The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 66

**Between Then and Now by Mark Twain**

**Chapter 10**

Ryan raced down the winding road, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts centered solely on Tessa. The world outside blurred past him, but all he could see was her face, the way her laughter lit up his darkest days.

As he approached the traffic light, a crimson glow flickered ahead, but without a moment’s hesitation, he slammed his foot down on the accelerator, his heart pounding in sync with the roar of the engine.

He blew through several red lights, adrenaline coursing through his veins, sweat pooling in his palms as he gripped the steering wheel.

Never before had he felt such a heavy weight of concern for Tessa.

A sharp pang of fear gripped him—the terrifying thought that she might leave him forever.

The drive home from the mating ceremony, usually a tranquil fifty-minute journey, felt like an eternity as he somehow managed to cut it down to just over thirty minutes, his desperation fueling every reckless turn and acceleration.

Bursting through the front door, he dashed straight to the bedroom, a sense of urgency propelling him forward. But as he crossed the threshold, he halted, his breath catching in his throat. The room was empty, a hollow shell devoid of life.

The sight was almost too surreal to process—it was as if Tessa had never been there at all.

His belongings lay scattered around, but her presence, her essence, was nowhere to be found.

“Tessa!” he called out, his voice echoing in the silence, but no reply came.

In the living room, panic clawed at his chest, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, the thundering of his heartbeat drowning out all rational thought.

He turned sharply to the maid who stood nearby, her eyes wide with fear. “Where’s Tessa? Where did she go?” he demanded, his voice laced with urgency.

The maid flinched, visibly shaken by his tone. “Luna Tessa… didn’t she leave yesterday?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, assuming that Tessa had gone to the Slivermoon pack to gather her belongings.

Ryan’s fists clenched, fury bubbling to the surface as he smashed a nearby vase against the wall, the shards scattering like his hopes.

“Find her! Rally the entire pack to search for her!” he shouted, his voice echoing like a storm.

“Bring Luna Tessa back!”

The servants exchanged worried glances; they had never witnessed Ryan’s wrath like this since he and Tessa had bonded as mates.

As the adrenaline began to fade, Ryan felt his body tremble, the strength draining from him like water through a sieve. He sank onto the couch, overwhelmed by the weight of despair.

“I told you, you can’t betray our mate,” his wolf’s voice hissed coldly in his mind.

“Shut up,” he snapped back, frustration boiling within him.

Suddenly, his throat constricted, emotions flooding through him, choking him.

Today was supposed to mark the beginning of their new life together—their mating ceremony.

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