Luna Rejects Mate Bond

The crowd erupted into cheers as Bonnie crossed the finish line, her small frame bursting with energy despite the grueling training course she'd just completed. I watched with pride swelling in my chest as my daughter—my brilliant, determined daughter—pumped her fists in the air.

"I won, Mom! I actually won!" Bonnie's voice carried across the training field as she sprinted toward me, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

I caught her in my arms, breathing in her scent mixed with sweat and determination. "You were amazing, sweetheart. Absolutely amazing."

Bonnie had defeated opponents twice her age in the annual pack youth training competition—a feat that would surely catch anyone's attention. Especially her father's.

"Did you see me take down Marcus? He's been training for years!" Bonnie's eyes sparkled with triumph as she tugged at my hand. "Can we go tell Dad right away? He said he'd be proud if I placed in the top three, but I won, Mom! I won!"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Of course we can, sweetheart. Let's go find him."

We hurried across the pack grounds, Bonnie practically floating with excitement. My heart ached knowing that Johan had promised to attend today's competition. Another promise I knew he wouldn't keep.

"He'll be so surprised," Bonnie chatted endlessly as we approached the Alpha's office. "I've been practicing every day for months. Ms. Helena said I showed exceptional control when shifting during the obstacle course."

When we entered without knocking—a privilege reserved for family—Johan barely glanced up from his desk. His dark eyes flicked to Bonnie, then back to the papers spread before him.

"You won," he stated flatly, not a question but a statement of fact.

"Yes!" Bonnie bounced on her toes. "I beat everyone, even the sixteen-year-olds! I was the youngest by far to—"

"Well done," Johan cut her off, signing a document with a flourish. "You've always been coordinated."

I watched my daughter's face fall slightly. She'd been hoping for more—we both had.

"Dinner's at seven," Johan added, still not looking up. "Don't be late."

Bonnie's smile returned, smaller but still hopeful. "Okay! I can tell you all about the competition then!"

As we left his office, I squeezed Bonnie's shoulder gently. "Let's get you cleaned up before dinner, champion."

---

The dining room was tense as Johan announced his plans for the weekend.

"The Northern Ridge Pack is hosting their seasonal gathering," he said, cutting into his steak. "I'll be escorting Liv and Faye as representatives of Silvermoon."

Bonnie's fork clattered against her plate. "But... my Coming of Age ceremony is Saturday."

Johan sighed, as if her ceremony was an inconvenient scheduling conflict. "I'm aware of your schedule, Bonnie."

"You promised you'd be there," Bonnie whispered, her voice small but steady. "You said you'd walk me to the altar."

I placed my hand over Bonnie's, feeling it tremble slightly. "Johan, we discussed this. Bonnie's ceremony is important."

Johan's eyes flashed amber as he turned to me. "And so is Faye's introduction to werewolf society. This will be her first formal pack gathering."

"But—" I began.

"Enough." His voice dropped into the Alpha tone that vibrated through my bones. "Faye needs to learn proper pack protocols and make connections that will benefit Silvermoon. Bonnie's ceremony is a routine pack event that any elder can oversee."

I felt my wolf stir inside me, bristling at his dismissal of our daughter. Five years of this—five years of watching him favor Liv's daughter over his own.

"Aniyah," he continued, his tone softening slightly but still carrying authority, "you understand political necessities. Faye's debut takes priority over routine ceremonies."

Bonnie sat silently beside me, her food untouched.

---

Later that night, I stood at our bedroom window, watching as Johan guided Faye through the garden paths. His hands rested gently on her shoulders as he demonstrated a formal curtsy.

"Like this," I heard him say, his voice warm with encouragement. "You'll be the most elegant young lady there."

Faye giggled—a sound so carefree it made my chest ache for Bonnie.

"The speech needs work," Johan continued, "but we have time. I want you to make a lasting impression."

I turned away from the window to find Bonnie's door slightly ajar. Inside, she sat at her desk, staring at blank paper where her ceremony speech should be. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at the empty chair beside her—the chair where her father should have been sitting to help her prepare.

In that moment, something inside me hardened. Five years of watching my daughter reach for a father who barely saw her. Five years of swallowing my pride and making excuses for his behavior.

My wolf's eyes flashed gold in the darkness as I made a silent vow. This would be the last time Bonnie cried herself to sleep wondering why her father loved another woman's child more than his own.