The Return of the Rejected Luna

Kaelyn lay on the cold earth, her wrists painfully bound behind her back, and a grimy cloth stuffed in her mouth muffling any scream. Right beside her, her younger sister Rhea trembled in fear, soft sobs shaking her shoulders. What was meant to be a peaceful picnic in the Gladewood Borderlands had turned into a waking nightmare. The sisters had been ambushed by a gang of rogue wolves who now loomed over them like shadows. One of the rogues, a tall, scar-faced brute, crouched beside them, holding a battered phone. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Calloway,” he said with a sneer. “I have your precious daughters. If you want them alive, you’d better wire me 320 million.” Kaelyn's heart raced. Even gagged, she could feel hope flaring. That was a massive sum—surely, her parents would pay it. Then she heard her mother Marissa's desperate voice on the other end: “—Rhea! Baby, where are you? Are you okay?!” The rogue shoved the phone next to Rhea, who gave a muffled, trembling cry. The sound of it cracked Kaelyn’s heart. Then their father, Marshall, burst into the call. “Don’t touch my Rhea! Please, whatever you do—don’t hurt her!” Kaelyn blinked in stunned silence. What about me? she thought. Her throat tightened. Not a single mention of her. Not even a breath of concern. Then Marshall spoke again, his voice tense. “We don’t have 320 million right now. But I can send you 160 million, just let my Rhea go.” The rogue raised an eyebrow. “What about the other one? You’re leaving one behind?” “That’s fine,” came Caleb’s voice—her youngest brother—without hesitation. “We only want Rhea. Kaelyn means nothing to us.” “Exactly,” chimed in Miles, her other brother. “As far as we’re concerned, we only have one sister, and her name is Rhea.” Kaelyn’s entire body went numb. Her chest clenched with unbearable grief. She wanted to scream, to beg, to curse them—but the cloth gag silenced her agony. Tears streamed down her face. Was she truly so worthless? Since she was a child, Kaelyn had tried desperately to win her family’s love. She cooked every meal, helped Caleb cheat through school, let Miles vent his frustration by bullying her, and even polished Marshall’s shoes every single day. She lived more like a maid than a daughter, and still, none of it ever earned her love. The Calloways weren’t nobility, but they were obscenely wealthy, known for splurging on designer trinkets and gold-studded ornaments. Yet, they wouldn’t spare a fraction of that wealth to save her. The rogue cut the call and motioned for his men to escort Rhea away. Her face lit up with relief as she was freed. She didn’t even glance at Kaelyn as she was led away. “…Now then,” the rogue said, crouching beside Kaelyn and yanking the gag from her mouth. His breath smelled like rot. “You’re of no use now.” He chuckled darkly, drawing a blade. “Any final words?” Kaelyn swallowed hard, her eyes fixated on the glinting metal. “C-Call my husband,” she gasped. “Luken Marlowe. He’s Alpha of the Silverpine Pack. He’ll pay whatever you ask.” The rogue’s curiosity was piqued. He nodded and dialed. Kaelyn’s heart pounded as the line connected. “…Hello?” came the familiar, smooth voice. “Luken! It’s me, Kaelyn!” she cried. “I’m being held hostage! They’re demanding 160 million, please—” “I already know what happened,” Luken cut in. His tone was icy, emotionless. Kaelyn felt a sudden chill. “What…?” “Is Rhea safe?” he asked flatly. Her blood ran cold. No…not him too… “You shouldn’t have taken Rhea to such a dangerous place,” Luken continued coldly. “It was careless. You’ve failed your duties as Luna.” Kaelyn’s voice trembled. “W-What are you saying? It was Rhea’s idea to come here—I tried to stop her!” But Luken wasn’t listening. “You’re not fit to stand beside me anymore.” A fresh stab of pain twisted through her. Her breath hitched. “Luken…” “I only mated with you because fate said so. I’m done now.” Then the words that shattered her world came through the phone: “As Alpha of the Silverpine Pack, I, Luken Marlowe, officially reject Kaelyn Calloway as my mate.” A visceral scream tore from Kaelyn’s throat as a searing pain exploded through her body. Her wolf howled in unison, a soul-wrenching sound filled with betrayal. The bond—deep, primal, and spiritual—had been shattered. It felt like fire had consumed her insides, knives stabbing every inch of her flesh. She collapsed, trembling, spasming. Her world was spinning. She tried to crawl away, gasping for breath. But the rogue grabbed her by the ankle and drove his blade down through her thigh. “Aghhh!” she cried out. Again. And again. Until her legs stopped moving altogether. She lay bleeding, blood pooling beneath her, vision blurring. Her heart barely beat now. Rejected by her family. Rejected by her mate. Left to die like a discarded piece of trash. “…She’s unconscious,” one of the rogues muttered. “Let’s slit her throat and be done with it.” “Wait!” another shouted. “s**t—someone’s coming! Duskridge patrol! Move!” Boots pounded the forest floor as the rogues fled. Kaelyn was left alone on the icy ground, her body broken, her mind fading. She was dying. But just before the dark consumed her, new voices reached her ears. “Damn it, they got away again!” “Wait—someone’s here! She’s barely alive!” She felt herself being lifted, cradled. Then the smell of antiseptic. White lights. Soft murmurs. A hospital. Kaelyn fluttered her eyes open, blinking against the brightness. Shadows hovered above her—doctors, nurses, patrol members—all murmuring excitedly. “Look at the crescent birthmark—right on her shoulder!” “That scent… That’s no ordinary she-wolf!” “By the stars… she’s Alpha Ronan’s sister! The one who was lost years ago at birth!” “Call the Alpha! Now!” “The Alpha of Duskridge will want to see this—his long-lost sister has returned!”