The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 11

**Between Then and Now by Mark Twain**

**Chapter 2**

**Blair’s POV**

The shopkeeper glanced at my bloodshot eyes, a flicker of concern crossing his face, but he wisely chose to remain silent.

With practiced efficiency, he rifled through the documents on his cluttered desk, his tone respectful and professional. “We’ll finalize the paperwork as quickly as we can. As soon as everything is in order, we’ll reach out to you about the departure to the island.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I signed my name with a flourish and retrieved a sleek black card from my wallet. My movements were sharp, purposeful, a reflection of the storm raging within me. As the payment processed, my hand remained steady, unwavering—like the wolf inside me had finally succumbed to the chill of resignation, its struggles frozen in time.

Stepping outside, I was engulfed by the encroaching darkness. The sky loomed heavy with clouds, pregnant with the promise of a storm. The air was thick with a metallic scent, a harbinger of the chaos to come.

Arriving back at the pack house, I crossed the threshold into the foyer, immediately enveloped by the warm glow of light and the sounds of laughter that felt both familiar and alien.

My pupils constricted, a visceral reaction to the scene unfolding before me.

Christian lounged on the couch, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he skillfully peeled an apple for Carrie. His fingers were long and elegant, moving with the grace of an artist crafting a masterpiece. Nearby, my three brothers sat like vigilant sentinels, their presence a reminder of the loyalty that bound us.

“Carrie,” Orion coaxed softly, his voice filled with a tenderness that felt foreign to me, “take your medicine.”

“It’s so bitter…” Carrie whined, her tone sweet yet full of delicate protests.

Without missing a beat, Zayden reached into his pocket, producing a piece of chocolate. “This was your favorite when you were a kid. I always keep one handy for you.”

I stood frozen at the doorway, my fingertips digging into my palm with such intensity that blood began to seep out, yet I felt nothing—a numbing void where emotions should have been.

“Blair?” Christian was the first to notice my presence. He rose and approached me, concern etched on his face. “Where have you been all day? I didn’t see you once.”

His voice was soft, almost gentle, as if he were a different person from the one I had seen earlier—sealing the mate bond with Carrie, my sister, the one who had betrayed me in the most profound way.

I remained silent, my gaze sliding past him to land on Carrie—the sister who had once fled her wedding, shattering my world in the process.

Christian followed my line of sight, then offered a quiet explanation. “Carrie’s sick. Terminally ill. She just wants to spend her last days surrounded by family. I know she made a mistake when she ran away, but she’s still your sister. For your sake—”

“For my sake?” I let out a laugh that was cold and hollow, a sound that rumbled deep within me like a growl. “Or is it because you never truly let her go?”

His expression darkened, a shadow crossing his features. “Blair…”

“Blair.” Lysander, my eldest brother, stepped forward. He reached out instinctively to ruffle my hair but halted, transforming the gesture into a comforting pat on my shoulder. “Carrie doesn’t have much time left. It’s not like our pack can’t manage to take care of one more person…”

“Yeah,” Orion chimed in, his voice steady and reassuring. “She’s been through a lot. She knows she messed up. But we’re family.”

“You’re the sensible one, right?” Zayden added from behind me, his tone heavy with expectation.

I clenched my jaw, feeling the tension coil within me. My wolf snarled and thrashed, desperate to break free, to unleash the fury that simmered just beneath the surface—but there was no outlet for her rage.

Finally, I muttered, “Fine.”

A wave of relief washed over their faces, satisfied smiles spreading like sunlight breaking through clouds.

“Keep Carrie company,” Christian instructed. “We’ll go prepare a room for her.”

After they ascended the stairs, Carrie slowly rose from the couch and made her way toward me. Her face was pale, yet the spark in her eyes betrayed a sense of delight that made my skin crawl.

“Blair, it’s been five long years. I brought you a little gift,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness.

Instinctively, I took a step back. Every fiber of my being screamed that something was amiss.

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