Begging For The Rejected Luna's Attention

ELORA'S POV

"Are you really going to do it?"

Selene asked me for the tenth time today. The ink of my pen hovered above the signature line as I looked down on the divorce papers, trembling ever so slightly as I was about to make the biggest decision of my life.

I'm Elora Weston----Luna of Erelis pack, daughter of Alpha Edric Parker of the Moonhaven pack, wife of Alpha Lucian Weston and his mate by choice, and mother to my only daughter, Nora. I used to be proud of those titles...and now, I'm just trying to remember who I was before it.

"I have to," I replied her with those three words I've been telling myself all day.

Selene, my best friend and the only human still brave enough to stay by my side, folded her arms and leaned against the window frame. "No, you don't. Not like this at least. You've been on that same spot, holding that same pen for hours now."

I sighed and finally dropped the pen with a soft click. "It's over, Selene. He will choose her over me. He doesn't love me anyway. So what's left for me to fight for?"

"Your daughter," Selene said without missing a beat. "Think about Nora."

The name pierced through me like a knife. I haven't seen my daughter for two months. Not since I was told my presence was confusing and unsettling for the child. That my mate-now my ex-mate-needed to move on, and so did she.

"Selene, she stopped asking for me."

"She's seven," Selene snapped, suddenly walking across the room. "They probably told her not to. Don't act like she just forgot you."

My jaw clenched. "Even if I decide to stay, Lucian has someone else now. Maya's everything I'm not-loved, accepted, born with a true blood, and she's my half-sister, how am I supposed to cope with that And she's not carrying the mistakes I made."

Mistakes of being in love with a man who barely looks me in the eye.

Lucian Weston-my chosen mate and Alpha of the Erelis pack. Lucian has been the man of my dreams since I was a teenager, that dream remained a dream until my family ambition and a reckless night changed everything. I got pregnant with Nora and ever since we've been bound as chosen mates. One without love and affection.

But the way I see it, it's still a dream. Because now, my half-sister, Maya, turned out to be his fated mate.

"Elora," Selene crouched down beside me. "You don't have to go begging him to take you back. But don't let your daughter grow up thinking you stopped showing up because you didn't care. That's not you."

I remained quiet again as my hands found the edge of the papers again with my fingers curling around the corner.

"Just.go see her," She whispered. "Not him, not the pack members. Just her. It's your birthday, spend some time with her, El."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later in the day, I stood at the private terminal of the Cadenhart airport with my passport and travelling ticket in hand. It had been two months since I left Ashridge, a place I call home.

The flight was short, painfully short. It gave me little to no time to think. About Nora's laugh, about the way her curls would bounce when she ran to me. About how different she'd look now.

Ashridge had once been my home. Now it felt like foreign soil. But the moment my feet hit the cobblestones of the Erelis Pack's central ground, the scent hit me-the floral earthiness of home, of Nora, and even of him.

But what I didn't expect was the decorations. Gold streamers twisted between the trees. Tables were lined with desserts, lanterns strung through the courtyard. My face lit up with excitement. Maybe they hadn't forgotten. Maybe.they remembered my birthday. Selene was right, I could have foolishly signed those papers.

Then I turned to see Nora at the edge of the stairs, her once golden curls now straightened out. She wore a confused frown on her little face as she took a step forward.

"Nora," I ignored the pain in my chest and ran towards her. "I.I missed you so much."

Nora stood still, her arms by her side.

"Why now?" she asked quietly.

I froze, my hands trembling at my sides. "What?"

"Why did you choose to come now?" she asked again. "After all this time."

I blinked through the sting behind my eyes. "I.I thought today was special. I thought I should be here with you."

Nora's face twisted. "You shouldn't have come. At least not now."

I forced a smile. "Did I ruin the surprise you had for me?" I asked with a voice full of hope.

She simply walked away from me.

Then I heard It-whispers among pack members.

"DId you hear? I think Alpha Lucian's finally making it official."

I paused. Then another said;

"Some said he's announcing Maya as his Luna tonight. It's about time."

I gasped. "What?"

Their eyes widened as they saw me. "Luna Elora." They bowed and scurried off with a smirk on their faces.

Someone walked past me with a wrapped box in hand, not recognizing me, or just pretended not to.

My footsteps slowed but my heart didn't.

I walked past the crowd of packmates toward the main house. Every inch of it gleamed in preparation. My throat tightened, but still, I held onto one tiny sliver of hope. Maybe the whispers were merely rumours. Maybe the surprise was for me.

I stepped inside and all I heard was voices, laughter, and cheers.

"Bring her in!" A familiar voice called out.

My heart jumped as I turned to see.

Lucian. But not just him.

His arm was wrapped tightly around Maya, my half-sister. His lips pressed affectionately to her cheek as she giggled behind a silk tie covering her eyes.

Behind them, Nora walked in, holding Maya tightly with her little hand as she smiled brightly at her.

I stood frozen as they brought Maya to the center of the courtyard. Everyone chanted as they counted down the numbers.

"Three!"

I took a step forward, my eyes locked on my daughter.

"Two!"

Another step as a smile fought to escape.

Maybe Nora had planned this with her father, Maybe.

"One!"

Lucian pulled off the blindfold from her eyes.

"Happy birthday, Mama!" Nora shouted.

But she wasn't looking at me, she was beaming up at Maya. Maya leaned down and hugged Nora tightly, placing a kiss on her forehead.

My lips parted but no words came out.

It wasn't for me. It was never for me.

The crowd clapped. Lucian lifted Maya's hand in the air like she was some sort of prize. My half-sister basked in the attention like it was owed to her.

My throat burned. My fingers moved before I could stop them, pulling out the crumpled papers from my coat.

I reached into my purse, yanked out a pen, and in one swift stroke-the divorce papers were signed.

I stormed through the crowd. Some acknowledged me, most didn't care.

Lucian's eyes widened as he looked down at me. Then I shoved the papers into his chest.

"You don't have to pretend anymore. You win. She wins. As for me? I'm done."

Then I squared my shoulder and walked out. Past the decorations. Past the candles and fake smiles. Past the sister who wore my life like a fake crown. Past the whispers that filled the room.

As I pushed the heavy doors open, the noise behind me dimmed.

But inside, my thoughts screamed.

How stupid. How utterly naive.

I should've known better. I should've let go sooner.

I didn't belong here. Not anymore.

The walk back to the edge of the estate was a blur. All I could hear was my daughter's voice calling someone else "Mama."

I climbed into the waiting car, not bothering to look back. The tears came fast and hot, smudging my vision as the gates closed behind me.

But if I was no one to them, then I was finally free to become someone else.

Someone they wouldn't see coming.

I wouldn't beg to stay where I wasn't wanted.

I would not kneel to a mate who couldn't even remember my own birthday. I would not fight Maya for scraps of love that were never mine.

They thought it was over.

But I was never a flower that could just die.

I was the storm they will never see coming.

And I haven't even started yet.

LUCIAN'S POV

"What the hell was that?"

Maya's voice cut through the air like a blade as she furiously stormed into my study.

I hadn't even had a moment to breathe. Not after Elora showed up out of nowhere, not after she shoved some damn papers into my chest like a final blow. The papers still sat untouched on my desk, crumpled and damp with sweat from her grip.

" I don't know," I said flatly, running a hand over my jaw, "I didn't invite her."

Maybe eyes burned with rage as she stepped closer.

"Do you expect me to believe that? She just happens to come back on the same night you're throwing me a birthday celebration?"

My voice stayed calm, but inside, a headache throbbed behind my temple. "She hasn't been in Ashridge for months. I didn't even know she was in the city."

"Nora saw her. Everyone saw her," Maya hissed. "They saw her leave right before I blew out the candles on my cake. Do you know how that makes me look?"

I turned to face her fully. "You think I planned that? That I wanted her to show up, to watch her daughter call you Mama, then storm off? That wasn't for show, Maya. That was a woman at her breaking point."

Maya blinked at me, clearly caught off guard by my tone.

I exhaled. "Look, I didn't ask for this mess. But I'm cleaning it up."

Silence fell for a moment before she folded her arms. "Do you still have feelings for her?"

"No," I said without hesitation. "Elora and I were a mistake-an obligation. We were never supposed to be mates. That bond was chosen. Arranged. Political."

"But she's still Nora's mother," Maya muttered, her tone softening just a little.

"I know," I sank into the chair. "And I'II always respect that. But that's all there is to it. Elora's not someone I loved. She was someone I owed."

And now, she has walked away from even that.

I leaned back, letting the truth settle in my bones.

I'm Lucian Weston-Alpha of the Erelis pack and CEO of Weston's company. I'm known to be the cold, calculated, powerful and a man who leads with strength and order. My pack happens to be the most powerful among the five packs in Ashridge---- The northern part of Ashridge known for their fierce warriors, discipline and defence, high level strategy, political dominace and producing elite Alphas in its generation.

My bloodline goes from way back in generations, built on strength, duty, and leadership. I was trained and taught to protect our laws and pack members, to ensure unity, and to provide for the pack.

Love? That had no place in the role until Maya.

Fated mates were sacred. Our kind only got one in a lifetime. When Maya came into my life, everything shifted. She made me feel something I didn't even think I was capable of anymore-warmth. Hope.

I've never felt that way with Elora. Never.

I'd always been distant, and I was always busy pretending we could make it work. But there was no bond. No spark. Just shared responsibility for a child that never asked to be born in the middle of our wreckage.

"I didn't mean for today to unravel like this." I muttered.

Maya crossed the room and perched on the edge of my desk, still visibly tense. "So what now?"

I couldn't help but think about her reaction earlier. I could still feel the heat of Elora's anger when she pressed the paper against my chest. That fire in her eyes. The rage behind her voice. It's Unsettling.

"She left," I said quietly. "It's over."

Maya didn't say anything for a moment. Then she said, "She looked wrecked."

"She was," I admitted. "But she did that to herself. She stayed quiet when she should've fought. She gave up long before I found you."

I stood again, pacing around the room. My wolf Rowan was unsettled-restless since Elora left. Not because we missed her. Not because we wanted her back. But because something inevitable has happened. The chapter had closed. And maybe that hurts my wolf.

"I have a pack to lead," I said, more to myself than her. "And laws to uphold. Our people deserve a true Luna who was chosen by the Moon Goddess, not one barely acknowledged by the pack members.

Maya looked down at her hands. "Are sure you're not just trying to justify what happened?"

I met her gaze. "I don't have to justify anything. Not to the pack. Not to her. But to you? I'll be honest-I never wanted Elora. I just didn't want to be the Alpha who abandoned the mother of his child."

Maya's shoulders eased a bit. "And now?"

"Now she's the one who left. And I let her. She made her choice. And I'm not going to chase someone who left on their own accord."

Maya stood, smoothening down her dress. "I don't just want her showing up again and making you second-guess us."

"She won't," I said with more assurance than I felt. "Elora doesn't look back. Not after she's made up her mind."

But a part of me knew-that look in her eyes? That was something else entirely.

"Daddy," Nora's voice called out as she stepped into my study. Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Why was mommy here? She ruined Aunty Maya's party.everyone saw that."

Before I could answer, Maya crouched down to her level. "Sweetheart," she said, beaming up at her as she smoothed Nora's hair. "Your mom just wanted to see you. Today's a special day, maybe she thought she could be part of it, too."

Nora looked up at her with trembling lips. "You're not mad about your party?"

Maya shook her head and pulled her close.

"Of course not, baby. Nothing could ruin this day.not when I have you."

Something light tugged at my chest as I watched them quietly.

Maya. She had this calm aura I never knew I needed until now. She wasn't just my fated mate -she was going to be the kind of Mother Nora deserved. The kind who could love gently, passionately.even the parts of her that weren't hers by blood.

I was damn lucky.

As they both left the study, I sank into the silence.

I should've felt relief. I finally had what I wanted: Freedom. The past closed, and the future wide open with Maya.

But all I could hear was the soft echo of a little girl calling someone else 'Mama,' and the sound of a door slamming shut behind the woman I once swore to protect-even if I never loved her.

Oh! the papers. I forgot about that for a second.

I walked back to my desk and picked up the papers. I unfolded it carefully and read its content.

"DiVORCE?" My wolf, Rowan, yelled out with anger.

ELORA'S POV

Three Years Later.

"I never should have sent you off."

Selene's tone sliced through the quiet hum of the city outside the apartment window, and I could see her hand clamped firmly onto the edge of her coffee mug.

I didn't answer right away. I sat before her, legs folded up beneath me on the couch, staring blankly at the steam rising from my own cup, the warmth barely seeping through the ceramic to my palms.

"I just figured.maybe it would help you find some kind of peace," Selene said, her voice soft with regret.

"Closure, maybe. I don't know. But if I'd known it would break you like that-if I'd known what he'd do, El, I swear to God, I would've prevented you from going."

I raised my eyes slowly to meet hers. There was no anger in them, not anymore. Weariness, yes- a deep, bone-deep tiredness that time hadn't erased, no matter how hard I'd tried to outrun it. "It wasn't your fault."

"It does feel like it was," Selene muttered, her gaze dropping to her hands.

I sighed as I settled deeper into the couch, the soft fabric cold against my elbows. Manhattan light streamed in through the window, casting a golden ray around us, as if trying to warm the chill that lingered in the air.

It had been years-three? Four? Days blurred together, slipping through my fingers when I wasn't paying attention.

Time moves differently when you stop expecting anything at all, when each day is just another step to get through, no anticipation, no hope.

"I've got no calls from them, Selene. Not one. Not even a single message." My voice trembled, and I hated how fragile it sounded, how raw the pain still was after all this time. "I wonder sometimes if my own daughter remembers me."

Selene set her mug down gently on the coffee table and sat beside me on the couch, placing her hand softly on my knee- a small, steady anchor in the chaos of my mind. "Of course, she remembers you. She was just a child. She probably isn't aware of what really happened."

I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow in my own ears. "She doesn't need to know. Lucian saw to that. He cut me loose from her so neatly, it was as if I never existed. As if I was just..a phase."

The silence that followed wasn't awkward, just deafening- heavy with all the things we didn't say, all the pain we couldn't put into words.

I thought back to the day I first landed in Manhattan, fresh off the subway, still reeling from the humiliation Lucian had heaped on me.

I could barely breathe then; the city was noisy, fast, a jarring shock to the throbbing quiet that had taken up residence inside me. But I survived anyway- I always did.

That first night, after I hauled my suitcase into the small apartment Selene had leased for me, I cried on the floor until my eyes were dry, until my throat burned, until I had no tears left to give.

Then I stood up, washed my face, and typed out my letter of resignation. No hesitation, no second thoughts. I didn't even hesitate to resign from Weston's company.

I printed the letter the next morning and took it to headquarters myself- Lucian's name was still emblazoned on the building, and I wanted nothing to do with anything that had to do with him, nothing that bore his mark.

That part of my life was over. At least, that's what I tried to tell myself, even when the lie felt heavy on my tongue.

Then I started over. Selene found me a position at a tech company, one where no one knew my name, no one knew my past- a clean slate.

I worked tirelessly, days and nights, even weekends, whatever it took to keep my mind busy, to keep the memories at bay.

I moved up quickly; I got promoted after a year, and with that promotion came an endless stream of achievements, all of which silenced the pain for a little while. but never truly filled the empty space I'd lost when Lucian took Nora away.

But even then, I walked away from it sometimes- moments when the sorrow crept in, unannounced, like an approaching wave that I never saw coming. A child in the subway, clinging tightly to her mother's hand.

A father yelling his daughter's name in the park, laughter echoing. Every time I heard the name "Nora"- a name that used to be my whole world- it felt like a knife to the chest.

Each time, I'd smile, pretending it didn't hurt. I'd blink away the burn behind my eyes and keep going- keep working, keep living, keep breathing. Because what else did I have left to fight for?

"I was mad at him," I whispered, the words barely audible, even to myself. "But I think I was more angry at myself. For thinking he would fight for us. For thinking he wouldn't shove me out the minute he found his true mate."

"Maybe he was afraid..or confused," Selene offered gently, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt- a kindness I couldn't bring myself to extend.

"No," I answered flatly, the word sharp with the weight of all my disappointment. "He was selfish."

Selene didn't argue. She simply nodded, letting me pour out the thoughts that had been festering in my heart for years, letting me say the things I'd never dared to voice out loud.

"I suppose a part of me. a small part of me expected he would call one day. Maybe he'd want to explain, or ask how I was doing, or at least let me talk to Nora.

But he didn't. He never did. And I didn't bother either." My throat tightened, and I struggled to swallow past the lump there. "What sort of mother does that make me?"

"A hurting one, El. One that's going through a lot." Selene exhaled, her hand squeezing my knee softly. "A woman who did all she could."

I turned my face away, my eyes stinging with tears- but I had promised myself, so many times, that I wouldn't weep again.

Not for him. Not for a man who had chosen to cut me out of his life, out of Nora's life, as if I meant nothing.

"I suppose I just have to accept it," I said to her, my voice steady despite the tears threatening to spill. "That she's gone. That he made sure I'd no longer be a part of her life. And he probably sleeps just fine at night because of it."

I stood up and walked to the window, arms crossed tightly across my chest as I glanced down at the city below- a sea of people, all with their own lives, their own happiness, their own families. I envied them, even as I knew I shouldn't.

Selene stood beside me, her shoulder brushing mine. "Don't ever think you're not enough. Because that's never true. He made a choice. That choice doesn't define your worth."

I let my forehead fall forward, my eyes shutting as I whispered, the words breaking on a breath. "I just miss her. That's all. Just her."

We stood there together for a while, the city humming around us, the silence now softer, less overwhelming.

I had no clue what the future would bring. Maybe Nora would one day come looking for me. Maybe Lucian would one day face what he'd done.

But in that moment, I had this life- the one I'd built with my own hands, brick by brick, even when it felt impossible. It wasn't much. But it was mine.

And that was enough- at least for now.

I decided to step back to my desk and get some work done, anything to distract myself from the ache in my chest.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard, the sound of the keypads suddenly loud in the quiet of the apartment.

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples- the weight in my chest hadn't gone away; it had just learned to hide under routine, under the busywork, under the pretense that I was okay.

Then the phone rang.

I glanced at the screen- an unknown number. I stared at it, telling myself it was probably spam, or someone from work, calling to ask me to take on an extra project.

I nearly let it ring out, my finger hovering over the ignore button- but something, a gut feeling, a flicker of hope I thought I'd long since extinguished, made me reach for it.

"Hello?"

Silence.

I almost hung up, my patience already wearing thin.

Then a voice called from the other end- familiar, in a way that made my breath hitch and my heart ache, a voice I hadn't heard in years, a voice I'd tried so hard to forget.

"Elora."

For a second, I couldn't breathe. My hand trembled, the phone nearly slipping from my grasp. Years of silence, years of pain, years of pretending I didn't care- and now. this. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might shatter, right there in my chest.

Then I swallowed hard, forcing the words out, my voice shaky but clear.

"Lucian?"