The Rejected Luna

Chapter 3

_Avery's POV_

The week leading up to the engagement felt like I was being swept along in a current, with no control over where I was headed. My parents were busy with the preparations, talking excitedly about decorations and guests, but I felt like a stranger in my own life. My mother and Luna Maria even took me shopping for a dress. I stared at the rows of glittering gowns, but nothing felt right. Finally, they picked a shimmering, soft blue dress, telling me how beautiful I would look. I smiled weakly, but inside, I wished none of this was happening.

As the engagement day approached, my heart felt heavier. I didn’t want to be here, didn’t want to sit beside someone who looked at me with resentment. I had had a crush on Kaden for as long as I could remember, but not like this. Not if it meant he would hate me every day. I knew I could never be happy with a forced bond, and he would never truly accept me, not with his heart already given to Anna.

The day arrived faster than I wanted. My mother came into my room with a bright smile, eager to help me get ready. She tried to cheer me up, chatting as she did my makeup, saying I would look so lovely that Kaden wouldn’t be able to keep his eyes off me. I stared at my reflection, feeling hollow. Kaden only had eyes for Anna. She had his heart—a part of him I would never have, even if we went through with this marriage.

When it was time to leave, my father greeted me with a hug, saying that I looked beautiful. I forced a smile, hoping it hid the storm inside me. We arrived at the venue, and the décor was breathtaking. Soft lights hung from the ceiling, and tables were covered with deep blue cloths, golden plates, and glistening silverware. Flowers were everywhere, filling the air with a faint, sweet scent. It was beautiful, but I felt like a shadow in all the brightness.

I walked to the stage and saw Kaden already seated, his gaze fixed somewhere across the room. Following his line of sight, I spotted Anna in a stunning black dress. She looked beautiful but sad, her eyes never leaving Kaden. A pang of guilt tugged at my heart. I was the reason for their sorrow, the intruder who had disrupted their love.

Luna Maria approached, pulling me into a hug. “You look lovely, Avery,” she whispered, her voice warm. She and Alpha Elias led me to the stage and guided me to the seat next to Kaden. As soon as we were alone, Kaden turned to me, his expression cold.

“This doesn’t mean anything,” he said quietly but with such intensity that I felt each word like a slap. “Even if we’re married, I’ll never accept you. Anna is my only love. I can’t live without her. You… you’re nothing to me. You’re just the one who has ruined my life.”

His words stung, and I felt the urge to scream, to tell him that this wasn’t easy for me either. I was willingly stepping into a nightmare, binding myself to someone who hated me. But I held my tongue, keeping my gaze fixed ahead, refusing to let him see the hurt he had caused.

Alpha Elias stood, addressing the crowd, his voice booming over the murmurs. “Thank you all for joining us tonight. We are gathered to witness the engagement of my son, Kaden, and his fated mate, Avery.” The guests cheered, unaware of the tension between us.

When the time came to exchange rings, my hands shook as I tried to slip the ring onto Kaden’s finger. His expression was emotionless, his gaze like ice. He sighed, seeming almost annoyed, and steadied my hand, guiding the ring onto his finger himself. When our skin touched, a wave of sparks jolted through me, a fluttering warmth spreading in my chest. I looked up, but Kaden’s face was unreadable, like he hadn’t felt anything at all.

Then it was his turn to put my ring on. He held my hand briefly, slipping a large diamond onto my finger. It felt strange, heavy, and foreign. This was something fit for Anna, not me. I felt like an imposter, pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

Kaden’s hand dropped, and the room erupted in applause.

After some seconds, the applause settled but I could barely focus. Alpha Elias held up his hand, signaling the crowd to listen.

"Thank you all," he began, his voice steady and full of pride. "This engagement marks an important step, not just for Kaden and Avery, but for our entire pack. Next month, we will celebrate their wedding. Afterward, I plan to retire and pass the Alpha title to my son, Kaden." He paused, looking at us both with a warm, approving smile. "As soon as they are married, they will lead together."

I felt a chill run down my spine. The wedding was in a month. A month until my life changed forever, bound to someone who didn’t want me, and who I would never have. I could feel Kaden tense beside me, his shoulders stiff, his eyes fixed forward. I wished for a small sign, some hint that he cared even a little. But all I saw was the cold distance between us.

As the crowd clapped again, Luna Maria came over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is wonderful news," she said, her gaze shifting between Kaden and me. "You two will be perfect together."

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Thank you, Luna Maria."

Kaden didn’t say anything. His silence hurt. I felt like I was standing beside a stranger, not my mate. And then I couldn’t hold it in anymore. The words slipped out, barely a whisper.

"Why did it have to be like this?" I said softly, almost to myself.

Kaden looked over at me, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"

I hesitated, unsure if I should speak. But my heart was breaking, and the words came out in a rush. "Why did the Moon Goddess choose us as mates? Why would she make me fall for you when you love someone else?"

Kaden’s face hardened. "The Moon Goddess must be playing some cruel joke," he said, his voice bitter. "You think I wanted this? I don’t. I wanted Anna. I still do. But thanks to you, she is as miserable as I am."

His words felt like a slap. I swallowed, fighting back the tears. "I didn’t choose this either, Kaden. I… I cared about you for years. And now, all I get is to be hated by you."

He shook his head, a look of disgust crossing his face. "Don’t fool yourself, Avery. I’ll never see you as anything more than the reason my life is ruined."

I felt a tear slip down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away. "I don’t want to ruin your life, Kaden. I only ever wanted to love you."

He scoffed, turning his gaze away. "Love," he muttered. "I don’t need your love."

I stood there, feeling like a fool. My heart ached, and I wanted nothing more than to disappear. Why did the Moon Goddess do this to us? Why did she bind me to a man who would never love me, and who would only see me as a burden?

As we left the stage, I heard Luna Maria’s voice, bright and cheerful. "You two make a beautiful couple," she said, smiling at me.

I forced another smile, nodding. But inside, I felt hollow. The Moon Goddess had cursed me, binding me to a love that would only hurt. She had taken Kaden’s heart and given it to Anna, yet tied him to me. She was ruining all three of us—me, Kaden, and Anna.

Later, when I was alone, I let myself cry.