The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 33

**Between Then and Now by Mark Twain**

**Chapter 2**

**Skyla’s POV**

After what felt like an eternity, we finally pulled up to the school, though Selene’s relentless complaints filled the car like an unwelcome soundtrack throughout the ride.

I maneuvered my sleek black 2023 Dodge Durango SRT into my usual parking spot, one of the prime spaces reserved for members of the Alpha family. The moment I parked, I noticed Sebastian’s shiny black 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk already sitting proudly beside me, a testament to our family’s wealth.

Yeah, our parents are loaded. In the human world, Dad is a wildly successful entrepreneur, juggling more businesses than I can even begin to count. His relentless ambition has paved the way for our luxurious lives, but it also comes with its own set of pressures.

On the other side of Sebastian’s vehicle, a striking deep navy Tesla Model S caught my eye. The instant Selene squealed with excitement as if she had just struck gold, I knew exactly who owned that sleek machine—Cassian Mercer, the future Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack.

I do my utmost to steer clear of Cassian. For reasons I can’t quite fathom, he seems to harbor an intense dislike for me. He’s the ringleader when it comes to name-calling and insults, a relentless source of mockery. To make matters worse, our birthdays fall on the same day—tomorrow, to be precise. Coincidentally, his twin sister Alexia shares the same date with us. Given that our families are practically intertwined, and with Selene convinced that Cassian is her destined mate, our dads have decided to throw one colossal birthday bash for all of us.

Even though Cassian treats me like I’m beneath him, I won’t deny it—he’s absurdly handsome. Standing at an impressive 6’8″, he towers over most people, just like Sebastian. His intense green eyes are captivating—yes, this bronze-skinned Adonis possesses emerald green eyes that could make anyone forget their own name in an instant. His hair is always styled in tight, alluring waves, the kind that makes you want to run your fingers through it. And those abs? They’re always on display, perfectly sculpted beneath his fitted t-shirts that cling to him like a second skin.

Wait. No. Snap out of it, Skyla.

I despise him just as much as he despises me. End of story.

As I approached my locker, the familiar chorus of insults began, echoing through the hallway like a twisted melody.

“Hey fatso, nerd, loser, ugly, four-eyes,” they snickered from down the corridor, their laughter ringing in my ears like a cruel bell.

They always seem to wait until Sebastian is out of sight before launching their attacks. Selene, along with her entourage of mean-girl clones and Cassian, always takes center stage in this parade of cruelty.

I never utter a word. The unspoken rule around here is simple: “Snitches get stitches.”

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