Scarred By The Moon

Alaina

Today is our wedding anniversary.

As the Luna of the Moonridge Pack, joy hums through my veins while I stroll through the territory. The grounds are alive with excitement. Warriors, healers, omegas, everyone is working together to prepare for the grand banquet. Laughter ripples through the air like music, and decorations sway in the wind.

Inside the banquet hall, the smell of roasted meat and baked apples teases my senses. The long tables glisten under the lights, covered with silverware and floral arrangements. My heart swells with gratitude.

I smile.

A warm hand wraps around my waist.

I don't need to turn around-I already know it's Cole Thornton. His familiar Versace scent surrounds me, and when his lips brush against my shoulder, I melt a little inside.

"Oh, my love," I whisper, turning to meet his gaze. I get lost, like always, in the mossy green of his eyes and the way his blond locks fall effortlessly against his forehead.

"You excited?" he asks, his hands still resting at my waist.

A smile plays on my lips as I blush under his gaze. "I am," I say softly, stepping closer to him. "I'm thankful. For you. For everything."

"This day... it means a lot to me too," I continue, my voice barely above a breath. "I never imagined I could feel this accepted. Loved."

His smile, the one that always makes my heart skip blooms across his face.

He accepted me completely, even when others whispered about my inability to conceive. And his father had welcomed me into the Moonridge Pack like I was born into it. No pity. Just love.

"Are you even still listening?" Cole chuckles, his voice deep, familiar, and unfairly attractive.

"I am," I reply with a quiet laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"You look beautiful today," he murmurs, eyes flicking down, "but I can't even imagine how stunning you'll look tonight."

Heat rushes to my cheeks as he takes my hand and leads me to a quiet corner.

I laugh, caught up in the moment. "You're more like..."

Cole cuts me off, glancing down at his phone. His smile fades for a second, and then he quickly sets it aside, turning his full attention back to me.

"Is that something important-?"

"No. No, Alaina. You're more important. Always."

His hand cups my neck, and before I can speak, he kisses me.

It's soft at first. Then deeper. His kiss always has a way of silencing the world. I kiss him back, tasting affection, promises, and everything we've survived.

A cough interrupts us.

Startled, I pull back, smoothing my dress and turning to see Grace, one of the maids, standing a few feet away with a sheepish smile.

"Forgive me, Luna and Alpha, but I believe it's time to help you prepare for tonight..."

Her tone is apologetic, but her sense of duty shines through. I can't help but smile.

"Of course, Grace," I say, glancing at Cole, who lets out a small gasp in mock protest. I laugh, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "I'll see you soon."

His groan of disappointment follows me as I walk away with Grace toward the dressing room.

---

Grace works magic on my hair while I apply a bold red lipstick. I wear a striking crimson gown that hugs my figure and drapes like silk over my curves.

When I walk into the banquet hall again, the room hushes.

All eyes turn.

The feast is a dream. Gold-framed mirrors reflect chandeliers overhead, while trays of food glisten under warm lights. Wolves in formal attire bow slightly as I pass. I hear murmurs of admiration, and I hold my head high.

"You're glowing," Cole whispers, appearing by my side, taking my hand. His gaze is reverent.

I feel Edith, my wolf, purr with approval inside me.

Recce, our Beta, approaches with a microphone, his eyes warm.

"To all of you," I begin, my voice steady though my hands tremble slightly, "I'm eternally grateful. You've made this day unforgettable."

Applause echoes.

"This evening," Cole says as he joins me at the center, "is the highlight of my life."

The words make me flush, even now.

The room quiets, waiting.

"So tonight, we begin with-"

"Excuse me, Luna, Alpha," Recce interrupts, stepping forward with a hint of urgency in his voice. "The banquet video isn't working."

"Oh? I can take a look-" I offer, but Recce cuts in.

"We've tried everything," he says, shaking his head.

Cole leans toward me, whispering, "Is there any alternative?"

"There is," a voice responds before I can speak.

I turn, and my heart lifts.

Freya, my closest friend, stands near the front, clad in a shimmering cerulean dress that makes her ocean-blue eyes pop.

"Freya!" I exclaim, hurrying toward her. "You made it."

"I got footage of you and Cole. I thought it might come in handy... if you want to use it," she whispers.

My chest swells with gratitude. "I'd love that. Thank you."

Cole gives her a polite nod. "That would be helpful."

Freya hands me her phone. "Just connect it to the projector."

"You're a lifesaver," I say, tapping quickly through the options. I trust her. She said the right video was ready. I don't even double-check.

With Cole's hand resting on my lower back, I turn to the crowd.

"Apologies for the delay. We'll begin our celebration with a short video, and then... we'll cut our cake together."

Nicolas, our Gamma, brings in the cake, a two-tiered beauty covered in strawberries and delicate white frosting.

Applause breaks out as we stand before the crowd, each of us holding a knife.

But then, something shifts.

The whispers start small. Then louder. Confused. Alarmed.

"What's going on?" I ask Cole, but he doesn't answer.

I glance at the crowd.

Their faces are stunned. Shocked. Eyes fixed on the screen behind us.

I turn to look.

At first, I don't understand.

Then I do.

Naked. Intimate. Explicit.

Photos of Cole and Freya flood the screen, one after the other. Tangled in sheets. His mouth on her neck. Her smile in his arms.

The floor tilts beneath me.

My breath catches in my throat, and I feel Edith howl in rage.

As if that weren't enough, the next image sears into me...

A pregnancy test.

Positive.

The room erupts.

"Isn't that the Luna's best friend?"

"Oh goddess..."

"What is happening?"

I can't breathe.

I turn toward them. Freya. Cole.

Both frozen.

"I swear, Alaina," Cole stammers, hands in his hair. "I had no idea. I don't know how..."

"I didn't mean to," Freya blurts, rushing forward. "I must have chosen the wrong video!"

Her voice quivers, but her eyes don't meet mine.

And just like that, my world cracks open.

Alaina

"What the hell..." I choked out, again and again, tears streaming down my cheeks like they'd never stop.

My wolf, Edith, was silent but restless, as if caged. My own heart, though bruised, still beat. I just wished it wouldn't.

"Is this real?" My voice cracked as I stared at Freya and Cole Thornton. "No... it can't be. But it is. How could you both do this to me?" The agony bled from my voice in front of the entire pack, but I didn't care who was watching.

Freya stood with those wide, unblinking eyes, like she was playing innocent. I could see straight through her. I stepped closer.

"Tell me!" My voice trembled, fury and betrayal lacing every word.

Freya lowered her gaze, guilt flickering across her features.

"Cole..." My eyes locked onto him. "Why?"

His lips parted, and with a calm that shattered me even more, he said, "Yes."

Freya glanced at him with newfound boldness, as though that one word had set her free. A ripple of shock surged through the pack. Even the Beta and Gamma looked as if they'd been hit by lightning.

They tried to intervene, but I lifted a hand. I didn't need saving.

"W-why-"

"It's a misunderstanding, Alaina!" Freya cried suddenly, clutching her chest like it pained her. "You know I would never... please just calm down."

Her words rang hollow. They bounced off the walls of my disbelief. I stared at her, the woman I once called sister, and everything inside me screamed.

"You were my best friend," I whispered, then shouted, my voice breaking. "My best friend!"

Freya bit her lip, pretending to be broken, but I saw through it. I raised my hand to slap her, to knock that performance off her face, but Cole caught my wrist.

"Stop it, Alaina," he said softly.

I shook my head, the pain unbearable. "I don't care what anyone thinks right now!"

I tried to push him away, but he wouldn't let go. People were standing now, watching, murmuring.

"Alaina, don't," Cole said, his tone darkening. "If you want to hurt someone, hurt me. Not her."

"And you have the audacity to say that to my face?" I spat.

"She's pregnant. She needs to be cared for!" he snapped, voice rising as he raked his hands through his hair.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "If you love me... then let us be. I'm tired of waiting for something you can't give. I've never been happy, Alaina. Not with you."

The world spun. His words pierced deeper than claws.

Around me, whispers turned venomous.

"Poor Luna."

"Maybe she was never good enough."

I stepped back, numb. Cole's eyes held mine, unreadable, like everything we'd shared meant nothing.

Freya clutched her stomach like she expected me to attack again.

I turned and ran.

Their stares burned into my back. Laughter, pity, shock but I didn't care. My lungs screamed, but I didn't stop until I reached my quarters.

Once inside, I collapsed on the bed and sobbed until I could barely breathe. My arms wrapped around my knees, rocking back and forth like I could undo it all, unhear, unsee, unlove.

This... this is what betrayal felt like.

A soft voice cut through the haze. "Luna...?"

I looked up, vision blurred. Grace.

She rushed to my side, brown eyes shining with concern, and pulled me into her arms without a word. I leaned into her, finally letting go.

"I'm so sorry they did this to you," she murmured.

"What did I do, Grace?" My voice trembled. "Why would they-?"

She gently lifted my face. "You did nothing wrong. They're the ones who failed you."

"But if I haven't done anything wrong, why did Freya betray me? Why did Cole, my mate, give up on me?"

Her eyes glistened. "Because they're cowards. Because he couldn't see your worth, and she never knew how to be loyal. You don't exist to complete someone else's life, Alaina. You are not broken because he couldn't love you."

Her voice was the anchor I needed. Her words filled the space where my heart had caved in.

"I despise them both," she whispered, holding me tighter.

I closed my eyes and whispered, "You're right. I don't need to keep begging to be loved. That's not me. Not anymore."

Later, as Grace left and silence settled around me, I spoke aloud to Edith, my wolf.

"He's not the mate I deserve. And I won't stay. I'll give up the Luna title. I'll leave the Moonridge Pack behind."

My heart hardened with that silent vow.

Sleep pulled me under soon after, but even in my dreams, the betrayal lingered like a scar.

---

The Next Morning

"What the hell happened!?" I bolted upright, my eyes darting around the wreckage of my room.

Furniture overturned. My clothes scattered. And guards - three of them - standing motionless at the door.

"Get out!" I ordered, but they didn't move.

Then Cole stormed in, eyes wild.

"You're disgusting, Alaina!" he shouted, grabbing me and slamming me against the wall.

Pain shot through my back.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?" I cried, struggling.

"You're the reason Freya lost the baby!" he roared.

The words punched the air from my lungs.

"What?! I didn't-!"

"You were jealous! Spiteful!" His voice was venom. "I could never love a woman like you!"

Tears stung, but I held my ground. "Even after what she did, I would never hurt an innocent child!"

He sneered. "I'm done with your lies, Alaina."

Before I could respond, the guards moved. Cold metal clamped around my wrists.

My breath caught.

This... this wasn't just betrayal anymore.

This was exile.

Alaina

"I don't even understand what's going on anymore!"

They'd dragged me into the council chamber like a criminal, voices crashing over each other in a frenzy, until the Alpha's sharp, commanding stare silenced the chaos.

I stood frozen. My heart pounded as I shook my head slowly. "I–I didn't..."

"I can feel the questions in your eyes," Cole Thornton cut in, his voice flat and cold. I looked around, trying to catch my breath, but it was like the air had been sucked from the room.

"What is this?" I asked, eyes darting across the sea of faces. "What exactly is happening here?"

"Did Luna commit some unforgivable sin after last night's events?"

Recce and Nicolas stood behind Cole, their silence more cutting than any words. They didn't look at me. Not even once. I'd counted on them as my allies, my friends, but they stared straight ahead, pretending I wasn't even there.

"Alaina is responsible for Freya's miscarriage," Cole announced, his voice slicing through the stunned silence. Whispers ignited like wildfire. "Her actions," he continued, "are nothing short of disgraceful. She's committed the gravest offense against the Moonridge Pack."

"You don't get to accuse me without proof!" I snapped, rising to my feet, voice quivering but firm. "I would never hurt Freya, she was my best friend! Even after everything she's done to me."

He gave a bitter laugh. "Everyone knows you can't bear children, and it eats you alive. You're jealous that I'm trying to secure our legacy with someone who can. I need a Luna who strengthens this pack, not weakens it," he said, his face hardening, eyes gleaming with a red fury.

Gasps rose from the crowd. All eyes turned on me, accusatory, judgmental, void of compassion.

I clenched my jaw, forcing back the tears that burned in my eyes. My wolf, Edith, whimpered inside me, her pain echoing my own. But I wouldn't let them break me. Not like this.

"Say whatever you want about me," I said, voice trembling. "But don't twist this into something it's not. I could never harm someone I once loved like a sister, no matter how much she's wronged me."

"You'll never convince them otherwise," Cole growled, stepping closer, venom in his eyes. "You're a jealous, barren Luna. And now, everyone sees it."

I couldn't speak. My mouth opened, but no words came.

Then...

Freya walked in.

My heart nearly leapt from my chest.

"Freya!" I called, desperate. "You know this isn't true. You know I didn't do this!"

"Stop!" she snapped, tears streaking her face. "I'm tired of your pity act, Alaina. I didn't ask for this! It's not my fault I can give Cole what you never could."

I stumbled back, her words hitting like a slap.

"How could you do this to me?" she cried, her hand hovering protectively over her stomach. "I lost something so precious..."

"No," I breathed, shaking my head. "I didn't"

"You did," she said flatly, her eyes cold despite the tears.

The murmurs around us grew louder.

"I can't believe Luna would go that far. Just because she can't have children?"

"Maybe she brought it on herself. Still... poisoning someone? That's extreme."

"I don't believe it. Alaina's always been kind. This doesn't make sense."

Their words twisted around me like thorns. My chest tightened, my hands shook.

I turned to Cole, staring him down. "What now? Are you going to punish me for something I didn't do? For what, your pride?"

He stepped forward, grabbing my face roughly.

"I'll make you pay for robbing me of my future," he hissed. "How pathetic can you be?"

"Alpha!" Recce rushed over, pulling him away.

But the damage was done. My eyes burned, and I stood there, humiliated, trembling as the crowd watched in stunned silence.

Freya sobbed beside him.

"She's crying after betraying her closest friend. Unbelievable."

"I still think Alaina's innocent."

"I know someone who saw what happened!" Freya shouted suddenly, drawing attention. "Someone who saw her give me that tea. After I drank it... the pain started, and I lost my baby."

Cole stepped beside her and gently took her hand. I flinched. That gesture, so small ripped something open inside me.

"I know what I saw," Freya continued, voice breaking. "I just... I can't believe she did this..."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "You're a performer, Freya. Always have been. But this? This is a new low."

"Then let the witness speak," Cole demanded.

"I already did," she whispered, stepping aside.

And then I saw her.

Grace.

No.

Not her.

My pulse spiked so hard it hurt. I blinked, hoping it was a hallucination. It had to be.

"Grace?" I whispered, my voice cracking. "What are you doing?"

She didn't smile. Didn't blink. Just stood there, eyes wide with guilt.

"Alaina told me to drug Freya's tea," she said, voice shaking. "I didn't want to. But she was the only one who treated me with any dignity here, and... she threatened me."

She pointed at me like I was nothing.

The breath rushed from my lungs.

I stared at her, numb, the tears coming fast and hot.

How could you? I begged silently. But her eyes wouldn't meet mine.

"I can't believe this," I whispered.

And just like that, everything shattered.