CHAPTER 3- A Gleam of Hope

Lilian, after Morgan's rejection was physically and emotionally drained. She felt so exhausted and she knew it was all because of the severed mate bond. Her wolf Elara, constantly whimpered within her, weakened by the loss of the bond that was supposed to bring them closer to their fated mate.

However, she had to be strong. She would not let this heartbreak pull her down. She had to continue living her life no matter how hard it was for her. She was still hoping that somehow Morgan would see her worth and accept her as his Luna.

She returned to her usual routine in the villa as one of the servants of the high-ranking members of the pack. One evening, as the last rays of the setting sun kissed the horizon, while Lilian was dusting off the shelves in the living room, she heard muffled voices and laughter coming from the hallway. The voice was quite familiar to her. Out of curiosity, she headed towards the hall, to find out who it was. She was shocked when she saw Morgan and Samantha, intimately hugging each other.

"Babe, when do we get married?" Samantha's voice reached her ears, her hands slid down to Morgan's broad chest. "It will be soon enough babe," Morgan responded, while he kissed her on the lips. He already made up his mind—to completely abandon his mate. "It's always you whom I've wanted to marry, Samantha."

Lilian from a distance, clearly heard Morgan's words. She held onto the wall to keep her balance but her tears were already blurring her vision. She was deeply hurt like she was stabbed with a knife a million times.

Morgan shifted his gaze towards Lilian and their eyes met. Lilian felt the coldness in his eyes. She knew she meant nothing to him but just a fleeting desire. A desperate yearning to leave consumed her, yet an invisible force held her captive, her feet frozen in place.

Morgan leaned back, his arm around Samantha. He acted like he didn't even see Lilian, even though he totally did. His face got all serious as he looked at her with a cold stare.

“Uhm, Lilian, bring us some food,” he demanded in a rough voice as if he were talking to a servant instead of his rejected mate. It was like he was trying to hurt her on purpose, and it broke her heart.

Lilian who stood frozen felt tense at the sound of his voice. It was just a simple command but it consumed the remaining strength she had left. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides, but she forced herself to respond. She couldn’t afford to show weakness in front of them.

Lilian didn't even have a chance to move before Samantha got all cozy with Morgan, smiling at her in a really mean way. She raised her eyebrow like she thought Lilian was just a big joke.

"Make it fast, worthless Omega. I’m hungry now," Samantha snapped, with a cruel voice. Too proud of herself that she was above anyone else. She looked at Lilian from head to toe, like she was disgusted by her clothes and her untidy appearance. She didn't even seem to care that Lilian was struggling. It was like she was laughing at her.

The title “worthless” stung more than the insult itself. Lilian was not worthless. She was Morgan’s mate, his fated partner. The bond they were supposed to share was sacred, and powerful, something that could never be broken. Yet here she was, treated as though she were nothing more than a lowly servant, unworthy of even a shred of respect.

Lilian's throat closed up, a lump of pain forming in her chest. Her wolf, her very essence, cried out in anguish, but she wouldn't let them see her break. She couldn't. She nodded and walked towards the kitchen, but every step felt heavy like she was carrying all this shame on her shoulders.

As she walked away, she heard Samantha giggle softly, her laughter like nails on a chalkboard. “Honestly, Morgan, you could have done so much better from the start,” she purred, loud enough for Lilian to hear as she disappeared down the hall.

The dam of Lilian's emotions finally broke, tears flooding her vision and streaming down her cheeks. Her heart felt like it was splintering into a million pieces, the weight of Morgan's rejection and Samantha's taunts were unbearable. Her hands trembled as she tried to wipe the tears away, but still, they couldn't control them from falling.

Lilian was so lost in her own grief that she had not noticed Aurora approaching. A gentle tap on her shoulder startled her, and she turned to find the kind and compassionate eyes of a woman whom she treated her second mother, gazing at her with deep concern.

“Please, don’t cry, dear,” Aurora said softly, her voice full of warmth as she pulled Lilian into a comforting embrace. Aurora’s arms wrapped around her tightly, like a protective cocoon, and for a moment, Lilian allowed herself to break. She rested her head against Aurora’s shoulder, sobbing quietly into the older woman’s chest, feeling both ashamed and grateful for the comfort.

Aurora gently stroked her hair. “You need to be strong, Lilian,” she whispered, trying to comfort her. “The Moon Goddess chose you to be Alpha Morgan’s Luna. You were fated to stand by his side. You should fight for what is yours, child."

Lilian pulled back slightly and looked up at her mother. "I'm not sure Mom, if it works out. Morgan doesn't love me. He already rejected the mate bond at the Council and besides—" she paused for a while, taking a deep breath. "He wanted to marry Samantha."

Aurora's eyes widened in shock. "Samantha? The beta of the diamond pack?"

Lilian softly nodded while wiping her tears away.

"He could not do this, dear. No one dares to disobey the Moon Goddes, or else the whole pack will suffer the punishment," Aurora scoffed.

A new gleam of hope rose from Lilian's heart after hearing the words from her mother. But suddenly, the kisses Morgan and Samantha shared and their sweet promises of marriage flashed back in her mind. They were a constant reminder that she had no place in Morgan's life. How could she fight for something that was already broken? How could she fight for a man who didn’t want her?

"Lilian," Auraa said, cupping her face. “Listen to me, her voice filled with maternal love. "Mate bonds are sacred, and they’re not something that can be so easily cast aside. Morgan is confused right now, blinded by temptation and his own arrogance.

“But what if he never learns to love me, Mom? What if... he really would marry Samantha?"

Aurora held her shoulders slightly. “Just be positive, dear. Hmm, whether Morgan realizes it or not, you are his true mate. The Moon Goddess does not make mistakes. There is definitely a reason why she chose you. And even Morgan rejected the mate bond, but it doesn't mean it's gone. You just need to be strong."

Although Lilian was hurt but at least she was enlightened with her mother's words. However, she could not help but to have doubts. Could there be a chance that Morgan would reciprocate her love? She asked at the back of her mind,

Aurora kissed her forehead softly and pulled her into another hug. “ I know you are strong Lilian. Don't give up. Morgan will soon realize your worth.

Lilian closed her eyes, the warmth of Aurora’s embrace offering her a brief moment of solace. She still didn’t know if she had the strength to fight, but at least now, she didn't feel entirely alone.