Rejected Luna's Baby

•Amar's POV I was trembling as I stared down at the small white plastic stick in my hands. My hands were shaking violently as if an electric current was passing through it. I held onto my clothes tightly to keep it from shaking so badly as I waited. My heart was pounding so hard. The thumping sound was all I could hear as it echoed against the wall of the room. I closed my eyes for a moment and began to desperately mutter words of prayer. "Please," I whispered to the Moon Goddess unsure wether she was hearing me. I kept talking even though I wasn't even sure what I was asking for anymore. The pregnancy test felt heavy in my palm, heavier than my crown had ever been. "Please," I murmured one last time before I slowly and reluctantly opened my eyes. I looked again, and my eyes widened as a small scream tore out of my mouth. There was two pink lines. I staggered backwards, my legs instantly failing me at this critical time. Joy-white, hot and blinding tore through me like an express train. My heart rate skyrocketed as I let out a scream that bore all my emotions. There was frustration, fear, disappointment, anxiety-all leaving as I screamed. There was finally two lines. There was finally hope. After several months of staring down at the single lines that crushed it wickedly. I shook uncontrollably as I set the pregancy test stick on the counter. I was breathing so hard as I gripped the edge of the sink tightly. I looked up and my eyes met my reflection in the large gold rimmed mirror. The woman who stared back at me had dark messy hair and wounded lips. Her eyes were red from crying too many nights alone in here matrimonial bed. Depression was taking her while her husband worked late at his office. I was that woman. I slumped against the counter as the tears started flowing down my cheeks. But for the first time in months, they weren't tears of sadness. I was pregnant. I was finally pregnant. And this would change everything. My mind wandered to last week when Kade had barely looked at me during dinner. His plate had sat untouched while he had been reading the pack reports. "The council is asking questions again," he had said without looking up. I had stilled instantly because I knew what was about to come next. "When shall we birth heirs Amara, for the future of the pack?" He demanded. The words had hit me hard. I wanted to tell him that we were trying and that these things took time. I had looked up to meet his sharp eyes and saw his jaw tight with frustration. I made to speak, but the cold look that glazed his eyes halted me. But now I had an answer. Now I had hope. We had been married two years. Our mating ceremony had been the most wonderful day of my life. I had anticipated the happiness in my marriage until I wasn't anymore. The mating ceremony had taken place under the Harvest Moon. I could still remember how the crown felt when they placed it on my head. I could still recall how Kade's eyes had been shining with love and pride. "Do you, Amara Nightshade, accept Kade Blackwater as your mate and Alpha?" the officiating elder, Sage had asked. "I do," I had said in a whisper and meant it with every fiber of my being. "And do you, Kade Blackwater, accept Amara Nightshade as your mate and Luna?" Kade' eyes had scanned me from head to toe before he opened his mouth to speak. "I do. Amara will give me strong pups and rule beside me with wisdom." The pack had cheered, and everything had felt perfect and eternal then. But that was before the disappointment, before the council started to whisper. That was before I heard fragments of conversations I wasn't meant to. The elders whispered to my husband to consider other options as I was barren. Once, I had heard them offer Elara, the princess of the Moonridge pack. "She is from a fertile bloodline. Her mother had six pups," elder Thorne haf said. My hand had instantly flown to my mouth to stop the gasp that escaped it. I had pressed myself against the wall while straining to hear even more. "I am mated to Amara," Kade had said, but i noticed his voice lacked conviction. "Strategic alliances have been broken before fir the good of the pack." "Maybe, maybe not," Kade had shrugged and my heart had shattered. I had run to our room and cried until my eyes were swollen shut. But now, as I stared at this pregnancy test, I knew all that was going to be over. This baby would fix everything. It would remind Kade why he had chosen me and why we belonged together. A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. "Luna Amara," the voice of Marie, on eof my younger maids called from outside. "What is it?" I asked. "The Alpha has requested your presence in the great hall for a pack assembly" I smiled broadly. This was perfect timing. "I'll be right there," I called back. I heard her footeps as she retreated. I leaned down and splashed cold water over my face and hurriedly fixed my hair. Then I carefully wrapped the pregnancy test in a tissue and tucked it into my pocket. Tonight would give Kade the news that would change everything. And I would do it in front of the entire pack that had been hasty to call me barren. I chose my best dress, did my makeup and hair and prepared for the assembly. I was Luna of Silvergrove pack who was carrying the future Alpha. The hall was buzzing with pack members and conversations when I came. Tonight, my nerves were on fire. I spotted Kade who was standing near the fireplace with his broad shoulders tense. He wore dark shirts and pants, and even from across the room he was beautiful. I started walking toward him with my heart hammering hard against my ribs. The pregnancy test felt as if it was quickly burning a hole in my pocket. "Kade," I said when I reached him and hee turned to look at me. My breath hitched as I met those green eyes that always set me on fire. They were cold and distant, nothing like the man who had promised me forever. Still, I continued to speak. "Can I speak with you? I have something rather important to tell you." He didn't even acknowledge my smile or the excitement that sat in my voice. "Not now Amara!" He snapped in his loud Alpha voice that instantly rattled me. My eyes widened as I stepped back. Fear began to creep up my spine as I realized that something was wrong. The pack sensed it too and conversations died as Kade stepped forward. "I, Kade Blackwater, reject you, Amara Nightshade, as my mate and Luna."