Solaine's POV

"How could you leave me like this, Selene?" Mom asked, her voice gentle as she held Selene's hand.

Selene sighed deeply. "Mom, I have to do this. It's necessary for my education, for me to grow. I want to be better," she replied, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Are you sure you can handle living with humans?" Mom asked, her tone laced with concern.

Selene smiled confidently. "I can do it, Mom."

Mom's gaze shifted to me. "And what about Xander?"

I looked down, unable to meet her eyes. My sister's boyfriend, an Alpha, was also the man I had a crush on.

"We're committed to making it work. I've accepted the position of Luna," Selene said, her voice firm as they embraced once more.

After a moment, Selene turned to me. "Don't worry, Mom, Solaine. You're overthinking this. I just wish I didn't have to leave so that I could witness your behavior," she said, her eyes rolling slightly.

I forced a smile, feeling a sting at her words.

Selene scanned me from head to toe and chuckled. "Solaine, you've gained weight. How will you ever find a mate looking like that?" she joked, causing Mom to laugh. I was hurt by their mockery.

I tried to laugh it off. "Well, I'm not 18 yet, so I suppose I don't have to worry about it..."

"Yes, you have to," Selene replied, her tone sharp.

She then turned to leave. "I have to go now." Selene hugged Mom tightly before stepping out to meet Xander.

They shared a passionate kiss, and I could see in Xander's eyes his reluctance to let her go.

"Will you come back?" Xander asked, hope in his voice.

"Of course, I will. I'm not planning to stay away long," she reassured him, smiling broadly.

Xander's face lit up. "I love you, Selene. I believe in you."

As they continued their farewell, Mom pulled me back inside. "Stop spying on your sister!" she scolded.

"It's not spying! I just wanted to see her off," I muttered, feeling misunderstood.

"Your sister doesn't care about you, and frankly, neither do I. I can't even bear to look at you," Mom snapped, her words cutting deep. I put on my headphones, trying to escape.

She yanked them off, breaking them, and then slapped me. I looked down, fighting back tears.

"Selene is our hope, and you're here acting like this," she scoffed.

Tears finally escaped my eyes. "Mom, how can you say that? I'm part of this family too. You're so focused on Selene, you don't even see me," I cried out, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"Solaine, how dare you?" she said, advancing towards me.

"I have a right to speak up!" I started, but she silenced me with another slap.

"You're no longer my daughter. I can't have a daughter like you," she declared, her voice cold.

THREE YEARS LATER

I am currently 18 years old, and Selene never contacts me. Rumors say she and Xander broke up, but no one knows why.

Selene abruptly cut off all communication with everyone. I did the same thing as my Mom.

After Mom disowned me, she passed away. Now, I'm completely alone. Today, my birthday, feels just like any other day.

I've grown into an independent woman, with only my wolf, Belly, for company. Although I am unsure of where I can find my mate, I am actively searching for him. I am currently waiting for someone to rescue me from the overwhelming sadness that I am experiencing.

"Mate!" I heard my wolf's call and sensed my mate's distinct scent.

I turned around quickly and was shocked to see Xander.

Xander stands before me. "You're my mate?" I felt nervous when Xander spoke those words. His emerald eyes locked into mine, and he ran his fingers through his blond hair - I knew right away, that I was rejected.

"Yes... I'm not sure, to be honest. I am aware of the direction in which this is leading us." I whispered, bracing myself for his potential rejection. I can see the blank expression on his face.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, causing me to look at him with confusion.

"There is no way that we could be mates. You are my sister's boyfriend-"

"Ex-boyfriend," He corrected me as he crooked a smile, and that smile caused my heart to beat faster. He approached me, getting closer.

"Unless you reject me," he whispered and I gulped. This isn't what I expected to hear from him.

"What do you mean?"

He chuckled. "Your sister and I don't have any connection anymore. We're done, she's not my mate, but you are," he responded.

I gaze into his eyes. "So?"

"I, Xander Blaze Havoc, the Alpha King of the Blue Moon Pack, hereby accept you, Solaine Blake, as my mate and as the Luna of my Pack." His words have the power to ignite a fire within me.

He is driving me insane.

He was right; I should not allow myself to feel any other emotions because Selene will never return.

It takes me a moment to form a smile.

"I, Solaine Blake, accept you, Xander Blaze Havoc, as my mate." I wholeheartedly accepted him.

He gently took hold of my hand, drawing me nearer to him, and affectionately left a mark on my neck to signify our bond as mates.

FEW MONTHS LATER

It was surreal to be Xander's Luna.

Though many showed me respect, there were still lingering glances that reminded me of my past. Yet, I made a conscious decision to brush them aside, refusing to let their judgment cloud my newfound identity.

Lost in thought, I gazed at the vibrant flowers before me.

"Solaine, love?" Xander approached, his eyes locked on mine, until he was close enough to feel the warmth of his breath on my face- with a gentle yet confident touch, he pressed his lips against mine, sending a rush of electricity through my entire body.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

I let out a soft, amused chuckle. "Just thinking about a lot of things." I quickly fired back a response.

"Are you sure you're alright?" He inquired, his voice filled with curiosity and anticipation. His brows furrowed in a perplexed expression, his eyes darting back and forth as if searching for answers in the air.

I chuckled. "What makes you think I'm not? I'm just-"

"I can sense the weight of sadness in your heart, burdened by the harsh judgments that others cast upon you. I absolutely refuse to let them treat you in such a disrespectful manner, alright? I am completely devoted to you, and willing to go to any lengths to protect you. Just give me the name of anyone who dares to disrespect you, and I will make them disappear without a trace." He abruptly interrupted me, his voice filled with a heavy solemnity.

My heart was overflowing with an even deeper love that I could not resist.

He was the sole beacon of care in my life.

"Xander, I love you for this," I playfully taunted him, a mischievous smile dancing on my lips, and he couldn't help but chuckle, his arms wrapping around me, drawing me into his warm embrace.

"Is it just for this part?" he whispered, his warm breath tickling my ear.

I shook my head. "No, I love every single thing about you," I responded.

"Shall we step through the grand entrance?" He uttered the words in a hushed tone, changing the subject.

I nod.

His words never echoed with the declaration of love I yearned for, nor did he explicitly profess his affection. Yet, in the depths of my being, I sense the undeniable presence of his love enveloping me. I'd rather not mention that topic because I can already feel the awkwardness creeping in. The moment he crowned me as his Luna, I felt his love for me radiate through every fiber of my being.

Moreover, it was he who claimed the honor of capturing my virginity. It's an undeniable symbol of my deep affection for him, a heartfelt gesture that I offer willingly, for he is the sole reason my heart has been filled with an overwhelming sense of adoration.

The moment we stepped foot inside the castle, we were greeted by the imposing figure of Denver, the Beta, and the enigmatic presence of Simon, the Gamma. Their lips moved with purpose, as if their words held secrets waiting to be unraveled.

"Alpha and Luna, brace yourselves, for someone has returned." Denver's voice carried a weighty seriousness as he spoke.

I smiled. "So, my mother who had been gone for what felt like an eternity, suddenly reemerged from the clutches of death itself?" I playfully inquired, a mischievous twinkle in my eye.

"No." A familiar voice stated in the front door. I quickly shifted my gaze to that side.

I was utterly taken aback by the sight that unfolded before my eyes.

Selene.