The Luna Who Defied Fate

At Elijah’s pack gathering, the air was thick with tension as Lachlan, my former mate and the Alpha who had faked his death ten years ago, made a grand entrance with his beloved Ayah and their two sons. His brothers, Declan and Reed, were quick to mock me, their voices dripping with disdain.

"Alpha Lachlan, your fake death act deserves an Oscar. The Moon Goddess herself would applaud your performance," Declan sneered, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Remember when Luna Hazel was running around pregnant, searching the world for you? The pack mocked her for being so desperate. It was amusing," Reed added, his laughter cutting through the room like a knife.

Lachlan’s lips curled into a cruel smirk as he retorted, "If she hadn’t been so determined to bind herself to me, Ayah wouldn’t have been devastated enough to try to end her life. I wanted her to feel what it’s like to be abandoned."

"Unless she kneels and apologizes to Ayah at tonight’s gathering, she and her unborn pup should forget about being recognized," he said, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he anticipated my humiliation.

Unbeknownst to him, the truth of his fake death at sea had long been uncovered. His reckless actions led to the pack’s resources plummeting, nearly bankrupting us within days. His father, Alpha Warren, had a heart attack in a fit of rage over Lachlan’s behavior and passed away before reaching the healer.

Laurel, Lachlan’s mother, blamed me for it all. In a fit of madness, she attacked me with a knife while I was eight months pregnant. The blade pierced my abdomen, and blood flowed, leading to the loss of my unborn pup. Just before the pack warriors arrived, she jumped to her death, ending it all in tragedy.

After the healers saved my life, I found solace in Elijah, a powerful Alpha and Lachlan’s former creditor. He became my mate, and now our pup, Oakleigh, is old enough to run errands.

...

"Alpha Lachlan, you should’ve seen how Luna Hazel looked back then, in the streets crying and making a scene like a madwoman. She was the epitome of a desperate fool," another of his brothers chimed in.

Lachlan scoffed, "Thinking a pregnancy could tie me down? She should know better than to compare herself to Ayah."

I locked eyes with him as he finished speaking, and he froze for a moment before striding towards me.

"Hazel, what are you doing here? I’ve been avoiding you for ten years, and you’re still showing up like a bad penny. Leave now; this isn’t a place for your antics!"

The crowd murmured:

"Who is she? After being insulted like that, why doesn’t she leave? I heard Alpha Elijah plans to introduce his Luna at the gathering, and if this woman disrupts it, she’ll be in deep trouble."

"This woman is really bold, kicking up a fuss at Alpha Elijah’s gathering. No wonder she was abandoned."

I looked at Lachlan and spoke coldly, "When you faked your death and vanished, I legally dissolved our mate bond. You have no right to order me around."

"Everyone knows you’re obsessed with me, hoping to cling to me forever. You think I’d believe a word about a rejection?" Lachlan scoffed.

The crowd began to murmur again:

"This woman has some nerve, hanging around despite such humiliation."

"Alpha Elijah is famous for doting on his Luna. If his Luna is upset at the gathering, he certainly won’t let this woman off lightly."

Lachlan’s expression changed at the sound of the murmurs. He grabbed my arm sharply, "Get out, don’t embarrass me here!"

He had gone to great lengths to get an invitation to this gathering, terrified my presence would ruin his chance to cozy up to Alpha Elijah.

As he shoved me toward the exit, Ayah, who walked over with their pups, looked at me and said in a seemingly innocent tone, "Sister, it’s been ten years. Why all this drama upon meeting?"

"I know it hasn’t been easy for you raising a pup alone. Blame me if you must, but spare Alpha Lachlan."

"Whatever anger you have, direct it at me, not here where everyone’s watching."

Her words, although appearing to defuse the situation, only fueled Lachlan’s anger. He glared at me, accusing me of causing a scene on purpose.

Watching the pair in front of me, memories of an unbearable marking ceremony rushed back.

That night, I waited eagerly to celebrate with Lachlan. But when Ayah called, claiming she would end her life, he left without a word, taking his coat and not returning until the next day. By then, the whole pack knew, and I was the laughingstock, the Luna who threw herself at him.

I broke free from Lachlan’s hold, my gaze piercing Ayah. "Aren’t you tired of pretending? Because I’m certainly tired of watching."

"Sister, I know you dislike me, but I never intended to hurt you..." Ayah began, but Lachlan interrupted, shielding her, glaring at me.

"Enough. I won’t allow you to bully Ayah. I left back then to teach you a lesson, but you still don’t learn. Today, I’ll make it clear: Ayah’s cared for me all these years and gave me two pups. I’m bringing her home."

"You better behave, or I’ll throw you out immediately."

I couldn’t help but find it laughable. "Lachlan, I’ve found my true mate. Who you bring home has nothing to do with me."