Chapter 24
1361words
"Not him…" I said, flipping to another page.
I looked at the page and pursed my lips before shaking my head. "Definitely not him!"
It's been hours already, and I'm still looking through the confidential folder Jackson gifted me, evaluating every applicant to see who I'd want as my Beta.
After I cried my heart out to Jackson after Kylian took Flora away, I felt relieved and started concentrating on enjoying my freedom instead. And now, for the past few hours, I've been looking over and over through each file and choosing a Beta for myself.
Once the sun rose, I came downstairs and ate my favorite dishes prepared by the best chefs in the kingdom.
A huge smile formed on my lips as my stomach was immensely satisfied. Once I had finished, I ran upstairs and changed into a summer dress.
Looking at the full-length mirror in my bedroom, I made a few half-twirls to see how I looked. It's what I'd wear to the Lupercalia.
I was adjusting my dress when my phone that was on the nightstand suddenly rang and vibrated. Running toward it, I saw Fae's name flashing on the screen.
Excitement filled me, and I immediately answered the call.
Before I could say anything, Fae beat me into it as she excitedly asked, "Did you check your SocMed?"
SocMed?
I furrowed my brows as I sat on my bed, turning on the speaker on my phone so I could put on my high heels.
"No, I didn't. Why?" I asked, opening the drawer to grab a pair of earrings, but my hand halted because of Fae's next words.
"Check it, fast! The Dark Moon Pack released Flora and Margot's apology video on the eve of Lupercalia! Watch it now! I'll prepare first." With that, she ended the call, leaving me in a momentary shock.
He made them do what I said? And this fast?
Curiosity filled me. I wondered if they did it right or if they put the blame on me again.
Taking a deep breath, I put down the earring on the top of the nightstand and browse through my Facebook.
A video on the official page of the Dark Moon Pack was posted with the caption, Straightening the misunderstanding—the TRUTH behind the chaos.
I enlarged the video and clicked the play button.
Flora's puffy face flashed on the screen. She cried pitifully as she explained how she was Kylian's fated mate and how she only lost control out of jealousy of me for being Kylian's Luna, pushing her to make a grave mistake.
In the middle of her cries, she pulled out a handkerchief and slowly dried her tears. She purposely left out some tears to make her look like a victim, which she was far from.
She said, "I didn't expect that Luna Della, a mere omega, could be Kylian's Luna while I, who is his fated mate, couldn't even be one. So… I colluded with his sister, Margot, and stole the necklace to frame Della."
Bowing her head a bit, she sniffed and sobbed. "I regret my impulsive actions, which humiliated Kylian and the entire pack…"
I watched the video, thinking I would feel better, but it did the total opposite. I even became more irritated.
She's really a shameless bitch!
Even after the supervision of the Kingdom's PR department, she still finds the audacity to act pitiful.
After watching her insincere apology, I clicked the comment section and browsed through it. Below was all sorts of comments.
"How shameless! She's a mere omega! How dare she steal Flora's fated mate?"
"Right? A fated mate can never be compared to a chosen mate. That bond is just so magical!"
"You guys shouldn't be blinded! Don't let this woman's tears fool you! This Flora is the mistress! Fated or chosen, Alpha Kylian is already married to Luna Della, and she's still pushing herself in the picture! How absurd!"
"Mistress or legal, it shows who's more important," one of the commenters said, even adding a smirking emoji at the end of the comment.
"I heard from someone that Alpha Kylian will bring Flora to the Lypercalia Festival. Are there any members of the Dark Moon Pack here? Is it true?"
"We're used to it already. Alpha Kylian always pays more attention to Flora than our Luna. It's nothing new. I won't be surprised if she's the one he'll really bring."
"Is that how Della is being treated? Born as an omega or not, and a fated mate or not, she's the nominal Luna and the wife. How can she be treated this way?"
"Right? I feel so sad for Luna Della. Her marriage life is being ruined, and the mistress is even living with them."
"How dare a mistress slander the nominal wife, much more the Luna?"
"Those who believe this woman and slandering Luna Della are foolish."
"Flora is the fated mate. Understandably, she has more place in Alpha Kylian's heart."
The longer I read through the comments, the more upset I became.
The netizens were fighting over who should be Kylian's rightful Luna and who should be sympathized with, especially when I'm just a chosen mate and an omega while Flora is the fated mate.
Reading those debates, I suddenly remembered the vow Kylian had told me before.
After a long run, we rested under a massive tree in the forest. He had his back on the tree, and his legs were outstretched while I was lying on the soft grass with my head on his leg. His hands softly played with my hair while he stared into my eyes.
I looked up at his handsome and mesmerizing face. With one look at him, my heart was already beating so fast, and the butterflies in my stomach would go into a frenzy.
"What if you find your fated mate? What then?" I asked him randomly.
He smiled and determinedly vowed, "Even if I meet her one day, my love for you will never change. I swear to the Moon Goddess, you're the only one I'll love."
With that, he leaned down and gave me a sweet kiss.
I remember that day vividly because it was our first night. Once the sun set and the moon rose then, we came back to our room, and I gave him my most precious gift – my virginity.
That night, he went crazy. Gone was all his gentleness as he devoured me like a starving animal. He was violet and needy, kissing and touching me everywhere.
Being still innocent then, I didn't know how to comfort an obsessed man like him and only left to give up everything I had to be with him.
I fell so deep into him that I turned my back on everything important, leaving who I really was. I left my father and brother and left my throne as a princess, choosing to live as an omega so that I could stay with him.
I left everything… but I gained nothing but pain in return. Fate was indeed cruel.
"That man isn't worth our tears and pain." Trisha tried to comfort me after feeling sadness taking over my body.
I sighed and wiped the tears that unknowingly escaped from the corner of my eyes.
"I admit, you and Kylian are impeccable mates, and you're the best princess. But that was before. Everything changes, and the bond of fated mates isn't easily broken, which I understand, but that didn't give him the free pass to be inconsiderate of your feelings and disrespect you again and again."
Sighing, Trisha continued, "he doesn't deserve you. You should have left him long ago."
Taking a deep breath, I composed myself and put my earrings on. "You're right. I will try my best to forget him."
I won't lie. I still love him. But Trisha was right, and no excuse would give him the free pass to hurt me over and over again.
He doesn't deserve to be my mate, not even as a chosen mate.
With that, I looked back in the mirror and straightened my princess dress that complimented my features.
