Rejected by the Alpha Mate

I watched Sol's fingers trace over my carefully drawn diagrams, her red nails tapping against the paper as she made notes in the margins of my work. My work. The summer solstice celebration plans I'd spent three sleepless nights perfecting.

"These are quite... creative," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "But we'll need to make some adjustments to honor tradition properly."

I stood in the doorway of what had been my planning room, now transformed overnight into Sol's command center. Streamers, flower arrangements, and ceremonial herbs lined the tables where I'd once spread my sketches.

"Adjustments?" I echoed, feeling Aria stir restlessly within me.

"Alpha Harry agrees we need a more traditional approach," Sol replied without looking up. "Something befitting our pack's heritage."

Behind her, two younger pack members nodded eagerly, hanging on her every word. They didn't even glance in my direction.

"But I'm still Luna," I said, the words feeling hollow even as they left my lips.

Sol's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Of course you are, Amira. But someone needs to handle the actual celebration planning while you attend to... other duties."

---

The kitchen smelled of rosemary and sage as I inventoried the pantry supplies. My hands moved mechanically, counting jars and checking expiration dates while my mind drifted to the sacred clearing where preparations for the summer gathering would be underway.

"Luna Amira," a young Delta called from the doorway, "where should we store the ceremonial wine?"

I blinked, realizing I'd been staring at the same jar of honey for several minutes. "The wine cellar, please. And make sure it's kept separate from the regular supplies."

"Actually," Sol appeared behind the Delta, "I've arranged for the ceremonial wine to be stored in the Alpha's private cellar. Security reasons."

The Delta nodded immediately. "Right away, Acting Luna."

Acting Luna. The words hit me like a physical blow.

"Is there anything else you need?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.

Sol's perfectly manicured hand rested briefly on my arm. "Just finish the inventory list by tonight. We'll need it for the post-celebration accounting."

As they left, I heard their whispers through the mind-link.

"Sol knows exactly how to organize everything."

"Alpha says she has natural Luna instincts."

"The pack hasn't had a proper celebration in years."

---

My phone buzzed for the fifth time that hour. Another social media notification. I shouldn't look. I knew I shouldn't.

But I did.

Sol's latest post showed Harry standing tall beside the sacred fire pit, Emma at his side. Sol's arm was linked through Emma's, her smile radiant as she gazed up at my mate.

"Day 1 of the summer gathering! Blessed to share this sacred tradition with our Alpha and future Alpha. #SilverMoonTraditions #AlphaFamily"

The comments flooded in beneath the photo.

"This is what a true Luna looks like!"

"The Alpha family shines brightest at the sacred fire!"

"Sol's traditional knowledge is exactly what our pack needs!"

I scrolled through more photos: Harry and Sol hiking along the mountain trail, their heads bent close in conversation; Emma laughing at something Sol had said, her face alight with joy I hadn't seen in months; the three of them sharing a meal around the sacred fire while other pack members watched approvingly.

My fingers hovered over the comment section. I could explain that I was handling essential duties at the pack house. That Harry had assigned me other responsibilities.

But what would be the point?

---

"The blessing of the waters was so beautiful," Emma gushed at dinner three days later. "Sol knew all the traditional herbs to use, and she sang the ancient songs perfectly."

I pushed my food around my plate, nodding absently.

"Unlike last year," Emma continued, her voice carrying a sharp edge I'd never heard before, "when you modernized everything and Grandmother Eleanor was so disappointed."

I looked up to find Harry watching me silently from across the table, his golden eyes unreadable.

"Sol has real Luna qualities," Emma said, cutting her steak precisely the way her father did. "She understands pack hierarchy and traditions in ways you never seemed to grasp."

"Emma," I started, but she cut me off.

"No, I'm serious. Did you know she's been teaching me proper Luna protocols? Things you never showed me."

Sol sat beside Emma, her expression a mask of modest concern. "I'd be happy to help Amira learn proper Luna protocols too," she offered sweetly. "We all want what's best for the pack."

Harry remained silent, his fork paused halfway to his mouth as he watched me.

And in that moment, as Emma praised Sol's traditional knowledge and Harry said nothing to defend me, I felt something crack inside my chest.

Aria stirred again, stronger this time.

*Soon*, she whispered. *Soon we'll show them who we really are.*