After rejected: Becoming a true Luna

Chapter 6

AVERY'S POV

I found myself contemplating whether or not to explore a little. The thought was tempting, especially since I had nothing to do. But my eyes took in the guards who seemed to stand in every hallway, and I wondered what would happen if they saw me moving around too much. They might think I was trying to snoop and report me to their Alpha.

A certain hallway caught my eye, and I finally gave in to the temptation. I waited until I was sure the guards had taken their eyes off me before carefully slipping away. I found out that the hallway led to a gallery. There were pictures after pictures hanging in a long line on the walls, pictures of people I didn't even know. There were male and female alike and I was confused when I didn’t find any pictures of Alpha Derek in them. There were dozens of pictures and not a single one of his among them, despite this being his house. If that wasn’t odd, I didn’t know what was.

I moved from picture to picture, studying each one, just out of curiosity. I had planned to stay there for a while longer, simply because I wasn’t really interested in returning to an empty and lonely room. But it didn’t take long before an Omega appeared around a corner, bowing slightly with what was clearly a forced smile. “Miss Avery, the Alpha wishes you wouldn’t wander too far. If you wish, I could escort you back to your room. You need to rest so you can heal faster.” she getsured to my stomach.

It wasn’t a threat, or at least I didn't think it was meant to be, but somehow it felt like one. I forced a smile and nodded. “Of course. Let’s go.”

She nodded and gestured for me to follow her. I cast one look at the pictures once more before following her. As soon as we arrived before the door, she turned around and walked away. She didn’t even stick around long enough for me to say thank you. I sighed and opened the door, stepping back into the room.

Hours passed and I was still wide awake. I couldn’t sleep no matter how hard I tried. I kept turning and tossing, but it seemed there was no position I could take that would help me relax enough to fall asleep. After hours of turning restlessly, I finally gave up and left my room, telling myself I only needed water, but really, I couldn’t stay still. I needed to move, to see something beyond the four walls that felt like they were closing in around me.

Most of the hallways were empty this time, and I wondered if some of the guards had retired back to the pack house. It seemed there were only a few left around the mansion now.

As I passed a certain corridor, I caught voices. Two guards, speaking in hushed, hurried tones near the stairwell.

“…the girl who ruined the plan,” one hissed.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” the other replied. “Now everything’s practically falling apart.”

I froze, my hand still on the wall, and my heart pounded so loud I was sure they’d hear it.

Were they talking about me? Or someone else? Was this about what happened earlier today?

I tried to shift closer, hoping to get a look at their faces even if it was just a glimpse. But then somehow I missed a step, causing me to stumble, and in the process of trying to catch myself before I could faceplant, I ended up straining my injury too hard. I yelped in pain and ended up drawing their attention.

“Who’s there?!” one of the voices called, and panic shot through me. I heard footsteps approaching, and soon two guards appeared around the corner of the hallway. I quickly turned around and forced myself to keep walking with my head down, pretending I hadn’t noticed or heard a thing until I rounded the corner and slipped out of sight.

I could still hear their voices behind me as they whispered to each other, but I didn’t bother to stick around to hear any more. My pulse was still racing when I ducked into a darker hallway, leaning against the cold wall. The girl who ruined the plan. What plan? Who was really behind it? Was Alpha Derek even safe here in his own house?

Before I could think further, a quiet rustle made me look up. At first, I thought it was the guards, maybe they’d finally figured out that I’d overheard their discussion. But then the person came into view, and I let out a sigh of relief. The maid who showed me to the room earlier when I first arrived, stood there, glancing nervously over her shoulder. Without a word, she stepped close and pressed something folded into my hand. “From Maila,” she whispered, almost too softly to hear. “Please don’t tell anyone. I’ll get in trouble for sneaking things into the mansion.” Then, with that, she hurried off before I could say anything.

My brow furrowed as I unfolded the note, reading by the dim light of the hallway.

'Avery,

I hope you’re okay. I heard rumors. People think you were part of the attack, and I think Alpha Derek is keeping you close because he might be starting to believe them. Be careful. Don’t do anything to make him doubt you more. And… I think someone important is helping the rogues. I don’t know who, but I have a feeling this is more serious than we thought. Please, be careful. I’ll find a way to see you tomorrow morning.

Maila'

I gripped the paper, feeling a mix of worry and gratitude twist in my chest. Why was Maila risking herself for me—a girl she barely knew? Wasn’t it questionable? Could I really even trust her? Or did she have her own reasons for wanting to warn me?

I sighed. Why does this pack come with so many mysteries?

Footsteps echoed nearby, and I quickly slipped the note into my pocket, forcing myself to breathe evenly.

I turned to head back to my room, but then voices drifted from the next hallway. Two female Omegas speaking low, as though they too were afraid of being overheard.

“They still haven’t found the man with the hawk’s claw crest,” one whispered.

“And the warriors who went after him?” the other asked.

“Dead,” the first answered, her voice trembling. “All of them, found dead under strange circumstances.”

A chill ran down my spine, sinking deep into my bones. Strange circumstances. What did that mean? And why did it sound like the walls around me were suddenly closing in tighter with every word I overheard?

I stepped back, pressing myself against the cold walls. The mansion felt like a golden cage, grand and polished on the outside, but hiding secrets in every shadow.

Somewhere in this same house, Alpha Derek was probably awake too. I thought of the look in his eyes earlier, the look he’d given me like he wanted to see what lay behind my words. Did he really believe the rumors? Was that why he was keeping me close—to watch me? Or was it truly for my protection, like he’d claimed?

I didn’t know. And that not knowing scared me more than anything else.

Holding my breath, I finally slipped back to my room. My hand brushed over the bandage at my side—a reminder of how close I’d come to dying today. And yet, somehow, it wasn’t the chandelier that haunted me most now. It was everything happening behind closed doors. The guards’ words. The missing man. The dead warriors. Maila’s warning. What kind of pack is this anyway?

I sank onto the edge of my bed, staring at the door as if expecting someone to barge in. My thoughts were racing a thousand miles per hour. What plan were the guards talking about? Who was part of it? And… how did I manage to get caught up in all of this?

I sighed.

One thing was clear though, danger wasn’t outside these walls. It was here, inside, wrapped in whispers and shadows. And whether I liked it or not, I was caught right in the middle.

Whatever tomorrow brought, I had to be ready. Because at this point, there was no escaping this.