The Luna Who Wasn't Chosen

al

was never meant

edge of bonfires, pretending to smile while others danced under starligh

hat didn't fit her right, with jasmine oil behind her e

veled in the promise of fated mates and Luna blessings. The moon was fu

ldn't ha

an, Alpha of Moonridge, stalk through the crowd. He moved like

iors, stopping to greet the Elder Council, t

d. She turned to leave.

h the haze. "You s

before her, closer than he'd ever

war between recognition and

etween them like a

d. "You're not su

va insisted. Said ev

n his chest. "Nova's

shifted. A flicker of something raw, almost pan

red. "No, this

ed louder, the rhythm matchin

grabbed

oded under her skin, his

harply. "Fat

ant, his eyes darkened. His wol

. Not in front of the El

pierce

orld

ums st

ence sc

-

ss

ed the wr

ror tightening around his chest like a noose.

rst to speak. "Alpha..

her scent, and everything in him had locked into plac

ue mate. The bon

wasn't suppos

healer with no rank, no stand

" he rasped. "It-i

r but firm. "There is no undoing a

soaking through her sleeve, eye

she flinched. And that

nt this," sh

er di

osen. And now every

-

al

e

Past Nova's outstretched hand, past the Elders cal

st swall

at her neck and shoulder, pulsing with unfamiliar energy,

at her skin, at

ckthorn had

n public. Wit

o be anyone's Lun

pping her face, roots trying to trip her. She didn't stop. Couldn'

gainst an ancie

h came like a cruel whisper: no one

pack. Not Elira who was

o

it. Tricked him. Used

hosen by Alphas. They weren't desti

mark on her shoulder glowe

?" she whispered. To him.

-

ss

nded a closed c

t sleep.

rs once, face pale. "Yo

t

he bond was real. Faint,

ain. Her distance like

ay sorry. Want

ords could

, the dama

chosen by the Council was

aid coldly. "You've sham

ing wrong," C

ed. "And now the entire

-

al

or her befo

rds. Sil

ouncil Hall. She barely felt her feet on the g

Elders, warriors, Cres

't look

ccused of unlawful bonding, intentional sedu

d. "What? T

len

rd. His jaw was clenched, voi

d. "Then rectify i

held it

looked

aid n

eamed louder th

-

al

n't impr

exile

se. No goodbye. N

when she h

n didn

loak, a satchel of dried herbs, and the ghost of

rest a

tance, something else st