On the day of the gathering, I arrived late, and the anticipated prominent figures all arrived.
Beta Colter welcomed me back, escorting me to the Pack Hall before leaving. Seeing my mate with the other Alphas, their Lunas, and some of our mutual friends, I sighed and braced myself for meeting them.
Eventually, I overheard some playful banter among them.
"Well, to be honest with you, Alpha is used to this kind of hassle. If there's someone out there giving him a cold shoulder, he wouldn't stand a chance."
As anticipated, Zora, brimming with confidence, sat beside my mate in the seat that was supposed to be reserved for me, his Luna. She occupied it as if she owned it.
"Calista is too sensitive, swear. We all have been in the same circle. You know how close I was to the Alpha."
"Of course, we knew! Back then, Alpha was attracted to you and saw you as his potential mate. If you say yes that time, perhaps you'll be his Luna now."
A truth was laid bare right before me. My mate had always claimed he regarded her as a sister, but it turned out he'd once chased her and marked her as his mate.
When I confessed our deep connection and how we were destined to be fated mates, my steps faltered, and my knees nearly gave way.
Alpha interjected the conversation, "That's all part of the past."
I took a deep breath and gripped the nearby chair as Beta Colter left the hall after sending me on my way.
Back in the day, Alpha still went to the Lunar Crest Academy; rumors had it that the Alpha once had a darling he pursued.
I brushed it off as idle gossip, but despite my efforts to let it go, the pain lingered and was impossible to ignore.
I thought my mate was naturally reserved and principled. Unfortunately, I overlooked him; the truth was, I never truly grasped the Alpha.
No wonder I always felt like I was reading between the lines with my mate's thoughts, constantly trying to please him.
It dawned on me that I had never been into the Alpha's heart. I never was.
Zora sounded innocent. "Well, now that Luna Calista agrees to join the gathering, we are here to help after all."
"Perhaps Luna's insecurity stems from her childhood trauma back then?" someone speculated.
I didn't just stand by and listen to their speculations; I presented myself confidently, shutting everyone up—except for the one with his back turned to me.