Chapter 6

Risa is pregnant 

“Mom, what did you just say?” I stammered.

“Risa is carrying the Alpha’s child. She needs you now.”

“No, that can’t be. Jaxon is my fiancé.”

“Says who? Did he put a ring on your finger?” She sneered. 

“He hasn’t even announced you as Luna, even after seven years.”

“He will. In a few weeks.”

“Not when Risa is carrying his child.”

My heart broke. I hadn’t even taken a glass of water and they were already at it again.

“But we’ve been together for years.”

“It doesn’t matter.” My mom said it carelessly, not minding how I felt. “Maybe your sister was destined to be with the Alpha and not you. That’s why she was able to carry his child.”

“Not everything is about you, Raven. Your sister deserves love too,” my mom added, but it didn’t feel like she meant it.

I stared at my mom in disbelief, then at Risa. She was sitting on the couch, rubbing her flat stomach with her right hand and a smirk on her face. 

Unable to hold back the tears, I ran to the room Jaxon and I shared.

My heart couldn’t contain the pain and anger burning in it. All I wanted was to see Jaxon and pour out my heart to him. He warned me several times to make sure I didn’t get pregnant because it wasn’t the right time. And now he got Risa pregnant. He wanted someone else’s child and not mine. 

I couldn’t take it. I shoved the door open and met an empty room. 

I cried in frustration.

I threw myself on the floor and cried for thirty minutes. That’s when I noticed the strangeness. Most of my things were gone. In their place were female things that didn’t belong to me. My makeup, my jewelry box — all gone.

I stood up slowly and walked to my dresser. I pulled the knob open and my heart sank. 

My clothes were gone. Replaced by Risa’s.

Just then, Risa and my mom walked in.

“What’s happening here?” I asked, facing them.

“What do you see?” Risa retorted.

“Why are my clothes not here?” I asked my mom.

“Because Risa needs space to keep her clothes too,” my mom replied.

“And why would her clothes be here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Risa smiled sweetly. “I’m carrying the Alpha’s child. A simple task you couldn’t do.”

My hand flew up to slap her, but my mom’s voice cut through the air.

“What are you trying to do? Kill her like you tried to kill your brother?”

“I didn’t try to kill Lucas…”

“Shut up!” My mom snapped. “You’re such a heartless child. You still haven’t let go of that character. You tried to kill your only brother so you’d be the only child. It didn’t work, and now you’re trying to kill your sister?”

“Mom, I didn’t…”

“Pack the rest of your things,” she cut me off. “You’ll be staying in another room. Or you can come home with me since you’re of no use here. I’ll be needing a helping hand since Risa will be living with the Alpha.”

She left the room. Just like that. 

Leaving me and Risa.

My heart burned. I felt like leaving the world. 

They didn’t even ask why I was away for a week. They didn’t notice how weak I still was from the hospital. All they cared about was Risa.

What did I ever do to Risa to deserve this? 

Since her parents died when we were kids, I took her in like blood. I shared my things with her — clothes, shoes, snacks. I even braided her hair.

She used to be my adorable little sister. Until one fateful day.

Lucas and I fought over a toy. Mom scolded me to leave it to him. After that, Risa suggested we go to the river to play. We all went. 

The current was strong that day.

Before I knew it, both Lucas and I were swept away.

Little me was drowning. I couldn’t swim. I was screaming for Lucas. 

But Risa ran home first. She told my parents I pushed Lucas into the river on purpose and ran away, leaving him to die.

Old Ben found us downstream two hours later. Me barely breathing, and Lucas unconscious. 

But by then Risa’s lie had already settled in.

Her story made more sense to them than the truth. 

My parents hated me since then. Even after my dad died, my mom kept the hate alive for both of us.

I can still feel the sting of the slaps my mom gave me.

More tears streamed down my face.

“Crying, huh?” Risa laughed, walking around me like a predator. “Save those tears for later because I’m not finished yet. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll cry blood. Delusional Luna.” She laughed wickedly.

“What did I did to you?” I sobbed.

“Everything, Raven. Everything. Soon you’ll know.”

“All I did was love you like a sister should.”

“Oh, please!” she spat. “I need to sleep. Get out of my room.” She smiled in triumph.

“What?” I frowned between sobs.

She let out a loud scream. I had no choice. I walked out.

Jaxon came home late that night. 

Risa told him I tried to kill her unborn child. 

He summoned me to his study.

“Raven, I know this is hard for you to digest, but you have to accept reality,” he said, not meeting my eyes. “I didn’t mean for this to happen, but Risa is carrying my child. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to that child. What happened today shouldn’t repeat itself. Is that clear?”

I stared at Jaxon. Speechless. 

Was this the same man who chose me as his mate seven years ago on that stage?

“But you told me this wasn’t the right time to have a child. You made sure I didn’t conceive for you.”

“Look, I didn’t call you here for lamentations,” he sighed. “All I ask is for peace in this palace, okay?”

I nodded bitterly. I stood up and took my leave. 

I cried all the way to my new room.

Meanwhile, my phone kept buzzing. 

Zayn. 

I didn’t have time for it.

Days passed. They didn’t go by quietly. 

Risa taunted me every chance she got. In the halls. At meals. In front of the guards. 

I ignored her. I told myself Jaxon would realize who the real villain was. That he’d see Risa for what she was. 

My eyes were on one thing: the crown.

The Luna Ascension finally came. 

The day I’d been longing for. My freedom day. The day I’d finally take my position in Obsidian Moon Pack. The day I’d get the respect I deserved.

I was dressed in a midnight-blue ball gown. Fitted corset bodice embroidered with silver wolf sigils. Layers of flowing tulle pooled around my feet like water. The sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves made me look regal. The long train was pinned with tiny moonstone buttons.

For jewelry: a choker of white diamonds shaped like crescent moons, matching teardrop earrings, and a delicate tiara of silver vines with a single blue sapphire at the center — the colors of our pack. 

My hair was pinned in soft curls. My makeup was subtle but sharp. 

I looked every bit like a Luna.

The ceremony started in the evening with dances and displays. Everything felt long and boring. My body was itching to be called. After seven years of waiting, the time had finally come.

The Alpha stepped onto the dais. The drums stopped. Torches flickered. The entire hall fell silent.

The Elder raised the Luna’s Crown — a circlet of silver intertwined with moonstones that glowed faintly in the dark.

He lifted it high and his voice boomed through the hall: 

“By the blood of the moon and the will of the pack, we name our Luna. She who will stand beside the Alpha, bear his heirs, and lead our women. Come forth, the chosen one!”

Every head turned. My breath caught.

But the Elder didn’t call my name.

“Risa of House Varela!” he announced.

Risa stepped forward in a white and gold gown, her belly slightly rounded. The crowd erupted.

“Risa! Risa! Risa!” The cheers shook the walls.

Everything went silent in my head for five minutes. 

My body felt glued to my seat. My heart was too broken to cry. 

I watched Risa walk to the center — the crowd cheering like she deserved the crown. Not a single murmur of disapproval.

I looked for my mom and Lucas from afar. They were jubilating. Clapping the loudest.

It dawned on me: 

I didn’t matter here. 

I wasn’t needed here. 

I shouldn’t be here.

With shaking hands, I took out my phone and dialed the only number that ever made me feel like I mattered. 

Zayn picked up on the first ring.

“Meet me at the border,” I whispered. Then I hung up.

I took to my heels. I didn’t care how heavy the dress was. I didn’t care about the heels. 

I just ran.