Page 9 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"What are you mumbling about?" Mother frowned, then huffed. "Fine. Pull yourself together!"

She turned to the maids. "Take her to the ceremony. Watch her. Don't let her make a scene."

I didn't resist anymore. I just clutched that vial tight. For my child, I would stay.

The outdoor sunlight was blinding.

Maids flanked me as I walked the white carpet stretching from the manor to the altar in the center of the square. White roses lined both sides.

Should've been beautiful. But I heard the voices. Whispers like hissing serpents from every direction.

"Moon Goddess above, look at her face..."

"That birthmark... disgusting..."

"How could the Moon Goddess choose her? Must be a mistake..."

"Poor His Majesty, having to marry that creature..."

I lifted my head and stared straight ahead.

Talk.

Say whatever you want.

This marriage wouldn't last anyway. Once I was pregnant, I'd leave immediately. Never come back.

I climbed the long steps and finally stood on the altar. Then I saw him.

Cedric wore his ceremonial robes, perfectly tailored to his tall frame. Dark blue eyes currently looking elsewhere—at the sky, at the distant mountains, anywhere but at me.

His jaw was tight, mouth turned down. His whole face screamed "I don't want to be here."

The moment I saw Cedric, the previous life flashed through my mind—him picking up Victoria without hesitation and leaving. Never even glancing back at me or our child! Leaving us to burn in those flames. Complex emotions surged through me. Anger. Hatred. And an absurd impulse to rush forward and drag him to hell with me.

But no. I still needed to conceive the child. I had to endure. I took a deep breath, pushed down every emotion, and walked to his side.

The priest stood between us, holding a thick tome. He cleared his throat and began the prayers. "Under the witness of the Moon Goddess, we gather here to perform the sacred union of these fated mates..."

"Speed up the ceremony," Cedric suddenly cut in, voice low and cold. "Don't waste time. I have business to attend to."

He didn't even glance at me. My heart squeezed.

Damn it. I'd been through this once already. Why did my heart still hurt?

"May the Goddess bless this pair, grant them an eternal bond..."

The priest continued. I listened to those familiar words while images from my past life flooded my mind. I'd been so excited to become his mate. So hopeful about our future. I'd prepared for this wedding for so long. In the end, it just made me everyone's joke.

I smiled bitterly. When the priest got halfway through, Victoria's maid, Carol, would burst in, crying that Victoria was deathly ill.

Then Cedric would leave without hesitation. In my past life, I'd desperately tried to stop him. Grabbed his sleeve, begged through tears for him not to go.

He'd shaken off my hand and said coldly, "Victoria is sick. I have to see her. She's your sister. How can you be so heartless?"

Past me kept lying to herself. Thinking if I just gave enough care and attention, I'd earn his notice and love. Nothing but a joke.

This life, I would never fall for him again. If he wanted to leave for Victoria, I wouldn't stop him.