The Rejected Luna

"Miss Selene..." The dressmaker's voice was barely above a whisper. Selene looked up from the chair she had been sitting on for the past twenty minutes. The shop had been filled with excited laughter only moments ago, but now it was strangely quiet. Every pair of eyes was on her. "I'm sorry," the woman said again, forcing an awkward smile. "Your mother's order only included one gown." Selene blinked. "One?" The dressmaker nodded and turned to the mannequin standing in the middle of the shop. Draped over it was the most beautiful gown Selene had ever seen. The soft silver fabric shimmered beneath the afternoon sunlight, tiny crystals sewn into the bodice sparkling like stars. "It was made for Miss Vivienne." The words settled heavily in the room. Selene stared at the gown for a few seconds before looking around the shop. Several noblewomen stood nearby, pretending not to listen. They failed. One of them covered her mouth as she whispered to the woman beside her. "I told you Helena wouldn't waste money on another dress." The other woman laughed softly. "Would you? That much fabric would cost a fortune." A few people chuckled. Selene understood exactly what they meant. Her fingers tightened around the old handbag resting on her lap. She wanted to leave. She really did. But her feet refused to move. The dressmaker looked uncomfortable. "I'm truly sorry, Miss Selene. Your mother only asked me to make alterations to one dress." "It's alright." Selene forced a smile. "I only came to collect it." She walked toward the mannequin, carefully lifting the expensive gown into her arms. It was surprisingly light. Almost too beautiful to touch. "I hope Miss Vivienne likes it," the dressmaker said. "I'm sure she will." As Selene turned toward the door, another voice stopped her. "Be careful carrying that gown." She looked back. The noblewoman who had laughed earlier smiled sweetly. "It's worth more than everything you're wearing." A few women laughed. "If you stretch the fabric, the dressmaker will have to start all over again." Another woman slowly looked Selene up and down. "And judging by your size... you seem to have a habit of stretching everything you wear." The shop burst into laughter. "It's a good thing Lady Helena didn't waste expensive silk on you," another woman added. "She'd need twice the fabric." "Twice?" someone scoffed. "More like three times." "I almost pity the poor dressmaker." "Imagine Prince Kael standing beside her." The women laughed again. "He'd reject the Moon Goddess herself." "The future Luna should be someone people admire, not someone who blocks the moon." Selene lowered her head and quietly walked out. The moment the door closed behind her, the laughter became louder. She heard every single word. "Poor thing." "I almost felt sorry for her." "I didn't." "Tomorrow is the Moon Festival. Imagine if the Moon Goddess made a mistake and chose her." "Impossible." "The Alpha Prince deserves someone beautiful." "No Alpha wants a Luna everyone whispers about." Selene kept walking. She didn't turn back. She had spent years pretending those words didn't hurt. Today wasn't any different. Or at least... That was what she kept telling herself. The Ashcroft mansion was already crowded when she arrived. Servants rushed in and out carrying flower arrangements while musicians rehearsed near the entrance. Tomorrow night's celebration would be hosted at the Alpha Manor, but many important guests had chosen to stay with noble families across the pack. Her family was one of them. The moment Selene stepped inside, her mother's voice echoed through the hallway. "Where have you been?" Selene carefully placed the dress box on the table. "The dressmaker needed a few more minutes." Helena Ashcroft barely glanced at her. She immediately opened the box and smiled brightly. "Oh, it's perfect." Vivienne hurried downstairs. "Is it finished?" "It is." The sisters stood side by side. One dressed in a simple cream dress she had worn countless times. The other glowing with excitement as Helena held the silver gown against her body. "It fits you perfectly," Helena said. "I haven't even tried it on yet." "I don't need you to. I already know." Vivienne laughed before hugging her mother. "Thank you." "You'll be the most beautiful woman at tomorrow's ceremony." Selene quietly picked up the empty box. No one noticed. She had almost reached the stairs when Helena called her name. "Selene." She turned immediately. "Yes, Mother?" "The dressmaker didn't have anything else?" Selene hesitated. "No." "I thought so." Helena nodded as if the answer didn't matter. "You'll wear your old blue dress tomorrow." Selene looked down at herself. "The one from last year's festival?" "Yes." "It doesn't fit anymore." Helena slowly looked her over before letting out a tired sigh. "I'm not surprised." Selene lowered her eyes. "Mother..." "What?" "Nothing." "I stopped buying gowns for you because it's a waste of money. Every year you need a bigger size. Should I keep paying the dressmaker to add more fabric because you can't control yourself?" The room fell silent. "I can ask her to alter the dress." "Alter it?" Helena laughed without humor. "At this point she'd have to sew two dresses together." A servant accidentally dropped a spoon in the silence. No one moved. Helena stepped closer until Selene could feel everyone's eyes on them. "Look at your sister." Vivienne stood quietly, unable to say a word. "That is what a young lady should look like." Her gaze returned to Selene. "And then there's you." Selene's fingers tightened around the empty box. "I..." "Do you know why I didn't order you a new gown?" Selene couldn't answer. "Because no matter how beautiful the dress is..." Helena's voice turned colder. "...it won't make people stop seeing your weight." The words settled over the room like ice. "And I refuse to waste money trying to cover what everyone can already see." Silence. One of the maids looked away, unable to meet Selene's eyes. Another bit her lip. Helena turned back to Vivienne as though nothing had happened. "Come upstairs." "I want to see the gown on you." The two women walked away together. Selene remained where she was. Still holding the empty box. Still staring at the staircase. As she turned to leave, she heard two young servants whispering behind her. "No wonder Lady Helena never introduces her at gatherings." "Can you blame her?" "If Miss Selene were my daughter, I'd hide her too." Their laughter was quiet. But not quiet enough. A maid passing by gently squeezed Selene's hand for just a second before hurrying away. It was such a small gesture. Yet it almost made Selene cry. She quickly blinked the tears away. Not here. She wouldn't give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her break. Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the back of the house where her tiny bedroom overlooked the gardens. Tomorrow was the Moon Festival. Everyone believed it would be the happiest day of Vivienne's life. Selene believed exactly the same thing. Because some dreams... Were never meant for girls like her.