Luna. Chapter 8

(Lyra’s POV)

Three days later, I was settling into the small guest cottage on my father Victor's estate when his beta, Marcus, knocked on my door with an official-looking envelope.

"This came for you," he said, his expression grim. "From the Iron Claw Pack."

My hands trembled as I opened the envelope, though I already suspected what it contained. The formal letterhead confirmed my fears:

"Notice of Rejection Ceremony - Luna Lyra Blackwood"

I sank into the small armchair by the window, reading the legal language that essentially announced my husband was officially divorcing me in the most humiliating way possible. A rejection ceremony was a public declaration that an Alpha was severing all ties with his mate, usually reserved for cases of infidelity or betrayal.

The ceremony was scheduled for tomorrow night, during the full moon, when the entire pack would gather to witness my formal rejection and banishment from the only home I'd known since my marriage.

My father appeared in the doorway, his weathered face creased with concern. "Lyra? What is it?"

I handed him the letter without speaking, watching his expression darken as he read.

"That boy has lost his mind," Victor growled, crushing the paper in his fist. "Rejecting his pregnant mate over some returned woman's lies."

"He doesn't believe I'm pregnant." The words came out flat, emotionless. I'd cried so much over the past few days that I felt hollowed out.

"Then he's a fool. I can smell the pup on you from across the room." Victor's wolf senses were stronger than most, a benefit of his alpha bloodline. "Any wolf worth his salt could tell you're carrying."

"Apparently I'm the only one who can smell it." I laughed bitterly. "Dr. Williams has no record of my appointment, the ultrasound photos are 'suspicious,' and everyone thinks I'm making it up for attention."

"Someone is playing games," Victor said firmly. "This clearly a trick."

"It doesn't matter now. Tomorrow night, it will all be over officially."

Before Victor could respond, another knock came at the door. This time it was Adrian, Kael's beta, looking uncomfortable and apologetic.

"Luna," he said formally, though his use of my title felt mocking given the circumstances. "I'm here to escort you to the ceremony tomorrow night."

"How thoughtful," I said dryly. "Making sure I don't miss my own public humiliation."

Adrian's face reddened. "Lyra, for what it's worth, I think this is all wrong. Kael isn't thinking clearly."

"No, he's thinking very clearly. He's chosen her over me, and now he's making it official." I stood up, smoothing down my shirt. "What exactly happens at this ceremony? I've never been to a rejection before."

"The Alpha will state his reasons for the rejection in front of the assembled pack. You'll have a chance to respond if you choose. Then the pack will witness the severing of the mate bond."

"And after that?"

Adrian shifted uncomfortably. "After that, you'll no longer be considered a member of the Iron Claw Pack. You'll need to leave the territory within 24 hours."

Banishment. Not only was Kael rejecting me as his mate, he was exiling me from the only pack I'd ever belonged to.

"I see. And what about the baby?"

"What baby?" Adrian asked, looking genuinely confused.

Even Kael's own beta didn't believe I was pregnant. I almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.

"Never mind," I said quietly. "I'll be ready tomorrow night."

After Adrian left, Victor paced the small cottage like a caged wolf. "This is insanity. I should challenge this, demand a pack tribunal."

"No, Dad. It's over." I felt strangely calm now that the worst was officially happening. "Let him have his ceremony. Let him have his reunion with Seraphina. I'm done fighting for someone who clearly doesn't want to be fought for."

"And the pup?"

I placed my hand over my belly, feeling the small but definite bump that had become more noticeable. "The baby and I will be fine. We don't need a pack that doesn't want us."

But as I said it, I wondered where we would go. Victor's pack was small, mostly older wolves who'd retired from more active territories. I was trained as a Luna, but what pack would want a rejected, pregnant female as their leader?

That night, I lay awake thinking about tomorrow's ceremony. In less than 24 hours, I would stand before hundreds of wolves and hear my husband publicly declare that I was unwanted, unworthy, untruthful. I would watch him sever the bond that had made me feel complete for the first time in my life.

And then I would walk away from everything I'd ever known, carrying his child and the secret that he might never believe.

But as I drifted off to sleep, one thought kept me anchored: whatever tomorrow brought, I would survive it. I had to, for the baby who deserved better than parents who couldn't even agree on its existence.