The Alpha’s Barren Luna

Darkness swallowed Elara completely.

Somewhere beyond it, voices drifted toward her, distant and muffled, as though she were trapped beneath deep water.

“Luna Elara collapsed in her room,” the guard reported urgently as he hurried into the healer’s chamber. “She asked for food and water before she fell.”

The elderly healer immediately rose, concern tightening her expression.

“Take me to her,” the healer ordered, grabbing her medicine pouch before following him toward the Alpha House.

When they reached Elara’s room, the healer hurried inside and found her lying motionless on the floor, one hand curled protectively over her abdomen.

“Help me lift her onto the bed,” the healer instructed, her brows furrowing as she knelt beside Elara and checked her breathing.

The guard quickly obeyed.

Once Elara was settled, the healer pressed two fingers against her wrist. Her expression changed when she felt the weak pulse.

“She has barely eaten,” the guard explained anxiously, lowering his gaze. “She asked for food and water, but I had to wait for permission.”

The healer’s eyes sharpened.

“You should have brought them immediately,” she scolded, her voice firm as she examined Elara’s pale face.

“The Alpha ordered that no one disturb her until the council session,” the guard replied uneasily.

“Orders do not override a Luna’s health,” the healer said sharply before turning her attention back to Elara.

She placed her palm gently over Elara’s abdomen and closed her eyes.

A faint pulse of energy moved beneath her hand.

The healer’s expression shifted from concern to surprise.

“She is pregnant,” she whispered, her eyes widening as she examined Elara again.

The guard stared at her.

“But the Luna never told anyone.”

“She may not have known until recently,” the healer replied thoughtfully. “She is very early in the pregnancy.”

“Should I inform the Alpha?” the guard asked, his voice uncertain.

The healer glanced toward the locked door before looking back at Elara.

“Not yet,” she answered firmly. “She should wake up before anyone makes decisions concerning her child.”

The guard hesitated.

“But Alpha Cassian—”

“I said not yet,” the healer repeated, her stern expression silencing him.

“Yes, Healer,” the guard murmured before leaving.

The healer gently cleaned the cut on Elara’s shoulder and prepared a restorative drink.

“You poor child,” she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from Elara’s face. “You carried this secret alone.”

Hours later, the council chamber was crowded.

Cassian stood at the head of the table while Gideon Blackwood faced him.

“Alpha, the council cannot continue avoiding this matter,” Gideon said firmly, his hands clasped behind his back. “Seraphina is carrying your child. The pack needs certainty.”

Cassian’s jaw tightened.

“I have already said I will take responsibility for the child,” he replied, his gaze hardening.

“The elders want to know whether you intend to recognize the child as your heir,” Gideon pressed, his expression serious.

“The child is mine,” Cassian answered, his shoulders stiffening. “Of course I will recognize it.”

Murmurs spread through the chamber.

Elder Rowan leaned forward.

“And what of Luna Elara?” he asked carefully.

Cassian’s eyes hardened.

“She remains my Luna.”

“But if the Luna is also carrying your child, the succession becomes complicated,” another elder said, his fingers tightening around the table. “Two heirs from two mothers cannot be treated as though there is no conflict.”

“I know,” Cassian replied, his voice controlled.

Gideon stepped closer.

“Then you must decide which child will stand first.”

Cassian’s hands curled into fists.

“No,” he said coldly. “The child has not even been born.”

“That is precisely why the council is meeting,” Gideon countered. “We cannot wait until both children are born before deciding how the law applies.”

Before Cassian could answer, the doors opened.

A guard entered hurriedly.

“Alpha,” he called, his breathing uneven.

Cassian turned sharply.

“What is it?”

“The healer has been summoned to the Alpha House,” the guard replied nervously. “Luna Elara collapsed.”

The room went silent.

Cassian’s face drained of color.

“She what?”

“She collapsed in her room, Alpha. The healer is treating her now.”

Cassian immediately turned toward the doors.

Gideon followed him.

“Alpha, the council isn’t finished,” the Beta reminded him, his expression tense.

“My wife has collapsed,” Cassian snapped, his eyes flashing with anger. “You can continue without me.”

“But Seraphina?”

“Enough,” Cassian cut in, his voice leaving no room for argument.

He strode away, his thoughts consumed by Elara.

He had left her angry.

He had locked her inside their room.

And now she had collapsed.

When Cassian reached the Alpha House, the healer was waiting outside Elara’s bedroom.

“How is she?” he demanded, his breathing heavy as he approached her.

“She is stable,” the healer replied sternly. “But she is exhausted and severely weakened. She needs food, water, and rest.”

Cassian looked toward the bedroom.

“Can I see her?”

“She is awake now,” the healer answered before catching his arm. “But there is something you need to understand.”

Cassian looked at her.

“What?”

The healer lowered her voice.

“Luna Elara is pregnant.”

Cassian froze.

“I know,” he admitted quietly. “She told me this morning.”

The healer’s expression hardened.

“And yet she collapsed while locked inside her room?”

Guilt crossed Cassian’s face.

“I ordered her to remain there while I attended the council.”

“You ordered a pregnant Luna to remain alone without ensuring she had food or water,” the healer said disapprovingly. “Whatever your reasons were, Alpha, that cannot happen again.”

Cassian lowered his gaze.

“I understand.”

The healer stepped aside.

“She needs peace. Not another argument.”

“I won’t argue with her,” Cassian promised, his expression troubled.

He opened the door.

Elara was sitting against the headboard, her face pale and exhausted. A bowl of warm broth rested beside her, untouched.

“Elara,” Cassian said softly, his face filled with concern.

She looked away.

“Why are you here?” she asked weakly, her fingers tightening around the blanket.

“You collapsed,” Cassian replied, his brows drawing together.

“I know.”

“You frightened me,” he admitted, stepping closer.

Elara finally looked at him.

“You locked me in here.”

Cassian fell silent.

“And then you came back because I collapsed, not because you remembered that I was your wife,” she added bitterly, her eyes glistening.

“Elara, that isn’t fair,” Cassian replied, pain crossing his face.

She gave him a faint, bitter smile.

“Isn’t it?”

He had no answer.

Her hand moved protectively over her stomach.

“The healer told you.”

Cassian nodded.

“She did.”

“I didn’t want the whole pack to know yet,” Elara admitted, her voice guarded.

“Why?” Cassian asked, his expression softening.

“Because I needed time to understand what was happening,” she answered, holding his gaze. “I needed to know whether my child would be protected or treated like another piece on your succession table.”

Cassian’s jaw tightened.

“Your child will be protected.”

“By whom?” Elara asked quietly. “You?”

“Yes,” Cassian answered immediately.

“Then why did you lock me inside this room?”

His expression faltered.

“I thought I was protecting you from the council and the pack.”

“You don’t get to decide what protects me anymore,” Elara replied firmly, turning her face away.

Cassian stood motionless.

“Elara, I know I have hurt you,” he said, regret visible in his expression. “But I don’t want to lose you.”

Her eyes lifted to his.

“You already lost me.”

Cassian’s face fell.

Before he could respond, footsteps approached outside the room.

A moment later, Gideon’s voice sounded through the door.

“Alpha, the council has reached a decision.”

Cassian turned toward the door.

Elara’s fingers tightened around the blanket.

Neither of them knew what the council had decided.

But whatever waited beyond that door was about to change the future of Nightfang Pack—and their family.