THE WONDED LUNA

Chapter One: Whispers in the Shadows

The moonlight filtered through the tall, narrow windows of the packhouse, painting silver streaks across the stone floor. The hallways were quiet, too quiet. Even the usual footsteps of patrolling warriors had faded into the night. Astrid stood in front of the full-length mirror in her chamber, running a brush slowly through her long dark brown hair. The fire crackled softly behind her, but it didn't warm her tonight.

Her red eyes caught a flicker of movement in the mirror's reflection. Just her own tired gaze. She dropped the brush onto the vanity and stood up. Her fingers brushed over the chain around her neck-Kael's mark. The one thing that was supposed to bind them.

Tonight, it felt like a chain more than anything else.

She walked out of her chamber and down the hall. Something had been off all day. The warriors were whispering, the maids wouldn't meet her eyes, and even Kael had barely spoken to her at the council meeting. She was Luna-his mate, his wife-and yet she felt invisible.

The cold air bit at her as she walked past the open corridor toward the infirmary. Her boots clicked against the tiles, echoing louder than they should. She stopped suddenly, ducking behind a stone pillar as she heard voices.

"I heard she's back," someone whispered. A young maid, probably no older than seventeen.

"Who?" another voice asked.

"Kara. The alpha's old flame. She's staying in the west wing."

Astrid's blood ran cold.

Kara.

That name hadn't been spoken in the pack for years. Not since the day Kael chose Astrid instead-reluctantly, yes, but she had been chosen. She had loved him, helped him build the clan from the ashes his father left behind. She had stood beside him in every battle, at every turn, and now... now Kara was back?

Astrid pressed herself harder against the wall, her breathing shallow.

"She's pregnant, you know?" the first voice said.

The second gasped. "Are you serious? Kael's?"

Astrid didn't hear the reply. Her heart was thumping too loudly. Her head spun as she stepped away from the wall, her eyes wide and unblinking.

No one had told her.

She was Luna. And no one had told her.

Astrid stormed back to the Alpha wing, her steps heavy with fury. She pushed open the door to Kael's office without knocking. He was seated behind his desk, head bent over some paperwork. He didn't even flinch.

"You knew," she said, her voice sharp as glass.

Kael looked up slowly. His face was calm, emotionless. "Astrid-"

"You knew she was here. You knew and you said nothing."

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I didn't want to upset you."

A humorless laugh left her lips. "Upset me? You thought hiding this would make it better?"

"It's complicated."

"No, Kael. It's betrayal. And I need to know-" Her voice cracked. "Is it true? Is she carrying your child?"

Kael didn't answer.

His silence sliced deeper than any sword.

Astrid stepped back, something breaking inside her. She looked at the man she had given everything to. The man she had defended, loved, and even bled for.

"Do you love her?" she whispered.

Kael's eyes darted away. "She was my first love, Astrid. You knew that."

Her throat tightened. "But I'm your Luna."

Kael stood, crossing the room, but she flinched when he tried to touch her. "I never meant to hurt you."

"But you did," she whispered. "Again. And again."

He didn't say anything. He just looked at her with those cold gray eyes-like he had already made peace with whatever damage he'd caused.

The next morning, Astrid didn't get out of bed. She lay there, staring at the ceiling, one hand on her stomach. It was flat now. Empty. But deep inside her, she could feel the smallest flicker of something new.

She hadn't told Kael yet. She was going to. After the council meeting last night, she had planned to surprise him. But now... now she didn't know if it mattered.

Her eyes burned with tears, but she blinked them away.

There was a knock on the door. Not the usual soft rap of her maid. This one was sharp, urgent.

"Luna Astrid," a warrior called. "You're needed in the east wing."

She frowned. "Why?"

"It's Kara. She's in labor."

The words hit like ice water. Astrid sat up slowly. "Why would I be needed?"

"She's requesting Kael... and we were told to make sure no one interrupts."

Her fists clenched the bedsheet. "You mean me. You were told to keep me away."

The silence was answer enough.

She stood, her legs shaky. She pulled on her cloak and stepped out into the hallway, but instead of turning toward the east wing, she went the other way.

She had to see it for herself.

The hallway outside the infirmary was full of activity. Warriors stood like statues near the door. A healer moved quickly inside with towels soaked in warm water.

Astrid crept through the shadows, staying behind a large pillar.

Then she saw him.

Kael.

He was kneeling at Kara's bedside, holding her hand, his eyes filled with emotion-something Astrid had never seen directed at her.

Her breath caught in her throat. A sob rose in her chest, but she swallowed it down.

She turned to leave, but her foot scraped against the wall. One of the guards turned.

"Luna?"

Kael stood up instantly. "Astrid?"

She didn't answer. She just stared at him, her eyes blank.

"You shouldn't be here," he said, striding toward her. "This isn't the time."

"I came to tell you something," she said quietly.

Kael's jaw tensed. "Not now."

"You need to hear this-"

"Take her to the dungeon," Kael snapped.

"What?" Her voice cracked.

"You're making a scene. You're acting immature. I warned you."

Two guards moved forward and grabbed her arms. Astrid struggled. "Kael-Kael, I'm pregnant!"

He stopped, eyes widening for a brief second.

Then his lips curled into something bitter. "You'd say anything for attention."

She froze.

"No," she said. "No, it's true-"

"I don't have time for this."

He turned his back on her and walked into Kara's room, shutting the door behind him.

Astrid was dragged away, her screams muffled by the cold stone walls.

The dungeon was colder than she remembered. The walls dripped with moisture, and the chains on the floor rattled like restless ghosts.

She was thrown into a cell, the door clanging shut behind her. Her body shook from the struggle, from the pain, from the betrayal.

"I was going to tell you," she whispered into the dark. "You were going to be a father."

A few hours passed. Maybe more. Then the door creaked open again.

Two guards entered.

"Kael's orders," one of them said. "You need to learn your place."

Astrid's scream echoed through the dungeon as the first blow landed.

She curled up, arms around her stomach. "Please... not the baby..."

But they didn't stop.

A sharp kick to her side sent stars flashing across her vision-and then blackness.

When she opened her eyes, the world was quiet.

Too quiet.

She felt something warm between her legs. A pool of blood.

"No..."

Her hands trembled as she reached down.

Her baby. Gone.

Tears streamed down her face as she lay there in the darkness, her body broken, her heart shattered.

Then the door creaked again.

Kael stepped inside.

"I didn't order them to go that far," he said quietly.

Astrid didn't look at him.

"I just wanted to keep the peace," he added. "You brought this on yourself."

Her voice was hoarse when she finally spoke.

"You killed my baby."

He frowned. "You're being dramatic."

And then he left.

The door shut again, louder than before.

Astrid stared up at the ceiling.

Something inside her snapped.

She sat up slowly, wiped the blood from her mouth, and whispered, "I swear on everything the moon goddess has taken from me... you will pay, Kael. You'll all pay."