CHAPTER ONE

-Aria-

The air felt heavier than usual. Or maybe it was just my nerves.

I smoothed my hands over my simple black dress, trying to steady the trembling in my fingers. The fabric clung softly to my waist, but no matter how many times I adjusted it, I still felt out of place.

Tonight was the night.

My eighteenth birthday. The night I would finally meet my mate.

For wolves, this was the most important night of our lives. The Moon Goddess revealed our destined partner when we turned eighteen. Some people got lucky and found their mates immediately. Others waited months… even years.

I just prayed I wouldn’t be one of the unlucky ones.

“You’re going to wrinkle that dress if you keep tugging at it.” I turned to see Lily leaning against the doorway, her arms folded across her chest and a teasing smile on her lips. “You look beautiful, Aria,” she added gently.

I exhaled slowly. “I feel like I’m about to pass out.”

She laughed softly. “That’s normal. My ceremony wasn’t any better. I almost threw up on Beta Ryan.”

That made me laugh despite my nerves “Thanks for that image.”

She walked over and grabbed my hands. “Listen to me. Your mate is out there. And whoever he is, he’ll be lucky to have you.” I wished I believed her.

Being an omega in the pack meant I wasn’t exactly desirable. I wasn’t weak, but I wasn’t powerful either. My parents died when I was young, and since then, I had mostly kept to myself. Still… the Moon Goddess wouldn’t be cruel enough to leave me mate-less.

Right?

“You ready?” Lily asked.

I swallowed hard. “No.”

She smiled. “Too bad. It’s time.”

We stepped outside together, and the cool night air brushed against my skin. The moon hung high above the pack grounds, glowing brightly.

Full moon. Perfect timing.

The pack house stood ahead of us, already buzzing with activity. Wolves gathered in small groups, laughter and chatter filling the air. The annual mating ceremony always brought excitement.

As we walked inside, dozens of scents flooded my nose. Wolves greeted each other, glasses clinked, and music played softly in the background. My heart pounded faster. This was it.

“Try to relax,” Lily whispered.

I nodded, though my pulse was racing. Minutes passed. Nothing. No spark. No pull. My chest tightened slightly. Maybe my mate hadn’t arrived yet.

Then suddenly… a scent hit me.

It was warm, intoxicating, and powerful. My breath caught in my throat as my wolf stirred inside me for the first time.

Mate.

The word echoed in my mind. My heart began to race uncontrollably as I turned slowly, following the scent. And then I saw him. Alpha Logan.

He stood near the staircase, towering over everyone around him. His broad shoulders filled out his black shirt, and his sharp jaw tightened as his dark eyes scanned the room. He looked powerful. Dangerous. Perfect.

My heart soared. I took a shaky step forward. As if sensing me, his eyes suddenly locked onto mine. Electricity shot through my body. My wolf purred happily inside me.

A small smile formed on my lips as hope filled my chest. The Alpha was my mate. This had to be fate, I walked toward him slowly, my heart beating louder with every step. The crowd seemed to part as I approached.

Everyone watched. My cheeks flushed under their gaze, but I kept moving. When I finally stood in front of him, the air between us crackled with tension.

He leaned slightly closer, his nose flaring. He smelled it too.

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Then it vanished. His expression turned cold.

“No.”

The word hit me like a slap. I blinked, unsure if I heard him correctly. “W-what?”

His jaw clenched, and his voice rang loudly across the room. “I, Alpha Logan, reject you, Aria Stone, as my mate.”

Gasps filled the hall.

My heart stopped. Everything went silent. My chest tightened painfully as I stared at him, unable to process his words.

“Why?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He leaned closer, his voice low and cruel. “Because you’re weak… and I need a Luna worthy of my pack.” The words shattered me. Tears burned in my eyes as murmurs spread around us.

“An omega?”

“She’s his mate?”

“That’s embarrassing…”

“An omega can never be the alpha's mate.”

Humiliation washed over me. My hands trembled as pain tore through my chest.

The rejection burned like fire. “I…” My voice cracked. If I didn’t accept the rejection, the pain would only get worse. My heart broke as I whispered, “I accept…”

The bond snapped. Pain exploded in my chest, forcing a gasp from my lips, I stumbled backward, clutching my heart. My wolf whimpered softly before falling silent.

It was over.

I have  been rejected by my mate, the one that was designed for me, so what’s going to happen next?