The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 72

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**Chapter 16**

Chloe’s focus shifted to the Silvermoon Pack, her mind racing with thoughts of power and dominance. She incessantly urged Olivia, her closest ally, to take action, knowing that Olivia was the key to controlling Ryan. It was a moment of opportunity that Chloe was determined to seize.

“Come on, Olivia! We need to make this happen,” Chloe insisted, her voice laced with urgency. She was aware that Olivia held the influence to persuade Ryan, and she intended to exploit that influence to its fullest extent.

Under Olivia’s relentless pressure, Ryan found himself cornered, forced to publicly declare that Chloe would ascend to the role of Luna within the pack. He reluctantly acknowledged that he had marked her as his mate, a statement that echoed through the gathered crowd. Yet, the atmosphere was thick with tension; no one offered their congratulations. The silence spoke volumes, revealing their shared discomfort and disbelief.

Once the announcement was made, Chloe wasted no time in pressing Olivia to organize their mating ceremony. She was aware of her scandalous reputation, which made the request almost laughable. But now that she was on the brink of becoming Luna of the Silvermoon Pack, she felt emboldened, ready to assert her newfound authority within the confines of her home.

“Listen, I spoke with your mom,” Chloe said, a smirk dancing on her lips. “We’re having the mating ceremony next month.” The words rolled off her tongue with a sense of triumph, as if she had just won a great battle.

Ryan’s reaction was immediate and visceral; his face darkened with disapproval. “Dream on,” he muttered under his breath, his tone dripping with disdain.

Chloe let out a cold, mocking laugh, unfazed by his dismissive words. In her mind, she was one step closer to achieving her ambitions, and nothing would deter her.

For Ryan, the reality of living with someone he couldn’t stand was becoming increasingly unbearable. No matter how hard he tried to distance himself, Chloe’s presence was an incessant reminder of his predicament. He loathed her with a fiery passion, a hatred so profound that he found himself contemplating dark thoughts. She had turned his life into a nightmare, and he was determined to prevent her dreams from ever coming to fruition. If he had to make her suffer, he would do so with pleasure.

Then, for the first time, Ryan broke the silence that hung heavily between them. “I have something for you. Come upstairs,” he commanded, his voice low and filled with an unsettling calm.

Chloe’s heart raced with a flicker of hope, believing that perhaps, despite everything, Ryan still cared for her in some twisted way. Eagerly, she ascended the staircase, anticipation bubbling within her. But just as she reached the second floor, Ryan appeared before her like a storm cloud, his intentions dark and foreboding.