The Luna’s Second Chance

1Elena’s POV “Alpha Sabastian William, I, Elena Salvador, reject you as my mate and husband.” My voice echoed sharply in the grand hall, and a wave of dizziness hit me immediately. Still, I forced myself to stand tall, my heart pounding as I maintained a mask of strength. A murmur of shock rippled through the elders, their wrinkled faces drawn tight with horror. But none of their reactions came close to Sabastian’s. He sat at the head of the table, his usual throne, fists pressed hard against the polished wood, dark eyes locked on mine. His pupils flickered a dangerous cognac shade, his wolf scratching for release, but Sabastian held himself together. A nerve feathered in his chiseled jaw as he clenched his teeth, struggling to maintain his expressionless facade, but I could see past all that tough exterior. I could feel it. His whole world was shattering, and I was the cause. He rose, and the elders subconsciously followed his lead, despite their age. Sabastian stepped away from his chair, walking around the table toward me. My heart jammed in my chest as he came closer, almost as if it would implode. I feared what he would do. Sabastian had always had a temper, and his rage was barely contained. “Elena...mate.” Sabastian’s once commanding voice had faded to a whisper. He reached for my hands, his gaze full of raw, desperate pleading. “Please, don’t do this. Whatever you want, I’ll make it right, but not this. Don’t take this from me. Please.” My heart twisted painfully. I hadn’t seen Sabastian look this shattered since I first fell ill, but this was for his good, for the good of the pack. Closing my eyes briefly, I steeled myself and pulled my hand from his grip, fighting back my own regret. “You cannot make me change my mind, Alpha Sabastian. I will not revoke my rejection.” He shuddered, his eyes moistening faster than a leaf on an autumn morning. And then, to my shock, he did the unthinkable. The Alpha of Moonburn, leader of the largest pack on the East Coast, sank to his knees before me, an Omega, his gaze fixed downward as he lowered himself further, brushing his lips against my feet in a final act of desperation. The elders gasped, and I froze, stunned by the taboo that had just been committed. An Alpha should never kneel, no matter the cost—yet he had. With every ounce of restraint, I stepped back, allowing his face to brush the cold marble beneath us. My voice wavered, but I held firm. “I’m sorry, Sabastian. My decision is final.” With that, I took my walking stick from where it rested beside the table and tottered out of the grand hall, my maids waiting outside to receive me. Tears blurred my vision as I walked, but I dared not turn back, afraid that one glance at him would make me give in. It was done. What I had been planning for months had finally happened, but I’d never anticipated the pain would cut this deeply. Though it wasn’t a full mate renouncement, which was impossible to do unless the other party was willing, the rejection hurt more than an arrow to the heart. I could only imagine how much agony Sabastian was in now. For an Alpha, the pain would be heightened tenfold; it would feel as if he were drowning. I wanted to help him, to tell him why I had to do it, but I knew better. Once I reached my room, I collapsed into the waiting arms of my best friend, Miara, who was already inside, waiting for me. “It’s done, Mia,” I whispered, my voice a fragile thread. “I rejected him.” “Shh.” She hugged me tightly, pressing my head deeper into her embrace. “It’s for the better. Now he can find a new Luna to lead the pack. Your people will never forget your sacrifice.” “How will they know?” I asked, bursting into tears. “They think I’m the villain.” “I’ll make them see the truth once you’re gone, I promise,” Miara comforted me. She led me to the bed and tucked me in gently. “You should have some tea now. I know you’re in pain.” I turned my head away from the cup she was offering me. “I don’t want to. I’m going to die anyway,” I sniffed. But Miara was insistent that I drink it to keep myself alive just long enough to hand over my position to the new Luna. I hated the thought of giving my birthright to another woman, but I was nothing but a rotting shell; soon, this illness would consume me, and there was nothing I could do. I spent the rest of my time in bed, awaiting my doom. News reached me of people calling me names, of the elders suggesting new partners for my mate, and all I could do was lie in bed and wither. I had accepted my fate, waiting for the day the bird of death would spread its wings and take me away. I hoped for a visit from Sabastian but only Miara came and it was to give me my medicine. That was the dark circle of my soon-to-end life. But on the night of my anniversary with Sabastian, I felt certain it would be my last day on earth, and I couldn’t leave without seeing him one last time. I knew I couldn’t speak to him, but he was a smart man; he must have figured out my plan, which was why he hadn’t visited me in weeks. I could barely lift myself from the bed, every bone in my body protesting against even the smallest movement. I looked like a skeleton. I was ashamed of my appearance. I didn’t want him to see me like this but I had to. I asked my handmaid, Jane, the only one who had stayed after everyone else condemned me, to wheel me to my husband’s room, our former room. Our journey was filled with snarls and hateful comments from bypassers, but I thought it would all be worth it for him. I thought wrong. Jane knocked softly on the door, but it creaked open on its own, not fully closed. The sight that awaited me on the other side stole the breath from my lungs. Miara, naked and panting was riding my husband on our matrimonial bed.