The Reborn Luna: Alpha's Trophy Wife

Standing in the aisle, Naliah watched her fiancé going down on one knee in front of her friend. It was their marriage today. The banquet was filled with guests from all over the continent; Naliah invited most of them personally by visiting their packs, making an excuse for their treaties' negotiation, or forming a new deal for trading business. To maintain a good relationship with the neighboring packs, Naliah did everything needed for the man she came to love, even though Xavier always disappointed her at every step and never kept any promises he made. As the alpha of one of the most powerful packs in the West, Xavier was a bit arrogant and tended to get rid of anyone who slowed him down or lacked influence. Not many could rival him on this continent. Having His Majesty's favor, it was expected Xavier to act out. However, as the future Luna of his pack, she had to set some boundaries. With the dream of their prosperous life ahead, she did everything to make the packs her fiancé would rule on becoming less wary and more loyal to him. Despite the difficulties, her resolve didn't waver for once. Naliah managed to win their trust and negotiate the treaties the way she wanted. And now those people were watching her, eyes holding mockery or curiosity. Those who looked disappointed couldn't be more annoyed with this situation. They may again have to start over to please another Luna candidate to have Xavier's favor. Naliah swallowed hard and begged her wolf to stop. She couldn't hear this anymore; the reality she was running from. She could only look at the man she wanted to have a future with, but he was smiling at another woman who wasn't his betrothed. Still, her heart was in denial. Xavier could never betray her like that. He wasn't that kind of person. She felt like confronting them. How inconsiderate of these two to pull such a stunt on this big day of her life? It wasn't in the script they were supposed to perform that evening. Then why? Why was her fiancé making his act look so real? Xavier was always aloof and rarely showed emotion towards Naliah, other than irritation and anger. Because of her poor hospitality and lack of knowledge of the pack administration and military, he often raised his voice at her even when his friends and the others were around. She had a shortcoming, so she never took his behavior towards her negatively. She rather put more effort into correcting her mistakes, worked hard, and developed new perspectives to support his pack. It was mostly because she wanted to be a reliable partner and win Xavier's heart. But today...why did it feel like she would lose everything she worked for? Naliah remembered she couldn't stop smiling when Xavier said he would join her in selecting rings. The thought of him making time for her in his busy schedule made her forget her grudge against him for not helping her with the preparation. She felt special instead. She couldn't be more wrong in thinking that consideration was all for her, but Irina, an old friend from her pack, who had just returned to the country, Naliah asked her to tag along. No one from her side was willing to travel so far for her and help her with the preparations. She wanted at least one person from her pack to attend her wedding, which made Naliah bring Irina into the pack. Everyone in Naliah's pack was against this marriage. Her sister was supposed to be Xavier's bride, but after that ambush of her pack, the kingdom ordered her to take her deceased sister's place and help her pack to rebuild. It didn't happen in her will. She was scared when she left for Xavier's pack. Naliah's position in her pack wasn't good as she was an omega, so she couldn't expect Xavier and his pack to accept her easily and make her feel at home. Despite those negative thoughts, she did her best to adjust to a new pack among the people she barely knew anything about, but despite her efforts, it seemed she failed to find her place in Xavier's pack. "~you? Since when?" Irina stepped back, asking in her shaky tone. "No, Xavier, please stop this. I can't accept this no matter what you say. T-this is w, wrong. Y, you are lying, aren't you?" "I could never lie about my feelings for you, Irina." He said softly, eyes holding desperation as he held her hand after standing up, "If it is your old pack worrying you, then don't be. I will keep my promise. Please give me a chance to make it up to you." "What do you even know? You weren't there when I needed you, and now you dare to say you want to be with me!" Tears rolled down her cheeks. Naliah watched Irina harshly pushing Xavier away as she shouted at him without caring for the world. "If betraying your betrothed was your intention all along, why did you let her get close to you and give her hope?" "I didn't play with her feelings. This marriage was just a deal. Naliah knows better than to expect anything more than that." Naliah felt more gazes on her, but she endured and stood in the aisle in her gown with a bouquet. Her grip around them became so tight that the flowers began to wilt. Soon its color would fade away just like the hope of her heart. Xavier stood up on his feet, looking furious. "I can't deny it if you say she helped us out on many occasions, but, unlike you, who wanted to support me for your love for my pack..." There was a hint of disdain in his tone, and Naliah tried her best to look unaffected in the presence of the guests. "...that wench only wanted to look good in my eyes to make her my Luna. Her intentions were quite clear to all of us. She wanted the authorities to rule over my pack and use my money. That's why she was desperate to become my wife first. Didn't I tell you so? She even went so far as to hide the truth that she couldn't give me an heir! How dare she think she could be the Luna of my pack?" Naliah looked at him in shock. ...why is he lying? Your family was aware of that. Especially you. She opened her mouth to confront him but was too afraid to do so. No one would believe her. Their look of astonishment and disdain towards her said it all. And his pack... those people she used to love and the children she looked after were now looking at her like they wanted to rip her to shreds for this betrayal. Her kingdom wanted to hide it, not her. Her pack was aware of their strategy and had shown refusal in this marriage alliance, but that was only in front of her. Naliah didn't want to turn a new page in her life with lies, and no matter how much it hurt, she told them about her flaws and even about her education. Her in-laws still accepted her the way she was. However, her betrothed... how could he forget her tears that left stains on his shirt for being incapable of giving him a child and her blood in his handkerchief that he wiped every time she got nosebleeds from pushing herself to the limit at midnight in her study? "But that also doesn't mean I won't keep my promise to help her pack." Holding Irina's hand, Xavier turned around and faced Naliah. This would be the first time their gazes met for the first time after coming to this banquet. And maybe also for the last time as well. After tonight, would there be a reason to wait for Xavier anymore? The women of his pack and friend's wives said Naliah looked so pretty that their alpha wouldn't take his eyes off her. Their compliments made her hopeful for the first time. She became greedy and couldn't wait to see his reaction and hear him whisper two good things to her during their dance after the ring exchange. But now, he had another woman in his arms. Would Xavier look for her if she went missing tonight? Even her pack and kingdom wouldn't care, as long as they received help from him. They adored Irina too much to make a fuss about this simple thing. They would say Naliah never deserved to be Alpha Xavier's chosen. How dare an omega who can't get pregnant dream of becoming his mate and Luna? "It irked me how you ordered her around and treated her as your servant. She insisted it wasn't exactly what it seemed like, but I know better than to fall for her lies, yet I went out to buy rings for our wedding to keep her word." His jaw clenched in anger. "Do you know how hard it was for me to live under the same roof with you? Out of jealousy, you threw her family out of your pack after framing them. She dropped out of the academy and had to move out because of your bullying. Even after all this, how could someone as selfish as you expect me to marry you and give you the place of my Luna?" "...I did what?" Naliah looked at him, speechless. "You... what are you- " "The person you have been using your authority on is my mate!" Xavier cut her off and raised his voice at her. "If it hurts your ego to show her some respect, leave this place, and don't show your face again!" "...mate?" Puzzled, Naliah looked at the woman her betrothed was protecting in his arms. "You are mates?" "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, but~ " Irina sobbed. "You needed him more, Leah. I-I know I don't mean anything to you, but your pack is mine too. So what if I was overseas at my grandpa's? My love for my pack didn't fade away for once. It hurts every time I visit those people I grew up with. And if Xavier chooses me over you, what will happen to them then?" They said what again? Naliah couldn't believe her ears. "...would you take responsibility for what you've said just now?" Hearing the coldness in her tone, Irina went stiff. "R-responsibility?" Naliah never doubted Irina for once. She believed her old friend wouldn't be like her parents, who got caught for their heinous crimes against women and children in the slums for years. Things weren't cleared up for Irina's sake. Naliah's pack elders and her kingdom both favored Irina more, so they only asked Irina's family to leave, cutting ties with them. Despite how unfair it was that everyone started neglecting her more since then, Naliah didn't take it to heart and could only move forward. She was a victim, too, yet she received hate from her pack who didn't know the whole truth. She tried to be nice to Irina, but who would have thought Irina had been holding grudges against her and waiting for the right time to ruin her life? Naliah smiled warily. "You don't know what I am talking about?" Irina trembled, looking scared, and clung to Xavier more. Seeing that, Xavier growled ferociously and took a threatening step toward Naliah. At least, that was what his expression said. "You have no shame, do you? Why do you always force her to sacrifice her happiness and dreams for you?" Not liking how uncomfortable his mate looked under his so-called opportunist fiancé's gaze, Xavier seethed, "I told you before, and I am telling this again. I DON'T love you. I never did or ever will. I would never marry someone like you who feels no remorse for Irina after what you did to her. Wasn't she the only person who was nice to you and accepted you as you were!? But you know what? I don't want to know your reason. I am sure you did that because you envied her. Just tell me what you want. Money, is it? Right? I will have five million transferred to your account by tonight. Just get out of my face and let us be, for god's sake!" For a while, Naliah stared into the void. If she brings him the evidence, would he believe him then? She hardly believed her pack still had a copy with them. Everyone hated her for losing Irina and her family, and now Xavier... there was no point in fighting for her love when Xavier didn't feel the same way about her. "If that's what you want..." Naliah sighed in defeat. Xavier looked momentarily startled before regaining his composure. "You never tried to know me, and I wondered why." She chuckled, but that smile didn't reach her eyes. " I wanted to know your reason, but I was scared. I was scared of the truth. Maybe deep inside, I knew what your response would be?!" Naliah looked at the couple's intertwined hands. Her pain and sadness were threatening to escape through her tears, but she could only blink them away. "I did nothing to deserve this, but it's okay; I had it coming." A dry laugh escaped her lips after seeing him watching her in astonishment. "In the end, I only have myself, as it has always been." Xavier felt a hint of discomfort under her gaze, but Naliah didn't care much. "Let's go our separate ways, Xavier. Let's never meet again." Her voice didn't waver for once. Before leaving the venue, she said firmly, holding his gaze, "And even if we do, pretend as if you don't know me. 'Cause I am going to do the same." This humiliation Naliah faced today was nothing compared to how she felt being forsaken by her family and her pack. She had no one to turn to anymore. Where would she go now? All she could do now was to leave it to her fate and go where her feet took her. But would it be safe for her to stay in this country after becoming a gold-digger overnight? Now everyone knows she was an omega, too. She didn't want to die so soon. It would be a shame to give up on her life now when she was free from every relationship. Even Xavier, who used to know her, chose to forget about her because of his misunderstanding and his mate's tears. Was there anyone who genuinely cared about me? She questioned herself, as she walked on the right side of the now empty road. With an empty look, she gazed at the moon in the sky. Just what was the Moon Goodness thinking? For how long did she have to endure this treatment and rejection from the people who were supposed to protect her? She worked herself to the bone to earn enough to send for the reconstruction of her pack and support the young for their training and education for the orphans. How could her pack blatantly tell lies to an outsider that Naliah was sending money from Xavier? Xavier's hate was so deep, yet he took advantage of her feelings and played with her. He wanted to break her into pieces, but he cared so much about his reputation that he didn't take in any mistress, let alone deny her rights in his pack's management the former Luna left her with. All was to create a good image in the public. He must have been waiting for the right time, just like Irina. Suddenly, she heard a screeching noise behind her. She didn't pay much attention as she wasn't in the middle of the road until she flew into the air, and the last thing she saw was her lying in the pool of blood far away from where that vehicle was, and the driver was running away after taking her pictures. ...just why? Tears rolled down her face. She wanted to laugh, but there was no strength left in her. Those people would say this was karma, wouldn't they? Her death would probably have everyone talking, and that may last quite long. It was amusing how she had to die after being wrongly accused while those traitors would live a long and prosperous life. How ungrateful people can be. This world doesn't deserve her kindness. If she got another chance to live again, she would never do anything for anyone again. She would be heartless, even if born as a flawed omega. She would live like a sinner everyone drove her to, and Naliah would keep her promise to bring misfortune to Xavier's life if they ever crossed paths. No one could escape her wrath. And she would make sure of that. At that time, Naliah never would have been able to imagine what was to happen. Someone like her who tried to live with simplicity and modesty and embraced the chaos, not wishing to make things complicated for herself and the people around her, now not only would her death cause continental conflicts, but as an enigmatic figure, she might also get dragged into this whirlwind of activities she didn't wish for.