1. Rejected

I gathered the flowers in my hands and smiled. Today is the day I will be Mated to the future Alpha of Red Moon pack–Theodore.

Father had fixed this day because the pink moon will be rising today, indicating extra blessings to the new couple.

As I walked closer to the door, chartered laughter echoed in my ears. Everyone was already preparing for the big event—starting from adults to children. Young and old, they were all happy to see the new Luna of Red Moon pack, and as the future Luna, I had to get prepared.

I discovered that Theodore is my mate sometime last month when I turned 18. It was like a dream, especially because he had also been my boyfriend since high school. Once he claims me as his mate, he will officially become the next Alpha of our pack. Everyone was aware that Theodore would be the new Alpha of Red Moon pack, but they never knew that I am his fated Mate.

“Sai… Sai!” a voice yelled out, calling my name again and again. She wasn't even catching her breath, just repeating it nonstop.

At last, I turned around and saw Lola’s mom, our Luna. She is my stepmother, and Father had announced her as his Luna after my mother—his first Luna, disappeared without a trace.

Whenever I asked where Mom was or why she ran, they always came up with lies. But I believed the rumors—that Lola’s mom, Beatrice, arrived in the pack one fateful night with a child, claiming it was Father’s. Mom couldn’t bear the betrayal, so she ran off. She wanted to take me with her, but Father refused.

“I’ve been calling out to you! Why didn’t you respond?” Beatrice asked, her face wrinkled in disgust.

“I didn’t hear you... Besides, you don’t usually like saying my name, so what changed?” I replied with the rudest tone I could manage.

“Are you speaking to me like that?” she snapped. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell your father about this—and you know what he’ll do if he hears...”

She turned to walk out, but I grabbed her fist, pulling her to a halt.

“It’s okay, I didn’t mean to say that,” I said quickly, forcing myself to sound polite.

I kept my face turned away; I didn’t want to see the victorious smile that would surely cross her lips. She’s always been good at lying, and she might twist things to ruin this special day.

“What do you want me to do for you?” I asked, fixing my eyes firmly on the lounge.

“I want you to go call Lola. She’s in her room. I need to dress her for this special day!” she said sharply.

I turned without looking at her. I could have easily declined, but no—I didn’t want anything to spoil this day for me.

As I approached Lola’s room, I started hearing faint noises—something like moaning or was it the sound of skin slapping?

When I got closer, the sounds became louder and clearer. I had to peep into the room opposite Lola’s—and there, I saw two naked bodies riding on each other.

“Oh yes, I love it… continue!” the lady moaned.

I tried to place the voice. It wasn’t familiar.

I sighed. At least, it wasn’t my sister. I assumed they were pack maids or someone else. But just when I turned to leave the room, I noticed two things.

One—the man making love had a tattoo I’d seen before.

Two—that room wasn’t for servants. That was…

Theodore’s room!

“Theodore!” I gasped softly and stepped back immediately. I opened the door—and boom—I was right!

Theodore was the one riding the woman.

“What is going on here?” I managed to say, my voice already breaking. Then I looked closely to see who the woman was…

It was Lola. My stepsister!

“I asked, what the hell are you both doing here?” I shouted, my voice echoing. Theodore quickly jumped off Lola’s body.

When he saw me, he looked shocked to the core. I saw Lola hurriedly covering her chest with the bedsheet, and Theodore pulled on his underwear, standing there with that unapologetic expression.

“What are you doing here, Sai? Did you forget how to knock before entering, or have you lost your manners?” he asked coldly.

I was speechless. Was this really Theodore speaking?

“How can you ask me that kind of question, Theodore? I just caught you cheating on me with my sister, and instead of being remorseful, you're scolding me for not knocking? Where are your manners?” I snapped.

Then I turned to Lola in anger. “You really know how to steal what doesn’t belong to you, don’t you? Just like your mother, you’re trying to take my mate away? Are you really that shameless, huh?”

I couldn’t control my rage. Lola had always done this—stealing the things that brought me joy. Since childhood, she would turn my friends against me, take my toys, claim everything Father bought for me.

And now she’s sleeping with my boyfriend—my mate?

“Theodore doesn’t love you, Sai!” Lola hissed, finally dropping the act. That was her real self, her rude, unmasked tone.

“He only accepted you as his girlfriend because he wanted to become the Alpha of our pack. Come on, Theodore, tell her the truth. Tell her this was all pretend, and you never really loved her,” she said as she traced a finger along Theodore’s bare chest.

I stared at him, waiting. Waiting to hear the lie.

“Lola’s right, Sai,” he said at last. “She’s the one I love. Whether I mate you or not, I’ll still become Alpha. Besides, you don’t even have a wolf, but Lola does. You’re weak, and she’s strong. She’s a better Luna than you’ll ever be.”

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces. Tears spilled from my eyes as I heard those cruel words from him.

I instinctively held my stomach, as the doctor’s voice echoed in my mind. “You are pregnant, Miss Sai. It’s a baby girl…”

I had planned to tell Theo after our mating ceremony. But now he had Lola by his side.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, Theodore walked up to me and said, “It’s always been a joke. I only wanted the Alpha title by mating you. But Lola promised to make me her Alpha, so I don’t need to pretend anymore. It’s time to end this…”

“What do you mean?” I asked, sniffing through the tears.

Suddenly, Theodore grabbed my hand tightly. The pain was sharp, but he didn’t seem to care.

He stared into my eyes and declared coldly,

“I, Theodore Kaiser, Future Alpha of Red Moon pack, reject you, Sai Ray, as my mate!”