ALWAYS THE LUNA

Chapter5

ADA

The following morning, I woke up to a message from Adrian. He had instructed me to meet him in his home office for the rejection. If we wanted to put an end to everything, we had to reject each other.

Surprisingly, I didn’t cry. I felt stronger, and the pain had eased a little. I could do this. I could go through with the rejection without anything happening to my baby. I planned to see Juliane that day, but I decided to visit her after the rejection in case I needed medical attention.

Grandma was reluctant to let me go alone. She wanted to accompany me in case there was anything she could do to help. However, I assured her that I would be fine. I could handle this on my own.

I took a taxi to the pack house. When I arrived, the place was unusually quiet. I couldn’t see any of the workers. Taking a deep breath, I entered the security code, pushed the door open, and stepped inside. I headed towards his office but stopped abruptly when I heard giggling.

My fists clenched as I froze in place. I could recognize that voice anywhere, at any time.

How could Adrian ask me to come here when he had Sarah for company? Did he intend to reject me in front of her? My body began to tremble. I knew I was strong, but I wasn’t sure I could endure being rejected in Sarah’s presence. I couldn’t bear the thought of witnessing the triumphant smirk on her face as I crumbled under the agony of rejection. It would remind me of every time she had broken me in the past.

I inhaled deeply, struggling to suppress my trembling.

‘You can do this, Ada. You can do this,’ I chanted inwardly, desperately trying to fortify myself. I wouldn’t break. Not in front of Sarah.

Once I had regained my composure and my breathing had returned to normal, I knocked on the door. His deep voice invited me inside. I gently pushed it open and entered.

My gaze immediately landed on Sarah, who was perched on Adrian’s lap, clinging to him. Her light blue eyes met mine, and a mischievous smirk played on her lips. Typical Sarah. That was exactly how she used to smirk after making me look like the villain while portraying herself as the victim.

I didn’t want to relive the bullying and torment I had endured because of her. Those experiences had left deep emotional scars. Even now, my body trembled involuntarily. It was an instinctive response. After five years, seeing someone who had made my life a living hell was bound to affect me this way.

Then I remembered my baby. I had to be strong for my little one. I had promised myself that I wouldn’t fall apart in front of Sarah. Drawing another deep breath, I gathered my composure and faced them without revealing my fear or anguish.

“Ada, it’s not what you think,” she said, a hint of fear flickering in her eyes. She attempted to rise from Adrian’s lap, but he stopped her.

I scoffed inwardly. What a pretentious b***h.

“It’s really not what you think,” she added, putting on an innocent act.

I ignored her and focused on Adrian, who was watching me intently. There was something in his eyes that I couldn’t decipher, but I didn’t care enough to figure it out.

“Are we doing this with her here?” I asked.

“Give us a minute, Sarah,” he said softly, his gaze gentle as he addressed her.

“Sure,” Sarah replied, rising from his lap before walking away.

Relief washed over me when I realized she wouldn’t be present while Adrian rejected me.

“Why didn’t you take the car and the other things I bought for you?” he asked. There was no coldness in his voice, but neither was there any discernible emotion.

“I don’t need them,” I replied sarcastically.

A frown creased his forehead, but he didn’t press the matter.

“Then let’s get this over with.”

“I’m ready,” I declared resolutely.

I needed to be strong enough to withstand the pain of rejection—for my baby. I drew a deep breath, steadied my thoughts, and prepared myself for what was to come.

“I, Alpha Adrian De Mevius, reject you, Ada Baldwin, as my mate and Luna.”

Pain erupted in my chest, tearing through my heart as though it were being ripped apart. I could feel the bond violently wrenching itself from within me. I drew a shaky breath, desperately trying to remain composed. I refused to let the pain break me. Not when my baby depended on me. And certainly not in front of Aiden.

I held my head high and noticed the surprise in Adrian’s eyes. He hadn’t expected me to remain upright and composed. After all, the pain was enough to break anyone.

“I, Ada Baldwin, accept your rejection.” The final thread of our bond snapped, and the agony intensified. Yet, I refused to surrender. I gritted my teeth, determined not to break down. My breathing grew laboured, and thankfully, the wall was within reach. I leaned against it for support and looked into his eyes.

Was that worry I saw in them? And something else? Disappointment?

I didn’t dwell on it. Summoning the last remnants of my strength, I pushed myself away from the wall. My body was on the verge of giving out, but I would rather die than faint in front of him. At that moment, I desperately wished I had allowed Grandma to accompany me. I hadn’t expected the rejection to be this excruciating.

“Ada!” His panicked voice reached my ears, and before I could react, I found myself in his arms. My eyelids grew heavy, threatening to close, but I fought to keep them open.

“You’re weak. Let me take you upstairs to your room,” he said.

“I don’t have a room here anymore,” I muttered bitterly. “Let me go.”

I weakly pushed him away, struggled to stand upright, and staggered towards the door.

“Stop being stubborn, Ada.”

I glared at him. I hated that I was the only one suffering so visibly. He was an Alpha. The rejection would hurt him, but not nearly as much as it hurt me.

“I can take very good care of myself,” I insisted. I stumbled out of his office and made my unsteady way outside the building. Thankfully, I didn’t encounter Sarah on my way out. I couldn’t bear the thought of her seeing me in such a vulnerable state.

“At least let Owen drive you home,” Adrian said, following me outside. This time, I didn’t argue.

I got into the car and instructed Owen to take me to the hospital.

“I want to see Doctor Juliane,” I murmured.

Those were the last words I uttered before darkness enveloped me inside the car. The only thought occupying my mind was the safety of my baby.