The Alpha’s Rejected Luna: Crown of Thorns Chapter 05

The Alpha’s Rejected Luna: Crown of Thorns Chapter 05

Kael swirled the wine in his goblet, a lazy smirk pulling at his mouth.

“She’s only here because tradition demands it,” he said. “Ravenna has always been the woman in my heart. And this

boy-Asher-is my rightful heir.”

Asher stepped forward like a prince who’d never been denied a single thing. He shifted into his wolf form-a sleek, silver pup-and performed the ceremonial howl with perfect pitch and posture. Applause erupted around the table. The

Alphas pounded their fists in approval.

Beside me, Lily went completely still.

Her eyes shimmered with tears as she looked down at her own hands-small, bruised, trembling. She’d been

practicing her first shift for months. She was supposed to present at the next moon ceremony. Now she sat in rags at

the end of the table while another child took her place.

Ravenna inclined her head, her voice dripping with syrupy sympathy.

“Oh, Lily… you still can’t shift? How tragic. But really, that’s your mother’s fault-weak bloodline, weak wolf-”

My goblet slammed against the table as I stood.

“Don’t you dare twist my child’s mind,” I snapped, voice shaking with fury. “You’re the one who told those enforcers to

brutalize her. You ordered them to hurt a four-year-old so your son could stand in the spotlight unchallenged!”

A sharp intake of breath rippled around the table.

Ravenna’s lips quivered as tears spilled perfectly down her cheeks. She turned to Kael, clutching his arm, her voice

breaking on cue.

“Sera, why are you attacking me in front of the Alphas? What have I ever done to deserve such cruelty?”

The chair screeched as Kael shoved it back and stood, rage blazing in his golden eyes.

“How dare you humiliate Ravenna in front of my guests!”

Before I could react, his hand fisted in my hair. Pain exploded across my scalp as he dragged me downward, forcing

me onto my knees against the cold stone floor.

Lily screamed.

“Papa, stop! Please don’t hurt Mama!”

Kael turned his head slowly, his voice dropping into something cold and vicious.

“Be quiet,” he said. “If you don’t shut your mouth, I’ll throw you into the rogue pit.”

My heart froze.

Lily went deathly pale, her small body trembling as she pressed into me. The rogue pit had always terrified her-ever since Asher had shoved her near the edge last winter and a feral wolf had snapped at her face, leaving a scar along her jaw. I remembered the blood, her screams, and Kael brushing it off, calling her weak. He had never once protected her.

Now Lily buried her face against me, shaking so violently it felt like my chest was being ripped open.

At first, the visiting Alphas shifted uncomfortably. Then one of them laughed. Another joined. Soon the hall rumbled

with cruel amusement.

“The rejected Luna really doesn’t know her place.”

“Kael, you need to train her better.”

Ravenna hid behind Kael’s arm, clutching his sleeve like a frightened dove.

“Please,” she murmured softly. “Don’t punish her too harshly. It’s my fault… she’s just envious.”

Her false mercy only fed his rage.

His palm struck my face again. The sting was blinding, my ears ringing.

“Apologize to Ravenna. Now.”

I shook my head weakly. “I didn’t-”

“Do it!” he roared. “Or your daughter loses everything. No healers. No education. No food. Let her rot alongside you in

the omega den.”

I went still.

Across the room, Asher puffed his chest, his grin identical to his mother’s-triumphant. The omegas kept their heads lowered, pity flickering in their eyes, but none dared step forward.

Lily trembled beside me.

For her-and only for her-I sank lower until my forehead nearly touched the stone. Tears slid down my cheeks as I whispered,

“I’m sorry, Ravenna.”

Laughter erupted. Goblets clinked.

“At least she knows obedience,” one Alpha sneered.

Ravenna approached, smiling sweetly. She patted my head like I was a stray dog.

“It’s alright,” she said gently. “Sera is simply unwell with jealousy. I forgive her.”

The Alphas praised her generosity, every word a silver blade in my chest.

“What a compassionate Luna.”

“So gracious.”

Lily’s small voice pierced through the noise.

“Don’t talk about my mama like that! She’s not sick!”

Kael’s expression darkened instantly. He snapped his fingers.

“Take that pup away before she embarrasses me further.”

+218 Coins

The omegas hesitated, then gently pried Lily from my arms. She screamed, clawing at me, but they carried her away while I remained on the floor, shaking, my heart splitting apart.

Kael lifted his goblet with satisfaction.

“This is why discipline keeps she-wolves obedient.”

The Alphas laughed. One leaned back, smirking.

“Lock her in the cellar until she learns manners.”

Kael chuckled. “That’s not a bad idea.”

I stayed silent. If I spoke, it would only get worse.

When the guests finally left, the pack house fell into eerie quiet. My cheek throbbed. My hair was still tangled from his grip. As I walked down the corridor, Ravenna stepped into my path, her perfume suffocating.

She leaned close, her whisper sharp as fangs.

“Did you hear them laugh at you? Even Kael doesn’t see you as a Luna anymore. Soon you’ll be nothing but an omega. Or maybe he’ll toss you and your bastard pup into the rogue lands.”

Her eyes gleamed.

“Asher will replace Lily in everything. Status. Legacy. Even affection.”

I couldn’t respond. My throat felt shredded, my heart hollowed out.

That night, in the cramped omega quarters, I lay beside Lily. Her breathing was uneven, her tiny fists clenched even in

sleep.

I pressed my hand over my mouth and cried silently, choking on every sob. But somewhere deep inside, something

ignited. Kael would never protect us. Ravenna would never stop until Lily was erased.

In the darkness, I whispered,

“One day… they’ll regret all of this.”

Then my phone lit up.

A name flashed on the screen.

Damien Volkov.

“Hello?” I whispered.

His voice came through low and unwavering, sharp as steel.

“The seven days are nearly over, Sera. Prepare yourself. I’m coming to claim what belongs to me.”