003: THE REAL LUNA HAS RETURNED

~Elara~

“There’ll be a mating ceremony between Celeste and I soon.”

My heart drops to my stomach. For a moment, I can't breathe, I stare at him, waiting for an indication that this is a prank, but there’s none. “Kael!” I exclaim, my eyes wide. “Why would you do that? You’re married to me.”

“I know.” His jaw is taut. “It’s nothing serious. We found a way to make her heal faster, and it’s if she gets mated to an Alpha."

I’m at a loss for words. How can he say it’s nothing serious? A mating ceremony is no child’s play.

“You want to replace me,” I remark flatly, numb.

His hands tighten around the wheel. “It will be just for a short while, Elara. This doesn't mean I will reject you as we are not mated theoretically. I’m sure you also want all this to be over, right? This is the fastest solution.”

My lips quiver. I dip my head, holding my stomach as my nostrils flare. “What about our baby? What about us?”

There doesn’t seem to be an ‘us’ anymore. But I refuse to accept that. Not yet.

Kael lets out an exasperated breath. “You don’t trust me?”

I did. Look where that got me.

We didn’t talk in the rest of time. I didn’t know neither care where the car came to a stop in front of Celeste’s house.

She’s standing in front of the building, clad in a red velvet dress that hugs her in all the right places. I glance down at my boring evening gown, disfigured by my bump and baby fat, a sharp contrast to the pretty figure worming her way into Kael’s heart. A bitter feeling brews in my guts.

Celeste throws herself into his arms, releasing a high pitched squeal, and I watch them. The scene unfolding before me doesn’t scream ‘nothing serious’. He would never sever the bond between them if they become mates.

They pull away from each other and walk towards the car, arms entwined. Then, Kael pulls the passenger door open, gesturing for me to get out.

I blink, confused.

“I’m the celebrant today, Elara," Celeste huffs with a practiced smile. “Don’t you think I should take the front seat?”

A sudden calm settles over me. Without a word, I step out. Celeste slips into the passenger seat in silent triumph. She turns her head and drags her gaze over me in a rude onceover. “You look worn out, Elara. Being a luna is exhausting, isn’t it?”

My teeth gnash. She continues, flipping her hair behind her dramatically. “You won’t have to go through all this stress from now on.”

I lean forward, straining my ears. “What did you say?”

“You haven’t heard?” Her eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror. “Kael and I will become mates soon. There finally will be a true Luna. I’m sorry but everyone wants me to take your place. They don’t think a human should be the Alpha’s mate.”

“I already briefed Elara about all that, Celeste.”

“No, you didn’t,” I fire at him, glaring at Kael. “You told me it was temporary. You said you’d sever ties as soon as she's healed.”

Celeste rolls her eyes “You should be able to read in between the lines, Elara. Kael feels like he owes you a lot. He obviously can’t tell you to leave. You have to take the initiative and leave on your own to prevent humiliation.” She locks her fingers with Kael’s, sighing. “Your union was never supposed to happen. Kael and I were always meant to be together. If I didn't get swayed by that…” Her voice breaks. She coughs, squeezing her eyes shut.

She had bonded with someone else instead of Kael in the past. Heartbroken, he made me his rebound. And I let the young and naive version of me marry him.

Celeste and Kael converse softly. They reminisce about training days and Pack festivals they attended as children. They talk about memories they share, laugh about how silly they were to try to bond under the Blood Moon once. It’s like I've suddenly become invisible. My nails dig into my palms. Everything I feared is finally happening right before my eyes, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Celeste is taking my place. There can’t be two Lunas in a pack. Kael has made his choice.

I press my hand to my stomach and get busy with staring out the window for the rest of the drive.

The party is being held in the Pack hall, a place where only very important events take place. Pack members stroll around in beautiful outfits and party hats. Giggles ring out into the night. The celebration is grand enough to pass a message. Celeste is not just any female. She has been accepted as the Luna the pack needs.

Kael steps out first and dashes around to help Celeste out of the car. I follow suit, taking a moment to calm my nerves.

“I need a minute,” I mutter, but they are already walking towards the hall without sparing me another glance. I take a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for what I have to face in there. The hall will be filled with people who hate me. People who never pass up on a chance to ridicule me. They are all Celeste's allies. Just as I head for the entrance, someone blocks my path.

Rowan, the Pack’s gamma. His lips curve in indignation. “What are you doing here? Who invited you?”

I straighten, squaring my shoulders as I gather what’s left of my dignity. “Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?”

“Hasn’t it dawned on you already? He sneers, taking a menacing step towards me. “You have no place in this pack, Elara.”

I suck in a sharp breath at the disrespect. Elara. Not Luna. Not even Mrs. Just Elara. A crowd starts to form, whispers and gossips rise.

“You will address me properly, Rowan,” I say firmly. “I am still the wife of your Alpha.”

“Are you?” Rowan shoots a glance in Kael’s direction. He’s in the hall, his arm snaked around Celeste’s waist protectively. “It doesn’t look like it. The real Luna has returned, Elara. You should leave.”