Page 1 of A Luna's Revenge

Chapter 1 - The Problem

Charlie - Devastation Day 1

I can hardly believe it. Jenson and I have been friends since childhood. We started dating in high school, discovered we were fated mates at 18, and then married.

I’ve been his Luna for five years. There hasn't been a time we haven't been each other's best friends and then lovers. He has always been my person. How can he do this to the one he is supposed to love?

Sitting behind his large oak desk, my husband, Alpha Jenson Black, looks somewhat agitated yet still holds his head high. Pride is always so important to him, more so than tome.

His parents, his Beta Ben, Elder Roberts, Elder Brooks, Dr. Bridgit, andtheskankare seated around the room.

Who exactly isthe skank? That would be the newest pack member being accepted today. Her pregnant belly protrudes from under her halter top and mini skirt. You could call her pretty with her blond hair and blue eyes. She appears to be about 25, but she looks cheap and vulgar.

I look over at my husband and wonder how he could have been attracted to her. He is the polar opposite. Goddess, yes, he is attractive. I would even venture to call him beautiful. His features are sophisticated and hewn from stone. He has long, silky brown hair that he keeps tied at his neck; he has a strong, masculine build with broad shoulders and defined abs covered in intricate ink that I enjoy trailing with my tongue. He is glorious to look at, but what sets him apart from her is that he has always been loyal and faithful, and it emanated from him. His demeanor screamed, “I am loyal.”

As I continue to carefully examine the male I’ve admired and adored for so long, I see the cracks and fissures in his façade. Beautiful—yes. Treacherous—also, yes. Now, I detect the slimy sheen in his actions, a barely discernible arrogance in his stance.

Of course, most Alphas have an arrogance about them, which isno surprise there. But this is a knowing arrogance. He is aware of his appeal, and he trades in it. I mentally shake my head in disgust at him and my naivety.

As I sit here stoically, my stomach roils, but my face reveals nothing as Elder Brooks continues. "Luna Charlie, I realize this has shocked you, and none of us here want to hurt or replace you. You are a wonderful Luna. However, as you know, Alpha needs an heir, and since you are barren, this cruel twist of fate is a blessing in disguise." Everyone nods in agreement. I meet each of their eyes in turn, and they lower their gazes in shame.

A cruel twist of fate?!How heartless can they be? I’ve been ambushed this morning and dragged into this meeting only to learn that the love of my life, my partner, my fated soulmate, my husband, and my best friend has betrayed me. He is expecting a pup with a one-night stand he met at an Alpha conference three months ago. And they consider it a blessing! He should have kept it in his pants!

My head turns to my betrayer as words slip through his lying mouth. "Charlie, I love you and am so sorry about this." Jenson pleads, "I never meant for this to happen at all. I—I may have had too much to drink because I only vaguely remember being in bed with her. I don't want to lose you, and I don't want a relationship with her. However, as everyone has pointed out, this mistake will ultimately result in me having an heir for the pack.”

But what else will you have, Jenson, dear? I think to myself.You will not have me.

"Charlie, please. This is a little pup." Alpha Jenson's mother coos. I turn to look at her. She has always been vocal about wanting grandchildren and my not having had children yet. "We can all make room in our hearts for an innocent pup, can't we? I have to say, I am excited to have a grandchild on the way, finally," she adds almost giddily. Nearly flinching, feeling as though she has kicked me in the gut, I silently watch, my eyes darting back and forth between speakers.

What do you say to all that? I am utterly eviscerated. My heart, my stomach, and everything within have metaphorically been ripped out while these vultures mercilessly pick me apart.

Am I not supposed to have feelings? How can they expect me to endure this? I know I am Luna and have to be strong, but this–this is unbearably cruel. For the good of the pack?Can I?

My eyes bounce back to Jenson as he speaks again. "I promise you, Charlie, you are my everything. I want no one butyou for my partner. But you know how desperately I’ve wanted a child. And, I want—no need to ensure my pup stays with me." Jenson looks hopeful.

My idyllic life is slipping away like sand through my fingers, yet he is excited that he may be having a pup with another female. This is surreal. I am unsure how to handle this and still retain my dignity and composure, let alone simply breathe.

Goddess. I don't know how I’ve not dissolved into tears. I am witnessing my future unraveling before my eyes.

I glance at the skank, who smirks at me when no one is watching. “'Oh,” she moans, clutching her stomach dramatically. All eyes quickly shift to her while I roll mine.

Jenson jumps up from his chair and walks over to where she is on the sofa. 'Is everything okay?' He is so solicitous it sickens me.

"Oh, Jenson, I'm just getting so tired and hungry." Tracy reaches out and rubs his arm. "Can I get some water or something to eat?"

"Sure." He opens his office door and speaks to his assistant. "Lou, can you have a food tray sent up here? And get me a bottle of water out of the fridge. Oh! And have someone bring a soft footstool in here with some throw pillows and a blanket." He pulls his head back in the door. "How does that sound, Tracy?"

"Oh, that is just perfect," she purrs. She is actually freakin’ purring as she strokes his arm again. He pats her shoulder and sits back down behind his desk.

My stomach roils again. It would be nice if he thought of getting his distressed mate a bottle of water.

Elder Roberts clears his throat. "So, everything is settled. Ms. Vincent will move into the Alpha guest apartments in thepack house while we wait for her transfer." He looks at me, "There won't be any issues with that. Will there beLuna?"

I wince; I have yet to speak a word, struggling to absorb everything while watching my husband dote on the skank he slept with while my wolf curls up on the floor of my mind, lifeless. In less than ten minutes, my life has been irrevocably changed forever, and my wolf has decided she wants to die. I can't blame her; I do, too. I feel utterly alone in a room full of shifters I've known my entire life. I nod to Elder Roberts; it’s the only thing I can manage. "I'll leave you all to it then. I have duties I need to attend to." I add breezily.

Jenson rises, pulls me towards him, and bends to kiss me. I turn my head so his kiss lands on my cheek. He never even notices. He is beaming at the skank. As far as he is concerned, his troubles are over. He is excited to finally have the heir that I haven't been able to give him. And there is no concern about my feelings. I am totally forgotten.

Jenson and I have talked about the fact that we are childless in the past, and I suggested we speak to a fertility specialist, but he wouldn’t even consider it. Everyone blames it on my supposedly barren womb. He is an Alpha; of course, he can father children. No Alpha would have a genetic fault like that. So, we never pursued medical testing. I guess they are right. The proof is right in front of us in the belly of the skank.

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