The Silent Luna's Trial (Maple and Finn) novel Chapter 59

Chapter 5

When Tessa finally arrived, the group barely spared her a glance. Their bodies stayed angled toward Chloe as they chatted, completely ignoring Tessa’s presence. It was clear they were silently judging her.

“Tessa, if only you were as lively and charming as Chloe,” one of them murmured.

“I wish we had a daughter like Chloe — the perfect Luna we’ve been hoping for,” another added with a wistful sigh.

These remarks were nothing new to Tessa; she had heard them countless times before. Over the years, she had grown numb to their dismissive attitudes. She had always kept a distance, never daring to reveal any other side of herself to these people who seemed to reject her so easily.

Chloe, on the other hand, smiled brightly, her voice light and easy as she responded, “Don’t worry, you can treat me like your own daughter.” Then, with a confident grin, she added, “Even if Tessa isn’t the easiest to like, I’ll still do my best to win your favor and continue taking care of the pack.”

Her words flowed so naturally that Rig and Olivia soon joined in the laughter, their faces softening. Nearby, Ryan smiled too, his eyes locked on Chloe with a look of pure admiration—as though she were a priceless treasure, his greatest achievement. Pride shone in his gaze.

Ryan was the second son of the Silver Moon pack, always living in the shadow of his older brother. The pack had long awaited the day his brother would become Alpha, the perfect leader destined to bring prosperity. Everyone expected that once his brother found his mate, they would rule the pack together harmoniously.

But tragedy struck when Ryan met his own mate—she died, and with her loss, his wolf weakened. He sank into despair, spending his days drowning his sorrows in bars, lost in a fog of grief.

Then came Tessa, the so-called perfect Luna, his destined mate. The pack found new hope in her presence, and Ryan finally began to step out from under his brother’s looming shadow. Giving up on Tessa was not an option.

He gently rested his hand on Chloe’s thigh, and they exchanged a knowing glance, their smiles reflecting an unspoken understanding.

She understood him, and that was why he loved her.

Tessa watched the scene silently, her mind drifting elsewhere. All she wanted was to leave. Perhaps no one could truly grasp how she felt, but she loathed moments like this—being sidelined, invisible.

“Tessa, why don’t Alpha and Luna like us?” a small voice asked.

“Clara, it’s not our fault. Don’t be upset,” Tessa replied softly.

“We’ll be okay once we leave this pack,” Clara said with a hopeful tone.

In the past, Ryan had always found excuses to take Tessa away from these painful moments, disregarding what others thought. But now, she looked at him—standing there, doing nothing.

Had he been hiding his feelings so well all along? Or was it that Tessa had only just realized the truth, too late?

As it was time to leave, rain began to fall, gentle at first, then heavier. Chloe, dressed elegantly in a flowing dress and high heels, didn’t even call for Ryan. Without hesitation, he lifted her into his arms.

One hand held the umbrella, shielding them both from the rain, while the other wrapped protectively around Chloe. She nestled against him like a small kitten seeking warmth and safety.

The ride home was silent. Not a word passed between them, as if they were strangers sharing a car.

If she could, Tessa would erase the memory of ever meeting him.

Back at the Bloodmoon pack, Tessa packed up all her belongings, leaving behind everything except one cherished diary. That diary held the precious memories of her childhood, a last gift she intended for Alpha Liam and Luna Audrey.

No one knew why she was leaving so suddenly, and no one seemed to care.

When Audrey saw her walking out of the pack house with her suitcase, she asked coldly, “What’s going on? Are you really leaving the pack for good?”

“You’d better pray you don’t get into trouble with another pack. We won’t help you,” Audrey warned sharply.

Perhaps from the moment they discovered Tessa wasn’t their biological daughter, they had stopped considering her part of the pack. They seemed eager to send her away.

Tessa didn’t respond. Instead, she cast a final glance back at Luna Audrey, the woman who had raised her for twenty years.

Did she have no feelings at all?

Looking at Audrey, Tessa whispered softly, “Goodbye.”