The Rejected Luna

Chapter 9

_Avery's POV_

Liam leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead before sitting up. "How about I make us some breakfast?" he offered, grinning as he got out of bed and reached for his shirt.

I sat up, wrapping the sheets around me. "I would like that. I am starving."

"Great!" He pulled his shirt over his head and looked at me with an amused smile. "Anything in particular you’re craving?"

I thought for a moment. "Pancakes. But only if you can make them fluffy."

He laughed. "Challenge accepted."

I followed him to the kitchen, pulling on a cozy sweater and some pajama shorts. Liam looked surprisingly at home as he moved around my small kitchen, gathering ingredients. Watching him, I felt a little flutter in my chest. It was strange, this comfortable feeling, like we had known each other forever.

As he poured flour into a bowl, he gave me a sideways smile. "So… did you enjoy last night?"

My cheeks warmed. "It was… nice."

He chuckled, grabbing a mixing spoon. "Just nice?"

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, it was more than nice."

He grinned, looking at me with a mischievous sparkle. "Good to know." He added eggs to the batter, stirring, while I leaned against the counter, watching him. "You know, you’re really cute when you’re flustered," he teased.

"Oh, am I?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to hide my blush.

"Yep. Makes me want to do this." He leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to my nose. I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in a long time.

Just then, my phone rang, breaking the sweet moment. I picked it up, glancing at the screen, and felt my stomach drop. It was my mom.

I answered, my heart racing. "Mom?"

"Avery, honey," she said, her voice warm but serious. "I wanted to let you know about Kaden and Anna’s wedding. It’s next week."

I froze. "Their… wedding?" I managed, my voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, sweetheart. The Alpha wants you to attend. It’s important," she added.

"Mom, why would they want me there after everything that has happened? It’s better if I stay away from Kaden."

My mom sighed. "Avery, I understand how hard this is for you. But it’s not just a wedding—it’s also when Kaden will be crowned as the next Alpha. You’re part of this pack, and it would be disrespectful to the new Alpha if you didn’t attend."

I clenched my jaw. I felt very frustrated. "I don’t want to go. I don’t need to be there to support him or see any of it."

"Avery," she pressed gently, "sometimes we have to put aside our feelings for the good of the pack."

I argued with her a bit longer, but she was firm, and eventually, I gave in. When I ended the call, I dropped my phone onto the counter with a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of it all sink in.

Liam was watching me, his face filled with concern. "Who was that?"

I took a breath, looking away. "It was my mom. She… she wants me to go to this wedding next week."

He frowned. "Whose wedding?"

"Kaden’s," I said, feeling a lump in my throat. "He is the son of the Alpha in my pack. He is… my true mate."

Liam’s eyebrows shot up, and he stayed silent, waiting for me to explain.

I took a shaky breath. "Kaden was my mate," I repeated, the words feeling raw and painful. "But he was in love with someone else. With… Anna. So I broke the bond between us. I couldn’t stay and watch him be with someone else, not when he was supposed to be my mate."

Liam nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Avery, I had no idea. That must have been really hard."

I swallowed, forcing myself to keep going. "I thought I could handle it, that breaking the bond would make it easier, but… it still hurt. It still feels like a part of me is missing."

He moved closer, reaching out to take my hand. "I’m sorry, Avery. No one should have to go through that."

I squeezed his hand, grateful for his warmth and understanding. "Thank you," I whispered. "It’s just… I don’t want to go and see him, knowing he is with her. I don’t want to be reminded of what I lost."

Liam brushed a stray hair from my face, his touch soft. "Then don’t go for them. Go for yourself. Show them that you’re strong, that you’re moving on. That you don’t need anyone who doesn’t see how amazing you are."

A small smile tugged at my lips. "You think I am amazing?"

He smiled back, his eyes filled with warmth. "I know you are. And I think you’re stronger than you realize."

I took a deep breath, letting his words sink in. "Maybe you’re right."

He nodded. "Of course I am right." He tilted his head, giving me a playful look. "Now, what do you say to some pancakes? I’m pretty sure they’ll make you feel better."

I laughed, feeling a weight lift from my chest. "Pancakes sound perfect."

We sat down at the table, and I tried to shake off the thoughts of Kaden. Liam kept the mood light, teasing me and making silly faces as we ate. It was comforting, his presence filling up the space in my heart that had felt so empty.

"So," he said, after finishing his stack, "if we’re going to this wedding, you’ll need a date, right?"

I looked up at him, surprised. "You… you would go with me?"

He shrugged, smiling. "Why not? I would get to show off my new girlfriend, and maybe make this Kaden guy a little jealous."

My cheeks flushed, but I couldn’t help but smile. "Girlfriend, huh?"

"Unless you have any objections?" he teased, his green eyes sparkling.

"No objections here," I whispered, reaching across the table to take his hand.

He squeezed my fingers gently. "Then it’s settled. We’ll go together, and we’ll show them just how happy you are, how strong you are."

For the first time, the idea of going back to my pack didn’t fill me with dread. With Liam by my side, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I could face Kaden again and finally find closure.