The Rejected Luna Rising

Victor hung up the call and immediately summoned his Beta once more. Within seconds, Levi stepped back into the office, standing at attention.

”You need to fly to the capital right now,” Victor commanded, his voice cold and calculated. ”When you land, you’ll meet up with Nina’s Beta, Kyle Reed. Make sure you don’t reveal the real reason we need Emmett. Tell him Emmett committed treason within the pack and needs to be brought to justice.”

Levi nodded in complete understanding. ”Understood, Alpha,” he bowed deeply before turning on his heel to prepare for departure.

Left alone in the quiet room, Victor leaned back into his leather chair, a victorious grin spreading across his face.

”Caroline... let’s see how long you manage to stay Andrew’s Luna,” he sneered into the empty room, his eyes dark with malice. ”So you got a second-chance mate, did you? I won’t let you live a single day in peace. The public humiliation you inflicted on me is still burning fresh in my mind. You’re going to be stripped of your title and kicked out of that royal family soon enough. And once they abandon you... I’ll destroy you myself.”

His eyes glinted with darkness as he already began imagining what he could do to her.

~~~~~

Caroline lay awake in the dim light of the beach house’s bedroom, her heart hammering against her ribs as she saw a nightmare of her parents’ tragic end. Though she kept her breathing soft and refrained from making any noise, a heavy lump already formed in her throat.

’My tears can’t bring them back,’ she reminded herself silently, blinking away the stinging dampness in her eyes.

Seeking comfort, she turned onto her side and looked at Andrew sleeping soundly beside her. Even in his slumber, the soothing trace of his alpha pheromones filled the air, calming her fraying nerves.

Drawn to him, Caroline snuggled closer, sliding her arm across his broad waist and resting her head lightly against his chest.

As if sensing her touch, Andrew stirred slightly from his deep sleep. Without opening his eyes, his heavy arm shifted over her shoulders, pulling her securely against his body in a protective embrace.

The next morning, Caroline’s eyes shot open as bright, natural sunlight flooded through the sheer curtains of the bedroom. She blinked away the lingering sleep and scanned the space, noticing immediately that Andrew was nowhere in sight.

Sitting up against the soft headboard, she checked her phone on the nightstand and gasped softly—it was already past ten in the morning.

”Good morning, mate,” Andrew’s deep, smooth voice resonated from the doorway.

She turned to see him leaning against the frame, dressed effortlessly with his hands tucked into the pockets of his trousers.

Caroline barely had time to blink before he crossed the room, closing the distance and coming to a stop right in front of her on the edge of the bed.

His fingers gently tangled in her hair, brushing the loose strands away from her face while his thumb lazily traced soothing circles along her warm cheek.

”Morning kiss, mate,” he murmured softly.

Caroline closed her eyes, tilting her head back and surrendering to his touch as his lips met hers.

Leaning into the warmth, she parted her lips and gently nibbled his bottom lip before rising onto her knees to match his height.

Andrew’s hands slid naturally down to her waist, pulling her flush against his chest and onto his lap. He deepened the kiss, his power and affection swirling together to make her head spin, until he finally pulled back just enough to press a kiss to her chin.

”Freshen up,” he murmured against her skin, his voice thick with devotion. ”We’ll have breakfast, and then we’re heading out to the yacht.”

”Yacht?” Caroline asked, her eyes brightening with curiosity.

”Hmm. We’re going out onto the ocean,” Andrew replied with a small smile. ”Not too far from the shore, though. It’ll be fun.”

”It sounds lovely,” Caroline said, leaning back slightly to look at him. ”But what about the spa day you were talking about?”

”Shifted for later,” Andrew asserted smoothly, his hands resting comfortably on her hips. ”We have plenty of days left to enjoy every single moment.”

”Hmm. I’ll freshen up quickly. By the way, Emmett...” She couldn’t finish as he placed a finger on her lips.

”I’ve planted my man near him. Emmett won’t be able to run away. Don’t worry, I’m quite a few steps ahead in all these things,” Andrew affirmed. ”You aren’t supposed to think about any of that for the days you are here. You need to free your mind from those troubles.”

Caroline nodded at him. Getting out of bed, she went into the washroom while Andrew headed to the kitchen to instruct the staff to warm up their breakfast.

Fifteen minutes later, Caroline stepped out of the bedroom wearing a light peach knee-length dress, her loose hair falling in soft waves that complemented the outfit perfectly.

”Sit, mate,” Andrew said smoothly, pulling out a chair for her at the dining table.

She took her seat, her eyes instantly scanning the spread laid out before them. The freshly toasted garlic bread paired with rich avocado sauce immediately caught her attention.

While eating, she felt Andrew’s eyes fixed on her.

”Is there something on my face?” She slowed down, lowering the bread.

”No. You’re glowing today. Look prettier,” Andrew replied, smiling before focusing back on his meal.

Her heart fluttered in her chest. To cool the heat rising to her cheeks, she picked up her glass of fresh pomegranate juice and took a few sips.

”Thank you,” she replied softly, making no attempt to hide her smile.

Once they finished their meal, Caroline returned to the bedroom to style her hair while Andrew stepped aside to call the yacht operator.

By the time she walked back into the living area, he was just hanging up the phone. ”Wait for me on the porch,” Andrew instructed softly. ”I’ll join you in a moment.”

With that, he headed back toward the bedroom to grab their things. Caroline nodded and stepped out onto the breezy porch, her heart light as she looked out toward the sparkling ocean where their afternoon awaited.