Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 183

*1 warned Lysandra the truth couldn’t stay hidden forever, but a mother’s love makes one take risks,” he said. “What you see as deception was actually an arrangement of destiny. The bond between you must experience death and rebirth. Only by choosing each other freely, with full hearts, can you find true happiness.”

Something about his words struck a chord, but my anger quickly overwhelmed it. This old man had helped Lysandra steal five years of my children’s lives from me, and he sat there speaking of fate and destiny as if that absolved him of responsibility.

I stood up, feeling my eyes shift to Alpha red. “Your time’s up. I came here willing to give you a chance, but you’re just an arrogant old man

without remorse.”

I stepped toward him, my wolf pushing to break free. Varian rose quickly, reaching for my arm, but I shook him off.

Maelor didn’t move, didn’t flinch as I approached. Just as my hand was about to close around his throat, his eyes shifted to a deep, unnatural

green.

Pain exploded in my chest, radiating outward from where Lysandra’s claws had marked me. I groaned, looking down in shock.

The scars she’d left–the wounds that refused to heal–had begun to glow, flames seemingly dancing beneath my skin. The fire spread through my veins, dropping me to my knees.

“Stop your spell immediately,” Varian snarled, his usually composed face contorted with rage. “Or this silver blade will slice through your

throat.

The silver glint of Varian’s blade caught the dim light as he lunged forward, pressing the dagger against Maelor’s throat. His movement was so sudden I barely registered it happening.

Maelor remained unnervingly calm, even with the blade against his skin. “Calm yourself, Beta. Your Alpha is far stronger than you give him

credit for.”

I glared at the old man, my teeth clenched so hard my jaw ached. The audacity of this man to use magic on an Alpha–on me—was beyond insulting.

“Varian, lower your weapon,‘ I commanded.

Varian’s eyes flashed with dissatisfaction, but he immediately obeyed, stepping back while keeping his gaze fixed on Maelor.

Maelor turned toward me, his wrinkled face showing a hint of contrition. “Please accept my apologies, Alpha. I was merely defending myself.”

The flames crept closer to my heart, the pain intensifying with each passing second. A low growl escaped my throat. “Stop this fucking spell.

Now.”

With a casual flick of his fingers, Maelor dispelled the magic. The burning sensation vanished instantly, leaving only the memory of pain behind. I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to shift and tear him apart.

“I should throw you in the moon prison,” I said, my fists clenched at my sides.

For the first time, fear flickered across Maelor’s weathered face. He knew what that meant–the moon cells were specially designed to block moonlight and natural elements, effectively neutralizing his Moon Shadow magic.

Maelor stood up slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. “You can imprison me, Alpha, but you cannot change the course of destiny. The true bond, if incomplete, has already brought the Moon Goddess’s punishment upon you.”

I stopped mid–step, turning back to face him. “If you’re such a powerful seer, why didn’t you warn the Moonshade Pack about their downfall?”

“I am no prophet,” Maelor replied, his voice steady. “I merely sense the traces of past and future, like I can see the scars on your chest. They’re

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Chapter 183

not just physical wounds, but voids in your soul.”

“Don’t tell me you can see through people’s clothes,” I scoffed, trying to mask my unease with mockery.

“The scars on your chest cannot be fully healed,” he continued, undeterred. “They are heart–wounds, close to your core, inflicted by someone specific. Only a true mate bond built on love can heal such injuries.”

My mind drifted unbidden to Lysandra. I didn’t believe she had truly meant to kill me, but she clearly didn’t care whether I lived or died. That was enough to prove she deserved whatever punishment came her way.

Yet there was this emptiness–this void I couldn’t explain. Even surrounded by my pack, even with all my power and status, the emptiness followed me like a shadow. It had grown worse since Lysandra left.

Alpha, you possess remarkable healing abilities,” Maelor observed quietly. “Perhaps you don’t want these scars to fade. Perhaps you want them as a reminder of the person who caused your pain.”

I avoided his gaze, my voice cold. “I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

“You know you love her, Alpha,” Maelor said softly, his words hitting like a physical blow. “How long will you continue to deceive yourself? One day, you will bow to her because of your broken heart. The incomplete bond has caused you enough suffering. Can’t you see that?”

“What did you just say?” I demanded, fury rising in my chest.

Maelor met my gaze steadily. “You want to be with her, don’t you?”

“Old man, your perception has misled you,” I denied immediately. “I haven’t fallen in love with that woman. It’s just the mate bond pulling me toward her.”

“If that were true,” Maelor replied, his voice maddeningly calm, “you would have rejected her the moment you discovered she was your mate.”