Chapter 3: The Other Woman
1679 Words
Luna couldn't stop staring at Ryder.
The silence inside the cottage felt suffocating.
The floral scent drifting through the open window still lingered in the air, but it wasn't the scent itself that haunted her.
It was his reaction.
The way he had frozen.
The way his attention had shifted.
The way guilt had flashed across his face before he could hide it.
Someone else.
There was someone else.
The realization settled like a stone in her chest.
For years, Luna had imagined what it would feel like to find her mate. Every story she had heard growing up painted it as the happiest moment of a wolf's life. A magical connection. A bond blessed by the Moon Goddess herself.
Nobody talked about this part.
Nobody talked about what happened when your mate wished you were someone else.
"Who is she?" Luna asked again.
Ryder remained silent.
The answer was written all over his face.
Luna folded her arms.
"You came all the way here because you wanted honesty, remember?"
A muscle ticked in his jaw.
Finally, he spoke.
"Her name is Selena."
Luna looked away.
Of course.
Selena Thorn.
The Beta's daughter.
The woman every young male in the pack dreamed about.
The woman everyone assumed would one day stand beside Ryder as Luna of Silver Moon.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Confident.
Everything Luna wasn't.
The worst part?
Luna couldn't even blame him.
If she compared herself to Selena, the difference would be impossible to ignore.
Selena walked into a room, and everyone noticed.
Luna walked into a room, and most people forgot she was there.
The comparison hurt.
Not because she hated Selena.
But because deep down, she understood exactly why Ryder wanted her instead.
"I see," Luna whispered.
Ryder rubbed the back of his neck.
"It's not that simple."
"It seems pretty simple to me."
"Luna"
"You love her."
His silence confirmed it.
The mate bond pulsed painfully inside her chest.
A strange ache spread through her.
She barely knew what it felt like to have a mate, yet somehow she already felt rejected.
Ryder exhaled heavily.
"I've known Selena for years."
"So?"
"So I thought..."
He stopped.
"You thought she'd be your mate."
"Yes."
The honesty stung.
Luna nodded slowly.
At least he wasn't lying.
She preferred painful truth to comforting lies.
"What happens now?" she asked.
Ryder looked at her.
For a moment, uncertainty flickered in his eyes.
Then it vanished.
"I don't know."
The answer surprised her.
"The future Alpha of the Silver Moon knows?"
"No."
A bitter laugh escaped her.
"Interesting."
His expression hardened.
"I didn't ask for this."
The words hit harder than they should have.
Neither did I.
But Luna didn't say it aloud.
Because what was the point?
Nothing would change the fact that he wished fate had chosen another woman.
Nothing would change the fact that she wasn't enough.
The cottage grew quiet again.
Outside, distant laughter echoed through the village as wolves continued celebrating the ceremony.
New mates.
New futures.
New beginnings.
Meanwhile, hers already felt like it was falling apart.
"What do you want from me?" she asked finally.
Ryder hesitated.
"I need time."
Luna stared at him.
Time.
The word felt like a knife.
Not acceptance.
Not happiness.
Not hope.
Time.
As though she were a problem that needed solving.
A mistake that required careful consideration.
"What exactly are you thinking about?" she asked.
His eyes met hers.
And somehow that made it worse.
Because she could see the conflict inside him.
The struggle.
The hesitation.
The doubt.
"If you're my mate, why do you need time?" she continued.
Ryder didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Luna took a step backward.
Her chest felt tight.
Painful.
The room suddenly seemed too small.
"I think you should leave."
His eyes widened slightly.
"Luna"
"Please."
The single word came out softer than she intended.
Because, despite everything, she was tired.
Tired of pretending she wasn't hurt.
Tired of pretending his words didn't matter.
Tired of hoping for something that clearly wasn't going to happen.
Ryder stared at her for several moments.
Then he nodded.
Without another word, he turned and walked toward the door.
The bond reacted instantly.
Panic surged through Luna.
A desperate instinct screamed at her to stop him.
To chase after him.
To beg him to stay.
Her wolf whimpered inside her.
Mate.
Mate.
Mate.
Luna clenched her fists.
No.
She wouldn't do that.
She wouldn't beg for affection.
Not from anyone.
Not even her mate.
The door closed behind him.
And just like that, he was gone.
Silence filled the cottage.
For several seconds, Luna simply stood there.
Motionless.
Then her knees gave out.
She sank onto the nearest chair and buried her face in her hands.
The tears came before she could stop them.
Hot.
Painful.
Humiliating.
She hated crying.
Hated feeling weak.
But tonight had shattered something inside her.
Not because Ryder didn't love her.
That part she could understand.
Love can't be forced.
No.
What hurt was the look on his face.
The disappointment.
The regret.
As though fate had cheated him.
As though being mated to her was some kind of punishment.
The thought made fresh tears fall.
Hours passed.
The lantern burned low.
Outside, the celebration slowly faded as wolves returned to their homes.
Eventually, the village fell silent.
But sleep never came.
Every time Luna closed her eyes, she saw Ryder.
Saw Selena.
Saw the future she thought she wanted slipping away before it had even begun.
By dawn, exhaustion weighed heavily on her.
She moved to the window and stared at the rising sun.
The sky glowed with shades of gold and crimson.
Normally, she loved mornings.
Today felt different.
Everything felt different.
The mate bond remained.
A constant presence at the edge of her awareness.
She could feel Ryder somewhere within pack territory.
Not clearly.
Just enough to know he existed.
Enough to remind her that he was real.
And that he didn't want her.
A sudden knock startled her.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Luna frowned.
Who would visit this early?
The knocking came again.
Urgent this time.
She crossed the room and opened the door.
Mia stood outside.
Breathless.
Pale.
Terrified.
Luna's stomach dropped.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
"Mia?"
"You need to come with me."
"What happened?"
Mia looked over her shoulder nervously.
The reaction alone was enough to send fear racing through Luna.
"What happened?" Luna repeated.
"The Alpha called an emergency gathering."
Luna blinked.
"What?"
"Everyone's been ordered to the central courtyard."
Her confusion deepened.
Emergency gatherings were rare.
Extremely rare.
The last one had happened three years ago after a rogue attack near the border.
"Why?" Luna asked.
Mia hesitated.
The hesitation frightened her more than any answer.
Finally, Mia swallowed.
"It's about Ryder."
Luna's chest tightened instantly.
"What about him?"
Mia looked away.
And suddenly Luna knew.
Even before the words were spoken.
She knew.
"No."
Mia closed her eyes briefly.
"Luna..."
"No."
"He announced that he's making a public statement."
The world seemed to tilt beneath her feet.
A cold sensation spread through her body.
"No."
"He wants the entire pack present."
Luna stared at her friend.
Unable to breathe.
Unable to think.
Because there was only one reason a future Alpha would call a public gathering immediately after discovering his mate.
Only one reason.
Only one announcement.
Her mate was going to reject her.
Publicly.
Just like that.
Before the entire pack.
The humiliation would be unbearable.
Every wolf in Silver Moon would witness it.
Every noble family.
Every elder.
Every warrior.
Everyone.
Luna's hands began to shake.
Mia immediately grabbed them.
"Maybe that's not what this is."
But neither of them believed it.
Not really.
Because Luna had seen the truth in Ryder's eyes.
He wanted Selena.
Not her.
The mate bond was the only thing standing in his way.
And now he was about to remove it.
A hollow feeling settled inside her chest.
She had spent years dreaming about finding her mate.
Dreaming about destiny.
Dreaming about belonging.
Now destiny felt like a cruel joke.
"Luna..."
Mia's voice sounded distant.
"You don't have to go."
Luna laughed softly.
The sound held no humor.
"Yes, I do."
"What if"
"I have to."
Because running wouldn't change anything.
If Ryder wanted to reject her, he would do it whether she attended or not.
At least this way, she could face it with dignity.
Even if it destroyed her.
Even if it broke her heart.
Luna took a deep breath.
Then another.
Slowly, she straightened her shoulders.
"I'm coming."
Mia looked worried.
"Luna..."
"I'll be fine."
It was a lie.
A terrible lie.
But it was all she had.
Together, they stepped outside.
The village streets were already crowded.
Wolves moved toward the central courtyard from every direction.
Whispers followed them.
Curious glances.
Speculation.
The news had spread quickly.
Far too quickly.
Luna could feel eyes on her.
People were talking.
She knew they were.
And somehow that made everything worse.
As they approached the courtyard, the crowd grew larger.
Hundreds of pack members had gathered.
Nobles.
Warriors.
Merchants.
Elders.
Everyone.
At the center stood the ceremonial platform.
And upon it stood Ryder Blackwood.
Tall.
Handsome.
Perfect.
The future Alpha of Silver Moon.
The man who held her heart without even wanting it.
As Luna stepped into the crowd, Ryder's gaze found hers immediately.
For a moment, neither looked away.
The mate bond stirred painfully between them.
And for the first time, Luna noticed something unexpected.
Ryder didn't look confident.
He looked tense.
Almost nervous.
As though he knew exactly what was about to happen.
And hated it.
But not enough to stop it.
Alpha Marcus stepped onto the platform beside his son.
The crowd fell silent.
The entire courtyard held its breath.
Then the Alpha spoke.
"Today, my son wishes to make an announcement regarding the mate bond revealed during last night's ceremony."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Luna's heart pounded violently.
Ryder stepped forward.
His eyes never left hers.
And then he opened his mouth to speak.
- Writer
