The Rejected Luna

Finally. A sandwich.

After all the fake politeness and pointless pack meetings, I just wanted something simple. Bread, cheese, peace.

Apparently, even that was too much to ask.

Smack.

The sandwich flew out of my hand and hit the floor—cheese down, of course.

I looked up slowly.

Clara. Of course it was Clara. The maid who used to treat me like the dirt under her shoes. Still wearing that same bitter expression, like life owed her something and I was the debt collector.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped. “This food isn’t for you, mutt.”

Mutt. That damn word again.

“You’re still the same useless thing you were before. No matter how you dress it up.”

I stared at her. Calm. Quiet. Deadly.

Then I slapped her.

Hard. The crack echoed through the kitchen. She stumbled back, hand flying to her cheek like she couldn’t believe what just happened.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said flatly, “did that feel disrespectful? Imagine that feeling stretched over sixteen years.”

She glared at me, but she didn’t step closer. She knew better now.

Right then, Steve walked in, arms crossed. “What the hell’s going on here?”

Clara pointed dramatically. “She hit me!”

Steve raised an eyebrow. “You slapped food out of her hand, Clara. Don’t act surprised if you got slapped back.”

Clara stammered. “But she—”

“She’s not a maid anymore,” Steve snapped.

I turned toward him, slowly.

“No,” I said coolly. “But even if I still was, she’s not the only one who treated me like trash.”

He blinked, caught off guard. “Ally—”

“You did worse,” I said, voice sharp. “At least Clara didn’t pretend to be my family.”

Steve’s jaw clenched.

I stepped past him, snatched another sandwich, and took a bite like I hadn’t just dragged two people in one breath.

“I’m not the same girl you all ignored,” I said around a mouthful. “So don’t act like you suddenly give a damn".

I walked out of the kitchen, still chewing on what was left of my sandwich. The only thing keeping me sane right now was the crunch of toasted bread and knowing that Clara was probably still picking her pride up off the floor. Couldn’t say I felt bad. Not even a little.

The morning air hit me the second I stepped outside—cool, sharp, and way too clean for this cursed place. I followed the faint sound of voices until the training grounds came into view.

And there they were. My cousins, scattered across the field like they already owned the place—which, let’s be real, they basically did the second we showed up.

Sulvia was balancing on one leg, eyes closed like she was meditating. Rose was snapping gum and muttering spells under her breath. Jake was half-shirtless, as usual, probably trying to intimidate people with his abs. Classic.

“You made it,” Ellian called when he spotted me, tossing a water bottle in my direction. I caught it without looking.

“Yup,” I muttered. “Had to teach a maid how not to get slapped.”

Julian raised an eyebrow. “Lesson stick?”

“Let’s hope the mark did.”

They all snorted, and I let a smirk tug at the corner of my mouth. Just a little one.

Around us, the pack had begun to gather. Warriors, trainees, and a few who looked like they got lost on their way to a bakery. Some watched us with narrowed eyes, others with something that might’ve been curiosity… or fear. Either worked for me.

Jake stepped forward and clapped his hands. “Alright, Silver Moon puppies. We’re not here to babysit or coddle. You either keep up or get out of the way.”

A few looked nervous. Good.

“We’ll start with a warm-up,” I said, stepping up. “And by warm-up, I mean you’re going to wish you stayed in bed.”

No one moved.

“I said move.”

That did it. They scrambled into place like kids on the first day of school.

I walked past the line slowly, assessing. Judging. One guy couldn’t stop looking at Nixy. Bad idea. Another had his arms crossed like this was beneath him. Even worse.

Then I felt it.

That annoying itch at the back of my neck.

I didn’t need to look to know Luke was watching.

I didn’t care.

He wanted a show? He’d get one.

I made it halfway down the line before Sulvia drifted to my side and whispered, “He’s still staring.”

“Let him. Maybe he’ll learn something.”

But just as I was about to give the signal to start, I caught sight of movement from the corner of my eye.

Of course.

Lisa.

Clinging to Luke like a tick. Like she’d die if she wasn’t attached to him every five seconds.

I exhaled slowly, pushing my irritation down. This wasn’t about them. Not anymore.

“Alright,” I snapped. “Two laps around the field. And if I see anyone slacking—Jake will personally chase you down and make you regret being born.”

Jake grinned wickedly. “With pleasure.”

And just like that, the training began.

It wasn’t just about teaching them how to fight.

It was about showing them who we were.

Who I had become.