LF: Rejected Eleven Times, I Chose a Second Mate Instead
Chapter 1
For the tenth time in this bizarre blind bride selection ceremony, Victor, blindfolded as always, walked past every other candidate and took Yvette’s hand again.
I, the so-called future Luna everyone had expected to win, slunk off the stage in disgrace.
Right before the ceremony began, Victor had sworn up and down that he wouldn't make a mistake this time.
He’d even agreed on a secret mark on my hand.
But when he pulled off the silk blindfold, he only leaned gently toward my ear and whispered, "Yvette is your father's illegitimate daughter. Now that I've picked her, I can't just leave her hanging. People would talk."
He patted my arm with a smile. "Next time, we'll make the mark more obvious."
Amid the crowd’s excited chatter, all attention shifted back to the two of them.
Just like the nine times before, he handed the bouquet meant for the future Luna to Yvette.
But he'd forgotten the rule of the blind selection.
Ten correct picks, and she becomes the Thornveil Pack's destined Luna.
And I wasn't going to wait anymore.
"Vera, whatever you decide about the wedding, I will support you."
My mother had stood with me through every agonizing hour of the ceremony. Now, tears welled up in her eyes.
Nine ceremonies. Nine years. Year after year, we sat on the sidelines, humiliated.
I knew the truth. Victor and Yvette had agreed on secret hand signals to make sure he picked her out of the dozens of candidates every single time.
But still, I'd believed his promises one more time.
Now he let Yvette loop her arm through his and laugh with the guests.
And my father, who had sworn up and down he'd cut ties with Yvette, was beaming just as hard.
I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat and forced a smile. "Mom, let's just eat first."
Only after everyone finished congratulating them did Victor finally walk over with his glass.
“Yvette has carried the shame of being illegitimate her whole life. Tomorrow's her birthday. Letting her have this good moment doesn't cost you anything. Don't make a thing of it."
“And you. Why didn’t you give me a signal? I was blindfolded, how was I supposed to see anything?”
He was the one playing favorites, and somehow he blamed me.
Over the years, I'd tried wearing a specific perfume, calling his name softly, even marking my hand clearly this time.
But he never once chose me.
Nine years of pent-up resentment finally boiled over. I barely kept my voice from shaking. "But you know this is the tenth...”
Before I could finish, Yvette grabbed my arm with a fake guilty look.
"Vera, I'm so sorry. I only signed up for fun. I never thought Victor would pick me every time..."
“How about I lend him to you for tonight? That can be my way of making it up to you.”
Victor ruffled her hair with a doting smile. "Since when are you so thoughtful, huh?"
"No, thanks." My cold voice cut right through their sugary little moment.
I turned and walked away. For the first time ever, Victor actually chased after me.
"Alright, alright. It's just a game. Why take it so seriously?"
He pushed me into the car and started the engine. “Even if I pick her every single time, you know you’re still my real Luna.”
We'd barely been driving three seconds when his phone blared.
Yvette's sharp, angry voice came through. "Oh, so you actually left? Fine. If you're going to abandon your bride, I'll just go home with another man!"
The line went dead.
"Get out!" Victor slammed on the brakes. The seatbelt cut into my chest.
Before I could react, he shoved me out of the car.
Yvette was stomping ahead in her long gown, refusing to even look at him.
And right there in front of everyone, he put on a grand show of chasing after his bride.
My mother rushed over to check my scrapes, her heart breaking. "You don't have to marry him..."
Seeing her cry for me again, I bit my lip until I tasted blood. "Okay."
A message from Victor popped up on my phone:
[Handle the mating ceremony arrangements yourself for the day after tomorrow. I'm busy right now.]
I contacted the staff and changed the wedding dress size to Yvette's without hesitation.
Victor, your bride isn't going to be me.