The Luna's Awakening: He Desired Me After Dumping Me

Moira's POV

By the time I step onto the foggy tarmac of the northern territory and walk down the stairs of the plane, every muscle inside me is already tense.

I turn on my phone and dozens of messages flood in-birthday wishes from packmates, distant cousins, and a few old friends. But from my mate, Jude, heir to the Northern Alpha? Not a single word.

What was I even expecting? Our marriage was a sham from the start. If I hadn't had that one-night stand with Jude-if I hadn't ended up pregnant with Mireille-he would have gotten rid of me without a second thought.

He hasn't hit me in the last seven years. He simply ignores me, as if I'm nothing more than a shadow in his house.

The familiar sting of disappointment rises in my chest. I swallow it down and step into the wide, candlelit hall of the Winters estate; it's already past midnight.

Mrs. Leah, our loyal housekeeper, an Omega who practically raised me, hurries over to greet me, surprise flickering across her face. "Luna Moira, what are you doing here? It's so late."

I force a tired smile. Only a handful of people even know I'm Luna; Leah is one of them. "Where's Jude? Where's Mireille?"

"Alpha Jude still hasn't come back. Mireille should be asleep in her room."

I nod, hand her my luggage, and go upstairs. The light in Mireille's room is still on. She's still not asleep this late? I frown and push the door open.

I see her sitting at her desk, golden hair spilling over her shoulders, completely absorbed in stringing polished stones and shells together-is she making a birthday gift for me?

"Mireille?" My voice comes out softer than I expected at the thought.

She turns around, blue eyes brimming with anger. "Mom! What are you doing here?" A bead rolls to a stop at my feet as she jumps up, scowling. "You scared me! You should be more polite-next time knock before you come in!"

I stare at my own hand, frozen halfway to her. I had meant to pull her into a hug. I haven't seen her in two months; I just wanted to tell her how much I missed her. But Mireille is busy scrambling to pick up her beads.

I swallow my hurt and help her re-string them. Her expression finally softens, but she still wants me gone. "Mom, I'm not finished yet! It has to be perfect."

"Why are you still making a necklace this late?" I ask, trying to sound casual.

She holds up a shimmering bead, pride glowing on her face. "This is for Aunt Bella. Her birthday is coming up. Dad says she should get the very best, and I think so too."

"Oh no! Aunt Bella's birthday is in just a few days! Mom, you can't forget! She's your sister!" She widens her little eyes at me.

Step-sister. The very daughter of the stepmother who ruined my mother.

I shouldn't burden Mireille with such heavy things. But what hurts even more is that my own daughter has forgotten my birthday, yet remembers the birthday of my enemy's daughter.

I swallow hard and watch Mireille's slender fingers fumble with the string. "Mireille. do you remember what day it is today?" My voice is barely a whisper. ".Do you remember your mom's birthday?"

"Huh? Oh, Mom. You're distracting me!" She frowns, but her eyes never leave her work.

"Staying up late is bad for you." I stop her at once and, ignoring her protests, switch off the light. I hear her mutter, "I hate you."

I close the door quickly, lean back against the wood and force myself to breathe, not letting the tears fall.

Those words cut into me like knives. I brace a hand on the wall to steady myself.

I raised Mireille from the day she was born, taught her our wolf history, wiped away her tears on stormy nights. But over the last two years Jude has been spending more and more time with her, and Mireille has grown more and more attached to him. Two months ago, when Jude came to the Netherlands to expand the market, she insisted on going with him no matter what I said.

Of course I didn't want her to go. I wanted my little pup to stay by my side, but I couldn't bear to see Mireille cry, so I gave in.

I never imagined that. after just two months away from me, Mireille would be standing with Jude to shut me out completely.

What on earth happened between us?

I think of Mrs. Leah.

Downstairs, Mrs. Leah is waiting for me in the dim corridor. "Luna, I called Alpha Jude. He says he's busy tonight; we don't need to wait for him."

"Of course." I answer, pretending to be calm. With Jude not coming home, I don't even have to think to know he's at my stepsister Bella's house right now.

Humiliation seeps into my heart, impossible to ignore. I touch my neck; there's nothing there. Jude never marked me.

He's made it clear to the whole pack that I'm nothing but a breeding tool, not his Luna. An Alpha's mark is different from other wolves'-if he had marked me, everyone would know I'm the pack's Luna.

But seven years have passed, and I am still only the mother of Jude's daughter.

I dial Jude immediately. He doesn't pick up. A few minutes later, a text comes through.

Jude: [What is it?]

Short. To the point. Just like the cold way he's treated me for the past seven years.

Me: [Do you have time for lunch? Bring Mireille. The three of us can eat together.]

I tell myself this will be the last time.

Jude: [Tell me where. If I'm free, I'll come.]

Unexpectedly, Jude agrees in the end.

Me: [Okay.]

After that, Jude doesn't send another message.

Again, not a single word about my birthday. Not a trace of warmth. Just like Mireille.

I close my eyes, trying to push down the searing pain in my chest. I thought I was prepared for this, but it still hurts. I return to my bedroom and take out the divorce papers I drafted long ago.

I don't know why Jude has never been the one to ask for a divorce. Maybe he thinks Mireille needs me. But she doesn't, not anymore. I feel useless to everyone.

As the daughter of an Alpha, I'm an Omega; my wolf is weak. I grew up in Bella's shadow-she's a pureblood Alpha wolf. It feels like from the moment it was clear I barely had a wolf at all, my fate was sealed: I was meant to be someone else's shadow.

But in truth, I've never stopped working on myself. I just don't want to prove anything to people who don't care anymore. The fact that my wolf is weak doesn't mean I'm not clever. Seven years ago, I let that go.

Now it's time to correct that mistake. I immediately call one of my friends, and a man's deep voice answers.

"Moira? Are you serious? You're really coming back to the team? That's incredible-you're going to lead us back to the top."

I hang up. Tomorrow morning, I'll give Jude the divorce papers.

But when I wake up and go looking for Mireille, Mrs. Leah tells me she's already gone-and that Jude took her. Mrs. Leah looks at me awkwardly.

I give her a small smile, but the pain inside deepens. Jude doesn't even want to waste a second on seeing me. We're headed to the same place, and he still doesn't want to be with me.

I can't afford to have any expectations of them anymore. I take a cab to the restaurant, but when I walk toward the table I reserved, I spot Jude and Bella, and Mireille with them, all laughing together.

Then my phone buzzes. A text from Jude.

[Lunch is canceled. I don't have time.]

I tremble all over. I came all the way to the Netherlands just to spend my birthday with them, and still they treat me this cruelly-including my own daughter. Even on my birthday, they choose to humiliate me.

Bella lifts her head and spots me. The look in her eyes seems to say, See? You're just as worthless as your mother. Now everything that was yours is mine.

Anger burns through my veins. I want to march over and reject him to his face, lay everything out in the open, but for my daughter's sake this has to be handled quietly.

I go back to the estate and numbly pack away the gifts I brought-little trinkets and treats I picked out and made with my own hands. Now they're nothing but unnecessary clutter.

I slip the divorce papers into an envelope, then drag my suitcase downstairs. It's time to end this.

I hand the envelope to Mrs. Leah. "Give this to Jude. Tell him I'm leaving." My voice is steady, carrying a quiet authority I've always had but rarely used.

She draws in a sharp breath. I don't explain. I just walk away.

Chapter 2

Jude's POV

It's already past nine when I pull the car into the driveway. Mireille clings to my coat as she clambers out, dragging her feet and landing on the ground beside me.

We had a pleasant lunch today. I had originally agreed to eat with Moira, but Bella saw the message on my phone and told me she'd been craving the steak at that restaurant for ages. Bella didn't ask me to cancel on Moira, but I figured Moira would always wait for me anyway.

It wasn't until I sat down at the restaurant that I remembered to text Moira and cancel. She didn't reply.

A faint unease stirred in me, but it was quickly smothered by Mireille and Bella's bright smiles.

By the end of lunch, Mireille didn't even want to go home-but Bella talked her into it. "Sweetheart, your mom came all this way. She just wants to spend a little time with you and your dad. If you don't go home, she'll be hurt."

Bella is always that kind. Even though she knows I'm her fated mate, she's never demanded that I break my bond with Moira. I can't keep her waiting forever.

Once we're back in New Jersey, I'll go through with the divorce.

I told Mireille the same thing-that if we didn't go back tonight, Moira would insist on joining our river trip tomorrow. Simple as that. Mireille finally gave in, her stubbornness temporarily reined in.

But she was still worried. She tugged at my sleeve, her green eyes wide. "Dad, what if Mom wants to come with us tomorrow?"

"She won't." I answer, my tone calm and firm. Over the years, Moira has learned where the lines are. She tries all sorts of ways to get more of my time, but as long as I make my position clear, she always backs down. Mireille has seen it herself-her mother never questions my word.

Mireille relaxes and her mood lifts. She skips through the front door, calling, "Mrs. Leah, I'm ready for my bath!"

Loyal as ever, Mrs. Leah appears at once, her silver hair twisted neatly into a bun. "Of course, little Mireille. Let's get you washed up." Then she turns to me, hesitates, and holds out an envelope. "Alpha, Luna asked me to give this to you."

I take it carelessly. "Where is she?"

Something flickers in Mrs. Leah's eyes. "Luna packed her things and went back to New Jersey at noon. You didn't know?"

I stop halfway up the stairs, fingers tightening around the railing. "She left?"

"Yes, Alpha."

I didn't give Moira a chance to explain why she came all of a sudden-and to be honest, I don't care. Her leaving isn't any real loss to me. I'm used to her quiet obedience, her endless patience, her dutiful love. The idea that she might actually be upset? It's almost laughable.

Mireille, however, looks surprised. I catch the brief, sharp flash of disappointment in her. She had hoped Moira would at least help her finish the shell necklace for Bella's birthday. Now she'll have to do it alone.

Mrs. Leah, the ever-sentimental Omega, ventures, "Luna Moira didn't look well, sir. She seemed. upset."

Upset? Moira, the ever-forgiving Luna? That's a new one. She knew the nature of this marriage from the start-it was a scheme carefully planned by her pack. If she hadn't gotten pregnant, I never would have chosen her as my mate. It was nothing more than a way to solidify my position as Alpha of the northern territory.

For years, the pack has whispered that Bella's pure bloodline makes her the obvious choice for Luna, and that Moira is just keeping the seat warm.

I let out a contemptuous little laugh and continue up the stairs, unconcerned.

Back in my room, I toss Moira's envelope onto the bed without bothering to open it. My phone buzzes-Bella's name lights up the screen. I answer without hesitation, leave the letter behind, and head out into the night. The envelope slides from the bed to the floor and is completely forgotten.

I don't come back that night. The next morning, I barely register that Moira isn't at breakfast. If she stops calling, it just means she's finally learned her place. I have more important things to deal with than her feelings.

Moira's POV

The moment my feet touch New Jersey soil, I head straight home-though now it feels like nothing but an empty shell. I climb the stairs, the air thick with the familiar scent of cedar and linen. Six years of marriage, and the house is still crammed with memories, belongings, and the ghosts of the life I tried so hard to hold together.

I've only brought the essentials: a few changes of clothes, two sets of toiletries, a stack of professional books. Jude always put our spending money on two separate cards-one for me, one for Mireille. I've never touched Mireille's card, not once. Mine was almost always used to buy things for them: clothes for Mireille, ties for Jude, little gifts to try to patch up the widening cracks between us. I rarely bought anything for myself. My entire world revolved around them.

Lately, with Mireille spending most of her time with Jude in the Netherlands, my account balance has quietly grown. There are a little over three million dollars left-nothing to Jude, but to me it's a lifeline. I transfer the money out, leave both cards on the desk in the office, and walk out with my suitcase without looking back.

I own a small apartment near the office-less than a hundred square meters, bought on a whim back then just to help a friend hit a sales quota. I've never lived there before. Now it's my only refuge.

The place is spotless. I unpack my luggage, wipe down the kitchen counters, and collapse onto the bed before ten, exhaustion seeping into my bones.

At one in the morning, the alarm shrieks, yanking me out of sleep. I lie there, momentarily disoriented, until I remember: seven a.m. in the Netherlands. Breakfast time for Jude and Mireille. I set this alarm months ago so I could keep in touch with my daughter overseas. At first, Mireille would cling to me through the phone, sobbing with homesickness. But as time went on, her voice grew distant, impatient, eager to hang up.

Now, the alarm is pointless. I stare at the blinking numbers, then delete it. Pain stabs through my chest, but I force myself to turn off the phone and close my eyes.

After marrying Jude, I took a job at Winters Corporation. It was never my dream, but it was the right choice for his career. Now, with divorce looming, I have no reason to stay.

The next morning after coming back, I submit my resignation. My hand is steady as stone, and inside I feel an eerie calm.

As I walk out of the office, it feels like the last traces of my old life fade away with each step. The marriage, the pack, the endless chase for a love that would never be returned. I'm done with all of it.

Mireille's POV

The next morning, sunlight spills into the kitchen as Dad and I finish breakfast. I keep glancing at my phone, waiting for it to ring at seven o'clock sharp like it always does. Mom never misses a call-even when she's sick or traveling, she always finds a way to check on me.

Seven fifteen comes and goes and the phone still doesn't ring. I feel oddly relieved. No more awkward small talk, no more pretending to care about how her day went, no more guilt for rushing to hang up. Bella never forces me to talk when I don't want to. She just understands me, the way a real mom is supposed to.

I grab my backpack and slip out before Mrs. Leah can stop me. But as my hand closes around the doorknob, a strange anxiety washes over me. Mom has never missed a call before. Never.

"Mireille! It's still early! You've got plenty of time before school!" Mrs. Leah calls after me. I can hear the worry in her voice, and it starts gnawing at me too.

But I'm already halfway to the car. Freedom, I tell myself. This is freedom. No more listening to her morning nagging, no more being forced to say "I love you," no more trying to live up to her expectations.

Yet when Dad starts the engine, I can't help checking my phone again. Still no missed calls. No texts. Nothing. The silence is unsettling, like you're expecting the next step on the staircase and your foot finds only air.

"Dad?" I try to sound casual. "Did Mom ever say. she was going to stop calling?"

"Don't worry," he says. But there's something in his voice that makes something flutter uneasily deep inside me. I push the feeling down and think about Bella and our river trip instead. Bella would never skip her daily calls. Bella would never make me feel guilty or uneasy. Bella is perfect.

And yet, as we drive away, I can't shake the hollow feeling in my chest. I'm finally free of Mom's attention-so why does it feel like I've lost something important?

Moira's POV

I stepped into a room that wasn't particularly grand, but comfortable enough to live in. At first, I wanted to bring Mirielle with me if she agreed to come. However, she refused. She was pretty firm, and I didn't expect a child as young as her to do and say something like that.

"Mirielle. Pack your things. We're leaving," I said at the time.

"What? Where? Are we going with Dad and Aunt Bella?" I didn't answer her question, but I packed everything and waited for her to do the same. "Mom, is Aunt Bella coming with us? I don't want to go if Aunt Bella isn't coming because-"

I instinctively grabbed her arm and shook her slightly to stop her from talking. My gaze was fixed straight into her eyes, and she looked frightened.

"It's just the two of us, Elle. Do you hear me? Pack your things now, and we'll leave immediately!" Mirielle let go of my hand and took a few steps back. She looked unhappy and clearly had no intention of going with me. I should have understood from the first time she mentioned Jude and his whore. Mirielle seemed so excited about something that was so painful for me.

Seven years of marriage and living together that existed just for the sake of it. I always hoped that by being nice to him, he would eventually soften up and love me. However, it seemed like that would never happen.

"Elle, what do you like most about me? And... if I ask you to choose, would you choose me or Dad?"

She looked at me, still clenching her hands together. Her face was pale, and I couldn't bear to see her like that. I sighed, trying to control my tone so my voice wouldn't be too loud and push Mirielle further away from me.

"I choose Dad." I almost spoke again, but Mirielle had already made her decision, and it felt like my heart was breaking. "Especially with Aunt Bella around. Dad always plays with me more. Usually, I'm always alone because you and Dad are always busy at the office."

She was right, and my heart ached deeply hearing her words. Mirielle had never complained about anything before, but today she said it all with such innocent words.

"I want Aunt Bella to be my mother. That's why I'll stay here with Dad."

And here I was, deliberately renting a simple, comfortable, quiet apartment. I wanted to immerse myself and calm my chaotic emotions right now. I hoped that everything would get better after this, even if not with my marriage to Jude and my relationship with Mirielle. I had let them go.

***

"Are you sure you want to do this, Moira? You're resigning, and it's usually difficult to find a better job after that. Wouldn't it be better to think it over? Especially since Kevin has just contacted you," said Ziri, my wolf.

She was always my best friend, and I felt lucky to have her. Even if the world was against me, it wouldn't matter as long as Ziri was with me.

"I've thought everything through carefully. Kevin eventually stopped trying to change my mind because Jude didn't want me. He's sick of seeing me wherever he goes. So, enough. The sacrifices of love and my foolishness all this time have been enough. I can accept that Jude can't accept me as his wife and Luna, but not his betrayal."

Ziri was right. Kevin, Jude's beta, had questioned my reasons for stepping down. He knew exactly what my position in the pack was-just a mean of merging two large packs. I was only a tool, but Jude's charm ensnared me and made me fall in love. Unfortunately, he didn't feel the same.

For so long, the pack members had regarded me as a temporary Luna until Jude found his mate, who would become their Luna forever. Sad, but that was what I had to accept.

Even though I never asked for an exception, I still came as a she-wolf searching for my fated mate at the annual event held by the pack, where she-wolves and male wolves would attend a dance party to find their perfect match and mate. Jude stood there as the alpha being sought after. He seemed not to have found his mate yet, so he reluctantly returned with me.

Now, he has Bella, and I didn't know when their relationship had started. Right now, I just wanted to live my life well.

"Do you know about the annual event for alumni of Pack's Academy?" I asked Ziri, who just shrugged.

"They won't accept you again after what happened, Moira. You'd better not waste your time on that."

Hearing Ziri's words, I became even more determined to return to the academy meeting for the whole pack. The strongest packs from all over would come, and that brought back memories of my struggles in the past.

The rigorous training, fierce competition, and strong bonds formed between the Luna candidates and other pack leaders-I would never forget them. I graduated with the highest grades and had the opportunity to form an alliance-of course, after that, especially when my marriage to Jude was arranged, everything fell apart.

I took my phone, ignoring Ziri's opinion. I immediately contacted the academy's administration, which reserved a place for me at the meeting.

"Have you forgotten how you left the academy last time? Now you have many rivals, Moira. You have to start from the bottom again, and your opponents are young warriors. Are you sure you're ready to compete with them?"

"Come on... You know why I gave up my position back then."

"Of course. And that was the dumbest choice you ever made. I really regret it all, even though I tried to talk you out of it, you still insisted on choosing... Ah, never mind!"

"You're right. I was foolish. But I won't make that mistake again. Please..."

The other side did not respond, which, though I was sure that meant that she had granted my request and added my name to the list.

I smiled in relief and glanced at Ziri, who merely raised an eyebrow.

"Let's hope everything goes as planned," she said, and I silently agreed. Now, all I could think about was making all my dreams come true, even if I had to start over from scratch.

I wouldn't give up. I would rise to become the Moira I was meant to be. That was my promise to myself, and I would make it happen.