Days had passed since the incident with Vanessa in Alex's room. Though Lucian tried to carry on with her Luna duties, a heaviness sat in her chest. She didn't talk much about what happened. She avoided Alex when she could, and he, too, kept his distance, confused and silent most of the time.
Lucian stayed strong on the outside, but deep down, her heart ached. She wasn't sure what to believe anymore. Still, she focused on her duties, helping pack members, attending meetings, and learning the rules of being Luna.
One morning, news came that brought a rare smile to her lips, her grandmother's surgery had been successful. The old woman was now awake and healing well. Lucian had visited her a few times secretly, holding her wrinkled hands and whispering words of hope.
That morning, after checking on a few things in the kitchen, Lucian decided to go back to her room. She climbed the staircase, her thoughts far away with her grandmother. That's when it happened.
As she came around a turn on the stairs, she found herself face to face with Vanessa. The woman stood in her way, her eyes cold, her lips curled in a fake smile.
"Good morning, Luna," Vanessa said, her voice sweet but sharp underneath. Lucian stepped to the side to walk past, not wanting any trouble. But the moment she moved, Vanessa gave a small gasp and threw herself backward, letting out a scream as she tumbled down the stairs.
Lucian's eyes widened in horror. "Vanessa!"
Her scream echoed through the hall, and within seconds, footsteps rushed in from every direction. Alex arrived first, followed by Lena, Xavier, and several others.
Vanessa lay on the ground at the bottom of the stairs, clutching her stomach and groaning in pain.
"What happened?" Alex demanded, rushing to her side. "She..she pushed me," Vanessa whispered, pointing a trembling finger at Lucian. Her eyes welled up with fake tears. "I didn't see it coming."
Lucian's heart pounded. "No, I didn't push her! I was just walking past ,she fell!"
But everyone's eyes had already turned toward her. Doubt lingered in their stares, even Lena looked unsure.
The healer arrived shortly after and examined Vanessa quickly before taking her to the hospital. Alex went with them, silent and angry. Lucian stood at the top of the stairs, frozen in place. She hadn't done anything. She knew that. But would anyone believe her?
Later that day, news came from the hospital. The report was handed to Alex in a sealed envelope. His face turned pale as he read it. He held the paper in his hand and looked at Xavier, who stood beside him.
"She says, she's pregnant," Alex said in a hollow voice. "That night, she says it happened that night."
Xavier blinked. "What? But you said...." "I don't remember anything!" Alex snapped. "I woke up and she was beside me. I thought maybe I had too much to drink, maybe I made a mistake, but now..."
Vanessa was brought back to the mansion later that evening, lying weakly on a soft bed, looking more fragile than usual. She had a selfish smile, satisfied look in her eyes when she saw Lucian in the hallway.
Whispers spread fast in the mansion and throughout the pack. The Luna had pushed a pregnant woman down the stairs? Lucian, who only ever worked hard and stayed quiet?
Lucian sat in her room, the walls pressing in around her. She could hear the voices outside her door soft, judgmental murmurs that made her want to scream.
The door opened. It was Alex. He stepped in slowly, his expression unreadable. "You didn't push her?" he asked quietly.
"No," Lucian whispered, eyes stinging with tears. "I swear, Alex. I would never do something like that."
He didn't say anything. He just looked at her for a long time, then finally said, "She says she's pregnant."
Lucian looked away, pain rising in her chest like a wave. "I didn't push her," she said again. "Believe what you want."
Alex took one step closer but stopped himself. He ran a hand through his hair, looked at the floor, then turned around and left without another word.
Lucian stood there, her hands folded into fists. Her heart had been torn too many times, but this... this felt like the sharpest cut of all. Vanessa's plan was working. But Lucian wasn't going to break that.