The Alpha’s Barren Luna

Cassian stared at the bedroom door for several seconds before finally turning toward Elara.

Gideon’s voice came again from the other side.

“Alpha, the council is waiting,” Gideon called from outside, his voice carrying a note of urgency.

Cassian’s jaw tightened. He looked at Elara, who remained against the headboard with one hand resting protectively over her stomach.

“I have to go,” he said quietly, his expression troubled.

Elara held his gaze.

“Then go,” she replied, her face unreadable as she turned slightly away from him.

Cassian hesitated.

“I will come back,” he promised, his eyes lingering on her face.

“You said that before,” Elara answered softly, turning her eyes toward the window.

The words stopped him.

He wanted to respond, but nothing he could say would erase what had happened.

Cassian finally stepped outside and closed the door behind him.

Gideon stood in the corridor with two guards.

“What did the council decide?” Cassian asked, his expression hardening as he faced his Beta.

Gideon exchanged a brief glance with the guards before answering.

“They want both pregnancies officially recorded,” he replied, his expression serious.

Cassian’s eyes narrowed.

“Both?” he asked, his brows drawing together in surprise.

“Yes,” Gideon replied, his expression remaining grave. “The council has ruled that neither child can be given formal succession priority before birth.”

Cassian’s shoulders relaxed slightly.

“That is reasonable,” he said, his voice calmer.

“It isn’t the entire decision,” Gideon warned, his face tightening with concern.

Cassian’s expression changed.

“What else?” he demanded, his gaze sharpening.

Gideon lowered his voice.

“Until the children are born, Seraphina will remain under the protection of the Alpha House,” he explained, his expression guarded.

Cassian frowned.

“She is already here,” he replied, his brows furrowing.

“The council wants her treated as the mother of a potential heir,” Gideon explained, his brows drawn together. “That means she will receive protection, medical care, and access to the nursery.”

Cassian’s gaze darkened.

“And Elara?” he asked, his voice becoming colder.

Gideon paused.

“The Luna retains her title and authority,” he answered carefully, watching Cassian’s reaction.

Cassian exhaled slowly.

“But?” he asked, his expression tightening.

“But the council wants both mothers protected under pack law,” Gideon replied. “They are also requesting that the two children be raised within the pack, regardless of which one eventually becomes heir.”

Cassian stared at him.

“They haven’t even been born,” he said, his expression hardening with disbelief.

“I know,” Gideon said heavily, his shoulders dropping slightly. “But the council wants to prevent conflict before it begins.”

Cassian’s jaw clenched.

“What about the nursery?” he asked, his voice low.

Gideon looked uncomfortable.

“They want Seraphina to continue using it,” he replied reluctantly.

Cassian’s expression hardened.

“That room belongs to Elara,” he said firmly, his eyes flashing with irritation.

“It was chosen because it is closest to the healer’s wing,” Gideon replied carefully, his expression apologetic. “The council believes moving Seraphina now could endanger the child.”

Cassian said nothing.

The decision left him trapped between two responsibilities.

His pack expected him to protect Seraphina’s unborn child.

His wife expected him to protect her.

And somehow, he had to do both without destroying his marriage.

“Anything else?” he asked coldly, his expression unreadable.

Gideon hesitated.

“Yes,” he replied, his face growing more serious.

Cassian looked at him.

“The elders want the Luna’s pregnancy announced to the pack tomorrow,” Gideon said, his voice cautious.

Cassian’s eyes widened slightly.

“No,” he replied immediately, his expression firm.

Gideon’s brows lifted.

“Alpha—” he began cautiously.

“Elara hasn’t agreed to that,” Cassian said firmly, his expression becoming protective. “The pack doesn’t need to know yet.”

“The council believes secrecy could create more suspicion,” Gideon countered, his expression tense. “If Seraphina’s pregnancy is already known and the Luna’s is hidden, the elders fear the pack will assume the Luna has no heir.”

Cassian’s hands curled into fists.

“I said no,” he repeated, his voice dropping into a warning.

Gideon studied him for a moment.

“Then you will need to convince the council yourself,” he replied, his expression resigned.

Cassian turned toward Elara’s room.

“I will,” he said firmly, determination settling across his face.

Inside the bedroom, Elara had heard enough.

She couldn’t make out every word, but she had heard the names.

Seraphina.

Her pregnancy.

The nursery.

The council.

She slowly pushed herself upright.

Her mind raced.

The council had made rules about her child without asking her.

She looked toward the door.

This time, she wasn’t going to wait for Cassian to tell her what had been decided.

When Cassian eventually returned, Elara was sitting at the edge of the bed.

He stopped when he saw her.

“You should still be resting,” he said, concern visible on his face as he looked her over.

“I heard the council,” Elara replied, her voice calm as she held his gaze.

Cassian’s expression tightened.

“You weren’t supposed to hear that,” he said, his brows drawing together.

“I am the Luna,” she reminded him, lifting her chin with quiet confidence. “And this is my child.”

Cassian stepped closer.

“They want your pregnancy announced tomorrow,” he said, his expression troubled.

Elara’s fingers tightened around the blanket.

“Do you want them to announce it?” she asked, her eyes searching his face.

Cassian shook his head.

“No,” he answered firmly, his expression resolute.

“Why?” she asked, her brows drawing together.

“Because I want you to decide when you’re ready,” he answered, his expression sincere.

Elara studied him.

“And Seraphina?” she asked quietly, her expression guarded.

“What about her?” Cassian asked cautiously, his shoulders stiffening.

“Will she still have the nursery?” Elara asked, her voice controlled despite the hurt in her eyes.

Cassian hesitated.

“Yes,” he answered reluctantly, his gaze dropping for a moment.

Elara looked away.

She had expected the answer, but hearing it still hurt.

“They are protecting her because she is carrying your child,” she said quietly, her expression wounded.

“They are protecting the child,” Cassian corrected, his expression tense.

Elara looked back at him.

“And mine?” she asked, her eyebrows drawing together.

Cassian moved closer.

“Yours too,” he answered immediately, his voice firm.

“Then prove it,” she replied, her expression steady.

He frowned.

“How?” he asked, his face showing confusion.

“Stop making decisions for me,” Elara said firmly, her eyes holding his.

Cassian went still.

Elara placed her hand over her abdomen.

“I don’t need you to lock me away. I don’t need you to speak for me. And I don’t need you to promise that everything will be fine,” she said, her voice controlled but firm.

Her eyes hardened.

“I need to know the laws that govern my child,” she added, her expression determined.

Cassian watched her carefully.

“You want to meet the council?” he asked, his brows lifting slightly.

“Yes,” Elara answered immediately, her expression determined. “Tomorrow.”

“Elara, you’re still weak,” Cassian warned, concern returning to his face.

“I collapsed because I was locked in a room without food or water,” she replied, her voice controlled. “Not because I am incapable of standing before the council.”

Cassian’s face tightened with guilt.

“You shouldn’t have to fight them,” he said quietly, regret visible in his eyes.

“I shouldn’t have to fight you either,” Elara replied, her expression pained.

Silence filled the room.

Cassian lowered his gaze.

“I will take you to the council tomorrow,” he promised, his voice subdued.

Elara nodded.

“Good,” she replied calmly.

He moved toward the door, but her voice stopped him.

“Cassian,” she called softly, her expression suddenly serious.

He turned.

“If they expect me to fight for my child’s place, then I will,” she said, her voice steady and determined.

Her expression was calm, but something in her eyes had changed.

She was no longer waiting for someone to save her.

Cassian stared at her for a long moment before slowly nodding.

“I know,” he said quietly, his expression filled with understanding.

He left the room.

Elara waited until the door closed.

Then she looked down at her stomach.

“My child,” she whispered, her fingers resting gently over the tiny life inside her, “I don’t know what this pack will take from us.”

Her eyes hardened.

“But I won’t let them decide your future without a fight,” she vowed, her expression resolute.

Outside the room, footsteps stopped.

Cassian stood in the corridor, having heard her final words.

Elara was changing.

And if the council tried to push her into a corner, she would no longer simply endure it.

She would fight back.