The Luna’s Rejection

During my post-transformation checkup, Lucian made an excuse to leave early—again. I was used to his sudden absences by now, but it hadn’t always been this way. At first, a sharp sting of abandonment would cut through me whenever he left, but over time, I had become numb to it.

I took the herbal remedy the pack healer gave me and began my solitary walk back through the dense, shadowy woods. A bone-deep loneliness clung to me, echoing between the towering trees as the moonlight filtered through the branches.

When I arrived back at the den, I opened my phone and saw that someone named Ivy had tagged Lucian in a post. It read: Just caught a chill, but Lucian insisted on dragging me to the pack healer and has been with me since. You're still the best Alpha!

I didn’t bother to ask him why he kept lying or to confront him with anger like I once might have. Perhaps I should have been furious or demanded an explanation, but that energy had drained out of me, leaving only a dull ache. Confronting him now felt like yet another battle I had long since given up on fighting.

Later, he brought this Ivy to the pack’s full moon gathering, and I received a stream of photos showing the two of them together. Was I upset? Not really.

One day, I ran into Lucian on the outskirts of the territory, holding Ivy’s child in his arms, the three of them looking every bit like a family. A wry smile twisted my lips as I said, “The child needs an Alpha to guide them, Lucian. You should spend more time with them.”

Lucian’s face paled, and he grabbed my arm, desperation lacing his voice. “Rowan, why don’t you care anymore?”

Two months ago, I lost our pup after being knocked over during a border patrol. Today, Lucian accompanied me for a follow-up checkup. Once again, he made a flimsy excuse and left early. I didn’t try to hold him back; I was past that now.

As I watched him disappear into the forest, I felt a wave of detachment wash over me. His presence no longer had the power to sway my emotions, and I wasn’t as heartbroken about it as I might have been before.

The healer called my name, and I accepted the results in silence before gathering my things and heading back to the den. Not long after, a message from Lucian lit up my screen: Rowan, you can find your way home, right? I have some urgent pack matters to handle.

In the past, I would have protested and begged for him to come back for me, saying things like, But I need you to be here with me. Now, I simply typed back, Sure.

As I left the healer’s cabin and headed into the dark woods, I spotted Lucian’s car parked nearby. It was strange—he’d just told me he couldn’t come back, so why was he still here? My curiosity flickered briefly, but I buried it quickly. When I arrived back at the den, Ivy’s new post confirmed my suspicions. Lucian’s been with me the whole time, even when I just caught a chill. You’re such a caring Alpha!

The photos in her status were proof enough; there was Lucian’s shadow in the background, his silhouette unmistakable. Ivy—no, Sierra Storm—was Lucian’s childhood sweetheart. She’d left the pack years ago when she’d mated with a wealthy Alpha from another territory. But after her mate’s ruin and their bitter split, she’d returned with a child in tow.

In Lucian’s eyes, I’d always been a stand-in, filling the void she’d left behind. Yet I had clung to my love for him like a fool, even agreeing to bond with him. There was a time I dreamed of having a pup together, of building a future. But perhaps losing that pup was the universe’s way of warning me. Raising a child with Lucian would never have brought either of us happiness.

Later that night, as I lay in our den, I heard the creak of the door and smelled the sharp, unfamiliar perfume. Lucian approached and gently ran a hand through my hair. “How did it go today? What did the healer say?” he asked softly.

I turned away, keeping my voice steady. “Everything’s fine.”

Lucian gave a quick nod, offering a hurried excuse. “Things have been... busy with the pack lately.”

I rolled over, shutting him out. “Then you should shower before bed. You smell like the city.”

He hesitated, but then the sound of running water filled the silence.