Bound After Rejection

“The one born beneath the Blood Eclipse bears two marks: A soul that burns its mate, and a bond that ends in death.

Any Alpha who dares to claim her shall feel her fire with every touch.

And should the bond be sealed, death shall follow within the turning of a year… brought forth by her hand, her womb, or her power.” —Elder Cassian.

AVELYN

“Avelyn, that’s really scary, you know right?” Gwen stopped walking. She looked completely freaked out.

“Calm down, Gwendolyn. It was just a one-night stand. Besides, I’m sure the guy wasn’t from our pack,” I said and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You don’t get why this is bad, do you?” she asked.

I stopped and turned to look at her. “What do you mean?”

“You’re turning eighteen today under the blood eclipse. You’ll probably find your mate tonight… and you’ve already lost your virginity to a stranger.”

“Oh my God, Gwen. You sound like a mother right now.” I rolled my eyes and grabbed her arm to keep walking.

Gwen is my best friend. We were just getting back from class.

Last week, the Alpha promised to throw a party for us. It was the first time we’d ever have a real celebration at the pack, and I couldn’t wait. Gwen didn’t feel the same. She kept saying something might go wrong. She even begged me not to go, but I said no.

Rowan, the Alpha’s beta, my first love and crush was going to be there. I didn’t want to miss the chance to see him.

So I went to the party. I had a few drinks. I got drunk. But I knew what I was doing.

I had sex with a stranger.

He looked older… but I didn’t care. I didn’t ask for his name. I didn’t want to.

“You’ll come for the mating ceremony, right?” I asked when we got to the fork in the road that led to our homes.

“Yup,” she nodded. We waved goodbye.

I walked home slowly. My heart was beating fast, but not in a bad way. I felt excited, nervous, and maybe a little hopeful. This could be the start of something new for me.

“Mom, Dad,” I greeted when I stepped into the house.

My mom barely looked at me. My dad just waved his hand without taking his eyes off his phone.

Ever since my twin sister Aria went missing, things had changed. My parents barely noticed me anymore. No one asked how I was doing. No one talked to me unless they had to.

All their time and energy had gone into trying to find her. But nothing worked.

Still, I was happy about today. I’d turn eighteen. I’d find my mate. I’d finally leave this house.

Every day here felt like a nightmare.

I changed into something simple and headed downstairs to eat. As I reached the last few steps, I heard my parents talking.

“What a relief. She’ll be out of our lives,” my dad said.

I stopped. My breath caught. I didn’t want to believe he was talking about me.

“Don’t say that, Elan. She’s our child,” my mom replied.

I stayed quiet and took another step down, slowly.

“I’m serious. She’s a curse and would only bring misfortune for us. Tell me you're not tired of her already,” he added.

A curse?

I waited for my mom to say no. To defend me. But she didn’t say anything.

She just picked at her food, like she didn’t hear him or like she didn’t care.

I pressed a hand over my mouth. My eyes stung, and I blinked hard to stop the tears, but they still came.

I turned away before they could hear me. My heart ached. I wasn’t even sure why I was surprised.

I guess… some part of me had still hoped they loved me. Even just a little.

But now I know they don't.

I didn’t join them at dinner. I walked in like I never heard anything.

“Mom, Dad… I’m off to the pack house for the mating ceremony.”

Even though I felt bitter inside, I forced a small smile.

“Alright, no problem. We’ll come once we’re done,” my mom said, and I just nodded and started walking out.

“Ave,” my dad called, and I turned around, a little confused.

“Ask the driver to take you to the pack house. That’ll be faster than walking,” he added. I just nodded again.

In less than ten minutes, I was at the pack house. The whole place was full of people, some from our pack and others from nearby packs too.

I looked around the crowd, hoping I’d spot Gwendolyn soon.

“Gotcha!” Someone hugged me from behind. It was Gwen.

“You came early,” I said as I hugged her back.

“I couldn’t wait,” she said, giggling, then reached out and fixed my hair.

“You look… sad. Why?”

That was the one question I didn’t want her to ask.

But this is Gwen. She always knows when something’s wrong.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go inside.” She raised one eyebrow. I could tell she didn’t believe me, but she didn’t push.

Inside, everyone was already rushing to sit in the front rows. Gwen and I found space in the third row and sat down.

I spotted Rowan sitting next to the Alpha. His eyes were on me, like he could see straight through me.

The Alpha was saying something to him, but Rowan wasn’t even listening. Not until the Alpha tapped him and he jumped a little.

Alpha Rhett turned and followed Rowan’s gaze right to me.

I swallowed hard and looked away quickly.

“What was that about?” Gwen asked, pointing between me and Rowan.

“I just wish the moon goddess would be kind enough to make Rowan my mate,” I muttered under my breath. It wasn’t just a wish. It was a silent prayer.

“Okay, attention everyone,” the pack’s Gamma said as he stepped up to the podium. It worked. The room quieted down.

My parents walked in shortly after that.

“You all know why we are here,” the Gamma continued. “We’ll wait for the full moon before the mating ceremony starts. But until then, enjoy!”

“Wow, I can’t wait to try those drinks,” Gwen whispered beside me.

I nodded. “Yeah, same.”

No matter the celebration, the part with food and drinks is always the best.

After refreshments, Gwen told me she needed to get something and that she’d be back.

Shortly after she left, I heard a birthday song playing in the background.

“Gwen!” I squealed and clapped my hands together.

“Happy eighteenth birthday to you, Avelyn,” she said through the mic, and everyone cheered.

I looked outside. The full moon had risen, glowing with the Blood Eclipse. I heard screams of joy as some people met their mates. Others were still walking around, searching.

I heard Gwen shout excitedly. It sounded like she had found her mate too.

Then I felt a pull. My feet started moving on their own, dragging me toward the Alpha’s table.

“What are you doing at the Alpha’s table?” my dad asked, looking around nervously.

“Please don’t disgrace us, please,” my mom begged.

But I wasn’t doing this.

Why couldn’t they see that?

“She’s not doing this,” Elder Cassian said, his voice firm.

Suddenly, everyone turned to look at me.

I looked at the Alpha. My eyes were wide, like they could pop out of my head.

A strange scent filled the air mint mixed with smoke and strawberries.

“Mate…” Alpha Rhett growled low, and the crowd clapped and cheered.

I felt the bond pulling me toward him. But something didn’t feel right.

It wasn’t just because Alpha Rhett was twelve years older than me, which was already bad enough.

No. Something deeper felt wrong.

“This is not right,” my parents, Elder Cassian, and Alpha Rhett all said at the same time.

“Why?” I asked. My hands were shaking. I looked over my shoulder and saw Gwen standing with her mate.

“No…” Alpha Rhett whispered in confusion and stood up.

“You two can’t be together,” Elder Cassian added, glancing between us. “This is a curse.”

“How!?” I shouted. My voice cracked. I needed answers.

Elder Cassian stepped forward, his face serious.

“The one born beneath the Blood Eclipse bears two marks: A soul that burns its mate, and a bond that ends in death.

Any Alpha who dares to claim her shall feel her fire with every touch.

And if the bond is sealed, death will follow within a year… brought by her hand, her womb, or her power.” Elder Cassian spoke without stopping, and each word hit me like a stone.

I had wished for a birthday gift from the goddess… But now I saw who she truly was, not a mother but a monster.

“I, Alpha Rhett Tlea of the Northern Pack, reject you, Avelyn Noa, as my mate,” Alpha Rhett said loud and clear.

I didn’t feel any pain in my chest like I thought I would.

Just a hard slam. A heavy blow I couldn’t explain.

He didn’t want to do this. I saw it in his eyes.

“Let’s go,” my dad said, pulling me away.

I was too shocked to speak.

When we got home, no one said a word. I went upstairs quietly.

After an hour, I came down to get some water. But once again, I heard voices of my parents, speaking to someone.

The words I heard next broke me.

“We accept your offer, Alpha Tarek. She’ll be your wife tomorrow.”

They were marrying me off?