Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 259: Renounced Drystan's POV "Alpha, where's Nova?" The Omega asked as soon as I entered the Pack's cafeteria.

I glanced over to the table, where two plates lay waiting. One was carefully arranged for me, the other set for Nova, but it felt more like a cruel joke than a meal. The two sets of meals were a stark reminder of her absence.

As I stared at the untouched food, I was reminded again of the scene I'd witnessed - Nova with Michael, sharing laughter and food, their connection effortlessly and bright. It twisted something inside of me.

My stomach, once grumbling with hunger, now churned uncomfortably. It felt heavy, as though a weight had settled in my chest, squeezing out any appetite I had.

"Alpha, where are you going? Are you not going to eat?" The Omega asked, concern lacing her voice as I turned to leave.

"I just remembered that there's something I need to deal with," I replied, my voice strained, betraying my inner turmoil.

I glanced back at the freshly heated meal, and guilt crept intoat the thought of wasting their efforts. "Please have my food sent to the office," I said, forcing a smile despite the heaviness inside.

"Of course, Alpha." The Omega smiled in relief, her worry easing as she started packing up the food. She was glad just to know that I would eat. She and the other pack members had always been concerned about my health, and it eased their concern when they sawtaking care of myself and working less. I walked back to my office and tried to focus on the papers before me. I had tasks to finish-urgent ones, too-but my mind kept wandering. No matter how hard I concentrated, thoughts of Michael and Nova crept in, uninvited and persistent. Each tI forced myself to focus, I was plagued by images of them together in private, laughing and sharing moments that felt intimate and exclusive. It pulledfurther away from the work that lay scattered across my desk.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration. This wasn't any of my business. Michael was Nova's second chance mate. Whatever they did together was naturally out of my concern. I shouldn't even be thinking about them like this.

After another few minutes of fruitless effort, I stood up from my desk once again. I had been sitting there for over an hour, and I had barely read through one paper. This wasn't working.

Maybe a walk outside would help clear my head. Just a stroll around the Packhouse might be enough to put my mind at ease. Fresh air could do wonders, I hoped.

As I stepped out of my office, I took a deep breath, determined to shake off the weight of my thoughts and return refreshed and focused.

As I walked towards the kitchen to grab a glass of water, I paused at the entrance to the living room. My heart sank at the sight before me: Michael and Nova were completely absorbed in each other. They were wrapped up in a moment, giving a public display of affection.

I watched as Michael leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair behind Nova's ear, his fingers lingering on her skin. She smiled up at him, her laughter ringing like a bell, and for a brief moment, I felt like an outsider in my own home.

"Seriously?" I snapped, my voice slicing through their bliss like a knife. Their heads whipped around to face me, and I could see the color drain from Nova's face as she scrambled to pull away from Michael. "Is there a problem, Drystan?" Michael asked, his tone casual, almost dismissive.

Anger surged throughat his nonchalance"We have rules in the Pack about PDA, Michael," I said, my eyes narrowing as they snapped to Nova. "+guess Nova has been gone too long to remember that. Even so, as a woman, you should have sshand respect for yourself." Nova's eyes widened in disbelief, clearly not expecting to be singled out. "What?" she blurted, her voice rising in indignation. "Michael is my mate!" "That's right, but to him, you are not," I replied firmly. "Michael is human, and he has no claim on you unless you two are married. You should control yourself and protect your own dignity." "Who do you think you are?" Nova shot back, her eyes sparking with fury. "You don't get to lectureabout dignity! There's nothing wrong with what I did. We aren't even kissing!" "Oh, but you were about to. Your faces were less than inches apart. If I hadn't cin to interrupt, who knows what else would have happened?" I retorted, my voice rising.

Her face flushed red with anger. "How dare you! I was not " "It's just a misunderstanding," Michael interjected, stepping forward as he tried to defuse the situation. "Drystan, we weren't doing anything like you think. I respect Nova, and I won't do anything to her without marrying her first." Instead of feeling relieved by his words, my annoyance flared even more.

"That's not the point here, Michael! Even if you weren't really doing anything, what is it to him? Our business has nothing to do with him!" Nova snapped, her voice tightening.

"Of course, this is my business! I'm your Alpha, and it's my job to keep everyone protected. I can't let you throw away your dignity for a fleeting moment!" I shouted, myfrustration boiling over. "From now on Michael is banned from coming to our Pack." "Are you serious?!" Nova yelled, her annoyance palpable. "I can't let you do that. I won't allow it!" At that moment, Michael stepped forward, his posture tense. "Drystan, I'm Nova's mate. No matter how much you try to separate us, we are meant to be together." "I know why you're doing this, Drystan," Nova blurted, her face flushed with anger. "You're doing this because you don't want us to be happy. You want us to be miserable like you are!"

Her words hitlike a punch. I felt my heart race, a mix of betrayal and m indignation coursing through me. "You think this is about me?" I shot is back, my voice rising again. "This is about you both understanding your place!"

"Fine! If that's what you want, then I'll leave! I, Nova Sinclair, renounce my membership in Nightsong Pack. Tho e langer wish to be bound by its rules or responsibilities." Nova spoke defiantly without a hint of hesitation in her eyes.

My eyes widened, not expecting that Nova would denounce us so easily. At that moment, I realized there Was no turning back. The rift between us had widened, and there was nothing I could do to bring things back the way it was.