Rejected Luna: Royal blood

I didn’t have all the answers, but I had a glimmer of hope, and that would have to be enough. I took one last look at the trees around me, the silent witnesses to my pain, before turning back toward the pack’s territory. I walked slowly, each step measured, trying to hold onto that tiny spark of resilience. By the time I reached the outskirts of the village, the first light of dawn was breaking through the horizon, casting a soft, pink hue over everything. I hadn’t been missed. No one had come looking for me, but that wasn’t surprising. It wasn’t the first time I had wandered off, and everyone knew that the “wolfless warrior,” as they mockingly called me, wasn’t exactly a threat to herself or anyone else. I was just the sad girl with no wolf, the one they pitied more than they respected. I slipped into the small, rundown cabin I called home, hoping to catch a few hours of sleep before the day officially started. My bed creaked as I lay down, the mattress lumpy and uncomfortable, b

The finality in his words crushed the last bit of hope I had been clinging to. He wasn’t just rejecting me; he was casting me out, declaring that I had no place in the pack until I could prove otherwise. I felt the stares of the other pack members, some sympathetic, others indifferent, but none of them spoke up in my defense. No one ever did. Marcus turned away from me, addressing the pack with a commanding voice. "This is what happens when we tolerate weakness," he announced. "We cannot afford to carry dead weight. This pack is only as strong as its weakest member, and we will not be dragged down by those who cannot keep up." The crowd murmured in agreement, the mood shifting from excitement to a cold, hard determination. They were warriors, all of them, and I was just a reminder of what they couldn’t afford to be—weak, powerless, useless. As Marcus walked away, the crowd began to disperse, leaving me alone in the center of the hall, surrounded by the remnants of the ritual. Th

For a moment, there was silence again, broken only by the faint crackle of the remaining embers in the fire. Then Alpha Rollins straightened, his expression hardening slightly. “Your situation is... complicated,” he said finally. “But you’re in our territory now, and that makes you our responsibility, at least for the time being. We’ll discuss what to do next, but for now, you need to rest and recover.” I blinked, surprised by his words. I had expected to be sent away, or worse, to face punishment for trespassing. But instead, he was offering me... safety? It was more than I had hoped for, and I could hardly believe it. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. Alpha Rollins gave a curt nod. “Liam will check in on you later. If you need anything, tell him.” Liam nodded as well, his expression a little softer now. “Get some rest, Emily. We’ll take care of things for now” as they walked out of the tent. (Author's POV) The tent was quiet now, the only sound the s

(Author's POV) Rollins sighed deeply, his gaze returning to the elders. “If this is what the pack needs, then I will accept the decision,” he said, though there was a tightness in his chest as he spoke the words. “But know this—I will always act in the best interest of the pack. I expect Cassandra to do the same.” Cassandra inclined her head, her expression unwavering. “You have my word, Alpha. I will fulfill my duties to the best of my abilities.” The elders nodded in approval, satisfied with the outcome. “Then it is settled,” the elder who had spoken first said. “Cassandra will assume her role as Luna, and preparations for the ceremony will begin.” Rollins gave a curt nod, though his thoughts were far from settled. The meeting concluded, and the elders began discussing the details of the upcoming ceremony. Cassandra stepped closer to Rollins, her voice dropping to a more personal tone. “I know this isn’t easy for you,” she said quietly, her eyes searching his. “But I hope,

(Emily's POV) The celebration was in full swing, with the sounds of laughter, music, and clinking glasses filling the air. I stood on the outskirts, watching the pack members as they danced and mingled, feeling like an outsider in the midst of it all. My thoughts were elsewhere, lost in the swirl of confusion that had become my constant companion since arriving here. “Emily,” a voice called softly, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to see Liam approaching, his expression warm but tinged with concern. He moved with the easy grace of someone who was used to commanding attention, yet there was something gentle in his demeanor that set him apart from the others. His eyes, a soft shade of brown, were kind as they met mine. “Liam,” I greeted him, managing a small smile. “Enjoying the celebration?” He gave a half-smile, glancing over at the lively crowd before returning his gaze to me. “I suppose so. It’s a big night for the pack.” I nodded, though I couldn’t quite share in hi