The Luna’s Rejection

Lucian didn’t return until dawn broke, the soft light creeping into the den as he stepped through the door. Without missing a beat, he launched into an explanation. “Jesse’s fever wouldn’t break all night, Rowan. I couldn’t just leave him there.”

Jesse. Ivy’s pup. That was a name I still struggled to hear without feeling a twinge of resentment.

“Is he alright now? Why didn’t you stay longer? It must be tough for Ivy to manage alone with a sick pup,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, but I could hear the bitterness just beneath the surface.

Lucian paused, peeling off his jacket, his expression morphing into one of annoyance. “Are you being sarcastic again?” he sighed heavily, weariness threading through his voice, a sound that grated on my already frayed nerves. “Look, I haven’t slept. I’m completely wiped out.”

“Then you should get some rest. I’ve got to head to the clinic,” I said, reaching for my satchel.

“Rowan...” He caught my arm, his grip surprisingly gentle this time, almost tentative.

“What is it?” I asked, turning to face him.

“We’ll reschedule our anniversary dinner, alright?” His tone was earnest, but the warmth in his words felt like a thin veneer.

A hollow smile tugged at my lips, lacking any real warmth. “I’m not upset.”

Lucian scrutinized my face for a moment, and then pulled me into an embrace that felt as cold as the rain outside. “There’s a pack gathering this weekend,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “Will you come with me?”

His family came from a long line of distinguished wolves deeply rooted in this territory, while I was just an outsider who had stayed after meeting him. I had always felt like a stranger among his packmates, never fully accepted.

I blinked, shaking off my thoughts before replying, “I might have to cover some shifts over the weekend.”

“Suit yourself.” His voice was tight, frustration threading through each word.

I watched as he turned away, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief. I had never expected him to take Ivy’s place beside him at the gathering, but now it felt as though that was precisely what would happen.

Later that afternoon, I checked my phone and saw that I had been added to the pack's chat group for the gathering. A wave of dread washed over me as I opened the messages.

Photos flooded my screen, most of them featuring Ivy, her smile radiant as she mingled effortlessly among Lucian’s packmates. The contrast between her joy and my own misery was stark.

In one image, Lucian was carrying Ivy across a stream, her arms wrapped snugly around his neck. If she tilted her head just a fraction more, her lips would have brushed against his jaw, an intimacy that made my stomach churn.

The chat buzzed with comments, teasing them as if they were a new couple. They praised Ivy’s strength, lauding Lucian for his kindness, remarking on how well they seemed to fit together.

I knew remaining silent would only feel like an admission of defeat, so I typed two words, [Perfect pair.] I added a clapping emoji for effect, forcing myself to hit send despite the bitterness swirling inside me.

With a resigned sigh, I silenced my phone and turned my attention back to work, pouring myself into tasks that felt both endless and futile. As the hours slipped by, the night fell, wrapping the world in darkness.

When I finally dared to glance at my phone again, I found a flurry of missed calls from Lucian—dozens of them, each one a reminder of the connection that felt increasingly strained. My inbox overflowed with unread messages, each demanding a response I wasn’t sure I wanted to give.

Frustration simmered beneath the surface as I scrolled through his messages, reading each one. “Rowan, where are you?” “Call me back.” “I need to talk to you.” Each notification echoed the growing distance between us, a chasm that seemed insurmountable.

I set my phone down, trying to shake off the weight of his words. It was absurd how quickly things had spiraled, how I had gone from being a cherished mate to an afterthought. My chest tightened at the realization that while I was pouring my heart into my work, he was wrapping himself in Ivy’s warmth.

The clinic felt suffocating that night, the lights glaring down on me as I moved through the motions. I treated patients, administered remedies, and kept my mind busy, but each time I looked at the clock, I felt the ache of his absence more acutely.

When my shift finally ended, I gathered my things and stepped outside. The night air was crisp, but it did little to cool the turmoil inside me. I hesitated, debating whether to call him back, but I dismissed the thought. What would I say? How could I express the hurt without sounding petty or jealous?

I climbed into my truck, the engine humming to life as I drove through the familiar streets, each turn reminding me of moments we had shared. My heart twisted as I thought of the laughter that had once filled our home, now replaced with silence.

Once I reached the den, I sat in the driveway for a moment, staring at the front door. Part of me wanted to bolt inside, to hide away from the world, but another part of me craved the confrontation. I wanted to confront him about Ivy, to demand answers and clarity, yet I couldn’t bring myself to move.

Instead, I took a deep breath and finally reached for my phone. With trembling fingers, I opened the pack chat again, my heart racing as I saw new messages lighting up the screen.

“Alpha Lucien, where are you?” “Wow, Alpha and Miss Ivy look so good together” “What’s going on?”

It only stung more to realize that Lucian was at the center of their thoughts—while I felt more isolated than ever.

I set the phone back down, feeling the weight of his absence crash over me. No matter how many messages I received, it wouldn’t change the reality that our connection was fraying, slowly unraveling, and I was left holding onto threads that seemed to slip through my fingers no matter how tightly I grasped them.

[Rowan, answer your phone.]

[Rowan, let me explain! It’s not what you think!]

[Rowan, where are you? I’m coming to find you!]