Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 124

I stood frozen in the dimly lit hallway, my fingertips grazing the tender skin on my neck where Tristan’s mouth had been moments ago. The spot throbbed, warm and slightly damp.

“What the hell just happened?” I whispered to the empty corridor.

My heart hammered against my ribs as the reality of what he’d done sank in. That bastard had deliberately left visible evidence of his touch on my skin. Like I was his property.

I spotted a door nearby and charged toward it, desperate to assess the damage. The door swung open to reveal a small private room–likely reserved for VIPS or discreet negotiations. I darted inside, spotting an adjoining bathroom.

The harsh fluorescent lighting made me wince as I stepped in front of the mirror. And there it was–an unmistakable red- purple mark blooming on my skin like some perverse flower. My hand flew to my mouth, stifling a gasp.

“Tristan Wolfbane, you absolute bastard.” The words came out in a vicious hiss.

I gripped the edge of the marble countertop, knuckles turning white. My mind raced frantically. How was I supposed to hide this? The hickey sat perfectly visible above the neckline of my dress, impossible to conceal without something to cover it.

“I’m going to murder him.” I yanked at my hair in frustration. “How am I supposed to walk back into that room looking like this? My bag’s with Serena. I only have my phone.”

The urge to smash the mirror nearly overwhelmed me. Instead, I forced myself to take deep, measured breaths, counting backward from ten as I’d taught the twins to do when they felt overwhelmed.

“What the hell is wrong with him? How dare he touch me like that? Who does he think he is?”

I leaned closer to the mirror, examining the mark. It would be impossible to miss–a glaring announcement to everyone at the party that someone had been intimate with me. The gossip would spread like wildfire.

The contact triggered an unwanted memory–our marking ceremony. The formal event where Tristan had claimed me as his Luna before the pack. I remembered the circle of elders, Fenris’s commanding presence, Isolde’s worried glance. And Tristan…

His face had been cold, angry, jaw clenched tight, lips pulled into a slight downward curve. When he’d bent to place the ceremonial bite at the junction of my shoulder, and neck, his movements had been stiff and hanical, like someone performing a distasteful task.

I remembered the elders exchanging glances–pity for the bride, contempt for the “wolfless” girl their Alpha’s son had been forced to mark. I’d felt so small that day, so insignificant.

Yet despite the humiliation, I’d loved him desperately then. Made excuses for him–he hadn’t wanted this marriage, hadn’t wanted me, was just fulfilling his father’s wishes. I’d been willing to accept anything just to be near him.

Tonight, when Tristan kissed me in that hallway, his expression had been utterly different. Not disgust but something close to obsession. Not cold but burning hot. The contrast confused me, angered me. Why now, when I’d finally built my own life, was he displaying this possessiveness?

Perhaps it was just another form of control, another way to assert ownership in the werewolf world. But this time, I

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Chapter 124

wouldn’t let his actions dictate my path.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

“Boss, are you in there?” Serena’s voice came through the door.

“Serena!” I flung the door open, relief washing over me at the sight of my assistant.

“Thank god you’re here. Did Kieran send you?” I asked, trying to angle my neck away from her view.

“No, I was worried when you disappeared-” Her words cut off as her eyes found the mark on my neck. “Boss, your neck!”

“I… I got hurt,” I said lamely.

Serena’s eyes widened. “Boss, that looks like-”

“It’s nothing,” I cut her off, grabbing my clutch from her hands. “Thanks for bringing my bag.”

I quickly shut the door in her face, leaning against it with a heavy sigh.

“Tristan Wolfbane, I hate you so much,” I whispered.

Opening my clutch, I found the concealer I always carried to hide the crescent scar on my arm. After several careful applications, the mark was invisible to all but the closest inspection.

***

Re–entering the grand hall, I silently prayed no one had noticed Tristan and me leaving together. The last thing I needed was another round of gossip that would inevitably reach my brother.

To my relief, everything seemed normal. Conversations flowed, glasses clinked, and not a single curious glance came my way. I spotted Kieran near the refreshment table and made my way toward him.

“Where did you go?” he asked as I approached.

I frowned, turning to Serena. She gave a subtle shake of her head, confirming what I’d suspected–Kieran hadn’t sent her looking for me.

“I went to the restroom,” I replied simply.

“Want something to drink?” he offered.

“No, thank you. Can we leave now?”

Kieran’s brow furrowed. “Why? Is something wrong?”

“I’m not feeling well.”

He reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. “What happened?”

His touch made me flinch, memories of Tristan pinning my wrists against the wall flashing through my mind. I shifted my gaze away and accidentally locked eyes with Tristan across the room.

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Chapter 124

He stood by the bar, glass raised in a mocking toast, triumph radiating from him like a physical force. My blood boiled at

his arrogance.

“I’m leaving, I announced, turning away sharply.

‘I’ll come with you,” Kieran said, clearly noticing the exchange.

When we reached the hotel, I was the first to exit the car, desperate for solitude.

“Goodnight,” I said to Kieran, already moving toward the entrance.

“Let me walk you to your room,” he offered.