Chapter Two

By dawn, I was done packing my belongings, it was just a suitcase and a leather bag. 

I decided to retrieve the remaining half of the pendant Alpha Ryan claimed to have found on me when I was rescued, from Trent’s room. 

It was split in two and given to Trent when he knew we were mates.

It was the only clue to my real identity and finding my family but that would be if I have one left. 

I successfully retrieved it and bumped into Trent on my way out.

“You’re back?” I asked, startled.

“What are you doing in my room?” He asked, suspicious.

I stuttered and his expression softened a bit. “Are you mad I wasn’t around for your birthday yesterday?” he asked.

I was taken aback by his question, he remembered my birthday.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t around all day and I missed it, I had to accompany Arianna somewhere yesterday and couldn’t come back home in time but I’m going to make up for it. I made reservations at your favorite restaurant; will you freshen up and meet me in ten minutes?”

He walked off before I could respond. Ten minutes later; I was fully dressed, a limousine awaited and conveyed me to my favorite restaurant. 

With every step I took, the thoughts of running away kept popping in my head, but I was eager to see how he’d make things up to me and I thought maybe, I could give us one last chance.

Happy birthday Luna Celine!

This joyous shout jolted me out of my reverie and I looked up to see half of the pack standing in front of me. The place was well decorated and set for a birthday party.

They all took turns in congratulating me and each gave me a rose, a romantic gesture and apology from Trent. He finally approached me, looking handsome as ever with a bouquet of roses in his hand.

“Happy belated birthday Celine. Thank you for being a part of my life.”

A tear slid down my face, hearing his words and he asked me for a dance. We danced to my favorite solemn music and I felt ecstatic, I forgot all the pain and bitterness in my heart as I felt this feeling would last forever. 

We sat at our table to eat afterwards and a familiar scent stirred a righteous anger in me. Arianna walked up to us and sat down without taking permission.

“Happy birthday Luna Celine.” She greeted, barely audibly.

“I invited her, it was all her idea in the first place to throw this party. I told her you weren’t vain and would understand but she insisted.” Trent explained.

I scoffed, my high hopes crushed once again.

“I felt bad he wasn’t with you yesterday because of me and wanted to do something special for you in return, can you help me peel the lobster Alpha Trent? My wrist hurt.” Arianna uttered, making herself look innocent and helpless.

I snickered and ate grudgingly, not saying a word.

Arianna coughed slightly, drawing our attention and she asked Trent to dance with her. I sat back and watched angrily how he held her with care and slowly danced with her. There were murmurs of how perfect they look and soon, comments and pictures filled the group chat.

One of them boldly commented that I wasn’t fit to be Luna and Arianna would be perfect instead. I clenched my jaw and chastised myself for agreeing to the dumb party while I could’ve just packed my things and left.

They joined me back at the table when they were done dancing and Trent shamelessly peeled the lobster and even fed her, I angrily dropped my fork.

“She can eat by herself, you know?” I spat angrily at Trent.

“She hurt her wrist, don’t be petty Celine.” Trent retorted.

I bit my lower lip and held back my response while Arianna smirked at me and touched his hand, intimately and he didn’t rebuff her actions. 

A waiter brought another dish and Trent served Arianna.

“Why aren’t you eating?” he asked.

“I can’t eat this, if you want to, you should.” I threw back, calmly.

“Arianna had prepared this food with love and not minding that her wrist is injured, you have to eat it.” Trent demanded.

“I’m sorry Luna Celine, I just wanted to surprise you.” Arianna muttered.

I scoffed and clicked my tongue then looked at Trent who frowned deeply. 

Resignedly, I scooped a spoonful and forcefully ate it, Arianna smirked while Trent began to scold me. Half a minute later, my throat began to constrict and my breath hitched, I began to wheeze, quietly.

“What’s happening to you?” Trent asked, annoyed.

“Are you acting up?”

My heart shattered at his words, how could he forget that I’m allergic to nuts? I wanted to speak but Arianna suddenly screamed and Trent got up on his feet.

“I think I’m having a heart attack!” she cried out, obviously lying.

I watched as Trent scooped her in his arms and immediately headed for the exit. He held her like his life depended on it and he didn’t spare me a look. 

“Trent,” I called out, weakly but he was barking orders to some men and he left me behind.

It became harder for me to breathe and I could feel life seeping away from me. 

I wanted to give up and let the darkness wooing me win, after all; no one cared about me, not even my own parents who left me in this cruel world or my mate who chose another woman over me.

Desperately, I grabbed my purse and yanked out my antihistamine pill and popped it in my mouth. For two hours, I laid on the ground and no one came to my rescue, everyone had left immediately Trent exited. I dragged myself off the ground and hailed a cab back home.

As I took a shower, I recounted all of Trent’s actions, how I’d given him a chance to choose us, to choose me but he didn’t and I decided it was time I stopped loving someone who was evidently never going to love me back.

My bags were already packed and though it was past midnight, Trent wasn’t back yet, I didn’t hear from him - not even a text or call yet pictures of him taking care of Arianna was everywhere, and no one remembered me. 

I took my bags and left him a note ‘it’s evident you don’t want me in your life and you’re right, I’m not a member of this pack but I’ll forever be grateful to your Father for raising me. This is the least I can do for him, to free you of me. I’m out of your life, you never have to see me again and you certainly can now be with Arianna with me out of the way. Thank you for putting up with me for this long. Goodbye Trent, Celine.’

My eyes stung as I tried to hold back my tears. I went to Granny Bridget's room and dropped a little note for her, thanking her for looking after me and informing her that I'd be gone by the time she wakes up. 

I was done with pretending to be happy and being someone else's backup plan.

The ride I ordered arrived and I showed him an address and as he drove out of the pack, I felt something like - Peace. For the first time in a very long while, I felt peace in my mind. 

There was no more worrying about Trent, about Arianna threatening my position as Luna, as all I felt was peace of mind.