《Alpha's regrets Pregnant Rejected Luna》 Chapter 1 Kaida "Congrattions, Kaida. You''re pregnant." Dr. Cooper''s words echoed in the small clinic room, soft yet resounding like a gong. The sterile scent of disinfectant, the hum of machinery, the crisp white of the doctor''s coat... all of it faded, leaving only the words circling in my head. Pregnant? I blinked at him, waiting for the punchline or a mistake, but he smiled warmly, sliding a few papers toward me. Pregnant. Two years. Two years of marriage to Kaelen, and not once had I believed this day woulde. I had been diagnosed with PCOS-Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-a condition that made my chances of conceiving slim. I remembered the hollow ache when Dr. Cooper first exined it to me, how I might never carry a child, how we''d need medical help to even try. It was a future I had reluctantly epted, burying the dream of being a mother deep beneathyers of duty and Luna responsibilities. But now... "I know this muste as a shock, given your medical history," Dr. Cooper continued, watching my face for a reaction. "But your pregnancy seems healthy so far. We''ll need to monitor you closely because PCOS can sometimes increase risks, but for now, everything looks good." I pressed a hand to my stomach, where a life, a child, had somehow begun growing without me even knowing. The tiniest spark of joy red within me, cautious and fragile, but undeniably there. "Are you sure?" Dr. Cooper chuckled softly. "I''m sure, Kaida. Congrattions again." I nodded numbly, my mind struggling to catch up. For two years, I had been Kaelen Darkridge''s wife and his Luna, doing my best to fulfill my role beside him. But as much as we had tried, month after month had passed with no sign of a child. It had chipped away at me quietly, but I never let it show. Kaelen hadn''t pushed for children, at least not outwardly, but I knew he wanted them. An heir. A family. This news... it could be the turning point, the thing that brought us closer. I left the clinic with the paperwork in hand, walking in a daze toward the car. I was going to be a mother. Kaelen was going to be a father. Maybe this was what we needed. Our marriage has been strainedtely. Kaelen had grown distant, colder. I couldn''t pinpoint when exactly it had started, but it was as if a wall had slowly risen between us, thickening with every passing day. I thought it was the pressure of leading the pack, the pressure of being Alpha. But tonight... Tonight, I''d go home with the news. I''d tell him about the baby, and things would change. They had to. When I stepped through the door of our hometer that evening, the first thing I noticed was the tension in the air. The soft glow of themp cast long shadows over the living room, and there Kaelen sat on the edge of the couch, his posture rigid. He looked up as I entered, his jaw clenched, eyes distant and cold, the same coldness that had been creeping in for months now. A knot tightened in my stomach. "Kaida," he said, his voice t. "Hey." I gave him a small smile, though it faltered. "You''re home early." He didn''t return the smile. Instead, he nodded toward the seat across from him. "We need to talk." The knot in my stomach twisted tighter, but I pushed the unease aside. I had news... good news. "Actually, I have something to tell you, too," I said, moving closer. "But you go first." He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark hair before standing. The movement was stiff, uncharacteristic of the rxed, confident man I knew. He reached for something on the table, and when he turned back to me, a folder was in his hand. "Kaelen?" I asked, my heart picking up speed. He ced the folder down in front of me, his eyes hard, and opened it. Inside were crisp sheets of paper... divorce papers. My breath hitched. "I want you to sign these," he said, his tone emotionless, detached. I stared at the papers, my mind refusing to process the sight. Divorce? No. No, this wasn''t happening. "What... what are you talking about?" "I''m ending this," he said bluntly. "I''ve found my fated mate." His words were like a punch to the gut. "Your... fated mate?" Kaelen''s gaze flickered, just for a moment, but then the coldness returned. "Her name is ra Snow. We met a few months ago, and I want to be with her. I want to marry her as soon as possible." I stood frozen, my world tilting on its axis. A few months? This was why he''d been distant. This was why the warmth between us had vanished. He had found his fated mate. The one the Moon Goddess had destined for him. And it wasn''t me. "Kaelen..." I whispered, my throat tightening. "You can''t be serious. We''re married. You - We''ve been together for two years. I''m your Luna." He shook his head, jaw set. "I don''t want to drag this out, Kaida. ra is the one I''m meant to be with. We both know that the bond we have isn''t the same. And our marriage was out of a mutual agreement so we could build this pack, now that we have done that, I think it''s best we go our separate ways." Tears blurred my vision, but I fought them back, my hands trembling. "But... we''re a team. We can make this work. You can''t just throw us away because you found your fated mate." "I''m not throwing anything away," he snapped. "I''m choosing what''s right. I deserve to be happy. You... you''re just being greedy, Kaida. You don''t want to let go of your title as Luna." His words stung, sharp as des. Greedy? Was that what he thought of me? After everything we''d been through? wasn''t trying to hold onto a title I was trying to hold onto him, to the life we''d built, howeve strained it had be. "I''m not trying to be greedy," I said, my voice shaking. "I love you. We can figure this out together. I -" "I don''t want to figure it out," he cut in harshly. "Sign the damn papers, Kaida. Don''t make it more difficult for me than it is." I flinched, thest of my hope crumbling. He wasn''t going to listen. He wasn''t going to fight for us. His mind was made up, and no matter how much I wanted to beg him, to make him see what he was doing, I knew it was futile. With numb fingers, I reached for the pen he''d left on the table, my heart breaking with every second. "Is this really what you want?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Kaelen''s eyes met mine for a brief moment, but they were cold, unfeeling. "Yes." A tear slipped down my cheek as I bent over the papers and signed my name. Kaida Ashwood. The moment set the pen down, something inside me shattered. I stood up my legs shaky beneath me, and turned toward the door. couldn''t be here anymore. I couldn''t bear the sight of the man I loved staring at me like I was nothing but an obstacle to his happiness. I paused at the threshold, my voice barely above a whisper. "I hope your fated mate makes you happy, Kaelen. I really do." Then, without another word, I left to my room, the truth of my pregnancy sitting like a heavy stone in my chest. A truth I hadn''t even had the chance to share. Chapter 2 Kaida The next morning, I sat in the formal dining room, hands folded in myp, staring at the massive oak table where we used to share meals. It felt wrong to be sitting here waiting for awyer to finalize the end of my marriage, the end of everything I thought my life would be. I had barely slept the night before, my mind reying the moment I signed those divorce papers over and over again. I nced at the clock on the wall. Kaelen waste, of course. Typical. He never had to deal with the fallout of his actions... no, that responsibility was always mine. Even now, I was the one sitting here, waiting for the axe to fall, while he took his sweet time. Thewyer, Mr. Price, a middle-aged man with thinning hair and a thick briefcase, sat across from me, flipping through documents without much regard for the emotional weight of the situation. His presence was cold, clinical, like everything in my life had be in the past twenty-four hours. "We''ll get started as soon as Kaelen arrives," he said, not looking up. His tone was detached, business-like, as though this was just another transaction to him. I nodded stiffly, feeling the tension build in my shoulders. My thoughts drifted, unbidden, to the night before. I will have to walk out of our home - no, his home now - without telling him about the pregnancy. I couldn''t bring myself to after what he''d said. And now, sitting here, that secret felt like a burning coal lodged in my throat. He didn''t deserve to know. Not after what he''d done. But still... He was the father. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. A momentter, Kaelen walked in, followed closely by a woman I had never met before but recognized immediately. Her. The so-called fated mate. ra Snow. She was beautiful, of course. Tall, willowy, with silver-blonde hair cascading down her back in soft waves. Her eyes were pale blue, almost icy, and her lips curved into a smile that didn''t reach them. As they entered, she clung to Kaelen''s arm as if she were staking her im on him, her touch possessive. "Kaida," Kaelen said, his voice void of emotion. "This is ra Snow." I stood, forcing a smile I didn''t feel. "Nice to meet you," I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside me. ra''s smile widened, a mockery of politeness. "Kaelen''s told me so much about you. It''s wonderful to finally meet you in person." Her tone was sugary sweet, but I could feel the venom lurking beneath. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Likewise." "Shall we begin?" Mr. Price interrupted, clearly eager to move things along. Kaelen and ra took their seats across from me, their hands intertwined. The sight made my stomach churn. I clenched my fists under the table, willing myself to remainposed. This was just another hurdle. I could get through this. Mr. Price cleared his throat and opened the file in front of him. "As we discussed, Kaida, this meeting is to finalize the divorce agreement and announce the settlement." I nodded numbly, my eyes flicking briefly to Kaelen, who was staring at the table as if this was all just another pack duty he had to get through. The man I had loved... and still love, the man I had married, was a stranger now. How did ite to this? "The divorce settlement is as follows," Mr. Price continued, adjusting his sses. "Kaida Ashwood will inherit seven million dors from the Darkridge estate as part of the divorce settlement. Additionally, the divorce can be revoked under one condition - if Kaida is found to be pregnant with Kaelen''s child or children." The words hung in the air, thick and suffocating. My breath caught in my throat. Revoked? If I''m pregnant? The universe had a twisted sense of humor. ra''s eyes gleamed with something malicious, her lips curling into a smug smile. "Well, we don''t have to worry about that, do we?" she said, her voice dripping with false innocence. "Kaida can''t even have children." The words hit me like a p to the face. My heart thudded painfully in my chest, and I felt a surge of anger boiling up inside me. She had no right to say that... she absolutely had no right to make assumptions about my life, my body, my pain. I opened my mouth to respond, my voice shaking. "That''s none of your business, ra." Kaelen immediately tensed beside her, his eyes narrowing as he turned to me. "Don''t start, Kaida," he warned. "ra didn''t mean anything by it." I stared at him in disbelief. He was defending her? After everything she had just said? "I think we both know what she meant," I snapped, my anger bubbling over. "She doesn''t get to sit there and make judgments about my ability to have children." ra gave me an innocent look, but there was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "I was only pointing out the facts. There''s no need to get upset, Kaida. It''s just the truth." I bit my tongue, trying to rein in the anger coursing through me. If I let it out, it would only make things worse, and that was exactly what ra wanted. She was testing me, pushing me to break. "Let''s stay civil, please," Mr. Price interjected, clearly ufortable with the tension in the room. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stayposed. It didn''t matter what ra said. I knew the truth, and soon, they would know too. Or maybe never. The rest of the meeting passed in a blur. I barely heard Mr. Price as he went over the final details of the divorce, my mind was too upied with the burden of what had just happened. Seven million dors. A divorce that could be revoked if I had children. And ra''s smug, hateful words ringing in my ears. When the paperwork was finally signed, I stood, barely managing a goodbye before heading toward the stairs. My vision blurred as I walked, my body moving on autopilot. needed to get to my room, tobe alone. It seemed like everything was pressing down on me, suffocating me. ra''s words echoed in my mind, over and over. Kaida can''t even have children. But I could. I was. The secret I had held close to my heart since the doctor''s appointment yesterday felt like it was burning a hole inside me. They didn''t know. And maybe part of me didn''t want them to know. Not yet. I reached the top of the stairs, my hand gripping the railing for support as a wave of dizziness washed over me. My vision swam, ck spots dancing in front of my eyes. I tried to take a step forward, but my legs buckled beneath me, and thest thing I remembered was the sensation of falling - falling into darkness. When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the sterile smell of antiseptic. I was in a hospital bed, the soft beeping of machines filling the quiet room. Confusion washed over me, and I tried to sit up, but a hand gently pushed me back down. "Easy, Kaida." I blinked, my vision focusing on the familiar face of Dr. Cooper. He smiled down at me, a clipboard in hand. "What... what happened?" I asked, my voice weak. "You fainted," he said calmly. "Stress, most likely. But don''t worry, you''re both perfectly fine." "Both?" I echoed, frowning in confusion. He chuckled softly. "Yes, Kaida. Both. You''re carrying twins." Twins. The word sent a shock through me. Twins. Not just one life inside me, but two. I stared at him, the shock of the revtion settling over me like a tidal wave. Two children. My children. "Congrattions again," Dr. Cooper said, his voice kind. "You''re going to be a mother of twins." Chapter 3 Kaida The sterile scent of the hospital clung to the air as I tried to process Dr. Cooper''s words. Twins. I was pregnant with twins. My head spun with the news, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a surge of happiness despite everything that had happened. But reality crashed back into ce when I thought of Kaelen. I swallowed hard, my throat dry as I looked up at Dr. Cooper. "Does... does Kaelen know?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. A part of me already knew the answer, but I had to ask, had to hope - no matter how small - that Kaelen had some shred of decency left in him. Dr. Cooper gave me a sympathetic look, shaking his head. "No, Kaida. Kaelen wasn''t the one who brought you here. It was your driver." My heart sank. His words were painful and they settled heavily in my chest, suffocating. Of course, Kaelen hadn''t been the one to bring me here. He hadn''t cared enough to follow me when I''d fainted. He hadn''t even asked about me. The realization left a cold pit in my stomach. How could someone I had loved so deeply, someone I had been married to for two years, be so utterly heartless? The tears that had been threatening to fall since the moment I''d signed the divorce papers finally broke free, sliding down my cheeks. I turned my head, not wanting Dr. Cooper to see the full extent of my pain. But he was a doctor, and he saw everything. He ced a gentle hand on my arm. "Kaida, I need to talk to you about something important." His tone was calm but serious. I wiped my tears and looked at him, fear creeping into my chest. "What is it?" I asked, my voice trembling. Dr. Cooper hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Your pregnancy... it''s at risk." His words hung in the air like a thundercloud, ready to break. "At risk?" My voice cracked. "What do you mean?" "You have PCOS, Kaida, which you know makes it more difficult to get pregnant. But now that you are, it also increases the risk ofplications, including miscarriage. I need you to be as stress-free as possible during this pregnancy. Too much stress could jeopardize your health and the babies'' health." My heart clenched. Miscarriage. The thought of losing the twins - after everything - was unbearable. I wrapped my arms around myself, as though that could somehow shield my babies from the reality of my life. But I knew better. This wasn''t a fairytale. And I was living in the middle of a nightmare. "Stress-free?" Iughed bitterly, shaking my head. "How am I supposed to be stress-free when everything in my life is falling apart?" Dr. Cooper''s gaze softened. "I understand that things are difficult right now, but you have to put yourself and your babies first. If that means stepping away from certain situations or people to protect your health, then that''s what you need to do." His words stirred something inside me - something like resolve. He was right. I had to protect myself. I had to protect my babies. And that meant making choices, no matter how painful they might be. "Dr. Cooper, please," I said, my voice trembling with desperation. "You can''t tell anyone about the pregnancy." He looked taken aback. "Kaida - " "Please," I interrupted, my hands gripping the edge of the hospital bed. "Kaelen and I are divorced now. He wouldn''t care about the twins. And if he found out, it would only make things worse for me. I can''t... I can''t deal with that right now. Please, just keep it a secret." Dr. Cooper''s brows furrowed, clearly concerned, but he didn''t argue with me. "Kaida, I understand where you''reing from. But you have to promise me that you''ll keep up with your appointments and take care of yourself. I can keep the pregnancy confidential, but I need to monitor you closely to make sure everything stays on track." I nodded quickly, relief flooding through me. "I promise. I''ll do everything you say." "Good," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "I''ll prescribe you some medication to help manage your condition, and we''ll schedule regr check-ups." I thanked him, my voice weak but grateful, as he handed me a list of prescriptions and instructions. After he left the room, I stared down at the papers in my hands, the weight of everything pressing down on me once again. I couldn''t stay here. Not with Kaelen. Not with ra. The thought of being in the same house with them while carrying the secret of my pregnancy was unbearable. I needed to leave. I needed to start over. Without thinking, I pulled out my phone and dialed the one person who had always been there for me, no matter what. "Kaida?" My sister Dahlia''s voice was filled with concern as she answered. "What''s wrong?" I took a deep breath, my voice shaking as I spoke. "Dahlia, it''s over. Kaelen and I... we''re divorced." There was a beat of silence before Dahlia''s voice softened. "Oh, Kaida... I''m so sorry." "I''m pregnant," I blurted out, my hands trembling as I held the phone to my ear. "Twins. And he doesn''t even know. He doesn''t care." I could hear the shock in Dahlia''s silence, but when she spoke again, her voice was steady and reassuring. "Kaida, listen to me. You need to leave. Come stay with me. You don''t have to go through this alone. We''ll figure it out together." Her words felt like a lifeline, something solid to hold on to in the middle of the chaos. I nodded, even though she couldn''t see me. "I''lle. I''lle as soon as I can." "Good. Pack your things ande straight here. You don''t need to deal with Kaelen or anyone else. We''ll start fresh, okay?" "Okay," I whispered, my heart racing. I didn''t have a choice anymore. I had to protect my babies, and I had to protect myself. After collecting my prescriptions from Dr. Cooper and thanking him again, I left the hospital and headed back to what used to be my home. The drive was silent, my mind facing with the decision I had made. I was leaving everything behind my marriage, my life, my home - and starting over. When I stepped inside the house, it felt emptier than ever. Kaelen wasn''t there. He was probably with ra, ying the perfect mate to her, while I was left to pick up the shattered pieces of my life. But not for long. I moved through the house in a daze, gathering my things, stuffing clothes into a suitcase, and grabbing what few personal items I couldn''t bear to leave behind. Every itemi touched, every room I passed through, felt like a goodbye. But that was okay. I was ready to say goodbye. By the time I was done packing, it waste. The house was quiet, and I felt a strange sense of peace settle over me. This was the right decision. It had to be. I wheeled my suitcase to the front door, taking onest look at the life I was leaving behind. There was no point in leaving a note. No one would care where I went. Kaelen had made that clear. And so, with onest breath, I stepped out into the night. The driver was already waiting for me, ready to take me to the airport. I climbed into the car, my heart heavy but determined. I was going to start a new life - for me and for my babies. And nothing, not Kaeten, not ra, not anyone, was going to stop me. ?wnovel As the car pulled away from the house, I didn''t look back. I was done looking back. I was moving forward. Chapter 4 Kaida The ne touched down in Crestwood just as the sun began to peek over the horizon. I rubbed my tired eyes, my nerves jumbled from the long flight and everything that had happened. My heart ached from the weight of it all, but a tiny flicker of hope kept me going. At least I wasn''t alone. As I made my way through the arrivals, a familiar figure came into view, standing just outside the terminal. Dahlia, my older sister, was already waiting for me. Despite the early hour, she looked awake and alert, her dark hair pulled back into a neat ponytail, a warm smile on her face. "Kaida!" she called out, her arms opening wide as I approached. I fell into her embrace, holding her tightly, feeling theforting warmth of someone who understood. "Thank you foring," I whispered. "Of course," she replied softly, pulling back to study my face. "Come on, let''s get you home." Dahlia drove us through the quiet streets of Crestwood, the early morning mist still hanging in the air. The pack''s territory wasrger than I expected, sprawling through the outskirts of the city, surrounded by dense forests. It felt secluded, almost peaceful. When we arrived at her house, Dahlia helped me settle in. Her home was cozy, tucked away in a quiet part of the pack''s residential area. It felt warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold, empty house I had left behind. "Sit down," she said, guiding me to the kitchen table. "I''ll make us something to eat." I watched as she moved around the kitchen, preparing breakfast. The smell of eggs and toast filled the air,forting in its simplicity. After a few minutes, she set a te in front of me and sat across from me. "So," she began gently, "tell me everything." I took a deep breath, unsure of where to even start. But the words spilled out anyway - the divorce, the betrayal, the pregnancy, the risks. I told her how everything had happened so fast, how Kaelen had already moved on with his fated mate, and how I was left with the uncertainty of my future, carrying twins that Kaelen didn''t even know about. Dahlia listened intently, her brow furrowing as I spoke. When I finally finished, she reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "I''m so sorry, Kaida," she said softly, her eyes filled with sympathy. "But you''re not alone in this. I''m here, and I''m going to help you through this. We''ll figure it out together." Her words brought a sense of relief I hadn''t realized I needed. I nodded, blinking back tears. "Thank you, Dahlia. I don''t know what I''d do without you." "You don''t have to do it alone," she reminded me. "You''re stronger than you think, Kaida. And those babies... they''re a blessing, even if it doesn''t feel like it right now." Her words soothed the ache in my chest, and for the first time in a while, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, I could get through this. By the time daylight filtered through the curtains, I was feeling a little more like myself. Dahlia nced at her watch and stood up, smiling mischievously. "So, I''ve got to go see Ben this morning," she said, mentioning her boyfriend. "He''s the Beta to our Alpha, Bastian Darkmoor. Why don''t youe with me?" I hesitated, the idea of meeting new people after everything that had happened felt overwhelming. "I don''t know, Dahlia. I''m not really in the mood..." "Oh,e on," she urged, her eyes gleaming. "It''ll be good for you to get out of the house. Plus, I''ll be with you the whole time. Juste meet Ben. You''ll like him, I promise." Her insistence wore me down, and before I knew it, she was pulling me toward her bedroom, rummaging through her closet for something for me to wear. She picked out a soft sweater and jeans, then moved on to styling my hair. "You need a little pick-me-up," she said, as she brushed my hair and applied light makeup to my face. "It''s time to remind the world how beautiful my baby sister is." I couldn''t help but smile a little at her enthusiasm. Dahlia had always been the more outgoing one, and even though I didn''t feel much like socializing, her energy was contagious. By the time she was done with painting my face, I stared in awe at the extraordinary beauty that reflected in the mirror. The duties and responsibilities of being a Luna must have weighed heavily on me that it made me feel like I was old. By the way, I''m just twenty-four. When we finally left the house, I felt more put together than I had in days. The drive to Darkmoor Company, where Ben worked, was short, and as we pulled up to the towering office building, my nerves started to creep back in. "Rx,¡± Dahlia said with a grin as she parked the car. "It''s just Ben and a few other pack members. You''ll be fine." Inside the sleek, modern building, Dahlia led me straight to Ben''s office. He was waiting for us, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a kind smile. His presence was calming, and I instantly understood why Dahlia was so smitten with him. "Kaida, this is Ben," she introduced us. "Ben, this is my little sister." "Nice to meet you," Ben said warmly, extending a hand. "Nice to meet you, too," I replied, shaking his hand, feeling a little more at ease. As the three of us chatted, I felt the tension in my shoulders slowly start to melt away. Ben was easy to talk to, and I appreciated the way he made me feelfortable without asking too many personal questions. But as the conversation continued, I became aware of a set of eyes on me. A man, standing a few feet away, was watching me intently. He was tall, with dark hair and piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. His presence wasmanding, almost maic, and I found it hard to look away. Dahlia noticed my gaze and leaned in, whispering, "That''s Alpha Bastian Darkmoor." My heart skipped a beat. Alpha Bastian. The name held weight, even to someone like me, who had just arrived in the pack. His reputation preceded him - a powerful, enigmatic leader who ruled with authority and strength. When our eyes met again, I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. Dahlia gave me a knowing smile, nudging me yfully. "Careful, sis. The Alpha doesn''t usually stare at just anyone." I shot her a look, but she only winked in response. The rest of the conversation with Ben felt like a blur, my thoughts distracted by the intensity of the Alpha''s gaze. When we finally wrapped up and said our goodbyes, I felt a strange sense of relief and curiosity. Why had he been staring at me? As Dahlia and I walked out of the building, she linked her arm with mine. "So, what did you think?" "Ben seems great," I said, dodging the real topic on my mind. "And the Alpha?" she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement. I rolled my eyes, trying to y it off, but the truth was, Alpha Bastian had left an impression. I just wasn''t sure if it was a good thing or not. Chapter 5 Kaelen I sat in my office, staring nkly at the paperwork spread across my desk, but none of it registered. My mind had been a chaotic mess ever since Kaida left. It''s been a few days, and the house felt colder, emptier without her presence. I had told myself I wanted this-freedom from a marriage that no longer served me, from a Luna who couldn''t give me what I needed. But now that she was gone, I couldn''t shake the gnawing feeling that something was off. She didn''t even say goodbye. She didn''t fight or argue¡ªjust... vanished. Was she that eager to leave me behind? I rubbed a hand over my face, trying to push the thoughts away. Kaida was my past now, and ra-ra was my future. That''s what I needed to focus on. My fated mate, the one I was destined to be with. So why the hell couldn''t I get Kaida out of my head? A sharp knock on the door pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. "Come in," I called, leaning back in my chair, trying to shake off the mood before anyone noticed. Lucas, my Beta, walked in with a stack of files in hand. His hair was tousled from the wind outside, and he wore his usual cocky grin as he dropped the files on my desk. "You look like hell, man," he said, taking a seat without waiting for an invitation. "Still brooding over Kaida?" I scowled. "I''m not brooding." Lucas leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. ¡°Sure, you''re not. That''s why you''ve been a ghost in this office ever since she left. You''re not fooling anyone." "I''m fine," I snapped, the lie sounding hollow even to my own ears. Lucas chuckled. "Whatever helps you sleep at night. But you know, if you''re missing her this much, maybe you shouldn''t have gone through with the divorce." I clenched my jaw. "It''s not about that. I made the right choice. Kaida wasn''t the one. ra-" "Is the one, right?" Lucas finished, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Because fate told you so." I red at him, but he didn''t back down. ¡°Look, I''m not saying you didn''t have your reasons," he said more seriously. "But don''t pretend like Kaida didn''t mean something to you. You were married to her for two years, man." "That''s in the past," I muttered, though the words felt wrong on my tongue. "I''m moving on." Lucas raised an eyebrow but didn''t push further. Instead, he picked up one of the files he''d brought in and tossed it toward me. "Well, if you''re so focused on moving forward, sign these. Pack business doesn''t wait for emotional turmoil, you know." I grunted in response, grabbing the pen and scrawling my signature where necessary. Lucas watched me for a moment before shaking his head and rising from his seat. ¡°I''m heading out to check on the patrols. Try not to drown in self-pity while I''m gone." "Get out of here," I muttered, but there was a faint smirk on my lips as he left the room. As soon as the door closed behind him, the silence rushed back in, bringing with it the weight of my thoughts once again. Kaida''s face swam into my mind uninvited -the way she had looked at me when I''d handed her those divorce papers. She had been hurt, but she hadn''t said a word. No begging, no pleading. Just a quiet eptance that gnawed at me now. My train of thought was interrupted by another knock. This time, it was Mr. Price, mywyer, looking as grim as ever as he stepped inside. "Alpha," he greeted me, inclining his head slightly. "Mr. Price," I acknowledged. "What''s the news?" He cleared his throat, shuffling the papers in his hand. "There''s a slight issue with your uing marriage to Miss Snow." My brow furrowed. "What kind of issue?" He adjusted his sses and looked at me steadily. "ording to the packws and regtions, you cannot marry ra for another three months-at least not officially." I blinked, trying to process his words. "What? Why?" "It''s a use in the divorce agreement,¡± he exined. "You cannot remarry within three months if there are unresolved issues with your ex-wife." I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Unresolved issues? There''s nothing unresolved. The divorce is final." Mr. Price sighed. "Yes, legally, it is. However, if your ex-wife were to contest the settlement or bring up any further ims-especially involving children¡ªthen the timeline could be extended." "Children?" The word hit me like a punch to the gut. "Kaida can''t have children.¡± Mr. Price raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain of that, Alpha?" My chest tightened. "Yes, I''m sure. It''s...plicated." "Well, regardless, thew is thew," Mr. Price continued. "You''ll need to wait three months before the marriage to ra can be officially recognized by the pack." I stood up, pacing in frustration. "Three months? That''s ridiculous." "I understand, Alpha," Mr. Price said calmly. "But there is another option." I stopped pacing and looked at him. "What option?" "A fake marriage," he said simply. "You and ra could proceed with a symbolic ceremony, something unofficial but convincing enough to keep up appearances until the three-month period has passed." My jaw clenched. A fake marriage? ra would never go for that. She had been insistent on making our union official as soon as possible. But Mr. Price seemed to read my thoughts. "She doesn''t have to know," he added. "It could be arranged quietly." I felt a headacheing on. A fake marriage behind ra''s back? It felt wrong. Dishonest. But the look on ra''s face when I told her about the dy came back to me. She had been livid¡ªimpatient to take her ce as Luna. If I told her we had to wait three months, there would be hell to pay. "I''ll think about it," I said finally, sinking back into my chair. "Leave the details with me." Mr. Price nodded, leaving a folder on my desk before quietly excusing himself from the room. Once again, I was alone with my thoughts. Thoughts that kept circling back to Kaida. She had left without a word, not even a goodbye. And now thisplication with the marriage-it felt like everything was spiraling out of control. Was she really that eager to leave? Or was there something else? I rubbed my temples, trying to push away the doubts. I had made my decision. Kaida was my past. ra was my future. But deep down, a part of me couldn''t shake the nagging feeling that I had made a terrible mistake. Chapter 6 Kaelen I couldn''t get her out of my head. No matter how much I tried to convince myself that I had made the right decision, that ra was my true future, Kaida''s sudden disappearance gnawed at me. She had left so quietly, without any protest. It was as if she had been waiting for the divorce, eager to start her life without me. But that didn''t sit right. The idea of her leaving without a word, without any emotion, made my stomach churn. Was it really over just like that? Or was there something else? Something she wasn''t telling me? The nagging curiosity got the better of me. I needed to know. If there was any unfinished business, any loose ends, I needed to clear them before I could move forward with ra. That''s what I told myself, anyway. But deep down, I knew it was more than that. I needed to know if Kaida was okay. Without much thought, I grabbed my keys and drove to the hospital where Dr. Cooper worked. He had been treating Kaida for her condition for years. He would have answers. As I pulled into the hospital parking lot, my heart raced in a way I wasn''t expecting. I didn''t know what I was hoping to find. I just needed something¡ª anything that would give me rity. I stepped out of the car and walked briskly toward the entrance, my mind spinning with questions. When I finally made it to Dr. Cooper''s office, he looked up from his desk, clearly surprised to see me. "Alpha Kaelen," he greeted me, standing up. "What brings you here?" "I need to know about Kaida''s condition," I said bluntly, not wasting any time. Dr. Cooper frowned slightly, his eyes searching mine. "Her condition?" "Her health," I rified. "I want to know if there''s anything... unresolved. Anything that would prevent the divorce from being final." Dr. Cooper hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I can provide you with her medical records rted to her PCOS treatment. But I''m not sure how that would affect the divorce." "I just need to be sure," I said, a little more urgently than I intended. He motioned for me to sit while he pulled out the necessary documents. As he sifted through the papers, I couldn''t shake the strange feeling that something was off. Why was I so on edge? What did I expect him to tell me? "Here are the records of her treatment over the past few years," Dr. Cooper said, sliding the papers toward me. "As you know, Kaida has been dealing with polycystic ovary syndrome, which made it difficult for her to conceive. She''s been responding well to treatments, but her chances of getting pregnant were always slim." I nodded, barely paying attention to the details. I already knew all of this. What I didn''t know was why she had left without saying anything. "Is there anything else I should be concerned about?" I asked, my voice low. Dr. Cooper''s gaze flickered for a moment. "As far as I''m aware, there are no immediate concerns regarding her health. But..." He trailed off, his brow furrowing as if he wanted to say more. ¡°But what?¡± I pressed, leaning forward. He shook his head slightly, giving me a strange look. "Just... make sure she remains stress-free, Alpha. PCOS canplicate many things, but emotional stress is just as dangerous." I frowned, not sure what to make of his words. They seemed loaded with something, but I couldn''t quite figure out what. "What are you trying to say?" ¡°Nothing specific," he said quickly, almost too quickly. "Just be mindful. That''s all." Frustrated, I nodded and stood up, grabbing the papers. ¡°Thanks for your time, Doctor." As I left his office, his words echoed in my mind. "Emotional stress is just as dangerous." What did he mean by that? Why did it feel like there was ? something more beneath the surface, something he wasn''t telling me? s?novel But as much as I wanted to dig deeper, I had other things to deal with. The divorce was final, and there was nothing in Kaida''s medical records that would hold me back from moving on. I had to stop chasing shadows. By the time I got back home, it waste in the afternoon. The house felt different now-empty, despite ra''s constant presence. As I stepped inside, ra greeted me with a wide smile, rushing toward me with an air of excitement that felt foreign. ¡°Kaelen!¡± she called out, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Look! I''ve been working on the wedding decorations all day." I followed her into the living room where she hadid out a mock design of how she wanted the ceremony to look. The flowers, the seating arrangements, even the color scheme-all meticulously nned out. "It''s beautiful,¡± I said, trying to sound enthused. ra beamed at me, but I could see the impatience behind her eyes. She wanted this wedding to happen now, not in three months. "I can''t wait for the ceremony. It''s going to be perfect, Kaelen. Don''t you think?" I nodded absently, my thoughts still stuck on Dr. Cooper''s words and the lingering sense that something was missing. "Yeah... perfect." ra didn''t seem to notice myck of enthusiasm. She was too busy talking about the flowers she had chosen and how she wanted everything to look, but I barely heard a word. When I finally excused myself and went to my room, the weight of everything hit me all at once. The divorce, Kaida leaving, the wedding-none of it felt real. It felt like I was walking through someone else''s life. I sat down on the edge of the bed, running a hand through my hair. I couldn''t keep dragging this out. If wanted to move forward with ra, I had tomit. I had to push all thoughts of Kaida out of my mind and focus on the future. Grabbing my phone, I called Mr. Price. He answered on the second ring. "Alpha Kaelen," he said in his usual professional tone. "How can I assist you?" "I''ve made my decision," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. "Make the preparations for the fake wedding. I don''t want to wait three months." Mr. Price hesitated for a moment. "Are you sure, Alpha? This is a risky move if ra ever finds out." "She won''t find out," I said firmly. "Just handle the details." "Understood,¡± he replied. "I''ll take care of everything." After ending the call, I sat there for a long moment, staring at nothing. I had made my choice. I was moving on, no matter how wrong it felt. But even as I told myself that, I couldn''t shake the feeling that this was far from over. Something was still unresolved, and I had no idea what it was. Chapter 7 Kaelen The next morning came faster than I''d expected, and with it, Mr. Price arrived early with the marriage certificate. The air in the house was tense, buzzing with excitement¡ªat least from ra''s side. She practically bounced as she signed her name on the certificate with a flourish, her eyes sparkling with triumph. "There!" ra eximed, handing the pen back to Mr. Price with a smirk. "I''m officially Mrs. ra Darkridge." Her voice echoed through the house as she barked at the omegas, "From now on, you''ll address me as Mrs. Darkridge. Understood?" They nodded meekly, shuffling about to follow her orders. The sight left a bitter taste in my mouth. ra had always been assertive, but this was something else. She was unting her position, using it as a weapon. As she strutted around the house, giving orders, I found myself sinking deeper into thought. Mrs. Darkridge. The words were sharp, cutting through my chest. She was so eager to take on my name, to im the title of Luna, as if it meant everything to her. But Kaida... Kaida never changed herst name. She stayed Kaida Ashwood, even after we were married. I never questioned it at the time, figuring it was just Kaida being her independent self. But now, watching ra revel in the name "Darkridge," I couldn''t help but wonder. Did Kaida''s refusal to take my name mean something more? Had she been trying to tell me all along that her heart was never really mine? It felt like someone had just driven a spike through my chest. I didn''t want to believe it, but the thought gnawed at me. Maybe she never loved me. Maybe, in her own quiet way, she was always ready to leave. Shaking off the thought, I turned my attention back to Mr. Price, who had been watching ra''s theatrics with a carefully neutral expression. "Come to my study," I said, already heading toward the door. "We need to talk." Once inside the study, the air felt heavier. This room had always been a ce for serious discussions, decisions that carried weight. Today was no different. Mr. Price ced the marriage certificate on my desk, sliding it toward me. "It''s done," he said simply. "You''re legally married, though only on paper for now." I nodded, staring down at the certificate. ra''s signature gleamed in ck ink, bold and confident. I picked up the pen and hesitated for a moment before signing my name next to hers. The ink barely dried before I shoved the paper away. "What happens after three months?" I asked, leaning back in my chair. "If no unresolved issues with your ex-wifee up by then," Mr. Price began, "you''ll be free to marry ra officially. Of course, if ra gets suspicious, we''ll have to cross that bridge when wee to it." I drummed my fingers against the desk, my eyes narrowing. "And if I can''t get her to sign again? What happens then?" Mr. Price met my gaze evenly. "Getting her to sign again won''t be an issue. ra... well, she seems eager to secure her ce. It''s unlikely she''ll resist signing when the timees." I grunted in response, my thoughts swirling. ra was hungry for power and status. I had no doubt she''d sign the certificate again without a second thought. But that didn''t ease the strange weight pressing down on my chest. "I trust you understand,¡± I said quietly, "that no one can know about this. The fake marriage, the certificate... it stays between us." "Of course," Mr. Price replied, his tone professional as ever. "Discretion is my business, Alpha." I nodded and waved him off. He gathered his things and left without another word. As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, I stood up and paced the room. The weight in my chest grew heavier with each step. The ceremony was scheduled for this evening, and ra was already acting like she owned the ce, bossing around the staff like she was queen. I nced at the clock on the wall. Just a few more hours before the whole pack would witness the wedding that wasn''t really a wedding. A farce, a lie. I wondered how long I''d be able to keep this up before it all came crashing down. And why did it feel so wrong? Sinking back into my chair, I let out a long breath The truth was, I couldn''t stop thinking about Kaida. About her quiet strength, her refusal to name and the way she''d vet my disappeared without a wordt was infuriating, but it was also haunting. What if I was wrong? The thought came unbidden, mming into me like a freight train. What if divorcing her had been a mistake? What if ra wasn''t the answer? I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away, but they clung to me like a shadow. I stood up abruptly, unable to sit still any longer. I needed to clear my head, get out of this room. I opened the door and stepped into the hallway, only to be greeted by ra, who was humming to herself as she adjusted some decorations in the living room. "Kaelen!" she called out brightly when she saw me. "Come look at the final touches for the ceremony!" I forced a smile and walked over, pretending to admire the arrangements. She had clearly gone all out-flowers, lights, everything designed to impress the pack and solidify her status as Luna. But it all felt empty. "It looks great," I said, my voice t. ra beamed at me,pletely oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me on the cheek. ¡°I can''t wait for tonight. It''s going to be perfect." "Yeah," I muttered, pulling away slightly. "Perfect." As ra went back to directing the omegas, I made my way back to my room, closing the door behind me. I needed space. I needed time to think. But time was the one thing I didn''t have. Pulling out my phone, I scrolled through my contacts until I found Mr. Price''s number again. Without hesitating, I dialed. "Alpha Kaelen," he answered quickly. "Is everything alright?" "The marriage will proceed in the evening as nned," I said, my voice low and firm. ¡°Make sure the necessary paperwork is ready by this evening." There was a pause on the other end of the line before Mr. Price spoke again. "Understood. I''ll make the arrangements." I hung up the phone and leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes. This was the right move. It had to be. I couldn''t afford to second-guess myself now. ra was my future. Kaida was my past. But as the evening drew closer, I couldn''t shake the feeling that the past wasn''t quite finished with me yet. Chapter 8 Kaelen The evening descended on Silverw Ridge, bringing with it a soft, golden twilight that enveloped the estate. The pack had gathered to witness what they believed to be a true union between their Alpha and his new Luna. The ceremony was grand, with flowers lining the aisles andnterns flickering gently in the breeze. ra, dressed in a stunning ivory gown, radiated confidence as she stood at my side, her smile as wide as the moon. Everything seemed perfect on the surface. But beneath the facade, I felt hollow. As I stood there, looking into ra''s gleaming eyes, my mind betrayed me. It kept circling back to Kaida-her face, herughter, the way she''d stubbornly held on to herst name as if she always knew this day woulde. Even now, with the vows recited and the pack cheering, I couldn''t shake the image of her from my thoughts. The ceremony went off without a hitch. We exchanged rings, and ra held my hand tightly, looking as if she had just won the biggest prize of her life. The pack showered us with praise and congrattions, and I wore the mask of the dutiful Alpha, nodding and smiling, though every cheer, every toast to our supposed happiness felt like a noose tightening around my neck. After what felt like an eternity of forced celebration, the evening finally began to wind down. The guests started to leave, the music quieted, and the pack returned to their homes. ra clung to my arm, her voice a mix of excitement and seduction as she whispered, "Time for us to enjoy the night, Kaelen." I nodded mechanically, the weight of the night pressing heavily on my chest. Together, we made our way upstairs to my room-our room now, at least in ra''s mind. Inside, the room was dimly lit, the atmosphere warm and intimate, just as ra had wanted it. She wasted no time. As soon as the door closed, her hands were on me, pulling me toward her with a hunger I could sense had been building for weeks. But as she kissed me, as her lips moved over mine, my thoughts drifted again. Kaida. I cursed inwardly, trying to focus on the moment-on the woman I was supposed to be with now. But Kaida''s presence lingered like a ghost in the room. I remembered her smile, the warmth of herugh, the way she used to look at me when she thought I wasn''t watching. ra pulled me down onto the bed, her fingers trailing over my skin, drawing me closer. I responded instinctively, my body reacting to the intimacy, but my mind... my mind was far away. As things grew more heated between us, I kept trying to bury the thoughts of Kaida, to focus on ra and the moment we were in. I should be happy, I told myself. This was what I wanted, wasn''t it? To be with my fated mate? But no matter how much I tried, Kaida''s name echoed in my mind. The heat between us built, ra''s breathy moans filling the room as we moved together. I closed my eyes, losing myself in the physical sensations, trying to quiet the storm in my head. But then it happened. At the peak of the moment, when everything was supposed toe together, the name that had been haunting me all day escaped my lips. "Kaida..." The sound of her name hung in the air like a heavy fog, and for a moment, I didn''t realize what I had done. But ra did. Her body tensed beneath me, and she pushed me off of her with a force I hadn''t expected. "What did you just say?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the haze in my mind. I blinked, my heart racing as I realized what had just happened. "ra, I¡ª¡± "You said her name," she hissed, sitting up and pulling the sheets around her. "Kaida. You said Kaida''s name while we were-" She cut herself off, her eyes zing with fury. "ra, it was a mistake," I tried to exin, though even to me, the words felt weak. "I didn''t mean " "Don''t lie to me, Kaelen!" she snapped, her voice rising. "You''ve been thinking about her all day, haven''t you? Ever since the ceremony, you''ve been distant thought it was nerves, but now I see. It''s her. It''s always been her, hasn''t it?" I opened my mouth to respond, but the truth lodged itself in my throat. Could I deny it? Could I honestly say that Kaida wasn''t the one upying my mind? The one who, even after everything, still had a hold om my thoughts, on my heart? ra''s eyes shed with a mix of anger and hurt as she scrambled off the bed, pulling on her robe in a rush. "I can''t believe this," she muttered, pacing back and forth. "I''m your fated mate, Kaelen. We''re supposed to be together, but all you can think about is her." I sat up, running a hand through my hair. "ra, I¡ª¡± "Save it," she interrupted, her voice hard. "You don''t get to y the victim here. You''ve been leading me on, pretending like I''m the one you want, but it''s clear now. You''re still in love with your ex-wife." The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Still in love with Kaida. I wanted to argue, to tell her she was wrong, but the truth of it was undeniable. "I need some air," ra said abruptly, her voice shaking with emotion. "I can''t be around you right now." Without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the room, mming the door behind her. I sat there in the deafening silence, my heart pounding in my chest, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on me like a ton of bricks. Kaida. Her name still echoed in my head, but this time, it felt different. It wasn''t just a memory or a fleeting thought. It was a realization, one I couldn''t escape anymore. I loved her. I still loved her. And I had just ruined everything. Chapter 9 ra I stormed out of Kaelen''s room, my heart pounding and my chest tight with anger and humiliation. How could he? How could he say her name, of all people? The name of the woman I had worked so hard to erase from his life, the woman who had walked away without a second thought. I mmed the balcony door behind me and leaned against the railing, trying to calm the fury bubbling inside me. The cool night air hit my face, but it did nothing to soothe the burning in my chest. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I hated myself for it. I wasn''t weak, I wasn''t some fragile woman who cried over a man. But Kaelen... I had waited so long for him, for this moment, for our future together. And now, even after everything, Kaida was still haunting him. I gripped the railing harder, my knuckles turning white. How could he still think of her? She didn''t deserve him. She had left without so much as a word, without looking back. Kaida was the past. I was his future. I was his fated mate, the one he was supposed to be with, the one he was meant to love. But instead, he had whispered her name during our most intimate moment, as if she were still the one upying his heart. A sob escaped me, and I quickly wiped my eyes, hating the weakness I was showing. No, I wasn''t going to let Kaida win. She wasn''t going to take him from me, not when I had waited so long to have him. I would make him forget her. One way or another, I would make sure Kaelen''s heart belonged to me and me alone. Kaida was gone, and I was here. I just had to make him see that. As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I quickly wiped my face, not wanting anyone to see me in such a state. When I turned around, I saw Lucas standing at the entrance of the balcony. He was Kaelen''s Beta and his closest friend, always by his side, always dependable. I hadn''t expected him to follow me out here, but here he was, looking at me with concern in his eyes. ¡°ra?¡± Lucas''s voice was gentle, and for some reason, that only made my heart ache more. ¡°What''s going on? You stormed out of there like the house was on fire." I bit my lip, not sure if I wanted to confide in him. But the frustration, the hurt, it was too much to bear alone. And besides, Lucas was someone Kaelen trusted. Maybe he could offer some kind of insight, some way to help me fix this. "It''s Kaelen," I admitted, my voice breaking slightly. "He... he said her name." Lucas frowned, stepping closer. "Kaida''s?" I nodded, feeling the tears threaten to spill again. "During... during our wedding night, Lucas. He said her name." Lucas''s face softened with sympathy, though he seemed genuinely confused. "That''s... that''s rough. I''m sorry, ra. I didn''t realize things were still thatplicated." "Complicated?" I let out a bitterugh. "It''s more thanplicated, Lucas. She''s still in his head. I thought I was pastpeting with her, but she''s still there, like some ghost that won''t go away." Lucas hesitated, clearly not sure what to say. "Kaelen''s been through a lot with her," he finally offered, though it wasn''t the reassurance I wanted. "It might take him some time to fully let go." "Time?" I scoffed. "He''s had plenty of time. She''s been gone for weeks, Lucas. She didn''t even fight for him. Why is he still holding on to her?" Lucas didn''t answer immediately, and the silence stretched between us. I studied his face, noticing how conflicted he seemed. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome in a rugged way, a stark contrast to Kaelen''s more refined appearance. I had always seen him as just the Beta, the loyal friend. But now, standing out here with him under the moonlight, I noticed him in a different way. There was something about the way he looked at me, something that made my pulse quicken. He wasn''t Kaelen, but right now, I didn''t care. Without thinking, I stepped closer to him, my eyes searching his face. "Lucas... do you think Kaelen will ever really forget her?" He blinked, clearly taken aback by my sudden proximity. "I... I don''t know, ra. It''s hard to say. But-" I didn''t let him finish. The frustration, the hurt, the need for validation-everything boiled over inside me. Before I knew what I was doing, I reached up, grabbing the front of his shirt, and pressed my lips to his. For a moment, Lucas froze, clearly shocked by the sudden kiss. But then, to my surprise, he kissed me back. It wasn''t soft or hesitant, but rough filled with the same pent-up frustration I felt. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer as the kiss deepened, and for a brief moment, I lost myself in it. I wasn''t thinking about Kaelen, or Kaida, or anything else. I was just drowning in the heat of the moment, in the way Lucas''s lips felt against mine. But then reality hit me like a p in the face. I pulled away, breathless and wide-eyed, realizing what I had just done. Lucas looked just as stunned, his chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath. "What... what just happened?" he asked, his voice low and confused. I swallowed hard, my heart racing. "It doesn''t matter," I said quickly, trying to regain myposure. "It was a mistake." Lucas looked at me, clearly still processing what had just happened. ¡°ra, I¡ª¡± "Whatever happened here stays between us," I cut him off, my voice firm. "This doesn''t leave this balcony. Understand?" He hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Yeah. I get it." I turned away from him, my hands gripping the railing again as I tried to steady myself. What had I just done? Kissing Lucas... it had been few moments, it had felt good. It had felt like I had some control over my life again. impulsive, reckless. But for thor). ne But I couldn''t afford to let that slip any further. My focus needed to be on Kae?en. On making him forget Kaida and love me. I had waited too long for this, and I wasn''t going to let one impulsive kiss derail my ns. "I need him to forget her," I whispered, more to myself than to Lucas. "He has to forget her." Lucas didn''t respond, and when I nced back at him, I saw the confusion in his eyes. But he stayed silent, and for that, I was grateful. As the cool night air washed over me, I made a vow to myself. One way or another, I was going to make sure Kaelen forgot about Kaida. He was mine now, and I wasn''t going to let her haunt our lives any longer. Chapter 10 ra I woke up early the next morning, determined to make things right. After what had happenedst night, I needed to remind Kaelen why he chose me why I was the woman he was meant to be with. It wasn''t just about love; it was about showing him I could be everything for him. I wasn''t going to let one mistake, one moment of weakness, define our future. I hurried down to the kitchen before anyone else was awake. I wasn''t much of a cook, but I knew what I wanted: Kaelen''s favorite dish. It had to be perfect. I found the head cook already preparing the day''s meals. "Good morning," I said with as much confidence as I could muster. "I need you to prepare something special for Kaelen. His favorite." The cook nodded, already ustomed to my demands. "Of course, Miss ra. I''ll get started right away." I paced back and forth while the cook worked, trying to shake the nervous energy that buzzed through me. Every now and then, the events ofst night with Lucas shed through my mind. The kiss, the intensity of it... I couldn''t afford to think about that right now. I had to focus on Kaelen. He was the priority, not some momentarypse in judgment with his Beta. Once the dish was finished, I straightened my posture and gestured for the cook to bring it out to the dining room. "Wait," I said, stopping him just before he stepped through the door. I took a deep breath, an idea forming in my head. If I wanted to truly win Kaelen over, I couldn''t let him think someone else was doing all the work. I needed him to see me as the devoted wife I was trying to be, not just a woman who ordered others around. "I''ll take it," I said, grabbing the tray from the cook''s hands. The cook looked surprised but quickly stepped aside. "As you wish, Miss ra." I carried the dish out to the dining room, the aroma of Kaelen''s favorite meal filling the air. The sight of the beautifully prepared food should have calmed my nerves, but as soon as I entered the dining room, I spotted Lucas sitting at the table, his eyes briefly meeting mine before he looked away. My heart skipped a beat, and suddenly, the tray felt heavier in my hands. Why was Lucas here? Of all mornings, why did he have to show up for breakfast today? I couldn''t letst night''s mistake ruin everything. I needed to stay calm, to act normal, but the weight of what had happened between us made it impossible to rx. I stole a quick nce at him, my mind racing. Would he say anything? Would he give anything away? "Morning, ra," Lucas greeted casually, as if nothing had happened. His voice was steady, but I couldn''t help but wonder if he was feeling as conflicted as I was. "Good morning," I replied, my voice a little too tight, a little too forced. I quickly set the dish down on the table, pretending I hadn''t noticed the tension in the air. Just then, I heard Kaelen''s footsteps approaching, and my heart jumped into my throat. I straightened up, smoothing out my clothes as I prepared myself. This was my chance to show him that I cared, that I was the perfect partner for him. When Kaelen entered the dining room, he nced at the table and then at me, his expression softening. "You made this?" he asked, surprised. I smiled, trying to keep my voice light. "Of course. I wanted to do something special for you." His eyes flickered with something unreadable before he sat down at the table. "Thank you, ra. That''s... thoughtful." I let out a small breath of relief, d that my little ruse was working. As Kaelen started eating, I took a seat across from him, careful not to look in Lucas''s direction. The tension fromst night still hung between us, but I couldn''t afford to let it show. I had to focus on Kaelen, on winning him over, on making him see that I was the one who could make him happy. But it was hard to concentrate when Lucas was sitting right there, watching everything. I could feel his eyes on me, even when I wasn''t looking at him. And whenever I did nce in his direction, he would quickly look away, as if he, too, was trying to ignore the elephant in the room. Kaelen seemed oblivious to the undercurrent of tension at the table. He ate in silence for the most part, asionally offering ament about how good the food was. Every time heplimented the dish, I felt a small surge of victory. But the moment was always fleeting, because in the back of my mind, I kept reyingst night over and over again. I couldn''t help but wonder if Lucas was thinking about it too. When breakfast was over, Kaelen wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked at me. "ra, aboutst night..." My heart stopped for a second. Was he going to apologize? Was he going to admit that he had been thinking about Kaida the whole time? "I''m sorry," he said, his voice low. "I shouldn''t have... I shouldn''t have let things go the way they did. I know it upset you." I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "It''s okay," I said softly. "I understand." "I''ll make it up to you," Kaelen promised, standing up from the table. "I''lle home early tonight, and I''ll make dinner. Consider it my apology." I forced a smile, my heart sinking at how easy it was for him to offer such simple solutions. As if making dinner would erase the fact that Kaida was still on his mind. As if that would somehow fix the cracks in our rtionship. "Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Kaelen leaned down and kissed me on the forehead, a gesture that felt more like a token of gratitude than affection. "I''ll see you tonight." And just like that, he was gone, leaving me alone in the dining room with Lucas. I stayed seated for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside me. But when I finally looked up, I saw Lucas still sitting there, his eyes fixed on me. Neither of us spoke for a long time, the silence heavy and ufortable. "I didn''t say anything," Lucas finally said, his voice quiet. I nodded. "Thank you." He stood up, pushing his chair back with a scrape. "I should get going. I''ve got things to take care of." "Right,¡± I said, watching as he made his way to the door. But before he left, he turned to me onest time, his eyes lingering on mine. "ra... aboutst night..." I held my breath, waiting for him to finish. ¡°Let''s just forget it happened," he said, his tone serious. ¡°It was a mistake. We shouldn''t have done it." I nodded, though part of me hated the idea of just brushing it under the rug. But I knew he was right. If Kaelen ever found out... no, it was better to leave it buried. "Agreed," I said, my voice barely audible. Lucas gave a short nod, then left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. As I sat there in the empty dining room, I realized something unsettling. No matter how hard I tried to make Kaelen forget about Kaidamo matter how much effort I put into being the perfect wife, the perfect partner, something was still missing. Something I couldn''t quite put my finger on. And it scared me. Because if I couldn''t make him forget her, if I couldn''t be everything he needed... then what was left for me? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!