Rejected Luna Reclaims Her Alpha Destiny

The night I found out that Elise, the rogue werewolf, had accepted Joseph Stewart’s proposal, my usually composed and rational mate drank himself into a stupor. Despite the discomfort twisting in my chest, I stayed by his side, tending to him late into the night. As the Luna of the Stewart Pack, it was my duty, even if my heart ached with every moment. He was moved by my care and promised me a proper bonding ceremony, complete with the marking ritual. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to hope—perhaps, after seven long years, he had finally let Elise go. But when I tried on the wedding dress reserved for the ceremony, I discovered he had blocked me from his mate link, cutting off our mental connection.

"I don’t want regrets in my youth. Just say the word, and I’ll come running to you."

Turns out, bonding with me was his regret. Our seven years together meant nothing compared to the brief days he spent with Elise. Now, I have no regrets about my youth.

They say snooping through your mate’s thoughts is bound to hurt. I thought I was the exception, but as I stared at the severed mate link, the truth hit me like a rogue’s claws. Elise’s presence was the only one that lingered in his mind, while my thoughts were silenced, pushed aside like an afterthought. I found it laughably ironic.

I had barely composed myself when Joseph stepped out of the dressing room. Dressed in a pure white tailcoat, the store’s lights cast a soft golden hue over his broad, muscular frame—a stark reminder of his Alpha status. His bow tie fluttered lightly at his throat, like a resting butterfly, pulling at emotions I no longer wished to feel.

He smiled slightly and walked toward me with the confidence of an Alpha ready to claim his Luna. In the past, I would have rushed into his arms, eager for him not to take another step. But the severed mate link made it clear—his Luna was someone else.

"Luna Zhuri, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?" Joseph asked, his deep voice laced with concern that felt hollow now.

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "No, Alpha Joseph. It’s just that the suit looks really nice—I got lost in thought."

Luckily, his attention wasn’t on me. He was enchanted with the suit, admiring himself in the mirror with the pride of an Alpha who knew his worth. Laney, the Omega manager of the pack-run bridal shop, brought out a wedding dress that complemented his suit, her movements quick and deferential.

"Luna Zhuri, here’s your wedding dress. Alpha Joseph reserved it at our bridal shop seven years ago. He truly loves you, having waited all this time," she said, her voice soft but tinged with admiration.

I looked at the mermaid-style gown, adorned with countless sparkling jeweled butterflies along the hem, paired with crystal shoes that surely cost a fortune. Seeing me stare blankly at the dress, Laney looked puzzled. "Luna Zhuri, won’t you try it on? Although Alpha Joseph had it custom-made for you back then, your measurements might have changed over seven years."

It turns out Joseph had planned his bonding ceremony with Elise all those years ago, never forgetting her. Just as I was about to refuse, Laney was already unfurling the dress, comparing it to my figure with practiced familiarity.

"Luna Zhuri, you’ve lost so much weight. We’ll need to remeasure the waist..." She was cut off by Joseph, still admiring his suit, who strode over with a scowl that made Laney shrink back.

"Who gave you permission to take out that dress?" he snapped, his Alpha tone sharp and commanding, his dark eyes flashing with anger as he pushed me aside, as if my presence might taint the gown. He handled it tenderly, repackaging it in its protective cover with a reverence that stung.

"I’m sorry, Alpha Joseph. I thought since Luna Zhuri was here, she might as well try it on," Laney stammered, her head bowed in submission.

Joseph finally noticed my gaze and awkwardly changed the subject. "Luna Zhuri? She’s my mate."

He took my hand as if nothing had happened, his grip firm but lacking the warmth it once held.

"My little jealous one, upset again? Why is it that women love to be jealous?" he teased, though his voice lacked the affection it once carried.

I quietly shook my head, my throat too tight to speak.

Joseph tried to comfort me, his tone softening. "That wedding dress isn’t right for you. I’ll choose another one."

I pointed to his phone, which lit up with an incoming call labeled 'Love.'

Joseph answered eagerly, his face turning red, a smile tugging at his lips. It was a look I’d never seen on him before—pure, unguarded happiness.

It was obvious, Joseph’s favoring of Elise was clear as day, and only I had been blind to it.

After the call, Joseph was visibly delighted. He asked Laney to select a fitting wedding gown for me and dashed out of the shop still wearing his tailcoat, his Alpha aura commanding the space even in his haste.

Outside, a rare sun-shower began, the delicate raindrops doing little to slow Joseph’s quick exit. Like an Alpha fleeing his own bonding ceremony. Sadly, I wasn’t the Luna he had chosen.

I gently pushed aside the dress Laney offered me, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "No need. We don’t even know who the Luna for this ceremony will be."