Rejected Luna's Vengeance

After five years of guarding the pack's borders, my father and I received a summons to return to the Lycan King's court.

I saw him again.

The young Lycan Prince I once protected had now ascended to the throne as the Lycan King. Before the entire court, he declared me his Luna. The hall erupted in applause. Everyone seemed to think that a rough-around-the-edges warrior like me, the daughter of an Alpha, should be overwhelmed with gratitude for such an honor. After all, it was no secret that I had pursued him for three years.

But they seemed to have forgotten.

At the Lycan Queen’s birthday celebration, to preserve his cousin Romina’s pristine reputation, he had accused me of infidelity, tarnishing my name and turning the pack against me. That same night, he had me dragged from my home and paraded through the streets, publicly decreeing my exile from the pack lands.

After that, I rejected our mate bond and left with my father to defend the borders. Through life-and-death battles, I found clarity and detachment. And now, he stood before me, bestowing his “grace” as if I should kneel in thanks.

His mentor, an elderly Beta, spoke with a trembling voice. “I’ve never seen the Lycan King so devoted to anyone. After you left, he ordered the entire pack to cease any discussion of you, and he imprisoned those who mocked you. Even though you wronged him, he built a shrine in your honor and summoned you and your father back. No Alpha has ever received such treatment. If you accept, the title of Luna is yours alone.”

---

“Loretta?”

All eyes were on me, waiting for me to accept this “gift” so they could shower me and my father with praise. Only my father noticed my discomfort and remained silent.

“The Lycan King, in his infinite grace, has done more than enough to show his loyalty to you. Do not reject him again!”

The Beta standing behind the Lycan King, Teo James, scolded me harshly, his expression filled with disdain for the “ungrateful” daughter of an Alpha.

I didn’t know if these words came from Declan himself or if they were the Beta’s own thoughts. Looking around, I recognized many of these faces—those who had once condemned me as a disgrace and forced me out of the pack lands. Now, they were pressuring me to accept this “honor,” their words dripping with hypocrisy.

My heart remained unmoved. I steadied myself and spoke calmly.

“I have already made a vow before the Moon Goddess: I will never take a mate. I will dedicate my life to defending the pack’s borders and will never return to the court.”

The hall fell into stunned silence. The courtiers dropped to their knees, some in fear of the Lycan King’s wrath, others in shock that I had refused. After all, everyone knew that I, the daughter of Alpha Bruce Gibson, had pursued the Lycan Prince for three years.

Even the Lycan Queen had