The Alpha's Rejected Luna

Chapter 7: Vanessa’s Fury

The first morning after meeting the elders felt like an eternity. The heavy weight of their warnings still lingered in the back of my mind, casting a shadow over every moment. I wasn’t sure what I was more afraid of—the untapped power inside me or the reality of being in the Midnight Crest Pack, a place where I still felt like a complete stranger.

But nothing prepared me for what was waiting for me when I stepped out into the courtyard that morning.

The sun was still low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the pack's sprawling grounds. The air was crisp, the sounds of wolves going about their business filling the space. But my eyes immediately caught her—the woman who had been silently observing me from a distance since my arrival.

Vanessa.

She stood at the edge of the courtyard, her posture straight and confident, eyes like daggers aimed directly at me. She was breathtaking, as always. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders in waves, her eyes a striking shade of amber that seemed to glow in the morning light. She was beautiful, powerful, and poised—everything I wasn’t.

And she was Lucian’s chosen mate.

My heart clenched at the thought, though I wasn’t sure if it was jealousy or fear that caused the pain in my chest. Lucian had made it clear that I was his mate, yet the tension in the air whenever Vanessa was near made it impossible to ignore the complicated web we were all tangled in.

As I made my way toward the main house, Vanessa’s gaze followed me, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in every step I took. Her lips twisted into a smile, but it was anything but kind. I felt her presence like a looming storm cloud, ready to unleash its fury.

“Ah, Sera,” her voice floated through the air, light and mocking. “I see you’re up early. I suppose you’re trying to impress him?”

I froze in my tracks, her words like ice water splashed across my back. My throat tightened, and for a brief moment, I considered turning and walking away, avoiding the confrontation. But something inside me refused to shrink back.

“I’m not here to impress anyone,” I replied, my voice quieter than I wanted it to be, but still steady. “I’m just trying to find my way.”

Her laugh was soft, like a breeze before a thunderstorm. “Find your way?” she repeated, taking a few slow steps toward me. Her heels clicked against the cobblestone path, and every sound seemed to echo in the stillness of the morning. “Oh, sweetheart, I think you’ve already found your place. At Lucian’s side. But don’t get too comfortable.”

I stiffened, not sure what to make of her words. I knew she had been Lucian’s chosen mate before I arrived—before any of this had happened. But something in her tone, the cold edge to her voice, sent a chill down my spine. I had no idea how deep her anger ran, but I could feel it now, thick and palpable.

Vanessa stopped just in front of me, her gaze sweeping over me, as if she were inspecting a piece of furniture she no longer wanted. “You think you’ve won, don’t you? That Lucian will just cast me aside for you. But you don’t know him like I do. You don’t know how things work here.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but she cut me off, her words sharp as a blade.

“Lucian is a powerful Alpha. He doesn’t just choose anyone to be his mate. He chose me because I’m strong, because I can help lead this pack.” She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a low, venomous whisper. “And I’m not going anywhere. So if you think you can waltz in here and take my place... You’re sorely mistaken.”

The tension between us crackled, thick and suffocating. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, the anger boiling just beneath the surface. Part of me wanted to retaliate, to say something that would make her understand I wasn’t going to back down. But the other part of me—the part that had been beaten down for so long—was afraid. Afraid that I didn’t belong here, afraid that she was right.

“I’m not trying to take anything from you,” I finally said, my voice tight. “But if you think I’m going to let you intimidate me, you’re wrong.”

Vanessa’s smile widened, though it didn’t reach her eyes. It was the smile of a predator who had just cornered its prey. “Oh, I’m not trying to intimidate you, Sera. I’m simply making sure you understand your place here. And if you think Lucian is going to protect you from me... Well, you’ve got another thing coming.”

Before I could respond, she turned on her heel and walked away, her movements fluid and graceful, like a predator in her element. I watched her go, my heart pounding in my chest, my hands trembling at my sides.

I didn’t know what kind of war I had just walked into, but I could feel the storm brewing. Vanessa was not going to make this easy.

I turned to head back inside, my mind racing. But as I entered the building, I ran right into Lucian.

His eyes softened when he saw me, and for a moment, I felt the warmth of his presence like a shield, pushing back the uncertainty that had crept into my chest. “Sera,” he said gently. “Are you all right?”

I nodded, but the weight of Vanessa’s words still hung heavy in the air between us. “I’m fine,” I said, though it was a lie. “Just... adjusting.”

Lucian seemed to sense the tension in my voice, and his expression turned serious. “What did she say to you?”

I hesitated for a moment, then shook my head. “Nothing important. Just... reminding me that she’s still the one who’s supposed to be by your side.”

He looked at me for a long moment, his jaw tightening. “Sera, I—”

But before he could finish, a voice interrupted from the doorway.

“Lucian.” It was Vanessa. Her voice was smooth and controlled, but I could hear the underlying edge of irritation. She stood there, leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed over her chest. “I was looking for you.”

Lucian’s expression hardened slightly, but he gave her a polite nod. “I’ll be right there, Vanessa.”

Vanessa’s gaze flickered to me, a small smirk playing on her lips. “I hope you’re not too comfortable here, Sera,” she said, her words sweet but dripping with malice. “I’m sure you’ll get used to being an outsider. I know how hard it can be.”

Her words were a thinly veiled threat, and as she turned and walked away, I felt a cold shiver run down my spine.

As Vanessa disappeared into the distance, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. She would make good on her threat. She would make my life a living nightmare. And I had no idea how I was going to survive it.