Alpha's Lost Luna Returns With His Twins

Iris:

I stepped into the royal garden with my mother beside me. People filled every space, dressed in light colors.

Alphas chatted while lunas admired Lara’s fate. They gushed over her. Some even said she must have been born lucky to be marrying Kash.

If only they knew there had once been someone else who was considered lucky too. Or maybe marrying Kash was not luck at all, because no one ever knew when he would leave.

My mother gently touched my elbow to draw my attention, her eyes guiding me toward the size and care put into the venue. She stayed close to me, her arm brushing mine every few seconds.

My children ran ahead, their laughter filling the air. Luca stayed close behind them, his eyes never leaving their movements.

Every so often, he checked his phone, likely reading my mother’s messages telling him when to take them away. Still, he was careful not to draw attention.

I clasped my hands in front of me, pressing my fingers together. I tried to act as if it did not bother me, as if I were calm, as if I were attending my ex’s wedding with real happiness for him.

But I was bitter.

I was bitter about everything.

That was when I saw Zoe.

She stood a short distance away, wearing an olive color gown. Her head tilted slightly as she noticed me. Her eyes moved over me slowly, and then her lips curved into a smile. It was small but unsettling. She looked pleased.

Moments later, my ex mother in law noticed me as well. She stood right beside Zoe. They shared the same look. After exchanging a glance, they lifted their chins and walked toward me.

Zoe stopped in front of me first, folding her arms loosely over her chest. She smiled, though it was clear she wanted to laugh at me.

"You must be in so much pain," she remarked lightly. "Watching your man marry someone else. I mean, your fated mate. Oops, sorry. Ex-fated mate."

She rolled her eyes and slapped her forehead, clicking her tongue as she shook her head. She was no longer trying to hide her bitterness.

My mother stood right beside me. I wondered if she felt pleased watching me be spoken to like this.

"No, it is fine," I replied with a calm smile. "I am getting married to Luca too. Did Kash not tell you?"

I spoke steadily, as if nothing touched me.

For a moment, the color drained from Zoe’s face. Then she smiled again, sharper than before.

"Well, grapes are sour," she said, shrugging.

The music shifted, signaling the bride’s arrival, and Zoe turned away.

My ex mother in law lingered. She waited until Lara appeared in her gown before stepping closer.

"You must be so jealous of her," she commented. "But do not cast an evil eye on her. She is very dear to us." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

She turned and walked away.

I stood still, my hands trembling before I lowered them to my sides.

That was when Kash appeared beside Lara. He offered her his hand, and she took it, smiling brightly. The crowd cheered, watching them as if they were something perfect.

My children had stopped with Luca. I noticed the change on their faces when they were guided aside with the rest of the guests. They were not part of the wedding. No flowers in their hands. No rings to carry.

Their father had not included them, likely because Lara did not want them there.

When other children arrived with flowers, my children began looking back at me. I watched Kash as someone spoke to him and Lara. He did not disagree with her. The two reached the stage and stood together with big smiles on their faces.

My children rose onto their toes, craning their necks toward the aisle. Amy bounced lightly, tugging at Colin’s hand, trying to catch a glimpse of their father. He had not bothered to ask anyone to secure a place for them.

Colin pointed toward the stage, saying something I could not hear over the crowd. Soon, they were smiling again. Even a brief look at their father was enough.

I swallowed and turned my face slightly away, pressing my lips together.

They did not need to know that to him, they were only a responsibility. Something he carried because he had to, not because he chose to.

"I told you that you would be grateful to me for stopping you from becoming Kash’s side chick," my mother commented, shifting beside me.

I noticed Luca turn to look at her. She gave him a small hand signal.

Luca stepped closer to the children and crouched, speaking to them quietly. Amy shook her head. Colin pointed toward the stage again, clearly unwilling to leave.

They had no choice.

Luca gently took both their hands and led them away from the crowd. As the music grew louder, the noise swelled, and they were carried along with him, disappearing between people.

Kash did not notice.

His attention remained on Lara. He did not turn even once. As he moved down the aisle, he blocked the rest of the world out, including me and his children. If his eyes passed over the crowd, he did not linger.

I stepped closer to the stage. I wanted to see everything.

That was when Kash finally looked at me.

Our eyes met for a single second.

Then he looked away and smiled at Lara. A smile meant for a man beginning a new life.

I stood among the crowd, watching Kash face Lara.

"I, Alpha King Kash, accept Lara as my mate and my wife," he declared happily, not turning to look at me even once.

A sharp pain spread across my chest. My fingers curled into my palms, nails pressing deep as I clenched my fist. I swallowed hard.

Around me, murmurs began to spread. Some people glanced at me briefly before looking away. Others stared a little longer. A few wrinkled their noses, then softened their expressions into false sympathy the moment our eyes met.

Then it was Lara’s turn.

She turned toward me and smirked. It was a look of victory.

"I, Lara, accept Alpha King Kash as my mate and my husband," she stated clearly.

Fireworks erupted. Cheers followed from every direction.

Tears blurred my vision.

I watched as Kash stepped closer to her and leaned in to mark her neck. She pressed her fingers against his chest. When he pulled away, she reached up and marked him in return.

I saw everything through the blur until my mother stepped up behind me.

"It is time to leave," she whispered.

I kept staring at the couple, smiling and laughing beneath the fireworks, before nodding once.

"You are right, Mother," I replied quietly. "It really is time to leave."

A tear finally slipped free, clearing the vision in one of my eyes.