When the Hidden Luna Rises novel Chapter 26

**Chained by Fate**
**Eliza Rowan**
**Chapter 2**

Chloe had always found Tessa’s indifferent demeanor utterly infuriating, that perpetual mask of apathy that suggested she was unaffected by anything around her. It felt like a personal affront to Chloe, a dismissal of everything they had shared over the years.

“You’ve never cared about me,” Chloe retorted, her voice sharp and laced with frustration. “Ever since we were kids, it’s always been like this between us.” The words tumbled out, heavy with the weight of years of bottled-up resentment.

“But how can you not respect Mom and Dad?” Tessa countered, her tone defensive, as if she were standing up for their parents, Liam and Audrey, who had always been the pillars of their lives.

Before Tessa could elaborate, Ryan, who had been seated nearby, interjected.

“Don’t be upset, Chloe. Tessa didn’t mean it,” he said, his voice steady and soothing, a balm for Chloe’s frayed nerves.

“Don’t hold it against her,” he added, his tone gentle, a subtle reminder that sometimes misunderstandings happened even among family.

Ryan’s words weren’t merely an attempt to defend Tessa; they were a genuine effort to comfort Chloe, to ease the tension that crackled in the air. This wasn’t the first time he had stepped in to mediate between the two sisters.

He had a knack for knowing exactly what to say to bring Chloe back from the edge of her anger. His phone buzzed with a thousand messages, each one a testament to his affection for her, a silent reminder of the bond they shared.

Meanwhile, Tessa felt a pang of foolishness wash over her, realizing she had been oblivious to Ryan’s hidden feelings. His secret account, filled with posts dedicated to Chloe, was a stark contrast to his public persona. His Instagram feed, devoid of any trace of her, painted a picture of a love that seemed to exist only in shadows.

Not only did Ryan possess the ability to calm Chloe, but he also knew how to endear himself to their parents, Alpha Liam and Luna Audrey. His tall, handsome frame and impressive track record in Alpha training made him the ideal candidate for a son-in-law, a perfect match to strengthen the pack’s ties.

As Liam and Audrey exchanged glances, their stern expressions softened, and they turned their attention to Tessa.

“Alright, sit down. Alpha Ryan is your mate. You’re so lucky,” they declared, their voices filled with a mixture of excitement and approval.

Ryan beamed at Tessa, his smile bright and genuine, a reflection of the praise he had just received.

Yet, unbeknownst to him, Tessa loathed that sycophantic grin more than anything else in the world. She deliberately avoided his gaze, her peripheral vision catching the sight of his hand, subtly entwined with Chloe’s beneath the table.

A lump formed in her throat, and she felt an ache blossom in her chest. Words eluded her, leaving her feeling hollow as she mechanically continued to eat, forcing herself to appear unaffected.

She struggled to keep her emotions in check, not wanting anyone to witness the depth of her hurt. Her thoughts flickered to the impending arrival of the cruise ship, a vessel that promised her escape from this stifling home and the pack that seemed indifferent to her existence.

The following morning, Ryan roused her from sleep with a gentle nudge. As he leaned in for a kiss, Tessa instinctively turned her head away, avoiding his lips.

Without so much as a word to Tessa, Chloe had donned the gown, grinning as she posed in front of the mirror, clearly reveling in the moment.

Ryan approached her, his admiration evident as he took in the sight of Chloe in the dress. “Wow, Chloe, you look beautiful,” he said, his voice filled with awe.

Chloe’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with delight as she lowered her gaze, almost as if she were the one preparing to walk down the aisle.

“Tessa, do you mind if I try on your wedding dress? It should be fine, right?” she asked, her tone dripping with false innocence.

“I’m so envious that you’re about to become the Luna of the Silvermoon pack. Unlike me, our parents have made it clear that they only want me to be the Luna of our pack,” she added, her words laced with a hint of bitterness.

Not just the dress, but everything about Ryan could easily belong to her, and Tessa could see it in Chloe’s eyes.

Ryan gazed at Chloe with an intensity that made Tessa’s stomach churn. “Chloe is so cute. Liam and Audrey probably can’t bear to let you leave the pack,” he remarked, his voice sounding like a compliment but carrying an undercurrent of sincerity that made Tessa’s skin crawl.

Disgust bubbled within her as she shot Chloe a cold glare. “Are you done wearing it? Take it off,” she demanded, her voice steady but laced with a simmering anger.