Chapter 1: Rejected Under The Moon

~Ioana~

"Ioana Blackmoon." From afar, I could hear the melodious voice like tingling bells; my name was being called.

I jolted, hastening up, pulling the washed white coat—the best coat I owned—over my shoulders.

Luckily, I was able to escape and make it on time.

I heaved a tiny sigh of relief. Some hours ago, my sister, Gabrielle, had shoved me into the punishment room, locking it as she giggled, ignoring my pleadings. I knew her goal was to make sure I missed tonight.

Tonight was the Full Moon Appreciation Day. Previously, it was to count our blessings and be thankful, but now it was a day to publicly acknowledge the mate bond.

She had been spiteful ever since she discovered I’d found my mate, but she hadn’t found hers yet.

My breath hitched in my throat, joy bubbling upwards.

The mate bond… or mate, my second half, my secret crush, and the Alpha's son, Ramon Redmoon, I had buried in my heart, never knowing or even dreaming he was the one the moon goddess had set aside for me.

Goddess knows how many sleepless nights I've had rolling on that thin, tattered mattress in excitement.

Nothing's going to stop me now, not even the glares of disgust and contempt as I pushed through the crowd, making my way forward to the stage. My trembling fingers were a testament to my nervousness.

"Please excuse me, please give way…" I stuttered, unable to meet their eyes. Tripping over a foot set for me, I fell to the floor, chuckles erupting.

"Going somewhere?"

"Can't believe the Alpha's son is her mate. Serves her right thinking she's now better than us."

I never thought that, but I swallowed my retort in. I knew that whatever would come out would be in stutters.

They’ve never liked me because…

"Give way for the abomination before she cries. Maybe she’ll report you to Ramon."

I was called the abomination.

"But he can’t be that blind, taking this thing—this wolfless wolf’s words seriously?"

A wolf born without one. An anomaly.

I pushed myself up, dusting the sand off my palms, comforting myself. 'Don’t take their words to heart. Ramon’s still waiting for you.'

I pushed forward, but this time, my head bowed lower, my shoulders hunched—a subconscious response to protect myself from their verbal daggers.

But as I walked forward, suddenly there was an uproar. People gasped in disbelief, cheering for something I couldn’t see. The crowd parted for me. My head snapped up in surprise. This had never happened before.

Chanting: "Ramon, Ramon!" My ears perked up. Ramon? Is he here on the stage already? He must be waiting for me.

I hastened up, but doubt began to creep in when I heard some screaming out the name of my sister—Gabrielle.

Gabrielle? What does she have to do with this?

But that thought was fleeting, flickering through my mind. I wished I had paid more attention. Perhaps if I did, things may have turned out differently.

It was a thin line separating me from the front—

When I heard the words, 'Hey, I just knew that Ramon wasn't stupid to choose her.'

"She's here. Don’t talk ill—love to see the priceless look on her face."

"This is going to be so entertaining."

My power walk slowed down to a halt. 'To choose who? Me? Is something happening?'

I scanned around. That’s when I noticed countless eyes were glued on me, waiting in anticipation. Watching. Trailing after me. Was the square always this silent?

Like a graveyard—the calm before the storm—my stomach dropped. My mind screamed at me, blaring. 'Something’s wrong.'

I fisted my hands in nervousness. Suddenly I didn’t want to take the last step forward. I wanted to turn around. Years of being bullied—my instincts had sharpened to a dangerous point.

But whether or not I saw it wasn't up to me.

"She's taking too long. Did she notice something?"

Something pushed me, sending me tumbling forward, breaking through the remaining line of people and for the second time, I was on the ground.

The scent of moist earth slammed into me. My head snapped up, and the world literally froze still.

Because right before me was my mate—Ramon. But no, that wasn’t what chilled my heart. He wasn’t alone.

His hand was behind a woman’s head, fingers weaving into golden strands, pulling her flush against him—like he never wanted to let go.

His lips on hers, kissing her hard.

My mind went blank with a bang. The world went dark. On the day we were to be celebrated, my mate stood with another woman—kissing her!

My heart dropped to my stomach. 'No, no. It can’t be true. He wouldn’t do this to me.' Speaking to myself, 'Maybe this is all a bad dream. Yes, Ioana, you’re still locked in that dark, cramped punishment room and you’re hallucinating. When you open your eyes, none of this will exist.'

My fingers went to my arm, giving myself a sharp pinch to wake up. The stinging feedback only made it worse. My eyes shut tightly in hope as tears brimmed up, despair setting in.

I was still on the ground, like the difference between the earth and the sky, how well they fit—a golden boy and a golden girl—seemed to leave a bitter taste in my mouth.

My sight blurred with unshed tears. Finally, they separated, lips red and swollen, cheeks flushed with passion, chests heaving. Their eyes locked on each other like nothing else existed—including me. It was too much to bear.

The moon's glow that once lit my pale skin, caressing me, turned harsh, exposing my pasty complexion.

With shaky hands, I pushed myself off the ground, my legs like jelly. Perhaps my gaze on them was just too intense. Ramon broke out from the intimate gaze they shared.

He swept over the spectating crowd before settling on my pathetic, thin, and trembling figure.

His lips curled into a disturbing smirk that made my stomach churn. Raising a brow, he tightened his grip on my sister’s waist, facing me.

"Oh, the disgrace is here," he spat, eyeing me with pure disgust. "It's revolting to pretend to like an Omega like you."

His tone was indifferent and sharp, as if those nights we spent under the night sky counting stars and whispering in hushed voices about our future together never existed—from the same lips.