Behind the Alpha's mask

AMBER

My hands shuddered as I stared at the pregnancy test strip I was holding. The two pink lines were lucid and accurate, unmistakable as they read positive.

Tears of joy blurred my vision as I shut my eyes and wrapped my arms around my belly tightly.

"I'm going to be a mother." I whispered, letting all the tears flow freely down my cheeks. My wolf purred inside me, equally excited as I leaned backwards on the wall.

A knock on my door forced my eyes open. The knock came a second time, followed by a gentle voice.

"Luna Amber-" the voice called out, "the Alpha is waiting for you downstairs."

"Be there in a minute." I replied, wiping my tear-streaked eyes.

This was going to be the best day of my life. It was the eve of my mating anniversary with Cedric. We were going to celebrate not only our anniversary, but also our pup on the way.

I was planning to tell him on our anniversary tomorrow, but I was too excited and wanted to tell him right away.

I walked out of my room in a gold dress and made my way down the stairs.

The living room was a bit crowded. All the pack officials and high ranked pack members including my mother, were seated at the table which had all kinds of delicacies. They were all prepared because tomorrow was going to be a big day.

I went immediately and cuddled my mother. She was happy for me and I couldn't wait to tell her that she was going to be a grandmother.

"You look gorgeous, my love." she flattered me, causing me to giggle.

"Thanks mother," I nodded, smiling as I looked around but Cedric wasn't at the table yet.

Just when I was about to ask my mother about him, he walked into the room but as soon as he walked in, something felt off.

He stared at me coldly and didn't say a word. I was utterly perplexed at his strange behaviour and as I tried to approach him, he held his phone in front of my face, showing me his screen.

"What is the meaning of this?" he growled, causing everyone at the table to turn their gaze at us.

"W...what are you talking about?" I stuttered, my brows squinted in confusion.

"So you have been sleeping with someone else outside our marriage?" he growled again, this time, causing everyone to gasp.

"What?" I froze in complete shock.

"Here take a look and tell me that isn't you!" he roared, handing his phone to me. I swiped through the pictures and I couldn't believe what I was seeing, A nude picture of myself and another man? How come?

"Babe please-you can't believe this," I pleaded as my voice hitched, "This is not me, it's fake-"

I tried to hold his hand but he swatted it away and turned to the pack officials at the table.

"Look at her!" he yelled, pointing at me. Then he switched his gaze towards my mother.

"Look at your daughter, Lyanna!

I gave her everything! I made her my Luna not because of her father's wish, but because I loved her with all my heart and how did she repay me?!"

I stared at him in distress, still trying to process what was going on-it all happened so fast. I dashed forward and fell at his feet with tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Please," I began, my throat dried as I swallowed hard, "Someone must have done this. I promise those pictures are fake! You have to believe me."

I looked up and saw everyone at the table staring down at me coldly. There was no greater offence in a pack than for Luna to cheat on the Alpha, it was unforgivable.

I held onto Cedric's leg, begging him to believe me but he wasn't listening. He turned his gaze towards me and pushed me away.

"How could you do this to me Amber?!" he roared in a thunderous voice, causing me to flinch. "We had been married for barely one year and you're already cheating on me? You couldn't even give me an heir!"

But he was wrong, I was carrying his child. If only he would listen to me. But there was no way to prove my innocence. The evidence was there.

"Mother please-" I ran to where my mother was as tears dripped from her eyes.

"Please tell his mother-tell them I would never do such a thing please-" I cried but she didn't say a word. She gave me the coldest stare I had ever received in my life, then she stood up and left.

"Mother please!" I sobbed out loud, "I didn't do it." but she didn't turn back.

"Babe please, don't do this to me-" I turned to Cedric, still crying. I tried to reach him but he pushed me away again.

"It's too late, Amber," he whispered, staring deeply into my soul.

"Let everyone here bear me witness that my mate has committed atrocity against me by sleeping with another man, the evidence is here!" Cedric yelled to the hearing of everyone in the room.

That moment, I knew what was coming. Even if he was going to reject me, not this way. Not In front of the entire pack, not the night before our mating anniversary and especially not now when I'm carrying his child.

"Amber Lucent, on this very night, I reject you as my mate and Luna. I will let you stay in the pack for the sake of your father Alpha Bernard, but you will no longer be my Luna

You will be considered an omega from now henceforth!" Cedric declared, glaring deeply into my eyes as the pack officials sat there still puzzled.

Those words from Cedric sent cold dreads down my spine. One moment I was excited for my anniversary and the next, I was being rejected. But Cedric wasn't done yet.

"Now grab your stuff and get the fuck out of my house! I don't want to see you when I get back!" he growled.

As soon as he said this, he walked out of the house and drove off. I sprawled on the ground, crying. None of the pack officials said a word to me-they all left me there on the ground.

Cedric's words pierced my heart like a double edged sword as I contemplated them. I couldn't believe what just happened.

In a split second, I took my phone out and dialed Astrid's number. She was my best friend and the only one I could turn to at that moment.

"Hey babe," Astrid's voice carried through the phone, "how's the celebrations going-?"

"Astrid," I caught her in the middle of her words. "Astrid, I'm in big trouble."

"What happened?" she asked, her voice raised in curiosity.

"Astrid, I need your help."

AMBER

"What are you talking about, Amber?" Astrid asked again.

"Cedric rejected me!" I cried as my vision blurred again with tears, "I don't know what to do, Astrid."

"It's alright my love," Astrid soothed, trying to calm me down. "What did he accuse you of?"

"Adultery," I replied, still sobbing. "He showed me nude pictures of myself and another man in bed. I don't know who sent him those pictures but that wasn't me."

"You don't need to tell me, sweetie," Astrid whispered, "I know you're innocent."

"But I couldn't prove my innocence, Astrid," I sobbed, "Now everyone sees me as an outcast including my own mother. Please you need to help me find who ever is behind this and prove my innocence," I pleaded, "you're the only one I can turn to now,"

"It's alright sweetie," Astrid chuckled. "Of course I'll help you. We're not just friends Amber, we're sisters and I'll always be there for you."

I was overwhelmed with joy. For a second, I thought it was all over for me. "Thank you very much Astrid." I smiled, wiping the tears off my eyes.

"Sure," she replied. "Why don't you come over to my place, so we can talk about it."

"Okay," I smiled before hanging up the call.

For a moment, I felt very relieved. That same evening, I made my way to Astrid's house which wasn't far from where I was. Her parents had travelled and left her at home.

But when I reached her house, she wasn't at home. I became a bit confused. "Why would Astrid tell me to come to her place when she's not at home?" I whispered to myself.

I reached for my phone to call her but then I saw a message-it was from Cedric.

My heart skipped a beat that moment. I wanted to read the message but I was reluctant, a thousand and one thoughts flew across my mind.

"Does he want to accept me back? Has he realised that I was innocent?" I mused before I finally opened the message.

I was completely shocked and nervous when I read the message. It says:

'Come over to the greenwood hotel right now, we need to talk.'

"Why does Cedric want to see me at the hotel?" I asked myself, "maybe he wants to apologize and accept me back, or is it a mistake?"

I battled with my thoughts for about five minutes before I decided to go. I was still nervous, but I had a feeling that he had found out the truth and wanted to make things right between us again.

It was 9 PM and I boarded a taxi and went straight to greenwood hotel, a very huge hotel. As soon as I reached the hotel, I began to doubt if Cedric was actually going to accept me back or not, I was really scared.

I entered the hotel and soon, I located his room. I was about to knock first when I realised that the door was slightly opened.

I pushed the door slowly and entered the room but it was dark. I managed to reach for the light switch and I turned it on.

As soon as the lights came on, it revealed the biggest shock I had ever received in my entire life.

Cedric flinched the moment the lights came on. He stared at me in shock.

I stared at Cedric as he wrapped his bed sheet around his naked body. My visions blurred again and soon, a large amount of tears were streaming down my cheeks.

I switched my gaze from Cedric to the woman he was in bed with-it was none other than my best friend Astrid!

"Wh-what are you doing here?" Cedric stuttered, his eyes widened in confusion.

I didn't answer him but I kept staring at Astrid as she pulled the bed sheet towards herself, trying to avoid eye contact with me.

"Why?" I whispered, shaking my head in distress, "Astrid-why did you do this to me?"

"You haven't answered me Amber!" Cedric yelled, "I told you I don't ever want to see you again didn't I?"

"Cedric, why did you do this to me?" I cried in despair, "Of all people, why her-?"

"Because I was there for him but you weren't, Amber," Astrid yelled, with no sign of remorse. "I have always been there for him. I have always loved him but you never did. You only became Luna because of your father, not because you loved him!"

That moment, the reality of it all dawned on me. "You-you have been sleeping with my husband all along?" my voice cracked as I pointed at her. "I thought we were friends-I thought we were sisters!"

"I'm not your husband!" Cedric yelled at me. "Get out of here now!"

"Cedric please I have something to tell you," I said, leaning towards him. "I'm pregnant."

All of a sudden, Cedric and Astrid began to laugh aloud. I stared at him confused. "What's funny?"

"I hope you're not saying that I got you pregnant, are you?" Cedric growled, his expression changed instantly.

"Why would I lie about something like this? I promise I'm pregnant with your child-" I fell on my knees as I pleaded.

"Really, Amber?" Astrid scoffed, "Are you really that desperate? First you cheated on the Alpha and now you are lying about being pregnant?"

"Cheated?" I barked, "You are in bed with my mate right in front of me and you're talking about cheating? I told you I didn't do it, I..."

Suddenly, I stared at Astrid as she smirked. My eyes widened in disbelief as I realised what was really happening.

"You!" I whispered, pointing at Astrid as I rose to my feet, "you sent those fake pictures, you sent me that message to come here because you wanted me to catch you on purpose, It was all you!"

"Yes it was me!" Astrid yelled showing no sign of remorse. "Why do I always have to be in your shadows, uhh? Why should you have all the good things and I-"

I couldn't take it anymore. I clenched my fist in rage and before she could finish speaking, I rushed at her as I yelled out loud.

"Traitor!!!"

Cedric caught me immediately as I launched at Astrid. I tried to break free from his grip but then all of a sudden, he gave a gruesome slap across my face, causing me to fall to the ground.

"What is the matter with you?" he growled, "haven't you done enough? I don't want you anymore and if you don't leave, I'm going to do something I might regret!"

I raised my head and stared at him, he wasn't budging at all. I could tell that his mind was made up.

I switched my gaze from Cedric to Astrid as she sat there on the bed smirking at me villainously.

We had been best friends my whole life and I trusted her even more than my own mother. I never knew she had always been jealous of me until this day, she was the devil within all along.

I stood up to my feet and smiled at Cedric. I had always loved him genuinely but I never knew he was using me. I wiped the blood at the end of my lips which I sustained from the slap he gave me.

"I'll leave," I whispered to him, "but trust me, you'll never get away with this-both of you!"

I stumbled out of the room, walking slowly down the hallway. I couldn't believe that my best friend would betray me like this.

At a point, I fell on my knees and began to weep again, tears streamed down my cheeks as I held my belly tightly.

"Don't worry my child," I whispered, "they're going to pay for everything they did to us-I promise."

AMBER

I stared at my wrist watch-it was past eleven! I had to go home or my mother might be worried.

I walked out of the hotel and boarded a taxi. At first, I wanted to stop at Cedric's house and get my things but I was too exhausted, I had cried all my strength out.

Soon I reached home and made my way inside. I was a bit nervous for a moment because my mother had witnessed my rejection earlier. She was loving but very bad tempered and I wasn't sure how she would receive me.

I had planned to tell her about my pregnancy and what happened at the hotel but I wasn't still sure if she would believe me.

As soon as I opened the door, there she was standing in front of me and staring deeply into my tear-streaked eyes.

"What are you doing here?" She barked, causing me to freeze. That was not what I was expecting.

"What?" I whimpered, trying to catch my breath.

"Go back to wherever you came from, I don't want to see you!" she growled and turned to leave.

That moment, I rushed towards her and fell at her feet, holding her right foot firmly.

"Mother please-" I cried, "you have to believe me! Cedric lied against me, he and Astrid set me up-"

"Don't you dare lie against Astrid!" She barked, pulling her leg from my grip. "You cheated on your mate and now you are trying to put the blame on poor Astrid?"

"Poor Astrid?" I whimpered, "She's not who you think she is, you have to believe me!"

But she wasn't listening, she turned her back and refused to look at me.

"Sometimes, I wished Astrid was my daughter instead of you Amber." she hissed, causing my eyes to widen in disbelief.

"How could you say something like that? Mother please-" I cried but she didn't answer me.

"I'm pregnant with Cedric." I whispered, my heart raced fast as I stared at her optimistically. Slowly, she turned and glared at me.

"So you have decided to ruin our family's reputation huh?" she growled.

"What are you talking about mother?" I asked, completely perplexed. "I'm really preg-"

"First, you cheated on the Alpha, then you blame your best friend and now you want to pin your pregnancy on the Alpha?" she barked, cutting me short.

I couldn't believe my ears, "Mom-"

"No Amber!" she barked, "you've disgraced our family enough! All these years I thought I had raised the perfect daughter-the perfect Luna. I never knew I was raising a whore!"

"Mother?" I yelled, "did you just call me a whore?"

"Yes you are a whore Amber! Go and look for the fool responsible for that bastard in your womb and never come back!" she bellowed, her voice firm and undeniable.

"Mother please!" I sobbed, holding onto her leg again. "I don't have anywhere to go. I'm your only daughter, your only child please-"

"I don't have a daughter!" My mother declared, staring down at me as tears flowed down her cheeks.

I raised my head in shock, trying to process what she just said but then, she confirmed her words.

"You are no longer my daughter! Get out of my house-you and that thing inside you and never come back!" She growled and turned to leave.

I stared at her coldly as she walked away. I managed to stand up on my feet as she made her way up the stairs.

"Father was right about you!" I yelled, causing her to pause. "You couldn't give him a son because you're a terrible person! The only reason he married you was because he loved you but you never loved him!"

"I loved your father more than anything in this world, Amber!" my mother yelled as she turned to face me.

"Did you?" I scoffed, "You watched him die in that fire and you didn't do anything about it? He was only dead for a week and you were already sleeping with Beta Allen!"

"Watch your mouth Amber!" my mother growled loudly, I could see her wolf trying to force its way out.

"Why mother?" I continued, "the truth hurts doesn't it? I wish my father was still alive."

"That's it!" she roared, "Get out of here right now or I'll make you!"

"I'll leave," I replied, smiling as I stared at her, "but the moment I walk through that door, I'm never coming back!"

As soon as I said this, I opened the door and walked out, slamming it hard.

I walked a few steps then suddenly, I fell on my knees, crying out loud.

"What is this happening to me?!" I yelled out loud, wailing in anguish.

I was completely alone in this world, my mate rejected me, my best friend betrayed me and now my mother had disowned me-all I had left was the tiny life growing inside me.

It rained cats and dogs that night and I was already drenched completely in the rain. The flashes of lightning and the sound of thunder echoed through the night.

I held my belly tightly still crying as I whispered. "We're going to make it."

Slowly, I rose to my feet and staggered through the night, cold and wet. I didn't know where I was going, but I kept moving, determined to survive for the sake of my unborn child.

It was almost midnight and soon, I was the only one outside. I couldn't even take any of my belongings with me.

I stumbled along the high way, not looking back to avoid incoming vehicles. I was so cold and exhausted that I tripped over my own dress and fell.

I wanted to keep moving, I didn't want to give up, but I was too exhausted and at one point, I fell into despair.

I was on a bridge and flowing beneath the bridge was the Gal river. I thought about ending all my miseries by jumping into the Gal.

I was already on my way but then my wolf purred from inside me. I held my belly again and thought about the life growing inside me.

"I can't do this," I whispered, "I have to survive for my child,"

That moment, I changed my mind and decided to keep moving, but as I made my way along the highway, a bright light suddenly flashed from behind.

Before I could turn around to see who it was, the car came along and knocked me to the ground.

I lay there motionless as figures sprinted out of the car to where I laid.

My vision blurred and before I knew what was happening, everything faded into nothingness.