Behind the Alpha's mask

AMBER

My hands shuddered as I stared at the pregnancy test strip I was holding. The two pink lines were lucid and accurate, unmistakable as they read positive.

Tears of joy blurred my vision as I shut my eyes and wrapped my arms around my belly tightly.

"I'm going to be a mother." I whispered, letting all the tears flow freely down my cheeks. My wolf purred inside me, equally excited as I leaned backwards on the wall.

A knock on my door forced my eyes open. The knock came a second time, followed by a gentle voice.

"Luna Amber-" the voice called out, "the Alpha is waiting for you downstairs."

"Be there in a minute." I replied, wiping my tear-streaked eyes.

This was going to be the best day of my life. It was the eve of my mating anniversary with Cedric. We were going to celebrate not only our anniversary, but also our pup on the way.

I was planning to tell him on our anniversary tomorrow, but I was too excited and wanted to tell him right away.

I walked out of my room in a gold dress and made my way down the stairs.

The living room was a bit crowded. All the pack officials and high ranked pack members including my mother, were seated at the table which had all kinds of delicacies. They were all prepared because tomorrow was going to be a big day.

I went immediately and cuddled my mother. She was happy for me and I couldn't wait to tell her that she was going to be a grandmother.

"You look gorgeous, my love." she flattered me, causing me to giggle.

"Thanks mother," I nodded, smiling as I looked around but Cedric wasn't at the table yet.

Just when I was about to ask my mother about him, he walked into the room but as soon as he walked in, something felt off.

He stared at me coldly and didn't say a word. I was utterly perplexed at his strange behaviour and as I tried to approach him, he held his phone in front of my face, showing me his screen.

"What is the meaning of this?" he growled, causing everyone at the table to turn their gaze at us.

"W...what are you talking about?" I stuttered, my brows squinted in confusion.

"So you have been sleeping with someone else outside our marriage?" he growled again, this time, causing everyone to gasp.

"What?" I froze in complete shock.

"Here take a look and tell me that isn't you!" he roared, handing his phone to me. I swiped through the pictures and I couldn't believe what I was seeing, A nude picture of myself and another man? How come?

"Babe please-you can't believe this," I pleaded as my voice hitched, "This is not me, it's fake-"

I tried to hold his hand but he swatted it away and turned to the pack officials at the table.

"Look at her!" he yelled, pointing at me. Then he switched his gaze towards my mother.

"Look at your daughter, Lyanna!

I gave her everything! I made her my Luna not because of her father's wish, but because I loved her with all my heart and how did she repay me?!"

I stared at him in distress, still trying to process what was going on-it all happened so fast. I dashed forward and fell at his feet with tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Please," I began, my throat dried as I swallowed hard, "Someone must have done this. I promise those pictures are fake! You have to believe me."

I looked up and saw everyone at the table staring down at me coldly. There was no greater offence in a pack than for Luna to cheat on the Alpha, it was unforgivable.

I held onto Cedric's leg, begging him to believe me but he wasn't listening. He turned his gaze towards me and pushed me away.

"How could you do this to me Amber?!" he roared in a thunderous voice, causing me to flinch. "We had been married for barely one year and you're already cheating on me? You couldn't even give me an heir!"

But he was wrong, I was carrying his child. If only he would listen to me. But there was no way to prove my innocence. The evidence was there.

"Mother please-" I ran to where my mother was as tears dripped from her eyes.

"Please tell his mother-tell them I would never do such a thing please-" I cried but she didn't say a word. She gave me the coldest stare I had ever received in my life, then she stood up and left.

"Mother please!" I sobbed out loud, "I didn't do it." but she didn't turn back.

"Babe please, don't do this to me-" I turned to Cedric, still crying. I tried to reach him but he pushed me away again.

"It's too late, Amber," he whispered, staring deeply into my soul.

"Let everyone here bear me witness that my mate has committed atrocity against me by sleeping with another man, the evidence is here!" Cedric yelled to the hearing of everyone in the room.

That moment, I knew what was coming. Even if he was going to reject me, not this way. Not In front of the entire pack, not the night before our mating anniversary and especially not now when I'm carrying his child.

"Amber Lucent, on this very night, I reject you as my mate and Luna. I will let you stay in the pack for the sake of your father Alpha Bernard, but you will no longer be my Luna

You will be considered an omega from now henceforth!" Cedric declared, glaring deeply into my eyes as the pack officials sat there still puzzled.

Those words from Cedric sent cold dreads down my spine. One moment I was excited for my anniversary and the next, I was being rejected. But Cedric wasn't done yet.

"Now grab your stuff and get the fuck out of my house! I don't want to see you when I get back!" he growled.

As soon as he said this, he walked out of the house and drove off. I sprawled on the ground, crying. None of the pack officials said a word to me-they all left me there on the ground.

Cedric's words pierced my heart like a double edged sword as I contemplated them. I couldn't believe what just happened.

In a split second, I took my phone out and dialed Astrid's number. She was my best friend and the only one I could turn to at that moment.

"Hey babe," Astrid's voice carried through the phone, "how's the celebrations going-?"

"Astrid," I caught her in the middle of her words. "Astrid, I'm in big trouble."

"What happened?" she asked, her voice raised in curiosity.

"Astrid, I need your help."