Chapter Two: Public Rejection

Akira's POV 

“Lucien,” I said, my voice breaking the suffocating silence, “what are you doing?”

Every head in the courtyard snapped toward us, waiting for his final decision.

Lucien Stormcrest didn’t answer immediately. He stood one step inside the ritual circle now, shoulders squared, Alpha's presence all over him. The same presence that used to make me feel safe now threatened to take my last breath.

“You failed the Awakening, disappointing those that had their fate in you,” he replied calmly.

A laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it. It sounded wrong entirely to me. “That’s it? That’s what this is after all? Sometimes the Moon...”

“...does not delay to confirm their own,” Elder Thane cut in sharply. “It has never delayed since I was little.”

I turned to face him. “You taught me the rites to be done yourself. You said...”

“I said the Moon answers those it accepts, and doesn't waste time on doing that,” he replied, avoiding my eyes.

A murmur rose again, this time, very much louder. 

“She didn’t awaken.”

“Her wolf is silent.”

“Is she broken?”

My fingers curled into fists as I stood helpless. “Lucien,” I said again, softer now. “Say something about this.”

He exhaled slowly, like a man preparing for a necessary execution. “I have been saying things for years, Akira. You just refused to hear them and that should matter.”

Maelis gasped quietly. “Lucien...”

“No,” he snapped. “Enough pretending.” Well, she was obviously pretending to care. Those words weren't ordinary, as they sliced through me.

“What exactly have I been pretending?” I demanded. “Loving you? Standing beside you? Enduring every whisper, every sideways glance because I wasn’t ‘strong enough’ for them?”

“That’s precisely the problem,” Lucien said. “You inspire pity alot.” The crowd could not hold it, as they reacted instantly, many gasped, others had the look of shock, while a few nodded their heads. 

My ears rang as I tried to understand him. “Pity?” I repeated.

“A Luna should command fear and respect,” he continued, voice carrying effortlessly. “Not sympathy, and certainly not patience. The Crimson Moon Clan cannot be led by someone who needs protecting.”

“I have never asked for protection,” I said, my voice trembling with fury.

“No,” he agreed. “You simply require it.”

Maelis stepped closer to him, her hand slipping into his sleeve. “Lucien, this isn’t the time. The pack is watching.”

“That’s exactly why it is the time,” he replied.

My heart slammed against my ribs. “You promised me,” I whispered. “You told me this night would be ours.”

“I told you what you needed to hear,” he said flatly. Something inside my chest was beginning to shatter. 

Elder Thane cleared his throat. “Alpha… are you suggesting...”

“I am declaring,” Lucien said, cutting him off, “that Akira Nightfall is unfit to ascend as Luna.”

The words hit like physical blows. Unfit? A young warrior near the back whispered, “Is he serious?”

“This has never happened before…”

“Can he even...”Lucien raised his hand, and immediately, silence fell instantly.

I shook my head as I tried to disagree. “You can’t do this.”

“I can,” he said. “And I will.”

Maelis finally looked at me then, our eyes met, her lips shaking slightly. 

“I tried to help you,” she mouthed silently.

Rage flared so hot it burned away the shock. “Help me?” I laughed bitterly. “By standing there in Luna white?”

Her eyes darkened with so much hate. “You should’ve stepped aside.”

“What?” I breathed. Lucien turned toward the crowd again. “For the good of the Crimson Moon Clan, I will not bind myself to weakness.”

My blood turned to ice instantly, and I couldn't believe my ears. I stepped forward without thinking, the edge of the circle biting into my bare feet. “Lucien Stormcrest,” I said loudly, “look at me.”

He did. Of course, he wasted no time. 

“For years,” I said, voice shaking but strong, “I stood by you while you learned to rule. I calmed your rages, I endured your silences. I carried the weight of this pack when you couldn’t.”

“That doesn’t make you Luna,” he replied. “No,” I said quietly. “But it makes me worthy.

Lucien’s jaw tightened, and I know his patience was just a little. 

“I reject you,” he said.

And, at that moment, the world shattered completely. 

“I, Lucien Stormcrest, Alpha of the Crimson Moon Clan, formally reject Akira Nightfall as my mate.”

The words were like two edged swords driven straight into my soul.

Pain exploded through my chest, white, served hot and merciless. I screamed as the mate bond...warm, familiar, alive...started ripping itself apart. I felt it tear away from me piece by piece, leaving behind raw, bleeding emptiness.

My wolf howled without control. “No...!” I gasped, clutching my chest as my knees buckled. “Lucien, stop...please...”

But the bond snapped completely, no respect for anyone. 

I hit the stone hard, breath torn from my lungs. I reached inwardly, desperately searching for her, to comfort me. 

Come back, but nothing answered. The crowd stared in confusion, still, not even any of them moved. No one dared to speak. 

Lucien looked down at me, expression unreadable. “It is done.”

Maelis covered her mouth. “Oh Moon…”

I dragged myself onto one elbow, chest heaving. “You knew,” I rasped. “You planned this all along.”

Lucien didn’t care to deny it.

“Guards,” Elder Thane said hesitantly. “Should we...”

“No,” Lucien said. “Let her feel it.” The cruelty in his voice made my stomach churn noisily. 

Tears blurred my vision completely. “I loved you,” I whispered back.

He leaned down towards me, close enough that only I could hear him. “That was your greatest weakness.”

Maelis quickly stepped forward then, her voice ringing out with command. “The pack needs a Luna.”

Every head turned to her direction, eager to hear what she had to say.

She knelt gracefully beside Lucien, head bowed. “I will serve,” she said. “For the good of the clan.”

The implication was unmistakable, even the blind could sense it all. A few wolves bowed immediately, then others followed without questions.

I watched from the ground as my world rearranged itself without me, not even giving me the grace of a few seconds to mourn my downfall.

Then, Lucien placed a hand on her head. “Rise.”