LUNA'S FEARFUL COMEBACK

Mirabel's POV

"With the power bestowed on me as the high priest of the Moonfall Pack, I now declare you both husband and wife. Applause to the newlyweds."

High Priest Charles announced. The large, crowded hall was instantly filled with deafening cheering as the Luna's crown was then placed on Ariana's head.

I trembled wordlessly. My expression was like that of a child who was beaten up and is now perplexed as to why he was beaten up, knowing that he did absolutely nothing wrong.

I still couldn't apprehend or figure out what was happening. Everything was just fine before I passed out after the rituals.

Why can't I remember ever doing anything wrong? I was the person who was marked by the Alpha himself. He even said it was best if we consummated before the final ceremony, and I agreed.

So why am I, not the one standing beside him on the altar? I waited for this moment all my life.

I secretly loved him and hoped to be with him. I even went as far as praying to the Moon Goddess in hopes of becoming his wife, Luna.

Everything was going ever so smoothly when I discovered my life partner is the Alpha.

Why and where did things go wrong? What kind of tricks did Ariana Brandon play to take my place by becoming the Alpha's Luna?'

Different thoughts kept flashing through my mind. I still couldn't understand what was happening. We've already marked each other and even spent days together, coiling under a sheet in bed.

He is supposed to be my alpha, my mate, and my husband. Why is everything going in the opposite direction?

I staggered backward when Ariana Brandon, and Alpha Kameel walked forward hand in hand.

Ariana chuckled at me, and I knew she was mocking my confused and vulnerable expression.

"You've lost Mirabel. Alpha Kameel is mine, now and forever," she mouthed, snorting at me, as they do to beggars.

Ariana sauntered away with her hands in Kameel's-something that I should be the one doing.

I felt discomfort with hatred brewing in me. My stomach churned as tears brimmed in my eyes. I despise his silence. He looked as if he didn't care and everything was fine with him.

"Stop right there!" I said, ignoring all the questioning and mocking glares thrown at me as I fought back my tears.

"Why did you choose to marry her? I am your mate. We've gone through the rituals, and you've marked me as your mate. So why did you get married to her?"

I questioned, fearlessly pointing at the apex of our Pack. Gone is the bliss of the hot and steamy nights we shared for three straight days.

Gone are the joy and happiness of being mated to the ruthless alpha in the entire werewolf kingdom.

Gone are the respect, interest, and fear I felt around him.

All I want right now is to know why he betrayed and humiliated me in such a manner when I did nothing wrong.

I heard gasps from the crowd. Alpha Kameel turned around, staring deeply into my brown eyes.

"I choose whoever I want as my mate and my Luna. And today, I choose Ariana Brandon," he declared without batting an eyelid.

"But you've marked me and even dared to sleep with me. Which means you've accepted me." I retorted, not compromising on the heavy tension in the ballroom.

"Then, I, Kameel Chester, Alpha of the Moonfall Pack, reject you as my Luna and my Mate. Just consider whatever had happened as a three-night stand. Now, accept my rejection," he ordered, locking eyes with me.

I took several steps back in shock. while Ariana smirked, walking towards me in calculated steps.

"Don't you understand? Accept his rejection. After all, it's your Alpha's commands," she taunted.

I frowned, thinking of a word to retort, but no word was coming. My brain seemed to have gone completely blank.

I haven't even comprehended the entire situation; how am I now supposed to give a perfect face-slapping reply to my most dreaded beauty rival?

I want to wipe away the pleasant smirk on her face. 'Gosh, Mirabel, when did you become so helpless and pathetic?' I sobbed inwardly.

I need to give a befitting reply to the double-faced she-wolf and the betraying Alpha In front of me.

"I, Mirabel Gabriel Caleb, decline your rejection," I uttered before I could even stop myself.

"I reject you, Alpha Kameel Chester, as my mate. You're not worthy of standing by my side."

A hush fell over the hall.

You could hear the flicker of flames in the wall sconces and the nervous shuffle of feet as the crowd held its breath. Dozens of wolves stared in disbelief, some even bowing their heads.

A she-wolf had just rejected the Alpha. That was unheard of.

Mirabel Gabriel Caleb had drawn her own line in the sand.

Alpha Kameel's expression hardened. For a split second, something flickered in his eyes...rage.

"You dare..." he began, his voice low and threatening.

"Yes, I dare," I snapped, cutting him off. My heart thundered in my chest, but I didn't flinch. "You used me. You stripped me of my dignity, made me believe I was yours, then discarded me like I was nothing. But I am something."

The power in my voice surprised even me.

"I may not be your Luna, but I am still a daughter of the Moon, and no title can take that away from me."

Gasps echoed again.

Kameel's jaw clenched. His hands balled into fists at his side.

"You brought this on yourself," he growled. "You weren't strong enough to be my Luna."

"No, Kameel," I whispered, stepping closer until we were mere feet apart, my voice deadly calm. "You weren't man enough to stand beside a Luna like me."

His face darkened with fury, but I didn't care.

Let them all see. Let them know.

Ariana stepped in front of him, placing a possessive hand on his chest.

"You'll regret this, Mirabel," she hissed.

I tilted my head and smiled. "Maybe. But I'll never regret being true to myself."

With that, I turned, chin raised, spine straight, and walked out of the ceremonial hall. And as the heavy doors shut behind me, I heard murmurs rippling through the room and I knew right at that point that my entire princess' life would turn for the worse.

****

I walked quietly into the Pack house, with several maidens and unmated she-wolves snorting and pointing fingers at me.

These were the same people who always bootlicked me. But today, they've all turned against me.

Saying no word or replying to the criticism and insulting words, I strode inside the chamber, which was specifically built for my father.

"Father, tell me all this is not happening to me. This is all a bad dream," I mumbled helplessly.

My face was dry, with not a single drop of tears, but my eyes were puffy and red, with a blinding shadow of pain, hatred, and confusion.

Father stared at me as I tried my best to contain all the tears that had accumulated in my tear duct.

I remember he would always say, "Mirabel, only the weak shed tears."

Sighing at the unexpected turn of events, Father walked forward to the doorway, pulling me into his arms as he shut the door close.

Those protective arms are something I desperately crave. A father's hug

"Let it out, dear daughter. You don't have to act strong in front of me. I am your father, and I understand you better than anyone. So let it all out.

My shoulders are for you to lean on when you feel like crying," he cajoled, gently patting my back.

I hiccuped, bursting into tears as I poured out all my grief and disappointment. Until this moment, I still couldn't believe all this was happening.

"Father, everything was going alright."

I rushed my words, choking and sobbing without a single care about who could be secretly watching.

"You don't have to say anything, my dear. It's destined to happen; if not, all these wouldn't have happened."

He tried to explain, but I simply wasn't ready to buy any of those words of explanation.

"But why? Why is it me? Why should it be me?" I continued weeping, grabbing a fistful of His robe.

"It's fate, dear daughter," he replied, planting a kiss on the crown of my head.

"I hate this. I so much loathe this fate." I cried more as I whispered.

"All this is bound to happen... If you're destined, you will surely become Luna, our Luna," he answered with a shaking voice.

"But I don't have a mate and will never have one. In seven days, I'll be executed for being an undignified rejected mate."

Yes, I might have declined his rejection, but it doesn't change the fact that he had initiated the rejection before me.

"Father, you tell me, what kind of cruel fate is this?" I sobbed harder, hitting his chest with my balled fist, and I could feel his body stiffen as he tightened his grip around me.

Mirabel's POV

The past three days could be said to be the hardest days of my entire life. Everywhere I go, I always get mocked and shooed, and all kinds of dirty words are thrown at me.

Just like the saying goes, "A flying phoenix that falls is worse than a chicken that never grows." And the same word is now applicable to me.

I chewed silently on the roasted meat, but I could not feel the delicious taste I always felt.

Everything now tasted bland and raw in my mouth. All that's running through my mind is, 'What are Ariana and Kameel doing? Did they already consummate their marriage?'

Well, that would be weird if they didn't, especially since Moonfall Pack needs an heir. But most of all, Ariana would stop at nothing to make sure he spent the night with her, and the Alpha is also hot-blooded.

'Did he do with her what he did with me?'

"Mirabel," I heard Father's voice deep inside my head.

What's going on? Am I beginning to imagine things? How is that even possible?

"Dear daughter," I heard his voice echoing in my head.

Snapping out of the awful thought, I turned my head to the side, only to see Father staring intently at me. It was as if he had silently made a decision. A decision that must be made.

"Are you okay, dear daughter? I've been calling out to you, but you've given me no reply," he asked, patting my head.

The bubbles of hope that had amassed in my heart shattered into several pieces.

"I'm okay, Father!" I mumbled, feeling disgruntled.

No one knows except for myself, Imogen, and my father that I still can't communicate with my wolf.

A lot of werewolves can shapeshift, but I can't. No matter how hard I try, I'm just unable to do all that the supernatural does. I feel even weaker than the omegas in the Pack.

Father always says that one day I'll be able to, but when is that day ever going to come, when there are only four days left before I'll be executed?

Yes, I'll be executed. It is a tradition in Moonfall Pack that any she-wolf who was marked and mated with her partner before getting rejected in a public place must be executed on the seventh day to prevent evil from befalling the rest of the members of the Pack.

'Did the Alpha find out about my weakness? Is that the reason why he rejected me as his mate?' The realization dawned on me. In an instant, I snapped my head around, staring at my father.

"I'll go and see the Alpha," I said out of the blue, taking Father aback.

"You want to see the Alpha? Daughter, can't you remember how he humiliated you? Your life is ruined, all thanks to him. I wish he were never your mate." Father frowned, rejecting my decision to meet the Alpha.

"I know that, Father. It has been the Moon Goddess's wish and will. I just want to know why he did all this to me. He rejected me without a valid reason, and I want to know why he did it. I want to know what right he has to ruin my life." My lips quivered as I mumbled out the words buried deep in my heart.

"But, dear..." He tried to insist.

"No, Father, I'll go. Besides, the mating mark is no longer visible," I replied to him, not willing to be discouraged.

His eyes went visibly wide. A look of determination once again flashed across his face.

I wonder what he is thinking. But I'll ask him when I return after getting answers to my questions and doubts.

"Alright then. But you have to be careful," he compromised, forcing out a painful smile.

'Ariana Brandon and Kameel Chester, you both are responsible for Father's quandary. If this has been done without a valid reason, I pray you both suffer your karma one day," I thought.

"Alright, Father, I'll be careful." I grinned. Although I knew deep down he could still see through the facade behind my happy expression,

****

Under the judging eyes of everyone in the Pack house, I sauntered inside Alpha Kameel's chamber.

I knocked on the huge wooden door for several minutes but got no response. What's happening? I have no idea.

I knocked until my knuckles began to hurt. Tired from waiting, I pushed the door open, only to see the biggest shock of my life.

Ariana was seated on the lap of a shirtless Alpha Kameel, stacked naked while smooching him.

The zipper of his pants was pulled down, and he seemed to be enjoying whatever she was doing as his eyes were closed and there was sweat on his face.

The smell emanating from the room is enough to explain what happened. Alpha Kameel's eyes flew open at the sudden distraction. His gaze turned towards the door, and after discovering that I was the person standing by the door, he howled, groaning in anger and annoyance at my sudden disturbance and uninvited intrusion.

"Bitch! Do you even know what you are doing? How dare you barge into the Alpha's chamber?" Ariana growled fiercely at me.

She smirked, standing up and wrapping herself in a robe. The victorious look on her face was enough to clear up every illusional misunderstanding I created in my heart. I just had to believe all this was happening for real.

"Are you deaf?" His loud baritone voice echoed in the chamber.

"No, I am not deaf," I fearlessly riposted with an equal fit of rage.

Although mine could not overpower the ruthless and deathly aura around him, I at least did not hide timidly.

"Why are you here?" He questioned, standing up from the chair.

I would have gawked and drooled over his firm, sturdy, and handsome looks, but right now, I'm not in the mood for that.

"I'm here to get answers to my questions," I replied with a firm stance, strolling inside the room as though it belonged to me. And I have to admit, his chamber is like no other.

The rosewood and mahogany wood that had been used to set up the room were all lustrous and shining.

And the bed was huge, with everything in its appropriate place.

I rounded my eyes around the same bed where he had taken my dignity as a lady, before looking away.

Ariana gasped at my boldness and lack of respect. She raised her brows at the Alpha, whose eyes had been on me ever since I stepped foot inside the place but got ignored.

"Answers to your questions? What right do you think you have to ask for answers from the Alpha?" She spat mockingly.

She twirled the loose strand of her hair, hugging Alpha Kameel's hand.

My pupil constricted, and I clenched my fist. 'Don't get overwhelmed by your emotions,' I reminded myself.

"I wasn't talking to a 'fake and used' product like you. I'm here to get answers from the Alpha of the Pack. It will be best if thieves don't interfere," I spat out. My eyes were sharply gawking at her, not giving her a chance to overwhelm me with her dignified and elegant aura.

My brazen insult shocked Ariana, just as it had Alpha Kameel. He growled, and as if on cue, the guards who normally stood by his side to protect him strutted in.

"Call for a general meeting. Make sure everyone, every single member of the Pack must be present," Alpha Kameel ordered. The four guards bowed before exiting the room.

He then turned towards me and said, "Don't you want answers? You'll ask your questions in the presence of the entire Pack." His husky voice resounded, shattering my insides.

I want to have a private talk with him, but all he has in mind is how to insult and humiliate me.

'How did I fall in love with such a heartless creature? How blind was I?' I lamented inwardly, laughing at my stupidity.

"Sure, I don't mind," I replied haughtily, despite the churning pain in my stomach.

Mirabel's POV

Ariana was gritting her teeth nonstop. I could already see how nervous she was.

'Ttsk, stupid thing!' I snickered, following from behind as we left for the big hall.

*****

"In the presence of everyone in this Pack, I, Alpha Kameel Chester, shall answer all questions posed to me by Mirabel Gabriel Caleb."

Alpha Kameel declared openly the moment he got to the meeting room. I felt my legs weaken, and my earlier conviction almost flew out the window.

This happens to be another weakness of mine: the crowd. I often don't have the confidence to stand in front of the crowd.

"Don't you understand what it means to be rejected? Why are you still bothering the Alpha and Luna's relationship?"

Someone amongst the crowd gloated, and my breath hitched in discomfort.

"I have no idea as to how she thinks. I mean, she's already been rescinded; she should be spending the last period of her life with her poor dad and best friend."

Another spat without regard to how I feel.

"I agree with you, dear. She's so stupid to be doing what she's doing," A red-eyed omega added.

"I wonder what she wants to ask now." Someone among the crowd said out loud.

"What else? She's here to question the Alpha's decision to reject her." Ariana replied, glaring disdainfully at me.

My heart twisted in misery upon hearing all the side comments.

'Why can't anyone understand what I'm going through? Why can't they just put themselves in my shoes and imagine how awful it feels? Is killing someone so satisfying?'

I bent my head to the side, wiping away the tears that fell from the corners of my eyes. I can't let them view me as a weak person.

I sniffed gently, turning and looking straight into Alpha Kameel's eyes with no hint of fear or embarrassment.

"I need a reason as to why you rejected me after marking and mating with me. I want to know why. You could have done that before the marking ritual, but you didn't.

You choose to mate with me and then reject me despite knowing the consequences.

Why would you choose to ruin my life despite everything my father had done for this Pack?"

I questioned, feeling relieved as the tension in my heart finally subsided. Alpha Kameel cracked up, staring mockingly at me.

"You want to know why?" He asked, still chuckling. Seeing that I said no words, he continued, this time pointing at me and then at himself.

"I, Kameel Chester, will never accept a mate who is not strong enough to stand by me.

I will recant any mate who is not confident enough to stand in front of a large crowd.

And most importantly, I shall reject every mate who cannot communicate with her wolf and cannot use her abilities."

He proclaimed proudly to the entire Pack. And that was it. My doubt has been proven right; he knows my deepest and darkest secret, and now everyone knows it.

I wish I could rip his heart out to see which bad bug is rotten in it. Wait, what am I even thinking? I don't believe he has a heart.

Gasps and murmurs erupted from the gathering. All had judgmental expressions. Even the omegas were staring at me with disdain.

Alpha Kameel snarled, and a glimpse of evil and wickedness seemed to have flashed through his deep and dark iris.

"I announce that Mirabel Gabriel Caleb will not be executed in four days. Instead, she's cursed to become a stray wolf for the rest of her life. And that starts right now," he once again declared.

My brain seems to have been crushed. 'A stray wolf-did he just curse me to be a lone wolf for the rest of my life? Or am I misunderstanding something?'

"That can never happen. I will never watch you curse my dear daughter to a lonely fate." Father's angry voice resounded in the entire hall.

The place instantly went calm, and everyone was silent, not saying a single word.

Alpha Kameel raised his brows at Father. There was not a single sign of respect in his expression.

"Ohh! I just cursed her, and you were watching," he said, laughing amusingly.

"I give you no right to speak to my father like that. Say all you want to me, but don't you dare cross the line.

I admit I have made myself a tool for you, but beware; no one has the right to speak to my father rudely. Not even you, Kameel."

To everyone's amazement, I shrieked, pointing fingers at him. My voice held an uncontrollable fury.

Alpha Kameel's pupil constricted. He sent a sign to his guards, and before I could understand what was happening, my father was seized with a shimmering silver sword pointed at his neck.

"Father!" I yelled, about to rush over, when two guards suddenly blocked my way.

"Get out of my way, you loyal losers," I roared, but they didn't even bulge.

I turned to face The Alpha, staring a dagger at him.

"Don't you dare point a finger at my father? Now order your brainless loyal guard dogs to get their swords away from his neck," I requested.

Alpha Kameel gawked at me, not saying a word, for a complete minute.

"Accept your fate as a cursed, a lone wolf for life, at the expense of your father's life and freedom," he said, dropping the bombshell.

I looked at the heartless man in front of me. All I could feel for him was hatred, disgust, and disappointment.

I've never done anything to make him hate me, but today he has proven to me that not all men are like Thane, Imogen's boyfriend, and mate.

I gulped hard, looking over at Father, who kept shaking his head pathetically at me. I could imagine him saying,

"Don't force this, dear daughter; I'm old now. It's not a big crime if I die. But you are still young;

You have yet to see anything. I've accompanied you for eighteen years. It's time I go meet your mother."

Although I might be reckoning things, I won't let that happen. How am I going to survive without my father? How will I sleep peacefully knowing I'm alive at the expense of my father's death?

What guarantee do I have to be sure that Alpha Kameel won't kill me after killing my father? No, I don't want that.

"I, Mirabel Gabriel Caleb, accept to be cursed as a stray wolf who shall remain alone for the rest of my life," I answered, turning around and walking away.

I halted when I got to the door and turned around to see a grinning Ariana. I trailed my eyes at the Alpha and said,

"Maybe because you grew up without your father's love, you do not understand what it is to experience a father's love.

Separating me from my father and threatening me with his life is the biggest mistake you should not have committed.

I'll make sure I remember this day for the rest of my life. Also, you've now officially made me an enemy in your Pack.

The day I get my chance for revenge..." I paused again, my eyes scanning the entire hall filled with heartless people, and I clasped my fist.

"I'll make you suffer the worst humiliation," I concluded, and without looking behind me or paying attention to the people's outburst, I left the meeting hall looking dejected.