The Rejected Luna (Avery and Kaden) novel Chapter 82

**Chapter 26**

It wasn’t long before Audrey found herself awakening in the sterile confines of a hospital room, her senses slowly coming back to life. The faint beeping of machines and the smell of antiseptic filled her with a sense of disorientation. In that moment, Liam, her unwavering partner, felt an urgency stir within him. He quickly reached for his phone, dialing Tessa’s number with a sense of desperation.

Tessa, who had been lost in her own thoughts, felt a sudden jolt of anxiety as she gathered a few essentials from her home. She hurriedly shoved items into her bag, her mind racing. The hospital was a place she had hoped to avoid, but now she was being summoned, and she couldn’t ignore the call.

As Audrey’s eyelids fluttered open, the first words that escaped her lips were a whisper of concern. “Tessa, where is she?” Her voice was fragile, laced with an urgency that tugged at Liam’s heart.

“Don’t worry, love,” Liam replied, his tone soothing yet firm. “Tessa will be here soon.” He hoped his words would bring her some comfort, and gradually, he noticed a semblance of peace washing over her features.

Audrey’s thoughts drifted to Tessa, filled with a bittersweet pride. “Did you know? Tessa found a second mate… she found a second home.” Her voice quivered, and tears welled in her eyes, the weight of her emotions almost too heavy to bear.

Liam nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the truth that hung in the air between them. He had known all along, but the knowledge didn’t ease the ache in his heart. He could sense that Audrey felt a distance from him, as if he were a stranger who didn’t care for their child. Little did she realize the lengths he had gone to, sending out messenger wolves in search of Tessa, hoping to bridge the gap that had formed between them.

When Tessa finally arrived, the atmosphere shifted. Audrey mustered a weak smile, though it barely masked the pallor of her face and the hollowness in her eyes. It was a sight Tessa had never encountered before; her mother looked so frail, so vulnerable.

Tessa’s heart ached at the sight. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat, a storm of emotions swirling within her. Liam, sensing the tension, stood and gestured for Tessa to take a seat. “Sit down, talk to your mom. She’s been waiting for you.”

Audrey struggled to prop herself up against the pillows, her eyes searching Tessa’s face for any sign of hope. “Tessa, your father and I truly hope you can come back to us. Be our daughter again.” The plea in her voice was palpable, a longing that resonated deeply.

Tessa lowered her gaze, silence enveloping her like a heavy blanket. What could she possibly say to her parents now? The hope that had once flickered brightly within her had dimmed over the years, perhaps extinguished when she was merely five years old. Or maybe it had been snuffed out the day Audrey had gifted her that necklace during the mating ceremony—a moment that should have been filled with joy but had instead become a painful reminder of their fractured family.

Time seemed to stretch as Tessa remained silent, her thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a gust of wind. Finally, she broke the stillness. “I’ve already forgiven you both, in my heart…” Her voice was soft, yet it carried a weight that filled the room.

In response, both Liam and Audrey exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with a long-lost smile, one that Tessa could sense was genuine, even if it felt distant.

“But I’m not going back.” The declaration hung in the air like a thunderclap, freezing the smiles on their faces. Disappointment flickered in Audrey’s eyes, and she leaned forward slightly, her brow furrowing.

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