Rejected by My Best Friend Alpha

Kyra's POV

Was it a blessing to marry your best friend?

I was not sure what Nathan thought. But for me, becoming his chosen mate was a dream come true. And now-what was even more miraculous-we were going to have our first pup.

"Congratulations, Luna Kyra," the pack doctor told me cheerfully as she saw the shock in my eyes. "We are about to welcome the first Alpha heir to our pack."

I subconsciously touched my belly, still unable to believe a pup was growing there. Had I heard it right? I was pregnant? I was pregnant with Nathan's pup! After three years as his Luna, I was finally carrying the pup who would be my mate's heir, the future of the Nightfall Pack.

"Sylvia," I whispered to my wolf, "we're going to be mothers."

My wolf stirred within me, her presence warm and protective.

On the way out of the hospital, I couldn't wait to tell Nathan about our pup. I wondered what his reaction would be. Would he howl with happiness? Would he kiss me and everything? Goddess, I could barely contain myself.

I cupped my red face as I fantasized. But the moment I felt the cold from the simple ring on my finger, my wildly beating heart calmed down. I almost forgot that Nathan wasn't the type to be keen on having pups, especially since our marriage was arranged by our families.

Our families had been friends for a long time. So our marriage also strengthened the alliance between the Nightfall Pack and the Raven Shadow Pack.

Nathan was a complete gentleman, both as a friend and a mate. Every time we had sex, he was considerate but cautious-careful not to claim me with his mark. No claiming bite, no permanent tie.

He said there was no need to add shackles when we weren't ready.

This pup, in a way, was out of the plan.

My mind became restless as I sat in my car. Would this be good news for him?

"You're spiraling," Sylvia murmured in my mind. "Stop overthinking. He's your mate. He'll be happy."

"Luna Kyra, is everything okay? Should I send a mind-link to Alpha Nathan?" My private driver, Luke-a loyal warrior from my father's pack-asked. Luke was reliable, like family, but if I chose to share, I still wanted Nathan to be the first to know this news.

"No," I shook my head, giving Luke a reassuring smile. "He's on the flight. I'll talk to him myself later." That way, I could sense his answer directly from his raw expression. I was always good at that.

I closed my eyes, recalling the day I met Nathan.

After my father remarried, I never got along with my stepbrother Kieran Carver. Unlike his gentle and beautiful mother, he looked fierce and brutal. His arms were covered in tattoos, and the scars on his forearms showed he'd been in serious fights. Most importantly, he always acted like he hated me-glaring when I laughed, scoffing at my hobbies. But sometimes I'd catch him staring when he thought I wasn't looking. Weird. To escape that house, I transferred to a new high school.

On my first day at the new school, I saw Nathan in the hallway between classes. His bright smile in the sunlight was dazzling. Long before we became best friends, I fell in love with him at first sight. But it was an unrequited love-I knew it well.

In high school, I was only a boring nerd in everyone's eyes, while Nathan Anderson was the shining quarterback. Everyone was surprised that we could be friends. Though I faced hostility, I enjoyed being around him. I slowly realized I didn't want to be just his friend.

However, right when I was about to confess my feelings, he met his fated mate.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of those sad old memories. I gripped the wedding ring on my finger, reminding myself the past was past. Nathan said they were over and I was his wife now.

I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and opened the door to our house. My heart calmed down as I breathed in the scent of home. I must have been overthinking. That woman had been out of our lives for a long time, and my marriage with Nathan was as beautiful as a fairy tale.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. At this point, Nathan should have gotten off the plane. He had been traveling for over a month for the sake of the pack's business.

Nathan was the president of ADE, and I was actually the vice president of the company. The Nightfall Pack operated ADE-a top-tier fashion magazine company to the human world. Our secret operations team handled pack business behind the scenes, while our fashion resources provided the perfect cover. Some of our top models and designers were actually werewolves, blending seamlessly into human society. Of course, compared to humans, we still had many unique abilities.

"Nathan, about what time will you be home? I have some news to share with you." I sent him a mind-link, but he didn't reply. I really missed Nathan after being apart for a month.

I dialed his number immediately. I really wanted to hear his voice now, to know when he would arrive home. I would prepare a good meal for him and he would reward me with a sweet kiss. Then we might have passionate sex, like what he gave me the night before his business trip. Oops, I almost forgot I was pregnant now. I needed to tell him first and then we could do something else instead.

I was happily envisioning our lovely reunion when my heart dropped as a woman's voice came over the line.

[Hello?]

My phone fell to the floor and my body started shaking uncontrollably. No! It couldn't be her! It couldn't be Sophia! She was already out of our lives! I must have misheard.

All the bad high school memories came rushing back.

Nathan had shifted when he was eighteen. His wolf, Alaric, knew right away that Sophia Gilbert was his fated mate. Sophia Gilbert was a typical blonde beauty that men would go crazy for. She was the popular cheerleader in high school while Nathan was the star quarterback. Better match than he and a nerd like me, right?

I didn't know why Sophia hated me so much. Maybe because I was always near Nathan.

"Oh look, it's Nathan's charity case," she would say whenever I walked by, her friends laughing behind her. One time, she locked me in a bathroom stall while her friends poured ice water over the door. I stood there, shivering in my soaked clothes as they giggled. Another time, she "accidentally" slapped me so hard it left a red mark. "Oops," she said with a fake smile, "I forgot nerds bruise easily."

The worst was when they cornered me in the hallway after gym class.

"You really think he actually likes you? You don't even have your own wolf." Sophia popped her gum, stepping so close I could smell her scent. "He only talks to you because his grandma made him."