Painful Birthday Surprise

JANE POV

"Happy birthday to you ... Happy birthday to you ...." A few people sang the birthday song, some of whom I recognized, and some of whom I didn't. However, my focus was solely on the man carrying a tiered cake with a heart-shaped decoration on top.

"Happy birthday, Babe ... on your twenty-seventh birthday, I hope all your wishes come true," Alpha Alex, my husband, said as he placed the cake on the table. His smile was wide, as always causing my heart to flutter.

I smiled, unsure of what to say whenever I received a surprise like this from my husband. This was the second surprise since we got married two years ago. I never imagined my husband would take me on a lavish Yacht Serene just to celebrate my birthday. Although we could have celebrated with pack members at home, like the previous year.

"Thank you, Honey. I hope we'll have a child soon," I said, expressing my greatest wish to him with teary eyes. Tears of joy mixed with a hint of sadness, as I wasn't pregnant yet.

I knew every alpha desired a child as a future successor, my husband included. But for the past two years, he had concealed his feelings about it. He acted as if children weren't important, yet deep down, I knew he longed for one.

"Hey ... Don't cry, it's your special day. Let's not spoil it worrying about something we might not be fully prepared for," Alpha Alex wiped away the tears sliding down my cheeks.

"How many times have I told you, it's alright if we don't have children now? What matters is that we live happily and remain together. We can deal with the matter of children later," he reassured me with his ever-affectionate gaze.

I smiled, gazing at the face that had consistently treated me like the queen of his life.

I was certain everyone on the yacht envied me, indicated by their hushed whispers, wishing for the same in their lives – to find their destined soulmate and share a life of happiness together.

"Thank you for showering me with such immense love," I said as I embraced him tightly, his response equally warm. After we parted, Alpha Alex planted a tender kiss on my lips, observed by the yacht's crew and a few pack members who joined the celebration – those closest to us.

Watching the sunset together had been a longstanding dream of mine. My responsibilities as Luna had left me little time to visit the beach, quite a distance from our penthouse. Yet, Alpha Alex had made it come true, even renting the Yacht Serene for us to relish the sunset side by side.

Such overwhelming happiness!

We sat with his strong arms encircling my waist, my head nestled on his shoulder. We watched the sky turn shades of orange on the western horizon.

"I have one more surprise for you," Alpha Alex said. I raised my head, gazing into his handsome face.

"Another surprise? I feel like you've overwhelmed me with surprises this time, Honey. I fear my heart might burst from sheer happiness," I chuckled.

Alpha Alex grinned, "That's my intention – to make you so joyful that sorrow becomes a distant memory." His sweet words melted my heart.

"You are my only Luna. I hope your happiness knows no bounds, and that you'll forever stand by my side," Alpha Alex added.

I studied his expression, worn and slightly lackluster. His recent overtime work and news of losing a bid must have taken a toll on him.

"Of course, I'll always be with you. Only a fool would forsake a handsome Alpha who has bestowed upon me such boundless love," I responded sincerely. My intention was to uplift him, not mere flattery. Observing his somewhat somber demeanor, I aimed to motivate him.

Alpha Alex met my gaze briefly, then turned his attention back to the waning dusk. As night fell, he guided me back to the penthouse.

Upon arriving, a gathering of pack members, many of whom were fellow office workers, awaited. They warmly greeted me, offering their birthday wishes.

"Happy birthday, Luna. May your life with Alpha Alex be long and filled with happiness," their wishes flowed.

I accepted their well-wishes with a radiant smile, sharing their sentiments. Subsequently, I cut the cake they had prepared. Once again, the first slice was for my husband, and he held my gaze for an extended moment. Then, I proceeded to serve the cake.

Footsteps echoed, hushing the room as Alpha Alex hesitated to take the cake I offered.

"Hello, everyone, greetings, Alpha...." A foreign woman entered, addressing the pack members as if she knew them well, including my husband. Her smile was directed at Alpha Alex, a sight that caused discomfort in my chest.

Alpha Alex looked at her briefly before leading her away from the group.

"I'll be back in a moment," I informed the others, and they nodded in agreement.

I moved discreetly, avoiding attention as I headed to my husband's study, where they seemed to be engaged. Perhaps, she was discussing work with him.

"I told you to wait for the right moment, you're rushing it," I overheard my husband's voice from behind the door.

"How much longer? It's been a year and a half since you said that, but you still haven't found the 'right' moment. I think you need my assistance, Alpha," the woman's voice carried a cryptic message that left me bewildered.

"Patience. I can't just blurt it out today and ruin her birthday," my confusion deepened. What were they discussing? What was this secret?

"You can't keep waiting. I can't wait any longer, or everyone will find out that I'm pregnant with someone else's husband."

A jolt struck me as her words pierced my heart. So, this was the crux of their conversation.

They had been involved for a year and a half? And all the while, I had been basking in a falsehood? My happiness was built upon deceit? Was the love he showered upon me a facade?

Oh, dear God... How could I have been so blind?

Tears spilled, a deluge of despair and doubts flooding my mind. My legs trembled, weakening beneath me. I sagged, as if my heart were being torn asunder. The magnitude of this revelation felt like a death knell.

Silently, I wept, my hand pressed to my chest which hurts. Moments later, my world turned dark.