The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon (Celine and Bastian) novel Chapter 1

15:0

Mon, Aug

The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

Chapter 1

B

I leave the flowers on my mother’s grave just as the sun begins to rise over the Blood Moon pack.

Moon crystal lilies, her favorites according to my grandmother. She died giving birth to me twenty-two years ago. I finish cleaning the grave and gather my things to leave. I don’t want to run into anyone. Carrying the guilt of being the reason my mother died is already more than enough without my father or the rest of my family throwing disgusted looks or cruel comments my way.

To my father, I’m nothing but a living curse, the daughter who should never have been born. The killer of his Luna, his love. his mate chosen by the Moon Goddess.

My plan is to head into the forest, visit my grandmother at her cabin, and spend my birthday with her. Some people would say that’s better than nothing, but my father’s rejection still hurts. So does the rejection from his new mate and my siblings,

I’m invisible when it suits them, and painfully visible when they need someone to dump their anger and frustrations on. Today, if I stay in that house, that anger will come from my father and my brothers.

“I’m sorry you’re not here, Mom. But thank you for choosing to love me and have me even when no one else wanted me.” run my hand over the photograph embedded in her headstone and let a single tear fall. “I’m going to Grandma’s today. 1 won’t be alone.”

When I turn around, my bag already packed, I wipe my face and head toward the pack cemetery’s exit.

It’s still early, but I hurry home so I can take a quick shower. Grandma Amelia usually waits for me to have breakfast with her, and I don’t want to keep her waiting.

Unfortunately, there are two cars parked in the driveway, which means my father and the others are already awake entertaining visitors.

Christian, my father’s Beta, steps out through the front door looking tense, and out of habit I stop and lower my head, waiting for him to walk past me.

He doesn’t. Instead, he stops in front of me and places a hand on my shoulder.

“Celine, you need to come inside.” His voice is soft, kind, but there’s something wrong in his tone, as if he’s hurting. “Your father’s been looking for you for hours. Where were you?”

Without lifting my head, I answer quietly.

“I went to the cemetery early to bring flowers to my mom.” I swallow hard. “I’m sorry, Beta Christian. I forgot to let you

know.”

His hand moves slowly against my shoulder, like he’s trying to comfort me.

“Look at me, Celine.” I raise my head, finally looking away from my feet to meet my father’s Beta’s gray eyes. “Go up to your father’s office. The family’s gathered there. I’m afraid there’s bad news for you. I’m sorry, child.”

His hand leaves my shoulder as he steps aside.

My older brother, Cassius, stands in the doorway with his arms crossed and a hard frown on his face. Annoyed, as always. He walks toward me slowly.

“What did I do wrong. Beta Christian?” I ask quietly before my brother can drag me to my father’s office.

“Your grandmother died last night, Celine. You should go. Don’t keep them waiting.”

Every tear I refused to shed this morning finally breaks free as my knees hit the cold, damp ground.

178

17

O

O

The Second Chance Of The Rejected Moon

“Where the hell were you?!” my brother shouts, grabbing me by the hair and yanking me to my feet “Grandma died while you were out wandering around!”

I hear his yelling and feel the sharp pain in my scalp as it burns under the force of his grip. But nothing hurts more than knowing the only person in the world who ever thought I was special, who truly loved me, is gone to run through the skies with the Moon Goddess and her daughter.

Now I have nothing. No one.

My brother’s brutal slap jerks me back to reality when I feel my lip split open and warm blood spill down my skin.

“What are you waiting for?! Move!”

Without giving me time to stand properly or pull myself together, he drags me forward without releasing my hair.

“This time, I’ll make sure your punishment is unforgettable,” he says, finally shoving me loose near the entrance of the house.

“Let her go, Cassius. Don’t treat her like that. She was at the cemetery leaving flowers for your mother.”.Beta Christian stops my brother’s hand just before it strikes my face again.

My brother’s dry laugh is enough to shatter what little strength I have left. The cruel comment follows immediately after.

“Celine’s the one who killed my mother. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had something to do with Grandma’s death too.”

“You know that’s not true. The pack doctor said she passed peacefully in her sleep. She’s your sister too. You don’t need to treat her this way.”

Beta Christian’s voice hardens, and while I try to fix the mess of my hair, I give him a quiet look of gratitude for defending me from my brother.

“I only have one sister, and this cursed thing isn’t her,” Cassius spits angrily.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify