Chapter 2: Rejected Before the Pack

The cold night air clawed at Lyra’s skin as she ran blindly through the forest.

Branches scratched her arms, stones cut into the soles of her worn boots, and tears blurred her vision. She didn’t stop. She couldn’t.

The words echoed endlessly in her mind.

“I reject whatever foolish trick the Moon Goddess is trying to play.”

Every heartbeat felt like another crack spreading through her chest.

She had never believed in fairy tales. She knew exactly who she was—a poor human servant who scrubbed floors, washed dishes, and slept in a tiny room behind the servants’ quarters.

So why did his rejection hurt so much?

She stumbled to a stop beside a small stream, collapsing onto her knees. Her reflection shimmered in the moonlit water.

Messy chestnut hair.

Tear-streaked cheeks.

A simple gray dress stained with mud.

Nothing about her looked worthy of an Alpha.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

“What was I expecting?” she whispered to herself.

“That an Alpha King would choose a servant?”

She wiped away her tears with trembling fingers.

“No… I was the fool.”

Back at Alpha Manor, the celebration continued as though nothing had happened.

Music filled the grand hall.

Wolves danced beneath crystal chandeliers.

Wine flowed freely.

Yet Karl Blackwood couldn’t focus.

Every smile around him felt fake.

Every laugh grated on his nerves.

His wolf paced restlessly inside him.

Go after her.

Karl tightened his grip around the wine glass.

“No.”

She is our mate.

“I said no.”

His wolf snarled violently.

You humiliated her.

“I protected this pack.”

You protected your pride.

Before Karl could silence the voice in his head, someone slipped her arm through his.

Selena Ashcroft.

She smiled sweetly, though satisfaction gleamed in her emerald eyes.

“You did the right thing,” she murmured.

“The elders were relieved.”

Karl remained silent.

She leaned closer.

“A human Luna would have disgraced Blackwood Pack.”

Still…

He couldn’t stop thinking about the look in Lyra’s eyes.

Not anger.

Not hatred.

Just heartbreak.

For the first time in years… his chest felt strangely heavy.

Hidden behind one of the towering stone pillars, Beta Damien watched everything in silence.

Unlike the others, he hadn’t applauded.

His sharp amber eyes followed Lyra’s retreating figure until she disappeared into the darkness.

Something wasn’t right.

The Moon Goddess never made mistakes.

Never.

If she had chosen a human…

There had to be a reason.

Hours later… the feast finally ended.

The servants hurried to clean the enormous banquet hall.

Lyra quietly returned through the back entrance.

She hoped no one would notice she’d been gone.

She should have known better.

“There she is.”

The sharp voice froze her in place.

Selena stood at the top of the staircase, surrounded by several noble she-wolves.

A cruel smile curved her lips.

“So… the Alpha’s little mistake finally returned.”

Laughter erupted around the room.

Lyra lowered her eyes.

“I come to finish cleaning.”

Selena slowly descended the stairs.

Her expensive heels clicked against the marble floor.

“You actually believed you could become Luna?”

“I never said that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

Selena stepped closer until only inches separated them.

“Know your place, human.”

Without warning

Splash!

A full glass of crimson wine hit Lyra square in the face.

Gasps filled the hall.

Red liquid dripped from her hair and soaked her dress.

The noblewomen burst into laughter.

“Oh dear,” Selena mocked.

“You’ve stained the floor.”

One servant quietly looked away.

Another bit her lip, clearly wanting to help.

But no one moved.

No one dared oppose the future Luna.

Lyra stood perfectly still.

Humiliation burned through every inch of her body.

She slowly bent down, picked up the empty wine glass, and placed it on a nearby table.

Then she spoke softly.

“I’m sorry.”

Her apology only made the laughter louder.

From the second floor balcony…

Karl had seen everything.

Every second.

His jaw tightened.

His wolf growled.

Stop this.

“They’re teaching her where she belongs.”

No… they’re humiliating our mate.

His fingers curled into fists.

For one dangerous moment… he almost walked downstairs.

Almost.

Instead… he turned away.

Outside…

The first drops of rain began to fall.

Lyra carried a bucket of dirty water toward the servants’ quarters.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

As she reached the edge of the forest, she stopped.

Something was watching her.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

The forest had gone unnaturally quiet.

No insects.

No birds.

No wind.

Only silence.

Then…

A low growl echoed from the darkness.

Not a werewolf.

Not an ordinary wolf.

Something far more terrifying.

Two glowing red eyes slowly appeared between the trees.

Then four.

Then six.

Then dozens.

Rogues.

They had crossed into Blackwood territory.

And every pair of crimson eyes was fixed on her.

One massive rogue stepped forward, its lips curling into a vicious grin.

“Well… look what we’ve found.”

Its voice was rough and inhuman.

“The Alpha’s rejected mate.”

Lyra’s blood runs cold.

How could they possibly know?

The rogue bared its fangs.

“Kill her.”

Lyra turned and ran.