Luna’s pregnancy entered its fourth week.
Her stomach had not yet shown, but her body was already changing.
She tired easily, often felt nauseous in the mornings, and never slept soundly.
Every night, Kael still came.
He never said much.
He would simply sit in the chair by the window, making sure she was breathing, then leave before the sun rose.
No words of acknowledgment.
No apologies.
Only his stubborn, constant presence.
The servants began to whisper.
“The Alpha visits that omega’s room often.” “They say he orders meat cooked for her every day.” Luna pretended not to hear.
Because she knew, Kael had not softened.
He was only learning how not to hurt.
That day, the sky was clear.
It was rare for sunlight to stream through the kitchen windows at Blackmoon, gilding the wooden floors with warmth.
Kael was in a meeting with the Betas, so Luna was allowed to eat breakfast with the other servants.
It was the first time in a month she was permitted to sit at the long table, instead of on the floor.
Luna spooned her porridge slowly.
The Elder had told her she must eat more.
But her stomach still turned.
The kitchen door swung open.
Beta Riven walked in carrying a basket of fruit, apples, pears, grapes.
Luxuries usually reserved only for the Alpha.
Riven’s eyes immediately found her.
“You,” he said.
He set the basket down and sat across from her.
“You look pale.” “I am well, Lord Beta,” Luna replied.
“Don’t call me ‘Lord,'” Riven said, pushing a plate of apples toward her.
“Eat.
For the child’s sake.” The words tightened her chest.
Her child.
Kael’s child.
Luna picked up an apple and bit into it; it was sweet.
She had not tasted fresh fruit in so long.
“You are too thin,” Riven went on.
“How does Kael treat you?” “The Alpha is better now,” Luna said quickly.
“He makes sure I eat.” Riven let out a small, bitter laugh.
“That is not ‘better.’ That is the bare minimum.” His voice softened.
“You may call me Riven.
We are not so far apart in age.” Luna was startled.
“But the rules…,” “Rules can be broken,” Riven cut in with a faint smile.
“Tell me, what do you like, besides surviving?” Luna fell silent.
There was nothing.
Her life had always been nothing but work and fear.
Yet somehow, sitting with Riven, she felt a little lighter.
They talked, of books, of the sky, of small, simple things.
And Luna laughed.
A quiet, small laugh.
The first time in forever.
She did not notice when the kitchen door opened again.
“What is this?” The voice froze everyone in place.
Spoons clattered.
Breaths hitched.
Kael stood in the doorway.
His face was impassive.
But his golden eyes swept from Riven, to Luna, to the apple in her hand, to the space between them, too close.
“Alpha,” Riven said, standing up.
“I was only…,” “Get out,” Kael said.
One word.
That was all.
Riven glanced at Luna.
“Alpha, we were only talking…,” “I SAID GET OUT!” Kael roared.
Riven left.
All the servants scattered.
Only Luna and Kael remained.
Silence hung heavy, broken only by Kael’s ragged breathing.
Kael shut the door.
Locked it.
Then walked toward her, slow, deliberate steps that seemed to shake the floor.
“So now you are close with my Beta?” Kael asked, his voice low and dangerous.
“No, my Lord,” Luna said.
“He only felt sorry…,” “Do not lie,” Kael gripped her chin.
Not hard enough to hurt, but firm, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“I saw you.
Laughing.
Saying his name.” “It is only because you never…,” Luna’s words died in her throat.
She dared not finish.
“Never what?” Kael pressed.
“Never speak to me gently,” Luna whispered, tears spilling over.
“You only command.
Only shout.
Riven treats me like a person.” The blow never landed.
Kael’s hand stopped an inch from her cheek.
His jaw tightened sharply.
“So you prefer him?” “No,” Luna said at once.
“I want no one.
I am just so tired.” Kael let go of her chin, his hands clenching into fists.
“From today onward, you are forbidden to speak to him.
Forbidden to look at him.
Forbidden to smile at him.” “That is not fair,” Luna said.
“He is the only one who…,” “I will be kind to you,” Kael cut in.
“Only me.
Do you understand?” Luna nodded.
There was no choice.
That night, Kael slept in her room.
In her bed.
“So no one else can come in,” he said.
An obvious lie.
But Luna did not argue.
She curled up at the edge of the mattress, facing away from him.
In the middle of the night, Luna woke screaming from a nightmare, of her mother, of blood.
She thrashed and sobbed.
Then strong arms wrapped around her.
“Hush,” Kael whispered against her ear.
“I am here.” She did not remember when she leaned back against his chest.
All she knew was that his warmth chased the fear away.
By morning, Kael was already gone.
All that remained was the blanket pulled up to her chin and a bowl of warm soup on the table.
Scrawled in rough handwriting on a scrap of paper: Eat.
From that day on, Kael grew possessive.
He checked her meals himself.
He sent away servants who looked at her too long.
He followed her everywhere.
If she washed clothes, he sat on a chair nearby.
If she walked in the garden, he trailed a few steps behind.
The pack began to whisper.
“The Alpha is jealous.” “Could he be falling for her?” Luna heard it all, but said nothing.
Until that afternoon.
Kael had gone hunting.
Riven stopped her in the corridor.
“Luna,” Riven said, his expression grave.
“You must get away from here.
Kael is unstable.
He is keeping you trapped.” “Do not speak of the Alpha that way,” Luna said.
“He does not love you,” Riven insisted.
“He is terrified of losing control.
I can take you away.
Before he truly hurts you, and that child.” “Do not touch me,” Luna said.
Riven gripped her arm gently.
“I only want to help…,” “Let go of her.” Luna’s blood ran cold.
Kael stood at the end of the hall, face twisted with rage, his hunting bow still in hand.
“I said, let go,” Kael repeated.
Riven stepped back.
“Alpha, listen…,” “She is mine,” Kael snarled.
“And you laid hands on her.” In three strides, Kael was on him.
The first blow cracked against Riven’s jaw.
The second slammed into his stomach.
“STOP!” Luna screamed.
She ran and threw her arms around Kael’s back.
“Please!
Do not!” Kael froze, chest heaving.
He looked down at her hands clinging to him.
“Let go,” Kael ordered.
“Not until you stop,” Luna said.
Kael shut his eyes for a long moment.
Then he shoved Riven back hard.
“Get out of my pack.
Now.
You are no longer my Beta!” Riven coughed, spitting blood.
“You will regret this, Kael.” Then he turned and left.
Kael turned back to Luna, his face still flushed with fury.
“Why did you defend him?” “Because I do not want you to become a murderer,” Luna answered.
“Because I do not want this child to grow up knowing their father killed his own best friend.” Kael was silent for a very long time.
Then, for the first time, he sank to his knees before her.
“I hate seeing you with anyone else,” Kael said, his voice raw and honest.
“I hate you laughing for anyone else.
I hate that you felt safer with him.” Luna brushed her hand against his cheek.
“You do not have to hate.
I am right here.” Kael pressed his forehead to her stomach.
“Protect our child,” he whispered.
“Do not leave me.” That night, Kael held her as they slept.
Not out of lust.
Not as an order.
But because he was afraid.
Fifteen days remained.
But Luna had stopped counting.
Because she knew, Kael would never cast her away again.