Chapter 3

Elena’s POV Silence momentarily filled the air after I said that as if they were weighing things out and had come to a realization. Severing our ties completely would be the best solution for all this mess. For the entire year, I had been an exceptional Luna, bringing improvements to our pack in every aspect. I was even using my own money to finance everything because the Swiftridge Pack didn’t have enough finances of their own. Well, they must have realized it. If I leave, the pack would feel my absence so bad, and that would cause a massive stir in the pack as the members would significantly feel the impact of my absence. I watched as Bryson clenched his teeth in frustration as if contemplating what he should do. And by the looks of it, he wasn’t the only one who fell into a dilemma because not even a second later, I observed Glenda’s hold on his arm tighten. She pulled Bryson aside and boldly talked to Elena with a raised chin. “I don’t think you’ll be daring enough to do that. Just to remind you, there’s a consequence in rejecting a mate. You might be a Luna, and Bryson might just be your chosen mate. That’s why you think you can handle it, but let’s face it: your body isn’t as resilient as a warrior’s body.” It’s true. Rejecting a mate would severely damage your bond with each other, and it's like losing another part of you. Most higher ranks, like the Lycan family, the Alphas, Lunas, and Betas, usually find rejections manageable because of our natural strength, but it would still hurt so much. Some low-level members like Omegas even died from it. I smirked in confidence after hearing their so-called concerns. “Really?” I was a direct-born pup from alpha, and I’m far more trained than warriors my age. I think I could handle it just fine. Looking at Bryson with a smug expression, I arrogantly asked, “Do you think the same? Between the two of us, who do you think will suffer most from a rejection?” Of course, I could be smug about it. I had been taking care of his sick mother for a year and all of the pack members. Even if they combined all of the pack’s money, they couldn’t probably pay what I’ve spent for them. But then again, they probably think that I was obliged to do all that – to go far and beyond for them. Trying so hard to keep his cool, he replied, “Is that even a question, Elena?” Spreading his arms, he motioned to the entire pack. “Where else could you belong but here? Do you really think you can have somewhere to go if we reject each other and you leave here?” My eyes suddenly went blank in pain as I was reminded of the family and pack I’d lost. “That’s why…” He took a sigh, sympathizing with me. “I won’t reject you and put you all through that pain. It’s for your future, Elena.” “Look, Bryson is already being so generous with you. You should be thankful.” Glenda clung her arm to Bryson again. “Don’t play tricks, okay? Don’t say such words like rejection, like you’re talking about the weather, just to seek sympathy from the members. It will make you look more… pathetic.” Couldn’t handle her endless interruptions anymore, I finally spoke up. “Who are you to interrupt us? This is a conversation between me and my husband!” I asked nonchalantly and signed for Zara to come forward. Immediately, Zara approached us and bowed her head. “Luna”, she greeted. I nodded in Glenda’s direction. “Send this outsider away.” “Right away, Luna.” Zara didn’t waste any time and came rushing to pull Glenda away. As soon as her hand touched Glenda, I saw Bryson taking protective but hesitant steps. Zara then halted a second and looked back and forth between Bryson and Glenda as she scolded them, “You two are very ungrateful!” I watched her in stunned as she did that, and so was Bryson. He’s an alpha, so I knew he would burst because of that. Immediately, I took a step forward to protect her. As he raised his hand in the air and was about to slap Zara, I moved in between them and grabbed his wrist, totally stopping him effortlessly. I heard gasped from Courtney and Glenda while Bryson was looking at me with wide eyes, not to mention his jaw almost dropped from shock. However, I didn’t care how surprised they probably were that I was actually strong. After all, they didn’t bother enough to actually get to know me. “How dare you hit my people?” I asked in a cold yet calm voice that brought chills to their spine before I pushed him back and blocked his path from Zara. My demeanor changed utterly as I exuded Luna’s power while I looked at Bryson with blaring eyes. If Bryson weren’t an Alpha, he’d probably shiver as well. “She’s the one who—” “I don’t care what she has done or what happened. When it comes to my people, my Omega, I’m the only one who can punish them.” My gaze turned sharp. “They answer only to me and no one else.” With that, I turned around and pulled Zara with me, leaving them in a haze of shock. “Luna, are you okay?” Zara worriedly asked while watching me pace around the room as I sorted my thoughts. I raised my hand and told her to wait for a second. After a while, I heaved a sigh and went serious. Looking at Zara, I saw her observing me, and I let out a small smile as I looked at her with conviction. “I know what to do now.” “That is…” I smiled. If he couldn’t reject me because he needed me, then I’d tie his hands like he did to me. Staring at Zara, I determinedly voiced out, “I’ll meet with the Lycan King.”