Chapter 4

On the night of the full moon, a massive bonfire blazed in the Frostmoon Pack's square.

The whole pack had gathered early, waiting to witness the birth of their new Luna.

The air was thick with roasting meat, voices and laughter everywhere.

To them, this was just another celebration, another thing falling neatly into place.

Only I knew. This ceremony was a goodbye.

I took my place at the edge of the crowd and looked up at the platform in the center.

Kayden stood there in a black ceremonial robe, the Alpha's totem embroidered across his chest.

He stood at the heart of the firelight, spine straight, the whole pack's eyes fixed on him.

What surprised me was how happy he looked. Like he was genuinely proud of me.

In his mind, six months of "training" had finally shaped me into a perfect Luna.

I quietly slid half a step back and tightened my grip on the small glass vial hidden in my wide sleeve.

The glass was cold, and right now, it was the only thing holding me up.

A long, drawn-out howl rose into the night, and the crowd gradually fell silent.

The High Elder walked slowly onto the platform, staff in hand, his white beard trembling in the night wind, his expression solemn.

"Tonight, the full moon bears witness."

His voice rolled across the square.

"Our Alpha, Kayden Ashford, will crown his fated mate as Luna of the Frostmoon Pack!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Kayden raised a hand for silence, his gaze cutting through the crowd to land on me.

The coldness in his face softened, replaced by something I couldn't read. Expectation, maybe.

[Ella. Come here.]

He spoke through the mind link.

Still an order. But gentler than I'd ever heard from him.

Half a year ago, that voice would've made me happy for days.

Now, my heart was nothing but still, dead water.

I stepped forward, walking through pools of moonlight, one step at a time, until I stood before him on the platform.

Kayden looked at my face, then reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

"You've finally learned to be independent."

He lowered his voice, quiet praise.

"The Luna's main residence has been renovated. After the ceremony, you'll move in."

Something in me stalled, then I almost laughed.

Did he really think I'd still light up over a scrap of affection thrown my way?

The High Elder raised his staff on cue, his deep voice carrying across the square.

"Kayden Ashford, do you swear to crown Ella Gray as your Luna, to protect her all her life, and to share with her the glory of the Frostmoon Pack?"

Kayden looked into my eyes without a flicker of hesitation.

"I do."

The words landed, and the square went silent. Everyone held their breath.

Because everyone knew what an unimaginable gift this was for a wolf-less one.

Kayden leaned in, his Alpha scent wrapping around me completely.

He reached for the Luna's crown, ready to place it on my head.

The moment it was about to touch my hair, I stepped back.

Kayden stared at me, stunned, his brows pulling tight.

"Ella. What are you doing? Don't be ridiculous."

The scolding came automatically.

I ignored him. I pulled the small glass vial from my sleeve, uncorked it, and tipped it back.

The liquid slid down my throat, and my stomach caught fire.

"What did you drink?!"

Kayden finally sensed something was wrong. He stepped forward, reaching to snatch the vial from my hand.

I looked at him. At that face I'd once loved until I lost myself.

"I, Ella Gray."

The night wind carried my voice into every ear.

Kayden's pupils shrank. A panic like nothing he'd ever known swept over him.

"Shut up! Ella, have you lost your mind?!"

He roared, hand flying up to cover my mouth.

But it was too late.

The witch's potion had already awakened the ancient rules of fate.

An invisible barrier burst out from my body, throwing Kayden back two steps.

I looked straight into his eyes and finished the vow.

"Reject you, Kayden Ashford, as my mate."

The second the last word left my lips, the rules of fate wrapped around him.

His eyes went wide. He clenched his jaw shut with everything he had.

But his throat wouldn't obey. The words he would rather die than say rolled out on their own.

"I, Kayden Ashford…"

His whole body shook, cold sweat pouring down his forehead, his voice hoarse.

"…accept your rejection… Ella Gray…"

Boom.

The sound of the bond breaking exploded deep in our souls.

Pain.

Soul-tearing pain, surging in from every direction.

I gritted my teeth. Even my breath tasted like blood.

On his side, Kayden dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Ahh—"

A raw, piercing scream split the night.

That Alpha who was always above everyone, always cold and controlled, the Kayden who valued his pride above all else, was now curled on the ground in agony.

He clutched at his chest, in too much pain to get out a full sentence.

"No… Ella… no…"

He forced his head up, staring at me with utter despair, like a drowning man who'd just lost the whole world.

The square erupted.

Gasps everywhere. One elder dropped his staff.

Lydia covered her mouth. At first, pure, unstoppable delight flickered in her eyes.

But watching Kayden fall apart, that delight twisted into panic.

While the whole square was in chaos, while no one had reacted yet.

I turned and, with my head spinning, ran into the Forbidden Forest behind me.

Wind roared past my ears.

Behind me, Kayden's voice tore through the night, desperate, reckless.

"Ella! Come back—"

That voice carried pain and regret, echoing through the silent forest.

I didn't stop.

I vanished into the moonlight and never looked back.