Rejected Luna Of The Cursed Alpha

Promise Under The Moon Tree

Kael’s POV

I left the council house with one destination in mind.

The east wing.

Serena’s room.

To tell her to stop coming to my matrimonial room.

Aria had a point, she wasn’t supposed to be coming into our room.

Even if the plan was still going as intended, Aria still deserved respect, she has been nothing but a good wife to me.

When she opened the door and saw me, her lips raised into a beautiful smile.

One thing I would give Serena credit for is the fact that she has a good smile, one that matches her face so well.

“Come in,” she said, opening the door widely to allow me in.

I came in, looked around, I couldn’t remember the last time I had been in this room, there was no need to be there.

Looking at Serena now, it was hard to believe I’d spent the last two years avoiding moments like this.

Not because I no longer cared, but because every conversation reminded me of the promise I was about to break.

“Serena, you will need to stop coming into our bedroom, " I said immediately after I sat down on the sofa there. My voice was firm.

She came to sit next to me, very close I could hear her breathe.

Very close that I could smell her perfume.

“Does it bother Aria?” She asked tilting her head, before I could answer, her lips curved before she asked again, “or does it bother you?” She smiled faintly. “It will be ours soon,” she concluded, holding my arm.

“Serena,” I called, my voice was firmer this time.

“When is the Nurse coming? You know we need to be certain that she’s able to manage Leo well.”

She cut me off again making me realize just how well I know Serena, all the question asking charade is because she was scared of what my response would be and she would rather drive me into a corner. If she kept steering the conversation, she wouldn’t have to face the possibility that she might not like what I had to say.

And yes, I know what she was talking about, and the whole thing doesn’t sit well with me yet.

When she saw that I did not give a response, she continued, “Do you remember the night we stood under the Moon Tree? You promised me I’d be the only woman you’d ever call your Luna.”

I took a deep breath, I gave no response still as I remember that night when I had given her that promise, when I had told her she was my chosen mate.

I closed my eyes.

Back then, I had believed we had no other choice, the council members had demanded an heir and Serena couldn’t give me one.

My position as Alpha had been hanging by a thread, thanks to my cousin who was so ready to get the position.

Marrying Aria had never been about replacing Serena. It had been about buying us time.

She was right, I had promised her that and my promise is my bond.

She tightened her hold around my arm. “I am your Mate Kael, Don’t let guilt make you forget that. Don’t let the distance between us erase everything we’ve shared. We have spent years building a future together. Don’t throw all of that away because you feel sorry for a human.”

Gently, I detached her hand from my arm and stood.

“Then it’s not pity.” She lifted her gaze and met mine accusingly.

“I respect Aria.”

“That’s precisely why it’s getting hard.” Her voice was barely audible.

I tore my eyes from hers.

That much was true.

Aria had never done anything to make me regret marrying her. She had never second-guessed any of my decisions. She had been kind to everyone.

And Leo meant everything to her.

Even after four days ago, even after she had found out about Serena and me together, she had held her head high.

She didn’t deserve what the next few days had in store for her.

“Doing what I must do,” I stated.

Serena rose and approached me. “As do I.” She reached up and fixed my collar before pressing a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “You’ve carried this burden for too long now.”

“I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.” I nodded as I left her room.

The journey from the east wing to my room seemed even longer than normal. Every one of the servants that I passed gave their respects.

Usually, I would acknowledge them.

Today, I didn’t even pay any attention.

They were the last thing on my mind.

The Luna Presentation Ceremony was what was on my mind.

Who would I present as my Luna?

Even I wasn't even sure about that yet.

Upon entering my room, the door was slightly open.

I opened it wider.

My room was silent.

Aria must have been reading when she fell asleep beside Leo’s crib. There was an open book on her lap.

Leo was awake now.

His little hands wandered around until they grabbed the corner of his blanket.

I went over to him and bent down near the crib.

When he saw me, a smile appeared on his face.

His smile was so small.

His smile was so innocent. I couldn’t help but smile back at him. I placed a finger into his small fist.

Right away, he clung on.

So tiny a grip.

But somehow, it kept me pinned in place. “Son,” I whispered.

And he yawned.

Absolutely oblivious to the tempest brewing ahead.

I had been waiting for a son for years.

The council had been waiting as well.

Without him…

All of what I had worked so hard to preserve would be gone.

My title.

My pack.

My father’s legacy.

All of that Leo had accomplished.

But there I stood, staring at him, and none of that mattered.

He was not just an heir.

He was my son.

An innocent boy who deserved parents who loved him.

Who remained Family.

Guilt pressed down on me.

Would he one day hate me?

Would he grow up wondering why his mother had gone missing in his life?

Closing my eyes.

No.

I just could not think like that.

It was something we had planned all along.

Aria had delivered us the heir we so badly needed.

Serena was my chosen mate.

In the next few days, I would finally fulfill my vow made under the Moon Tree. It was the right thing to do.

Why then, did it feel so wrong?

A subtle sound brought me out of my musings. Aria had woken up on the couch.

Before she could be fully awake, I carried her to the bed, covered her shoulders with the blanket that lay on the armrest.

She moved a little but her eyes remained shut.

And for some time, I just looked at her.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered so quietly that I barely even heard the words.

Then I turned off the lamp and left the room.