The Stand-In Luna

Ashley

The day everything changed for the worse started like any other morning. As the strongest warrior of the Moonlit Silver Pack, I led my team through the northwest border, with my muscles tense and my senses sharp.

I was doing all of this not because I wanted to, but because even if Jace and I weren’t officially mates yet, I had already stepped into the role of Luna.

Also because, deep down, I did it for him. Always for him.

We pushed through the woods, but in an instant, my team was gone. My heart raced as I spun, looking for them.

Five—no—six Rogues emerged from the trees, their grins sharper than my fighting blades.

I couldn't move my limbs, which felt unusually sluggish. Worst of all, I couldn't sense the presence of my wolf, Amy, inside my mind.

I was on my own, and something was horribly wrong.

“This one belongs to the Alpha, does she not?” One sneered, eyes glinting with malice. “We can use her to get our leader back.”

“It’s no wonder he wants her.” Another leered, his gaze raking over my body. “She’s got one hell of a body.”

Disgust crawled under my skin, but I made a stony face. I refused to give them the satisfaction of a reaction.

Rogues were usually chaotic, but not these. They had a plan and a leader. Last month, Jace had nearly killed him. Now, the bastard rotted in our dungeon, awaiting judgement. But unfortunately rogues weren't the type to let things go just like that.

They moved closer to me, cutting off all chances of escaping. “Mind-link your mate,” one ordered, getting close enough to press a knife against my throat. He reeked of dirt and sweat. “Tell him to let our leader go, or I’ll start carving into this pretty, soft skin of yours.”

My mind raced. If I could give Jace a rough location, my team could track me.

“Jace,” I reached for our link, voice steady despite the fear gnawing at my gut. “Jace, I’m cornered at the northwest border—”

His response cut deeper than the blade pressed on my neck.

“Contact later.”

Two words. Two seconds.

I had been dismissed; tossed aside once again.

Too many times, I had heard those words. Every time he was with Carina, he was unreachable. But this time—I wasn’t asking for a date. I wasn’t asking for his time.

I was begging for my life, staring at death right in the eyes and expecting him to show up to save me.

“Did he agree?” One of the Rogues narrowed his eyes.

I maintained eye-contact, trying to buy time. “He… hasn’t replied yet.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “An Alpha ignoring his mate? Now that's a new one I haven't heard before. Stop fucking around or things are going to get ugly.”

Before I could respond, his foot came down hard on me, forcing me to the ground.

A sickening crack echoed through the forest. Fire shot through my entire body so violently that I clenched my teeth, choking back a scream.

I expected someone to come to my rescue. To save me from this terrible situation. Minutes stretched into an hour. Still, silence. No rescue. No Jace.

Rage replaced my frustration. The Rogues grew restless, dragging me farther as I struggled uselessly. I couldn't tap into my wolf, so transforming wasn't even possible. Plus, I was already outnumbered.

I lost track of time and direction. But the Rogues weren’t satisfied.

“Fucking bitch! She’s wasting our time!” One of the Rogues growled, and then the blows started.

Fists slammed into my ribs, my stomach, my limbs. I curled in on myself to shield myself from the onslaught but my pain only grew.

“Jace.” Weakly, I reached out again. “Please. It hurts.”

Nothing.

Instead, what I received was a stabbing pain in my skull, followed by an emptiness in my mind.

He had blocked our link.

Blocking a mate bond was unnatural. It should’ve hurt him, too.

Did he even feel it?

“I don't think he's coming,” one Rogue muttered. “It’s been too long. Either he ignored this bitch, or we made a mistake.”

Footsteps approached. A scoff followed. “Intel from the pack says he’s too busy with some other woman. Fuck, we grabbed the wrong girl, comrades.”

Unified laughter. Another kick to my ribs. I barely felt it at this point because I was so numb and tired.

“Poor little mate. Even your Alpha doesn’t give a damn whether you live or die.”

That was when something inside me snapped. The taunts faded. The pain dulled. All I could hear was the furious, guttural growl rising from within me.

Amy, finally awake from her slumber, rose within me, and filled up my bones and flesh with her presence. With her rage.

I closed my eyes, and allowed her to take over.

—

In the darkness, I thought about what I used to consider the happiest moment of my life. The moment Jace had asked me to be his mate. His Luna.

He was the one who never looked down on me for being an orphan—the one who always swore he'd protect me, no matter what.

But . . . Even that memory was tainted with the truth.

I was about to respond, reaching for his hand and ready to throw myself into his arms—

Then his phone rang.

He sighed, glancing at the screen.

“Carina?” His expression tightened. “I’ll be right there.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Again. I was left alone.

—

“Ashley.”

I woke to the sound of my name on Jace’s tongue.

I tried to move, but pain wrapped around me like a vice. A groan left my lips.

“Ashley, are you okay?” Hands cradled my face, golden eyes filled with something that almost looked like concern watched me from above.

Disoriented, I blinked up at him. Something didn't . . . feel right.

Then I realized—

I couldn’t feel Amy.

It wasn't the exhaustion or the pain. I genuinely couldn't feel her presence, not even the calm string that usually remained while she lay dormant.

Something about this absence felt permanent.

Terror seized my chest. “Amy…” My voice cracked. “Why can’t . . . Why can't I feel her?”

Jace averted his gaze.

Dread curled like ice in my stomach.

“She was strong,” he said carefully. “Before we found you, she fought off the Rogues. But you were both badly injured. She… she didn’t make it.”

I stiffened. The words didn’t register at first.

Impossible. “She’s not gone.” I shook my head, heart slamming against my ribs. “She can’t be.” I denied it, but I could feel the emptiness in my bones like a cancer.

I had lost my wolf.

Jace reached for me. “Ashley, I—”

Even through the excruciating pain, I flinched. The pain was more welcome than his touch. “Were you even looking for me?” My voice trembled, fury and heartbreak tangling in my throat. “Or were you with Carina again?”

Silence.

A hollow laugh slipped past my lips. “What was it this time? Did she have a paper cut? Did she need you to open a jar?”

He flinched. “She had a fever. I had to go stay with her. But she’s fine now. You've always been strong. I never thought—I didn't think something like this would happen.”

Strong.

Right. Strong enough to survive. Strong enough to endure. Strong enough to be left behind.

I searched his face for regret. For anything real.

“I’m sorry I was late,” he said, still unable to meet my eyes. Even his voice held no shred of regret. He was trying his best, but I could smell his insincerity.

And that was enough push for me to make the next decision.

“I'm not doing this anymore, Jace.” Ice cold. Just like how my insides felt.

He lifted his head, eyes a little wide. “What?”

“Reject me this instant. This sham of a relationship ends here.”