GOING UNDER (THE LAST LUNA) S2

REJECTED LUNA

"You think you can humiliate my family like this, and I'd just continue to loyally serve you? She's my nephew! Our Luna, your mate! And yet you let some fancy woman bear your child and name them heir?"

Stella's breath caught in her throat. Her Aunt Marie came over for her, against the Alpha. She had always been more loyal to the Alpha family than anything else. It was sad, but they had never been particularly close because of that. Marie only showed her emotion for Stella. She raised her over the years. Even though Stella continued to do her best despite this hellhole of a life, Marie would be there for her, until death. Richard's jaw tightened.

"I think you need to calm down," he said slowly. Everyone could hear the warning in his words, but Marie seemed to either not notice or didn't care at all.

"Calm down? Calm down?!" he roared.

"No, I have allowed you to disrespect her for too long. She is the only daughter of the Ortega family and deserves your respect, even if only purely for her Beta lineage. To think you would throw her aside as if she was trash and impregnate another woman, is unacceptable." Marie said.

Richard was clearing and becoming angrier by the second.

"Miss. Ortega.." He attempted to speak but Marie continued to rant, cutting him off.

"Your father would be disgusted if he were alive. If Stella cannot have a child, then that is the Goddess cursing you, and your disdainful manner during this mate-bond. Stella does not deserve this."

That was it. Richard finally lost it.

"You dare to insinuate that I am the cause of your nephew's infertility as a message from the Goddess?! Do you realize you are saying treasonous things right now? The Goddess chose me above all else to be Alpha, and to continue this pack's leadership and lineage. If Stella cannot accept that, then that is depend on her. Thea will be having my children, and they will be named heir. That is final. Now I suggest, remove yourself from this meeting immediately and go calm down, Mrs. Ortega", the Alpha continued

　　A murmur of agreement echoed in the room from everyone present. Richard had used his Alpha tone but it seemed to have little effect on Marie.

　　Instead, Marie erupted in a cry of rage at the complacent attitudes toward everyone around her. Everyone immediately became silent, bowing their heads. Her eyes darkened to warn that his wolf was on the surface about to take control and the room became tense. She looked as if she was about to lose control at any second. Everyone could feel her power to exploding off. She was the second strongest female member in Family aside from Stella's mother, and the whole pack, her authority and power were enough to make anyone crumble, except Richard and Stella.

Richard scoffed at his attitude and it was enough for all hell to break loose.

　　"I'll kill you," Marie said, eyes manic, as she launched herself across the table towards Richard.

　　"Marie! No!" Stella screamed, but it was too late. Marie shifted mid-air into his grey wolf before he tackled Richard to the ground.

An all-out fight broke loose and mass panic were arise inside the meeting hall. Everyone jumped their feet to make as much distance between themselves from the fight. Snarling and snapping were the only noises heard coming from Marie's wolf as Richard fought her off in his human form.

　　"Bryan!" Richard yelled finally, huffing from the exertion of the fight. He would not be taken down easily.

　　Bryan stand, and the four guards came in to assist Bryan, for what ever the Alpha's order. Bryan didn't hesitate even for a second before he grabbed Marie behind and pushed her to the ground. Together with Richard, they used their weight to pin Marie's wolf down.

　　"Get me silver cuffs and have her taken down to the cells immediately!" Richard commanded furiously to the guards.

　　They all scattered quickly to obey the Alpha, not wanting to upset him any further.

　　"And you," the Alpha said, turning his cold eyes to Stella with disgust.

"Get the f**k out of my sight and stay in your room until I say you can leave. You will remain there and conduct all your business from within those walls. Do I make myself clear, Stella?"

Stella couldn't talk. Words wouldn't come to her as she stared in fear at this man. She was sure he would send her down after her Aunt Marie. She knew if she misspoke at this moment, she might be killed by Alpha Richard. Stella mutely nodded her head and quickly left back to her room in a daze.

The days passed quickly after. Stella organized the final touches of her escape. Everything was now ready. She had packed her bag, noted instructions for her Luna duties over the following few weeks, and even left a letter for her Aunt. She wasn't sure if she would receive it given his current incarceration, but she needed to tell her, She was thankful for what she had done for her.

It pained Stella to think her leaving, but there was nothing she could do to save her Aunt now. The cells were the most heavily guarded place in territory, camera built-in in every corner inside and out. Anyone who came in and came out we're recorded.

The night of escape was finally decided. Stella and Sophie had their dinner first. They had decided to leave, once dark layered the sky, so it would hopefully hide their presence a little.

Tonight, there would be a large celebration happening in the main hall, so the guard patrols would be at their lowest. So far, there hadn't been any issues or even any visitors since Richard had banished Stella to her room.

Stella was grateful for the peace and quiet, and happy she didn't have to see the stares of her pack members as she walked by. She was sure their opinions of her had only gotten worse, now her Aunts had committed one of the highest offences; attempted murder of the Alpha.

　　"It's time to go," Stella said nervously to Sophie.

　　She was scared. She was scared that they would be caught, that she would be dragged back to this hell, and possibly executed. But if they could pull this off, leave and finally be free, it would be worth everything.

　　Sophie nodded her head as Stella grabbed her backpack, getting ready to leave.

　　"Where did you put your bag?" Stella asked, noticing Sophie hadn't put anything by the front door yet.

　　Before Sophie could answer though, the door crashed open and several pack warriors stormed in.

　　They grabbed Stella's arms and pushed her up against the wall, stripping her of her backpack before restraining her in silver handcuffs. A few of them started searching the house and begin sifting through all Stella's belonging. She was only just able to witness, in the corner of her eye, Sophie being forced outside. It happened so quickly, Stella couldn't even call out to her.

　　"What is the meaning of this?!" Stella scream, her face still pressed against the wall.

"I am your Luna and I demand that you stand down and explain yourself."

Stella tell the weight of her authority washed over them, making them hesitate... but only for a moment. The one holding her loosened his grip slightly but they didn't completely let go. This meant the order had to have come from Richard himself. He was the only one who would have had enough authority to allow them to ignore her.

　　Another minute passed before Bryan finally walked in the door, glancing only quickly towards Stella.

"You can ease your grip and turn her around," he said to the one holding Stella

　　He spun Stella's to face him, his face was unreadable. Were they doing all this because they discovered Stella's plans to escape? One of the warriors suddenly walked up to Bryan, with a few items in his hand.

　　"We found these, Beta" he said, presenting something to Bryan.

"It also looks as if she was planning to run away before we caught her. She was wearing a backpack full of clothes and supplies when we arrived."

Bryan couldn't see what the second item was, the first is the letter to her Aunt Marie she left on the bed. A sinking feeling hit her stomach. Stella knew that letter could be misconstrued as sympathizing and thanking the girl who had almost killed the Alpha. She had planned to have left before anyone read it.

Bryan read the letter, his face still completely emotionless, before he sniffed at whatever else he had been given. He grimaced and turned his face away.

　　"Is this yours?" he asked, showing me a neat bunch of herbs. Stella didn't recognize them, but then again she never been great at herbalism.

　　"I've never seen that before in my life," She replied, spitting the words back at him.

"I don't even know what it is." She added

"They were found in her bedroom, BETA. Hidden under the bed," the warrior interjected.

"What?! You're insane! I don't keep herbs in here. I don't even know the first thing about identifying each different types!"

"It's Calendula," Bryan answered calmly, his dark brown eyes piercing her.

"It induces miscarriages during pregnancy." he added

　　"What?" Stella gasped.

　　Why would something like that be in my room? Who could have put it there?

　　"Stella Ortega, I hereby place you under arrest for the murder of the unborn Alpha heir, and for the harm inflicted to another pack member, Thea Millandres. You will be detained immediately pending trial in a weeks time."

　　 "What? Thea lost the baby?" Stella asked horrified, she felt her body's being paralysed.

　　All could think that only Stella can so something with it. Why would anyone believe the Luna who publicly made a scene about her pregnancy?

　　"Take her down to the cells," Bryan said, his face finally showing the disgust.

Stella knew he had been trying to hide this whole time. The guards began to push her out of the door, but Stella kicked and fought against them.

　　"You're insane! You're all insane!" Stella screamed.

"Where is Richard?! Let me see Richard and clear this whole thing up! I am your Luna! I demand you take me to the Alpha immediately!"

　　"That won't be necessary," a deep chilly voice said behind in the hall.

Stella craned her neck as much as possible to see the familiar eyes she dreaded so much. The hatred filled in them was more than she had ever seen before. Fear gripped her, her legs almost giving out from just the sight of him in anger. Those expression of looks could kill, but it wasn't remotely required here. He looked plenty ready to snap her neck with his bare hands.

"Richard..," Stella cried.

"I didn't do this, I swear, I didn't kill your baby. I didn't even want to be here anymore. I was giving up, letting you have Thea just like you always wanted."

Stella said

"So, you admit to trying to run away," he growled in a low voice. Your motive seems clear here. Don't worry though, you're getting your wish." the Alpha said.

Several of the elders now made themselves present and a chill ran down her spine. Stella had a feeling she could guess what he was about to do. Even the admittance of wanting to escape was punishable, putting aside the false charges against me for Thea's miscarriage.

"I, Richard de Guzman, your Alpha of the White Stone Pack, along with the majority agreement of the elders present, was reject you Stella Ortega, as my mate, and Luna to this pack."

The bond snapped and the pain blinded Stella instantly, falling to her knees in the process. She had never experienced anything so excruciating before. Now, she couldn't see, her vision was blurred, but she could faintly hear her own scream filling the air. Still she manage to raise her right hand and mention his name

"Ri..Richard..."

in her vision, as if she was run to him, to touch his face and getting herself in his embrace, before she passed out.

Everything inside her burned, as if it was purging something from the deep, inside of her soul. It lasted for longer than she could comprehend, the seconds feeling like hours. Even once the burning faded and the worst of the pain was over, a complete hollow void was left pulsing inside her chest. There was nothing there anymore. No love, no desire, no lust. A large part of Stella's world had been Richard. Without him, and the influence of the mate-bond, have left empty now.

For Stella's love for him had been the only thing blinding her to fear. Without it, his very presence was like death itself, looming over her.

　　The type of rejection he had done was rare; one where the majority vote of elders was required for completing the process. She'd only read this happening in history a handful of times and it was virtually unheard of. It was only ever used for ranked members and was a rejection that needed no consent or agreement from the second party. The process was reserved for when crimes had been committed or for when there was a greater purpose as to why a forced bond-breaking must occur.

When Stella regained her consciousness and strength, she looked to Richard. He stood completely emotionless as if nothing had happened. Now, she found out the truth, that is Richard had never loved her. Not even a little bit. The rejection should have hurt him just as much, but he felt nothing. He just looked down at her with those icy cold eyes as if she was never anyone remotely special to him.

　　And then Richard turned his back to her and began to walk away.

　　"Take her down to the cells," he ordered over his shoulder, not even bothering to look back to check if his command was carried out.

　　Bryan immediately hauled her and began to drag her to the stairs. Stella didn't fight back, there was no point at all. She just let him move with her feet towards the prison she would call home for the next seven days.