Rejected By My Fated Mate, I Became His Luna

Before my knees could touch the ground, Theo reached out and pulled me up with a mix of concern and irritation in his eyes.

“Iris, don’t kneel,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “You’re carrying my pup. There’s no need to submit to her.”

He turned to me, his expression hardening. “Besides, Liliana will be sent to the Marshall Pack in three days. After that, you’ll be the one in charge of the Young Pack’s affairs.”

I straightened, holding a small black box in my hands. Theo’s eyes narrowed as he instinctively shielded Liliana.

“What are you doing?” he demanded, suspicion thick in his tone.

I smiled faintly, my voice calm. “I’m simply handing over the responsibilities to the future Luna.”

I opened the box, revealing the keys to the pack’s vaults and the financial ledgers. Under their stunned gazes, I extended it toward Liliana.

“Take it,” I said.

Liliana hesitated, her hand hovering, but before she could touch it, Theo slapped the box out of my hands. The contents scattered across the floor, the metallic clink of the keys echoing in the room.

“Iris, how do I know you haven’t poisoned these?” he snapped, his voice dripping with distrust. “In three days, you’ll be sent to Rowan Marshall’s den. How can you act so calmly? Don’t think I don’t see through your schemes.”

I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping me. He was as foolish as ever.

Who said being sent to Rowan’s den meant certain death?

When I remained silent, Theo’s expression shifted, a flicker of guilt crossing his face before it was replaced with cold resolve.

“Iris, don’t blame me for being harsh,” he said, his tone softer but still patronizing. “Rowan Marshall demanded you specifically. No one dares cross him, or they’ll end up dead. If you go willingly and help me through this crisis… maybe I’ll take you back as my chosen mate someday.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I interrupted, kicking the scattered ledgers aside. “If you don’t trust me, have a pack member collect them for her.”

Liliana moved into the pack house with all the confidence of a future Luna. Theo issued a stern warning to everyone in the pack: anyone who showed disrespect to Liliana would be severely punished—fifty lashes and exile from the pack.

When Sylvie told me this, I was stitching a gown, my hands steady despite the storm brewing around me.

“Miss Iris, how can you just let this woman walk all over you?” Sylvie cried, her voice trembling with anger. “When Theo came to your family to claim you as his mate, he swore an oath—never to take another mate, or he’d face the Moon Goddess’s wrath! How could he betray you like this?”

I shook my head, my voice calm. “It’s not worth wasting energy on someone like him. Are our things packed?”

Sylvie wiped her tears. “Yes, but Miss Iris… the way you’re packing and sewing this gown, it’s like you’re planning to stay with the Marshall Pack for good.”

My hands stilled for a moment. Even Sylvie thought I wouldn’t survive this.

Before I could respond, a cold splash of tea hit my face. The liquid dripped down my cheeks, soaking the gown in my hands.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Iris,” Liliana said, her voice dripping with mock concern. “I must have slipped. Your gown is ruined.”

She stood there, her pregnant belly prominent, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

“It’s just so strange,” she continued, her tone sweet but venomous. “You’re being sent to Rowan Marshall’s den, yet here you are, sewing a gown like you’re preparing for a mark ceremony. Don’t you think people will laugh at you?”

Sylvie clenched her fists, her face red with anger. “How dare you!”

“Sylvie, stand down,” I said sharply.

Liliana smirked, emboldened by my silence, her eyes dropping to my abdomen.

“Iris,” she said, her voice dripping with false pity, “I’ve heard Rowan Marshall is notorious for his brutality. I doubt your pup will survive the night with him. Such a shame, really.”

The gown was ruined. I tossed it aside without a second thought.

“Don’t trouble yourself with my fate,” I said coolly, turning to leave.

But Liliana grabbed my wrist, her grip surprisingly strong. Her smile turned sinister.

“Iris, what do you think Theo would do to you if something happened to me?” she whispered, her voice low and menacing.

Then, without warning, she let herself fall backward, a cry escaping her lips.

At the same time, Theo’s hurried footsteps echoed in the room.

“Help! Someone help me!” Liliana screamed.

Theo’s face paled as he rushed to her side, pulling her up from the floor. Liliana clung to him, her voice trembling with feigned distress.

“Theo, don’t blame Iris,” she said, her voice soft and pleading. “She’s just jealous that I’m carrying your pup, that I’ll be by your side every day. She didn’t mean to push me…”

Her words lit a fire in Theo’s eyes. Before I could react, his hand struck my face, the sharp sting of the slap burning my cheek.

“You wretch!” he roared, his voice shaking with rage. “You’re the one who attracted Rowan Marshall’s attention, and now you’re trying to kill Liliana and my pup out of jealousy?”

I stood there, my face throbbing, my heart cold. The game had only just begun.