The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 64

**Chapter 8**

Tessa felt an overwhelming sense of detachment as she stood there, unable to muster the energy to confront the looming figures around her. Engaging in an argument seemed utterly futile to her; it was as if the very air was thick with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved tensions.

All she craved was to escape this place, to put as much distance between herself and the chaos as possible. Each passing moment felt like a stone sinking in her stomach, a reminder of the turmoil that had become her life.

“The ship will arrive early this morning,” the attendant began, their voice a monotonous drone. “Would you prefer to board later in the day or…?”

Before the attendant could finish their sentence, Tessa interjected, her voice sharp and decisive. “I’ll go in the early hours.”

“Alright, we’ll be waiting for you,” the attendant replied, their tone devoid of any real concern.

With Ryan absent, the remnants of her life felt even more hollow. She hastily gathered her belongings, packing everything up with a sense of urgency, leaving only Ryan’s possessions behind—a painful reminder of what could have been.

The news of their intended mating ceremony had spread like wildfire through the packs, and her phone buzzed incessantly with messages of congratulations:

“Congratulations on your wedding!”

“Wishing you a happy marriage! Stay joyful!”

“I’ve always thought you and Alpha Ryan were meant to be.”

The well-wishing felt like a tidal wave of insincerity, polite formalities that washed over her but left her feeling more isolated than ever.

Tessa stared at her phone, her eyes welling with unshed tears. A wedding? The very idea felt like a cruel joke.

She couldn’t bring herself to respond to a single message. The truth was, she had never desired to be Ryan’s Luna. The thought of it twisted her insides.

Alone, she made her way to the venue for the ceremony, her eyes scanning the opulent floral arrangements—once a vision of her dreams. But now, they felt like a mockery of her reality.

As she gazed at the photographs displayed, each captured smile was a painful reminder of the life she was supposed to embrace. In a moment of defiance, she ripped one of the wedding photos in half.

To the attendant lingering nearby, she delivered her command with icy detachment. “Take all these down. I don’t want to see them.”

The attendant, sensing her distress but not daring to pry, simply nodded, assuming her behavior stemmed from unhappiness.

“Why are you throwing a tantrum? You’re about to become the Luna of a pack; you should act a little more mature,” a voice chimed from behind her, laced with condescension.

Tessa turned to find Audrey standing there, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips.

Silence enveloped Tessa. Audrey had always been the one to pressure her into the role of the perfect Luna, while Chloe flitted through life, carefree and unburdened.

Tessa had long since learned to weather Audrey’s criticisms, each one a reminder of the expectations that felt like chains around her.

Audrey scoffed, pulling out a small gift box from her purse, the gesture almost mocking. “This is your new mating ceremony gift.”

Tessa blinked in surprise, her heart racing. Had her mother ever given her anything before?

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify