---- Chapter 4. Astorm was brewing; the air felt heavy. I stood outside Kaelen's office, my hands balled into fists. This was it. I needed to know, once and for all, where I stood with him. I didn't knock, just pushed the door open. Kaelen looked up from his oak desk, clearly surprised. "Sera, I was just about to send for you." "What a coincidence. Me too," I said, walking straight to his desk. "We need to talk." He put down his papers, his expression serious. " About postponing the ceremony, I know you're upset. But it's a temporary situation." "Temporary?" I scoffed. "Tell me, Kaelen, if my ' needs' clash with Lyra's, who would you choose?" He froze. Guilt flickered in his eyes, quickly replaced by resolve. ---- "This isn't about choosing sides." He stood up, his voice taking on that Alpha authority. "I have a responsibility to protect every member of this pack, especially an unborn cub." "Even if it means hurting your fated mate?" I shot back. "You don't understand how serious this is." He came around the desk, closer to me. "The cub Lyra's carrying has a special bloodline. It needs my power to be born safely. This is just for now." "For now?" I stared him straight in the eye. "Then why did you let her move into our territory? Why can she come and go from the sacred tree as she pleases? Why do you jump at her every demand?" "Sera, calm down!" he raised his voice. "You're not acting like a proper Luna! A Luna needs to be understanding, to think of the pack!" "Understanding?" I stepped back, almost laughing. "Understanding enough to accept my ---- mate having a cub with someone else?" The door suddenly opened, and Marcus walked in with a few senior warriors. They'd obviously heard us arguing. "Everything alright, Alpha?" Marcus's eyes darted between us. "We're having a private discussion," I said coldly. Kaelen took a deep breath, clearly trying to control his temper. "It's fine, Marcus. Give us some space. " Marcus hesitated, then nodded and left, but the other warriors stayed put outside the door. "Look at that," I said with a bitter smile. "Even your Beta thinks I might disrespect the Alpha. How ironic." "This isn't about respect," Kaelen said quietly. " It's about understanding and compassion. I was hoping you'd see my side of this... the burden I'm