Chapter 3

Kael did not answer.

He stood there, the towering Alpha, the king of the Black Moon Pack, looking lost for the first time in my presence.

It was laughable.

If apologies held any weight, the pack's code would not exist.

"Elara..." His voice finally returned, hoarse and strained. "It's not what you think. It was an accident."

"An accident?" I sneered. "An accident that you slept with a human? Or an accident that you lied to your mate?"

"I..." He opened his mouth but found no words.

The council hall fell deathly silent.

I looked at him, the man I once thought I would lean on for life.

His face twisted with struggle and pain, but it stirred no sympathy in me.

The moment he chose betrayal, everything between us ended.

"Enough." I refused to hear more of his excuses. "I don't want to know who she was or what happened."

I turned toward the summoning circle.

"Elara, what are you doing!" Kael sensed my intent, his voice thick with panic.

He lunged to stop me.

But I was faster.

I poured my energy into the circle.

Silver light shot skyward, and an alarm blared through the entire pack.

It was the signal for an emergency gathering, used only for enemy invasions or major announcements by the Alpha.

Kael's face twisted with fury.

He roared, "You've lost your mind! Stop this now!"

I ignored him.

Pack members flooded in from all directions-warriors, healers, and ordinary folk.

They gathered in the square outside the council hall, their faces etched with confusion and unease.

Valerius burst in first, freezing at the sight of our standoff. "Alpha, Luna, what's happening?"

"Kael," I said, my eyes fixed on my husband, "don't you love holding meetings? Now, in front of the entire pack, explain the 'meeting' you had tonight."

Kael's fists clenched, veins bulging on his hands.

Rage in his eyes threatened to consume me.

But he could not lash out.

In front of the pack, he had to maintain his dignity as Alpha.

He took a deep breath, swallowing his anger, and turned to face the growing crowd in the square.

"It's nothing," he declared in his charismatic voice. "Just a small misunderstanding. Everyone, disperse."

The pack members exchanged glances, hesitating as they prepared to obey.

An Alpha's command was absolute.

"Wait." My icy voice cut through.

It was not loud, but it reached every ear clearly.

Everyone froze, their eyes turning back to me.

I stepped past Kael, ascending the platform overlooking the square, facing the entire pack.

Their faces showed confusion, worry, and some disdain.

I knew many of them looked down on me, an Omega-born Luna.

That was fine.

From this day forward, they would never forget me.

"I, Elara, Luna of the Black Moon Pack," I began, my voice amplified by energy, ringing across the square, "called you here to announce something."

I paused, my gaze shifting to Kael.

He stared at me, his eyes brimming with warning, pleading, and a trace of despair.

I looked away, my heart calm.

I placed a hand on my abdomen. Here rested his heir.

I had wanted to give him a complete family.

Now, I could only give him a future free of betrayal.

I took a deep breath and spoke the ancient, cruel incantation. "I, Elara, in the name of the Moon Goddess, reject you, Alpha Kael, as my mate for this lifetime."