All Chapters of Rejected as Luna, Married as The Lycan Queen: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

The first time my mate called another woman his Luna, he was wearing the silver button I had sewn onto his collar that morning.Hundreds watched beneath the chandeliers. I stood in a white ceremonial gown, three steps from the man I had loved for five years, while his hand rested around my stepsister's waist."Vanessa will be my Luna," Damon announced.For a moment, I could only stare at him.That morning, he'd kissed my forehead while I fixed his uniform. "Tonight," he'd promised, "they'll finally have to accept you."For five years, the Silvercrest elders had delayed my Luna ceremony because I couldn't shift. I had managed their accounts, negotiated with neighboring packs, and sat beside Damon through every crisis. The title could wait. Damon loved me. We were fated mates. Surely that counted for something.Now Vanessa stood beside the crown meant for me, wearing the pearl necklace I had fastened around her throat."Alpha," Elder Marcus said, "Seraphina is your fated mate.""I'm awa

The guards came at sunrise. I'd held my mother's hairpin all night, the three silver flowers pressing crescents into my palm. At the door, a guard held out his hand."Personal belongings remain secured until the hearing."Reluctantly, I gave it to him.Vanessa warned me about today's vote. I still hoped she lied.The council chamber was full. Damon sat at the head of the table, Vanessa beside him. A guard seated me opposite them.Once, Damon had squeezed my hand beneath this table and told the elders I belonged beside him. Now he barely looked at me.My hair was tangled, my wedding dress stained with wine. I smoothed it over my knees and tried to ignore the ache beneath my ribs.Tonight, Vanessa might sleep in our bed, beneath blankets I'd chosen.Elder Marcus rose. "This hearing concerns Seraphina Vale's continued residence in Silvercrest pending the investigation into the missing treasury funds.""Have you confirmed that the funds are missing?" I asked.An elder frowned. "Northvale

Kael's hand steadied mine as I climbed onto his horse. My injured knee protested, and I bit my lip to keep from crying out. He noticed anyway."Can you manage the saddle?""Yes, Your Majesty."He waited until I settled before taking the reins and leading the horse along the road. One of his men remained with the three riders who had tried to seize me. The other walked several paces behind us, his sword still drawn.I watched Kael's dark head beneath the branches. The Lycan King was walking through mud while I rode his horse in a ruined wedding dress. It seemed the kind of story someone would tell over supper, laughing at its absurdity.I could barely remember what laughter felt like.A lantern appeared between the trees. Then another. A stone outpost stood beyond a wooden gate, its courtyard crowded with horses and armed sentries. The guards straightened when they recognized Kael."Prepare a room," he told them. "And send for the physician."An older woman hurried from the doorway car

Vanessa found her mother directing servants outside the Luna's chambers, inspecting Sera's candlesticks."Those can stay," Marielle told a servant. "My daughter has no reason to replace perfectly good silver.""Mother."Marielle turned. "What happened? Has Damon upset you?""He's received a letter from the northern patrol. The Lycan King rescued Sera on the road."Marielle dismissed the servants and took Vanessa inside."You ought to rest. You've barely eaten this morning.""Damon hasn't stopped talking about her. He wants to know why the king intervened.""He's concerned about the Crown's involvement," Marielle said, handing her water. "Damon chose you, and you're carrying his heir."Vanessa set the glass down untouched. "And the servants ask me about the winter stores. As though I need Sera.""They'll learn to come to you.""She was supposed to leave with nothing. Instead, the king comes to her rescue. How is that fair?""A night's shelter won't restore her position.""What if he tak

My room overlooked the winter gardens. Fresh clothes had been laid across the bed, and the maid told me a physician would visit before supper. She asked whether I preferred tea or something stronger to drink, as though I were an expected guest rather than a woman who had agreed to come only that morning.I thanked her and waited until she left before opening my traveling bag. My mother's hairpin lay wrapped in a handkerchief, its bent silver flower catching the lamplight.The physician examined my knee and assured me it was healing. After supper, I changed into the pale blue dress provided for me. Its sleeves were embroidered with tiny white flowers, and the fabric was softer than anything I owned.A few days ago, I had stood before another mirror in my wedding dress, wondering whether Damon would smile when he saw me. I had worried about the flowers, the guests, whether the ceremony would begin on time. I almost wished I could return to that morning for an instant, before I knew what