The Hidden Identity Of Luna

One month later

Aurora's POV

It’s been a month since Jack rejected me but saying the past 30 days have been easy would be a bloody lie. Without my wolf, I've been feeling empty and Jack has done everything to torment me just because I refused to be his mistress, because I refused to submit to his whims and commands. I hurt his ego and I must face the punishment. I was so blinded by love that I never saw how ruthless he really was. How could someone change so quickly?

To make matters worse, he is said to announce his Luna this evening at a party. The entire village is expected to come, meaning all the residents of Moonlit Isles are going to be in attendance. I'll have to watch that man claim his Luna, and feel everyone else trying not to watch me. I don't blame them, it was meant to be me, I was meant to be his but now, I will be no one of importance to them after this.

For generations, it has been precedent in our pack that Alpha’s were allowed to reject their first mate if they felt she wasn't fit to be a Luna. It was rare but very possible and they would cleanse themselves of every relationship they had with their previous mate then find a new one. The advantage was that the kingdom would have a worthy Luna but the only disadvantage was that even though he married his Luna, was attracted and maybe still fell in love with her, his heart would still be with his original mate unless his mate dies or denounces him at a sacred ceremony. Of course I didn't want Jack back but that ceremony is never happening because of how difficult the whole process would be for me.

“Are you okay?” Stacey asks, looking concerned, which brings me out of my thoughts. I forced a smile, “I am fine Stacey, just tired from selling things at the market”. She gives me a knowing smile. “It's fine if you call in sick tonight and not go for the announcement. Stay home, I'll cover for you”. I shake my head, “No, I'll go, don't worry”. I stand up to get a glass of water. “If you are going then I need to talk to you about something before you go, it's really important and you have to promise not to get mad.”

I turn to look at her. “I'm sure it's not that bad. We'll talk about it after the announcement. I need to rest right now.” She looked at me like she was about to say something but when she didn't, I told her I was going to sleep.

Sleep didn't come easy though. I tossed and turned in my bed, loathing the event about to come. It's not like I did not want to go – I just do not want to look weak by avoiding the inevitable. There were whispers already; If I did not go, it would not look good for me.

“Fine Alpha Jack, If I am so replaceable, I'd like to see who you chose in my stead”, I say aloud to no one in particular, “And finally close that chapter of my life and try to start afresh,” I thought to myself with a sigh. I might even leave Moonlit Isles and discover myself in a new pack. Moonlit Isle was one of many Isle’s in our kingdom. We had four Isles which belonged to werewolves and all four isles which belonged to wolves. These four Isles made up the wolf kingdom.

These isles were Moonlit Isle, Blood Moon Isle, Southern Isle and Northern Isle. Most wolves didn't go outside these four Isles because beyond the wolf kingdom territory were Vampires, Fae, Witches and many more creatures who lurked and belonged to no one territory. We called them Rogue creatures. They were creatures who were either cast out by their people or who left of their own accord and refused to associate with any other. They were hired as mercenaries and were the only ones fearless enough to cross into territories of other creatures. No one dared to enter other creatures' territories. We stuck to ourselves and did not mingle. I wanted to explore the other werewolf Isles though.

I wake up feeling a little better. I yawned and stretched my limbs a bit. I decided to check with my wolf and nothing, I still felt her absence. A quick glance at the clock tells me that there's still about an hour to the announcement so I decide to use that time getting ready and preparing my mind for the worst. People started treating me differently after Jack rejected me, he was the only reason most of them pretended to like me but now he isn't with me, I have no protection.

I look at my outfit and feel satisfied, my hair flowing freely and touching my lower back. The gown was one Stacey had made for me for my birthday. It was long and fitted with flower embroidery making me look like a goddess of nature. I had only worn it once and decided why not wear it again, trying to cling to the happy memories this dress brought me and strap them on as armour to the battle field. My makeup made me look even more beautiful in a dark haunting way. I looked dazzling on one of the worst days of my life. I definitely notice the irony and it was not lost on me

I end up taking the long route to get to the palace. Me deciding to go didn't mean I wanted to be there on time. Besides, punctuality wasn't my best quality. I get to the palace and see people rushing in. Everyone dressed in their best attire and I walked towards the common room.

When I arrived the palace common room was full of werewolves eager to hear the alpha's announcement, some people ignored me, others gave me sympathetic glances while the rest looked at me with disdain. I didn't let it get to me, I was used to this already. No-one can make me feel less of myself except me.

The Common room was massive. Everywhere looked like a work of art, the ceiling was high and painted a royal shade of blue. Chandeliers hung at different intervals with light bouncing off the crystals, giving the room an Otherworldly feel. Paintings of previous Alphas lined the wall, and the room boasted a food buffet table with servants going up and down. Everything was so extravagant.

My mother used to work here, I used to live here. I remember growing up with my mum, being maltreated for not knowing why her mate abandoned her, and yet, she protected me from all the insults. Jack and I would play outside on days when he didn't have battle practice and we became inseparable. He insisted I live in the palace instead of the servant quarters and as the future alpha, everyone listened. I was treated like a princess even though most of the servants didn't approve, my mother got the respect she deserved and I thank the moon goddess she died before she could see the way things turned out.

Loud cheerful music was played by the village's band, people drinking, dancing and having fun. My pack loved an opportunity to party and get drunk so at this moment, people didn’t notice me. I was insignificant, I was just another face in the sea of masks and formal attires and it felt peaceful – then the alpha arrived. The room fell silent for a second before all subjects were bowing and howling for their leader.

He walked in with his usual arrogant poise, a swagger in his steps. He smiled, dressed in one of his finest attires. Jack, as an alpha was of course, extremely tall with broad shoulders. He was a big man and towered over most of the werewolves, he was also painfully handsome with defined cheekbones and full lips; he was, simply put, male perfection. He looked round his subjects, raising his hand to silence everyone before he spoke, addressing them. Our eyes met and his gaze was cold before he looked away and began his speech with authority.

“Welcome everyone to the ceremony where I announce my Luna. I am sure you all have been waiting for this moment most especially after I realised my first lover was less than worthy”, he shot me a dirty look but when I matched his gaze without cowering, he looked away and continued, “My new gem is the best in the land. We will coronate her in a fortnight but before then, she is to be treated like a queen, respected by all. Anyone who disobeys her will die” he pauses to add suspense then continues, “Luna Stacey Woods please come forth.” I watch Stacey walk up to Jack smiling, then take a bow. “Come, my Luna”, Jack acknowledges her and beckons her forward. Rising from the position, she appears bashful and shy, tucking her hair behind her ear. She walks to him and takes her place at his side, staring up at him with adoration in her eyes as she stands by his side.

Of all the women he could have, it had to be my best friend? It was a nightmare, I wanted to disappear. With that ringing in my head and my heart beating at a million miles per second, I ran out of the common room, needing an escape. I imagined him smiling and feeling victorious. How could she? This betrayal is too much. I don't deserve all this. How did things go so south?

I run without any real direction, my legs move on their own accord. After running for the moon goddess knows how long, I find myself close to a dead end. Breathing heavily from running for so long, I notice that the only way out is going back or jumping off a cliff. My life is pathetic but I definitely don't want to kill myself as tempting as that is right now so, I sit there and cry out all the frustration I have gathered. This will be the last time I shed tears for that bastard and his Luna. I hate them all. I will make everyone pay for doing this to me, I don't know where I'd start from.

“Aurora, where are you?” A voice says. It sounded like Stacey so I ignored, I definitely didn't want to see her right now. I'm not sure if I'd be able to control myself.

But because these days my luck has been rubbish since Jack rejected me, I look behind me and see Stacey. “Please leave now”, I plead with her, barely restraining myself from doing something that'll land me in big trouble.

“Aurora please I need you to listen” she moves closer trying to touch me but I slap her hand. “You have one minute to explain this whole mess but I do not forgive you either way” she winces as if I hit her. I should, no one is here so Jack won't have any evidence against me but I'm not ready to risk it.

“I have loved Jack for a long time but I could not tell you because I did not want to betray you. You had an alpha who could protect you and keep you happy but I had no one Aurora, you need to understand that I did what I had to. He could never marry you and even when he was blindly in love with you. He knew no one would accept a bastard as a Luna. You are too stubborn to submit to him and I am perfect for him” she said it so calmly, it felt like she was another person, the Stacey I knew would never do that. She was meant to be my best friend.

“Our friendship has all been a lie?” I say fighting the urge to attack her. “Of course not, but I am tired of being compared to you. Aurora is the most beautiful in Moonlit isle, Aurora is with an alpha, Aurora this or Aurora that. I have held back all this anger to finally have everything I have ever wanted”

“How long has this been going on?” I ask, wanting to know when this all started. She smiles then answers “Oh well, it's been years. It took me so long to make Jack realise you weren't worthy. He finally realised you weren't good enough”

My hands move on their own accord, and before I realise what I had done, I see Aurora on the floor touching her face. I slapped her and I didn't regret it “You ungrateful brat. This is why I hate you!” She screams, pushing me. I manage to keep my balance, but the gown she made rips at the shoulder, a sound that I know ripped into our friendship too, one that unlike the dress, can never be fixed. I scream and reach out, grabbing her hair and pulling. We both push and pull each other but then I lose my balance and fall over the cliff. Is this really how I'm going to die? Is this how it'll end? People will remember me as the bastard girl who lost everything.