With a deep sigh, she continued, "Many years ago, an Alpha from Roan's lineage cruelly rejected his wolfless mate. He looked down upon her being wolfless. He played with her emotions, bullied her relentlessly, and even drove her to abort their unborn child. In her despair and fury, she turned to her friend—the most powerful witch of that time. Together, they cursed his bloodline. Every Alpha would bear the burden of making their mates wolfless. If you choose to be with Alpha Roan, you will lose your wolf. Your wolf will never wake up."
I felt a pang of sorrow at her words. But one glance at the orb, and I saw more than a curse. I saw the man I had loved long before I knew he was my mate.
"But..." I stammered, my resolve wavering. Despite the gravity of the curse, my love for Roan shone brighter. "Mom, I don't care anymore. I'm so sorry, but I will choose my mate!"
My mother’s eyes widened, pleading for me to reconsider. "Are you sure about that? Think carefully, my daughter. Won't you regret losing your wolf? Your essence, your spirit?"
I took a deep breath, the weight of my decision settling over me. "But, Mom, choosing my wolf means turning away from my fated mate. I choose Alpha Roan."
End of Flashback
A sense of regret washed over me. The choice I made out of love now seemed like a distant echo, reverberating with the wisdom I had not yet possessed. I had embraced my mate, only to realize too late the profound loss that came with that choice.
Before I knew it, the world outside the window had faded into darkness. I remained silent, not answering my mother's mind link. I couldn’t face her, not after the choices I had made. The weight of my regrets hung heavy, and I let the silence of the inn envelop me.
Lost in my thoughts, Roan's mind link abruptly intruded, his voice laced with impatience. "Why aren't you home yet? Where's dinner?"
The mere thought of returning to him filled me with a deep, unsettling revulsion. I had chosen to stay at the inn, savoring the quiet that was a stark contrast to the chaos I had left behind.
If only. If only I had heeded my mother’s warnings—the wisdom of the Moon Goddess. I might have been the Lunar Princess, radiating power and grace, rather than this pitiful Luna, subjugated by a faithless Alpha.
"I had something urgent to take care of," I lied, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Let the maids cook dinner tonight."