THE ALPHA's REPLACEMENT MATE: UNWANTED LUNA HAS A SON

Selena's POV

Friday. September 22, 2022.

''Congratulations, Mrs. Henderson. You're three weeks pregnant.''

My mind instantly blanked out as the doctor stretches his hand forward with the pregnancy report.

''Mrs. Henderson?''

''Y-Yes...'' A shaky breath leaves my lips as I answer with a stutter, snapping out my daze. My eyes zone on the paper and my fingers trembles slightly as I take the pregnancy report.

My gaze lower to the paper where it indicated my pregnancy and truly, I am three weeks pregnant. A wave of strong emotions clashes over me as I tear up at the glaring evidence.

I have been with a child for three weeks.

''Are you alright, Mrs. Henderson?'' The doctor calls out with uncertainty. Perhaps to him, my reaction to the pregnancy was not what he expected from a married woman.

''Y-Yes, I'm fine, doctor.'' I sniff up my pooling tears, and raise my head with a forced smile. ''It's just....shocking to hear.''

Indeed, quite a shocking one.

''I can understand.'' The doctor offers a consoling smile and did not ask further question to my reactions which I appreciated.

For the rest of my time in the gynecology unit, I half-heartedly listened to the advice of the doctor, and also about my next appointment before leaving the hospital in a daze.

'...Pregnant...' The word echoes in my mind again and again. I was pregnant with a child...Jared's child....my mate.

A mate who loathed my existence.

''.....''

I let out a quiet sigh, staring up at the blue sky at the entrance of the hospital.

''Mother will protect you, my child.'' I mumble under my breath with my hand gently over my lower belly. Just the thought of my mate hating this child's existence because of me heightened my protective instincts.

Although, I still had second thoughts that Jared may soften his heart at the announcement of his unborn child. Even my family and the pack members....I truly hope they could soften their hearts from the past and move forward with this child as their future Alpha.

Growl

''Haha...'' I release a small chuckle at the growl in my head. My sudden smile attracted some weird glances but I paid no heed to them when my werewolf who rarely growled, finally announced her existence.

Her protective feelings aligned with mine, and I instinctively knew that she also would protect our unborn child from any harm.

''I should go back to the university for my evening class.'' With that, I left the hospital in a fairly good mood with the pregnancy report in my bag.

****

''So...I assume you're ready to spill the beans, Lena.''

In the car with my two friends, I sat in the back seat with one in passenger seat and the other in the driver seat.

''.....''

''The perfect A student and fav of all lecturers came quite late to class.'' The one in the driver seat, Stephanie Wallace, glances at me in the rearview mirror. '' Are you going to remain quiet or should I force it out from you?'' She arches an eyebrow with a look that said she was not backing down from this.

''Steph....''

''Zip it, Logan.'' She clips back at her boyfriend on the passenger seat, and focus her hazel eyes on the traffic light that still shone red. ''Lena has been acting quiet weird for a long time now, and she's not telling us anything. This is the first time you came late to class and I just want to know if my best friend's doing okay.''

These two were Stephanie Wallace and Logan Finnes.

Two friends who have been with me from the beginning of our first year as business majors. Stephanie was the very outgoing yet mischievous type. She has a sharp yet blunt mouth and very strong headed.

Logan was the opposite. Quite a nerd and very reserved just like me. When these two opposites announced their relationship at the end of first year, I was very shocked because they were like fire and water, always arguing and picking on each other.

Enemies to lovers.

That popular trope was the fitting label of their relationship as friends yet not friends.

''...I found my mate.'' I announce to them, and the car remained silent for a moment before Stephanie spoke up.

''Really? Congrats, Lena! This is good news!'' She turns her head to me with a wide grin. ''I've been wondering how to ask since you're past eighteen and twenty now.''

''Congrats, Lena.'' Logan also offers his congratulations with a small smile.

That's right.

These two knew that I am werewolf. To be more accurate, Stephanie is half-werewolf; born to a human and a werewolf, and her mate is Logan, a human boyfriend.

Werewolves have been discovered to have human mates, so a very small percentage of the human population can be said to be aware of the existence of werewolves.

''I just found that I am pregnant and my mate hates me.'' I reveal everything in one breath and did not have the courage to look at their expression. My eyes remain on the neighboring car through the window, but clouded with some past memories.

I did not want to see my best friends' pity for my situation.

''.....''

''.....''

''Wait, Wait, Wait....'' Stephanie tries to laugh at my words as though it was a joke. ''Repeat what you said Lena. You're pregnant and your mate hates you? Logan, honey, I did not hear gibberish right?'

I remain quiet, not answering the question.

''Selena Monroe, look me in the eye and tell me you are not joking, sweetie.''

''.....''

''Selena.''

I let out a sigh, knowing that I have to talk, especially with Stephanie around.

''I found my mate two years ago on my birthday, but he hates me.'' I turn my gaze to my best friends, though avoided their curious eyes, and recite some minor part of that incident. ''You two know that I've been throwing up for quite a while and suggested I should go to a hospital. Well, I did after our morning class and found out that I'm pregnant with my mate's child.''

''....Your mate, is he a normal werewolf?'' Stephanie carefully ask with concern eyes.

''He's an Alpha.'' I immediately reveal in a dull tone. ''You both know that I'm a beta female.''

''......''

''......''

My gaze remained lowered, feeling the stares of my two best friends. Perhaps they expected more of the story, but I wasn't ready to tell them yet. I didn't want to them to blame for a crime I did not commit like my family, Jared and the pack member had done.

''Can you...''

*Beep*

''Hey! The light has turned green already!'' My ears twitch at the man screaming from behind Stephanie's car.

''Oh, shut up.'' Stephanie growls under her breath as she sits properly on the driver's seat. This time, I hear the sound of the gear and realized that Stephanie had parked the car on the busy road before the traffic light.

Yup, this was definitely Stephanie Wallace.

''We'll talk when you're ready to tell us.'' The car accelerates forward along with her words. ''Your mental health and the baby are our main priority.''

''......''

''Just know that I and Logan are here you and the baby, alright? If things get hard, you have the key to our home, don't you?'' I sense Stephanie's glances, probably from rearview mirror and my eyes tear up at her words.

''Hm....'' My voice chokes with sobs, and I wipe my fallen tears with the sleeves of my wool sweater. My ears prick up at a ruffling sound and then, I feel something light on lap.

When I lower my teary gaze, a colored handkerchief entered my sight, and I didn't need a guess that this was the action of the quiet Logan.

''Thank you...'' I whisper in sobs, appreciating them deeply from my heart. I couldn't imagine how hard it could have been if I was alone with no one to share my problems with.

At the edges of civilization, werewolf packs could be found in deep forests, along forgotten trails and where places have been faded from the geographical map. In America, there are four werewolf packs.

The Northern moon pack.

The Southern Moon pack.

The Eastern Moon pack.

The Western Moon pack.

The Northern Moon is located in the deep forests of Minnesota, so basically, I am based there.

'I hope I can enter this time.' I trudge down the familiar dark streets of the pack at the moment leading to my home....my family. That is, if we could still be called a family when neither my parent nor my elder brother wanted to look me in the eye or even initiate a conversation.

Anyway, today's the birthday of my mother. The same day I found out the existence of my unborn child. If nothing had happened, this day would have been perfect for double good news, but life was never easy for anyone. Even for werewolves.

*knock*

*knock*

I knock on the door and wait patiently, in hopes that I would be allowed inside my home. Home that I have not stepped in since that incident.

By now, my family should have detected my scent, but as always, I remain outside until one of them answers. Normally, my elder brother, Simone Monroe, has mostly been the one who answered, and sneered in my face with his sharp-tongue and sarcastic insults.

So, imagine my surprise when my mother was the one who opened the door.

''M-Mum...'' I stutter at the sight of her. It was obvious I was quite startled, but then slowly grin in relief since it has been a while that I've seen her.

''H-Happy birthday, mother.'' I start with an awkward stutter and gesture to the wrapped up present in my hand. ''I bought you a gift...''

''The Monroe family is not worthy of accommodating you, Luna Henderson.'' My mother's voice comes out indifferent, void of warmth unlike her affectionate tone in the past.

It was different from my father's disappointing silence, and my elder brother's mocking words. At least, I could tell their feelings, but my mother was plainly indifferent as if staring at a stranger who was her youngest daughter.

''O-Oh...um...I-I see.'' I try to laugh off the tensed atmosphere between us. '''W-Well, today's your birthday and I just wanted to give you this.'' I remain persistent with the present. Even if it got tossed in the trash like Simone had always done before I leave, it never changed that I still thought of my family.

Even if they have stopped thinking of me as one.

''.....Aren't you shameless, Luna Henderson?'' My mother suddenly calls out after a moment of silence. ''My husband, son and I have made it clear that we don't want your visits, especially that of a murderer.''

I flinch at the word 'murderer'

''Leave our family alone in peace.'' She demands with choked-up feelings, visible from her voice. ''We remain mourning for our only daughter who nearly died by your hands and battles for her life at the pack hospital.'' Her voice cracks at the ending.

''......'' Under her sharp glare, I lower the present, understanding that my presence must have been painful for my family to bear.

''I-I understand.'' This time, I did not address my mother as mother. As she wanted, I turned around and left my family that wasn't mine anymore. A father that stopped being mine. A mother that stopped being mine, and an elder brother that stopped being mine. They have thoroughly cut me out of their lives.

'I didn't even do a thing back then.' I almost yell back, feeling unjust, but forcefully held on and carried my steps that felt very heavy at the moment away from my former home.

****

It didn't take long for me to arrive at where I stayed in the pack. It was a building with two rooms enough for two werewolves. My mate and I.

However, my mate had another house to himself in the pack, and only came to our house when he was in rut or when I am in heat.

Basically, our primal desires and sexual urges.

As long as either of us sensed this from our scent or mate bond, we have no way to control it other than intercourse.

In other words, lust without true feelings.

I may have strong feelings of love for Jared, but he has strong feelings of hate for me.

His true love was my twin sister, whom he and the entire pack saw her as their Luna. Someone that was not his mate.

I, on the other hand was like a substitute, a replacement Luna, even though I was the true mate. An Alpha was incapable of living sane without his true mate, and a pack could never prosper fully without its true Luna.

Although, I have been wearing the title of Luna and Alpha's mate for two years now, no one in this pack has ever treated me like one. I didn't even have the so-called Luna duties. Everything was handled by Jared and other superiors in the pack.

Life of Luna was typically a title without power.

My werewolf with the primal instincts of a Luna has always been displeased by the outright disrespect, but she knew nothing could be done other than to endure.

After all, I was seen as a murderer in the pack, and there was no evidence to prove my own claims.

*click*

My ears peer up at the sound of the door closing from the entrance. Right now, I was clearing the dirty dishes of my dinner after taking a shower.

''Jared?'' I hesitantly call out and let go of the plate in the sink. There was no one other than Jared who had the key to this house. None of the pack members have ever dared to trespassed into the house of their Alpha.

That could also explain why my mate's scent suddenly grew stronger a moment ago.

Wiping my hands on my apron, I step out of the kitchen, and almost collide to a hard chest on my way. Strong arms wrapped around my waist strongly and pull me closer. My body was practically flushed against Jared's

Growl

He nuzzles his face in my neck, breathing in my scent, and graze his teeth on my skin.

''...You're in rut.'' My words were a statement and not a question. Jared's scent smelled much sweeter and tempting in the atmosphere like an aphrodisiac. He only acted like a true mate and was willing to interact and act intimate with me when in rut. Jared also could not control the temptation to mark me, and complete our mate bond.

In the rut of male werewolves, their states are akin to a true werewolf. In short, a beast who could not control its raw primal desires for its partner. It was much stronger for Alphas who were the leaders of a packs and dominated all werewolves with their intimidating presence.

As an Alpha, Jared should have been taken over by his werewolf, but he seemed to have a strong will and mind not to be taking over.

Or else I would have been marked in the last two years.

Normally, I would be feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside with the rare intimacy of my mate, but now, I have another worry in mind.

The baby.

''J-Jared, I have to tell you something.'' My breath becomes heavier from the light kisses and marks that Jared normally made on my neck. Although this was not a great moment to announce the existence of our child, but I had to do it no matter what.

The doctor had specifically repeated not to have intercourse until the pregnancy was stable.

This baby must remain safe at any cost.

''Ja-Ah!'' I squeal in surprise as Jared bit my neck deeply quite. My resistance seemed to have angered his Alpha instincts and he revealed his displeasure by biting down my neck. He wanted my submission as his mate and Luna.

''W-Wait...'' I try to escape, but Jared's embrace was too strong. He even used the opportunity of my struggles to lift my body from my butt, and I unconsciously wound my arms around his neck.

Eyes wide, I look down at the dark eyes of my mate that deepened more and more. A sign of his werewolf almost taking over.

''Please listen to me, I went...'' My words were swallowed us by Jared's lips as he moved to my bedroom.

'The baby...' With my eyes closed, I try to resist the kiss, but Jared seemed to have anticipated my move that he placed at the back of my head and deepened his kiss, leaving no way out for me.

My scent suddenly grew stronger and I knew that we were already in my bed room. Jared did not let go of the kiss as we got on the bed.

''W-Wait...'' When I had the chance to breathe, I try once again with my heavy gasps, and this time Jared did not make a move, but continued undressing himself with my flushed body reflecting on his dark eyes.

''Í-I have to tell you something, Jared.'' Fortunately, I wasn't stopped and stare up at him from the bed. ''I went to the hospital, a human one and....''

''Does that matter?''

''H-Huh?'' I did not expect Jared to suddenly speak out. His voice was hoarse and deeper than usual, obviously from the rut at the moment. However, that wasn't my main focus, but his words.

''W-What...'' I gulp the invisible lump, hanging around my throat. ''What do you mean?'' I just mentioned a hospital and his first words were 'does that matter?'

''It's Alpha to you, Selena.''

I flinch at his sharp words.

''You seem to have forgotten your place.'' He calls out sharply. ''What happens to you is none of my concern. Should I remind you the true owner of the Luna title that you bear?'' He carelessly flings his shirt to the side, and started unbuckling his belt.

My twin sister.

I did not need a second guess to know who he was talking about.

''You and I have agreed to attend to my rut and your heat.'' He continued to spew words that break my fragile heart every minute. ''Anything outside of that is simply none of concern. I have no need of interacting with a wicked person who almost murdered her own sister.''

''......'' I remain silent with words in my defense.

No...have I ever spoken out at the insults thrown in my way, especially from my mate Jared? Of course not.

I couldn't

Not when this pitiful heart of my mine bears deep love for him.

Not when the mate bond deepened the affection I have for him.

A one-sided and painful love.

''I-I apologize....Alpha.'' I stutter out an apology as I've always done. ''F-Forgive me.''

At the moment, I realized the depth of hatred and resentment that Jared held for me, even though I was his mate. I mentioned a hospital, and his first words were ruthless without hesitation rather than asking why.

Even if he showed a little care, I would have been the happiest werewolf in the entire world.

After all, mates couldn't ever hate one another for long, but Jared seemed to be the anomaly. His hate ran deep for two years now.

All this was because of my twin sister currently fighting for her life in coma.

Jared snorts at my reply and positioned himself on top of my naked body. I didn't even realize when my pajamas short and top had already been taken off. As I lay on the bed with a shattered heart, my eyes tear up at the sudden thrust down there.

It has never been this painful and agonizing. Of course, the pain was there, but I had always felt the pleasure, the fact that my mate held my body so sweetly.

But now....I couldn't feel that pleasure, not when I realized the depth of Jared's resentment for me.

'I guess....it's just you and I, baby.' My tears fall as I wrap my arms around Jared's neck and moaned in the lust between us.

Somewhere deep in mind, I prayed to the moon goddess to keep my precious baby safe without problems.

****

''Blerrgghhh...''

I woke up with the urge to vomit and staggered with my naked body to the toilet in the bathroom.

''Urrggghhh....'' I continued to vomit until the nauseous feeling disappeared from my body. As I struggled to flush the disgusting sight, I shakily collapse on the floor with my head near the toilet seat.

''...Were you protesting, baby?'' I place my hand on my lower belly with a wry smile. ''Don't be angry, Daddy is not mean. He just....'' Tears silently burst out from my eyes as I recall the painful previous night with my mate.

''H-He just doesn't know you exist y-yet, b-baby.'' I sob quietly, thinking of my precious baby who may suffer in the future for his or her mother's incompetence and bad reputation.

Time silently passed in the bathroom. When I felt much better and stable, I managed to stand with my shaky legs and used the opportunity to wash the grimes and remnant of last night.

As always, Jared was not found by my side this morning. Every time we did deed, I had never seen Jared remain by my side, not even once. His intentions were more than clear, and obviously that made feel bad.

Like a prostitute used to relieve one's desires and discarded once done.

My outfit is a simple and casual shorts with baggy shirt. Today's a Saturday so I had no reason to leave the pack.

After having a light breakfast, I did some house chores to clear my mind from complicated thoughts, and also planned to step out and get some groceries.

Unlike yesterday night where most pack members were in their homes, the pack was now bustling with activities. Young pups playing around, and some even carried schoolbags. Perhaps a class was in session today at the pack's elementary school.

I must have stared too long that a pup made eye contact, but quickly avoided my gaze without hesitation. The same pup whispered to the other pups, and all of them threw fearful glances in way before running away.

Their actions did hurt me, but I was used to pups running away at first sight. Their parents must have warned them not interact with their Luna.

'I can't wait to see you going to school, baby.' I suddenly imagine my own child going to the pack's elementary school. However, he or she may suffer a bit because of my reputation in the pack.

'I hope you don't come to hate me, baby.' This sad thought crosses my mind as I fought the urge to rub my lower belly on my way to one of the pack's grocery store.

My time spent at the grocery store was not long, except that I suffered from glares and disdainful glances from the pack members. None of which I reacted to since I have long gotten used to their actions.

''Our Luna Henderson finally has time for her pack members.'' I cross paths with some familiar faces. ''I thought our dearest Luna has decided to move with her precious humans.'' One of them mock and her friends snicker in response to her words.

This lady here was Tiffany Nowles. A sixteen-year-old that acted the same as Simone, throwing mocking words in my way.

Tiffany has been a long admirer of my twin sister. Just like celebrities in the human society, Sienna was like one in the pack. The pack members loved and admired her that much with little to few haters on the side.

As the claimed murderer, Tiffany definitely did not have good feelings for me.

''......'' As always, I side-step the group, and completely ignored them without a word. At the beginning, I tried defending myself, but my words deepened the sneers and mockery thrown my way. Realizing that, I understood that silence was the best answer. Reacting would only deepen the resentment.

However, not reacting sometimes could also deepen the situation like now. Tiffany's friends immediately blocked my path and I had no choice but to turn around and face their leader.

''I see our Luna does not have time for us lowly ones.'' Tiffany scoffs lightly at my silence. ''Quite shameless for a Luna who pays no attention to her pack members saying hello.''

''.....''

''If Luna doesn't have time for us pack members, then you shouldn't have stolen what does not belong to you in the first place.'' Tiffany glares sharply with her usual accusation.

''.....''

What does not belong to me....

This has been the opinion of every pack member. To them, I was like a thief who had stolen the Luna title from my twin sister.

'...I'm tired.' When false accusations fell on my head like this, my mental state just crumbled gradually to the dust. I was honestly getting tired and frustrated from all this.

Without evidence, I could not prove my claims.

Without evidence, I could leave a normal and happy life in the pack.

It was honestly tiring, but I couldn't just pack my things and leave to the human society. After all, I was the rightful Luna to this pack, even if I had no support from my pack members. My mate was also here, and without him, I could die.

Mates should never be apart for long for the sake of their sanity.