3: THREE

K I A R A It’s been a week since the most humiliating moment of my life. A week since the man I loved and trusted publicly rejected me and declared his love for another. A week since my whole world came crashing down. I had never felt so alone. I didn't have any friends or family here that I could turn to. My mother was long dead, and my father had cut me off after finding out that I had mated with someone that wasn’t his choice. I was left to pick up the pieces of my broken heart on my own. I couldn't stay here. Everywhere I looked, I was reminded of him and the pain that he had caused me. It was suffocating. Nolan was all I had. I had been so emotionally dependent on him, that the thought of having to rebuild my life without him was overwhelming. I was a broken mess. The entire pack had turned me into a laughing stock. Anywhere I went, people would stare and make snide remarks about how unworthy I was, and how I reeked of rejection. The news had spread like wildfire, and even people from other packs had started gossiping about me. I spent days locked up in my room, crying and wondering what I had done to deserve such treatment. How could Nolan do this to me? I was ashamed. Ashamed of the love I had given him. Ashamed of the life I had created with him. The one person who was supposed to love me had destroyed me. He had betrayed me and used me, and left me with nothing. But, I was done sulking. I was tired of feeling sorry for myself. I had spent the past week wallowing in self pity and selfloathing. I knew I couldn't go on like this. Today was Nolan and Lyra’s wedding day. He was going to make her his official Luna, and it would be the end of me. I peeped out from the window, and watched the town come alive as people got ready for the big event. It was like the entire town was excited to be rid of me. I walked to the grand hall, the place where Nolan had crushed my heart. Lyra was wearing a beautiful white dress, and she looked stunning. The entire pack was gathered to witness the union of their new Luna. She smiled at them and waved, and they responded by cheering and applauding. It was almost as if I didn't exist. The moment I stepped foot inside the hall, the whispers started, and people would glance at me before turning away in disgust. I was an outcast. "Look at her, thinking she can still show her face here," "She doesn't have any dignity left." "What a loser, coming here and thinking she can still get the Alpha's attention." The insults kept coming, and each one stung worse than the last. I sat in the far corner of the hall, watching the proceedings with tears in my eyes. It was torture. I saw Lyra walk towards Nolan, and a hush fell over the room as the priest began the ceremony. "Do you, Lyra Lockwood, promise to honor, respect, and obey your Alpha, till death do you part?" the priest asked. "I do," Lyra replied. "And do you, Nolan Wolf, Alpha of the Crescent pack, promise to honor, respect, and protect your Luna, till death do you part?" the priest continued. "I do," Nolan replied. "Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride." The crowd erupted into cheers, and the newlywed couple shared a passionate kiss. I couldn't watch anymore. It was too much. I needed to get out of there. I stood up and made my way out of the hall. As I walked past them, Nolan turned to me and for a moment, our eyes met. He looked at me with an emotion that resembled pity, before turning his attention back to his new wife. It was then that I realized he had never loved me. He was never going to love me. I had been a fool. I was nothing to him. I hurried out of the hall, not caring if anyone saw me. It was time to return to the life that I had abandoned. The life of an Alpha King's secret daughter. As the car drove away, I didn't look back. My days of living as the ex Luna of the Crescent Wolf pack were over. ***** "Well well well, if it isn’t my prodigal daughter, back from her adventures in the world," I was standing outside the gates of my father's palace, looking up at his large and intimidating figure. My father had always had a commanding presence. He was a large man, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes just like mine. He wore his power and authority like a badge of honor. "Hello, father," I said, trying to keep the sadness out of my voice. Father never liked signs of weakness. "It's nice of you to finally grace us with your presence. And after three years of silence too. I heard the news, Kiara. I knew that boy was bad news. You were a fool to believe his lies." I wanted to lash out and tell him he was wrong. That Nolan was the best thing that ever happened to me. But, the memory of the day he humiliated me in front of everyone stopped me. He was right after all. "I guess I was a fool. I should have listened to you," I replied. My father gave me a satisfied smile. "Don't worry, my dear. You're back home now, where you belong. I will help you forget all about him. Come, let's go inside. Your mother and sister has been waiting for you." At the mention of my stepmom, a scowl came across my face, and I wanted to refuse, but seeing the look in my father's eyes, I knew there was no point. I had lost his bet after all. I had to accept my fate. I had been rejected by the Crescent wolves, and now I had nowhere else to go. "Of course, father," I replied, following him into the palace. As the doors closed behind me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair. I was back to the life I had run away from. A life that I had sworn never to return to.