THORNED ROSE: The Rising Luna

Rose

At the mating ceremony held for me, I had to swallow a bitter truth. My chosen mate rejected me as his mate. Before the Elders and the entire pack, my chosen mate claimed my stepsister as his new chosen mate, and right then and there, they marked each other.

In despair and pain from the rejection, a hewolf approached me. Magnus Cline caught my body before I collapsed to the floor. He then declared me as his chosen mate instead.

I was speechless.

I had never spoken to him before, nor did I even know if we had ever met. But in his eyes, I saw no mockery like I did from the others. I saw sincerity.

I refused to acknowledge it at the time. But Magnus didn’t give up.

He pursued me for two years, with a patience I never expected. On my twentysixth birthday, he gave me a firstedition novel by Kyrie Brady, a famous mystery author I admired. Three months later, he surprised me again with a book signing session for Kyrie’s latest mystery novel.

Magnus rebuilt my trust, made me feel valued. He knew everything I liked and disliked. He was also the one who encouraged me to develop my business talents and apply them.

When I finally became the CEO of LupeNova Group, the company run by the Moonblade Pack in the field of leading global content creation. Magnus was by my side, supporting my every step.

And when I finally accepted him as my mate, I believed that the Moon Goddess had guided me to a mate who truly loved me. He also became the Alpha of the Moonblade pack.

I believed I had found my home.

But I was wrong.

That night—one night before our third anniversary—I stood gripping the door handle of Alpha Magnus’s study as their voices echoed from inside.

“I know this is hard for you,” Beta Dean’s voice came. “But you have to accept the truth, Alpha Magnus. Luna Rose is your mate now.”

“She’s not Stephenie.”

My entire body froze. The envelope in my hand slipped to the floor. My heart felt as if it was being crushed by an invisible force.

Beta Dean sighed. “You still love her.”

Silence. And that silence made me even more anxious as I waited for Alpha Magnus’s response.

“I have always loved her,” he finally said. “I did all of this out of anger at the time, but I regret it. Stephenie told me she regrets it just as much as I do.”

My world crumbled.

I took a step back, my head spinning, trying to process the words I had just heard.

I was just a consolation prize.

All this time, I thought Alpha Magnus pursued me because he saw something valuable in me. But in reality, I was the one who misjudged everything.

I placed a trembling hand on my stomach, where a tiny life was growing. We had shared passionate nights together, making me believe I was the only shewolf in his life. But now, I wondered—had he ever really seen me? Or had he only seen Stephenie?

If not for this child, I might have left that very night.

But I had to stay. At least until this child was born.

Lost in my turmoil, I returned to the parking lot, abandoning my plan to tell Magnus about my pregnancy. I drove away, tears streaming down my face. I was so overwhelmed that I failed to notice the traffic light turning red.

My wolf instincts dulled—I couldn't sense danger in my distress. And just like that, my vision went black.

I sat on the hospital bed, my fingers trembling as they touched my nowempty stomach. The pain still lingered with every slight movement.

I thought he would have heard by now.

I had lost our baby.

I wanted to cry, but I had already run out of tears. I waited for Magnus to come, hoping that, even just a little, he would comfort me.

But he never came.

And when he finally did, it wasn’t for me.

Even in my weakened state, I heard his voice from outside the room.

“You have to be patient, Stephenie,” Alpha Magnus whispered. “When the time is right, we can be together again like before.”

My throat felt dry. I could no longer feel pain—only emptiness.

Beta Dean murmured something to Alpha Magnus.

“Don’t let Luna Rose find out,” Magnus replied. “I don’t want to hurt her.”

I let out a bitter chuckle. Ironic. He didn’t want to hurt me? Yet, he had shattered me more than anyone ever had.

Moments later, Alpha Magnus entered the room and froze when he saw me. He hesitated for a moment but quickly masked his expression with a warm smile. I could already tell he was about to start his charade.

“You’re finally awake, my love. I was so worried when Dr. Harper called me.” He gently stroked my hand.

“Our baby…” A tear slipped down my cheek, even though I despised crying for him after knowing his lies.

Alpha Magnus pulled me into his embrace and said, “We can have another one, Rose. What matters is that you survived the accident, and I can still hold you like this.”

He had been so skilled at deception. No wonder I had been blind—so foolish—falling for his honeyed words time and time again.

But no more. I severed the mindlink, shutting him out, refusing to let him invade my thoughts.

“I’m here to ensure you recover,” Alpha Magnus said, his tone carefully measured. “I’ve arranged for special care.”

A hollow laugh escaped my lips, sharp and bitter. “Special care? That sounds more like imprisonment.”

He didn’t respond. His face remained an impassive mask of feigned concern, his lies coiling around me like a noose.

In the suffocating silence of the room, I made a vow—to the child I had lost, to myself, and to the Moon Goddess. I would not break again.

Rose

The next day, I was sent back to a villa in Urydale, north of Illedale. Alpha Magnus made sure I received special treatment—from him. His intentions were clear; he wanted to keep me from growing suspicious of his schemes.

Under the guise of my recovery, he confined me to this luxurious villa, mirroring the opulence of the Moonblade Pack penthouse. He assigned omegas to cater to my needs and stationed warriors to guard the property, leaving me with nothing but time to reflect.

There was no work for me to do here. Alpha Magnus had taken over all company matters, dismissing my offers to handle things remotely. I had to admit—he was cunning.

Slowly erasing my presence, first through my miscarriage, and now through isolation. For now, I was merely observing his deception, waiting for his next move.

Over breakfast on Monday morning, he casually brought up my company shares and an upcoming board meeting scheduled for three days later. The mention of it at the dining table nearly made me choke on my food.

Keeping my responses brief, I answered his questions about my stake in Lupenova.

I was beginning to see where this was heading.

“Rose, you can trust me to handle this. I promise, once everything is settled, we’ll take a trip to Poross—call it a second honeymoon.” Alpha Magnus wiped his mouth, then added, “Oh, I almost forgot—Stephenie asked me to pass along a message. She wants to know if she can use company funds to open a new bookstore branch.”

“Of course. She’s a Delaney. She still has the right to do so,” I replied evenly, ensuring I gave nothing away.

The last time Stephenie had asked for funds, it was for a game center expansion—one that ended in massive losses. My father had been furious at her incompetence. And now, here she was, asking for more—right when Lupenova was at its weakest.

“Thank you, Rose. I know you always look out for her. She was too nervous to ask you directly, so she asked me instead.”

“Yeah, that’s just how we are—always awkward when it comes to money.” I let my words hang in the air, deliberately vague.

“I have to go now. See you this evening.”

Alpha Magnus leaned in and kissed me, but I remained motionless. He still had the audacity to treat me like a cherished mate. It was nauseating. I clenched my fists under the table, watching as he strode out of the villa, oblivious to my silent fury.

I spent the day trying to distract myself—reading, scrolling through social media. When I opened the alumni chat from Bresea Academy, a message caught my eye: an announcement for a novelwriting class. My breath hitched when I saw the instructor’s name—Professor Caldwell.

Looking back on my time at the academy felt like opening a box of forgotten dreams. Once, I had aspired to be like him—to create stories that would stand the test of time.

Without hesitation, I signed up for the class. If I couldn’t change the course of my life right now, at least I could reclaim a part of the person I used to be.

My fingers continued scrolling absentmindedly until they stopped on Stephenie’s latest social media post. I had forgotten to block her, and now I was staring at a picture from eight hours ago—her showing off a crescent moon necklace, its amber stone glistening under the light.

A familiar pang hit me.

I had once wanted that very necklace, hoping to receive it as a gift to mark our bond. But now, it was nothing more than an unattainable memory—an exclusive, limitededition piece.

I remembered Alpha Magnus dismissing my request with a gentle smile, saying I deserved something far more valuable. Foolishly, I had believed him and had waited for something that never came.

That evening, Alpha Magnus knocked on my bedroom door, greeting me with the same warm smile he used to give me—back when I had loved him blindly. He approached me, wrapping his arms around me from behind, pressing a soft kiss to my neck.

I should have felt warmth. Instead, his touch only made my skin crawl.

“Rose, do you have time tonight?” he asked gently.

I turned, offering him a small, indifferent smile. “I’m not willing to engage in any activities tonight. My plans consist of reading and watching Prime Video.”

Alpha Magnus chuckled, as if amused by my cold response. “Don’t you remember what day it is?” He raised an eyebrow.

I shook my head.

But I did remember.

This was the anniversary of the night he proposed—under the moonlight at Yore Tower, in what had once been the most magical moment of my life. But I had no intention of letting him use nostalgia to manipulate me.

Alpha Magnus sighed in defeat. “Alright. If you don’t want to celebrate, is there anything you’d like as a gift?”

I paused for a moment before replying, “A can of red paint, maybe?”

He gave me a puzzled look. “For what? I could have an omega handle whatever you need. You’re still recovering—I don’t want you straining yourself.”

“Just a little creative outlet, Alpha Magnus. It won’t wear me out,” I replied lightly, masking my true intentions.

He studied me for a moment before nodding. “Alright, if that’s what you want… though it’s an odd request.”

He wouldn’t understand. But at least I had successfully diverted his attention. After he left, I returned to my room, intending to lose myself in my favorite drama series.

But only a few minutes had passed before my focus shattered. Alpha Magnus’s phone rang from the hallway.

Curiosity gripped me.

I slid off the bed, my senses sharpening as his voice grew fainter. Carefully, I cracked the door open, ensuring it made no sound.

“I always love what you prepare for me, Stephenie,” he murmured, his voice sickeningly tender.

My body froze.

And then I heard it again. Stephenie.

My stepsister.

Alpha Magnus fell silent for a brief moment before turning toward my bedroom door. I ducked behind the sofa, holding my breath as his golden eyes scanned the room. He hesitated, then smirked.

“She’s probably watching one of those cliché dramas… might already be asleep. I can’t wait to see you, darling.”

He became blind because this broken bond. A wave of nausea rolled through me as I watched him grab his car keys and head for the door.

I didn’t need further proof.

My stepsister—so polished, so graceful during family dinners—had played me for a fool. Just months ago, she had raved about her blossoming romance with Alex—my exmate.

They were all despicable.

I must have cried for an hour, curled up in my room, the television flickering against the walls. The female lead on screen was sobbing too, mirroring my shattered state.

But did Alpha Magnus even deserve my tears?

Why did I still feel this way? Trapped between love and hate?

I reached for my phone, scrolling down to a number I had saved long ago—since the day my father died.

I had sworn never to call this guy. I had refused to show weakness.

But I couldn’t endure this alone anymore.

Taking a steadying breath, I pressed the call button.

“Hello, Sigma Memphis. I need your help.”

Rose

Alpha Magnus came home late at night. I heard the front door open, his heavy footsteps, and the strong scent of alcohol. He was drunk. As always, he went out without telling me where he was going.

I pretended to be asleep when he entered the bedroom. The bed creaked beside me as he lay down. His cologne mixed with another scent, making my body tense instantly.

I slowly opened my eyes, trying to identify what I was smelling. It was Stephenie’s perfume. There was no way I could be mistaken. I had smelled it for years in our family.

My blood boiled. I glanced at Alpha Magnus, who was lying beside me, and noticed a faint red mark on his neck. A kiss mark. Not only that, but as he moved his arm, I saw a similar mark on his chest.

It felt like a dagger had been plunged into my heart. I had known he was cheating on me, but seeing the evidence firsthand was something else entirely. I bit my lip, holding back the urge to scream or wake him up.

[We can’t keep living like this, Rose,] said Nova, the wolf inside me. [He is not our true mate. He doesn’t deserve you.]

I nodded internally, feeling Nova’s strength surge through me. “What should we do, Nova? I want to end this, but… I don’t know how.”

[We sever the bond, Rose. That’s the only way for you to be free. We have to do it.]

“I need to gather proof first.”

I stared at Alpha Magnus, who was peacefully asleep beside me. He looked so calm, as if he carried no burden in this world. But I knew that face was full of lies. I had to move on.

For myself.

I started thinking about how to gather evidence of their affair. I spent the night rummaging through the safe in Alpha Magnus’s study, but all I found were documents of his assets. However, there was proof of a purchase—an expensive necklace I had once wanted.

At this point, I was too exhausted to be angry. Letting myself dwell in negative energy would only hold me back. I returned to the bedroom and lay on the couch, refusing to share a bed with him.

Just as I was about to close my eyes, a notification sound came from a phone. I searched for the source and found a phone in Alpha Magnus’s jacket pocket. But the device in my hand wasn’t the one he usually used.

I frowned deeply. It was the same model, but this was a different phone, and it was locked. My curiosity grew, and I was determined to unlock it. I entered every possible code Alpha Magnus might use—his birthdate, our anniversary, the day we first met—but nothing worked.

Then, my thoughts drifted to Stephenie again. I entered her birthdate, and the phone unlocked.

I let out a quiet scoff but continued my search through the phone. I opened the chat app and found only a few contacts—some colleagues from our company, Beta Dean, and Stephenie.

Damn it! My number wasn’t even in his contact list.

I navigated to the gallery and felt a harsh slap of reality from the videos, screenshots, and pictures of them together in various luxurious places. One video, in particular, made my fists clench tightly.

They had recorded their intimate moments in the private pool of this very villa. I checked the timestamp on the video—it had been taken a month ago.

My patience was wearing thin. I wanted to shred the phone apart with my claws. But instead, I forced myself to remain calm, quickly sending all the videos to my own phone and erasing any trace of the transfer. I placed the phone back in his jacket, as if it had never been touched.

Moon Goddess had given me a sign. She had granted me the chance to uncover my mate’s disgusting secrets. And with this, I would take the next step to make them pay.

The clock on the wall struck 3 AM, yet I still couldn’t sleep. This would be the last time they ever toyed with me. I opened the app where I kept draft documents of important assets. I reviewed them once more, preparing for my next move.

That afternoon, I contacted my lawyer, Mr. Sinclair. I requested to have all the assets I had once given to Alpha Magnus transferred back to my name. I also asked for recommendations on services that could help erase my tracks, ensuring I couldn’t be traced.

A few hours later, I went to the Delaney family mansion. As soon as I entered, my eyes met Stephenie’s. She welcomed me with a victorious smile.

“Oh, look who’s here,” she said mockingly. “You didn’t have to go through the trouble, Luna Rose. Alpha Magnus is already mine.”

I swallowed my emotions. “I’m not here for him. I came to ask you something.”

She crossed her arms. “Oh? What else do you want to know?”

I met her gaze sharply. “Why do you always steal my mates? Every man who gets close to me—you always try to take them.”

Stephenie laughed. “Oh, Rose. You’re so naïve. I’m just taking what was originally mine, Alpha Magnus…and Alex, I’ve never really love him, though.”

I clenched my fists tightly. “Alpha Magnus was never yours.”

“Nah, he chose me first,” she said, lifting her phone.

A moment later, it rang, displaying Alpha Magnus’s name. Stephenie smirked as she flaunted the call in front of me.

I could hear his soft, affectionate voice. “Baby, I miss you. I can’t wait to see you. The bathtub is finally fixed.”

My chest tightened. I watched as Stephenie smiled smugly before answering in a sweet tone, “I miss you too, Alpha Magnus.”

Tears welled in my eyes, but I held them back, refusing to show weakness in front of this slut. I turned around and left the mansion, my resolve stronger than ever. This was the end of everything. I would make them pay in ways they never saw coming.

The day of my revenge was approaching.

“Two days,” I whispered to myself. “I’ll do it in two days.”

Rose

That morning, I began preparing everything. I packed a few essential items and hid them somewhere Alpha Magnus would never find them. I knew this would be difficult, but I had already made my decision.

When Alpha Magnus finally woke up, he didn’t call my name in his usual husky morning voice. Instead, he looked at me with a smile that, once again, tried to deceive me.

I merely returned a thin smile. “Good morning, Alpha Magnus.”

He chuckled softly. “Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?”

I nodded, even though, in reality, I had barely slept all night. I had only been thinking, planning, and praying that I would have the strength to go through with this.

Today was the day I would free myself from Alpha Magnus—and from all his lies.

The boardroom was packed. Every member was present, including Alpha Magnus, who stood at the front, ready to make an important announcement.

I walked in calmly, my steps steady with determination. All eyes turned toward me as I approached the long table in the center of the room.

“Luna Rose?” Alpha Magnus furrowed his brows. He clearly hadn’t expected me to be here.

“I have something to say,” I stated, my voice sharp and clear.

“I’m in the middle of a speech for the appointment,” Alpha Magnus replied, trying to maintain control of the situation.

“Exactly,” I smiled faintly. “I’m here to discuss the appointment of the new CEO. And it won’t be you, Magnus Cline.”

Murmurs filled the room. Some board members exchanged glances, while others focused on me with interest.

“What do you mean?” Alpha Magnus asked in a dangerously low voice.

I opened my bag and pulled out several documents. “According to my father’s will, the position of CEO should have been given to Mr. Memphis Delaney, the eldest son of the Delaney family—with the support of the board of directors, of course.”

I handed the documents to one of the board members. “All this time, we have been running the company under the assumption that I was appointed as CEO by the board and commissioners. But the will clarifies my position. My father wanted Mr. Memphis Delaney to take over when the time came.”

Sigma Memphis stood beside me, his face blank, almost bored. I was fortunate that he had agreed to help me with this matter. He was an adventurer, someone who had no interest in dealing with tedious business affairs.

Alpha Magnus clenched his fists at his sides, but he remained silent.

I continued, “As the largest shareholder, I formally propose the appointment of Mr. Delaney as the new CEO. In addition to this will, I also have evidence that Mr. Cline has been harming the company.”

I tapped a button on my tablet, displaying financial graphs on the large screen. “In the past few months, Lupenova’s performance has dropped significantly. Mr. Cline’s decisions have not only weakened the company’s stability but have also put the employees at risk.”

One of the board members nodded. “The data clearly shows his business decisions were reckless.”

Alpha Magnus growled under his breath. “You planned all of this, didn’t you?”

“I only revealed the truth.”

After a brief discussion, the final decision was made. The majority of the board supported my proposal. Sigma Memphis would be the new CEO, replacing Alpha Magnus.

I looked at Alpha Magnus as he stood still, his jaw clenched. I knew he was holding back his anger. Without a word, he turned and left the room.

I let out a relieved sigh. One battle had been won. But I wasn’t done yet.

As I stepped out of the boardroom, I ran into Stephenie. She stood in the hallway with her arms crossed, her expression filled with rage.

“You think you’ve won, Luna Rose?” she sneered.

“I’m only protecting my father’s assets from his greedy stepdaugther and soninlaw,” I replied calmly.

“You destroyed Alpha Magnus.”

I chuckled. “He destroyed himself.”

Stephenie stepped closer, her face flushed with fury. “You’re no better than me, Rose. You’re just an arrogant shewolf—a rejected shameless mate .”

I pulled out my phone and showed her the screen. Proof of Alpha Magnus’s affair with her—photos, videos, and messages. A video was ready to play, capturing Alpha Magnus’s vulgar scenes to seduced and loving voice as he spoke to her.

Stephenie’s face turned pale.

“I don’t care what you call me. I don’t even need to ruin you, Stephenie. You’ve already ruined yourself.” I turned and walked away, leaving her speechless in the hallway.

Today, I had freed myself. From the lies, from the betrayal, and from Alpha Magnus. But just before I could step into the elevator, a strong grip held my wrist.

When I turned around, I saw Alpha Magnus, his expression twisted with fury.

“You deceitful bitch!” he roared. “Tell me, what’s your real plan in humiliating me like this? I am your mate, your Alpha!”

Alpha Magnus slapped me across the face—something he had never done before.

“Then act like a real mate and a true Alpha. You’re nothing but a rat gnawing away at what doesn’t belong to you,” I spat.

His eyes darkened with rage. “Your words are filthier than your sister’s. I was never wrong to choose her over you.”

“Say whatever you want about me. But in the end, I’m not the one who betrayed my mate,” I replied coldly. “Now let me go. The security cameras are watching, unlike when I had that ‘accident’ the other day.”

Alpha Magnus loosened his grip slightly, but he pushed me back against the wall, his gaze burning into mine.

I used to admire this face, but now I wanted to tear it apart with my claws.

“I, Alpha Magnus Cline, reject you, Rose Delaney, as my mate and Luna of the Moonblade Pack.”

“And I, Rose Delaney, accept your rejection. May the Moon Goddess guide you to your true path.”