Rejected in front of everyone

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The moon was full.

And so was the humiliation.

I stood in the center of the Moonstone Pack circle, my heart hammering so loud I was sure everyone could hear it.

Tonight was supposed to be the best night of my life.

Mating Day.

“Alpha Kade,” the elder called out, his voice echoing across the silent crowd. “Step forward and claim your mate.”

My mate.

My Kade.

Three years of secret glances. Two years of stolen touches behind the training field. One year of him whispering, _“Soon, Luna. When we’re 18, I’ll claim you in front of everyone.”_

I lifted my chin and stepped forward, wearing the white dress my mother made me. My hands were shaking, but I was smiling.

Kade walked out.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Black hair falling over those cruel grey eyes that every girl in the pack was obsessed with.

He stopped right in front of me.

Close enough that I could smell him. Cedar and storm.

The whole pack was watching. 200 wolves. My parents. His parents.

My wolf, Lyra, was already howling inside me. _Ours. Finally ours._

Kade looked at me. Then he looked past me.

And he spoke three words that broke me into pieces.

“I reject you, Luna.”

The world stopped.

Someone gasped.

My mother covered her mouth.

My wolf whimpered and went silent.

“What?” I whispered. It came out broken.

Kade’s jaw tightened. He wouldn’t even look me in the eye.

“I, Alpha Kade of Moonstone Pack, reject you, Luna Hart, as my mate.”

Laughter.

Whispers.

_“I knew it.”_

_“She’s not good enough for him.”_

_“An omega’s daughter? Please.”_

I couldn’t breathe.

My chest felt like someone had ripped my heart out and stomped on it.

The mate bond that had been tugging between us since we were 14… snapped.

Pain shot through me like knives. I fell to my knees on the grass.

Kade turned and walked away.

Just like that.

Without looking back.

I ran.

Past the trees. Past the howls. Past my old life.

I didn’t stop running until I hit the human city and the moon was no longer watching me.

---

*Three Years Later*

“Dr. Hart, you’re needed in ER. Car accident. Multiple casualties.”

I tie my hair back and grab my coat.

Dr. Luna Hart.

Human doctor. No pack. No mate. No moon.

I buried Luna the wolf 3 years ago.

But tonight, as I’m stitching up a patient, my phone buzzes.

Unknown number.

Text: _“The Moonstone Pack is dying. We need you. It’s Kade.”_

My hands freeze over the patient.

The name I swore I’d never hear again.

And then another text comes in:

_“Please, Luna. You’re the only one who can save us. The Alpha is begging.”_

The Alpha who rejected me.

Begging for me?

I should delete it.

I should throw my phone away.

But my wolf, Lyra, who I thought was dead…

opens one eye inside me and whispers:

_“Go.”_

*To be continued...*

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