Rejected Luna

CHAPTER 4: The Mate bond ritual

Aria’s Pov

The walk to the secret base felt longer than it had ever felt before.

Every step sent a sharp pain through my body reminding me of the duel I had just lost.

I made a foolish decision and embarrassed myself in front of the entire pack.

The tees around us blocked the noise of the pack but the memories of the arena followed me.

I leaned against Nora as we moved through the forest,my legs barely holding my weight.

Nora slowly placed me on the floor and tended to my wounds.

“I don’t know what you were thinking going up like that” Nora said looking at me angrily

“I know right? What was I thinking”

“And why did you join in to save me?”

“So I should have let her be? If she had done what she wanted to do, we’ll either be planning your burial rite or you won’t be able to do anything for the rest of your life”

I could hear it in her voice how angry she was.

“I’m sorry Nora”

She ignored me and just tended my wound

“Won’t you answer me? Uhn?” I ticked her till she eventually smiles

“You’ll see what happens if you do that again” she gave me a stern look

“Nora, do you think they’ll see me differently now?”

She didn’t look at me. She just moved around getting what could be used for my wound

“Does it really matter what they think of you Aria?”

“I know but I just felt what I did was reckless”

“Yes it was”

“Alpha Kael was there”

Nora dropped the herbs she was able to gather in shock

“What!”

“You mean he saw all that?”

“Nora I don't think I’ll be able to attend the ceremony”

Nora raise her eyebrows

“Don’t do that”

“It’s true Nora. Especially after everything they’ve seen and witness”

“Aria, you made the decision to step into that arena. Were you not expecting this much when you did. You should always take responsibility for your actions not avoid them”

Those words she said are annoyingly true

“Are you sure we can still make it there when the sun is already setting?” I looked at Nora pointing at the sky

“Oh no Aria” we need to go back now

I laughed.

We got back to the pack and everyone was already dressed. All the ladies dressed up as if they’ve been for it their entire life.

“Aria go get dressed and let’s meet back here”

“Alright”

We went back to our various homes. I got back to my room feeling reluctant to go back to the ceremony but I thought about Nora. She will definitely chew me out if I don’t attend.

“I’ll just go and leave there early”

I picked a different dress and got changed into it and then went back to the place we chose to meet.

“Oh my God. Aria!” I heard Nora’s voice behind me

“Don’t tell me that’s what you’re wearing?”

“Yes. What’s wrong with it?”

“What do you mean what’s wrong with it Aria? Everything is wrong!”

“Stop being dramatic”

“What happened to the dress I picked for you?”

“I just don’t feel like wearing it. It was my mum and I won’t be able to bear it if anything happen to it”

For a moment Nora stopped questioning me

“I understand. Let’s just go”

As we walked though the courtyard,I heard the whispers

“Did you see what happened?”

“Did she really think she could defeat Lyra?”

“But Lyra went too far”

I kept my eyes forward ignoring everything. Nora held my hand as we walked through the crowd.

We found a place to stay. Somewhere we can see everything but not too close to get noticed.

“Let me get drinks for us” Nora said

I stood still looking at everyone among their friends. Laughing and gisting. That was something I lacked. The only friend I’ve always had was Nora. My eyes landed on Lyra standing with her friends wearing my mother’s dress.

I lost my temper immediately. She smirked at me making sure I saw the dress. I dashed to where she was standing.

“Lyra what’s the meaning of this?” I asked her shouting

Everyone immediately turned to us.

“What do you mean? I was just here enjoying” she said with a smile on her face

“You know what I mean Lyra. Don’t you dare play innocent”

Lyra moved a bit closer to me and lean on my shoulder

“Are you that annoyed that I’m wearing your cheating mother’s dress?”

Hearing that from her made me lose my entire patient. I slapped her hard without thinking twice.

She immediately got angry

“How dare you Aria!”

“I can take anything from you but don’t you dare insult my mother”

The crowd gave out a huge noise

“What?”

“Her mother?”

Lyra moved closer to me and slapped me back.

We started fighting and rolling each other on the ground making a mess of everything. No one interfered. Nora came back and saw everything happening. She quickly came between us, separating us.

“What do you both think you’re doing?” She shouted angrily

“You should ask the good for nothing you call a friend”

Nora looked at me waiting for an explanation.

“Nora she wore my mum dress” I said with tears

“What!” Nora immediately recognized the dress

The crowd started murmuring again

“Why will she do that?”

“She’s not contented with what she have”

Nora moved close to Lyra and raised her hand to slap her but the drum sounds sent a signal that the Alpha had arrived.

Everybody immediately got in place. I held Nora’s hand and told her not to do anything.

We went back to where we stood before and Nora helped me with my hair that has turned to a mess after all the mess.

The priestess soon began chanting ancient words to communicate with the Moon Goddess. Everyone stood nervously. Especially the ladies waiting to be chosen.

The moon stone began glowing, getting ready to reflect towards the chosen one.

Then the light from the Moonstone moved slowly.

Past the maidens,past the front rows.

Past everyone who believed they were the obvious choice.

My heart began beating faster.

Because the light was moving towards me.

I froze.

No. That wasn’t possible. The entire pack turned.

Whispers, Confusion filled everywhere.

Elder Marcus looked at me with disbelief.

“The Moon Goddess has chosen..”

A pause

“Aria Vale”