CHAPTER 6- Painful Decision

Lilian cried with both arms wrapped around her knees in a corner of her small bed. The pack treated her coldly, Morgan dumped her, and Samantha threw a string of insults and humiliation.

The situation could not have worsened than this, and only was going to get worse. She was the damsel in distress, pretending everything had been alright.

There was suddenly a soft knock on the door, and Aurora walked in without waiting for an answer. She moved without a sound, footfalls little more than whispers against the floor.

"Lilian, sweetheart," Aurora said gently as she hugged her. She felt so much love for the girl she had raised as her own. "You have to stay strong. You’ve always been strong, Lilian. I know this is tough, but you can’t let it destroy you."

Lilian pressed her face against Aurora’s shoulder, finding some comfort in the older woman’s embrace. But even as she held onto Aurora, the pain remained.

"Everyone dislikes me, Mom. They don't want me to be Morgan's Luna, especially his parents, simply because they see me as a problem to the pack because of my cursed bloodline." Lilian sobbed even more.

Lilian pulled back a little, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. She trembled as she spoke, "Yes, I love him, Mom. I'd been keeping this feeling for so long. But how can I fight for him when he already rejected the mate bond? When his family doesn’t accept me? How could I ever compete with Samantha, with her perfect background and… and now the baby?"

Aurora cupped Lilian’s tear-streaked face, forcing her to meet her gaze. "Listen to me, Lilian," she said firmly but kindly. "There’s no harm in trying. You have to fight for what you believe in—for what you want. You can’t let other people’s opinions control your life, especially not Morgan’s parents or Samantha. You are his true mate, and that bond means something. It’s the will of the Moon Goddess."

Lilian’s lips quivered, fresh tears threatening to spill over. "But what if it’s not enough? What if he never accepts me?"

Aurora sighed softly and brushed a strand of hair behind Lilian’s ear. "You won’t know unless you try, dear. You need to talk to him. Tell him how you feel. Tell him what’s in your heart, and let him see the truth. Sometimes people make mistakes, and sometimes they need a little push to see what’s right in front of them. But you have to be brave enough to take that step."

Lilian looked down at her trembling hands, her mind spinning with doubt and fear. The idea of confronting Morgan—of pouring out her heart to him—felt terrifying. What if he rejected her again? What if he laughed in her face? Or worse, what if he didn’t care at all?

But a part of her—small and fragile—wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance. Maybe if she could reach him, if she could show him how much she loved him, he would remember their bond. The bond that the Moon Goddess had given them.

"But what if he’s already chosen Samantha?" Lilian whispered, her voice barely audible.

Aurora’s grip on her shoulders tightened slightly. "Then at least you’ll know you tried. At least you’ll know you didn’t give up without a fight. You are stronger than you think, Lilian. You’ve survived so much already. You can survive this too."

Lilian closed her eyes, drawing in a shaky breath as she tried to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. Aurora’s words, though comforting, didn’t erase the fear, but they gave her a glimmer of hope. And right now, even a glimmer was enough.

She opened her eyes and looked at Aurora, her voice steadier than before. "I’ll talk to him," she whispered. "I’ll tell him how I feel. But… I’m scared, Mom. I’m scared of what he’ll say."

Aurora smiled gently, her eyes filled with warmth and pride. "Courage isn’t the absence of fear, dear. It’s doing what’s right, even when you’re scared. And no matter what happens, remember that you are worthy of love, Lilian. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise."

With that, Aurora pulled Lilian into another embrace, holding her tightly as the young woman gathered the strength she needed to face the one person who had the power to both break and heal her heart.

Lilian finally gathered the courage to tell Morgan about her condition. She had been rehearsing for many days and although she was not sure of the outcome, she would try her luck, hoping that her words would change Morgan's decision. She had to fight for the bond set by the Moon Goddess. Once and for all, she had to tell him about her feelings.

She found him in the garden of the villa, standing by the edge of the rose bushes, deep in thought. She was not sure what was he thinking of if she was part of it. Her shoulders were tensed as if he was carrying the weight of the world.

"Alpha Morgan," she said quietly, her voice trembled but she was determined.

Morgan was surprised to see her. While Lilian was approaching, he could not take his eyes off her. He was captivated by her beauty even before. But he used to hide it because of her cursed lineage. But tonight, it seemed he had forgotten everything about her past, and the only thing he could see was her alluring appearance and the pull of the mate bond, that was supposed to be embraced.

Lilian took a step closer, her hands trembling slightly, but she was already here and there was no turning back. "Please don't marry Samantha. I am your fated mate." She said softly, her voice above a whisper.

Morgan furrowed his brows upon hearing Lilian's words. She was right. They were fated for each other. But he could not disobey his parents and even fail the pack's expectations.

"Samantha is pregnant. " Morgan finally spoke. There was sadness in his voice and Lilian could feel it.

Her heart clenched painfully at the mention of Samantha. She already knew, but hearing it from Morgan’s lips felt like a dagger to her chest. Still, she refused to give up. She had come too far to back down now.

"But you don’t love her, do you?" Lilian's voice wavered, tears brimming in her eyes as she took another step toward him. "You know in your heart that you don’t love her. What we have, Morgan, it’s real. It’s stronger than anything else. The Moon Goddess chose us for a reason."

Morgan let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He looked away, his eyes focused on the darkened horizon. "Lilian, it’s not that simple. Samantha is pregnant with my child. I have a responsibility—"

"A responsibility?" Lilian interrupted, her voice trembling with the emotions she could no longer hold back. "What about our bond, Alpha Morgan? What about me? I’ve loved you for so long, and I’ve waited for the day you would see me, truly see me. And now, when you finally realize we’re mates, you’re telling me that it doesn’t matter because of Samantha’s child?"

Morgan winced at the raw pain in her voice. He hated himself in that moment, hated the decisions he had made that led them here. But he also couldn’t deny the truth. He did feel something for Lilian, something powerful that had been haunting him ever since that night they shared. But there was so much at stake now, more than just their feelings.

"I never wanted things to end up this way," he muttered, his voice thick with regret. "I never meant to hurt you, Lilian. But we can't be together."

"Why? Because I have a cursed bloodline?" Lilian's voice cracked, tears welling up in her eyes. The pain in her voice was a physical thing as if every word ripped through her. Morgan was stunned, his face a mask of confusion and something that looked suspiciously like regret. He remained silent, and that silence was deafening. It was enough for Lilian to understand that his rejection was final. He wouldn't accept her.