The Rejected Luna Rising

Andrew tapped lightly against the interior glass, and the driver instantly caught the signal. The driver opened his door, climbed into the front seat, and started the engine.

”Take us to the private airfield,” Andrew ordered quietly.

A moment later, the console phone mounted on the leather partition chimed softly. Andrew reached over and picked up the receiver.

”Yes, Miller?”

As he listened to his Beta’s report on the line, his brow furrowed deeper with every passing second.

”Alright. Head back to Redwood High with Jeremy for now,” Andrew instructed. ”I’ll see you two in a few days. Just make sure don’t let anyone unwanted in my house.”

He hung up the phone and turned back toward Caroline as the limousine glided away from the capital.

”Did they find—”

”Not yet,” Andrew cut in before she could even finish her question. ”But Emmett won’t stay hidden forever.”

Caroline nervously turned the wedding ring on her finger. ”You declared in front of everyone that we have evidence. What if Princess Nina tries to help Victor get rid of it?”

”For that, they would actually need to find Emmett first,” Andrew replied, his tone remaining calm and collected. ”In his desperation, Victor will make a critical mistake. I’m certain of it.” He reached across the seat and gently took her hand, his fingers lacing through hers. ”Don’t carry all this worry alone. I am here with you, and I won’t let Victor roam unpunished.”

”I know. But this is my revenge, not yours,” Caroline whispered, looking down at their joined hands. ”You’ve done so much to aid me. If we can’t find Emmett, I need to come up with another way to force a confession. My mind won’t stop racing with ideas. The Alpha King only gave me a single month, and three days have already passed.”

Andrew listened intently, understanding the heavy burden weighing on her shoulders and how desperately she needed the truth exposed.

”Let’s not rush this,” Andrew said softly. ”It may have started as your revenge, but it became mine the very moment you asked for my help.”

Caroline turned her head, meeting his intense gaze.

”If you truly don’t want to leave, I’m willing to cancel the trip right now,” Andrew offered.

”No, I don’t want to cancel it,” Caroline answered promptly, her voice softening as she looked at him. ”There was a time when all I dreamed of was going on trips, having fun, and giving my parents a comfortable life. But I was so focused on just surviving that I never actually got to do any of it. I regret letting those years slip away in constant fear, and I don’t want to live like that anymore. Besides, you put so much effort into planning this. I don’t want to be selfish and focus only on my burdens. I want to feel light, Andrew... even if it’s just for a few days.”

He smiled and gave her a nod. ”You will.” His hold on her turned firm but remained gentle.

~~~~~

After the official event drew to a close, the royal family made their return to the palace. Nina bypassed her own quarters and headed straight to her mother’s private chamber.

Seraphina was standing before her vanity, carefully unclasping her heavy diamond earrings, when one of her attendants stepped forward to announce the princess’s arrival.

”Let her in,” Seraphina instructed smoothly, placing the second earring onto the velvet tray before turning around.

”Mom, why didn’t you throw Caroline out of the event?” Nina demanded, sweeping into the room with her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. ”Do you have any idea how much she humiliated me tonight? It was bad enough having Andrew speak to me like that, but now that pathetic Omega thinks she can do the same. And you actually let her sit at our table!”

Seraphina remained unruffled, though her dark eyes sharpened as she took in the fury written across her daughter’s face.

”You saw the media presence out there. We couldn’t simply throw out the woman who married my son,” Seraphina replied calmly. ”Your anger is completely understandable, Nina. But do not worry. I will see to her punishment soon enough. I only need to find the right moment to strike. She has completely entranced Andrew with her charms,” she added, her teeth gritting in frustration.

”Neither of you will do any such thing,” the Alpha King’s voice reverberated from the doorway, commanding them.

Both women turned toward him immediately, dipping their heads in a slight bow.

”Dad, don’t tell me your soft spot for Andrew is blinding you now,” Nina said with frustration. ”I am your only daughter. That Omega has dragged our family’s name through the dirt by tricking Andrew into marriage. You hold total power here. You could issue a royal decree to throw her into the dungeons this very second. Why aren’t you doing it?”

”Because Victor may be guilty,” Davian stated.

”What? How can you even say that, Dad?” Nina gasped, her hands clenching into tight fists at her sides. ”He isn’t guilty! He’s being framed for something he never did. You have no idea what kind of reputation Caroline has back in her own pack! Her father was drowning in debt, and Victor, being a noble Alpha, stepped in to help them. That greedy Omega just wants more!”

”Enough,” Davian cut in, raising a single hand just as Seraphina gave her daughter a sharp look to keep quiet.

Tears of helpless rage brimmed in Nina’s eyes. Unable to contain her anger any longer, she spun around and stormed out of the chamber.

Once the doors closed behind her, Seraphina turned to her husband. ”Why would you say something like that to her?”

”Because I know Andrew,” Davian replied gravely. ”He would never stand by Caroline’s side with such conviction if Victor were innocent.”

The Alpha King didn’t care for Victor nor for Caroline. In his eyes, they both were punishable for dragging the royal family into their mess. So, when the right time would come, he might punish both of them.

”Don’t tell me you actually want that Omega as our daughter-in-law,” Seraphina spat, her composure slipping. ”She can’t bear him a pup! I will never accept her.”

”Neither will I,” Davian said. ”I have no desire to see an Omega as part of this royal lineage. But I will not lose Andrew over this either. I love him, Seraphina... and so do you.”