HIS UNWORTHY MATE

AD

organised by the Alpha family, and sometimes rented at a discount for pack members who needed it for personal ceremonies, like birthday parties, or sometimes parties he

n Alpha heir made him of noble blood. It was customary that after his ascension as Alpha, he ought to have an official mating ceremony during which his fated luna or chos

he importance of the mating ceremony in my ears. I had to meet up with her every day f

when it came to being aware of the needs of the pack members, meeting those needs, being a listening ear, sometimes handling finances, being in charge of ceremonies, and hosting meaningful gatherings betwe

n he finally completed his ascension; I wanted to do my best, for two years I had learned diligently. While I thought this was my

far corner. I've been told that the council hall was occasionally used for important council meetings that couldn'

er to his right. A few unfamiliar faces sat around each side of the table-some elders I knew

lationship? Had they been preparing her to take on the role of Luna? Had Hunter been planning to take her as his chosen mate bef

e. Pressure built up on my chest, and my guts twisted. They knew about Hunter and Arya's history but never thought to tell me. Why? Their betrayal stung deep, and my stomach twisted in a knot as pain speared my heart. Why had they kept it

; the sound carried his voice to where I stood, breaking me ou

e I wasn't expected to speak until they permitted it. But I continued either way; if that was a rule, I had already bro

pha Orion's left brow quirked in a silent question, Hunter's mom narrowed

– If the elders will permit it, of course." I added the last bit so it wou

e grant your mate's request." His gaze flicked to Hunter, and my mate rose from his seat, growling in disapproval as he m

at I presume must be a small office in the council hall. The sound of the doo

o this tiny room. It remains unfathomable to me how easy it was for him to change from a loving and doting mate to this man who c

a few qu

gaslight me with your words or to b

uth from your mouth, I'll accept your rejection like you wanted before we step back out there, as long as you are honest." I r

shouldn't determine who I am or who I ought to be. Yet I look into the eyes of my first love, the eyes of t

m." He sneered down at me in such a condes

ove another Dimaano daughter.' What did you mean by that statement?" I as

why do you need an explanation? Whatever it means won'

ed to know because Arya said some words and I..." I paused,

Don't choke up now.' Levana mumbled in a trembling voice, and I coul

nd steal what was hers. At first, I thought to pass it off as just a hurt sister who would say anything to hurt me, but then I r

chest that crawled up my throat, wrapping around my lungs in a vice. "Were you in a rel

will hurt me; I am already in pain. I've been in pain for the past week. Nothing else can hurt me more than I already a

yway." He finally answered, his voice rigid l

s important now, but for some reason, I needed to know, maybe to console myself with a lie

ago." Hunter snapped. He put a little dis

d in a trembling voice, and Hunter turned to face me. Seconds stret

ver it was, I refused to give him the satisfaction of finding it so hardened my expression,

." He let out a sig

st love?" I mutte

ere you two

n we were

t because of my return to the pack and you foun

ing up with all her lies and gaslighting." I closed my eyes briefly to suck in a shaky breath.

asked, and despite how much it pained me to know the

d I had been sepa

elationship? My parents, you

replied, avo

inform me. No one told me that my sister held the heart of the man I

as ever mine? How had I been so nai

our foolishness should be a ca

d. "I was parading myself as Luna to-be, without knowing I was a clown in a circus, thinking I was yours j

rly, I could feel myself drowning, and as much as I tried hard to swim to the surface, I couldn't. Every attempt

. He was never mine, and I was stupid to think we were meant to be. Now I know why it was so easy for him t

ith a chuckle as I wiped a tear from my

ou, but you chea

's nothing I can say that will change his mind. "Accept the rejection of ALPHA HUNTER HENDRIX, son of Orion Hendrix. May the moon uphold this r