I Am Not Your Luna Anymore

KATE’S POV “So this is what you’ve been doing behind my back?” Nolan’s voice was terrifyingly calm as he tossed the photographs onto the floor. “Cheating on me?” My heart stopped as my eyes dropped to the pictures on the floor. Confusion coated my face. “W-What?” My lips trembled. “Nolan… what are you talking about?” I rushed forward, dropping to my knees as I looked through the images. “No… No. This isn't me, Nolan. I am not the one in these pictures. Where did you get them? There has to be some mistakes somewhere. Listen to me —” “Do you take me for a fool, Kate?!” He cut me off abruptly. “I gave you everything you ever ask for— wealth, connections, a luxurious life. One that you never imagined you would ever have in this pathetic life of yours and this is what you repay me with? This is what you want my name attached to? Ruin my reputation?” He gritted out, glaring daggers at me. “It is enough that you have not given me kids to make my claim on the throne strong but this… this will practically bring down everything I have used years to build, Kate! And all of it would have been because of you! I would have lost my kingship because of your whoredom!” Tears glistened my eyes as I tried to think of what to say in this moment. “Nolan, No. You need to trust me. I am not the one in this pictures. I would never think of cheating on you. You are the love of my life. I have had eyes for you and only for you. Please—” “Enough!” He cut me off, stepping closer as he crouched down to my level. Fiery anger mixed with hate glinted in his gaze. For years, he never for once looked at me. Not even with the tiniest emotion. Maybe when he did, it was to make sure to see if I was alive. If I was breathing. Who knew that when he finally looked at me deeply, it would be filled with hatred and not love? “I regret ever giving this mate bond a chance, Kate. I regret ever thinking that it was going to be different with you.” He reached for my neck and snatched the bond pendant from my neck. I let out a sore scream as the pain seared through me, blood trickling down my skin. My wolf recoiled at the brutality our mate was treating us with. He rose to his feet, glaring down at me. “Thankfully, Dean received the pictures first before they made headlines and managed the situation.” He let out a deep exhale. “I can no longer tolerate your whorish attitude. There's no way in the world I would live with you after doing that to me, Kate. So… Before the Moon Goddess and every pack under my rule, from now henceforth, I, Nolan Everhart, hereby reject you as my mate and strip you off the Luna Queen title. You are no longer welcome in my pack or my life. Accept my rejection, Kate.” Every word he uttered landed a deep punch to my guts. I closed my eyes tight as burning, sharp pain pierced through my heart. I couldn't control the tears anymore. I slowly rose to my feet, looking at him through my teary gaze. “Nolan, please… don't. You… I truly love you. For years, I have loved you. I have been the faithful wife. Served as the Luna Queen to your people. Loved them like my own child. I have never harbored any malicious thoughts towards you. You need to look through this situation.” I pleaded, reaching for his hand but he took a step away from me. “Accept the damn rejection, you slut!” He sneered, his nose flared. My wolf let out a tiny whimper like an injured puppy, shocked at the way our mate was speaking to us. I sniffed in, shaking my head. What was the use of begging him? If these photographs can convince him that five years of my devotion to him was nothing, what could change now? If this was going to be the end of us, then I will be the one who do it. Not him. “No, Nolan. You… you don't get to decide how this ends. Accept my rejection.” I said with new found courage, squaring my shoulders. “I have spent five years doting on you. Serving faithfully beside you. Waiting for you to show an ounce of love toward me. You don't get to throw me aside like a piece of s**t, Nolan. I, Kate Ashford, hereby reject you, Nolan Everhart first. I break every form of bond between us and… your pack, Ravenshade. Accept my rejection, Nolan.” I stared at him, hoping, secretly hoping that he wouldn't accept it. That he would give our marriage a second chance. That he would have a second thought. But no… he didn't. At the end, I lost him. “I, Nolan Everhart, hereby accept your rejection!” He replied without hesitation. Immediately, I felt it in my soul. The once fragile bond tore away, shredding into pieces and I slid to my knees, gripping my heart as the pain took root in my core. I lifted my gaze a bit to see Nolan’s fist clenched tight. He must have also felt the pain. Finally, I met his gaze. “Remember this, Nolan. You broke us first.” He swallowed hard, looking away. “I will have the servants prepare your bags and you will be leaving now.” At that moment, the door creaked open.The sharp click of high heels echoed against the marble floor. I turned instinctively. A tall, elegant woman stepped inside, her long chestnut hair cascading over one shoulder. For a split second, surprise flickered across her delicate features before it disappeared behind a polite smile. "Nolan..." she said softly. My breath caught as I registered her face. I knew that face. I had seen it countless times in the old photographs tucked away in Nolan's study. University graduations. Pack celebrations. Birthdays. She had always been standing beside him, smiling as though she belonged there. Janet. His childhood best friend. She had been away for years. "What happened?" she asked, her eyes drifting from Nolan to me before settling on the photographs scattered across the floor. Her brows knitted together, though I couldn't tell if it was confusion... or something else. The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Nolan released a slow breath. The rigid tension in his shoulders eased ever so slightly, and for the first time since he had walked into the room, the fury on his face softened. Not for me. For her. It was subtle. Anyone else might have missed it. But I had spent five years watching a man who barely looked at me. I noticed everything. A dull ache spread through my chest. He had never looked relieved to see me. Not once. The servants returned, carrying the suitcases I had brought into this palace as a hopeful bride five years ago. Now they were the only things leaving with me. I wrapped trembling fingers around the handle of my luggage and walked toward the door. As I drew level with Janet, our eyes met briefly. She offered me a small, sympathetic smile. I didn't know whether it was genuine. Or whether she had returned to the place beside Nolan that had never truly belonged to me. Without another word, I walked past her. The palace gate closed behind me, and with them, the last remnants of the life I had spent five years trying to build.