Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 125

My eyes fixed on the news headline glaring from my phone screen, thumb hovering over the article as if touching it might burn me. Each word felt like another brick piling onto my chest, making it harder to breathe.

“Alpha Tristan and Lysandra Ravencroft appear to be developing a romance…”

I dropped the phone onto the bed and pressed my fingertips against my temples, trying to massage away the headache blooming there. That calculating bastard. He’d planned this all along–the roses, the competition, the public confrontation, the hickey. Each step carefully orchestrated to create this exact outcome.

“Tristan Wolfbane, I hate you with every fiber of my being,” I whispered to the empty hotel room, my voice quivering with fury.

Did he even care about Selene’s feelings? Or did he assume she wouldn’t see the news? Maybe he simply didn’t give a damn, treating her with the same callous disregard he’d shown me during our marriage.

I paced the room, one hand absently rubbing at my neck where concealer masked his mark. The thought of every Alpha in the territory discussing us made me want to scream. I could already imagine my brother’s reaction…

Wait.

My steps slowed as an idea formed. A delicious spark of retribution ignited in my chest, spreading warmth through my limbs. My lips curved into a small, vengeful smile as I reached for my phone. Before I could second–guess myself, I scrolled through my contacts and dialed a number I shouldn’t have had.

Three rings, then a hesitant voice answered. “Hello?”

“Where’s your master? Put her on the phone,” I demanded, keeping my voice cold and authoritative.

“Who is this?” the maid asked, clearly flustered.

“She knows me.”

I heard muffled conversation, then rustling as the phone changed hands.

“Who is this?” Selene’s voice dripped with irritation.

“Your shameless boyfriend’s ex–wife,” I replied, unable to keep the satisfaction from my ton

Silence stretched between us. I imagined her face–confusion giving way to anger, perhaps wondering how I’d gotten her maid’s number. She’d been careless enough to use it to send me threatening messages months ago, never thinking I’d save

it for future use.

“Why are you calling me?” she finally asked, voice tight with suspicion.

“I thought you might not have seen today’s trending news yet.”

“What news?” Her voice sharpened with interest despite her obvious attempt to sound indifferent.

“The one about your boyfriend busy seducing another woman.”

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Chapter 125

“That’s ridiculous!” she snapped. “Why would he do that?”

I lounged back against the pillows, enjoying this more than I should have. “He told me himself he wanted to create a

scandal with me.”

“Impossible! He wouldn’t do that. You know how much he despises you.” The desperation in her voice was almost pitiful.

Something in her tone–the smug certainty that Tristan hated me–ignited a flash of anger hot enough to burn away my careful restraint.

“And yet your boyfriend sought me out last night,” I said, my voice dropping to a silky purr. “I’m guessing you’re not satisfying him. That’s why he’s reaching for me… Ask him yourself. A piece of advice–keep him on a tighter leash. Because if I wanted him back, you know I could take him.”

“You bitch-

I ended the call before she could finish, tossing my phone onto the bed with a snort of laughter.

God, what ridiculous things I’d just said. As if I’d ever want Tristan back. Those words were meant solely to rattle Selene, to ensure she’d cling to Tristan so desperately he’d be too busy dealing with her insecurities to bother me again.

“Hope you enjoy the emotional terrorism, Tristan,” I murmured, slipping out of bed. “It’s the least you deserve.”

***

In the bathroom, I cranked the shower to near–scalding and stepped under the spray, letting water pound against my shoulders. No need to release any statements about the news. Selene would handle this herself–probably demand Tristan issue a public denial or concoct some explanation.

After my shower, I wrapped a towel around myself and rifled through my suitcase. We were scheduled to tour Mistwood territory today. I selected a pristine white sundress, appropriate for the warm weather and casual enough for outdoor

activities.

As I applied makeup, my gaze kept drifting to my neck. The concealer had washed away, revealing the purple evidence of Tristan’s possession game. My fingers hovered above the mark, not quite touching it. Just looking at it transported me right back to that hallway, the heat of his mouth, the pressure of his body against mine…

I shook my head violently, forcing those treacherous thoughts away. More concealer. Lots more.

****

“There you are,” Kieran said as I approached his table in the hotel restaurant. His expression was unusually stern, blue eyes flashing with something that looked suspiciously like anger.

Serena sat beside him, offering me a tight smile as I slid into the chair across from them. A plate of untouched food sat before each of them.

“Sorry I’m late,” I said, eyeing the pot of coffee with desperate need.

Kieran poured me a cup without asking, pushing it toward me with more force than necessary. “Where did he take you last night? Why didn’t you tell me?”

I took a fortifying sip before meeting his gaze. “I handled it. Don’t worry.”

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Chapter 125

“Alaric says he’s giving that asshole a lesson this time.”

My hand froze halfway to my mouth. “You told Alaric?”

“No, he saw the news himself.”

I set my cup down carefully, avoiding Kieran’s eyes. A small nod was all I could manage. The thought of my brother

instead. confronting Tristan should have alarmed me, but a strange calm settled over me