Rejection

My birthday started so perfect.

I woke up soon since I couldn't fall asleep. Regardless of Seras efforts my hair still appeared odd.. I kept having urge to urinate due to anxiety.

By sunset the entire pack assembled in the clearing. Lanterns had been hung casting a charming glow over everything. Tables were piled high with food, music filled the air. For once people were smiling at me of ignoring me like I was just part of the background.

Mom continued to fuss over my dress. Dad appeared as if he was about to tear up. Mara gripped my hand tightly and it was painful.

"This is the moment " she murmured.

Yeah. This was it.

I felt unwell. The pleasant sort of unwell, The kind where your stomach churns and you can't help but grin despite being scared. The moon had risen. Enormous and silver shining intensely .

Alpha Gareth remained on the platform wearing his stern expression. He had grown harsher since Luna Seraphine fell ill, and more severe.. Tonight he was conducting the ceremony correctly and that was what matters.

"The moon climbs fully bright." His voice was heard through the clearing,silence then fell over everyone. "We come together to mark Dian Drakes Sixteenth birthday and pay tribute to the moon goddess who leads us today."

My heart pounded fiercely. My legs seemed numb.

"Dian Drake please step up."

I walked through the crowed, attempted to avoid stumbling, worked hard to not glance at Kael despite sensing his gaze upon me.

"Don't look. Don't look yet."I whispered in panic.

I ascended the stairs, Positioned myself before the Alpha.

"Do you pledge allegiance to Shadowcrest Pack?"

"I do." My tone sounded firmer than I truly felt.

"Will you take the offerings from the moon goddess regardless of what they're "

No matter what they are. Suppose there wasn’t any connection? Suppose I was, among those wolves who simply never-

"I agree." I instantly answered still feeling nervous.

"Then stand in her light and be seen."

He moved aside and i shifted to the middle of the platform, directly, beneath the moon.

The light shone on me, It felt warm as if it were something living.

Lora my wolf has awakened.

She had been silent, for weeks anticipating this moment. Yet now she rose suddenly attentive and seeking-

Oooooouuuh.

Ooooouuuuuh..

I sensed him. Kael. Not merely saw him, i sensed him as if he belonged within me. As though we were linked by a undeniable and tangible bond.

My head moved by itself ,I spotted him in the Crowd.

He became utterly motionless. His complexion turned pale. Those gray eyes fixed intensely on mine.

A warm golden vibration resonated between us. It felt so perfect it brought an ache to my chest.

I grinned ,it was almost uncontrollable and i couldn’t hold it back.

We were mates.

Kael was my mate, what i wished for and imagined, but what's the reason he didn't smile?

My grin wavered, having mixed thoughts.

"No. No, it was just shock, he was surprised , Maybe we were both surprised. It was fine.' I told myself.

The group was applauding, observers had noticed the acknowledgment, all understood its significance.

"The moon goddess has declared " Alpha Gareth proclaimed , his tone was unusual a monotone. "Kael Thornridge, now step ahead."

Kael remained still.

The connection tugged at me, why did he remain still?

His father pushed his shoulder, Forceful enough to make Kael falter.

Then he proceeded to the platform as though he were heading to his demise.

"No. No no no. This was incorrect. This wasn’t meant to happen this way." But if kael miss an opportunity to bond with me i won't question it , Even with my emotions.

He ascended the stairs. Positioned himself beside me beneath the moonlight.

A connection existed between us. I sensed it, Sensed his feelings seeping through despite the link being too fresh to be distinct, My hands began to tremble as i panic in grief.

"The bond is acknowledged " Alpha Gareth stated. "Declare your acceptance."

I stayed put.

Kael's hands were fists. His eyes were on the crowd or anywhere but me.

"I..." His voice faltered.

"I can't."

Two words. Then Quiet.

However all of them overheard it.

"What?" I uttered.. Murmured.I'm not sure.

At last Kael gazed at me, his eyes were full of misery.

"I can't to do this " he declared. Louder this time. "I refuse to accept this bond."

The clearing exploded, Gasps and yells plus the bewildered voices.

I merely remained standing, this could not be happening. This wasn’t right.

"Kael ." My tone was faint. "What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry dian." His expression showed sincerity, That made it even harder. "I'm truly sorry Dian.. This isn't right."

Wrong?

"You're too young. Too weak for someone in my position."

Too weak me Dian weak , he says lol.

"The pack requires a Luna in the future. A person, from a family who can support a forthcoming Alpha."

That someone is not you this bond is an error " Kael stated.

A mistake.

That I was a mistake, "this wolf doesn't know who Dian is i said to my mind."

"I refuse to agree to it." Kael.

My wolf was whining softly. I sensed her trembling within me.. Bewildered, unable to grasp why our partner was acting like this.

I also did not comprehend.

"You can't be serious." I was pleading now. In front of everyone. I could hear my pleading and I despised it. I couldn't stop. "Kael, please. The bond-"

"I, Kael Thornridge-"

"-reject you, Dian Drake"s as my mate."

The bond didn't break. It ripped and shredded. Tore apart like something alive being killed. I felt the exact moment it happened. Like someone reached into my chest and destroyed something vital. The connection became agony and my legs gave out.

Someone caught me before I hit the platform ground, i didn't know who and didn't care. Everything was pain and noise and I couldn't breathe. My chest was on fire. My wolf was howling.

The bond was shredding itself inside me and it hurt it hurt and oh it hurts. But through the agony I felt something else. Rage white-hot and sharp. He did this ,My mate,My best friend. The wolf I'd loved my whole life.

God I hated him. The fury almost drowned out the pain, almost. my vision went dark at the edges, the last thing I saw before I passed out was Kael turning away from the platform.

I heard someone sobbing and realized it was me. But underneath the tears was something stronger. Something that wouldn't break no matter how much this hurt. He'd pay for this. Someday. Somehow. I'd make sure he understood exactly what he'd done this day. Then everything went black and the pain dragged me under but even unconscious, some part of me stayed angry, stayed fighting because I wasn't just going to break and disappear. Not for Kael. They'd see. They'd all see.