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For 5 years, I thought he was just too busy. Until I heard him whisper another woman's name in the bathroom at 3 AM. That's when I realized... He never loved me. So I stopped waiting. But when I finally decided to leave, he refused to let me go. “I, Aeliana Hartley of Mooncrest pack, reject you, Alpha Kingston Vale as my mate. I reject all bonds and sever all ties. Accept my rejection.” I snap. “No.” King says, pulling me into him. “I, Alpha Kingston Vale, reject your rejection.” My jaw drops. King used to be my best friend, yet he abandoned me when I needed him most. I barely survived. I ran out of that hell. Then my sister’s wedding dragged me back— and the goddess named King my fated mate. He doesn’t want me. I don't want him. But the bite he left on my neck took away my choice of being marked. Chapter 1 AELIANA Hell is empty, and all the devils are here. I’ve learned to run from mine, the ones that unleashed demons to torment me for the rest of my life, but as I stare at the warning in my hand, I reckon I didn’t run far enough. Not too fast either. [To Aeliana Hartley, With the blessing of their families, Seraphine Paul Hartley & Diego Rollins request the honour of your presence to bear witness to the start of their union. Save the date: February 28th. Venue: Valour Hall] it reads. My name in cursive I don’t understand why I have to be here, I’m pretty sure the bride—my stepsister doesn’t want me there. Sera and I don’t get along, I’d hate to ruin her special day with my presence and besides, going back would mean soaking up waters that once drowned me. That was why I tried to decline, made up every possible excuse to not attend but my father wouldn’t hear it. He wouldn’t want to appear as though he didn’t have a perfect family, but he does. Without me that is. I’m the one who ruins things, the one who should have died in the delivery room, but mom died instead. My heart races when I stepped into the pack. I’m met with many faces, some familiar, others not at all. The pack smells familiar, it smells like memories, both good and bad. So many memories that the air is almost suffocating, I want to turn around and get on the next flight out of here, but I can’t. I swallow down the lump creeping in my throat and remind myself it’s just one day. One ceremony, a few fake smiles for the camera, and then I can leave again. People seem to be having a ball, a few others are drunk outside the hall, others are getting drunk, others are only just now arriving….like me. My father stands near the entrance, his posture rigid, a cigar between his fingers while he speaks to a man I don’t recognise. I’m thinking of a way to enter without him seeing me, but his eyes find me first, fast and cold. He’s mad. I take a deep breath and walk towards him. “You’re late,” he says. “Flight issues,” I calmly retort. If anything I wished for an emergency landing so I couldn’t come. Father nods, his jaw ticking. “Follow me,” he says. Not bothering to introduce me to his colleague like he always does with my siblings. He doesn’t say a single word, he walks in front of him, and I follow, my heart syncing up with the fast pace of my heels clicking on the floor. People are staring at me, whispering, laughing, I’m getting every dirty look in the book and I know why. But it’s one of those things I’ve decided to live with, the kind that doesn’t matter where I’m at in life now. Father leads me to a crowd of women, I can smell his wife before he turns to look at me. “Be seen.” He orders, walking past them, leaving me with them. “Honey—” Pandora, my stepmother calls out, her smile wide and bright. She must be so proud of her little girl Sera. This venue is expensive, and the wedding package they offer is just as expensive. “Oh, she came.” I lift my hand to wave, but she pulls me into a tight hug. “Hello, Liana baby.” she kisses my cheek. “Lovely of you to join us.” “Liana?” Mrs Thorne gasps, “As in Aeliana? Freya’s little girl?” Mom Pandora nods, “Yes that’s her.” “Oh my, you look so different, dear.” Mrs Cole smiles, eyeing me up and down. “How beautiful.” I swallow, “Thank you.” It’s hardly a compliment, she’s called me ugly a few times, and while Pandora stood up for me, she also laughed. “You’re so blessed Pandora, you have such gorgeous children.” Another remarks, one I don’t recognise. “Wow.” Mom laughs, the sound forced and fake. “Oh stop it. This one isn’t even mine, I can’t take credit for her.” Translation: she’s a screw-up but not mine. I’m only the Hartley family’s daughter when it’s convenient and unfortunately for me, that’s once in a never-blue-moon. “Where have you been, little Freya?” Mrs Thorne asks with a smile. My mother’s name is sweet on her tongue, from what I know they used to be good friends. Before I can answer, Mrs Cole chimes in. “Are you mated dear?” She asks, not giving me a chance to speak—just like her daughter. “When is your wedding? Seraphine is merely two years older than you.” “I’m unmated” “If you’d stayed in the pack rather than running off to do lord knows what, you’d have found him by now,” Mom says. Mrs Thorne snickers, “Oh, Pandora. Mates will always find each other, and there’s nothing wrong with the girl, she’s a looker she’s bound to find someone to fall for her.” Mrs Cole rolls her eyes, unbothered by any attempt to hide her hostility towards me. “Beauty is one thing, character is another.” And there it is, the reason I left. Half the pack has seen me naked, seen my shame, seen the pictures but no one asked for my side of the story. To them, there’s nothing words could say any louder than pictures did and that’s okay, I had no words then, I have no words now. Mom nervously laughs, “Aeliana, why don’t you say hi to your sister? It’s her that you’re here for isn’t it?” “Yeah,” I nod, swallowing down my shame. “Excuse me.” “Wait—” Mom calls out, trying to come with me or rather escape the awkwardness and embarrassment my presence just cost our family, again. I give her a small smile and shake my head. She stares for a moment before nodding for me to go ahead. The Valour Hall is large, but finding the bride isn’t exactly hard. Seraphine and her friends are standing at the open bar, giggling and pointing at the guests, as usual. She doesn’t see me, her friend Dalton is the first to see me. Her smile vanishes as she taps my sister’s shoulder. “Sera.” “What?” Sera asks, her eyes shifting when Dalton doesn’t speak. Unlike Dalton, her smile widens. “Oh, would you look who it is, Aeliana.” “Hi sis,” I force the words out. “Congratulations, you look lovely.” Seraphine pouts. “Oh, thank you.” “I must say, I thought you wouldn’t show.” Her friend says, “But here you are, and without a gift.” I frown, she’s gotten bold. Usually, it’s Seraphine’s best friend who speaks to me like that, but I don’t see her anywhere. Audrey and Seraphine are a package deal, could they have had a fall-out? “Rita, it’s fine.” Seraphine stops her, “There’s no need for two gifts I didn’t ask for, her presence is enough.” “I’ll just—” “Wait, come here.” Seraphine blurts out, her lips twitching with a smile. I know that smile, I hate it. It always means something is about to happen, something only her sadistic self finds funny. “You should meet my husband.” She says, snapping her fingers, and walking away. I roll my eyes, walking closely beside her while flashing my best smile for anyone watching, and trust me, everyone is watching the Gamma’s daughter who was caught in one of the very few high school sex scandals. “He’s been dying to see you.” “So, when I meet him, do I say condolences, or would you want me to lie and congratulate him on marrying you?” Sera scoffs, “An invite doesn’t mean show up. You know better than to be here.” She tsks, pausing a few steps away from men in suits surrounding a table. “Bae,” she sweetly calls out. “My sister is here.” A few men turn, none of them the groom but when he finally turns to meet us, my whole world spirals. “Aeliana,” he says. “Long time no see.” No. That voice. He smiles at me, and my stomach coils with disgust, disdain, and discomfort. Everyone is talking but I can’t hear anything, my eyes start to ring. It’s him. The air in my lungs is deflating. I stumble backwards, and everyone’s eyes fall on me. My wolf mumbles something but I don’t hear it, I’m too focused on trying to breathe, to run. Even the hem of my dress feels heavy. My vision is starting to double, I need out. I need— I stumble into something hard, no, someone? Nobody catches me, I fall to the floor, the ringing in my ears is dulled by the embarrassment, and when I try to stand, the worst thing that could have happened tonight spawns on me. “Mate.” My wolf says, “Mine.” My gaze lifts, immediately locking with cold eyes. And for the second time tonight? My whole world comes crumbling down. No. Not him. Chapter 2 KINGSTON My wolf has been restless over the last few days, asking for his mate, and tonight, he made a show of having me walk around in search of a mate that doesn’t exist. I’m past mating age, I was sure I was going to have to choose a mate, and I have though unmarked but she’s my choice. My girlfriend Audrey, had been a ray of sunshine when I needed it most, and the pack adores her very much. Audrey accompanied me out for a smoke, but when we returned inside, my wolf grew even more restless, ecstatic. This is the first of many times it’s happened, and I was going to dismiss it until someone ran straight into me. It wasn’t her fault, I was looking at something Audrey was showing me, but when I look down to apologise, my wolf loses his mind. “Mate,” he chants repeatedly, each time more clear, possessive, claiming. His voice is so loud that it drowns out the music and chatter in the room. “Our mate, Kingston.” “Are you sure? She’s scentless.” I tell him. I can’t smell her but when her gaze lifts, everything changes. The bond hits me like a tidal wave, my chest burns. With anger, shock, and so many emotions I can’t give name to. Aeliana Hartley. She’s not supposed to be here. Not in my territory. Not in my life. Not anywhere close. Her eyes grow wide with a familiar hue of violet that only she has. I can’t believe my eyes. Aeliana disappeared from our lives almost five years ago, and no one has heard from her since and here she is, dressed in gold like the angel that I used to perceive her as. “Mate,” my wolf grumbles. “Claim her.” He snaps. My fists ball, nails digging into my palms as I fight hard to restrain myself. This has to be a joke, maybe my mate is somewhere in this room and not at my feet. Audrey tightens her grip on my arm, but I pull away, stepping closer to Aeliana. She rises, and just like she does when things get hard? She tries to make a run for it, refusing to address what only we two just felt. I grab her arm, and a zap of electricity tremors through my hand. I don’t think she felt it, she’s still staring at me in disbelief. “You felt it, didn’t you?” I ask, not the zap but the bond. That pull was strong, it almost brought me to my knees, and it weakened her for a moment. Aeliana doesn’t speak, she simply watches me, eyes distant, and her chest heaving. She’s high. I’ve heard about this habit of hers, but it’s my first time witnessing it. I’m disgusted, appalled at the moon goddess’s choice for me. “You don’t belong here, you can’t be my mate.” “Let go,” she swallows, her hand trembling. “I’ll make this very easy for both of us, Hartley.” I bite out, refusing to say her name. I haven’t said her name out loud in years but I will have to. Her eyes soften, something flickers in them, but it passes so fast I don’t get to decipher it. “Kingston, please..” she says, I’m unsure of what she’s begging, for but there is no way we could be together. Not in this lifetime. I straighten, I need to end this now. I can’t have her for a mate, or for a Luna, my pack deserves better, and her selfishness won’t ruin it. “I Alpha Kingston Vale of Mooncrest, reject you Aeliana Hartley, as my mate and Luna. I reject all bonds and sever all ties.” I force the words out, pain clawing at my chest. People gasp, whisper, murmur. “Accept my rejection,” I demand, squeezing her wrist tighter. She doesn’t speak, her lips part but nothing comes out. When a tear rolls down her cheek I snap again, “Accept my rejection.” I growl. “I Aeliana Hartley of Mooncrest,” she begins, her voice raw and breaths heaving like she’s running. I squeeze tighter and she chokes out a cry, “I accept your rejec—” “No!” someone interrupts. I let go of Aeliana’s wrist, ready to tear apart whoever dares interrupt. My jaw clenches when I see who it is. My father, Alpha Dante. “What is going on here?” He demands. Someone beats me to it before I can speak. “Aeliana is Kingston’s mate.” The familiar voice says. My younger brother, Damien. “Not for long,” I counter. “I will sever this bond, it’s a mistake. Someone like her could never be my mate, or my pack’s Luna.” “You will do no such thing, King.” Dad snaps, “Aeliana is fated, you can’t reject her.” Fated? Does he hear himself? She’s not fated she’s troubled, she’s not fit to be my mate. “I already rejected her and I will do it again. All she has to do is accept it.” Aeliana’s lip quivers. “I accept your—” “No, Aeliana.” My Dad interrupts yet again, stepping between us. “You can’t reject a bond forged by not only the moon goodness herself, but the fates.” “Father,” I warn. “Aeliana is to be your Luna. If you reject her, you disrupt the order of things, you renounce your right to the pack, Kingston.” He firmly asserts, watching me with a kind of disappointment he reserves for my other siblings. Aeliana lets out a loud gasp, as if starving for air before she runs out. Nobody follows her, everyone is familiar with her dramatics. “Without her, you will not be Alpha, the final handover won’t happen. You can only get my blessing if she’s by your side.” He warns, “Gamma Hartley, a word.” I watch as he walks away and right behind him is Aeliana’s father. People are whispering about what just happened, the public threat my dad bestowed upon me, and how Aeliana ruined Seraphine’s wedding celebration. A hand smooths over my bicep, I look down to find Audrey staring at me. “King,” she chokes out, tears streaming down her cheeks. “What’s happening?” “Go home, Audrey.” I gritt through my teeth, annoyed by the last twenty minutes. “I’ll meet you there.” My dad’s voice reaches me through the pack link, “Conference room fourteen.” That’s all he says. Knowing my dad, he’ll be gone if I’m a second late so I walk fast, pacing my feet in alignment with the thumping sound in my chest. The door to conference room fourteen is slightly ajar, and inside are my mother, father, and Damien. “Dad, I can’t marry Aeliana.” “Why not?” he asks, swirling his liquor. “Are you serious?” I scoff. “Don’t you know—” “If this is about her past incident, she made a mistake, she was young.” he interrupts. But that’s no excuse, she knew better than to act as she did. “What she did is no different from what you’d been doing, except there was no audience. The tape was unfortunate.” “It’s not about the tape,” I groan. Sure, I was disappointed when I learned Aeliana filmed herself getting f^cked by some random man, but that’s her personal business. It’s the way she treated people that unerved me, the way she cut me out of her life like I was nothing, but she was everything to me. “Dad, you don’t know the kind of person that she has turned into, Aeliana is...” “King, calm down.” Mom shakes her head, “You’re getting so pale.” “Mom,” I say with a heavy sigh. Of course, I’m pale, I just saw a ghost from my past and I’m bonded to it. Mom frowns, “You used to love Aeliana, what changed?” Chapter 3 My answer is instant, obvious. “She changed, and the things she did—” “Forget them,” Dad groans, his tone bored. “Aeliana is going to be your Luna. You will marry her, and only her if you desire for the handover to proceed as planned.” My eyes shift to Mom and she nods, of course she’d agree with him. They’re a team, something Aeliana and I can’t be. “Your father is right, you have to marry your true mate, or you’ll curse our bloodline.” “The bloodline will be fine. I’m not the first to reject a mate.” Anger flashes in Dad’s eyes, “You will not reject her.” “I already have,” I argue. He will drop this obsession with true mates, he didn’t think I had a mate until minutes ago. “And that better be the last time you say it, Son. Unless you want to pass on being Alpha.” I scoff. “Don’t you think that’s a bit too far?” I ask, an eyebrow raised. I have worked so hard for this pack, I earned the handover not only because I’m his first or oldest. “I can’t just marry her, I have—” “That lost omega who can’t see left or right without you?” Mom chuckles. I pause. Shocked. She loves Audrey, everyone does. But suddenly Aeliana appears, and she’s degrading her? “No, my love. You will drop her. The girl is sweet, but she doesn’t have what it takes to be Luna.” “And Aeliana does?” I almost laugh. “What does Audrey have to do to become qualified? Is sleeping with random men the—” My cheek flares up. It takes a second for me to realise I’ve been slapped. Damien lowly chuckles when I go silent, touching my cheek. My Mom’s gaze hardens, “If you don’t want her say the word and your father will have one of your brothers be Alpha, but if you want this pack still? You will respect your Luna, Kingston.” Dad rises from his seat with a smirk that says, I had that slap coming the second I disagreed with him. “Come on, my Luna. It’s late.” He says. They leave the room without so much as a goodbye. Aeliana has only been here a few minutes and everything is falling apart. My leg swipes one of the chairs and it hits the little table at my left, breaking the glass vase on top of it. “Wooo,” my brother whistles, nursing a bottle of beer. “Kingston,” He calls out, proceeding to get close despite my silence. “Listen, if you’re so attached to Audrey, keep her as your mistress.” The idiot smirks, “Nobody cares, but is that p^ssy worth passing out on the keys to the kingdom…” “Shut up,” I groan, caressing my temples. I’m trying to soak in the last hour, and he won’t quit talking. “I don’t get it, big bro, you’ve wanted this, and not for the reasons I did. You care about this pack, and you’re just going to give it up? For Audrey?” He sneers, “You’re smarter than that Kingston.” I shoot him a glare. “Don’t shoot the messenger because he’s right.” He smirks, raising his hands in defeat. “Just take my advice, the pack is safer in your hands. I’d ruin it, Callum would f^ck it up. And Rowan could be better but he’s not eligible unless he overthrows our father. Which is highly unlikely, Rowan kisses father ass he can’t challenge him.” He reminds me, his gaze shifting. “Oh, here’s Row now.” “What’s going on?” “Aeliana?” I scoff. “Why her?” “You’ve been obsessed with the girl you were in diapers, you’ve always had eyes for her so what’s the problem now?” Damien asks, once again, unprovoked. “Shut up Damien,” I growl. “Yo Rom, wasn’t he obsessed with her?” “Tread carefully,” Rowan warns him. “Come on,” Damien chuckles. “Are you going to encourage him to give the pack up to be with Audrey just because she’s pretty?” He pauses, and when no one answers him he speaks again. “And have you seen Aeliana yet? The girl grew into her body.” he whistles, the sound ticking me off. “If I weren’t mated or married already then trust, I’d have no problem pursuing her. Those tit’s? They look so sexy, juicy like something crafted for p**n by a skilled surgeon. I bet they’re better when she’s nak—” My fist swings before I can think to stop myself. The collision leaves me with a dull ache in my knuckles. Damien chokes, stumbling. “King!” Rowan warns, rushing to aid my idiot brother. Damien laughs, “Relax, everyone has seen her tit’s although they were smaller back then.” I’m overstimulated, if he mentions Aeliana’s tit’s again I’m going to cripple him. Rowan must read my mind because he shakes his head. “Leave,” he sighs. “You’re drunk, he’s annoyed, this will get bloody fast.” To my surprise, Damien listens but instead of going out the door he pauses and sighs heavily—loud. “All I did was try to be a good brother but f^ck me and discard me like you will be doing with Audrey…” Damien smirk, “Or is it Aeliana you will discard?” He smirks, “Goodnight brother.” He says, slipping away. Between Damien, Dad, and Aeliana, I’m losing my mind. And Audrey. God, what do I do? She’s dedicated her life to me, and the way she looked at me out there… Rowan slaps a hand on my shoulder, “You good man?” “Why her?” I grunt. I’d take a crazy woman over her, although there’s not much difference between the two. Rowan lets a brief chuckle. “Are you surprised? I mean, it’s Aeliana.” “It’s not,” I snap. “The Aeliana we left doesn’t exist anymore Rowan, you know what she did.” “I do,” he nods. “I hate her actions too, but I’m not surprised she’s your mate. Uncle is making you choose between the pack and a Luna of your choice…” he trails off on an unspoken thought. He can’t even find the words. “I know,” I nod. Aeliana is no longer haunting my dreams, she’s here again. ’Tis cruel of my father to make me choose between the pack and a life without Aeliana. “So, what are you going to do?” Chapter 4 AELIANA I should have never come back to Mooncrest. I was having a full-blown panic attack when I stormed out of the hall, and the next thing I knew, a strange woman was looking over me. I fainted. I couldn’t self-regulate so my body shut down, it’s been a while since this has happened to me. I’ve learned and studied methods that keep me sane, safe, and steady but one trip back here and I’m cracking again. Thankfully, the lady who helped me out promised she wouldn’t tell anyone, and I immediately left. Even the parking lot was empty when I started driving out. Tonight was more eventful than I anticipated, not quick or easy. Kingston’s cold stare burns in the back of my mind. I try to think of any sign, any moment at which the bond flickered, and I can’t think of one. Several memories I’ve shared with him hit me. I'm back in my bedroom during the last summer we spent together. King is sitting at the foot of my bed. “Siren?” He softly coos. “Hmm?” “Are you sure about this?” “Yeah,” I nod. I psyched myself up, he is the one who needed convincing. I like King, no one is as nice to me, and I may or may not have a crush on him. “Let me practice with you, I really want this. I want it to be just ours, something we don’t do or share with anyone else.” King laughs, “I can buy us rare trinkets, this..” “It’s okay if you don’t want to. It’s not a big deal,” I shrug. “I know I’m not your type.” “Who is?” “The older girls,” I roll my eyes. Kingston always has women running after him. “Like my cousin Lexie.” King smirks, “She’s only fun when her mouth is full of cock.” “You can’t say that,” I frown. “Lexie is smart, she just gets a little dumb around you because you’re cute.” “And you?” he asks, looking a little too serious now. This was supposed to be fun. “Do you get a little dumb around me?” “Stop it, I’m smart.” “Yes you are.” he nods. “Promise to write when you leave?” “Siren, I don’t leave for another few months.” “Just promise.” I’m pulled away from the memory by my wolf’s humming. “He rejected us, Aeliana,” Lumi says. “I think it’s time to let him go. He’s hurt us enough, nothing could ever cut this deep.” I slam my head against the steering wheel, this feels like an awful joke by fate. Why would I be mated to the boy who made me so many promises and broke them without giving me a second glance? Kingston promised to always write to me when he left for the training academy and at first, he kept his promise until he didn’t. I poured my heart out countless times hoping for a reply, but it never came and when it returned? He pretended I didn’t exist. And he’s doing it again, only this time I want this too. I grab my phone from the passenger seat and drag myself into the house. I’m only halfway through the door when my Father groans in disapproval. “Where were you?” “I was getting some air.” “Sit with us.” Mom smiles, nodding at the sofa. It sounds like a request, but the cold stare from Dad tells me it isn’t. “You’ve always known have you not?” “No, father.” I swallow, settling into the seat I’ve been scolded so many times in. “We were too young before, I didn’t know we had a bond.” “Congratulations,” he says. “You’ve finally done something right. This is your first public non-shameful act. Kingston Vale,” he nods to himself. “Nice.” “I’m surprised, I thought Audrey was a shoo-in for Luna but now?” Mom pauses, pure amusement on her face. “This is great. Anna will be so humbled. I don’t have to kiss up to her in the future, my daughter is going to be the Luna not hers.” Luna. The word unsettles me. Almost as much as the thought of being mated to Kingston does. “I’m not going to be Luna.” “What’s that?” “He rejected my father, in front of everyone,” I say. “It’s merely a matter of time before he comes to reclaim it.” “You will not accept it,” he snaps, “You have to be Luna. It’s not like anyone else is lining up for you, no one this great at least.” “Kingston has a girlfriend,” I swallow. No woman wants a mate that’s obsessed with another woman, much less the woman who made her life hell. “He doesn’t want me.” “If you could charm your way into bed with that boy years ago, you can do it with Kingston now.” “Bryan,” Mom hisses. “You’re scaring her.” “I’m setting her straight,” he argues. “Marrying Kingston is the only way to erase the stain she put on our family name. No one will dare speak ill of their Luna or her father. This will be good for our family.” “Liana baby,” Mom sweetly smiles. “You understand your father do you not?” I nod, “Yes. But I can’t accept him. I don’t belong here anymore, if I never come back to the pack again, everyone will forget I existed. They’ll forget everything that happened.” He rises, “You little—” “Let me handle it,” Mom grabs his arm. “We don’t want him finding her bruised when he comes to get her.” “He won’t be coming for me, Mom. Did that look like a man interested in me?” “Make him,” She sighs. “You always were so good at dog walking him until you chose to be a sl^t and publicise it. Then Audrey took over, but you can reclaim him.” My jaw drops. I’ve never heard her speak like this before, and calling me a sl^t? She didn’t say it once when the video was released. “Mom?” “He has a soft spot for you.” Had. That was years ago. “Alpha Dante will talk to him, he has been set on King marrying his mate, and no one else. His rejection doesn’t matter.” “But dad,” I swallow, my voice low. “I don’t want to be Luna. I want to continue with my master’s and—” “You won’t need that. It’s useless,” he tsks. “Your job is to sit down, listen, and give this pack an heir. That’s the only thing you should be thinking of. Do you understand?” “Yes, Dad.” I swallow. I don’t understand him, I do understand that if I stay here then I’m trapped. I’ve learned easily that the only way to appease my father is by agreeing with his demands. “Good,” he smiles. “I’m proud of you. I mean it this time.” “My little Luna, how wonderful.” Mom giggles to herself. “Do you think you can rename a hall after me? Or a street?” she gasps, “Anna wanted that and I want to rub it in her face.” “Yes,” I nod. “But what do I do about school and work?” “You’re rich now, you can have it all without working so hard,” she winks, “It’s time to put your smarts on vacation, and enjoy the blessing the moon goddess has given you. See honey, she’s not cursed. A delayed blessing, is still a blessing.” Can I make one request?” “What?” Dad snaps. “I have to pack up in Clinshore,” I say. And by pack up I mean escape. I'll leave Clinshore too. “I’ll send your brother.” “No, let her.” Mom smiles, “You know she doesn’t like people touching her stuff. How long will it take?” Relief floods me. “I have a flight tomorrow afternoon, so if I leave then I will be back within a week. I won’t take everything.” “Sell the rest, and get me a purse.” “Alright, the sooner the better.” Dad sighs, “Kingston’s inauguration is in two weeks, and you have to be here for that.” Over my dead body. “I will.” “I’m so excited,” Mom swoons. “Your wedding should be bigger than Seraphine’s, the Vale family have more money.” “You can get started on the planning,” I say with a wide smile. “You want me to plan?” she gasps, “Sera didn’t let me anywhere near her planner.” “I trust your work,” I smile. She’s an event planner for a living, out of work and tacky. But it’ll keep her busy and give me time to escape freely. With a feigned yawn, I rise from my seat. “I’ll go to bed.” “Yes, yes. You must be exhausted from travelling. Go on.” Goodnight.” “Goodnight Luna,” she laughs. “Honey, doesn’t that sound so lovely? We raised a Luna.” No. I'm nobody's Luna, and by the time she awakens from that deluded dream, I'll be far away from here. Chapter 5 KINGSTON I spent the entire night trying to make sense of my life. Every time I tried to fall asleep, images of Aeliana flooded my mind. Sometime years ago, the choice would have been easy, I wouldn’t have thought twice, but today, the choice weighs heavily on me. My wolf wants Aeliana, I want the pack. Our desires are set on different paths, but to have both I must make the sacrifice. I refuse to let Aeliana ruin everything I’ve worked hard for. She will regret ever coming back to Mooncrest, she should have stayed out of our lives. I’ve been ready since seven AM, and when the clock finally strikes nine, I leave my office. I know Audrey is already out at her Beauty salon by now, and so I skip the crying and whining. Outside, the entire place is buzzing with news of my rejection last night and soon, they’ll be buzzing with the news of my upcoming wedding. I spot my Mom’s car just as I’m pulling out of the parking lot. “Kingston!” She calls out from her window, honking at me. I have no choice but to get out of my car, and meet her at hers. “Mom, what are you doing here so early?” “I came to find out about your decision.” she says, “Aeliana is already in agreement, are you ready to apologise for your outburst last night?” “It wasn’t an—Wait.” I pause, her words only now registering. “Did you say Aeliana agrees?” “Yes,” she grins widely. “Pandora called me this morning. She was particularly happy and wanted to get together since we are to be in-laws.” That doesn’t sound right, Aeliana wouldn’t agree. The eyes that stared at me last night wanted nothing to do with me, they’re the eyes of the girl who cut ties with me, and the rest of the pack. What is she planning? “So what’s your decision?” “I’ll marry her,” I say, and she immediately smiles. I haven’t seen her this happy since my nephew said her name as his first word. “I’m happy it pleases you that your husband is forcing me into this marriage.” “Oh come on, son. Aeliana is a beautiful girl,” she grins wider. “Your father isn’t forcing you into anything, he is helping you. This is what it should be like, you don't need a chosen mate when fate has blessed you with one.” “I wouldn’t say blessed,” I grumble. My problem with Aeliana is beyond her looks. Her looks are not an issue, the girl is stunning. “I would,” she argues. “I mean I was okay with Audrey being your chosen, but there’s just something about her that unsettles me.” Unsettles her? They get along just fine, they've been to dinners without me countless times. “I don’t know, King. Audrey is lovely and pleasant, but you’re her main focus. A Luna needs to be balanced and that Aeliana? I’ve always liked her. She’s been very critical, calm, I can see a bit of myself in her.” “Mom, please stop.” I groan. “If Aeliana wanted to be with me then she would have, there would have been no Audrey, but she tossed me away once she found someone else to fool around with.” Mom frowns, a hand to her chest. “I am sorry you’re grieving your relationship with Audrey, but to be honest with you? I’ve always hoped Aeliana would be your mate, ever since you were little and now it's happening.” I nod. “Again, very happy for you Mother.” Despite the beginning of her statement being sympathetic, she has not once stopped smiling, there’s a shine in her eyes. “I brought a bracelet for you to give her when you apologise, it has our family crest on it.” She says, reaching into her purse. She shuffles forward something and then pulls a pink little box out. Aeliana doesn’t even like pink. “Here, you should give it to her before she leaves.” “Leaves?” I frown. “Yes,” she nods, shoving the box at me when I don’t take it. “Pandora says she will be returning to Clinshore to pack up her belongings. While she will be back in a week, it's best you show her you’re interested now.” A train of thoughts races through my mind, Aeliana accepted my rejection despite my Father’s interruption and— “She’s not coming back.” “What do you mean?” Mom asks, the fear in her voice unmistakable. “She’s running away,” I tell her. “Aeliana won’t return when she leaves.” “You should stop her then,” she blurts out. “No Aeliana, no pack, no Alpha. She has an afternoon flight. I’m meeting Pandora for brunch to discuss a few things.” AELIANA I spend my time looking for a new place to move to, somewhere where they won’t find me. My best bet is the Blood Moon pack, it’s densely populated, welcoming and best of all, in the middle of nowhere. No one would ever look for me there, and I make do with the living conditions. I tutored the Beta’s daughter a year ago in college, and we’re still in touch, she could help me move there while I figure out my next plan. My plan lacks depth, but I will fill those blanks in while I’m on my flight. I sit in the living room in my pyjamas, pretending everything’s alright while Mom gets ready to go out to brunch with Mrs Vale. When she finally leaves the house, I linger a few minutes before I return to my room for my things, and just as I’m leaving, the doorbell sounds. “I’ll get it,” I yell to our house help. I’m thinking mom left something in her haste but when I open the door, I’m met with an unexpected guest. Audrey Cole. Golden girl, spoiled daughter, pageant-winning princess, pack sweetheart, and Alpha’s precious girlfriend. She shoves me inside and enters, uninvited like the house belongs to her idiot boyfriend. “What are you doing here, Audrey?” I sigh, “Seraphine doesn’t live here anymore. Mom isn’t home and—” “I’m here for you, Squeak.” She glares. The use of that degenerating nickname does exactly what she wants it to. It sets me back six years. “I was at breakfast and I heard you’re going to marry my boyfriend?” “You heard wrong.” She laughs, “Did I? Or are you really out of your mind and believing Kingston would ever look twice at you. He’s mine, Squeak so you'd better rid yourself of those delusions, or you’ll only be embarrassing your family again. Don’t deny it now, Sera told me you said yes.” “Sera wasn’t here,” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest. “And I did say yes.” “Oh,” she gasps, “Someone has gotten brave.” “If you think you’re going to touch me? I will throw you, Audrey,” I warn. “I’m not a little girl anymore, and I have nothing to lose. Don’t make me hurt you the last time I see you.” “Last time?” she frowns, “You think you can get rid of me just by stealing my man?” “I’m not stealing anything, he’s yours.” I swallow. “He chose you.” Her lips pull into a wide smile, “Good, you’re aware. So you should leave, get out of our lives Aeliana. No one wants you here, even your parents are happier when you’re gone.” She’s right. “I happen to be happier without everyone too, and you didn't have to come here to warn me about Kingston. I don’t want him, he’s an idiot, and so are you for thinking I’d want him.” “You want him, everyone wants—” she pauses, looking down at the phone in her hand. “You’re lucky I have to give Sera her honeymoon tickets, but just remember, Squeak. I can break you.” I don’t bother responding, she walks away, bouncing down the pathway in her designer flats. It’s amazing how much people can change, but it appears her hatred for me is still intact. Slamming the door shut, I go back upstairs and prepare for my flight. Knowing I’ll never come back again, I take everything I forgot to pack last time. My childhood photo album, the books I inherited from my birth Mom, and while retrieving the books, I stumble on the locked wooden box I kept King’s letters in. I should have burned them when he stopped writing back. My flight is in four hours, and I’m ready with nearly an hour to spare. I put my suitcase in the car, but just as I’m about to drive off, I remember my phone is still upstairs, and so I go back for it. “No awkward fake goodbye,” I mumble to myself, jogging down the stairs. “This is good.” Someone answers me, “What is?” Chapter 6 I shriek in fear, my eyes widening when I see him. He’s here, King is in my house, and I’m still in Mooncrest. F^ck. Double f^ckity f^ck! “Hello, Mate.” He smirks. “Ma’am,” Lisa clears her throat. “Alpha Kingston is here.” She says. Like damn right he is. My chest is still heaving from being startled. “I can see that,” I sigh. Lisa gives me an awkward smile before she leaves the room. I’m left with a glowering Kingston. “What are you doing here?” “A little bird told me you’re leaving and I thought I should swing by and say goodbye,” he deapans. “We are mates after all.” Mates? I scoff, “You rejected me.” King shrugs, “Changed my mind.” “Changed your mind?” I frown, “What the hell is that supposed to mean? You almost broke my wrist last night and—” “Stop playing the victim,” he sneers. “That character is old don’t you agree? And besides, I’m not falling for it, I know who you are.” “Who I am is someone leaving,” I feign a smile. “You will never hear from me again, so goodbye, is that satisfactory? Or would you like for me to kiss your ring as I leave your lordship?” He doesn’t speak, he glares again. I try to leave but his hand wraps around my wrist, and he hauls me back. “You are not going anywhere, Mate. You’re staying right here, and we are getting married.” “Have you lost your mind?” I snap, trying to wiggle free from his grip. “Why would I marry you? You changed your mind, and you have a girlfriend. Marry her instead.” “I would want nothing more than to marry her, it's easy.” He grumbles under his breath, “But if I’m to become Alpha in this lifetime, then I have to marry you. My father is set on the idea for some reason, and it’s a small sacrifice to make for the good of the pack.” Sacrifice. Marry you. He says it like it’s some slur, like he is doing me a favour by taking back his rejection. “I don’t owe you or this pack anything, King. And you’re not going to stop me from leaving. You have no claim on me.” “Do I not?” his head tilts. “No,” I snap. “You don’t even want me, you want to turn me into a pawn for your amusement, but tough luck asshole, it’s not happening. I won’t play this game.” “There’s no game here, Mate.” He says, still not letting go of my hand. I would have disappeared quietly, but it's good that he’s here, I can crush his ego and break this cussed bond. “I Aeliana Hartley of Mooncrest pack reject you, Alpha Kingston Vale as my mate. I reject all bonds and sever all ties. Accept my rejection.” King pauses, twists my hand, and snickers. “No.” He says, pulling me into him. “I Alpha Kingston Vale reject your rejection.” My jaw drops. Can he do that? That’s unheard of, it’s crazy, he is crazy. “You are mine now, Aeliana. The fates have decided, and you’re not going anywhere.” “You can’t stop me,” I kiss my teeth, once again trying to walk past him, but he grabs me by the throat and slams me against the wall. I hardly have time to recollect before he learns into me, sniffing my neck. “And we’re scent matched too.” He says, his tone laced with venom. “How fun.” Fun? No, He hates it. I hate it too but what he does next makes me lose all feeling in my legs. I feel his tongue over my skin, and I freeze. “King, please don’t.” “Don’t what, Aeliana? Claim what fate has forcefully given me?” “You’re hurting me,” I choke out. “Please don't—” the rest of the words die on my tongue. His fangs stick into my neck, and I let out a soundless cry. He doesn’t take his time, he bites so hard that it bleeds, I grab his wrist to stop him but he holds on tight. This doesn’t feel anything like a mate’s mark, it feels like punishment, ownership. His tongue swirls around for a bit, almost kissing the wound and then he stops. My chest tightens. I’m marked. Marked by the man who abandoned me. He releases my throat and I fall to the floor, my heart hammering in my chest. “Hmm,” he says, his voice vibrates through me like never before. Still shaken, I look up at him and he smiles widely. “Try to leave again, and I’ll show you exactly what happens to those who get in my way.” “You can’t do this,” I sob, touching my neck. “It seems pretty done to me.” I can't help the tears that come falling. I can still feel his teeth in my neck, the way his tongue traced the wound until it stopped bleeding. He took away my choice of being marked. “I hate you.” “You think I want this?” He snickers. “Being mated to you is my worst nightmare come alive, but if you dare run from me? Make sure you can hide well because I will hunt you down, Mate.”