Rejected Luna Of The Cursed Alpha

Aria's POV

I tried to wipe away the sweat on my face but the pain I was going through did not allow me. "Push..." the Valemont pack midwife called while slapping my lap.

Another contraction ripped through me, stealing the air from my lungs. My fingers clenched the sheets so tightly my knuckles turned white. Sweat dampened my hairline despite the cool autumn breeze drifting through the open window.

My God! Labor is this painful; no one told me. I had no one to tell me; I was an orphan with no records of who my parents were.

I tried my best once more as I pushed harder; the midwife smiled at me. "I can see your baby's head; just one more push, my Lady."

I am their lady and would soon become Luna; by law, a human wife who bears the Alpha's heir earns the title of Luna.

Oh how I needed that title.

I gave one final push with my eyes shut and my mouth screaming. When I heard the cry of my baby, I opened my eyes and shut them almost immediately in relief.

"Congratulations, Milady, he is a boy and he looks just like Alpha Kael."

I looked at him and smiled. I am just happy he came out fine; I did not care who he looked like.

The midwife's assistant came up with a hand towel to clean the beads of sweat rolling down my face while the midwife herself went to clean up my baby.

The assistant was nicer than the midwife. I was already used to that though; I know not everyone likes me in this pack. I am human and still happen to be the wife of the Alpha, so I get it.

They might think a human is not worthy of being the luna of their pack, but I am here to stay.

The midwife returned with my baby to place him on my chest for that bond they all talked about; I for one know I do not need that special effect because right from the moment I learned I was pregnant, I had started bonding with my baby.

I needed someone that would be my family. Kael was my family; true, he saw me when no one else did, he cared for me, protected me, and gave me a position way better than the maid I was by marrying me.

So yes, he was my family but I knew that the family wouldn't be complete unless we started making babies.

I glanced at my baby's sleeping face; I was too tired to even kiss his face like I would love to. I just held him tighter; I would have lots of time to kiss his face as long as I live.

Just as I was about to close my eyes to rest, I heard a distinct voice from the window behind me. I wasn't one to pay attention to gossip but I heard my husband's name so I paid attention.

"Now that the heir is born, Alpha Kael can now go back to the love of his life and real mate." Was what I heard.

No way that can be true, I thought.

"What's annoying is the fact that she actually thinks she deserves to be our luna..." the other person said, as if she were speaking out my thoughts.

My eyes began to flutter in tiredness; I just needed sleep was my last thought as I finally gave in to the tiredness.

When I woke up, my baby wasn't lying on my chest anymore; he was in his crib close to me, sleeping soundly.

My husband was nowhere around; at the thought of him, I remembered what I had heard earlier.

"My God, this better not be true," I said a silent prayer as I tried to get up, I needed water; I called my maid and I could not even hear my own voice as I called out to her.

I walked gently to the kitchen so as to get water and ask for my husband; I needed to see him.

I know he would be the happiest right now.

He had always wanted our first to be a boy; he did not explicitly say that but we have been married for two years so I know.

Just as I was approaching the kitchen, I heard the kitchen maids talking.

"The Alpha must be rejoicing right now." One said.

"Of course, to think the first child is a boy, he has his future Alpha already he can marry Lady Serena now."

I paused, what's going on here, why does everyone know about this besides me? I heard my personal maid's voice.

"I just hope Alpha Kael would not be too selfish as to be looking for another child; he should just let my lady go."

"I think he will..." the first maid said, "after all, we all know he misses lady Serena. did I tell you someone at the Mystic bar told me that Lady Serena has given him an ultimatum, she would leave him if he doesn't come to marry her this year."

"No way!" The second maid exclaimed.

I held on to the doorpost; my legs were going to give way. they were barely holding me; I would fall any moment from now, but I feel I need this information more than anything else right now.

"Yes..." the first maid continued, "we both know he would have married lady serena if not for the curse placed on her about childbirth and the Alpha needs an heir, and the alpha is forbidden to marry two wives, what do you think would happen?"

I had heard enough. I walked into the kitchen; they all stood up, glancing down.

They all respect me of course, I am the lady of the house; giving birth to an heir now makes me a Luna, my husband had promised me that.

I walked to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. Helen, my personal maid, would have naturally asked me what I wanted but the guilt she was feeling did not even make her look up, not to talk of saying something.

I took the bottle of water and turned to return to my room. At the door post, I said, "Helen, please come with me."

I was always polite.

She walked quietly behind me.

As we got to my room, I asked her to lock the door. I drank from the bottle of water while going to check on my baby before returning to my bed.

"Is it true?" I asked her.

Her hands were folded, her eyes looking downward; she refused to say anything.

What did they talk about in silence again?

"Helen, I need you to tell me what you know." I said pleadingly.

"Milady, you just gave birth and you need rest, not unnecessary drama."

"Helen," I raised my voice.

She was shocked; I had never raised my voice at her within the two years of her serving me.

"It is true that Lady Serena and Alpha Kael are together, they are childhood lo,lo,lovers..."She stammered for a bit.

Maids are always willing to divulge information, they just needed a little push, after all I came here to be a maid.

Helen continued, "Just before you arrived at our pack, we heard that Lady Serena was cursed by a witch her mum offended and that the curse was that she would not be able to bare a child, for the Alpha to remain Alpha, he needed an heir or the title would be passed down to his cousin..."

"That is where I come in," I cut in.

The words tasted bitter on my tongue.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

The rushed marriage. The kindness I cringed at. The way Kael had always treated me well but never quite loved me the way a husband should. I wasn't chosen because he wanted me. I was chosen because he needed me.

My chest tightened painfully. It felt as though invisible claws were digging into my heart, tearing apart every happy memory and hope I had clung to over the years. The promises, the gentle touches, the way he made love to me like nothing else mattered. Has any of it been real?

I lowered my gaze to my sleeping son and swallowed hard. Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

I had thought I was his wife, I was going to be his Luna, I had thought I was going to get the respect I deserved.

Now I was beginning to realize I had only ever been a solution to a problem. I knew about Serena, I just didn't know she was involved with my husband.

I thought they were just friends.

They must have kept their relationship really hidden, or the whole pack knows of it and they just didn't gossip about it since it wasn't news.

I had thought today would be my best day on earth and the beginning of my best days; little did I know I was wrong.

The worst pain wasn't childbirth. It was hearing the truth while giving birth.

Just as I was about to fish for more information, the door opened and my maid quickly cowered away.

Alpha Kael came in majestically in his glory. His handsomeness is what I loved most about him; he looks so good that I am certain no lady would be able to say no to him.

He looked like the moon goddess herself had created him, well-built to a fault; his green eyes remained constant even whenever he shifted.

He is feared by many but when it comes to me, he is so easy and good; the only time he is bad is while we are busy in bed.

He smiled at me beautifully and I thought maybe the maids were wrong.

"How are you, Aria?" he said to me.

His voice was so calm and I came to a conclusion; there was no way this man was lying to me; he definitely feels something for me.

"Tired," I replied trying to smile but instead, I felt numb and truly tired.

He came close to sitting next to me on the bed. " you will be fine; you just need to rest well." He kissed me briefly at the side of my lips while tucking a stray hair behind my ear.

I closed my eyes, basking in the moment, basking in his touch; it feels so good to be touched by him. His touch could literally take all my pains away.

He placed a kiss on my forehead, "thank you for giving me an heir," he said calmly, his tone was gentle and soft but there was an underlying emotion that I couldn't place.

Like there was more.

I leaned into his arms, trying to wish all I had heard were not true and his promises to me were true.

When I had newly arrived three years ago as a maid, some were not nice to me because I was human; he was so good to me, he would take me out on dates, and he would take walks with me without caring what his people would say.

I easily fell for him.

No one had really wanted me like that.

Not even my parents; I hadn't met any of them. I don't even know who they are, so forgive me for falling easily for a tremendous alpha who looked at me like I was the best thing after a bad day.

He had even told me I was his mate.

I had believed him because I did not see why not.

"There would be celebrations tonight; it is fine if you can't join, everyone would understand seeing as you are human..." he was now rocking me in his arms.

It felt so good.

Werewolves put to bed and recover immediately; I am human so I would need time to recover. I am happy he understands that. "I would just stay indoors," I replied.

"That is fine." He said gently, disengaging himself from me, his face now cold, "his nurse would arrive tomorrow; we have a lot to talk about but I need you to recover first." His eyes were dark as he walked to meet our baby in his crib.

My heart skipped for a moment; I do not need a nurse. I can take care of my baby myself. I already dreaded the talk we would have and I felt goosebumps in the form of fear running down my spine.

I hope this is not what I think, I nodded my head in reply.

His phone rang, he looked at me before walking out, at the door he picked the call and left.

I looked at his retreating back and a drop of tear slid down my cheek.

My baby cried, making me realize I didn't need to cry, I needed to nurse my baby. I walked to his crib to carry him.

I breastfed him; breastfeeding him makes me happy and I immediately forgot my past thoughts as I gently nursed my baby.

The next few hours my husband did not come back to see us. I had some guests who came bearing gifts but I wished my husband was there with me.

The next time I woke up, it was already getting dark; the pack was celebrating outside, and there was music and laughter.

I thought about joining them; if there was one thing I enjoyed about this pack, it was their parties, their parties are really fun.

Even when I was a maid and I was supposed to be serving drinks and food, I would still find time to dance.

Just before I walked to the bathroom to take my bath, I called Helen so she could come watch my baby.

I took my time in the shower; surprisingly, I cried for a few minutes.

I was scared of the unknown future.

I know if I became a rejected Luna, no one else would accept me. I know he wouldn't give me my baby, what then would become of me?

I cried harder.

When I was done bathing, I walked to the room. Helen was already sitting close to the crib; she glanced at me with pity in her eyes.

I fucking saw it.

I hated to be pitied; that was what I hated the most. I felt like asking her what was wrong because it was obvious something was but I had had enough so I kept quiet and walked to my dressing room to dress up.

While dressing, I heard a knock at my bedroom door. I knew Helen could take care of it, but I thought it would be a guest coming to greet the new luna and heir, so I quickly rounded up and walked to my room.

It was Beta James; he is my husband's best friend and second in command of the pack. He hadn't come to see me since morning, which was unlike him.

He was one of those who actually cared for me.

"Congratulations, dearest luna," he said, giving me a hug, smiling.

Truth be told, if Alpha Kael hadn't been my husband, we would have had a closer relationship than this. "It is not official yet," I replied while showing him a seat.

"The moment you birth the heir it becomes official. I was quite busy at the training ground; that's the reason you have not seen me since morning, but I wouldn't miss the celebration for anything."

I only smiled in reply. He was really a nice person; since I came to the pack, he had always helped me when I needed it, he would talk to me like I wasn't a maid but an equal.

"The pack is waiting to meet their future alpha; it's time for the heirs' presentation." He said.

Of course I know about that culture; I have learnt a lot about their culture while trying to fit in.

Helene picked up the baby to hand over to him.

"I brought this for you..." he pointed at a big wrapped box close to the door; I had just noticed it. He carried my baby closer to his chest. "... I have to join them at the party; see you later."

He stood up.

"Thank you James..." I turned to Helena. "please, go with him," then back to James, "I would also join the party briefly."

He paused, looked back, "that might not be wise; everything will change after today." His eyes lingered on me longer than necessary.

There was something in his eyes that made my stomach tighten. Not excitement. Not happiness.

Sympathy.

Then he turned and left.

I hated sympathy.

I do not want to be the one putting two and two together in case whatever this is is not the truth, I thought as I was walking down to where the pack was celebrating.

No jumping to conclusions here, I said repeatedly, consoling myself as if that would reduce the weight pressing on my neck.

There was a massive bonfire; some people were dancing, and some were just drinking alcohol, the celebration was in full swing. I was supposed to be the one celebrating the most, but celebrating eluded me in this moment.

Pack mother Mira was the one carrying my baby; they would name him tonight and I needed to be there when they were naming him.

She had come to me earlier in the day to see my baby; she's one of those that I loved in this pack, she is kind and protective of every woman in the pack, werewolf or not. There's something about her presence that makes me feel safe and heard.

Helen was beside her, smiling gently as she adjusted my baby's covering.

I looked around; my husband was nowhere in sight. A strange tightness formed in my throat, but I swallowed it down immediately.

I walked to meet Pack mother Mira, immediately she saw me, her face softened into a warm smile, she handed my baby carefully to Helen before giving me a massive hug.

I wonder why her hug was prompting tears from my eyes, but I swallowed it down.

No tears.

Today is a day of joy and celebration.

"All hail the Luna of the Valemont pack," she said at the top of her voice.

The pack clapped and hooted in response. The sounds should have reassured me or even made me happy, but no, I still feel worried.

She hugged me once more, "there will be a celebration in seven days for the official Luna presentation. I know you must be happy right now; I am also happy for you." She meant it; I heard it in her voice, she was one of those few people I told my story to; after all, she was the one that employed me here.

Oh, how I wish I were happy! I do not even know how to feel right now; I am supposed to be happy but I can't deny the fact that things do not seem right.

"It is time to name the heir; we can't name him without the alpha," Pack mother Mira said, "where is your husband?" She frowned faintly, looking around.

Seems like she's the only innocent person in this pack, because it was obvious she didn't know what was going on.

Not like I have grasped the full detail, either. My eyes swept across the gathering looking for possible places my husband could be, but he was still nowhere in sight.

"Let's dance..." she cuts in, "you know you will dance at the luna presentation ceremony; what better time to practice it?" She inserted herself with cheers and chuckles.

She moved me to where people were dancing the local folk dance of the pack while my eyes were still searching desperately for that familiar figure, that tall and huge figure that has taken over my every thought.

We were dancing together; I was mainly following her steps.

I was enjoying it until I heard the two girls near me discussing; one said, "have you heard that Lady Serena is back to the pack?"

The other replied, "oh, yes, I know; the Alpha has an heir now; it's time for her to take her rightful place."

My body stiffened; even the Pack Mother noticed it, she immediately snapped at the both of them and they scrambled away.

She turned to me; my face had turned ashen, for the pack mother to react that way, it's probably true.

"Don't pay attention to gossip." She told me.

"Excuse me." I just needed to get away; I needed to be alone. I hate that I am in the dark; everyone knows something apart from me.

"Listen to me..." she lifted my chin lightly. "our Alpha is not unwise; he knows you are the best thing to ever happen to him, not that selfish girl and you need to trust him to make the right decision."

I nodded in reply, because what else could I do? So I excused myself respectfully; I needed to find my husband; he has some explaining to do.

I started looking for him in the midst of the crowd. I walked around for some minutes; I was beginning to feel tired but I pushed on.

Some pack members looked at me weirdly; I could only roll my eyes inwardly.

I asked some of his friends; none of them answered well; most of them deflected.

My guts told me something was wrong but I kept going.

Then I saw another of his friends, the one that made it obvious she didn't like me; she is a close friend of Serena.

Hating me now makes sense.

"Hi Jen, have you seen my husband?" I asked her.

"Why are you looking for him when you know the love of his life has come back, of course they are together," she spat.

Her voice sounded like venom.

"Excuse me," I inhaled slowly, trying to keep the anger in me in check.

"Lady Serena was here for a while now; he had gone to see her off minutes ago, so walk to the gate; you might see them there." She was speaking with hatred.

Without answering her, I walked to the gate. Serena had traveled barely a year into our marriage, so I had known her for close to two years before she disappeared. I did not ask anyone about her disappearance because, obviously, I did not care.

I walked to the gate praying silently that he was not with her and they had all been lying.

Or that the pack mother was the only one saying the truth.

I kept walking to the gate; the whole place was quiet because, obviously, everyone was celebrating, waiting for their heir to be named.

I saw two figures in the dark in an embrace. "lord help me, please don't let it be my husband," I prayed silently as I walked closer to them.

If I were a werewolf, I would have been able to see them and hear what they were saying.

But these two did not look like they were talking.

As I stepped closer, I saw Serena's sea-green eyeballs look at me; she had definitely seen me.

She kissed my husband and he framed her face as he kissed her back.

My world shattered beneath the moonlight.