It was just an excuse

Thomas's face creased in confusion. He hadn't expected Eleanor to say no to his suggestion. She had never resisted him before and always supported his decisions unconditionally. What was wrong?

He let go of Mia and approached his Luna. He took her hands and noted how she looked at him with stubborn eyes, as if nothing he could say would change her mind.

"Ella," he called her softly by the nickname he used with her, "I know you might think she'll take your position as Luna, but that will never happen. You are my Luna, the only she-wolf I want by my side. You don't have to be worried about that."

Eleanor lowered her gaze. The way he sounded and the way he looked at her, no one would imagine that he would eventually betray her in the most cruel way.

Anger, disappointment, sadness - a mix of emotions swept over her, making her nose tingle and eyes ache with unshed tears. But she gritted her teeth, telling herself she couldn't let them go this time!

"Come on, Eleanor," he coaxed. "We've grown up together. We've been together for many years. Do you really think I'd replace you with someone else?" He released her hand and held her chin. He raised her face so she could look at him. "I know how much you've sacrificed for the pack, and I don't think there could be a better Luna than you. Not to mention you are a pretty great warrior. But Mia is my fated mate and I cannot reject her. Why don't you understand?"

No matter what he said, Eleanor was not going to crack. His words would soon be meaningless.

Mia suddenly started crying, and the two of them turned to look just as she fell to the floor. "Please don't reject me," she begged, looking up at Thomas. "If you reject me, my wolf will become weak. I'm already an Omega, and you are an Alpha. I don't know what would become of me if you rejected me."

Getting on her knees, she turned to Eleanor and bowed. "Please have mercy on me, Luna. Allow me to stay beside Alpha. As his mate, I can strengthen his wolf's power when I stay close to him. I'm only an Omega, I'm not capable of taking your title as Luna. I just want a place to stay. Please don't send me away."

Thomas's heart broke as he watched his fated mate get to her knees and beg. He couldn't stand seeing her like that because of the mate bond. He rushed to her and helped her up.

"It's okay," he told her. "We won't send you away." He looked back at Eleanor. "Why are you being so cruel and selfish? You are not like that!" He felt his anger rise. "We have worked hard to build a powerful pack together. When we finally conquer all packs, I'll be Alpha King, and you'll be my Queen. She is my mate, and I'll be a more powerful Alpha with her beside me. You must accept her for the sake of the pack."

Eleanor had a sudden urge to laugh. For the sake of the pack? In her old life, he had neglected his duties, leaving her to take up most of his responsibilities.

Back then, she hadn't thought anything of it, understanding that it was because of his personality. But even then, he neglected her too whenever she was home from her duties. If only she had known it was because he was busy cosying up to his new lover!

When Thomas arrived earlier with the strange she-wolf in tow, word had quickly gotten around the pack that their Alpha had found his true mate. Members had started streaming into the house to see if it was true.

Those who were present were shocked at Eleanor's coldness even after the rogue went to her knees. How could she be so cruel?

"Alpha is right," one of them said. "as our Luna, you should be happy Alpha has found his mate. Now, his wolf can reach his highest potential. Without a mate bond, he is inferior to other Alphas. He would never become Alpha King if he rejected his fated mate."

An elder stepped forward. "This is nothing new, Luna. It's common for Alphas to meet their fated mates after having a Luna. We all know a few Alphas who have taken their fated mates as their mistresses. It's good for them and their packs."

A murmur of approval reverberated among the gathered pack members.

Everybody was against Eleanor in the same way they had been when Mia accused Eleanor of causing her miscarriage.

Eleanor couldn't help but sneering. In the end, it seemed that none of them had ever cherished her as their Luna. They benefited from her efforts to strengthen the pack but didn't think twice before disrespecting her. All of this stemmed from the fact that she was a woman! When she took on Thomas's role as Alpha to handle matters, she had hurt the pride of the pack's men. And now, they had a perfect excuse to criticize her!

She hadn't forgotten her goal after rebirth! She wouldn't yield to their accusations and still believed that Thomas would always love her and protect her from any harm.

In her previous life, her foolishness had been her punishment, with Thomas's sword piercing her chest. Even though she had been reborn, the pain in her chest still lingered.

She should have realised what he really cared about after he had cheated on her and killed her in her previous life. He cared about power and status above everything else. Compared to those two, their love was nothing in his eyes.

She was just a tool he wanted to use to fulfil his ambition.

She had given her all to make their pack the best, but all he had paid her back was humiliation and betrayal.

She would not give him that satisfaction this time round.

She walked towards Thomas with a smile and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "She can stay, but on one condition! You must break the bond between us!"

"What?!" Thomas exclaimed in disbelief.

"No!" Mia's voice chimed in simultaneously. "No, Luna! It's all my fault. My existence has made you consider splitting the pack! If I..."

Mia's words were cut off as her head collided with the living room wall. Blood trickled from her forehead. Thomas glared angrily at Eleanor and immediately took Mia to the hospital.

"This isn't over," Thomas threatened as he walked past Eleanor.

The mark on Eleanor's neck began to throb again. She couldn't stay here any longer, especially with the angry stares of the pack members in the hall burning holes into her.

She needed air. And she needed to confirm if her wolf had returned with her. This time, she wouldn't back down.

She would reclaim her rights from Thomas!

She wouldn't be limited by the rule that only men could be Alphas. She would become an Alpha herself!