Rebirth of the Vengeful Luna

ALICE

They say the heart remembers what the mind tries to forget.

I suppose it was true for me because no matter what, I couldn’t forget the love I felt for Ivan.

Even though what he did to me was the worst thing anyone could have done to me.

Ivan Ashbourne was the youngest son of the Blood Crown Pack and my longtime crush. I had been pining over him since I was a little girl, but he never looked my way.

No…that is not entirely fair. He did notice me, but not the way I wanted. He treated me kindly, maybe closer than some others, yet only as if I were his sister.

Five years ago, I stood in front of the full-length mirror leaning against the wall and looked at myself carefully.

My hair was long and dark like raven feathers. My face was round, my eyes big and brown, and my lips full. A faint dusting of freckles dotted my cheeks and nose, though barely visible.

I had seen men from my pack and others glance at me with interest, trying their best to flirt, but I paid them no mind. My heart belonged to Ivan and Ivan alone.

I never asked him what kind of girls he liked because I was too afraid.

I never confessed how I felt because if he rejected me, I knew I would never recover.

“Alice! Are you awake?”

My heart leapt at the sound of my nanny’s voice outside the door. “What is it?” I called.

“I am coming in, Alice. I need to tell you something.”

What now? Did our rivals attack again?

The door opened, and Sue hurried inside. Her eyes were wide, her face flushed with excitement rather than fear.

“What happened, Sue?” I asked curiously.

“Alice! I have great news!” she said breathlessly, as though she had run all the way here.

“What is it, Sue? You are scaring me.” I laughed nervously.

“Ivan Ashbourne, the son of the Alpha of the Blood Crown Pack, has asked for your hand in marriage!” she cried.

My chest felt ready to burst. Ivan wanted to marry me. But why me? Why now?

I stood frozen, unable to form words.

“Well, say something!” Sue urged.

“I… I…” I stammered. It was not the sort of news one expected to hear first thing in the morning.

“Aren’t you happy? Don’t tell me you do not want to marry Ivan.” Sue frowned in worry.

“I am! I am happy. I have always liked Ivan,” I finally said, tears gathering in my eyes. Ivan finally saw me. He finally realized I was the one for him.

“Wonderful. I will tell your father you accept.” Sue practically danced out of the room. Her joy made me smile. She had raised me like her own daughter, so my happiness was hers too.

I had to tell Betty.

I gasped softly, then rushed to get dressed and ran downstairs. Betty was my cousin and my best friend. We shared everything, even our secrets. She knew how long I had loved Ivan, and she would be thrilled for me.

“What has you so excited this morning?” Betty laughed as I nearly knocked her over with a hug.

“Betty, you will not believe what Sue just told me!” I said breathlessly.

Betty rolled her eyes. “What did that old woman say now?”

“Betty! Do not talk about Sue like that. She practically raised me,” I scolded.

“All right, all right. What did she tell you?”

“She said Ivan wants to marry me. Can you believe it? Ivan Ashbourne wants me as his wife!” I nearly squealed.

“Is that right?” Betty’s smile faded. Her cheeks flushed red. “Ivan from the Blood Crown Pack? Our friend Ivan?”

“Yes, who else? Why are you looking at me like that? I told you so many times how much I loved him!”

“Yes, you did,” Betty said quietly. “I just thought he only saw you as a friend.”

Her lack of enthusiasm confused me. I thought she would be happy for me. Maybe she was just shocked. It was all so sudden, after all. Or perhaps she was sad about losing me when I married into another pack. That had to be it.

“You should talk to your parents,” Betty said. “Make sure you are not making a mistake.”

Mistake? No chance. This was my dream come true.

“You are right, I will speak to them. But are you sure you are all right, Betty? You look upset.”

She blinked, startled, then smiled too brightly. “Of course I am happy for you, Alice. You are finally getting everything you wanted. Ivan will make you very happy.”

I hugged her tightly, grateful as always. She was like the sister I never had.

Later, I found my parents having tea in the living room.

“Alice, I see you have heard the news,” my father, Alpha Dexter, said, his eyes sharp as always.

“Of course she has,” my mother said with a smirk. “Look at her. She is glowing already.”

“Yes, Sue told me,” I said softly.

My father nodded. “Ivan is a fine young man, however…”

My heart sank. Did he disapprove?

“Is something wrong, Father?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“It is just that I always thought you would marry Isaac Ashbourne instead,” he grumbled.

“Isaac?” I repeated.

Isaac was Ivan’s older brother, the eldest son of the Blood Crown Alpha. I had known him all my life too, though I never looked at him the same way. Isaac was different. Quiet, watchful, a shadow with secrets. To be honest, he frightened me a little.

“I never saw Isaac that way,” I said. “He feels like an older brother.”

“Pity,” Father muttered. “Isaac is stronger and more powerful.”

“Not to mention more handsome,” my mother added lightly.

I rolled my eyes. That was all they seemed to care about. Yes, Isaac had a sharper jaw and a body that radiated strength, but none of it mattered. I only wanted Ivan.

“I understand Isaac’s position is higher, but I like Ivan and I want to marry him.”

Father studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. You shall have what you wish. We will begin preparations.”

Relief flooded me. I kissed both my parents on the cheek before hurrying out. My dreams were finally coming true.

~

Days turned into nights, and my wedding day arrived before I knew it.

My father spared no expense. The ceremony was grand, attended by every pack in the region. Music and laughter filled the air. Ivan smiled at me across the room, though we barely spoke during the reception.

“You look beautiful, Alice. Like a princess,” my friend Amelia gushed as she came over.

“I am glad you could come,” I said, hugging her politely.

“I would not miss it for the world,” she said. Amelia was from Ivan’s pack and had known him far longer than I had, which made me secretly jealous. But that would change now. I was his wife.

After she walked away, Betty appeared, leaning close. “I would not let Amelia get too close,” she whispered.

“What? Why?” I frowned. “She is a nice girl.”

“Maybe, but she has always been jealous of you. I bet she thinks you stole Ivan from her.”

I gasped softly. “You are joking, right? Amelia does not like Ivan.”

“You do not know that,” Betty said sharply. “Just be careful.”

I nodded. Betty was only looking out for me, as always.

After the reception, I was escorted to the Blood Crown Pack house.

I had been here many times before, but everything felt different now. I was no longer a guest. I was Ivan’s wife.

I sat on the bed and waited.

My heart pounded. My stomach twisted with both fear and anticipation. I had never been with anyone before. Tonight would be my first.

But where was Ivan?

I waited. One hour passed, then two.

When three hours went by, I could not take it anymore. I left the room to find him myself.

The corridors were quiet and dim. Everyone had gone to bed.

Then I heard it. Voices.

One of them was Ivan’s. The other was a woman’s.

I froze outside the door, every nerve in my body on edge.

Who was she, and why was Ivan with her?

ALICE

They say love can make you blind, but I never realized how true that was until I opened that door.

I turned the handle slowly, unsure of what to expect. Maybe Ivan was meeting someone from the pack. Maybe he forgot to tell me. I was slightly irritated that he had not let me know sooner.

My irritation vanished the moment I saw what was inside.

My heart sank to my stomach. Betty was kissing Ivan.

My Ivan.

No, it could not be real.

Ivan had his arms wrapped around her, his lips pressed against hers. His hand stroked her back in a slow rhythm that made my chest tighten.

A small sound escaped me before I could stop it. Betty’s eyes flew open. The color drained from her face. She gasped and shoved Ivan away.

“Oh my god, Ivan! What are you doing?” she cried, pushing him again.

“What?” Ivan blinked, confused.

“Honestly, how much have you had to drink?” Betty snapped.

I stepped forward, trem