The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 10

**Between Then and Now by Mark Twain**

**Chapter 1**

**Blair’s POV**

For five long years, I had been Christian’s Luna.

Yet, despite the time we shared, he never marked me. He never took the step to seal our mate bond.

Whenever I mustered the courage to bring it up, he would simply wave me off, a charming smile dancing on his lips. “Blair, I’m swamped. The pack’s issues are piling up. Sealing the mate bond? What difference does it make?”

I accepted his excuses without question, believing him wholeheartedly. Until today, that is.

Today, everything changed. I witnessed it with my own eyes—Christian, standing before the pack elders, sealing the mate bond… with my twin sister, Carrie, the very sister who had vanished without a trace five years ago.

In that instant, a primal rage erupted within me, my wolf growling deep in my chest, her claws raking at the very fabric of my heart.

Carrie’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she flung herself into his arms, her grip tight around the bond-sealing contract.

“Christian, it was my fault… I left you at the altar…” Her voice quivered, each word heavy with regret. “I know you’re only agreeing to this because I’m sick. But I have to ask—after all these years, did you ever forget me? Did you really fall in love with Blair?”

The silence that followed felt like an eternity, stretching out before me like an endless chasm.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, my nails digging into my palms until I could feel the warmth of blood trickling down my fingers. Even my wolf trembled with fury and heartbreak.

“No,” he finally replied, his voice as cold and unyielding as a winter frost. “Never.”

With those words, Carrie erupted into tears of joy. She rose on tiptoe, her lips meeting his in a kiss that deepened as his hand found its way to her waist.

“No—!”

My wolf unleashed a furious roar, a tempest of emotions surging through my veins. My fingertips turned numb, and my bones tensed, threatening to break through my skin.

But they didn’t even glance my way. Not once.

Beeeeeeep—

A car horn blared, sharp and jarring, pulling me from my thoughts. I jerked my head up to see three sleek black Maybachs gliding to a halt nearby. Out stepped the three Alphas of the Bloodstone Pack—my three older brothers: Lysander, Orion, and Zayden.

“The bond-sealing deal’s done? Mate bond sealed too?” Zayden exclaimed, clapping his hands together with a grin. “Fantastic! The restaurant’s booked. Let’s go celebrate!”

A chill seeped into my bones, as though I had been thrown into an Arctic sea.

These were the same brothers who had made me breakfast just this morning, their laughter filling the air as they cooked with love.

Carrie dashed into their arms, sobbing with relief like a little girl finally returning home. “I thought… I thought you all didn’t want me anymore…”

They exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of concern and affection. Finally, Zayden reached out, ruffling her hair in that familiar, indulgent way. “Silly girl. You’ve been causing us trouble since you were little. When have we not cleaned up your mess?”

Carrie wiped her tears and effortlessly looped her arms through theirs, a picture of happiness as they strolled toward the cars, laughter ringing in the air.

Not one of them turned to look at me.

It was only when their cars vanished from sight that I finally succumbed to the weight of my despair, collapsing against a nearby tree as if my heart had been violently ripped from my chest.

The rough bark scraped against my skin, but the pain was nothing compared to the ache in my heart, torn wide open.

Carrie had always been the one everyone adored, ever since we were children.

Though we were twins, we were never equals.

When I was sick with a fever, my brothers took her to the amusement park. On my birthday, I spent the day alone while she was showered with gifts from the entire pack, my brothers by her side.

I harbored a crush on Christian for a decade—he was my fated mate—but with just one look from her, he rejected me, kissing her hand instead.

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