Rejected By One, Claimed By Another

The fog around Aria grew stronger as she went deeper into the forest, her hands over her head as she tried to see but the mist only got thicker and the wind,heavier.

"Is anyone there?" she called out loudly pushing forward as the wind increased and blew heavily towards her. It felt like it was stopping her from going forward

But she only kept moving. Wanting to see what was at the end.

"Your place isn't here child, leave." She heard a voice say as the fog cleared slowly. She squinted her eyes to see a woman with a fur coat holding a lantern in her hand.

"Why do you keep bringing me here?" Aria asked with a loud voice and the ground under her feet rumbled.

"Leave!" the lady said and vanished, Aria looked around trying to find her way back but the fog grew closer to her until it consumed her sight and she saw nothing else.

She jolted from the bed with a loud gasp as her eyes snapped open blinking with shock.

"Gosh." She groaned lowly running her hand through her hair and sighed.

"A nightmare?"

She nodded slowly and looked up to see her best friend Lynn seated beside her.

"The usual ones or another scary one, you know what don't tell me, you need to get up and get ready,the moonlight ceremony begins at noon." Lynn said excitement behind her tone as she stood and pulled Aria with her.

"That's today?!" Aria asked in disbelief and Lynn breathed out shaking her head in dismay.

"Check your calendar fool, we get to meet the Alpha's tonight, we're not missing it so get ready on time please!" Lynn muttered and Aria rolled her eyes.

She was never excited for things that concerned her pack because she knew she would always be forgotten once the real Wolf fun started.

"Alright I'll get ready, go now." she said drawing a wide smile on her lips to satisfy Lynn.

"Good girl, I'll be back by four okay?" Lynn said as she turned and left the room. Aria exhaled slumped in her bed once more and took in deep breaths.

Her mind spiralled back to Lynn's words and her gut twisted just by the thought of seeing the faces of people who disregarded her every single day.

She took a deep breath and found her feet heading towards the bathroom to wash off the creepy feeling she had from her nightmare.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Lynn wouldn't stop grinning beside Aria as her eyes did a marathon on every male wolf in the Hall While Aria remained composed trying to avoid the preying eyes of the people.

She couldn't help but feel out of place with the disgusting look and murmurs they kept sending her way. Being the only omega present among Alphas and Betas really stirred up words amidst the crowd.

"The moon goodness will never accept her essence. She's powerless, what can she give her mate?" She heard some ladies murmur behind her and her heart arched.

It came from all Angles and just Once, Once she hoped to be seen as a Fragile Orphan girl who was still healing from the loss of both her parents than a powerless Omega who couldn't contribute to the fulfilment of a ceremony.

"Lynn I'm—."

"We Welcome you all present here tonight to the moonlight ceremony of the Western pack, As we come into the reign of our new Alpha, it is mandatory that he seeks the face of the goddess to show him his fated mate and that is why you beautiful maidens have been gathered tonight, From the highest rank to the lowest, you all will get the chance to give a drop of your essence and let the goddess find the chosen one." Beta Tharren said with a firm loud voice that echoed In every corner of the hall. The ladies all grinned in whispers as excitement and joy glittered on their faces.

"Its finally happening Aria, get excited!" Lynn squeaked beside Aria who seemed lost from Beta Tharren's words.

The time for the ceremony came and the maidens were already outside with here hopes and expectations lingering everywhere.

Aria held the hemp of her gown tight as she brought debated on what to do, they were three others and she and Lynn were together in one. She kept her eyes locked with the stars, her heart racing in her chest.

The sounds of drums filled everywhere, the whole place lit up with candle lights and fire flies setting the atmosphere right for an auspicious moment which was about to begin.

"Accept these ones Great goddess and show us who our next Luna will be, may she bring peace and harmony to us and the packs beyond."

The clouds cleared and the moon rose shining brightly on them all.

Aria's Gaze shifted to the glowing moonstone as her feet moved closer slowly.

"see me, please." She whispered, to low for anyone else to hear. Her hand trembled at her side as she drew in shaky breaths, then with all the courage she could gather, she pressed her palm against the cold moonstone.

She let out a little wince as she felt a little cut in her palm, a stain of her blood left off as she pulled her hand away.

The Doors flew open and everyone turned. Silence swept the ground as two towering figures stepped in.

The alpha twins. Tall, broad shouldered, and commanding.

Even with their resemblance it was impossible to mistake one for the other. Kael's storm gray eyes were fierce and sharp edged. He carried himself like a blade unsheathed, his Alpha Aura flooding the room.

Beside him was a Cain, the younger twin, Calm yet no less powerful, had eyes like the color of the clouds right after the sun rise, piercing and unrelenting.

Every maidens breath hitched. But Aria froze. Her chest tightened, Her pulse skipped wildly. The moment Kael's gaze locked with hers something snapped into place.

His steps faltered for a second as his Nostrils flared. His eyes narrowed as if he too had being struck by lightning.

"Mate."

Everyone gasped.

Aria's wolf howled in recognition clawing in her chest. Her knees nearly buckled and her palm trembled where it had touched the moonstone.

Kael's jaw clenched. His broad shoulders stiffens but his gaze refused to leave hers and at that instant, Aria knew the goddess had chosen.

The bond burned like fire through her veins urging her to move forward. Yet in Kael's eyes, there was no Warmth, only a glint that made her heart stumble. Something she couldn't name.