LUNA'S REBIRTH : Rise of the Rejected

POV: Lena

"What? This must be a joke!"

"What do you mean what? I just told you that the guards brought the news. It's right here in my hands", he said nonchalantly, leaning to the edge of the door with a death stare.

"Read my lips: YOUUURRR FATHERRRR ISSS DEEAADDD!" He said those words slowly as he pointed to his lips without an ounce of empathy from him, he watched me drop to the floor in dismay.

The news of my father's death struck me like a heavy blow on my face. Being the last man of our clan and the only one I could call my own, I could only wonder what life has for me onwards as the only living member of the Farcas clan.

"But he promised to stand by me, he promised to be with me to the end. He asked me to do this. And now he's not even here to see my sacrifice?" I muttered in anger with tears in my eyes.

Yes, anger! It's safe to say that I have gotten to the second stage of grief within a split second. I'm not angry at my father nor his passing, but angry that I'm stuck with a mate that doesn't love me simply because my father asked me to.

'It's for the pack', he said.

Out of love and respect I have for my father, I obliged. But people think I'm Abel's mate because he is the Alpha of the pack but behind closed doors I only knew that I am doing this for my father who has now died without even telling me why.

"But he promised me!" I sobbed. "The only thing he said was that it's for my own future", I fell on my knees sobbing. "Where do I begin?" I cried even more.

My father knew what strange relationship I had with Abel. He knew how ill treated I was already by Abel. He knew how vulnerable I was even while he was alive. And now that he's dead? I'm only but hopeless and helpless.

Abel, being the Alpha of The Shadow pack was a man of strong aura and defiance, some see him to be fierce but I see him as an arrogant bully who sees me like he's doing me a favor by being in my life. Right from when I was declared to be his mate up until now, he never has been affectionate towards me. Not even the slightest. For a man of his caliber, he attracts all the women in the pack and of course, they're being smitten by him.

I can't deny his built body, muscular arms, stiff abs dark hair, piercing black eyes that could drill a whole through any woman's chest and chiseled jaw so sharp he could tear through a skin. His sex appeal is top notch to others of course but when he gets to me, it's rather abuse and disgust than appeal.

I could feel him when he lays with another woman or women in most cases. His mark on me burns, literally.

"But why does he do this to me?" I thought. "I've only been good to him despite all he has put me through". And I have. Regardless of whatever Abel does to me, I was always receiving it in good faith and no rebellion. Or is that why he keeps doing it? Is that why He keeps being unfaithful to me?

Like the infidelity was not enough, he disrespects me and humiliates me publicly. He bullies me to the mockery of the pack like I wasn't his Luna. Why do I have to go through this? Why do I have to suffer? Why is life unfair to me.

"Are you done mourning?" Abel gloated while interrupting my thoughts as he walked up in the room. He walks to where I was seated on the floor, stooped to my level and stroked my hair. Picking up a few strands of my hair and twisting it, looking directly in my face, he grunted.

"See, I'm all you've got now. Nobody is coming to save you from me. The earlier you humble yourself and come to terms with that, the better for you. Maybe, just maybe you will find your spot in the pack cos right now, I am your mercy", he whispered with baritone close in my ears. I could perceive his masculine stench with was mixed with the whiskey & tobacco I smelt from his breath.

That's Abel. An average alcoholic who is always frolicking with women or abusing me when he has no serious royal engagements to keep him busy. One might say this is coming from a place of hate but I always wonder how he became the Alpha of the pack. A man with his heart colder than the winters of the north.

"I'm going out for a ride with the boys, I would like to have steak for dinner on my return. I'm not asking you not to mourn your old man but I don't wanna see a drop of tear or gloom when I get back", he said to me coldly while getting up to his feet to leave. "And please, I don't want a Dry steak, your pussy does that for me already" he chuckled while walking out of the room whistling in the satisfaction of what he has just done to me.

I screamed in rage and flung over the flower verses beside me until it shattered.

"Is this what becomes of me? Is this my life now? This humiliation is what I am to take for the rest of my life?" I cried even more and suddenly Annabella, my olderly maiden rushed to grab me as I collapsed helplessly in her arms.

"Hush now, Child" She shushed me and lifted me up to my bed.

The last thing I remember was arguing with Annabella while sipping the tea she got me. I remember that She asked me to sleep and she was going to make the dinner on Abel's return. I insisted to make the steak as commanded out of my fear of what Abel may do to me but she could sense my panic and told me to lay still while she gets me some more tea to calm me.

Oh, Annabella... apart from my best and only friend, she is the only person that has my interest at heart in the whole of the North. I'm grateful for her. On sipping the tea, I can't really say what happened next. I drifted off into dreamland. Annabella had put something extra in this chamomile tea, I knew it but I was way too weak to protest against it as my body gave in to the call of deep sleep.

"Where is she? Where is my Luna?"

I snapped back up from my sleep hearing Abel roaring towards my room across the hall way. He sounds drunk, yet again. I also so could hear giggles, female giggles. At this point, his womanizing doesn't even bother me any more.

"She just laid her head to rest after preparing your dinner, Sir", Annabella intercepted him across the Hallway. Almost like stopping him from taking another step forward.

"Good for her! I hope the steak tastes as good as it smells. I would hate to be triggered! Right ladies?", Abel turned towards the girls he brought to the house and all I could hear was their giggles in agreement to what their Alpha has said. Some people will call it 'white girl noise'.

"May I serve you now sir?" Annabella asked while I was getting myself out of sleep mode.

"Why? I need the Chef to make a presentation of her exquisite dish" he said slurry while blowing a chef's kiss. "Get Lena for me!"

I noticed what Annabella did, she stalled Abel so I can be fully awake before he gets to me. She also made dinner in my place while I was asleep for hours. She came to my room to see if I was awake and ready to meet with Abel only for her to find me sat up on my bed, fully awake, dressed up and ready for his tantrums. She bought me enough time afterall. I came out to see Abel

"Ah! Yes, there She is, my crying little princess" he made a crying face in mockery. "Alright ladies, I'm afraid we would have to continue tomorrow, my Luna is here, haha. Tell any of the guards to drop you off", he dismissed his guest.

"So! Do you feel better now?", he asked. Not that he cared but I could hear the obvious nonchalance like he was setting me up to react.

"Yes... ahem" I cleared my throat as I sat opposite home on the long dining table.

He barely touched his meal before I could hear the snores from him across the table. He drifted off asleep obviously, after having a long day of whatever.

For someone that claims to be my mate, he's had so much fun on the worst day of my life.

That was when the resentment started to kick in.

My wolf, Hera, who has been quiet since I was a teenager growled for the first time to my surprise. It was then I knew that we both have had enough of this bullshit.

What do I do? Should I stay or should I go? Should I endure more for my father? Should I give up the royalty and the greater good? What becomes of me if I stay here a little longer?

These questions were toiling in my head.

*****

I woke up the next morning with the my mind made up on the decision I was about to take. I matched straight to Abel's room. I barged in on him while he was still sleeping and snoring as loud as a tractor.

"I can't do this with you any more! Whatever deals you had with my father has come to an end cos I won't continue to let you treat me like I'm nothing" I said sternly!

"I need you to UNMARK ME and set me free!", I demanded and spoke with such assertion and without fear for the first time ever.

"Excuse me?" Abel woke up staggered, but was taken aback by my confidence! I could tell.

"You heard me. I'm leaving for good. Unmark me as your mate so that you can live the life you ought to live without me in it", I retorted.

"And who do you think will accept you out there?" He scoffed. "How do you expect to survive in the pack without my protection? The Alpha of the Shadow Pack?"

"I don't care!" I snapped back. "Whatever misery awaits me is far better than what you put me through! Unmark me!"

"Aww, I think it's your father's death that is getting over your head. Go back to bed Lena, have a glass of wine or whatever boring thing you like to do. I'm sure you will be fine in a week or two..."

"Do not mention my father ever again!" I approached him with bloodshot eyes raging with anger that he had to sit back up in disbelief. Hera, my wolf was ready for war and wanted me to shift already so she can devour him but i managed to have myself in control simply because I wanted him to unmark me.

"You have nobody to run to Lena. The only living relative you have is dead. You have nothing to your name just me" he said. "And I only have to give a word to the pack as the alpha and other packs in this side of town and you will never be welcomed anywhere. I AM ALPHA, remember?" He continued.

"And yes, news flash, your home has been collected by the treasury bank of the pack to cover your father's debts. If in case you thought you had a home to go to aside this, just be prepared to be homeless" he added. "So once again, rethink your decision, my dear Luna" he finished off with a cold smile while laying back to bed.

"No problem. Don't unmark me! I will leave anyways. Whatever my fate is I am certain it cannot be worse than what I am getting here already!" I stormed out on him.

I left with the few things I had but with a heavier sense of relief that I haven't felt in years. For the first time, I felt like I got my power back. After I left Abel's mansion with a few worthless belongings and no money at all, reality dawned on me. Where do I go from here?

Desperate, I knocked on the door rapidly until it swung open.

"Le...Lena??", she stammered. Looking so shocked to have seen me.

"Hi Trina", I swung to hug her.

Katrina or 'Trina' as I fondly called her was my childhood friend, we go way back and shared so many memories. I could blame myself for the rift in our friendship but I was left with no choice. That narcissistic bully of an alpha made sure he cut me off from everybody that cares about me. Even my dear father. I totally understand her surprise. Showing up out of nowhere after all these years is not some stunt I should pull.

"Oh my darling, come in. I'll make you some tea" as she dashed to her kitchen returning in a few minutes with a tray of hot beverage.

"Pardon my surpri-"

"I'm so sorry for showing up in this manner", I didn't let her finish her statement. "I have nowhere else to go" tears welled up my eyes yet again.

"No no no. Shhh. You know I hate when you do that" she grabbed me as she passed me a some napkin to dry my eyes. "What happened?" she asked, with genuine concern in her voice.

"Abel. Abel did..." I sniffed as I told her the most of my traumatic story being with Abel. The tea ran cold cos I couldn't stop talking. In fact, the only time I did was when I needed to let a few sobs out. Not until narrating my life of recent times, I never really understood how much I have gone through.

Occasionally, I could see Trina fight back tears as I talked. That's the one thing I love about her. Her solemn empathy. How could I have such empathetic person in my life who genuinely cared for everyone and especially me only for me to end up with Abel? How?

"You're home now" she hugged me. "You know, I gave my self space from you since it was obvious you were avoiding me or so I thought", she said. "I know how many times the guards kicked me out of your 'mansion', so I accepted the fate that since my best friend is now the Luna of the Shadow pack, I'm nothing but another peasant to her" she rolled her eyes, teasing me.

"How could I? That Monster separated me from everything I loved. Friends, family, pet, books, hobbies and even food, Trina! I dare not indicate an interest on anything to his knowledge. He hates to see me happy", I said heartbreakingly.

"I thought as much, but I had to steer clear of you since I began to receive threats" Trina said in her defense. "Mind you, I warned you about this guy. I knew he was up to no good and most especially, not in love with you. And you kept coming up with the excuse that you had to do it 'for your father' " she quoted her fingers in the air. "Why would you do this to yourself?"

"Because of my father. You were there when mom passed. You held me down. When I couldn't reach out to you any longer, Father was the only thing I had left. And... now... he's... goooooone" I wailed.

At this point, I couldn't tell if I was wailing at father's demise or my heartbreaking story. I was sad and in pains regardless.

"I'm sorry about your father. When I heard the news, i mourned him cos he was a dad to me too" she Shared my sorrow. "We got a lot of catching up to do. I can see you have just that hand luggage with you"

"Oh yes, Trina. I wanted to ask if I could spend a few days with you. I have nothing to my name except that little luggage you see" I pointed at my luggage the corner of the room. " if you can, I just want to calm down a bit and know where to start from. I'm literally starting all over", I pleaded humbly.

"Take all the time you need" Trina encouraged as She took my hands in hers. "Let me run you a bath and get you something more comfortable to change in" she left me seated on the diner.

*****

"Who's there??? Don't break my door!" Trina rushed to go answer the aggressive pounding on her mahogany door. My curiosity got the best of me as I couldn't help but follow her.

"Well, hello???" She yelled as swung it open. I saw a hooded figure passing an envelope even without having a glance at us. It wasn't so dark for us to tell that it was a man obviously. The moment Trina collected the envelope while we were still stunned at what was happening, he sped off without a glimpse of his direction.

'TO LENA!', the envelope boldly stated. Trina passed it to me as I took a moment to open it. Barely 2 days into this very secretive haven I thought was safe, someone could trace me here with a letter? And who would care enough to write to me? About what? Who even knows me? The trail of questions began again. Paranoia kicked in immediately.

"Open it!"

"I can't. I'm so scared Trina"

"I can tell, your hands are shaking terribly"

"I don't know what to expect"

"That's why you should open it, Lena. Here, let me help you. Whatever danger it may be, let me face it", she collected the envelope from my hands and tore the seal open.

'RUN!

LEAVE THE NORTH ENTIRELY IF YOU CAN. HE'S LOOKING FOR YOU AND WOULD STOP AT NOTHING TO GET TO YOU!'

The letter read.

"Empty threats" Trina hissed as she tore the letter and threw the pieces into the flames of her fireplace.

"You know what, let's go out for a walk and get some groceries" she tried to lighten up my mood. I grudgingly obliged since she was the only person that loved me enough to be this close to me.

******

On getting to the town square, the crowd was lively. Chants and giggles filled up the air until they saw me and it seemed as though they saw a ghost. Everyone immediately started avoiding us. I began to wonder what happened.

We approached the first tent we saw, and the woman ignored us. We then went to another stall and the wriggly old woman snapped. We decided to approach a man selling apples, since he is the one that seems approachable.

"Get your filthy whore hands of my damn apples" he blurted out so loud as I attempted to get one.

"Hey!!!" Trina Challenged in my defense, "that's your Luna you're are insulting in that manner. Wait until your Alpha hears this and your tongue will be cut off!"

"Luna? What Luna?" There was a rage of laughter after that. "As a matter of fact, Alpha Abel has declared you a treacherous whore that is ought to be excommunicated from us if not for his benevolent soul!" He looked at me with contempt while yelling those words in search for obvious attention.

A louder roar of laughter continued with whispers and side talks. I could hear them call me names.

"Whore" an old lady spat on me.

"Traitor", after I was stoned some rotten tomatoes.

"Bitch" 2 girls said to themselves and giggled.

I ran out of there so fast the Trina who was running after me couldn't catch me. We got home and I sobbed my heart away.

"They all hate me! They despise me. I didn't even do anything to them", I sobbed.

"That's okay, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I promise you it will be over soon" Trina stopped to console me.

"You don't know that! Did you see how they did me? How they treated even you that you have nothing to do with this?"

"Well, you kn-" a heavy knock interrupted her. Immediately, we both were at alert. Are we in danger? Are they going to burn us?

Trina quickly took a mallet as some form of weapon and opened the door closely. It was the hooded man again. Passing the letter, he whispered the word RUN so strongly ww could feel his breath on our skin before he disappeared again.

'RUN!

THE LONGER YOU REMAIN HERE, THE MORE TROUBLE YOU'RE IN. EVEN YOUR FRIEND'S LIFE IS AT STAKE. GO TO THE SOUTH, GO TO THE MOONSTONE PACK, YOU WILL BE SAFER THERE.

THERE'S A BOUNTY ON YOUR HEAD. YOU MUST LEAVE TONIGHT!'

With hands trembling, we couldn't deny it anymore that this was not just a threat. We hastily gathered my few belongings for me to be on the move.

"But who could be writing you?"

"I don't know Trina, but we both know it's true. With the hostility I received from my own pack members in my hometown, this is not just a threat" i said with a trembling voice. " I can't put you in danger, Trina. You've done to me what a lot of people won't do and I won't let you lose your life or property or self esteem for it. I must go".

Katrina wept cos she came to terms of the reality of what I was saying and this moment may be the very last we would ever share together.