Moonlit betrayal

CHAPTER 3: THE STINGING OF ABANDONMENT

Luna opened her eyelids as sunlight crept through the drapes of her cottage. She was confused for a time; the events of the previous night seemed fuzzy. The truth sank in and her heart hurt like hell.

She had woken up at Ryder's lodge by herself. Not a farewell note or a goodbye. Just a vacant space Ryder ought to have occupied.

Luna sighed heavily, then got up and securely wrapped herself in her blanket. Her thoughts whirling with questions, she whispered, "Why did he vanish without a word?" She struggled to understand and kept running back over the evening.

Did I mess up? She wondered. Alternatively, was everything a mistake?

Still, Luna knew deep down the truth. Her connection to Ryder was not fantasy. It was real, strong, and left her feeling vulnerable in a foreign sense.

Driven to overcome her residual grief, Luna pushed herself from bed. She had to go about her day, but her thoughts kept returning to Ryder as she went about her house getting ready.

She tried a smile after catching her reflection. "It was just one night," she said, her voice faltering. "I shall be okay."

Luna felt something had changed even as she attempted to persuade herself. It was difficult to concentrate on anything else, memories of Ryder's caress, his voice, and his look lingered.

Luna chose, "I need some fresh air," grabbing her jacket. She could not remain trapped in her thoughts. She wanted a diversion, something to clear her head of Ryder and the whirl of conflicting feelings inside of her.

Rising into the cool morning, Luna inhaled deeply. Though her heart wasn't quite ready, the world seemed weighty; she was resolved to meet it.

Tension hung about Ryder's estate. Ryder sat in his study staring out the large woodland encircling his house. His ideas were a tangled mess full of memories from his evening with Luna.

He had never felt this way. Ryder, Alpha, was used to the ruling, making difficult decisions, and defending his pack. However, this... This was not the same.

"She's my destined mate," Ryder said, the words weighty with awareness. "Could this happen?"

A knock cut off Ryder's contemplation. His devoted beta Marcus came into the room. "You gave me a call, Ryder?"

Distracted Ryder nodded. Marcus, I need your advice. Last night something unanticipated occurred.

Marcus was looking worried. "What is happening?"

Ryder turned to face his buddy. "Luna... she's my destined friend."

Marcus's jaw felt open. Luna? The human from the festival?

Ryder answered. "Yes. I just realized it last night. Now I'm at a loss."

Marcus's countenance grew serious. " Rye, you know the dangers. Bonding with someone unaware of our world is risky. She doesn't understand what you are or what being an Alpha's mate means."

"I know," Ryder answered with a strained voice. "I have to end it now; I have to protect her and the pack."

"Are you sure you can do that?" Marcus inquired anxiously. "Rejecting a fated mate could hurt you both. It is not easy."

Ryder struggled with his choice and closed his fists. "It's the only option. She deserves better and I can't pull her into this life."

Marcus nodded gently, aware of Ryder's tough decision. "Be careful, Ryder; avoid allowing this to break you."

Ryder groaned, his responsibilities weighing him. "I'll act as required, Marcus. For her benefit as well as the pack's."

Luna came to the veterinarian's office where she worked later that morning, thinking her employment would keep her busy. Usually, the clinic comforted her amid the animals she looked after. But even the soft animal sounds nowadays couldn't silence Ryder's thoughts.

As Luna arrived, the head veterinarian, Dr. Taylor, said she looked tired.

Luna pressed a smile. "Just had a bad night, Dr. Taylor; I'm good."

"Take it easy today," Dr. Taylor suggested gently. "We have a few regular visits; nothing too demanding."

Luna nodded, grateful for the little chores that could occupy her mind. Still, her mind kept straying back to Ryder while she went about her daily animal tending. Years of longing and the emptiness created by his absence persisted.

Her patient wrapped up and the clinic door opened. Luna looked up, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Ryder standing there.

She muttered, scarcely audible, "Ryder?" Why was he present?

"Luna, we need to talk," Ryder remarked, his voice icy and far from the warmth she had experienced from him the night before.

The hard look Luna's heart fell at. "What's right?"

Ryder inhaled deeply; his face was not readable. "Last night.... it was a mistake. We shouldn't have... it shouldn't have happened."

Luna sensed her universe slinking. Her voice quivered, "A mistake?" she asked. But I considered..."

Ryder sharply sliced, "you thought wrong." "I'm not what you want, Luna. We're too different; it would be better if we split ways."

Luna attempted to understand his words and her eyes grew wet. "But Ryder, I felt something. Didn't you?"

Ryder turned aside; his jaw tightened. "It's not important; it was a moment of weakness. Forget it ever happened."

Unable to believe what Luna was hearing, her heart broke as she watched Ryder. The man she had felt so near only hours earlier was suddenly rejecting her in the coldest imaginable way.

Ryder turned and exited the clinic without further word, leaving Luna standing there her universe disintegrating.

Luna was at Selene's apartment that evening trying solace from her best friend. Red from crying, she sat on Selene's couch clutching a mug of tea.

Luna moaned, her voice cracking, "He just... he said it was a mistake." "I thought we had something, Selene. But he cared not at all."

Selene comfortingly hugged Luna. "Oh, Luna, I'm so sorry. He's a fool if he can not see how wonderful you are."

Luna mumbled, tears running down her face, "But why does it hurt so much?" "Why do I sense I have lost something so vital?"

"Because you cared," Selene answered gently. "You opened your heart to him, and he hurt you; but, Luna, you are strong and will get through this."

Luna's voice faltered, almost heard. "I... I'm not sure how to forward."

Selene sighing softly, tenderly wipes a tear from Luna's face. "Healing takes time; for now, concentrate on yourself. Don't let him steal your joy."

Luna nodded and grabbed at her friend's words. "You're right. I can't allow this to break me down."

Selene said, "That's the spirit," smiling warmly. Trust me, Luna; you will be alright.

But Luna sat there, surrounded by Selene's consoling presence, a great anguish stayed in her heart. Ryder felt adrift and alone after her rejection, more profoundly than she had ever imagined.

Though Luna knew even as the words left her lips that it wouldn't be easy, she said, "I'll try to put him behind me." Ryder had left her heart permanently changed and one that would not be erased readily.

Luna wondered if she would ever really move past the man who had stolen her heart as the evening drew on, only to break it in one terrible instant.