The council chamber fell silent after Damon's cruel question. His words cut through the air, and Mira felt the blood drain from her face.

"How dare you question my faithfulness?" she whispered, her voice trembling with hurt and rage. "I have been loyal to you through everything, even as you humiliated me and cast me aside. This child is yours, Damon, whether you choose to accept it or not."

Her mother-in-law let out a harsh laugh. "How convenient that you suddenly discover you're pregnant just as you're being replaced. The timing is rather suspicious, don't you think?"

Mira whirled to face the older woman, her eyes blazing with defiance. "I didn't choose this timing. You all made it clear I was worthless weeks ago. I've been living like a servant, treated worse than the pack dogs. What possible reason would I have to lie about this?"

Vera, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke up with hesitation in her voice. "Perhaps... perhaps we should listen to what she has to say?"

Damon's sharp gaze shifted to Vera, clearly displeased with her intervention, before returning to Mira. "Fine. Explain yourself. How can you be certain about this pregnancy?"

Mira straightened her shoulders, drawing on reserves of strength she didn't know she still possessed. "Dr. Marcus confirmed it. I'm ten weeks along. You can verify this with him directly if you doubt my word."

A ripple of murmurs passed through the assembled council members. Damon's face paled slightly at the mention of the timeline, he knew exactly when this child had been conceived.

One of the elder council members cleared his throat. "If this claim proves true, it fundamentally changes our situation. Pack law is explicit: the firstborn child of the Alpha pair is the rightful heir, regardless of... current circumstances."

Mira's mother-in-law stammered in outrage, but Damon raised his hand for silence. His intense stare never left Mira's face, searching for any hint of deception.

"We'll need Dr. Marcus to confirm this immediately," he said finally. "And if your claim is verified..." He left the sentence hanging, its implications clear to everyone present.

Mira lifted her chin defiantly, meeting his gaze without flinching. "When it's confirmed, I expect my position as Luna to be restored. This is my child, Damon. Our child. And I won't allow anyone to take that away from me."

The chamber erupted into chaos once again, voices raised in argument. Through it all, Mira stood firm, one hand instinctively protective over her stomach.

As the shouting began to subside, a sudden, sharp pain sliced through her abdomen. She gasped, doubling over involuntarily.

The room fell silent as all attention focused on her. Damon half-rose from his seat, an unfamiliar expression of concern flashing across his features.

Vera, who had remained quiet, spoke up with a cold sneer. "How perfectly timed. Feeling unwell just when the questioning gets difficult?"

Mira glared at her former friend, fighting to straighten up despite the pain. "This isn't... a performance," she managed through gritted teeth.

The woman she had once considered her closest friend looked at her with eyes like ice. There was no trace of the caring person who had once comforted her through countless disappointments.

"Of course it isn't," Vera replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You've always had such perfect timing, haven't you?"

Mira scanned the room desperately, hoping for a supportive face, but found only suspicion and skepticism staring back at her.

"I need to see Dr. Marcus," she declared, her voice gaining strength despite the persistent pain. She refused to show weakness in front of them.

Damon nodded curtly. "Very well. But you'll have an escort. We can't risk any... collaboration between you and the doctor."

As if summoned, two imposing pack guards appeared at her sides. Mira straightened her spine, refusing to lean on them despite the pain still coursing through her body. As they prepared to leave, she caught a final glimpse of Vera's victorious smile and Damon's conflicted expression.

The journey to Dr. Marcus's clinic felt endless. With each step, Mira became increasingly aware of how dangerous her situation truly was. This baby represented her only hope, her sole bargaining chip. Nothing could be allowed to happen to it.

The examination was tense, with the guards monitoring every movement. Despite their intimidating presence, Dr. Marcus maintained his professional demeanor throughout.

"Well, Luna," he said after completing his thorough examination, "I can confirm that you are indeed pregnant, approximately ten weeks along. The pain you experienced was likely stress-related, but the baby appears healthy."

Mira nodded, relief flooding through her. "Thank you, Doctor."

They returned her back to the council chamber. The guards flanked her closely, treating her as if she might attempt to flee at any moment.

When they entered the chamber, every eye turned toward them. Damon stood, his expression unreadable. "Well?" he demanded.

One of the guards stepped forward. "Dr. Marcus has confirmed it, Alpha. She is indeed pregnant."

A profound silence settled over the room. Mira raised her chin, meeting Damon's gaze steadily.

After what seemed like an eternity, Damon spoke. "Very well. The child is the heir to this pack." He paused, his jaw tightening. "However, this doesn't alter the fact that I've chosen Vera as my mate."

Mira's heart plummeted, but she kept her expression neutral. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her pain.

"Luna Mira will be relocated to quarters appropriate for the mother of the future Alpha," Damon continued. "She will receive all necessary care and protection. But Vera remains at my side as Luna."

Vera smirked triumphantly, possessively linking her arm through Damon's. Mira fought the urge to look away from the display.

"Is that understood?" Damon asked, his eyes boring into hers.

Mira nodded stiffly. "Yes, Alpha."

"Good. You'll be escorted to your new quarters immediately. The pack will be informed of the situation."

As she was led out of the room, Mira took one last look at Vera’s smug face and Damon’s blank expression. The door shut behind her with a heavy bang that felt like a punch to the chest.

The new room they brought her to was indeed superior to the servants' quarters, spacious, with a comfortable bed and large windows overlooking the forest. But it felt like a beautiful prison.

As soon as the door closed behind the departing guards, the emotions she had been suppressing crashed over her. She sank to the floor, her back against the bed, and finally allowed the tears to fall.

She wept for the love she had lost, for the future she had once imagined, for the child growing inside her who would be born into this complicated and painful world. But even as she cried,she had little determination building inside her.

This wasn't over. She might not be Luna in name anymore, but she carried the future Alpha. And for her child's sake, she would find a way to navigate this dangerous new reality.

As her tears gradually subsided, she placed a protective hand on her stomach. "It's just you and me now, little one," she whispered. "And I promise, I'll do whatever it takes to protect you."