Moon Vessel: His Rejection, Her Rise!

3

Aurelia's POV

..

2 days later,

Since I was no longer Luna, I was no longer entitled to the privileges of that rank. By my ex-mate’s orders, I packed the few things I was allowed to take, including a blanket. Then a bald, burly, tall, mean-looking guard delivered me to the servants' quarters.

The pain of rejection hadn’t completely dulled yet. With not even a bench in sight, I could only lean my back against the wall, letting my bag’s handle slip from my fingers.

Before long, several servants came to watch me. A bunch of them seemed glad about my dethronement, and they didn’t even bother to hide it.

“Oh, how the mighty have fallen!” a chubby one said in my hearing, eyes glinting with mockery.

I ignored her, choosing to look elsewhere while internally praying for the head maid to arrive sooner.

“You think ignoring me will change things? Ha, keep dreaming, you lowlife,” she gloated.

Others decided to join in.

“You f*****g occupied that position for too long. 5 years of wasting the alpha’s efforts and pack resources. Now, you’re finally where you belong.”

“I’m so happy the goddess chose Selene. She’s bound to bear our king many pups. Not like you, utter trash.”

“You used to be so proud. Thinking you’d remain queen forever. When you can’t even boast of a miscarriage with that jinxed birthmark you carry. ”

I set my jaw, resisting the urge to clutch at my chest that seemed to ache even more than before.

After several more minutes spent mocking me, the small crowd had to disperse to go attend to their various duties lest they’d risk punishment.

Now that it was finally quiet, I clutched my chest, wiping off a tear that had rolled down my cheek.

When would this damned pain fade completely?

I’ve long known that the higher-ranked one’s wolf is, the shorter the days of agony associated with rejection. For me, who couldn’t even shift to begin with, only the Goddess knows how long I’d have to endure this.

…

It took almost two hours before the head maid, Natasha Brown, arrived. She was a ravenette in her early forties and had a resting frowning face, just like Elder Aaron.

I stopped squatting and greeted her, but she ignored my greetings. I picked up my bag and followed her silently. She eventually brought me to a room at the far end, filled with dust and cobwebs.

“This is your dwelling from today, Aurelia. Since you just came, you’ll be spared until tomorrow morning. Be sure to behave, or I’ll make your life a living hell,” she warned me before leaving quickly while barking orders.

I soon set out to clean my new home. It wasn’t easy, but I finished around evening. I was dog-tired, in pain and famished. I went to the pack cafeteria, lining up to get dinner.

I had been waiting patiently, but right before my turn, a group of four ladies bypassed everyone and claimed the spot ahead of me.

“Hey, this…”

"Zip it," the girl directly in front of me hissed. Her eyes flashed silver as she added, "Unless you’re volunteering for a broken arm."

Being in no position to rock the boat, I could only swallow and ultimately lower my gaze. Ingesting the bitter pill of injustice was what I could do. For now.

“That’s what I thought,” she said, scoffing before turning around.

When it was finally my turn, all I got was watery white porridge and two fish eyeballs for ‘protein’.

It was barely enough. But it was no use pleading for something better. Not when the one in charge already gestured for me to leave with a mean look.

I could only suspire and go find some corner to sit in. No one bothered to come keep me company. Now and then, there would be mocking remarks made to my hearing. I chose to ignore it and quickly finished the contents of my bowl, except the so-called ‘protein’.

Then I retired to my room, staring at the roof while seated on the old, creaky bed.

“Goddess, was I a gross sinner in my past life? If I was, could you please forgive me and let me be happy for once?” I muttered, tears rolling down my cheeks.

A knock on the door some minutes later drew my attention. I quickly wiped my tears and went to answer the door.

It was a slim maid with short wavy hair. She looked to be about 16 or 17 years old. “Hi, Aurelia. I just wanted to give you these,” she said softly, handing me two apples. “I saw you didn’t get to eat anything substantial earlier.”

I smiled. “Thank you. I really appreciate this.”

“You’re welcome. By the way, I’m Jenna. Jenna Goldensnow,” she introduced with a bright smile.

“Good to know you, Jenna.”

“I’ll be off. Take care. Be sure to wake up on time tomorrow.” With that, she practically skipped away, stopping to wave at me once she got to the bend ahead.

I waved at her back, smilingly and then she disappeared from my line of sight.

My attention went to the fruits in my palms.

It seemed I wouldn’t be starving tonight.