The Luna Who Defied Her Fated Mate’s Cruelty

At the pack’s charity auction, Beckham George, the Alpha heir of the George Pack, bid fifty million dollars on a gemstone necklace symbolizing eternal love. The room buzzed with anticipation as he held up the necklace, his Alpha aura commanding attention. He turned to me, his voice steady yet tinged with arrogance, and proposed. The crowd erupted in applause, their admiration for him evident. They all seemed certain I would accept. After all, I had pursued him relentlessly since I was welcomed back into the Mason Pack, and our four years in college were marked by my unwavering devotion.

But they all seemed to forget.

Back then, when I was suffering from a rare heart condition and needed urgent surgery, Beckham accused me of faking my illness after Ruby Simmons, the rising influencer from the Simmons Pack, planted doubts in his mind. He cut off all my access to pack resources, publicly denounced me, and left me to face the brutal backlash alone. My biological parents, the Alpha and Luna of the Mason Pack, turned their backs on me, and my friends distanced themselves. Without the support of my pack, I was expelled from the hospital.

Disheartened, I left the Mason Pack and returned to my adoptive parents, Holland and Mr. Ortiz, the Alpha and Luna of the Ortiz Pack. Once my health improved and I was able to rejoin society, both packs and mutual friends urged me:

"In all these years, Beckham has ignored countless eligible mates. His heart is only set on you, Kiana. He’s been waiting for you to come back so he can mark you as his mate."

"All of that is in the past. He’s overlooked your mistakes. What more could you ask for?"

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Just as I entered the auction hall, my biological mother, Luna Laylani Mason, pulled me aside. Her sharp eyes bore into me, and her tone was cold. "Kiana, have you even considered the pack?"

"You left home over something so trivial, disappearing for four years. What kind of daughter does that?"

I kept my head down, adjusting the hem of my Victorian-style dress, ignoring her remarks. I had already endured the consequences of desperately seeking acceptance from my biological pack. She continued her tirade, and as I remained silent, she grabbed my arm tightly, her nails digging into my skin.

"Did you hear me? For four years, Beckham has been searching everywhere for you, ignoring even the most accomplished mates."

"After you left, he went public to defend you, pleading with the packs not to target you. Such a proud Alpha heir stooping low for you—how could you abandon him for your own freedom?"

Her voice escalated, drawing the attention of those around us. The whispers began, speculating about my jealousy of Ruby Simmons, my petty reasons for leaving, and my intentional disappearance. My scandal with Beckham accusing me of faking medical records was well-known; today, they scorned me just like four years ago.

But I no longer cared.

I