When the Hidden Luna Rises novel Chapter 32

32 /47

**Chained by Fate**
**Eliza Rowan**
**Chapter 8**

Tessa felt a heavy weight settle in her chest as she stood there, surrounded by the chaos of the impending ceremony. The thought of confronting anyone—especially those who had already made their decisions—seemed utterly futile. The air was thick with tension, and every second spent in this place twisted her stomach into knots. All she wanted was to escape, to leave this behind as quickly as possible.

“The ship will arrive early this morning. Would you prefer to board later in the day or…?” The attendant’s voice trailed off, clearly waiting for her response.

Without hesitation, Tessa cut in, her voice firm and resolute. “I’ll go in the early hours.”

“Alright, we’ll be waiting for you,” the attendant replied, a hint of confusion flickering across their face at her abruptness.

With Ryan absent from the equation, Tessa felt a strange sense of relief wash over her. She swiftly gathered her belongings, sending everything off to be packed, leaving only the remnants of Ryan’s possessions behind—a stark reminder of what could have been. The news of their mating ceremony had already spread like wildfire through the packs, and her phone buzzed incessantly with a torrent of messages that felt more like a mockery than genuine congratulations.

“Congratulations on your wedding!”
“Wishing you a happy marriage! Stay joyful!”
“I’ve always thought you and Alpha Ryan were meant to be.”

These endless well-wishes felt hollow, mere formalities that gnawed at her insides. Tessa stared at her phone, her eyes prickling with unshed tears. Wedding? The very notion felt absurd, a cruel joke that left her reeling.

She couldn’t muster the strength to respond to a single message. The truth was, she had never wanted to be Ryan’s Luna; the role felt like a shackle, binding her to a future she had not chosen.

Alone, she ventured to the venue of the ceremony, her heart heavy as she took in the opulent floral arrangements that surrounded her. Once upon a time, she had envisioned such beauty for herself, but now it felt like a mockery of her desires. The people who should have shared in her joy had changed long ago, their faces unfamiliar in the light of her disappointment.

Her gaze drifted to the photographs displayed prominently, their smiles radiant and bright, capturing moments of happiness she felt she could never attain. In a sudden surge of emotion, she ripped one of the wedding photos in half, the sound sharp and defiant.

An attendant nearby raised an eyebrow but remained silent, clearly assuming her actions stemmed from disappointment. “Why are you throwing a tantrum? You’re about to become the Luna of a pack; you should act a little more mature,” a voice chimed in from behind her.

Tessa turned to see Audrey standing there, arms crossed and a disapproving look etched across her face. The familiar weight of her sister’s expectations pressed down on Tessa like a heavy cloak. From childhood, Audrey had always pushed her to embody the ideal Luna, while Chloe flitted about, carefree and exuberant. Tessa had long since learned to weather Audrey’s barbs in silence.

Audrey scoffed, retrieving a small gift box from her purse. “This is your new mating ceremony gift,” she announced, her tone dripping with condescension.

Tessa blinked in surprise, a mixture of emotions swirling within her. Had her mother ever given her anything of value before? She felt a pang of conflict but chose to wait until Audrey had left before daring to open it.