Rejected by Destiny, Reborn as Luna

I was roughly pushed into the center of the grand hall, feeling utterly exposed and out of place. The crowd’s jeers echoed around me, their words sharp and cutting.

"Take off the coat! What’s the point of wearing so much?!"

"Exactly! Strip it off!"

Hands reached out, tugging at my outer layers until they were ripped away, leaving me in nothing but the thin fabric beneath. My skin prickled under their hungry gazes.

"She’s so pale, paler than the moon itself!"

"Look at her figure. Alpha Jaxxon must be a lucky man."

"Come on, don’t just stand there! Move!"

I clenched my fists, my claws digging into my palms as I fought back tears. My eyes darted to Jaxxon, seeking some semblance of mercy, but his expression was cold and indifferent, allowing the humiliation to continue.

I had no choice but to comply, moving stiffly, my body trembling with shame. When it was finally over, I grabbed my discarded coat and wrapped it around myself, desperate to leave.

But before I could escape, Cain O’Brien, a Delta from the Northern Pack, stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Louisa. "Miss Louisa," he said with a smirk, "how about a drink in your honor?"

Louisa, sitting in her wheelchair, smiled sweetly, her gaze flicking to me. "Oh, Brother," she cooed, "you know I can’t drink. Why don’t we ask Sister Sylvia to drink for me? Isn’t that right, Brother?"

Jaxxon’s hand tightened possessively around Louisa’s, his voice sharp. "Sylvia," he said without looking at me, "you’ll drink for her."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Alpha, I—"

"Do it," he snapped, his alpha tone leaving no room for argument.

I picked up the glass, my hands shaking, and downed the liquor in one swift motion. But Cain wasn’t satisfied. He kept pouring, glass after glass, and Jaxxon’s cold stare forced me to keep drinking.

By the time I stumbled, my body numb and my vision blurred, Jaxxon finally waved a dismissive hand. "Get out of my sight."

I barely made it to my room before collapsing, my body wracked with pain. When I woke, I was still on the floor, my body cold and aching. I forced myself up, rummaging through my supplies to find the herbs I needed to soothe my body.

But before I could rest, a servant burst in. "Miss Louisa needs her medicine. The Alpha has ordered you to prepare it."

"I’m not well," I protested weakly.

"The Alpha’s orders are final," the servant said, grabbing my arm and dragging me out.

I was taken to Louisa’s private garden, where Jaxxon sat beside her, feeding her slices of fruit. Their laughter rang out, a stark contrast to the cold treatment I received. Louisa leaned into Jaxxon, her head resting against his chest, and he stroked her hair with a tenderness I had never known.

"Sylvia," Jaxxon said without looking at me, "prepare Louisa’s medicine. And make sure it’s sweetened. She doesn’t like it bitter."

Louisa giggled, her eyes narrowing as she looked at me. "Thank you, Brother. You’re so good to me. Sister Sylvia, you don’t mind, do you?"

Jaxxon’s gaze flicked to me, his voice icy. "Mind? She wouldn’t dare."

I moved to the small table where the herbs were laid out, my hands trembling as I began to prepare the medicine. Their laughter continued, a painful reminder of the bond they shared, one that I could never be a part of.

When the medicine was ready, Louisa called me over. "Sister Sylvia," she said with a sweet smile, "could you bring it here?"

I walked over, handing her the cup. But as she reached for it, her hand brushed against mine, and I flinched, the cup slipping from my grasp and spilling onto the ground.

Jaxxon’s aura flared, his voice low and dangerous. "What is this? Are you deliberately disrespecting my sister?"

"I didn’t mean—"

"Apologize," he growled. "Now."

I swallowed my pride, my voice barely a whisper. "I’m sorry."

Louisa’s eyes filled with tears. "Brother," she whimpered, "perhaps she’s right. Maybe my legs will never heal. Maybe I’ll always be like this."

Jaxxon’s expression softened as he pulled her into his arms. "Don’t say that," he murmured. Then, his gaze snapped back to me, his voice cold and commanding. "Louisa mentioned a flower, one that can heal even the most severe injuries. It grows on the cliffs. You’ll go and find it for her."

I shook my head. "Alpha, that’s just a myth. It doesn’t exist."

Louisa’s tears flowed freely now. "But Brother, she won’t even try. Maybe I’m destined to stay like this forever."

Jaxxon’s voice was final. "You’ll go. And you’ll bring back what she needs."