The Rejected Luna’s Prince By Aurora Archer
Chapter 69 – Chapter????
(Willa)
“Ready?” Caspien asked, his face was set; he already knew my answer.
“Sure,” I shrugged.
There was a sinking feeling in my stomach that settled as soon as I opened my eyes this morning.
He nodded resolutely, nothing he could tell me was anything he hadn’t said to me before. He trusted my decision more than I did.
“You look the part at least,” He amended, taking my hand and spinning me around.
I chose a nude wrap dress and plain black heels. The weather was cooling off, but not enough yet to wear anything heavy. Cali helped me braid one side of my hair that ended in a loose high ponytail so my waves hung down my back.
Caspien opted for his signature white button-down and gray slacks, something I would have sworn he slept in if I didn’t know him better.
“As long as I can fake it,” I tried a smile.
“You can do this,” He kissed my hand, “We can do it.”
__
Emmett was downstairs waiting for us. I wrapped him in a hug, trying to settle my nerves. I missed him, I was used to him being with me most of the time, and now that his grandparents wanted to share time, I felt like I rarely saw him even if he was with me most of the day.
“I like your dress,” He said, “It’s pretty.”
“Thank you, my sweet boy.” I kissed his head, and Caspien picked him up.
“Let’s do it,” Cali walked in the door wearing dark green pants and a matching blazer that trailed behind her, “It’s a cape blazer,” She tugged at the side of the cape.
“Very nice,” I said admiring her while she twirled.
“I didn’t know I had a thing but I think this is it now,” She smiled, “I never really had time to have a thing besides the whole diner b*itc*h personality but I have now moved on to capes.”
“I don’t know if that really is a comparison,” Caspien said.
“It suits you,” Holden came up rolling up the sleeves of his light blue button-down that almost matched his eyes perfectly.
“Griffen is meeting us downstairs,” Caspien wrapped an arm around my waist.
“So is Rachel,” I said, and his hand froze, “I invited her, she has great insight, and I value her opinion.” I went on.
Caspien sighed but didn’t say anything.
We descended in the elevator in silence, the air felt heavy, none of us truly knew what to expect.
“I, for one, am excited,” Cali said stepping out first.
“At least there’s that,” I mumbled.
Rachel was standing by the front entrance next to a solemn but presentable Griffen. He opted for something that he could fight in, but I really didn’t think it would come to that. Rachel had her perfect hair down in her signature Hollywood waves. She was wearing an elegant knee-length black dress.
“Welcome to the team,” Caspien said.
“Really good impression of someone smiling,” Holden whispered to him, and Caspien gave him a flat look.
“Thanks for inviting me,” Rachel said giving Caspien a brief smile before looking at me.
“I want you here. Thanks for helping out.”
“This is going to be a day,” Cali said.
That was one way to say it.
Cali linked her arms with ours and tugging us out to another limo, at least we would have enough people to actually fill this now. That was one way to say it.
“We’re bringing the b*itc*h right?” Cali asked.
I thought to the last time I saw Camilla, I only visited her once again after I thought she had time to process some of her anger.
___________
(A few days ago)
“Camilla,” I stood at the glass door of her cell.
I didn’t know what to expect but I felt like I owed her this for some reason. Not for who she was to me but for who she was as a prisoner, I was determined to make a fair decision.
She slowly turned her head to me. They took care of her down here, she had fresh clothes and food and water but the glint in her eye faded.
“What do you want?” She c.roaked.
“Are you ready to talk?” I sank to the floor to be face-to-face with her.
Her back was turned to the door, and she shifted barely so that she could face me.
“We already did,” Her voice hardened barely, “Just get it over with, you win, k.ill me or whatever.”
“Camilla,” I sighed, “I want to talk,” I paused, “Actually talk.”
She turned slowly to face me, her hair was tangled and matted.
She had a brush here, I made sure she had basic comforts, this sight was jarring, she seemed completely broken, and it made me feel sad.
I didn’t want to see her like this; years ago that would be another story but I felt so past this part of my life that it was just annoying to me that I still had to deal with it.
“Camilla?” I asked again, and she fully turned to me, crossing her arms.
Her face was sour but the anger she had a week ago was replaced by sadness.
“Willa?”
_____
“She’s behind us,” Caspien said to me rubbing circles on the back of my hand, “Presentable, well as much as she would let them help her, I know you didn’t want to f*orc*e her into anything.” He read my mind.
“Thanks,” I studied the now familiar landscape.
The city dispersed into suburbs and a few buildings. The suburbs were behind us and the houses were replaced by trees, I always admired how the landscape could change so completely in such a short drive.
The trees thickened and I started to recognize them. The place I knew most of my life that stopped feeling like home now. That realization sent a smile across my lips.
Caspien squeezed my hand.
The other’s chatter stopped around us as we got closer, the silence made me shift in my seat. I wasn’t nervous really, not a quarter as much as when I first faced my old pack.
More than anything, I wanted this to be over, put it past us so that I could focus on my mate, my family, and being the best Luna for my pack.
“So, this is it,” Rachel breathed, she gave me a rea*s*suring smile.
“It is,” I said.
“How do we want to play this?” Holden asked.
“A bit late for strategy.” Griffen sighed pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I say we play it as us,” Caspien said looking down at me.
“I can do that,” I smiled at him, I could.
We rolled to a stop outside the packhouse.
“Are we expected?” I asked Caspien.
He shrugged, “I think I might have mentioned we would be stopping by.”
“Now this really will be fun,” Cali had a wicked glint in her eye.
I shook my head and got out of the car after them. We stood in a line at the front of the packhouse, this was a bit awkward, were they really not expecting us?
The door flung open, and I almost jumped. Nolan’s dad came out, and his eyes widened. He cleared his throat and brushed off his pants slipping back into his familiar Alpha mode.
“Prince Dracos, Willa.” He said.
“Luna Willa, now.” Caspien’s deep voice rumbled.
Hugo’s eyes widened slightly, “Congratulations, Willa,” He smiled at me, and I wanted to believe it was genuine, “Luna Willa.” He corrected.
“Thank you, Hugo. It just happened.” I had nothing against him really, nothing I wanted to hold against him at least.
“I’m a*s*suming you’re looking for Nolan?”
“Yes, I sent word that we were coming. He should have been expecting us.” Caspien said, his voice devoid of all emotion.
I wondered if that was true, but we did warn them that we would be back, and Griffen told Nolan that he should be expecting us.
It didn’t matter.
We were here now.
“Are you planning to stay? I can have some rooms ready in a few moments,” Hugo looked over our large group; only Nora was left of our ranked members.
I was looking forward to her showing back up to these events, I knew she would be a force to be reckoned with. Her calm, collected energy and undiluted confidence would have been a welcomed addition today.
“We won’t be staying long, but thank you,” I said as soon as Caspien opened his mouth.
I didn’t want to set a bad president, I didn’t want to be seen as the bad guys, and I knew Caspien already had that reputation, and he leaned into it in these situations.
“We just want to request an audience with the pack; as many as can attend.” I pressed.
“I’ll forward you the documents I sent Nolan.” Caspien nodded to Griffen, who pulled out his phone.
“Well then, okay,” Hugo ran his hands through his hair and let out a deep breath, “Come in then, we can have a light lunch prepared.”
“Thank you, but don’t go to too much trouble,” Caspien said, I was surprised by his politeness.
Emmett is rubbing off on me – Caspien linked taking my hand in his.
We followed Hugo towards the dining room, passing Natalie. Her eyes widened when she saw us, and she scurried up to her mate.
“What is going on?” She hissed at him.
“Not now,” Hugo responded, “Please get lunch prepared and them situated. I’ll get Nolan and deal with everything else.”
“O-okay,” Natalie looked flustered but held her head high, to her credit she was a born Luna, she thrived under pressure, and I almost admired her at this moment.
“Welcome,” Her smile seemed real, and she ushered us into the dining room after Hugo left us, “This is a real surprise, a welcomed one.”
“We appreciate your hospitality,” I said walking past her, her eyes showing nothing.
We all sat around the large table where the ranked members had their meals at. Instead of us all on one side, we gathered around the table facing each other.
No one said anything for a while, the only sound was us pulling out our chairs.
Griffen looked around, Holden looked bored, Cali was biting down on her smile and Rachel had a curious impassive look about her.
“Worse than I expected,” Holden said after a long minute.
“Definitely interesting,” I sighed.
I was hoping they were ready for us. This seemed just weird.
“You did tell them?” I asked Caspien looking up at him.
“I did,” He said looking down at me, “Multiple times actually.”
“With the actual date?”
“Yes,” His face was hard, but his voice was playful.
“Well then,” Holden said, “Great place though love the uh table,” Holden said.
“Save it for the others,” Griffen said, shooting him a look.
On cue, omegas entered the room; they looked flustered and placed glasses and plates, and silverware in front of us.
“Just a moment for lunch then. What can I get you to drink?” An omega asked taking our drink orders.
The dining room was completely bare, empty, besides us.
“How much longer until we can address the pack?” Griffen asked, shifting in his seat.
“Nora and Olivia are fine,” Holden said.
“I know, but-”
“I get it,” I cut in, “It’s hard being away from them even for a few moments when they’re that young.” Griffen’s dark eyes shot to me.
“I got a babysitter once, and I called them twice an hour,” Cali added twirling a curl but not looking at any of us.
“They’re okay, I promise.” Caspien said, “I need my Beta.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Griffens face hardened with resolve.
Food was served, and Natalie came back to check on us twice during our meal.
“Is there an update with Alpha Nolan?” Caspien asked, not looking up from his food.
“He’s coming soon,” Natalie looked down.
“Where should we go after this? Where is the pack meeting?” Caspien pressed.
“I- uh,” Natalie’s brows tugged together slightly, “Let me confer with my mate, and we will guide you there.”
“Make it quick.” Caspien let out some of his aura and Natalie nodded, scrambling to get away.
“I didn’t come here for lunch,” Caspien explained.
“Added bonus,” Holden said, taking a long sip of his water.
Finally, after a mostly silent lunch, Hugo reutred with his mate in tow.
“We can address the pack outside the packhouse if you wish,” Huge wrung his hands, I had never seen him anything less than confident.
I wondered if that was because of the situation or if it was because of how I grew as a person. He didn’t intimidate me anymore. I didn’t feel small or insignificant next to him.
“Give them enough time to congregate, don’t f*orc*e them there, but anyone that wants to come should have the opportunity,” Caspien said.
“For what?” Hugo said, his voice sounding small.
“For them to know the truth,” Caspien’s voice was resolute, “This pack has been living with an Alpha that fed them nothing but lies and deceit, and I intend to change that.” He stood up and adjusted his sleeves.
“Will, I mean, is this for a punishment?” Hugo paled.
“It isn’t up to me, and not for your son, not like that,” Caspien said and Hugo let out a breath some color returning to his face.
“I don’t care what happens; all I ask is that Theo is not to blame. Nolan’s son is a good kid. It’s not his fault.”
“I don’t believe in taking the actions of parents out on their children.” I stood up next to Caspien, “No child should be held responsible for the actions, or lack thereof of their parents. If you think he will make a good and fair leader, then I will take that into account.”
“Thank you, Willa, er-Luna.” Hugo bowed his head.
“Let’s get this over with.” Caspien wrapped my arm in his and walked out, knowing that everyone would follow.
Pack members gathered around the front steps of the packhouse, there was nervous and excited chatter between them.
When I stepped out on Caspiens’s arm, the audience quieted.
There were about as many as I expected, not a huge crowd, but I saw some of them mindlinking, and I knew that there would be more coming.
“Where is your Alpha?” Caspien addressed them, turning to Hugo.
“Give him a moment.”
We studied the crowd from our perch on the steps and waited.
The door opened slowly behind us, but none of us looked back.
Nolan stumbled out finding his feet. His Beta and Gamma, Jack, and Issac were behind him. Jack looked at us his eyes wide, and I was worried for a second that I would ruin our friendship over this.
Which one is Nolan? – Rachel linked me, panic lacing her voice
I studied them. Nolan was wearing a fresh shirt, but his hair was in disarray, and his wide eyes were red-rimmed.
He didn’t look good, but it didn’t make me feel any better; in the same way, it didn’t make me feel better seeing Camilla in a cell.
The one in the white, brunette – I said glancing at her.
Rachel seemed to loosen up a bit but she started playing with her hair; glancing down, it seemed unnatural for her, but I didn’t have time to analyze it.
Nolan snorted, seeing us here. Isaac held him up by the back of his shirt.
“You weren’t expecting us?” Caspien asked, his voice booming as he let some of his aura out.
“What do you want?” Nolan asked looking over the crowd and frowning, “It wasn’t enough to steal my mate, your Luna,” He turned to the pack, and there were a few gasps.
None of us said anything waiting for him to go on.
“I sent you advance notice, thankfully your parents were here to receive us,” Caspien said when Nolan stopped.
Nolan scoffed, rolling his eyes. He seemed so childish.
Was he always like this? I internally winced, he definitely was, and I was embarra*s*sed to have ever found him attractive.
“We are here to discuss the future of Blue Ridge, the line of succession,” Caspien said to the crowd.
They were silent now, I noted that the crowd had almost doubled at this point.
“The line goes on with my son, my heir, Theo.” Nolan addressed the crowd confidently, finding his voice.
“Just because you gave up your rights to your first legal heir, doesn’t mean that he isn’t the rightful heir of Blue Ridge.”
The crowd collectively gasped before going completely and utterly silent.
Nolan’s brown eyes widened slightly, “My heir is Theo.”
“Did you not produce an heir with your first mate?”
“I- uh,” Nolan looked at me, and I kept my face impassive.
“Did you not know that she was pregnant when you rejected her?”
Everyone held their breath, Nolan’s eyes widened looking between me and Caspien.
“Answer me.” Caspien growled.