Luna’s Last Laugh

Chapter Three: Screw the Moon and Her Matchmaking

Kael’s POV

“You dragged me into this shitshow, Zane!” I snarl, slamming my fist on the table. We’re back at our spot in the Gala hall, far from that trainwreck with the girl. My blood’s still boiling, and my Beta, aka my pain-in-the-ass best friend Zane, ’s just sitting there, sipping his drink like I didn’t just blow up my night.

“Me?” Zane snorts, leaning back with a smirk. “All I did was RSVP to this damn party. I didn’t tell the Moon Goddess to pair you with that girl, man.”

I scoff, chugging my beer. “Yeah, well, the Moon Goddess was straight-up wasted when she cooked up this mate crap. You saw her, right? Lila Thorn? She’s a walking disaster no wolf, no spine, nada. How’s that supposed to be my ride-or-die Luna?”

Zane shrugs, all chill like we’re debating pizza toppings. “I mean, I looked at her. Girl’s not exactly Alpha material, but—”

“Not exactly?” I cut him off, laughing like he’s lost it. “She’s a damn Omega vibe at best, trembling like a leaf. And get this her dad’s the Beta of this pack. A Beta! How do you screw up genetics that bad?”

“Alright, chill with the roast,” Zane says, holding up a hand. “You’re acting like the Moon Goddess flunked math or something. Calling her out’s basically blasphemy, dude.”

“Blasphemy? I don’t give a flying f**k,” I snap, leaning forward. “Pairing me with a weak-ass nobody like Lila is a slap in the face. I run the Shadow Fang Pack an empire. What’s she gonna do? Cry her way through a pack war? She couldn’t even look me in the eye without shaking.”

Zane rolls his eyes, and I swear I’m about to deck him. “Okay, but hear me out,” he says, all serious now. “What if she’s not a total bust? Like, yeah, no wolf, but maybe she’s got other stuff going for her. The Moon Goddess doesn’t just yeet random mates together. You gotta, like, dig a little. Take a chance.”

I fixed my gaze on him as if he had a sprouted horn on his head. “Take a chance? Bro, if I take a chance on her, I’ll end up with a broken neck and a pack that laughs me out of town. I wouldn’t have lasted a day without rejecting her.”

Zane sighs, pinching his nose. “Fine, but did you have to nuke her like that? In front of the whole damn pack? You could’ve pulled her aside, done it quiet. Now she’s gonna be the pack’s punching bag, and you’re the asshole who lit the fuse.”

I smirk, leaning back. “Good. Let ‘em roast her. I don’t care if the whole world drags her for the shade I threw. She’s not my problem.”

Zane snorts, shaking his head. “Wow, you’re a real stinking asshole, Kael.”

“Stinking?” I bark, half-laughing, half-pissed. “Dude, what’s your deal? Why’re you caping for some rando girl over me? Your Alpha? Your boy?”

“I ain’t picking sides,” Zane says, but his eyes say otherwise. “I’m just calling it like it is. You humiliated her and her mom. That was low, even for you. Truth hurts, man deal with it. You f****d up.” He stands, brushing off his jacket, and struts off to chat with some other Betas, leaving me fuming.

“Zane!” I yell, but he doesn’t even flinch. Just vanishes into the crowd like I’m not his damn Alpha. Whatever. He’ll come crawling back. He always does.

An hour later, the Gala’s done, and we’re stuck in the car, driving back to Shadow Fang territory. It was all quiet inside the car like we weren't familiar with one another. Zane stares out of the window, ignoring my presence. I grip the wheel tightly till my knuckles turn white.

He wants me to say I was wrong. Hell no. I’m not admitting s**t, ‘cause I’m not wrong. Lila’s a liability, and Zane’s gotta get that through his thick skull.

Zane’s been my ride-or-die since we were kids. When my dad, the old Alpha, and his dad, the old Beta, got killed, I stepped up to lead Shadow Fang, and Zane became my Beta. We’ve had our fights plenty of ‘em but we always got each other’s backs. Except tonight, when he’s acting like I’m the villain for ditching a mate who’d sink my pack faster than a rogue attack. Screw that.

Lila’s POV

So, my so-called “mate” wasn’t happy just rejecting me. Nah, Kael Draven had to go full supervillain, dragging me and Mom through the mud in front of the whole damn pack. What kinda mate does that? Out of all the dudes at the Gala, why’d it have to be him? I didn’t ask for some domineering Alpha with an ego the size of a planet.

A chill Beta, a sweet Gamma, hell, even an Omega would’ve been fine. All I wanted was a mate who’d love me, not set my heart on fire and roast marshmallows over the flames.

If I had a wolf, I’d be out there showing Kael what’s up. But nope, I’m stuck being the pack’s favorite punching bag, emotionally drained and wishing I could just… poof, vanish. I’ve locked myself in my room, door bolted, curtains drawn. No way I’m facing the world after that shitshow.

The pack’s probably laughing their asses off, and I’m too ashamed to even peek outside. All I wanna do is cry, sleep, and maybe cry some more.

Knock, knock. “Lila, open this damn door,” Mom’s voice comes through, all desperate. She’s been at it since we got home, begging me to let her in. “Lila dear, we need to talk about this.”

“Please Mom, not tonight, I am so wrecked,” I said with a trembling voice. I sob while curling up on my bed. “Can you please come back later… I need to be alone please.”

But Mom’s not having it. She keeps knocking, her voice cracking. “Lila, please.”

I growled and dragged myself off the bed. I managed to unlock the door. “What now, Mum?” I asked without looking at her face.

My mum stood there, shedding tears. She pulled me and gave me a tight warm bone-crushing hug while sobbing. “Lila dear, I am truly sorry, my baby. I am so sorry for putting you all through this. I must have been a shitty mother, how can I not protect my baby girl from that damn man. I feel like I am a failure.”

“Mom, just stop it. It isn't your fault.” I said, hugging her back. “You went full mama bear out there. That was epic. You’re, like, the best mom anyone could want. For real.”

We both pulled apart, mum tried to wipe my tears with her thumbs, her eyes all gentle. “Everything is going to be fine, I swear it.” She affirms to me but her voice shakes as if she is trying to comfort herself also.

I shake my head, the words spilling out. “Mom, nobody here gives a crap about me. No friends, no nothing. The pack hates me. Dad hates me. All ‘cause I don’t have a wolf? What in this hell did I commit to deserve this? I’m so done.”

Mom’s face falls. “Sweetheart, you know your dad loves you very much right?”

“Love me?” I laugh, bitter as hell. “Did you hear him at the Gala? He said he’d reject me if he could. I’m broken, Mom. I can’t stay here. I need to leave this hell before I lose my mind.”

My mum's eyes opened wide as if she had been slapped hard. “You wanna leave me? Lila, what’d I do wrong?”

“Nothing!” I say, grabbing her hands. “Mum, you have been there for me and the only one who has my back. But this pack? It’s killing me. I’m one bad day away from yeeting myself into the void. I need out.”

She’s quiet for a second, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. Then she nods, tears spilling. “Okay, baby. If leaving’s what you need to be happy, I’ll make it happen. My sister, Ellie she’s Luna of the Crescent Hollow Pack, not far from here. I’ll call her. You can start fresh there, build a new life.”

I threw my arms around her neck, I felt relieved, much better. “I can't thank you enough Mum. I love you so much.”

“I love you more my Angel.” She whispered into my ear and then hugged me tightly.

Well, I am buzzing for a new life, let us freaking leave!

A fresh start, no Kael, no Dad, no pack bullies. I’m ready to ditch this nightmare and—

The door creaks open, and Dad storms in, his face all pinched and annoyed. “Mara, there you are,” he says to Mom, then glares at me. “What’re you doing with this girl?”

This girl. Wow, nice to know I’m just a random to my dad. I’m done swallowing this crap. “Why do you hate me so much, Dad?” I snap, stepping forward. “What’s your deal? Spill it.”

He laughs, cold and sharp. “Dad? You think I’d claim a useless nobody like you? Even your mate saw you for the trash you are rejected you like it was nothing. You’re a walking embarrassment, Lila. Always have been.”

Mom grabs his arm, furious. “Gideon, what the hell’s wrong with you? She’s our daughter! How can you talk to her like that?”

“Your daughter,” he spits, shaking her off. “Not mine. Stop pretending she’s my blood, Mara. I’d rather keel over than call her my kid.” He turns and stomps out, leaving the air heavy with his venom.

I collapse into Mom’s arms, sobbing. “Told you he hates me,” I whisper, my voice breaking.

But as Mom holds me, stroking my hair, a low growl rumbles outside my window. It’s not the wind it’s that snarl from the Gala, the one with those creepy red eyes. It’s here, right outside my room, and it’s calling my name in a voice that isn't human: “Lila… you can’t run…”