True Luna: The Last Stand

My mighty Alpha husband was dead.

My people had become fuel for the raging flames.

Their outstretched hands, pleading for salvation, were like brittle, lifeless branches exposed to the cruel air.

I lowered my gaze, watching as the faint warmth of my own blood trickled from between my legs—my child’s life slipping away.

I stared blankly at it all, unable to decide if I should be grieving or seething with rage.

This had to be a dream. Even though the wet, metallic scent of blood was unbearably real, it could only be a nightmare.

Because I was Zenobia, Luna of the strongest wolf pack in the land. No one—no one—could destroy everything I had so easily.

"Zenobia, the perfect Luna? This is the truth. The life you thought was real… was nothing but a lie."

"You!" I gasped, my lips forming a name before my mind even caught up. "Rebecca!"

She only smiled.

"Die, Zenobia. Everything you once had… will belong to me."

Her voice was eerily calm as she shoved my paralyzed body over the edge of the cliff.

Air slashed at my skin as I plummeted. I could hear my bones cracking before the pain even reached me.

Ah!

I woke up with a scream, my body drenched in sweat, heart pounding like a war drum.

"Max!" I called out for my mate, but he wasn’t beside me.

Goddess bless me—he would return by dawn.

I lifted my head, staring into the mirror.

I was Zenobia a 26 yr old alpha. Daughter of two formidable Alphas. Raised to be a leader from the moment I took my first breath.

Everything I've done—every lesson learned, every challenge faced—has been for my pack. I married Maxwell, my childhood sweetheart, in a union that strengthened our political ties. But unlike the cold convenience of our arrangement, my love for him was real.

Seeing the wedding ring on my finger, the unease in my heart slowly faded. Yes, I had my mate’s complete and unwavering love. I was a powerful Luna, with the most loyal pack by my side. There was nothing for me to fear.

"Hi, Zeno. Was breakfast not to your liking this morning?" Amber, my future Beta, teased with a playful grin.

I shook my head, trying to shake off the remnants of that terrible dream. "Oh, no. Breakfast was great. I just… don’t have much of an appetite."

Amber’s eyes widened. "Goddess! I bet she’s blessing our pack!"

"You’re going to need this." She shoved a pregnancy test into my hands.

I shrugged. "Why not? Might as well check."

But the moment I saw those two red lines, I sucked in a sharp breath.

"Goddess… I’m pregnant!" My hands trembled as a surge of uncontrollable excitement washed over me.

"Martha!" I called out to my trusted servant and friend. "Would you accompany me to the market? I want to prepare something special for Maxwell's return."

Martha hurried in, her warm brown eyes crinkling with affection. "Of course, Alpha Zenobia. Though you know you don't need to ask—I'd follow you anywhere."

Walking through the pack market, I stopped to chat with various members of our community. Little Sarah, the baker's daughter, ran up to hug my legs. "Alpha Zenobia! Did you like the cookies I helped Daddy make for the pack meeting?"

I knelt down to her level, smoothing her wild curls. "They were the best cookies I've ever tasted, little wolf."

"See how she is with the children?" I heard Mrs. Thompson whisper to her friend. "We're blessed to have such a caring Luna."

Martha nudged me gently as we selected fresh vegetables. "So, when are you telling Alpha Maxwell about the little one?"

I couldn't contain my smile. "Tonight. I want everything to be perfect."

"Oh! Did you hear?" Martha lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Alpha Maxwell sent word ahead—says he's bringing back a special present. The whole pack's buzzing about it."

My heart fluttered. "A present? For me?"

I could barely contain my excitement. Martha and I stopped at the seamstress to pick up a dress I'd ordered earlier. A beautiful sexy dress I'd wear when Maxwell came home later today.

Everything in my life is perfect. I have a perfect husband, a man who'd never hurt me and treats me with respect. He's always been my best friend and until 2 years ago, he became my husband. And now, we have a little pup coming along.

"I can't wait to meet you, little one," I murmur, touching my flat stomach. I was beaming with excitement.

Hours later, I stood in our living room wearing a deep burgundy dress—Maxwell's favorite color. The pregnancy test sat on the elegantly set dinner table next to the strawberry scented candles. I sipped my water, having decided against wine given my new condition.

The front door opened, and I rushed forward. I was ready to throw myself into Maxwell's arms. But I froze mid-step. There was a woman with him, he was holding her hand.

"This is your new home now, Rebecca," Maxwell said softly to her.

The woman—Rebecca—stepped forward with a gentle smile, stretching her hand toward me.

"Hi, I'm Rebecca." She says, smiling gently. That smile, that face, that voice. I stared at her in horror as I recognized her. The woman from my nightmare was standing before me in flesh and blood.

"What's going on?" I barely recognized my own voice.

"Zenobia," Maxwell's tone was cold, business-like. "I've found my true mate. Rebecca is a simple omega from the Northern Pack, and I intend to marry her."

"Our marriage—" I started, but he cut me off.

"Was political. You know that. I never loved you, Zenobia. The union made me more powerful, nothing more."

Memories of my dream flashed through my mind—the Moon Goddess's warning now crystal clear. This frail-looking omega would destroy everything we'd built. I saw it in her eyes, behind that gentle facade.

"The pack will never accept this," I argued, my Alpha authority ringing in my voice. "You can't bring in another mate while we're married. I'm their Luna!"

Maxwell's eyes hardened. "We'll see about that." He strode to the window, his voice carrying across our territory. "PACK MEETING! EVERYONE TO THE SQUARE!"

I watched in mounting horror as our pack members gathered before the pack hall. Maxwell stood tall, his hand still linked with Rebecca's. The sight of him holding her hand so lovingly made me sick. I watched how our pack members looked at him.

"I have an announcement," He started, his voice booming across the crowd. "The Moon Goddess has blessed me with my true mate. This is Rebecca, and while Zenobia will retain her position as Alpha, Rebecca will be my true mate and share my life."

The moment he uttered those words, I felt rejected. The man I loved with all my heart, shared my life with, had now brought another woman into the pack. The same woman in my dream, who’d destroyed our pack and killed me.

"I hope you'll make my new mate feel welcome," Maxwell said to me, as he stepped down from the podium. A crowd of pack members circled us. "She's lived a humble life as a simple omega in Brooksway pack. Now she's going to be queen of the pack."