The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 58

**Between Then and Now by Mark Twain**

**Chapter 2**

Chloe’s most detested sight was Tessa’s apathetic expression, a mask of indifference that suggested she was utterly unconcerned with the world around her. It was a look that could ignite the flames of frustration in Chloe’s heart.

“You’ve never cared about me,” Chloe shot back, her voice laced with bitterness. “This has been the case since we were little girls, hasn’t it? Nothing has changed.”

“But how can you not respect Mom and Dad?” Tessa retorted, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her tone as if she were standing up for Liam and Audrey, their parents.

Before Tessa could formulate a proper response, Ryan, who had been sitting nearby, interjected with a soothing tone.

“Don’t be upset, Chloe. Tessa didn’t mean it,” he said softly, his voice a balm to Chloe’s frayed nerves.

“Don’t hold it against her,” he added, his gentle demeanor aimed at easing the tension in the air.

Ryan’s words were not merely an attempt to defend Tessa; they were a deliberate effort to comfort Chloe, who often found herself on the edge of emotional turmoil. This was not the first time he had played this role, and he had become quite adept at it.

He knew, without a doubt, how to bring Chloe back from the brink of her anger. His phone buzzed incessantly with messages, each one a testament to his affection for her, a digital declaration of love that he had crafted over time.

Meanwhile, Tessa felt a wave of foolishness wash over her, realizing how blind she had been to Ryan’s secret account. That hidden Instagram, often referred to as a “finsta,” was a shrine dedicated to Chloe, filled with candid snapshots and sweet memories that spoke of a bond she felt excluded from.

His main Instagram account, however, bore no trace of Tessa; it was as if their relationship had never existed. The absence of her presence in his digital life was a stark reminder of her own insignificance.

Ryan not only had the ability to soothe Chloe’s fears but also possessed the charm to win over Liam and Audrey. He was tall, handsome, and had consistently topped his class in Alpha training for several years. But more than that, he was the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack, a perfect match for their daughter, ensuring strong connections within the pack.

Soon, Liam and Audrey’s stern expressions melted into smiles as they turned their attention to Tessa.

“Alright, sit down. Alpha Ryan is your mate. You’re incredibly lucky,” they chimed together, their voices filled with warmth.

Ryan beamed back at Tessa, his happiness palpable after their parents’ compliment. Yet, unbeknownst to him, Tessa loathed that sycophantic grin more than anything else in the world.

She avoided his gaze, her peripheral vision catching the sight of his hand, intertwined with Chloe’s beneath the table. A lump formed in her throat, and she quickly lifted her head, struggling to swallow the ache that blossomed in her chest. Words eluded her as she mechanically continued to eat, determined to mask the hurt that threatened to spill over.

Tessa fought against her emotions, unwilling to let anyone see the pain etched across her features. Her thoughts flickered to the impending arrival of the cruise ship, the vessel that would carry her away from this man, this stifling home, and the pack that had always turned a blind eye to her existence.

The next morning, Ryan roused her from sleep, his excitement palpable as he leaned in, aiming to plant a kiss on her lips. In a reflexive motion, she turned her head away, evading his affection.

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