The Rejected Luna's Prince

I, along with everyone else in the pack, had a crush on the future Alpha since we were kids. But not everyone was in love with him like I was.

Not that we really ever talked besides one time he accidentally bumped into me or that he noticed me even when I couldn't stop staring at him. My thoughts were consumed by him, maybe that was obsessive but nothing I ever tried stopped me from fantasizing about him. I might have been pretty, but no one ever told me that. I enjoyed school and had friends, but I didn't stand out. Not like his gorgeous naturally blonde leggy girlfriend who he had most of high school that commanded everyone's attention. That was, until my eighteenth birthday during the summer after I graduated.

I was walking past the training grounds to take a walk before my parents woke up in anticipation of our tradition of making more pancakes that we could consume and watching movies all morning to recover.

I smelled something delicious, like the forest after it rained, but the morning sky was clear and it had been for days.

The future Alpha, Nolan was blocking my path. I swallowed, his dark brown hair was damp with sweat and his matching brown eyes flickered to midnight black.

"Mine," He growled.

A million butterflies erupted through me, and my whole body buzzed as shock rooted me to the spot.

I couldn't believe it, everything I'd ever dreamed that I never dared to even put words to, outside of my ridiculous fantasies, was coming true.

That day he made me his in every way possible. From that moment, my world revolved around him more than it already did.

That was over a year ago now, and I still couldn't believe he was mine, only mine. Things weren't perfect. We were both busy learning how to take over the new roles we would assume a few months after he turned twenty-one. When he would officially become Alpha, and I will be right by his side as his Luna.

It still didn't feel real, I still looked at him as I did across the cafeteria, with longing and want. The only difference was now he returned those stares with the same intensity.

"Switch the forks, you know this, Willa." The current Luna Natalie, Nolan's mom .scolded me. My Luna lessons consisted mostly of party planning, memorizing the names and faces of ranked members of other packs, and how to be the picture of stoic yet warm, and thinking about what Nolan was doing.

To be honest, I was having trouble with all of those besides the last one. All of the beiges looked exactly the same, I didn't even know there was more than one color peach. "Sorry, Luna," I mumbled, catching her glare. No mumbling.

"Luna," Jack, Nolan's future Gamma came into the room, "Camilla is here and requests an audience."

"Well, isn't that fantastic," Luna Natalie's smile was genuine, but my stomach turned to lead. Camilla, as in Nolan's high school girlfriend? There was no way, she has been at college.

"You can finish the setup, can't you?" She turned to me, and I nodded.

"Of course, Luna," I smiled at her despite my curiosity and probably misplaced dread.

"I'll help," Jack added, taking the tray of silverware from Luna Natalie.

"Thanks," I muttered when she was out of the room.

"This is t.orture," He joked, it really was, "I would rather do a back-to-back training than do a lesson with the Luna." I had to agree. Even though I didn't train regularly before when I became the future Luna, I was required to stop it completely. "Willa, there's someone I would like you to meet," The Luna stood in the doorway. A moment later, Camilla, the same Camilla, strolled in.

She looked at the place settings before even looking at me.

"Jack," She smiled at him, her lips pulled back over blindingly white teeth. Her naturally blonde hair was perfectly curled, and she stood tall and confident in a tight red dress that seemed more suited for a party, and black stilettos that showed off her long golden legs. "Nice to see you, it's been too long," Jack smiled back looking between us both, "How is college?"

"Fine," She waved a manicured hand, "But Carden Valley is so dull, there's hardly anything to do there." Carden Valley tugged at my memory, but I didn't know why.

"Camilla, I'm not sure if you've been formally introduced to Willa yet, Nolan's mate," Jack made the introduction I was waiting for from Luna Natalie. Camilla's smile faltered for a split second, and the bright smile she had for Jack was replaced with a tight-lipped one as she looked me over.

I pulled some of my unruly black hair behind my ear, fighting to keep my gaze level and not look down at the plain cotton dress I wore. I suddenly felt wildly underdressed in my own home.

"We haven't" Camilla extended her hand, not making a move to step forward.

I closed the space between us and shook hers, "It's a pleasure," I smiled at her in my best fake Luna smile, "Nolan and I are honored to have you visit. I hope you staying for his birthday?" I kept my voice level even though I wanted to claw her perfectly lined eyes out for some reason.

His 21st birthday party was a few days away, and I helped with every aspect of that party. It was something I was actually proud of, and I wanted her to see that I was capable even if I didn't look as good in a mini-skirt. But what did I want to show off? My party planning skills? Even thinking that felt dull.

"Of course," My stomach twisted in knots.

"I can't wait to get to know you better," I held my ground and kept smiling.

"Likewise." Her smile was devoid of emotion, "Oh, Willa is it?"

I nodded.

"I think your soup and dessert spoons are mixed up." I tore my gaze from her to the place setting.

"So they are," Luna Natalie tutted, "Thank you for noticing that, Camilla." She ushered her out of the room, their heads were bent together, laughing and whispering.

I groaned and fell back into a chair.

"Very, un luna like of you," Jack laughed, "But your performance was great."

I glared at him. Jack and the future Beta, Isaac, became my friends over the past year. I was surprised at first at how accepting they were of me. I definitely wasn't like the girls they usually hung out with. But this past year, we pretty much did everything together as the future ranked members, and all lived in the packhouse.

I moved in the night after Nolan mated and marked me; the thought of that night still sent s.hivers of p.leasue down my spine. I was in complete shock and awe that the man that I dreamed of for most of my life was claiming me, exploring my body for the first time ever, with his tongue, and his hands, and then his -

"Willa?" Jack looked at me, pulling me from my thoughts. "Hm?"

"I asked if there was anything else after we switch the spoons," I shook my head and bit my lip, refraining myself from asking him more about Camilla.

My stomach dropped when I thought about her. The pain felt physical like someone sucked all the air out of me and filled my lungs with lead. This was an insane reaction to my jealousy that I knew was misplaced. What they had ended even before I found out I was his mate, I didn't take him from her. Even if I did, I was his mate; she was just a girlfriend, an ex-girlfriend.

"Are you okay?" He studied me, concern plastered on his face.

"Yeah, of course," I breathed through the sharp pain.

"Don't worry about Camilla; she's like that with new people." He shrugged.

"Sure," I brushed it off, "I'm going to find Nolan." I managed to push myself up despite the tangible jealousy that was radiating through me.

I walked through the hall, hoping to intercept my mate in his dad's office, Alpha Hugo's office, before he bounded off to the next thing on his packed schedule.

Everything had been a whirlwind between his birthday and us taking over the pack shortly after. We barely got to see each other.

I knew seeing him, feeling his touch, would shake this insane feeling that took root and flooded through me like hot coals. I had felt this before, but it usually wasn't attached to jealousy; it was attached to stress sometimes when Nolan went away.

I finally clicked where I heard of Cardens Valley. Nolan has a conference there a month ago at a pack I didn't remember the name of, or maybe he didn't tell me. I really had to get better at memorizing all of these things.

I rounded the corner in front of the dark wooden door of his father's office that would soon be his. A thumping noise sounded from the other side of the door, a growl, and then a loud m.oan, and then some muffled ones like it was being covered. I could feel myself blushing, Alpha Hugo and Luna Natalie weren't overly affectionate, but they were mates. It was natural.

I turned as quietly as I could to give them privacy.

"Nolan, Nolan," The soft m.oan came again before it was replaced with muffled panting.

I froze in my spot. Every cell in my body felt charged. I swallowed as a cold sheen covered me. I must have heard wrong. I had to have heard wrong.

I opened the door a crack, just to confirm that nothing was going on.

But Nolan stood before me, his back to the door.

I knew every inch of his body, the way that his muscles curled and tensed when he was, when he was, buried inside of me.

Long, golden legs still clinging to black stilettos wrapped around his lower back.

"F.uck," He grunted. I knew that meant he was close.

He was close to finishing in Camilla.

I had no clue what to do, I wanted to run and scream but I couldn't move. Would it be better or worse to catch them in the act?

I wanted to hear his explanation, of how he could do this to me.

I wanted him to feel the guilt to help diminish my anger. I wanted him to feel the regret to calm my betrayal. I wanted an explanation to wash away the shock and pain. Before I could make up my mind he turned around to pull up his pants and saw me.

They both did.

He froze and called my name, she gave me a lazy grin.

And I ran.

"Willa, d.amnit, Willa." He chased after me as I slammed the door behind us to our bedroom and dove under the covers.

"Willa." He burst open the door as my tears fell.

I couldn't think, couldn't process, I just felt. And everything I felt was wrong.

The bed dipped as he sat next to me and placed a hand on my back.

"I-I," He started, "I don't know what to say."

I waited for him to go on, as much as I wanted to yell and scream I wanted him to be the one that was begging for my forgiveness. I needed his explanation to make it okay.

The heavy warmth of his hand left me completely after a few silent moments.

"I'll talk to you when you calm down." He sighed and I felt the bed shift again.

He wasn't going to leave? Was he?

The sound of the door closing was my answer.

The hole in my chest ripped wider and I couldn't breathe.

But he didn't come back.

I don't know when I fell asleep but when I woke up he was next to me in bed. I felt a rush of relief but I wasn't sure why. I just cuddled into the back of his broad back and let his strong warmth ease me back into the abyss.

He was up before I was, the dull thudding in my chest was threatening to rip open again. But he came back. For me.

I jumped into a shower and pulled a brush through my hair, my light green eyes seemed even brighter compared to how red-rimmed they were. I grimaced at my reflection, there was no hiding what I spent all yesterday and last night doing.

I followed the sounds of muted chatter to the breakfast room. I paused at the door and my stomach dropped. I pushed past the open door hoping no one noticed me.

"Willa, honey?" I stopped in my tracks trying to loosen my fists that were clenched together.

I lingered in the doorway, there was so way in hell I was sitting with that b.itch.

Luna Natalie and Camilla were looking the picture of relaxed, just the two of them sitting for breakfast.

"Sorry, I can't join you," I forced a smile, hoping it seemed genuine, "I have-,"

"Oh your appointment, yes." Luna Natalia smiled at me. Oh, I actually forgot I had that doctor's appointment.

I nodded and turned not sparing a glance toward Camilla, I knew it would be my undoing. Rage crept through me, the audacity of her sitting here after what she did with my mate.

I couldn't focus on anything but my anger.

Two large hands wrapped around me stunning me for a moment before his familiar scent enveloped me.

"Come here," He pulled me into an empty room.

I couldn't stop shaking, hot tears sprung into my eyes, "Why?" I demanded of him before he could speak. I shook my head and the tears streamed down my face, I didn't wipe them away, I wanted him to see what he did.

"I, uh," He rubbed the back of his neck, he was rarely at a loss for words, "It shouldn't have happened like that. It shouldn't have. I am so sorry, you don't deserve that." He pinned me to the spot with his chocolate-brown eyes. My stomach doing a flip despite myself. I had no clue what to do, I wanted to run and scream but I couldn't move. Would it be better or worse to catch them in the act?

"I want her gone," I demanded.

"Willa," He breathed, "I can't."

"You can, she can come to your party but she is not permitted to stay here," I mustered up the Luna voice I've been practicing, I was assuming that's why she was here this morning.

"Okay," He hung his head before lowering his mouth to mine. His kiss was reserved yet hungry, and he pulled me to him.

My breath caught, but I was enveloped in the sparks and warmth of the mate bond. I felt loose in his arms. I can't remember the last time he kissed me like this outside of when we were intimate, if ever.

He pulled back and I put a hand to my swollen lips, the effect he still had on me made me dizzy.

"Now what?" I breathed.

He ran a hand through his dark hair, "I am sorry, I don't even know. All of this everything that is happening, I guess I don't feel like myself."

Not really an explanation, but I wanted to believe him.

Willa, your appointment is about to start - The doctor's voice came through my mind with the mind link

"I have to go," I paused, studying him, "To an appointment, we can talk later."

He nodded, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear, and I melted into his touch.

"I'm sorry, that wasn't fair to you," He whispered and I nodded, fighting the tears.

"I forgive you,"

The words felt wrong coming out. I didn't know if he even asked for my forgiveness, I wanted more groveling but I didn't want to lose him. My lifetime love that was fated to me.

This was just a mistake that we would get past. It would make us stronger, and our love for each other more intense.

I could deal with the pain, there wasn't an alternative.

"Well, Luna," The middle-aged doctor who always seemed bubbly and full of energy sat across her desk, "Er, Willa, sorry." She smiled at me.

I loved the title, it sent pride through me. To help protect the pack that I loved, that I grew up in alongside man that I always loved but never thought I could have.

"It's okay, Dr. Lilian," I smiled at her, "I'll have to get used to it soon."

"Very soon," She nodded, her eyes sparkling before she flipped over my charts studying them.

Her eyes widened slightly before the smile returned to her face, "Very soon you will be called something else."

My brows furrowed, "What?"

"Congratulations, Luna. You're going to be a mother."

I was rooted to my seat as it sunk in.

I looked down at my stomach letting out a laugh. I wanted this, we wanted this and it was finally happening.

A baby, we were going to have a baby.

I rubbed my stomach, there was a baby in there.

Tears pricked my eyes for another reason now.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes," Her smile wide, "Only a few weeks, I would say about five or six weeks, that's why it didn't show up yet when you were here last time, it must have happened days before." She mused.

"But I want you to come back next week and we can do a proper scan, maybe with Nolan. Okay?"

I nodded, "Thank you," Joy flooded through me.

Everything was right again, better than right.

It was perfect.

Coming back from the pack clinic, I clutched the papers confirming my pregnancy close to my heart, I wanted nothing more than to tell him, it would be the perfect birthday gift. Even though his birthday was tomorrow the party was tonight and I figured it was close enough. Walking into the packhouse the air was completely different from when I left. It felt charged, and people were running around, omegas with vases and small bites of food rushed around without dropping anything.

I didn't understand, everything was already set up and decisions were made weeks ago.

Luna Natalie almost bumped into me.

"Oh," Her eyes were wide seeing me, I shoved the papers into my pocket, "We've had a change, I'm glad you're here." That took me by surprise, she seemed to be happy to plan things herself saying it took her far less time than when I was involved. "What can I do?" My smile was genuine, I was happy that she needed my help.

"I've told the omega's to re-do the table settings in the dining hall, they're cleaning it again now but I need you to monitor to make sure that they are doing it correctly. Perfectly," She handed me a clipboard and tapped on the color swatches attached. "We're changing everything?" I asked, looking down at the swatches that were completely different from what we chose previously.

"Yes, the prince is coming," She waved a hand dismissing me, I held back my laugh. A prince?

"What do you mean?"

"Have you not been paying attention in your studies, Wilhelmina?" Her brown eyes slid to mine, I flinched internally at the use of my full name.

"I have, and the royal family stopped holding power a century ago," I countered.

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as if I was giving her a headache.

"They don't hold power really, yes. But they are still powerful, and we respect them and the bloodline they came from," She sighed, "Alpha Dracos, the prince, has informed us he will be attending this evening, I've only met him once. Of course, he's invited to all of our pack events but he either declines or sends someone on his behalf."

I nodded, still not understanding. If he didn't hold power over us why bother with all the changes, and, oh Goddess, the fancy china that I definitely broke a few pieces of last time.

"If you have any questions link me, this has to be perfect," She turned and walked away her heels clicking on the floor.

I sighed looking over all the changes, at least I wouldn't have to set out the silverware and I could just direct it. This would keep my mind away from Camilla's tones legs wrapped around my mate.

Anger flared again, that was in the past. The not-so-distant past, but I would focus on the future. I patted my pocket where I put the confirmation from the doctor and smiled at my flat stomach. The future, this baby, was the only thing that mattered now. The day both dragged on was over before I knew it.

Dusk settled in past the tall windows of the dining room and I yawned, cursing myself for not asking if I was allowed to drink coffee or not. I saw it a lot in movies but I wasn't sure how it affected us.

"Willa, what are you still doing here?" Luna Natalia slipped in, her hair and makeup perfect and done for this evening even though she had yet to change.

"I was just finishing here, we just have a few more centerpieces for the smaller tables,"

"I'll do that, go get ready, it's going to start soon," She grabbed the clipboard from my hand and I let her. If I left before it was done I would have gotten in trouble, no matter what I did it was wrong and I've accepted that.

I would be Luna in a few months and I hoped the grip she had on me would lessen.

Significantly.

I hoped.