Rejected Luna's Vengeance

Arriving at the Fox Pack manor, I was once again confronted with a scene that shredded my heart. Dulce was sprawled on the couch, wearing the ceremonial jewelry my mother, Luna Leighton, had given me, while feeding spiced honey cake to Beta Creed, who was working nearby. Even his expression seemed laced with contentment, a sight that twisted something deep inside me.

Seeing me enter, Dulce hurried to greet me, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

"Adelyn? What brings you back? How’s the Luna doing?"

"Why would you care?" I snapped, my tone sharp. "Enjoy your blissful moment however you want, but give me back the jewelry my mother set aside for me."

Dulce stood up, tears welling in her eyes almost instantly. Creed stepped forward to shield her, his usual polite demeanor replaced by cold irritation.

"Dulce really loves that set of jewelry," he said, his voice firm. "Why don’t you let her have it? When we complete the marking ceremony, I’ll get you an even better set."

I replied with a bitter laugh, "Those were a gift from the Luna. Does she deserve it?"

Before he could respond, I fixed my gaze on Dulce, her eyes glistening with crocodile tears.

"Dulce, you borrow my father because you don’t have one. You borrow my mate because you can’t find your own. Now what? You can’t even afford your own ceremonial jewelry?"

"That’s not it, Adelyn. Please listen to me," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

Creed couldn’t stand to see her upset and quickly stepped in to shield her again.

"Why are you being so petty? It’s just a set of jewelry. Letting Dulce wear it isn’t such a big deal. We’re only completing the marking ceremony for appearances anyway."

I smirked, "A fake marking ceremony is fitting for fake jewelry."

Suddenly, Dulce dropped to her knees before me, her hands clasped in mock supplication.

"Adelyn, I know you’re upset about me and Creed completing the marking ceremony. Once it’s over, I’ll release the bond, alright?"

I had no interest in arguing with her further and turned to leave. Yet, she clung to my arm, and before I could shake her off, she let out a dramatic scream and crumpled to the floor. It became clear what she was up to when I met Creed’s furious eyes.

He stormed over, grabbing me by the neck and pinning me to the cold marble floor, ignoring my protests.

"I really didn’t do anything."

He refused to listen, his voice dripping with disdain.

"No wonder Alpha Xavier couldn’t stand the Luna—both of you, always looking down on others, it’s disgusting!"

If only you could believe me, even a little. I sat on the floor, dazed, watching their retreating figures, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. It took a while before I could suppress the ache in my chest and return to the pack’s healing chambers to care for my mother.

In the dimly lit room, Alpha Xavier was seething with anger, while Sutton attempted to thrust the Best Healer trophy back into the Luna’s hands.

"Leighton, please, stop the pack’s rumors. I’m returning the trophy to you."

Refusing to accept Sutton’s trophy, my mother struggled, and it clattered to the floor. Sutton seized the opportunity to fall dramatically, just like her daughter. Her eyes were red with tears, and she spoke in a voice full of grievance.

"Even if you don’t want it, don’t smash it." She clutched her stomach,

"Alpha Xavier, my stomach hurts. What if something is wrong with our pup?"

Hearing this, Xavier scooped Sutton up from the floor, comforting her softly.

"Don’t worry, I’m here. I’ll protect both you and our pup." With that, he left without looking back, holding Sutton tightly.

I helped my mother to her feet, her expression as blank as glass shards embedded in her palm. She seemed oblivious to the pain.

"Adelyn, did you hear? They’re having a pup."

I gently wiped her tears away. "Mom, you still have me."

Shortly after, Xavier’s voice echoed through the mind link, filled with anger.

"Leighton, you need to issue a statement to the pack clarifying that Sutton earned her award fair and square. Stop those clueless pack members of yours from spreading lies about her."

"She almost lost the pup because of you. Clarifying is the least you can do, as a form of compensation."

I laughed at the absurdity. "Father, why should the Luna clarify anything? If Sutton had the skill, no one would doubt her."

"Don’t think I don’t know—your mother deliberately paid pack members to slander her," he retorted.

Mom had no desire to argue further. "I’ll post something on the day of the marking ceremony."

Xavier’s tone softened, though it carried an edge of manipulation.

"I know this has been tough on you, but I’ve arranged for you to lead the pack’s next healing ceremony. Don’t be upset anymore."

Leading the pack’s healing ceremonies had been her pride. Yet now, her expression remained impossibly calm, neither agreeing nor refusing.

After the mind link ended, we discovered that Dulce had just announced her role as the lead in the pack’s next ceremonial event.

["Alpha Xavier really believes in Sutton. He secured the lead role in the ceremony for her."]

["Didn’t you know? Sutton is Alpha Xavier’s true mate, even more important than his Luna."]

Seeing the comments, Mom and I quietly packed up and left the healing chambers, not making a fuss over it.