The Rejected Luna’s Prince
Epilogue 6

(Nolan)

I tried to stay on the outskirts of the wedding ceremony. Camilla dragged me here, and my Beta and parents insisted I come to show face. It wasn't bad enough that we were being babysat, but now I had to s**k up to them.

Willa almost walked past us, and my breath caught; emotion clogged my throat, and I thought I might pass out right there. She was beyond beautiful. She always was. Before, she didn't seem to believe it, but now that she knew how incredible she was and settled into a comfortable confidence, she was radiant.

She had someone else to tell her that.

Someone else to show her that. -Toby barked.

I shoved him away.

Seeing her so carefree, so confident, so completely and utterly at ease with herself in her new role was still surprising. I thought it was a game she was playing, but she seemed to change into a new person completely.

I felt so insignificant. It was obvious that she wasn't pining over me still; she had a new life.

For the first time since she showed back up in my life, my anger was replaced by hurt and pain and a sadness I could only think of as a longing.

I longed for the life that I could havèhad with her and mourned my part in it. Some part of me knew that she would have never been that version of Willa that I wanted if she stayed with me, but I shoved that away. Mostly, I just felt numb recently, but it was better than feeling anything else.

The Prince greeted my parents before his impassive yet intense gaze fliekered to me. I hated how he did that; I hated how it made me- feel. He looked at me as if I wasn't even a threat worth assessing, and a part of me I refused to listen to knew that he didn't. Theo tugged on Camilla's dress, and Camilla apologized to him but looked down at our son, smiling.

"If you're comfortable with it, we have an area set up for the kids. Willa offered; her familiar voice was soft yet confident.

A child came in between Willa and The Prince. His dark brown hair matched mine. He looked like me, maybe, but he definitely looked like Willa. The Prince ruffled his hair, and the boy, my son, the son I rejected, looked up at him with so much affection. And love. The life I created with my true mate, my destined mate, was more comfortable around The Dark Prince than anyone else I had seen before. My stomach twisted in knots, and I fought to stand upright. Willa locked eyes with me, and it grounded me. Her brilliant green eyes flickered to mine before she knelt to our son, her son. "Emmett, this is Alpha Nolan from the pack that me and grandma, and grandpa are from," she explained.

The boy. Emmett. My son. No, her son. F**k. The child tooka step toward me and extended his little hand.

"Alpha Nolan, the child said with boyish confidence. My mouth went dry. I reached out to him, trying to steady my shaking hand. I Wrapped mine around his small warm one, and I felt.. I felt wrong.

Everything that I could have had, that I did have, flashed before me.

The kid turned his attention to Theo. My other son. My only son. "I'm Emmett." Emmet stepped back and looked up at The Prince.

This is my dad." Pride and adoration laced his voice, and it sliced through me. He's the strongest wolf ever, and let me paint my room blue."

I stumbled back, but no one noticed.

I couldn't be here. Everything unraveled in front of me because of a choice I made years ago. I thought I was choosing right. I thought Willa would just lay low, but no, she had to become the most powerful fucking Luna in this territory and a d.amn princess on top of

it.

I sensed her before I saw her. She stood tall in a gorgeous white outfit that hugged her perfectly and was probably made for her. My thoughts turned sour at that, at all she had now, but I couldn't help but look at her, admire her.

(Hi," she said, and my stomach flipped.

Her normally brilliant eyes seemed far away and cold. She placed her glass on the table, and I slowly raised mine, tilting it to her.

What did she want? To rub in her perfect life?

(No entourage?" I scoffed, looking behind her. Usually, she was surrounded by security or important-looking people or adoring fans. I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Don't be like that. I just wanted to thank you for coming. She gave me a smile, but it wasn't genuine. I knew her smiles, and this one was reserved. It wasn't the dazzling one she would give mne when she was happy, or the shy one she offered when we were in public, or the l.ustfilled hazy one that made her cheeks pink.

I shoved those thoughts away. She was his now.

You got everything you wanted, "I whispered. I couldn't meet her gaze.

So did you," she shot back.

Did I?

I was an Alpha of now the smallest pack in the territory, my dad would hardly speak to me, and my chosen mate wasn't even a Luna.

Thank you for coming. It means a lot to the pack." She shook her head. The soft lights bounced off her midnight hair, and it twisted something deep inside me.

The knife that you dug there?

f**k off - I shot back at my wolf.

(Willa?"" I don't know why, but I had to know. I had to ask. I had to make sure, even though I knew the answer she would give, and it wouldn't be the one I wanted. Are you happy?"I f.orced out.

Her face lit up, and her beautiful face was adorned with a real smile. "I am," she said, her smile made her eyes dance. I have to thank you. You realized our incompatibility well before I did." She didn't sound sad or spiteful. She didn't even hold any anger towards me anymore, and it made me feel more insignificant than anything ever had before.

Everything turned out perfectly, so I can't really fault you, she continued, her voice soft and lovely, and I wanted my name to be on her lips again with anything but hate and indignation and condescension I recently got from her at the conference. At least the hate was better than the cool indifference she now held when addressing me. I knew it wasn't an act.

I nodded-my one last shot. I should have done it differently, I panicked. I thought I knew what I wanted."

"It doesn't matter now, honestly," she said. I made myself look at her, and no hint of sadness or regret marred her beautiful features.

All last hope, all last dreams or fantasies I had of her still wanting mne turned to dust, to ash, to nothing.

'And the boy?" I asked.

'Emmett." She paused, assessing me with a cool, calculated stare. He is fine, more than fine. You have nothing to worry about there.? Her voice was clipped.

Good, good." I couldn't handle this anymore, and I tore my gaze from her pretending to look for someone, Camilla, maybe. Where was she? "Goodbye, Nolan."

I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but her back was turned to me. I watched her walk away, making a beeline for The Prince. He looked at her as if he sensed her across the room. His powerful mask seemed to slip when he laid his eyes on her, his face softened, and he became something else entirely.

Because of Willa. For Willa. It didn't matter. His eyes were only for her, and hers for his.

And it was all my fault.