Page 2 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"I'm not lying!" I shook my head desperately, tears blurring my vision. "Cedric, I'm your mate, the kingdom's Luna! And I'm carrying your child—why would I do this?"

I saw his fingers pause on the armrest. Just for a second.

But I felt it. He wavered. Hope flickered weakly in my chest—

"Cedric..." Victoria's voice shattered the brief silence.

My heart dropped. Dread washed over me. I knew whatever came next would drag me deeper. I tried to stop her. "Enough! Victoria! What other lies are you going to tell?"

She ignored me, eyes fixed on Cedric, voice breaking with tears. "Alice is my sister. I should defend her. But I... I can't just watch her spiral like this."

She glanced at me—like she was looking at a wayward child.

That damned actress.

Then she bit her lip, as if making a painful decision. Finally, she spoke. "The child she's carrying... isn't yours."

The world stopped. I heard my heartbeat—once, twice—like war drums pounding in my ears.

"What did you say?" Cedric's gaze sharpened. His fists clenched. Fury simmered in his voice.

"Victoria, what the hell are you talking about!" I was almost screaming. I wanted to lunge at her, demand why she was doing this.

"I noticed a while ago," Victoria said, not looking at me. She clutched her chest, the picture of anguish. "Alice and your beta, Marquis Caspar, often met alone. Sometimes late at night... I didn't want to say anything publicly. Alice is my sister, after all. But I can't deceive you—not about the royal bloodline."

Gasps erupted around the hall, followed by even more vicious curses.

"Alice, that faithless whore—burn her at the stake!"

"Execute her!"

"Cedric! I never betrayed you, I swear!" I struggled to stand, but guards immediately shoved me back down. "Caspar was just a friend! We never met privately! Amy can vouch for me—the late-night meetings are lies! Everything Victoria said is a lie!"

Victoria immediately looked stricken. "Alice, Amy is your maid. Of course she'd cover for you. I'm only trying to keep you from making more mistakes..."

"Caspar?" When Cedric said the name, his voice was bone-cold. His eyes bored into me.

I met Cedric's stare, forcing myself to stay calm. I couldn't panic—that's exactly what Victoria wanted. I had to think.

Suddenly, a name flashed in my mind. Serena! The court witch. She could verify the child was Cedric's. I turned to him quickly. "Have Serena examine the baby! She can prove the child is yours! She'll clear my name!"

"Bring me," Cedric rose slowly, his towering shadow spreading across the floor, "the witch Serena."

Hearing Cedric's words, my tension finally eased. Once Serena examined me, she'd prove the baby was Cedric's. She'd clear my name—

I clung to this last thread of hope.

The wait felt like slow torture.

I watched Cedric. The distrust in his eyes broke my heart. I told myself over and over—don't be afraid. I didn't do those things. Serena would tell everyone the child was Cedric's.

Finally, White Witch Serena appeared. She wore white robes, silver-white hair falling to her waist, her aged but kind face wearing a gentle smile.

She'd healed countless sick children in the kingdom, never charging the poor. Everyone said she was the Moon Goddess incarnate, the kindest person alive. I should trust her.

"My queen," she approached, voice warm. "Please allow me to examine you."

"Please—" I choked out. "Please, tell them the truth..."