You Belong To Me, My Lost Luna

The Girl Who Never Belonged

Serena

"Luna Serena, your undivided attention is needed right away at the main hall."

The title Luna still felt more like a joke these days, especially if it's coming from Marta, who couldn't spare a second without finding a way to lace it with poisonous venom. I paused immediately, took a glance at my gradually disappearing reflection in the gilded mirror. The once bright gleam in my eyes was far long gone. What stared back before me was just... faded, a shadow of who I used to be.

"Did the Alpha request for my presence?" I asked quietly, consciously adjusting my silver cuffs.

Marta scoffed at my voice. "Does he ever do that, these days?"

I flinched at the harshness of her voice, but didn't let her see it. I turned away quietly, totally ignoring the growing ache in my chest. Ronan hadn't made it his duty to call for me in over a week. And I could remember the last time he did, it was to quarrel and ask why I hadn't prepared the pack ledger properly the way he commanded it, something that wasn't my duty but always handled by the beta.

I left my chambers with my heart on my hands and followed Marta obediently through the stone corridors of Ravenfall manor. The whispers increased the moment my legs stepped into the hall.

"There she is again. Still walking around with no pup in her belly, and to think it's been what? Exactly two years?"

"Poor Alpha. But he's full of regrets now for bringing her in."

"She was rumored to be an orphan, right? No real bloodline was found in her. No wonder misfortune is following her."

I increased my pace to avoid breaking down.

Their words these days didn't cut as deeply as they had a few months back, and it wasn't because they hurt less now, no, but because I had decided to grow numb toward whatever they dish out to me. I was once a noble, the daughter of a powerful and well respected Alpha. Until the very hour ruthless rogues ambushed our lands and in a blink, I lost everything, including my family, my home and my identity.

Ravenfall had extended a hand and taken me in... barely after the incident. I turned to an orphan girl no one ever wanted. Until Ronan showed up for me.

For once, he gave me hope and made me feel like I truly belonged. Like I was worthy of something, and my existence wasn't a waste. He wasted no time in marrying me, and crowned Luna to sit by his side before the pack. I had never in my life known such love. Is it his touches, or his smile, the way he constantly gave me the look like I was his moon.

But unfortunately, all that is now history. The love never lasted.

Exactly two years had passed. No child came to grace our home. And suddenly, I was labeled the disappointment in his life. The cursed womb breathing air meant for the useful. The shame he had to bear and carry daily.

"You're late," That was Ronan's voice, snapping aggressively at me the moment I entered. He sat at the place reserved for the Alpha, at the head of the table, his brows furrowed in anger not even looking up to see my face.

"I wasn't informed earlier as supposed..."

"That's still not an excuse," he cut me off before I could finish, his voice sharp and cold. "Sit."

I sat without blinking.

The pack council meeting was endless, dragging on to forever, and discussions revolving mostly on border patrols and on upcoming winter preparations. I didn't dare speak except only when asked, and very much careful not to draw too much attention as all eyes were already on me. Ronan never spared me even a glance, not even once.

After the meeting, I dutifully followed him out, and half way to the chamber, I gathered the courage to talk to him.

"Ronan," I started softly. "Can we talk please?"

He stopped abruptly, sighed heavily like I just requested for his death, then turned to me. "About what exactly?"

"Us." My voice came out cracked. "We haven't even spoken to each other properly in over weeks. You barely see the need to look at me anymore."

"Serena..." He furiously rubbed his temple like my very presence was a headache. "I'm already dealing with enough at the moment, and wouldn't want you to add to them. The patrols, the pack, those are a lot to be handled and now, instead of being useful, you want to talk about feelings?"

I swallowed an invisible lump. "Do you still love me, Renon?"

He didn't attempt answering.

The silence alone said it all.

"I've given you myself," I whispered. "I gave up my true identity, my self worth and pride, just to be here with you. To be by your side."

"And I in turn gave you a noble title that many craved for, a home, and respect," he snapped. "Isn't that enough for a dry womb?"

I stared at him unbelievably.

Did he just say respect? When his pack took after him, always treating me like dirt? When I was constantly mocked on a daily basis for not bearing him a child and an heir? When servants were given reasons to look down on me?

"Do you have any idea that Marta laughs and gathers gossip behind my back? That people never fail to whisper every time I walk into a room? And you...you never did anything to stop them. You never defended me, not even once."

His eyes narrowed as he watched. "Maybe if you had done your duty as a Luna, even as a wife, you wouldn't have given them reasons to."

That shattered me entirely.

I stepped back like he had hit me, and he actually did with his words.

"I..I tried my..," I choked out on the right words to use. "I've tried everything possible."

"Trying alone isn't good enough, Serena," he said flatly and coldly. "Not for someone like me. Not for the pack that I rule."

With that, he walked away.

I stood there speechless, heart shattered in pieces.

>>>>>>>>>>>

Later that same evening, I sat in deep thoughts in the garden, the one place that I found solace, and hadn't turned against me. I pressed a warm hand to my belly, aching to feel something that I knew wasn't there.

I was so lost in my imagination that I didn't even notice footsteps approaching.

The air surrounding me wasn't the same again, very heavy and strange. Even the wind couldn't blow anymore but held its breath.

"Serena Valen," I heard a voice say, silky and confident.

I looked up only to behold her.

The woman whose presence would ruin me completely!

The Perfect Betrayal

Serena

"Who is she to you?" I asked for the third time, my voice barely gradually shaking as Ronan led her into our home.

"All you need to know is that she'll be staying here," he replied, as if I had no right to know, like that explained anything.

Staying here to do what? In our home?

"But... why did you allow that?" My heart pounded restlessly. "Ronan, who exactly is she?"

He didn't flinch, neither did he answer me. Instead, he ignored but turned to the woman and with a sickening softness I haven't seen in him, said, "Let me show you to your room, and help you settle down."

Her heels mockingly clicked against the well polished marble floor like little hammers, each step pounding vigorously into my chest. And still, Ronan wouldn't spare me a glance.

I stood speechless and frozen at the foot of the staircase, as I watched in disbelief.

She didn't even care to look in my direction. Not even once. But I saw it displayed on her face. The annoying smirk perfectly tugged at the corner of her lips.

And then again, ... the bump. Though small, but still visible.

No.

No, no, no, this can't...

"She's pregnant?" My voice came out as a whisper but cracked on the word.

Ronan on hearing that, stopped halfway up the stairs, but still didn't try to face me.

"Yes," he said triumphantly.

I clutched the edge of my dress, greatly troubled. "And all you cared about was bringing her here? To our home? What exactly am I to you now, Ronan? A ghost, right?"

His silence said it all, louder than a scream.

>>>>>>>>>>>

"Why exactly are you doing this to me?" I finally found the courage to ask him later that night after taking ages to knock on his door.

He was lying in bed, well, it used to be our bed, with so many memories and the lights off. I stood like a ghost in the doorway, the exact room I once stood as his lovely wife, his partner, the woman he never failed to pull affectionately into his warm arms every night.

"You're really making this very hard on yourself," he muttered, still closing his eyes.

"I gave up everything I would have benefited just to be with you and support you," I said. "I would have preferred to stay behind and endure the torment of Ravenfall's cruelty, the shame, even the scorn and the isolation. There is nothing compared to the glorified suffering I'm facing here. You came when I needed you, gave me hope, Ronan. And now you turn and give them reasons to treat me like garbage again, even worse than the ones I've endured. They never ceased in grabbing every opportunity to spit at me, remember? And right now, they don't hide anymore, but do it openly with your permission."

He finally opened his eyes, but they were better closed than open because of how cold they were. "Maybe you should've considered giving me a child as I wanted, if you wanted to keep your place."

I gasped unbelievably, the words cutting deeper than claws could have.

"So that's exactly what I was to you all these while? A womb for your heir with a title?"

"You were supposed, according to plan, to be a Luna," he said, grudgely rising from the bed. "Not add it."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The pack stopped a long time ago to bow to me before I even noticed it.

I walked a few steps past warriors who never ceased to stand at attention any moment I was near them, but now, they barely glanced at my direction. Omegas weren't left behind, as they constantly whispered in corners. Some giggled like they just won a jackpot, while the others pointed. No one dared to stop them anymore. Not even my so-called husband, Ronan.

That same night, I tried to do something new, though not entirely new, as I always eat in the dining hall when I was still on Renon's good book of record. She came over, sat across from me, and intentionally placed her hand and started rubbing on her swollen belly.

Ronan didn't care to show up.

"You seem to be a little pale in my eyes, Luna," she said, intentionally putting a stress on the title just to make her emphasis very clear like it tasted sour in her mouth.

I didn't care to answer her. I don't trust myself these days , as I might end up lunging across the table.

She gave a mischievous cough, then stood up and walked over to the kitchen counter. I watched her movement from the corner of my eyes, and just when I thought she was coming back to her seat, she picked up the silver tea kettle sitting lazily on the counter and poured a cup.

I didn't even realize she had taken the pain of pouring mine too until she brought it over with a devilish smile.

"I brought a peace offering," she said very sweetly.

I didn't move, neither did I touch it.

She frowned after staying a few minutes without me saying anything, but didn't push it either. "Suit yourself then."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The next morning, guards stormed in and dragged me out of my chambers even before dawn.

"What is this?!" I screamed in confusion, fighting hard against their grip. "What have I done to deserve this?"

They said nothing to me. Just continued hauling me through the halls like I was a notorious criminal. I saw from the corners of my eyes how the omegas peeked from behind the doors. I saw the excitement in their eyes.

The dungeons were cruelly freezing.

Mold clung like a second skin to the walls like damp secrets. My clothes by now were torn. My hair is messy and dirty. I shivered because of the excessive cold in one corner of the cell, praying this was some twisted nightmare I would soon wake up from.

Hours passed, but it was still the same. Maybe days, I lost hope, and I couldn't tell how long I've stayed anymore.

Then, the footsteps I'm familiar with approached.

The Forbidden Land

Serena's POV

I recognized them very well even before I saw him.

"Ronan?" My voice demanded answers.

He stepped in, followed by two well bodied guards.

"I didn't attempt to poison anyone!" I blurted out immediately he entered. "Please, tell me exactly what's going on."

He eyed me furiously like I was a stranger.

"She nearly died from your wickedness," he said. "The tea your evil mind suggested you lace with silverroot."

"I didn't even touch it!" I yelled. "I can't even remember drinking mine!"

"She told us she saw you drop something into hers, but didn't know it was something harmful." he replied coldly.

My jaw dropped in disbelief. "She lied to me! You actually believed her over me?"

"She's the one carrying my child."

"And I can remember I am still your wife!"

He flinched, but didn't say anything.

"Oh, this doesn't count or make sense anymore," I whispered. "Why would I try such a thing... after everything I've endured for your sake... Why would I come up with the thought of poisoning her? Why do it now?"

He didn't answer, nor did he show signs that he would.

"Tell me the pure truth, Ronan. Please, do you desire that I be gone?"

He looked at me, his gaze intense before he finally nodded.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The rejection ceremony wasn't lavish, but very short.

He didn't waste time in saying the words, like they meant nothing to him. Like the bond we shared had never been real.

"I, Alpha Ronan of the Bloodfang Pack, in front of this great pack, hereby reject you, Serena Valen, as my true fated mate and Luna."

The words vibrated loudly through my chest, and I felt it, the way the bond snapped. My knees could not carry me any longer and I hit the cold floor.

"I... accept," I whispered without wasting time, and everything inside me went totally blank.

Well, they didn't waste time in releasing me, and it took place just before dawn.

No one waited for me to prepare well.

Not even coming out to say a proper goodbye.

I walked barefoot away from the pack, bleeding profusely, broken, and betrayed. The gates slammed hard behind me like I was a nobody, and I stumbled into the thick forest, praying I would never wake up again after entering there.

I didn't have any idea then...

That I wasn't alone.

And I wasn't leaving the pack empty handed as they had wished.

>>>>>>>>>>

"I was his beloved Luna," I whispered to no one as I walked with no direction. "And he didn't hesitate to throw me away like dirt."

"Not even like dirt," my wolf, Aria, whispered weakly within. "He gave them the power to laugh at us, and even curse us. And right now, in our place, he's got her in our home..."

I bit back the great sob rising with force in my throat and leaned against a tree, the bark very rough against my back but I didn't mind. I have passed through something harsher that such would brother me.

"That woman... She did everything possible to get me out of that pack, she framed me. Said I tried poisoning him." I scoffed unbelievably, shaking my head. "And he didn't hesitate in believing her."

The wind howled around my feet like it could hear my sad story, and it wept for me.

Keep going and don't get tired, Aria said, her voice faint. There seems to be something here... something somehow is pulling us deeper.

My wolf was very right. There was a great pull, something instinctive in nature, older than anything I had sensed before. The forest itself wasn't just cursed as history has it, it was alive, and watching everything.

Then I heard it, the faint growl. It wasn't one, but multiple.

As I bent down to observe, I saw them, the three of them. They were rogues, starving, hungry for blood.

I backed away on sighting them immediately, but they cornered me fast. "Back off now," I warned, unweaving and standing my ground despite my trembling. "I have nothing to lose after all."

One lunged forward to attack, but it didn't reach me.

Because before they could get to me, someone else did.

The shadow was a black fur, fighting hard against the rogues and finally sank its teeth on the neck of the rogues, but unfortunately, they were three, so the stranger ended up getting wounded.

"No!" I screamed in horror, darting forward without thinking twice or checking the consequences of my actions.

I grabbed a hard rock and immediately smashed it into the third rogue's skull. I did it repeatedly until blood filled my hand.

Everywhere became quiet as I finished them off. Then I turned my back only to see the stranger, now unconscious. He had dark hair, a well chiseled jaw, and watching him, I could tell he's older than me.

Something inside me stirred uncontrollably.

Aria whimpered and I had no answer to that. He's not just anyone, not just a random person...

I crawled to meet him, his breath was ragged. "Don't die on me, please." I whispered. "Please, I didn't come all the way to this place to lose more."

I passed out beside him when he didn't wake up, the cold soil on our bed.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Then I heard voices.

It wasn't loud, but I heard voices.

"... she smells very different, like a wolf, but a different one..."

"Lycans don't form the habit of accepting strangers. Kale was the one that brought her in. That means something really important."

Kale.

So that was the stranger's

name.

I woke slowly only to see unfamiliar faces staring down at me. I saw a man with silver hair and golden glowing eyes leaned over to my side.

"You're finally awake," he said.

I sat up too fast, making me wince in pain. "Where...where am I?"

"In the Forbidden Lands, known as the Lycan territory."

My breath hitched immediately. I'm not even supposed to be found here. I should be long dead.

Then my eyes darted round till I found him.

Lying was a stone slab, almost completely bandaged, breathing shallowly... Kale.

"What exactly happened to him?" I asked.

"You both almost died when you were attacked by rogues," the silver haired man explained. "But because of your bravery, you fought for him."

I blinked as I stared back at Kale again, a strange ache suddenly forming in my inner chest. "Why... why exactly does it feel like I've known him all my life, like I've seen him before?"