The Broken Luna: Seeking for Revenge

“Do you, Jasper Frost, take Daphne Stone as your mate and Luna, and swear before the moon goddess to protect her, love her, and cherish her for all the days of your lives?”

The priest’s words echoed throughout the temple, and my heart raced, overflowing with happiness I couldn’t put into words.

I've waited for this moment for a long time, for us to stand before the moon and seal our bond. Finally, he and I would mark each other on this fine moonlit night, surrounded by our packmates who supported us.

I looked at Jasper, holding his hand with anticipation. He looked back with a small smile tugging at his lips, giving me sparks.

Everything felt so perfect that it almost seemed like a dream, and it was unsettling. It could've been the nerves, but I knew too well that when things felt too perfect, someone was always out to shatter them.

And I was right.

Just as Jasper opened his mouth to answer, a scream ripped through the crowd. I turned and saw Briana, his childhood friend, collapsing into the arms of our packmates.

Before I could process what happened, Jasper let go of my hand and ran to her without hesitation, leaving me alone at the altar.

"Jasper!" My voice broke as I called out to him. "Where are you going?"

He looked back with a cold expression, his words sharp. "Not now, Daphne! We can do this another time. Briana needs me."

My brain froze. What did he mean by another time? He had already made me wait for five years. When was he finally going to mark me?

I watched in disbelief as he scooped Briana into his arms, carrying her away like she was the most precious thing.

"Jasper! Get back here!" My chest tightened, feeling the world closing in on me.

"You can't do this to me!" I shouted with a plea, but he never looked back.

And maybe it was my imagination, but I could’ve sworn I saw a smirk tug at Briana’s lips. A bitter sigh escaped me as I glanced at the pack. Some looked at me with pity, others whispered behind their hands. Their stares weighed on me, crushing my spirit, yet Jasper expected me to endure it.

I couldn’t. I bolted out of the moon temple, chest tight with rage, tears blurring my vision. Each step felt like fire, the betrayal burning deeper with every second. Jasper had never put me first—never. It was always Briana. Everything revolved around her.

The more I thought about it, the clearer it became. Maybe this whole mate bond was just a lie I clung to. Maybe Briana was his true mate, and I was merely a placeholder.

I stormed into my parents' house, locking myself in my old room. Mom and Dad followed, knocking softly, their concern palpable. But I couldn’t face them. I buried my face in my pillow and sobbed until I was hollow—completely numb.

For the next two weeks, I shut Jasper out completely. I ignored his calls, texts, and every attempt he made to see me. He showed up at the house more times than I could count, but I refused to open the door.

As far as I was concerned, he could burn in hell. I'd never see him again.

Of course, Jasper had perfect timing. The one night I finally decided to pull myself together, he showed up—right when my parents weren’t home.

“Daphne, open the door! I know you're in there!” His fists hammered against the door, his voice booming.

I swung it open and snapped, “What do you want?”

He barged in, not wasting a second. “Why haven’t you answered my calls? Or Briana’s?” His voice dripped with accusation. “She’s been trying to reach you! You know she has a weak heart, Daphne. You’re stressing her out, and it’s bad for her health. You’re being completely unreasonable!”

“Unreasonable?” I scoffed. Was he serious?

“You abandoned me at our mating ceremony, and I’m the one being unreasonable?” I shouted, my voice shaking with fury.

“Yes!” he shot back, without a shred of doubt. His arrogance only fueled my rage. “Briana feels terrible about what happened. She’s been begging me to apologize to you for her. She’s 'genuinely' sorry, Daphne. And you're making her sick with worry!”

I couldn’t believe it. How could he stand there, defending her, after everything they’d done?

“You know what?” I stepped closer, my voice dropping to an icy calm. “I’m done. Go back and keep playing house with your childhood sweetheart.”

Jasper blinked, his confidence crumbling into confusion. “What are you talking about?”

I met his eyes, my chest burning with finality. “I’m rejecting you, Jasper.”

His face twisted in shock, his voice rising with panic. “What?”

I smiled coldly, savoring his disbelief. “You heard me. I, Daphne Stone, reject—”