Reborn of the Luna novel Chapter 16

He let out his own—a true roar that made everyone else fall silent. His mate flinched but kept walking.

“Oh, there she is,” Richard pointed at the woman, “Luna Katherine Grimm.”

Jacob stood watching Katherine, his mouth hanging open like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

No, it can’t be! Is this some kind of joke?

He continued staring at Katherine as if he’d seen a ghost—a Luna who belonged to another Alpha. He was devastated. He couldn’t comprehend it. His mate, the one the Moon Goddess had chosen for him, was already married to someone else. And she was already marked.

Pain washed over him as he stared at Katherine, completely ignoring Richard, who was speaking beside him. Jacob’s attention was locked on his mate.

He thought of the conversation he had with her earlier. “The marriage was over,” was what she told him.

A faint smile appeared on his lips. This was good news. He would still be getting his mate after all.

“Jacob!” Richard’s voice snapped him out of his daze, and Richard smacked him on the arm. “What’s going on with you?”

“What?” Jacob barely acknowledging him.

“Should I call the Luna? You came here to speak with her, right?” Richard’s eyebrows furrowed in concern.

“I want to watch her a bit first,” Jacob muttered, his eyes still glued to his mate. The intensity of his gaze was clear to anyone who laid eyes on him. At the same time, he could feel the tension radiating from the men in the room—men with hungry, lustful eyes. They all knew her marriage was crumbling, and none of them wanted to miss the opportunity to claim her for themselves.

Interest sparkled in Jacob’s eyes.

“That guy over there,” Richard answered, his frown deepening as he pointed out the man whose mark she wore. Richard’s expression hardened, remembering the favor she had done for him. He felt the need to repay her, one way or another.

Jacob’s eyes narrow as he assessed his mate’s husband. He didn’t want to admit it, but the man was handsome—a true Alpha, tall and charismatic, with people gravitating toward him. And then there was the redhead clinging to his arm, her tiny frame pressed against his side as if he was her shield from the world. She must’ve been the Alpha’s true mate.

I tried to control my emotions, but I was still shocked that the Lycans were here, that he was here. My last conversation with him played on repeat in my mind, and I regretted the harsh words I had spoken. What if he wanted to punish me? Make an example out of me?

“My King,” I greeted him, forcing a smile and doing my best to appear composed.

“Luna Grimm,” he replied, his voice deep and authoritative.

The silence stretched, growing uncomfortable. I wasn’t about to speak first, and neither was he. Finally, he motioned for me to sit, and I did so, trying to appear as dignified as possible.

As I sat under his heavy gaze, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he expected something from me. Maybe an apology for the way I had spoken to him over the phone? The memory made my cheeks flush, but I wasn’t about to apologize. I had meant every word I’d said, and I wasn’t one to back down from what I believed in.

“I’m not going to apologize,” I said firmly, watching as his eyes widened in surprise. Perhaps that was the wrong move.

“I’m not asking you to,” he replied after a brief pause, catching me off guard.