The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 41

**Between Then and Now by Mark Twain**

**Chapter 10**

**Skyla’s POV**

As I stepped into the clearing, heads turned, and jaws dropped in unison. The murmurs of surprise and admiration washed over me like a tide, and I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

Oh, I know—this dress hugs my curves in all the right places, and I’m absolutely owning every second of it.

Yet, the absence of Selene and Cassian was palpable. They hadn’t arrived for the shifting ceremony yet, and I could only imagine where they were—probably tangled up in each other somewhere, lost in their own world.

Seeking a moment of solace, I stepped outside the lively gathering, craving a breath of fresh air to clear my mind. The laughter and chatter faded behind me, replaced by the rustling leaves and the cool breeze that brushed against my skin.

I genuinely felt happiness for my brother and all my friends, but a nagging thought crept in. Why couldn’t I have a mate like theirs? A sense of longing gnawed at my heart, twisting with envy.

Just as that thought settled in my mind, an icy shiver danced down my spine. My breath hitched when I felt a hand slide across the small of my back, and a voice, low and sultry, whispered in my ear, “My beautiful mate.”

Disgust bubbled up within me, and without a second thought, I spun around, my palm connecting sharply with his cheek.

“Don’t you ever touch me again,” I spat, my voice laced with venom. “Next time, I swear I’ll rip your damn hand off.”

The audacity of this fool was astounding. He dared to claim that I was his mate, insisting he had the right to invade my space.

I locked my gaze onto his, fury igniting in my chest. “I will never be yours,” I declared, my voice steady and unwavering.

He stood there, still reeking of my sister’s scent, the nerve of him asking for my forgiveness, pleading for another chance. He had the gall to say that if he had known how fine I was, he would have never rejected “a piece of ass” like me.

A wave of revulsion washed over me, and I turned my back on him, walking deeper into the woods, ignoring his desperate shouts and pathetic promises to win me back.

Honestly? My bratty, spoiled sister was getting exactly what she deserved.

Just as the moment approached for us to shift into our wolves, my father stepped forward, commanding the attention of the crowd with an air of authority.

He announced that we had a surprise visitor, a message he had been holding back from the Moon Goddess until the time was ripe.

According to the prophecy, this wolf was of immense importance—he was a Golden Wolf.

And even more astonishing? His mate was also a Golden Wolf, and together they would form the most powerful mated pair the world had ever seen.

Selene perked up immediately, her eyes sparkling with ambition. “I just know it’s me,” she declared smugly, her voice dripping with arrogance. “So screw you, Zayden and Cassian.”

Then, she turned her venomous gaze toward me, hissing, “Skyla, I’ve always been jealous of you. That’s why I treated you like crap. But now? You’ll be the one who’s jealous of me, because I’m going to be powerful.”