Moon Vessel: His Rejection, Her Rise!

Aurelia's POV ... Tonight was the night of the Blood Moon Festival. It was meant to celebrate fertility, strength, and prosperity. On the elevated golden platform in the prodigious Ancestral Ceremony Hall, I was on my Alpha mate's left, elegantly perched in the designated seat marking my status. Below us were hundreds of pack members mingling excitedly, with many breaking into soft laughter every so often. While most busied themselves with the event, some seemed to have made me their sole focus, and their gaze carried poorly concealed disdain. My head tilted down a little, unwelcome musings laying siege to my mind. Underneath the long, flowing sleeves of my high-collared and floor-length silver gown, my fingers were clasped nervously. "Lift your chin, Aurelia," my mate, Kael, muttered beside me without looking my way. "They're watching." He added. "Yes, your majesty," I answered softly, pushing through the obedience despite the growing unease in my gut. --- The most important rite of the festival had already been conducted by my mate and me. Now, the celebration was in full swing. Soul-stirring songs of the Ancient Moon echoed through the hall. Pack members socialised, making merry with food, drinks and dance, their laughter no longer restrained. My mate had been called away by Beta Matthew for some crucial issue that demanded his immediate attention. It was a great time to fraternise, but no one bothered to even come up and strike up some small talk with me. I just stood there on the platform, close to the stairs, hands clasped in front of me, watching. Deep inside, I yearned to belong. To be accepted. Even if for a fleeting moment.. A defeated sigh soon escaped. Nothing’s changed; they still treat me like air. I spun on my heel, wanting to surrender to my seat. Just then, a sweet, feminine voice drew my attention. "Luna Aurelia!" A cute little girl with blonde hair held up in two pigtails excitedly scaled up the stairs, holding a small basket containing Moon lilies. She looked no older than six. "You're beautiful, like this flower," the girl said brightly while offering a flower from the basket. For the first time since the festival began, I smiled. I lowered my torso as I received the flower from the little sweetheart. "Thank you, dear," I said softly. The child then reached her little hands upward, smiling excitedly. "Please, carry me." This was the first time this had ever happened in all the years I was Pack Luna. This tiny, warm gesture made me teary-eyed, but I couldn't afford to portray vulnerability in front of the crowd. Still, I obliged with the child's request, carrying her on my left arm with the child still holding the basket of flowers in her left hand. "Luna Aurelia, could you please hold it for me?" the child requested, referring to her basket. "Of course, my dear," I said smilingly. But moments after that was done, the child mischievously tugged at the left side of my outfit's high collar, and the fabric slipped to reveal what I've been desperately trying to hide. A birthmark. Dark, jagged and stretching across my pale skin like a shattered ink beneath my collarbone. The little girl's eyes widened, and the next thing, she pursed her trembling lips, tears already pooling in her eyes. Damn, she was going to cry. I needed to comfort her. But before I could attempt soothing her, she blurted with a whey-faced expression. "Scary." I didn't take her remark to heart, flashing a warm smile that she didn't seem to appreciate. "No, dear..." "Put me down. Put me down!!" the child demanded, two rivers of tears streaming down her cheeks. "Mommy, save me!" Her cries drew the attention of the pack members. I helplessly let go of the crying girl, and the latter rushed down the stairs frantically, not even bothering to ask for her forgotten basket of flowers. Her mother rushed forward immediately to pick the child up into her arms, soothing her and then glaring at me as though I carried bad luck. But she didn't maintain that gaze for long. "I am sorry, my Luna," the woman said with a fake-polite tone after getting back to the 'safety' of the crowd, standing in the front row. "My child didn't mean to do that..." She knew what she was doing. "Why are you apologising, Iris? She’s at fault for scaring Larissa. She ought to be the one tendering apologies, not you,” said the frowning pregnant redhead standing close to her. "Yeah. To think our Alpha is stuck with someone like her.” Someone else supported, intentionally raising their voice. “He deserves way better.” “I am really worried about the pack's future at this point.” My throat tightened as my fingers darted to the collar, awkwardly tugging it back into place. Without a word, I returned to my seat. As the murmurs increased, I swallowed, willing back tears and setting my jaw. I wish this damned event would just end sooner. Kael returned just at this moment. Accompanying him was the High Elder—Aaron Blade—who had a habitual frown on his face with his hands behind his back. Both men ascended the ceremonial stairs together, and Kael sat on the seat designated for only him, his expression unreadable. All the murmurs died down by a notch; even the music paused. I tried to look calm, but beneath my sleeves, my fingers dug into the fabric of my dress, clutching it. The bad feeling in the pit of my gut grew even stronger now. When the hall was completely quiet, Elder Aaron began addressing the crowd for a while. Then he turned to face the Alpha, his expression grave. "Your Majesty, there has been serious concern among the Council," he announced, turning to briefly land his gaze on me before continuing, "...regarding the future stability of the Alpha bloodline." My heartbeat slowed. 'No, please. Not now...!' I screamed in my head. Even though my eyes communicated my helpless plea, the Elder chose to turn a blind eye as he faced the crowd below. "It's been...” He lifted his splayed-out left fingers for emphasis: “Five. Good. Years.” Dropping his left hand, he resumed. “Her Majesty is yet to fulfil the most important aspect of her role as the Pack’s Luna. While we don't wish the Alpha ill, we still have to be prepared for the worst. If no heir is conceived before winter, the Council will have to intervene for the good of the Pack." The pack members erupted into murmurs again. Now whey-faced, I bit my lower lip so hard that it almost bled. I turned toward my mate desperately. Things hadn't gotten that bad between us yet. Surely he would stop this...surely, he would say something, anything, in my defence. But my hopes were crushed instantly as Kael only stared ahead with a hard expression, his jaw tight. For the first time since becoming his mate, I felt completely alone beside him. This was his sign that he couldn't bear with me anymore. "Alright, I've heard you, High Elder. Do not ruin the mood," was all my mate could say. The celebration continued. My eyes pooled with tears, but I blinked them back. I couldn't look broken and hopeless in front of the crowd who'd be more than happy to watch. Some minutes later, a pack guard came to the Alpha and whispered something to him. And Kael frittered no time in leaving my side, not a word said. Shortly after, I also chose to slip away from the event quietly. The palace corridors felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just me. I walked quickly, my shoes echoing softly against the polished stone floors as distant music drifted through the walls. Just as I turned down the eastern hallway, excited voices echoed nearby, causing me to slow down my pace. The Council Chamber doors were partially open. Light from inside the room spilt into the corridor. "Oh my, this is nothing but good news. The Moon Goddess has finally answered us," a voice which I was sure belonged to one of the only two female elders, Karia Brettson, said excitedly. Another laughed in relief. "An heir at last." I frowned. An heir? What were they talking about? Brows furrowed in confusion, I stepped closer to the doorway, finally peeking. I saw my mate standing close to Selene Nelsworth, a maid of Omega descent who was also my confidant. Someone I loved and treated like family. Someone I thought understood me. She was seated gracefully in one of the Council chairs, wearing a cream-colored silk dress. The two female elders flanked her, looking at her with unhidden excitement. There were three male elders, including the High Elder, present as well, faces lit with joy as they gazed at the Omega female. One of the two female elders held Selene’s hands carefully. "Such wonderful news," the woman gushed. Selene smiled shyly before lowering her gaze. "Why are you only revealing it now?" I heard Kael ask her. "Your Majesty, I never intended to reveal it this way," Selene replied in a coquettish tone. "You should have done it earlier,” said the High Elder, “If I had known, I wouldn’t have extended the time for that ‘barren one’ to conceive—something that would never happen even if the world were ending." "I… I was…worried about her. She might not take the news very well." Selene replied in a low voice. "Who cares? She is barren, so what right does she have to interfere? As long as the Alpha’s heir is growing in your womb, my dear, there are absolutely no issues," said the second female elder, Leona Krest, with conviction. The world stopped moving for a moment as the words settled deep into my core. I stared blankly. Alpha's heir? Selene was carrying Kael's child? A wave of dizziness hit me, my vision fuzzy. I ended up staggering forward, blowing my cover in an instant. Left elbow arched downward, forearm propped against the doorframe, I shook my head sharply and then strained my eyes as if doing so would return me to my prime state. But it didn’t. Raising my head, I saw that the eyes of everyone in the room were on me. "Oh," Selene placed her hand over her stomach dramatically. "My Luna...I didn't know you were there. Are you alright?” she asked in fake concern. But I didn’t pay her any attention. Instead, I locked gazes with my mate. I made my way to him unaided, my gait slow and unsteady, but I still made it. Finally standing before the Alpha, I asked, my voice choked up, “S-she’s…carrying your child?” He didn’t respond. "I am asking you, Alpha Kael. Is the child yours or not?" "Well…” he shrugged, “I just learned of it today, and believe me, I was going to tell you…eventually." "Look, everything happens for a reason,” said Elder Aaron.”..and I believe the Goddess always does what is right for her people. The pack finally has hope thanks to Selene. If anything, you should be thanking her even.” I let out a bitter chuckle as I pointed at myself, “You want me,” then I pointed to the smug b***h, “… to thank her?!” “Yeah, you should,” Elder Leona chimed in. “She did what you couldn’t do for five whole years, Aurelia." My nails dug into my palms at my sides as I nodded sagely, “I see. So that’s how it is.” Then Selene spoke softly. "I never wanted to hurt you, my lady. It just so happened that I was chosen to carry the Alpha heir." I stared at her for a long moment before laughing weakly under my breath. It wasn't because it was funny, but if I didn't laugh, I might break apart right there. I might...run mad. Without another word, I turned around and started walking away. No one stopped me. Kael didn't come after me either. Moments after exiting the hall, my surroundings blurred.