The Rejected Luna Returns Novel – Ten years after being cast out by my family, my mate, and my pack, I met my former Alpha mate and brother by adoption in a small town. After all these years apart, one had become a decorated Alpha warrior, the other a high-ranking Alpha—and I was just running a tiny coffee shop. The moment our eyes met, both men froze for a long time.
Then Adrian hid the pregnancy test in his hand behind his back, and Mike slipped the jewelry he’d bought for his sister into his pocket. I lowered my gaze, packed up the cake and coffee, and handed them over politely. “Here you are, Alphas.” The overly distant address made both of them falter for a second. As they pushed open the door to leave, Adrian suddenly turned around and asked, “You said you’d never bake desserts again for the rest of your life, didn’t you?” I smiled politely. “Just something foolish I said in anger.” The sound of children laughing and playing outside drifted in faintly through the glass door, but it couldn’t break the stagnation inside the shop. The two Alphas who’d teamed up to have me cast out from the pack all those years ago still stood at the cash register, refusing to leave.
Adrian clutched the box of macarons and coffee, his throat worked, “Eden’s having bad morning sickness. We’re bringing her to stay south of the pack for a while.” “Your mother… came with us too.” “Would you like to see her?” I shook my head as I wiped the counter. “No need. Give my regards to Luna Juliet.” Pausing, I added, “Or don’t mention it at all—better to avoid misunderstandings.” My foster brother Mike’s knuckles whitened as he tightened his grip, “Hazel, all these years we—” “Hazel!” A girl with dyed green hair bounced through the door, threw her arms around mine, and shook me, “I’m starving!” A genuine smile finally spread across my face as I tapped her nose, “There’s your favorite chocolate chip cookie in the fridge.” “Noooo,” Isla whined, “Hazel, eat with me.” I glanced helplessly at the two men, my smile fading: “Alphas, your cake and coffee are ready.” Adrian’s gaze flickered when he heard “chocolate chip cookie.” Mike stared blankly at Isla’s lively figure, the rest of his words died on his lips.
I took Isla’s hand and walked into the back kitchen, the automatic door sliding shut to cut off their view. When I emerged again, the shop was empty. Isla mumbled around her fork: “Hazel, do you know those two Alphas? They were looking at you weird.” “When they arrived, I saw a whole entourage—warriors and everything.” “I heard one’s a famous Alpha warrior across all packs, and the other’s a respected Alpha.” I kept my head down as I sorted through receipts. “Here, they’re just customers.” “If I really knew people like that,” I poked her forehead gently, “would I be waking up early every day to bake you cakes and cookies?” Isla giggled, leaning in to whisper in my ear: “Word is that Alpha warrior’s Luna is that other Alpha’s sister—they came all the way here for her to rest during her pregnancy. It must be wonderful to be so cherished.” I nodded calmly, tossing a used piping bag into the trash can.
Of course I knew how much they spoiled Eden. After all, ten years ago— One had had me committed to a werewolf psychiatric hospital on our mating ceremony night, branding me a laughingstock, a madwoman. The other had announced my death to the pack and personally driven me out into exile. Together, they’d shattered me completely and cast mee into a living hell.