Rejected Luna’s Triumphant Return

Chloe Sullivan had changed a lot.

I remember the first time I saw her, during the second semester of our sophomore year when she transferred to our pack’s academy. She stood at the front of the room in her ill-fitting uniform, looking somewhat frail, the clothes hanging off her slender frame. Her features were plain, her face marked by nervous tension. Our pack’s elder, who served as our advisor, was all smiles, saying, "This is Chloe Sullivan, an Omega from the Misty Pines Pack. She has a keen mind and a gentle spirit. Let’s give her a warm welcome."

Silence followed, as countless eyes assessed Chloe. We attended an elite academy where everyone was either from high-ranking packs or had connections to prominent families. Being an Omega alone wasn’t enough to gain acceptance. Besides, Chloe’s appearance did little to inspire confidence. Feeling a pang of pity, I was the first to applaud, and gradually the rest of the class joined in until the applause filled the room. The elder nodded at me gratefully, then turned to Chloe and said, "This is Esmeralda Bell, daughter of the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack and our class president. If you have any issues, she’s here to help."

Despite this offer, Chloe never sought my assistance. Because Felix Anderson—who was then my mate—was watching over her. When Chloe joined, there was no other seat available except next to Felix, so she became his desk mate. I can’t be certain if their betrayal of my trust began in those early days.

Chloe came from a modest pack; she suffered from severe hypoglycemia and anemia. Once, during morning training, she even fainted, and it was Felix, the Alpha of the Storm Howl Pack, who carried her to the healer’s quarters.

Then there was Aunt Dorothy’s return from Belgium, laden with gifts for Felix and me. When she told me to choose something first, Felix picked out a box of handmade chocolates, which puzzled me, as Felix had never cared for sweets or shown any particular fondness for chocolates. Later, he even asked me for the recipe for pastries our pack’s chef prepared; instead, I simply had the chef make them and gave them to Felix directly.

I thought then that Felix had developed a new taste. It was only later that I saw the candy wrappers on Chloe’s desk, along with the pastries I had given Felix. Chloe was the one who loved chocolates, who had a sweet tooth for pastries.

I tried to convince myself that Felix was merely being considerate of a less fortunate packmate, even though I knew he wasn’t the type to go out of his way to help others. Not that I hadn’t suspected something was amiss, but Chloe was just so ordinary. It never crossed my mind that Felix would betray me and develop feelings for her.

After all, I was exceptional—the daughter of an Alpha, known as "Royal Bell" for my grace and strength. During the peak popularity of the show "The Crown," people affectionately nicknamed me "Royal Bell." It wasn’t because my character resembled the show’s kind-hearted protagonist; rather, it was because I had the perfect family, excelled in both academics and pack leadership, and was well-liked. How could I have ever foreseen Felix betraying me for Chloe?

Seven years have passed since, and Chloe’s appearance is a far cry from the frail figure she once was. Her entire outfit is high fashion, with big logos that, despite the expense, appear flashy and ill-fitted. She approached me with a smile, exchanging pleasantries, "Esmeralda, you’re back, aren’t you?"

Her gaze lingered uneasily between Felix and me, carrying an unsettling curiosity that made me frown slightly, a hint of displeasure settling in. Felix spoke first, his tone indifferent, "What are you doing here?"

Chloe glanced at Felix’s expression cautiously, her smile turning into a pitiful attempt to appease him: "I was out shopping. The club owner mentioned that you and your friends were here to welcome Esmeralda back, so I thought I’d wait to leave with you."

It was such a flimsy excuse. She held up a bag for Felix to see: "The manager heard I was here and specially sent over two bottles of wine, gifts for the Alpha and Luna of the Storm Howl Pack."

Her emphasis on "Luna" seemed like a declaration of some sovereignty, prompting Felix, whose expression had been impassive, to frown in displeasure.

Behind me, Rhea, a Delta from my pack, couldn’t suppress a laugh. With the Storm Howl Pack’s standing, not even the club owner could meet Felix without arranging an appointment well in advance, let alone have a manager send two measly bottles of wine as some prized offering. It was quite unsophisticated, a display unbecoming of her status.

Clearly, such embarrassing incidents must have occurred many times in the year Chloe spent as Felix’s mate. For Felix’s tone was impatient, his words biting: "Didn’t I tell you to stay at home? Why come out just to embarrass yourself?"

Our friends chuckled behind me. Chloe’s face, already pale, lost all color, bewildered as she looked at Felix. She didn’t understand why Felix was suddenly angry, nor did she know what she had done wrong. No one explained or taught her what to do. Everyone simply laughed at her ignorance and lack of class.

I was somewhat surprised by Felix’s attitude. I turned my head instinctively to look at him. His expression was cold, unmoved by the suppressed laughter of those around him, as if the one being ridiculed wasn’t the person he had fought so hard to mate with.

I was stunned for a moment. He wasn’t like this before. Back then, when Chloe was ostracized for not fitting in with our pack, Felix stood up for her, even at the cost of breaking our mate bond, and I retaliated against her as a result.

But each time, Felix protected her, stood up for her. Now, he was here, gazing down at Chloe with cold disdain, his eyes betraying a subtle weariness and impatience.

So unlike what he used to be. How could he scorn Chloe now? Did he forget how he treated me because of her, how he fought to defend her?