Revenge Of The Rejected Luna

IRIS.

“Everyone in Moonstone Pack knows you are our Luna, no one is stealing your position, Iris,” Nadia, my best friend chirped beside me as we stood in front of the full-length mirror of my dressing room reflecting my white ball wedding gown perfectly tailored to my body.

“You look ravishing, Iris. Alpha Lucan has no idea what’s in store for him tonight,” she beamed while combing through my long wavy black hair but her cheeriness was not enough to allay the worry gleaming in my hazel eyes.

I glanced at her worriedly through the mirror. “I don’t know, Nadia, these days I can’t help but entertain these fears that I’m going to lose my title,” I replied.

“Why would you say that? You are Alpha Lucan’s mate, and you are getting married tonight. It’s not news to anyone how much the Alpha loves you.”

A sad smile crept to my face and a heavy sigh followed suit. She was right. Alpha Lucan and I have been bonded together ever since my nineteenth birthday earlier this year. He cares and adores me but after my parent's death two months ago, I couldn’t help but rethink my coming title as Luna.

“Iris,” she held my left hand with an endearing smile. “I think you’re just overthinking these things as a bride. The pressure of you getting married in an hour from now can be overwhelming for anyone but don’t let it get to you. You will and always remain Alpha Lucan’s woman.”

My smile deepened but the moment my eyes fell to the back of her right hand with a small claw mark scar, my smile faded. She got this scar from saving me during the war from a neighboring Pack two months ago. The same war that claimed my parent’s life.

“I love Lucan more than my own life, Nadia. But haven’t you heard the gossip in some parts of the Pack?”

She wore a clueless look.

“Some of our Pack members say I’m weak and cursed because I was born under the blood moon. They think I don’t deserve to be the Luna.”

“Iris—“

“I know, it’s just some stupid rumors but it is true. I don’t have the kind of power expected of a Luna. I’m the weakest in the Pack—”

“You are not weak!” She asserted with a sharp frown.

“The war that broke out in the Pack when the neighboring Pack attacked us two months ago cost us some of the lives of our dear ones, my parents for instance…” my voice trailed off as my chest stung remembering the horrifying night when I found my parents in their pool of blood in the woods. “I couldn’t protect them and if it wasn’t for your effort in the battle, I probably would have died too.”

“Oh, Iris…don’t do this. Blaming yourself would only make you hate yourself. You did your best, make peace with that. Is this why you’re scared you’re getting married tonight?”

“I’m going to be the Luna, I’m supposed to be by Lucan’s side at all times, supporting and protecting the Pack, I’m scared I might not live up to expectations.”

“You will live up to expectations!” The both of us sharply turned to the gigantic twin doors that opened for a brown-haired man to saunter inside, dressed sharply in a black suit and hazel eyes that sparkled just like my father’s.

“Beta Aidan,” Nadia greeted with a grin while he closed the gap between us.

“Brother,” I pitched.

“I’m sorry for barging in, I was passing by but I couldn’t help it when I heard my little sister say those pessimistic words,” he toned with a smile.

I sighed.

“Alpha Lucan is busy in his quarters earnestly preparing and excited for his marriage ceremony tonight but here is my little sister wallowing in fear and doubts.” My brother said to me.

I wore a tiny sad smile.

“You should be joyous, sister.”

“I am! I’m just…”

“Nervous?” He completed it for me and I nodded. He inhaled deeply before letting out a sigh.

“Alpha Lucan loves you to depths beyond comprehension, Iris. And no matter what anyone says in the Pack, his love will never waver for you. You are always in his heart and his priority. And why worry? When you have me and Nadia to always help and guide you. I think you’re going to make a fantastic Luna.”

My smile lit up, chasing my gloominess away.

“As always, you can easily read me.”

He chuckled. “I’m a failure as a brother if I fell short of that.”

Nadia and I chuckled.

“By the way you look radiant,” he grinned with admiration. “I can’t wait to see the expression on Lucan’s face when he sees you.”

“It will be a moment to remember,” Nadia remarked and we all chuckled.

“Ignore those fears, Iris. We are all rooting for you. Our parents would have been so proud of you.” He added while Nadia hummed in agreement.

“Thank you,” I whispered before hugging him.

“Don’t tear up, I don’t want to be the cause of ruining your make-up.”

I giggled before pulling away from him.

“Well, I should take my leave now. I’m in charge of the security affairs. We can’t risk having any unscrupulous elements at a sacred ceremony like this.”

I grinned and he nodded before easing through the doors. After our parent's death, my step-brother, Aidan had to take up our father’s title as Beta. It’s been barely two months yet he was easing well into his duties and responsibilities. With him and Nadia by my side, how can I fail as Luna?

My focus returned to the mirror but this time, my lips anchored a joyous grin. And in a twinkle of an eye, time drifted by, and here I was, my left arm intertwined with my brother’s right as we walked down the aisle to the dashing young man showered by the glimmer of the golden lights hanging from the tall ceilings of the hall. His white suit was peerless among the guests seated on both sides of the aisle and his alluring shade of golden eyes glued on my every move that I feared my heart would explode from excitement. But something was missing in him as I got to the altar. He neither smiled nor did his eyes sparkle with warmth and admiration like I was expecting. Was he nervous just like I was?

Lucan suddenly cleared his throat before the Chief Elder beside us could begin the declaration of our vows.

“I have an announcement,” he glanced at me briefly before facing our Pack members seated.

My brows arched into a confused frown, no different from what the Chief Elder wore too.

“As the Alpha, it is my sacred duty to protect Moonstone from harm,” he stated eloquently. “Two months ago, this Pack mourned our losses. It was an eye-opener for me and I made a vow never to let my Pack mourn again.” he pursed his lips. “What is Moonstone Pack without a strong Luna?” he glanced at me and my frown deepened. “Someone who can be strong enough to shield the Pack with or without the Alpha. Someone who can birth strong pups to carry the legacy of this Pack. Unfortunately, that person is not you, Iris. You are pathetically weak and a shame to my legacy.” He turned to me with a cold look that instantly made me restless.

“Lucan…” I gasped, tears ripping through my eyelids while the crowds burst into a rowdy murmur.

“Iris Williams,” he continued. “I, Alpha Lucan Geraldton, deem you unworthy to be my Luna. I reject you and I refuse to have a reality where I marry you.”

“What?!” my lips twitched in shock, one that haunted me down to my spine while our Pack members stood up, their confusion even bigger.

He walked past me and met Nadia who was standing behind me on the altar.

“Nadia Rachelson, will you be my Luna?” he offered his right hand and I instantly forgot how to breathe.

Nadia smiled and took his hand. “Yes, Alpha Lucan.”

Was this a dream?! No, it wasn’t! Because if it was, I should be awake after pinching myself several times.

“Nadia?!”

IRIS.

“Nadia?!” I gasped, unable to stomach the horror playing live before me. My best friend accepted to marry my mate right before the entire Pack, if anyone had foreseen this incident as a prophecy I would have called the person delusional!

“How could you?” Tears ripped through my eyelids as those words left my lips in oblivion. Nadia sneered at me, still holding on to the Alpha’s hand like he was the very essence of her life.

“What the hell is going on here?!” Aidan thundered as he marched to the stage with eyes glistening a deadly shade of golden yellow. Five guards briskly sped to the scene stopping my brother midway from reaching the three of us.

“What is the meaning of this nonsense, Alpha Lucan?!”

“How dare you use that tone on your Alpha?!” Lucan growled.

“How dare you disrespect your mate?! Have you gone mad?!”

“She is my mate and I am Alpha, whatever I do with her is none of your business!”

“She is my sister, you bastard!!” He knocked the guards off and sped to Lucan but I dashed to his front in a split second, standing between the two of them.

“Please, Brother, you are the Beta of this Pack. He’s your Alpha,” tears trickled from my eyes but he panted heavily like a wild predator on the brink of losing itself to insanity.

“I do not need your protection, you filth!” Lucan yanked me by my arm and tossed me to the floor. Pain shot through my body like explosive waves but it wasn’t because of my fall, but rather the humiliation my mate rewarded me with.

“Lucan!!!” Aidan roared, he raised his hand high with his claws out for the Alpha’s blood but he stopped midway as Lucan’s eyes turned a predatory shade of red. The aura he exuded instantly sent a haunting chill down our spines. He didn’t even need to let his wolf out to pass the message—-he was supreme and we were nothing but ants he could easily crush at a whim.

“What’s stopping you?” Lucan queried with a devilish look I’d never seen him wear. “Hit me, you bastard, and watch me end what’s left of your family.”

“Lucan…” my voice broke as tears continued to stream down my eyes like a gentle river, he peered at me with nothing but full-blown hatred. “What happened? This is not you!”

He scoffed. “Did you seriously think I was going to make you my Luna? Are you this bad at self-awareness or you’re just flawlessly stupid? You are the weakest in our Pack!”

“Lucan…tell me this is all a lie. Tell me this is just a prank.”

“You fool, who plays a prank on their wedding day?” he blurted.

“If you hated me this much you could have easily canceled this ceremony. You could have rejected me from the very beginning! Why break me like this?! I’ve done nothing but love you more than my own life!”

He scoffed while wiggling his head.

“Why?!!” I yelled and the iciness in his eyes came alive with renewed vigor.

“Let’s just say, you were a pretty good sex toy,” he grinned sinisterly and I almost gripped my chest from the brimstone fire that raged in me.

“You were merely a source of entertainment to me, Iris. But most importantly, I wanted to use you as a lesson for everyone present here,” he took a step closer to me. “That weakness is not tolerated in my Pack, especially not from my Luna.”

“Of all people, you chose my best friend,” I sobbed. “Why her?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Nadia is the strongest lady in the Pack, if she hadn’t saved your pathetic ass two months ago you wouldn’t even be here shamelessly begging for a wedding. Not only is she strong but she is smart, talented, and irresistibly charming as well.” He turned to Nadia who giggled at his statement.

The same lady who had assured me no one was stealing my title from me was the very thief!

“Leave here before you irritate me further,” he growled at me but my muscles grew numb and I couldn’t even find an atom of resolve to leave the grounds. My eyes wavered to Aidan, he couldn’t even look me in the eyes. He simply lowered his head with curled fists. I needed no one to tell me he hated himself for being helpless in protecting me but I didn’t blame him. This was solely on me, I should blame my fate for being so cursed.

“Iris…” Nadia called, snapping me from my ugly world of thoughts. She was standing above me, offering me a hand. The same hand with which she used to answer the Alpha’s betrothal.

My vision grew more hazy with the new round of tears that flooded my eyes.

“Have you always had eyes for my mate all along?” I sniffed, choosing to ignore her hand.

She smirked, “who doesn’t have eyes for the Alpha?”

I shook my head slowly in disbelief. “All these years and I never knew you were a conniving bitch waiting for the perfect moment to steal everything from me.”

She lowered to her knees, “Oh my sweet love,” she combed through my hair but I instantly flung her hand away. “You are charming but did you ever think you were worth Alpha Lucan’s love? You’re the scum of our Pack and yet you dare to dream of getting the highest position possible. I am better than you in every sense. I DESERVE the Alpha.

You couldn’t even protect your parents, how do you intend to protect the Pack?”

“Stop it,” Aidan growled at her.

“Oh but I’m just telling the truth,” she retorted.

“If we’re talking the truth then it’s the Alpha’s fault. He couldn’t protect his Pack members from getting slaughtered that night. Was my father, not his Beta?” Aidan replied.

“Be careful of the words you spill, Aidan, or I might as well—-“

“Strip me off my title,” my brother cut Lucan off. “After humiliating my sister tonight, do you think I have any regard for being your Beta?”

“You got your position because you deserve it, you are strong and wise. Don’t let your STEP-SISTER be the cause of your misfortune.”

I wiped my tears off and struggled to my feet. He was right. My life already has its fair share of misfortunes, the last thing I wanted is to drag Aidan into it.

“Iris,” Aidan came to meet me but I stopped him before he could hold me. “Iris…”

“I’m fine…” I assured him with a tiny smile but that didn’t chase his worry away. I peered at Lucan and Nadia one last time, their look of hatred still shining brightly for me. Betrayal is never soothing, it’s a pain that sparks wounds that cut deep but I never knew its depth was far beyond my imagination until tonight.

Did I crave revenge? Maybe, but where was the power I needed to exact it? I am nothing but a weak werewolf. Perhaps, the gossip has been right all along. A werewolf born under the blood moon is cursed.

I climbed down the altar, peering at the floor rather than entertaining the gazes of the Pack members' boring holes in me.

“Does anyone have any objection to my union with Nadia?” Lucan announced to the members but none of them said a word, instead they cheered. Of course, who wouldn’t? Nobody wanted Lucan’s wrath.

“Then this wedding will proceed. Nadia will be Moonstone Pack Luna.”

As I heard that statement from him behind me. My breaths ceased and my strength drained rapidly like a stone descending from the air. My legs failed me and my vision completely went blurry.

“Iris! Iris!!” I heard my brother yell alongside a few other Pack members and that was the last thing I heard before drowning in the abyss of darkness.