Rejected Luna Queen

Nesta’s POV

I found the queen mother in her sitting room, her elegance as timeless as always. She glanced up from her book as I entered, a warm smile lighting her face.

“Good morning, Nesta,” she greeted, her voice smooth and welcoming.

“Good morning, your Majesty,” I replied, inclining my head slightly. “I wanted to speak with you about something.”

She set her book aside and gestured for me to sit. “Of course, dear. What is it?”

“I was wondering if I could have a place to paint,” I said, meeting her gaze steadily. “I don’t like sitting idly, and I think it would help me… adjust better to being here.”

The queen mother considered my request for a moment, then her smile broadened. She isn’t showing much emotions and I guess that has everything to do with her being a queen and all but she also seems pleased.

That I am doing something to get comfortable in their space. She had no idea I was going to disappear as soon as I get the chance to.

“I think that can be arranged. We have several unused rooms that would be perfect for a studio. I’ll have them filled with the supplies you need.” She beamed.

Relief and gratitude washed over me. “Thank you, your Majesty. I appreciate it.”

“Call me Eleanor,” she insisted gently. “You’re part of this household now, Nesta. We want you to feel at home.”

“Thank you, Eleanor,” I corrected myself, the name feeling foreign but not unwelcome on my tongue.

She nodded, her eyes twinkling. “I’ll see to it that the room is ready for you by tomorrow. You should have everything you need to create as you wish.”

“That means a lot to me,” I said earnestly. “Painting helps me clear my mind.”

“It’s important to have something that brings you peace,” Eleanor agreed. “Especially with everything that’s happened. You deserve that.”

I left her sitting room with a lighter heart, knowing that soon I’d have a space of my own to retreat to. A place where I could lose myself in colours and shapes, away from the turmoil and confusion that seemed to follow me everywhere else in the palace.

I left Eleanor’s sitting room, a thought nagged at the back of my mind. College. I had always wanted to pursue further education, and now, with the stability and resources here, it seemed like a possibility again.

Elara and Luca showed me that I deserve everything in the world. I deserve to know those things even though I haven’t thought of a thing in the Red Moon Pack. They wanted me to know. To stand on my own.

The thought of them made tears rush to my eyes. I miss them so much. Especially Elara. But I know I can’t go back to them even if I do run away from this place. I will put them in danger. I don’t want that.

But this was something I needed to discuss with Rowan. I hadn’t seen him in a while, and the last time I glimpsed him walking by, he had looked lost and concerned about something I couldn’t fathom.

I decided to seek him out. Rowan was always a source of guidance, even if he often seemed burdened by his own troubles.

I made my way through the winding halls of the palace, hoping to find him in his study or perhaps in the training grounds.

swalked, in thougte windered.

Would Rowan wupport my dear to attend college! The thought of blending my new life with the normalcy of education felt daunting, yet recüng.

I was another step toward reclaiming a part of myself that lead gen lost amidst all the chaos.

Finally, I reached Rowan’s study. I knocked softly on the door, hoping he was inside. When there was no response, I heated, then decided to check the training grounds next.

I made my way there, I couldn’t help but reflect on the last time I saw Rowan. His furrowed brow, the deep lines of worry etched into his face–it had been unsettling to see him like that

What could be weighing so heavily on him!

The training grounds were bustling with activity, but I spotted Rowan near the edge, deep in conversation with one of the senior warriors. As I approached, he glanced up, his expression softening when he saw me.

“Nesta,” he greeted, a hint of warmth in his voice despite his obvious preoccupation. “Is everything alright?”

“I need to talk to you about something,” I said, trying to keep my tone casual. “Do you have a moment?”

Rowan nodded and excused himself from the conversation, leading me to a quieter corner of the grounds. The way he bowed his head and stared at my eyes. Uh, I’m seeing things.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked, giving me his full attention.

“I’ve been thinking about college,” I began. “I know it might seem out of place right now, but I’d like to continue my education I started in Crescent Moon Pack. It’s something that’s important to me.”

He considered my words carefully, his eyes thoughtful. “It’s not out of place at all,” he finally said. “If it’s something you’re passionate about, we should make it happen. I’ll see what I can do to help.”

“Thank you, Rowan,” I said, feeling a wave of relief. “I really appreciate it.”

He gave me a small smile, the worry in his eyes momentarily easing. “You deserve to pursue your dreams, Nesta. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

With that reassurance, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. College was a possibility, and with Rowan’s support, it felt within reach.

As I left the training grounds, my steps felt lighter, filled with a newfound determination to carve out a future for myself in this complex world.

I walked away from Rowan, a swirl of emotions bubbled up inside me. Despite everything that had happened–despite the rejection and the turmoil–there was a part of him that hadn’t changed.

Yes, he had found his mate and moved on from me, but the mark he left around my neck still tingled under his gaze, just as it had under Nolan’s when he kissed me.

It was a sensation that confused and frustrated me. Shouldn’t the rejection have dimmed whatever bond we once had?

I touched the mark gently, feeling the familiar warmth that it always carried. It was a constant reminder of what once was and what could never be again.

Rowan’s eyes had lingered on it, almost as if he, too, could feel the remnants of our bond. The same had happened with Nolan. His kiss had reignited something deep within me, a connection that should have been severed but wasn’t.

I sighed, frustration mounting. The bond between us was supposed to weaken after the rejection, but it seemed to persist, as strong as ever.

This lingering connection made it hard to move on, to fully embrace my new life and the possibilities it held. I felt like I was caught in a web, tangled between the past and the future.

I continued down the hallway, I tried to shake off the thoughts. Rowan had changed in many ways, but perhaps not as much as I had hoped.

The mark around my neck was a reminder of that unbreakable bond, a bond that seemed to defy logic and reason. And Nolan–his anger, his possessiveness–it all tied back to that same connection.

I needed to find a way to break free, to sever these ties that bound me to a past I was trying so hard to escape. But for now, all I could do was focus on the present, on the steps I was taking to build a new future for myself.

College was a start, a step in the right direction. Maybe, just maybe, it would help me find the freedom I so desperately sought.