked back into your life, you were ready to push me aside. And now that she's given you an excuse to doubt me, you're practically helping me pack."

He released my arm but didn't deny my words. "Where does this leave us?"

"I don't know." I shouldered my purse, noting that the ultrasound photos were still inside. "I guess that depends on whether you ever decide to trust your wife over a woman who disappeared for three years without a trace."

"It's not that simple-"

"It's exactly that simple. But you've made your choice." I paused at the door. "When you realize what you've lost, don't expect me to be waiting around to forgive you."

I walked out of our bedroom, down the stairs where we'd shared so many happy mornings, and out the front door of the house that had been my home. Behind me, I could hear Seraphina's musical laugh from the kitchen, and I realized she'd probably been listening to our entire conversation.

As I drove away, I caught a glimpse of them in the rearview mirror - Kael and Seraphina standing together on the front porch, watching me leave. She was wearing my pearls and leaning against him for support, the picture of a woman who'd finally reclaimed what was rightfully hers.

I placed one hand on my belly and whispered, "Don't worry, baby. We're going to be okay. We don't need someone who doesn't believe in us."

Will we really not need him?

I don’t know.