The Silent Luna's Trial (Maple and Finn) novel Chapter 58

Chapter 4

Ryan glanced down at his phone, his eyes flicking briefly to Tessa, who was peacefully asleep beside him. Satisfied she was resting, he pressed record and sent a voice message, his tone warm and affectionate.

“But I just got back, babe. How about tomorrow instead?”

On the other end of the line, Chloe’s voice came through without hesitation, bold and insistent.

“Ryan, don’t you miss me? I miss you so much. I just want to see you.”

Then, with a teasing edge, she added, “By the way, did the wedding dress I wore today look good?”

Ryan didn’t hesitate for a second.

“Of course it looked amazing.”

Chloe pressed further, her voice laced with challenge. “So, who do you think looked better in that dress, Tessa or me?”

Ryan paused, stealing a quick glance at the sleeping Tessa before answering.

“No one looks better than you.”

His words cut through the silence like a knife, piercing Tessa’s heart deeply. He had once told her she was the most beautiful and kind woman he had ever known. Not long ago, Ryan had proudly declared in front of the entire pack that Tessa would be their future Luna. Everyone had looked on with envy, and Tessa had allowed herself to believe that happiness was finally within reach.

Now, the truth was undeniable. Ryan’s public declaration had been nothing more than a convenient lie, a ruse to push Tessa out of the Bloodmoon pack. This scheme ensured that Chloe would stand alone as the future Luna, securing both the pack’s loyalty and their parents’ approval. It also gave Chloe the power to manipulate Tessa from within, all while maintaining her own position as Luna.

Chloe, seemingly satisfied with his answer, softened her tone immediately.

“So, are you coming over to stay with me tonight?”

“I’m still waiting for you,” she whispered, her voice tender and coaxing.

Ryan’s resolve wavered. “Tessa’s asleep now. Wait for me.”

He rose from the bed, gathering his clothes as he prepared to leave. Before stepping out, he quickly sent a text to Tessa, covering his tracks.

“Babe, something urgent came up with the pack. I have to go back. Stay home and wait for me.”

Tessa had lost count of how many nights Ryan had spun this same lie. Every time he claimed “pack business,” it was likely a secret meeting with Chloe instead.

She couldn’t even remember how many times this betrayal had repeated.

Watching Ryan walk away, a heavy bitterness settled in her chest. Curling up on her side, she struggled to hold back tears that soaked into her pillow. Her wolf whimpered softly beside her.

“Why doesn’t our mate love us?” the silent question echoed in her mind.

It wasn’t a discussion—it was a command.

Though she wished to avoid it, Tessa had no choice but to play her part in this cruel charade.

The meeting was set in a park, with the restaurant chosen being Chloe’s favorite.

Even though the gathering was supposed to be about Tessa and Ryan’s impending mating ceremony, Chloe sat beside Ryan, radiant in a white dress.

Rig and Olivia, seated with them, showed Chloe obvious favoritism. They allowed her to choose wherever she wanted to sit.

Compared to Tessa—the pack’s adopted daughter—Rig and Olivia clearly preferred Chloe, the Alpha’s biological daughter from the neighboring pack, as Ryan’s Luna.

Their politeness toward Tessa was nothing but a mask; beneath it lay cold indifference.

When Tessa had first fallen for Ryan, believing him to be her destined mate, she had been willing to endure their lack of warmth and respect. She held onto the hope that, in time, they would come to love her.

But now—

That hope was shattered.

She couldn’t bear this life any longer, nor did she want to spend another day trapped within it.