Chapter 5 Now Luna

Kaela

The ride to the packhouse was quiet. The kind of silence that pressed against your ears and made every little sound feel louder than it should be, the hum of the engine, the faint rustle of fabric whenever I shifted, even my breathing.

I sat beside Alpha Gabriel in the back seat, my hands folded tightly on my lap.

Like if I moved too much, everything might shatter. I stole a glance at him every passing second. He sat upright, composed as always. His sharp features were unreadable, his gaze fixed ahead, as though the chaos from earlier meant nothing to him.

But I knew better, or at least I was starting to. Because a man like him didn’t make decisions like that lightly. He had accepted me publicly, and I still didn’t understand why.

My fingers tightened slightly. Was it because of the bond? No, that didn’t make sense. In my past life, he never….

I stopped the thought before it could go further. There was no point comparing before this life will be different; I will make sure of that.

The car slowed before finally coming to a stop. The large gates of the packhouse stood tall and imposing, guards stationed on either side. The moment they saw the car, they straightened, quickly opening the gates without hesitation.

That was when I realized that everything Steven had always flaunted… actually belonged to this man. The car rolled in, and my breath caught slightly. Memories came rushing in.

And it just suddenly dawned on me that I am Alpha Gabriel’s wife. Luna to this very pack—step mother to Steven. The thought made something twist faintly in my chest.

The car door opened, and one of the guards stepped forward, bowing slightly.

“Alpha.” One of the guards brought out his wheelchair, and he was helped onto it.

Gabriel gave a small nod before he was rolled towards the house. I hesitated for half a second before following. The moment my feet touched the ground, I felt eyes on me. Servants, guards, and all other workers. Whispering silently behind polite expressions. The news must have spread already.

The girl who rejected the Alpha’s son at the altar—and chose the Alpha himself—a mad scandal. 

I straightened my back. Let them think whatever they wanted. I didn’t come here to please anyone. I said in my head.

“Come.” His voice was low and steady.

I looked up, and he was already rolled to the entrance. For a brief second, I considered keeping my distance by maintaining space. But then I remembered that wouldn’t work here. Not in a place like this. So I stepped forward, to his side.

The large doors opened before we even reached them. Inside, the air felt different. The marble floors reflected the light from above, and the entire space carried that same quiet authority Gabriel seemed to wear like a second skin.

“This way.” He didn’t look back as he spoke, “You can leave now; she will take it from here." He said to the guard, Roll him. The guard bowed and left.

I rolled him through long hallways, past servants who immediately bowed their heads the moment they saw him. Some of them glanced at me curiously, but no one spoke. No one dared.

Finally, he stopped me in front of a door.

“This will be your room.”

Your room! Not ours? I didn't understand why that small detail settled something inside me. Maybe because it gave me space. Or perhaps because it told me he wasn’t expecting anything from me.

I pushed the door open. The room was large and elegant but not overly decorated. Soft colors, clean lines, a wide bed by the far wall, and tall windows that let in just enough light. It felt calm and safe.

I had never entered this room even as Steven’s wife in my past life. It has always been Steven’s room.

I stepped inside slowly, taking it in, “You can have anything you need brought here,” he said from behind me. “Clothes, personal items—just inform the staff.”

I nodded. “Thank you.” I muttered.

A pause followed, and I turned slightly. He was still where I left him near the door, watching me, not intensely or suspiciously, just observing.

“You’re not going to ask questions?” I said it before I could stop myself.

His brow lifted slightly. “Ask what?”

“Why I did it.” I said.

For a moment, he didn’t respond. Then, slowly, he pressed a button by the left side of his wheelchair, and it moved further into the room on its own. “I don’t need to.” He muttered.

That caught me off guard.

“You don’t?” I echoed.

His voice remained calm, but there was something deeper beneath it, “You decided,” he continued. “And I made mine.”

“And you don’t think it’s strange?” I pressed, turning to face him fully now. “That I rejected your son and chose you instead?”

A flicker passed through his eyes, but it was gone just as fast. “I think,” he said slowly, “that people reveal themselves when they’re pushed far enough.” My breath hitched slightly. Was he talking about me or himself? “Whatever your reason is,” he added, “you’ll tell me when you’re ready.”

And just like that, he let it go. It unsettled me more than if he had questioned everything.

I looked away first. “I won’t cause trouble for you,” I said quietly. “That wasn’t my intention.”

A small silence followed, then. “I know.” He muttered.

I glanced up again. “You do?”

“If you intended harm,” he said, “you wouldn’t have done it like that in public.” 

My lips parted slightly, but no words came out. He understood more than I expected, more than he should.

“You should rest,” he added after a moment. “It’s been a long day.”

“Alpha—” I hesitated, then asked softly, “Why did you accept me?” 

Silence stretched between us, then “Because,” he said, his voice quieter now, “it was the right thing to do.”

That wasn’t the answer, but it was the only one he was willing to give for now.

He turned his wheelchair toward the door, “Dinner will be served later. A maid will come for you.”

“Do you need help with that?” I asked.

“I might be crippled, but I can take care of myself in my house.” He said, And just like that, he left.

I watched as he rolled himself effortlessly out of the room, and the door closed softly behind him. I stood there for a long moment, then a thought crossed my mind. If Gabriel had accepted me so easily, then what had he seen that I hadn’t or known that I didn't? Whatever that is, I must get to the bottom of it.