All Chapters of The Rejected Luna’s Rise : Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

Ariana Days passed and finally the D Day was here. After so many preparations and rituals it was finally time for the coming of age/ rite of passage ceremony. I was ecstatic because I had been waiting for it to come and go. The stress that came with planning for this ceremony was overwhelming. Finally, it was the night. The Night of the Ceremony.The sky looked very different tonight. Not just the sky, everything looked different. It wasn’t just the full moon, although it was hanging heavy and bright above the pack grounds.Light was spilling across the stone courtyard like liquid frost. Everything felt a bit different.Maybe, it was the way the air itself felt charged, as if every breath carried something ancient… something waiting.The ceremony grounds had long been transformed since the afternoon. They were lanterns lined on the walkways, with their soft glow flickering against white silk banners tied to tall wooden posts. The pack crest shimmered on each one with a howling w

ArianaDamian raised his hands once more to signal them to keep quiet and again the cheers died down almost as quickly as they had risen.He was truly the Alpha of Alphas. Just a raise of his hand had made thousands of wolves keep quiet. His presence alone was divine.He stood tall on the raised stone platform, the moonlight catching the sharp lines of his face, making him look more like a statue than a man. His eyes were kind of cold, storm-gray and they swept over the gathered pack like a blade, it seemed like he was looking for someone then finally his eyes landed on me, and then on Riley, and then on me again and he smiled.“Let’s give a round of applause to appreciate my beautiful mate and Luna. The beautiful decorations you see around and most of the planning were made by her.” He said and a round of applause swept through the crowd.I smiled lightly. At least, someone was appreciating my efforts and the work I had done. His eyes lingered on Riley for just a fraction longer be

Ariana I squeezed her fingers gently trying to pacify her. “You might still find your mate tonight.”“The Goddess could still give you that gift. One that no curse, no voice, no elder can take away. A bond that’s yours alone.” I assured her with a smile on my face. “You really think so?” She asked, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.“I know so,” I said firmly, even as my own heart ached for her. “You deserve happiness, Riley. Real happiness. Not just rank or approval from old men stuck in the past.”“You deserve a mate who sees you, the real you, and chooses you every single day,” I said.A small, shaky smile tugged at her lips. “You always know what to say.”“Because I love you, you idiot,” I teased gently, pulling her into another hug. “And I’m not letting some creepy smoke voice ruin your night,” I said and we laughed. “But… what if… what if there is no mate for me?” she whispered. “What if I’m just… nothing?” She asked and my heart twisted.I pulled her into me again

Ariana Lily laughed softly, the sound like tinkling glass, beautiful, but sharp enough to cut. She was purposefully trying to provoke me.She wanted me to lose my cool but I wouldn't because she wasn’t worth seeing me get angry. Riley was here looking at me, she was emotionally down herself and I didn't want her to start worrying about me. She has had enough troubles for tonight. “No point, really. Just… sympathy. I know how it feels to lose him.”“But at least I got him back. And you? Well, you’ve always been the placeholder, haven’t you? The dutiful mate from the fallen pack.” She mocked. Heat flushed my cheeks, anger bubbling. “You left him, Lily. Ran off without a word. So don’t come here acting like you’re some sort of victim.” I said.Her eyes flashed, but she recovered quickly, glancing at the boy who watched us curiously. Shit!! I forgot a child was still here. If anything, the little boy was innocent. His father and mother were the stupid ones and he didn’t have to see t

Riley “I thought the moon goddess forgot about me tonight… I thought she hated me.” I said sobbing.I couldn’t believe it.Cassius shook his head, stepping closer until there was barely any space left between us. “She didn’t forget. She just… waited.”His hand slid up my arm, slow, careful, giving me time to pull away. I didn’t. I couldn’t. The bond pulled me toward him like gravity.I looked up. His dark eyes searched mine, full of something I couldn’t name. I didn’t know and couldn’t tell if it was relief, or wonder, or hunger. Who knows? “I’ve known you since we were pups,” he murmured. “I’ve watched you grow into one of the strongest, most stubborn she-wolf in this pack. And tonight I thought… maybe you’d find someone else. Someone better.” I laughed almost disbelieving, tears stinging at the corners of my eyes. “There is no one better,” I said the words slipping out of my mouth before I could stop them. His eyes flared.Then he came closer, one hand cupping my cheek, the othe