Rejected Luna: He Calls Her ‘Mom’ Chapter 04

Rejected Luna: He Calls Her ‘Mom’ Chapter 04

3 AM. Pain exploded at the back of Elias’s neck.

He shot up in bed and doubled over. It wasn’t physical pain-it came from somewhere deeper,

like his soul was being ripped apart.

The mate bond was gone.

9:14 Wed, May 20

Rejected Luna: He Calls Her ‘Mom’

“Fuck…”

He stumbled out and ran barefoot to Aria’s quarters.

នគ 48

The door hung open.

He pushed inside. Sharp medicinal smell. An empty vial on the floor next to dried black blood,

the edges burned and corroded.

The room was empty.

Her closet was bare. Bed made. Even her mother’s necklace-gone.

“Aria?” His voice cracked. “ARIA!”

Only curtains moving in the breeze.

She was gone.

Really gone.

At the Moon Goddess statue, Elias hurled the empty vial at old Priest Moira.

“What the fuck did you give her?”

Moira picked up the vial and sighed. “She came to me a month ago. Knelt before the Goddess

and begged for a potion to break the mate bond.”

Elias’s fists clenched. “You gave it to her?”

“I refused three times.” Moira shook her head. “The fourth time, she slit her wrist. Said if I

didn’t help, she’d die right there.”

Elias’s eyes went wide.

“I gave her two-one that needed both of you to agree, and this one…” Moira held up the vial.

“I didn’t think she’d destroy herself rather than wait.”

“What does that mean?” His voice shook. “What happens when you break it alone?”

“Her soul’s permanently damaged.” Moira’s voice was quiet. “She’ll never bond with anyone

again. Never feel a fated mate. Never be marked-”

“STOP!” Elias roared and punched the stone pillar.

Blood ran down his knuckles.

“Where is she? TELL ME!”

Moira shook her head. “I don’t know. She said she was going somewhere you’d never find her.”

Elias raced back and ordered all exits sealed.

“Send out search parties! The borders, the wilderness, every damn village!”

“Yes, Alpha!”

He stood at the highest point, staring out. The mark on his neck was gone-just burned scar

tissue now.

He couldn’t feel her anymore. Didn’t know where she was, if she was safe, if she was still

hurting. The helplessness was driving him insane-before, he could close his eyes and sense

her. Now, nothing.

“Elias!” Vivienne rushed over, face hard. “What are you doing? Is she worth this?”

Elias turned slowly. “Shut up.”

“She’s GONE! Good!” Vivienne stepped closer. “Now everyone knows you and I—”

“Who said we’re anything?”

Vivienne froze.

“You’re just Damien’s widow.” Elias sneered. “Sleeping with you was impulse. A way to piss off

that dead bastard.”

Vivienne went white. “You…”

“Think I love you?” Elias turned away. “Dream on. I only love Aria.”

A month passed.

Search parties found nothing.

Elias stood at the window every night for hours. Warriors whispered-the Alpha’s lost it,

waiting for her to come back.

Vivienne’s temper got worse. Without Elias’s favor, pack members looked at her with disgust-

a widow who seduced the Alpha and stole someone’s kid.

That evening, she came again.

“How long are you doing this?” she shrieked. “She’s GONE! What more do you want?”

Elias didn’t turn. “Who said I don’t want her?”

Vivienne snapped. “But you PROMISED! You said you’d marry me—”

“You got that wrong.”

“WHAT?!” Her voice shot up. “Then what am I? Some substitute?”

“Substitute?” Elias turned, eyes cold. “You’re not even that. You were just a fuck. And I’m

done.”

“You BASTARD!” Vivienne lunged, hand raised.

Elias caught her wrist, eyes dangerous. “Keep going, I’ll throw you out too.”

A small figure rushed out.

“Don’t hurt Mommy!”