"True Luna," by Tessa Lilly, is a Werewolf novel chronicling Emma Parker's predicament upon getting rejected by her fated mate, Logan Carter, the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack. Logan chooses a stronger she-wolf who'd attempt to turn Emma's life into a living hell. Alas, if that wasn't enough, she also has to face other powerful enemies seeking to harness her gifts!
This fulfilling tale is told across 157 chapters, garnering 610.6K views and earning a deserved 9.6/10 rating. It is now available on GoodNovel and MegaNovel.
Experience Emma's rise to greatness in "True Luna"!
Emma was about to have her coming-of-age party and couldn't have been more excited. Part of that excitement stems from the expectations of having her first shifting experience but, more importantly, finally meeting her fated mate, the wolf chosen by the Moon Goddess with whom she'd hopefully spend the rest of her life. Unfortunately, she was in for a huge letdown.
Her mate, against all odds, is none other than the Alpha of her pack, Logan Carter. Upon meeting her, he was extremely disappointed. Emma was too weak for his standards, and strength is one of the most valued attributes in a she-wolf, at least within this context. When he managed to find her, it was almost as if she was awaiting his rejection
As soon as the words came out of Logan's mouth, the strong scent he was sensing disappeared. Also, contrary to what Logan envisioned, Emma's reaction was surprisingly calm and composed. Most wolves are driven to agony upon rejection, but she only closed her eyes and accepted without even so much as flinching, at least outwardly. At the same time, she felt as if her heart was being torn apart on the inside.
The worst part was that Logan still felt very attracted to her, but he felt he had no choice but to go with Sienna if anything, because she wouldn't be used by the rogues against the interests of the pack. Time would prove how mistaken he was.
Emma Parker is the daughter of a defunct Beta who served under former Alpha Luke and who died protecting the Alpha's family. Hence, it's reasonable to expect that she'd be among the strongest wolves in the pack. Alas, she appears quite frail and feeble, much unlike her rival, Sienna, the one favored by Alpha Logan.
That said, it's undeniable that Emma is one of the most beautiful she-wolves in the Crescent Moon Pack. Adding to that, there's an aura of mystery surrounding her origin and dormant powers.
Alpha Logan took the reins of the Crescent Moon Pack after the tragic death of his father, Alpha Luke, at the hands of rogues. Despite his striking looks, contrary to first estimation, he's not as full of himself as he may appear. In fact, he's surprisingly humble and open to being rebuked and contradicted by his inferiors.
His decision to reject Emma was not arbitrary, but it stemmed from a serious concern regarding the safety of his pack, fraught with rogue threats. This indicates that Logan is endowed with an acute sense of duty.
Upon Alpha Logan's rejection, Emma had a breakdown but tried to conceal her pain as much as she could. She just wished to go back to the cave to vent, but she didn't want Logan and her brother to find it. She figured that, even if she were to use masking spray, Logan could track her because of the mate bond.
In consequence, she simply went to her room to lay on her bed staring at the ceiling, wishing she could go numb. After a while, her brother Andrew barged in and tried to explain why he was there with Logan, but she didn't want to listen. Afterwards, Sienna arrived, prompting her to sneak out the window to avoid her. Arriving at the training grounds, she had an encounter with Jake, who approached and hugged her. At that moment, she wished he was his fated mate instead of Logan.
After a disastrous training session, she went back home and was "greeted" by Sienna, who threatened to kill her once Logan marked her.
Logan was insanely mad and jealous just thinking about Emma being with another male and fearing she may have already chosen him. He angrily lamented having neglected Emma when he had the chance to mark her, something that his wolf, Leon, assented to. Andrew attempted to calm him down, but Logan was resolved to seize Emma from the claws of whoever wanted to claim her as his mate.
Shortly after, Emma arrived, with Jacob following soon after. Logan couldn't stand seeing Jacob gaze at her possessively. All he desired was to throw himself at her and kiss her passionately. After an intense exchange, Emma summoned Logan in private to beg him to behave and not fight with Jake. As soon as she stopped talking, he leaned towards her and stole a kiss. She wasn't resisting at first, but then she broke the kiss and remained silent. Logan knew it was still a long way to go before she could forgive him.
The theme in "True Luna" revolves around the notions of identity, societal expectations, and the dialectical tension between individual desires and external or collective pressures. All of this is attested through Logan's internal conflict as he grapples with the choice between accepting his weaker fated mate or opting for the stronger one who wouldn't be utilized by the rogues as ransom.
In like manner, the novel invites readers to assess the true meaning of strength and how we shouldn't only take physical brawn as the only measuring stick. This is exemplified by Emma, whose true power manifests, ironically, while feeling physically weaker.
Tessa Lilly (born on December 13, 1994) is a very active writer versed in Werewolf novels and with lots of novels under her name. Among those, we may mention "Rejecting My Lycan Mate," "Twin Alphas' Regret: The Broken Bond," and "My Unexpected Mate," apart from the novel under review ("True Luna"). Aside from being a prolific writer, she's also an aspiring psychotherapist.
Tessa writes "True Luna" from the perspective of the characters themselves, delving deeply into their innermost desires, thoughts, and dreams. Through Tessa's portrayal, readers gain insight into the complexities of the characters' personalities and the intricate interplay between their conscious actions and their subconscious yearnings.
Tessa excels at painting vivid pictures of the characters and scenes with her words and metaphors, enabling readers to immerse themselves in the heart of the story. The intuitive and authentic dialogues reflect also the characters' unique voices and personalities, further enhancing the immersion.
"True Luna," by Tessa Lilly, is a powerful and captivating tale that successfully interweaves elements of urban fantasy and romance into a rich and well-knit storytelling tapestry, adorned with incredible characters and settings. The characters themselves (especially Logan with his internal struggles) feel astonishingly relatable, even within the unreal context in which they're placed, so readers can easily feel wholly invested in their development throughout the plot.
But, above all else, the story of Emma and Logan conveys an important message about self-worth, self-discovery, redemption, and the necessity to strike a healthy balance between duty and love, leaving a lasting impression on those who read the novel from beginning to end.
If you love Werewolf stories that delve into nuanced characters and explore profound concepts and themes, "True Luna" (by Tessa Lilly) might be right up your alley!
Experience Vera's journey through wealth, power, and forbidden love in Bound to the Alpha Billionaire by Bernice. G. Dive into the thrilling twists and turns of this captivating romance.
Chosen By The Moon follows Dylan's struggle for survival and love with the Lycan King against a backdrop of a dystopian future filled with power and betrayal.
The Alpha's Contract follows Neah whose bound wolf abilities lead her into a contract with Alpha Dane, intertwining their fates in a web of secrets and challenges.
Triplet Alpha Claim tells the story of Phera's life back to her destined triplet alpha mates, despite the heartbreak they caused her in the past.
The Hidden Luna Queen is a werewolf novel that follows Maeve, an outcast she-wolf who struggles with family oppression and the secrets of her lineage in a world of intrigue. To make matters worse, her encounter with an Alpha Prince unleashes a whirlwind of passion that threatens to disgrace her pack.
The Alpha's Allure: Married to My Enemy by Natalie Winter follows Alicia's tumultuous journey between duty and desire, featuring intense confrontations and unexpected alliances.