Luna Reborn

Maya's POV. "I keep telling myself that I'm tired of my life. Every time I start to trust someone, they end up betraying me. I don't understand why the Moon Goddess is so cruel to me. I haven't done anything wrong, yet I seem to suffer all the time. I can't even remember the last time I left my room. I can't accept what my life has become. My trance was interrupted by a knock at the door. Martha asked in a soft voice, "Can I come in, Luna? I brought you some food." Martha has been with me for almost two years, assigned to me on the day I became Luna. "I'm no longer your Luna. You should take the food away. I'm not hungry," I replied. Martha knew better than to ask twice. She could sense what I was feeling and quietly left. Two years ago, when I was crowned Luna of the Crest Moon Pack, I thought I was the happiest wolf in the world. But that happiness faded with each passing day. Everything I was told was a lie. Nathan, my husband, had pursued me for more than a year before finally asking me to be his chosen mate. I wasn't sure if I wanted that, given my past experience with men. But seeing his efforts melted my heart. He was to be the Alpha in his pack after he found his Luna. Crest Moon Pack was a small pack back then, and I wasn't looking for money or comfort. All I wanted was a mate who cared for me and loved me as much as I loved him. Little did I know that all of this would be a luxury I could never afford. It all started the day after the Luna ceremony, when I began to assume my duties. Even though the pack was small, they were proud of their lineage, and the elders had many expectations of their new Luna. The first thing I noticed was their dislike towards my human parents. I am adopted and do not know my birth parents or pack. I was left at a human orphanage where my parents adopted me. The elders would constantly criticize my parents and find silly excuses to prevent me from seeing them. I took it politely, but it became unbearable when they started doing petty things to keep me away. I was still convinced this was fine, as long as I had Nathan. But that was only an illusion. The moment we stepped into the pack house, Nathan changed. He was no longer the sweet man I knew. He would order me around to cook, do his laundry, and clean up after him - things any Omega could do. But for him, it had to be his Luna, and I was perfectly fine with it. For months, I managed the household work and my Luna duties. I believe my efforts were starting to show. Our pack was no longer suffering, and I was bringing in the funds we needed. But all it took was a single mistake or a few words from his elders for him to lash out at me. By the time I realized that I was just being used, and that perhaps the only reason Nathan had asked me to be his Luna was for my abilities, it was too late. I was trapped and didn't know what to do. I didn't have the strength to reject him. The constant emotional abuse and blackmailing were taking a toll on me. The last straw was when he raised his hand to slap me. That was when I knew it was over. As the months passed, I began to notice Nathan spending more time texting with another woman. When I questioned him about it, he grew defensive and irritable, insisting that they were just friends and he was only trying to help her out. But as it turned out, I should have trusted my instincts and left him then and there. Instead, I endured the pain, trying to keep the pack running as the Luna, despite having no real authority. It all came to a head when Nathan decided to bring this other woman into our pack. I couldn't take it anymore. I locked myself in my room, hoping that someone would notice and care enough to check on me. But no one did. It wasn't until a month later that Nathan came knocking at my door, his voice muffled through the wood. "Maya, can you please open the door? I need to tell you something," he said. But I couldn't bring myself to face him. I stayed silent, hoping he would just go away. "Fine," he said with a sigh. "If this is how you want it to be, then so be it. I'll be marrying Sandra next month. I hope you understand." My heart sank at his words. I had known all along that this was coming, but hearing him say it out loud still hurt. "There's nothing wrong with you, Maya," he continued. "I promise. You've done so much for this pack, and I'll be forever grateful to you. But we both know that this is over. I've come to love Sandra over time, and I can't keep pretending that I don't." I took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to speak, "Fine." The words felt heavy and strained as they left my lips. I could feel the tension between us, palpable and thick like a fog. And then, it happened. I snapped. "I, Maya Williams, reject Alpha Nathan Silvian of the Crest Moon Pack. Now, accept my rejection and be gone," I declared, my voice firm and unwavering. The weight of my words hung in the air as he stood there. I could hear him howling in pain, and it made me wince, but I didn't back down. He managed to force out the words, "I accept," before slowly turning to walk away. It's been five hours since I rejected my mate, and I still can't believe what I've done. The pain is too much to bear. I feel like a part of me has been ripped away, leaving me feeling empty and hollow inside. Should I continue living, or should I just die? I don't even know how to live anymore. I got dressed in a white night dress and, without a second thought, I walked out of my room, out of my pack, into the dark, cold night. I walked barefoot, the rough ground cutting into my skin until my legs were bleeding, but I didn't stop. Not until I find what I need to do with my life. As if pulled by some unseen force, I walked towards the cliffs. The waves crashed against the rocks, and the cold breeze brushed my cheeks. I stood at the edge of the cliff, staring into the big, blue moon. I could feel the pull of the void, calling to me, enticing me to let go. And so I did. I let go and plunged into the deep depths of the ocean. I jolted awake, my eyes adjusting to the morning light streaming through my window. The sound of birds chirping filled my ears, and the knocking on my door grew louder and more frantic. Martha was calling out to me. "Lady Maya, please open the door. It's your Luna ceremony today and we don't want to be late, please let me in." My mind was a jumbled mess. Luna ceremony? Was I dreaming? Questions raced through my head as I tried to make sense of what was happening. And then, it hit me - I had gone back in time. Perhaps the moon goddess pitied me, to give me a chance to re-write my life. This means I am 25 years old right now. As I stepped off my bed and opened the door, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. It was like I was transported back in time to a different era, a time when things were simpler, and life was full of hope and possibilities. The sound of Martha's voice brought me back to reality. "Lady Maya, are you okay? You seem a bit disoriented," she said, her face etched with worry. "I'm fine, Martha. I just had a strange dream, that's all. But I'm ready for the ceremony," I said, trying to sound confident. Martha nodded and handed me my dress. As I changed, I could feel the weight of the past pressing down on me. I had to do something, but I didn't know what. I couldn't let history repeat itself. I couldn't let Nathan break my heart again. I suddenly felt a surge of relief as I heard Kiara's voice in my mind. It had been so long since I last heard my wolf speak. Kiara's words were like a balm to my soul, and I felt a newfound strength and determination. As Maria worked on my makeup, I stared into the mirror and locked eyes with my wolf's glowing blue gaze. Kiara's presence gave me a sense of calm and reassurance. But Kiara's words were not all comforting. I couldn't deny the truth in what my wolf was saying. She had known all along that Nathan was not the right mate for us, but I went along with the union anyway. I had let my fear of being alone and my disbelief in finding a true mate cloud my judgement. I could see my eyes shine with determination as I spoke my promise to Kiara. "I will not disappoint you again," I spoke out in my mind, my voice filled with a steely resolve. "I don't know if we have a true mate out there, but I do not care. What I need is not a mate, but my freedom and independence. I refuse to settle for anything less." I threw away the purple gown. If I am going to reject him, I shall do so looking like a queen. "My Lady, is everything alright?" I could see the worried look on Martha's face. "Oh, don't worry Martha. Thank you for asking, but things couldn't be any better. Can you please get me the red gown that I had initially chosen for the ceremony?" Maria looked confused. "Didn't the elders say it wasn't appropriate? Are you sure?" she asked. "I am more than sure." I got dressed and climbed down the stairs. From the looks I received, I knew that I looked good. I gently smiled at everyone and walked through the hall towards the entrance of the pack house. As I walked, I couldn't help but think about everything that had happened. How my stubbornness almost cost me my happiness, and how my willingness to let go had brought it back. I felt grateful for Kiara's forgiveness and proud of myself for taking the initiative to make things right. As I stepped outside, I took a deep breath of the fresh air and let out a sigh of relief. It was a beautiful day, and the sun shone brightly in the sky. I made my way towards the ceremony area. It was when I saw a familiar figure walk right past me that I stopped. "Sandra!" I voiced out, and the figure froze. She turned back to me, and she looked as if she had seen a ghost. Her voice was trembling, and she quietly asked, "Greetings, Luna. You know me?" It all made sense. Nathan knew Sandra from the beginning. While it still stung a little knowing he had betrayed me, it was a godsend. This was my chance. All I needed to do was expose this disgusting couple for who they are, and I'd be free! "Oh, sorry if I surprised you. Well, in fact, I do know you. Nathan has mentioned you quite a few times," I said. She looked surprised. "He did?" I remembered from my past life that Nathan told me he met her when he went to visit another pack. "You are from the Silver Plane pack, if I am not mistaken? And please don't call me Luna. The ceremony has yet to begin. Call me Maya for now." She looked at me in disbelief and innocently replied, "Sure, Maya." If I had not seen through her intentions previously, I would have fallen for her tricks. "Well, I am heading towards the ceremony. Nathan must be waiting. Would you like to join me?" She hesitantly nodded her head and followed me towards the ceremony area. As we walked towards the ceremony, I noticed that Nathan and most of the guests had already arrived and taken their seats. I could see Nathan's smile turn into horror as he caught sight of Sandra and me approaching him. Drops of sweat formed on his forehead. "Nathan, are you alright?" I teased, unable to resist. He nervously glanced at the crowd, then back at me, and managed a weak smile. "Yes, my darling. How could I not be? It's your Luna ceremony today, and we'll officially be mates from today." As he said this, I noticed a frown form on Sandra's forehead. I never understood why he didn't just make her his Luna instead, sparing me the misery I had gone through. "Oh, lovely. I met Sandra on the way and brought her along," I said, trying to keep a straight face as I watched Nathan squirm. Nathan looked tense as he asked me, "How do you know Sandra?" Sandra looked surprised and foolishly asked, "Didn't you say that Nathan told you about me?" I took a leap of faith, and it worked just as I had expected. Sandra started to panic as Nathan looked at her angrily. I teased Nathan, "So you guys still won't come clean?" I had been waiting for either Nathan or Sandra to finally break. "What are you talking about?" Nathan asked, pretending as if nothing was wrong. I didn't think I could keep bluffing for long. Nathan was cunning, but Sandra was stupid. I took another leap of faith and asked Nathan, "Do you want me to make a show out of this and make it public in front of everyone, or do you want to come clean and let me go?" I could see Nathan panicking. "Come on Baby, there's nothing like what you are thinking. Sandra and I are just friends". But I looked at him straight in the eyes, and he saw right then and there that I was done. I could see his eyes turn red as he asked, "But who would believe you?" I gave out a chuckle and asked him, "Do you think I would come at you without any evidence?" I could finally see through the facade of this man. Why wasn't he letting me go? It didn't make sense. Nathan's face turned pale, and he turned around to beg me. "Please Maya, you know I love you. She was just another woman to me. It's you who I love. Please let's go ahead with the Luna ceremony. It's our engagement tomorrow. Let's not end things like this." I didn't know what this man had to gain by marrying me. In my past life, we weren't divorced when I rejected him. Everything I owned would belong to him, but it's not like I had anything special. My human parents weren't rich, and I was providing for them instead. It didn't make any sense. What did he have to gain? This was a question for another time. I had to push forward, I had to get him to cancel this ceremony. Engagement my ass. I'd never let myself down with this scumbag and his stupid girlfriend.