Chapter 2: Rejected - part 1

Moments earlier

The air in the forest was heavy.

Leaves danced silently in the breeze that marked the coming of night, and the wolves of the pack were already gathering around the sacred clearing. The full moon began to rise in the sky, its silver glow reflecting off fur and alert eyes. Everything was ready. Everything was under Kael’s control.

The alpha watched from above, standing on one of the stone steps that led to the blessing altar. His golden eyes swept the area with rigid precision. Not a single candle had been forgotten, not a single ribbon tied carelessly. The Spring Ball was perfect. Just as it should be.

It was the first Spring Ball he celebrated as alpha. His father had passed the title to him the previous autumn, and now he would finally meet his mate, if the Moon Goddess willed it.

"Everything’s as you asked, Kael," one of his soldiers said, bowing respectfully.

"As I ordered, you mean," he replied coldly. "You can go. And get rid of that hideous arrangement at the entrance. Whoever tied those flowers with dry vines should be punished for aesthetic sabotage."

The soldier swallowed hard and rushed off. Kael sighed. He wasn’t nervous. That wasn’t the kind of man he was. Just... unsettled. Since morning, a strange feeling had clung to him. Camilla had spent the night in his arms, like so many times before, but something felt different. He had dreamed of his mother.

That wasn’t common.

His last memory of her was blood soaking her light blue dress. Pale skin, lifeless eyes. Her mouth still forming the word run. But he hadn’t run. He hadn’t had time.

Kael shook his head, forcing the thought away. That was the past. Now was the time of the blessing. Camilla was getting ready and would soon appear like the worthy she-wolf she was.

Strong. Beautiful.

The future Luna.

The sound of the ceremonial horn filled the clearing, silencing the drums. The fire was lit at the center, and the elder began walking among the chosen, blessing them one by one. Kael remained still, hands behind his back, his gaze proud and unwavering.

And then... it happened.

A scent, delicious and familiar.

Wild roses and mint.

Strong.

Unmistakable.

Piercing the air like an arrow.

His eyes narrowed, his chest burned. His hands trembled almost imperceptibly. The moment had finally arrived. His mate... He looked around for Camilla. He was certain it was her.

Camilla was the best at everything. The strongest, most worthy female.

But it wasn’t Camilla standing there.

No.

Kael turned his head slowly, following the invisible pull that burned through his veins.

And then he saw her.

A young woman walked toward him, dressed in white, her gown simple. Wide eyes, her face glowing with a timid, hopeful smile.

An omega.

A... servant.

For a second, everything froze. Kael felt the ground vanish beneath his feet.

And then the memory hit him like lightning, cruel and unavoidable.

Blood.

Screams.

The forest in flames.

His mother on her knees, trying to shield his small body with her fragile arms. Renegades laughing. Claws tearing her flesh like paper.

And him, screaming for help, begging the gods until his voice gave out.

This had to be a joke. There was no other explanation.

"No..." he murmured, the word almost a growl.

Lyra stopped a few steps from him, still smiling, confused.

"You... you’re my mate," she said, her voice trembling. She looked so happy. She really was.

"The goddess united us..."

She wasn’t the strongest, or the most noble, not even comparable to Camilla. But still, the goddess saw something in her strong enough to bind her to the alpha, granting her the title of Luna of the Dark Winds Pack.

Kael stepped back. Her scent surrounded him, burned into every cell of his body. The bond was real. It was there. But he refused to accept it. A humorless laugh curled his lips as he looked at the little omega before him with complete contempt.

Who did she think she was?

"This is a mistake," he growled, rage bubbling in his veins. "A cruel joke."

"N-no it’s not..." Lyra tried to move closer, but he raised his hand in a harsh gesture. "I... I felt it. I know you did too..."

"Shut up!" he shouted, making everyone nearby turn toward the scene.

They finally realized the alpha’s mate had been revealed, and out of all the she-wolves, she was the weakest.

Whispers spread among the guests.

Far off, Camilla watched the scene with hatred in her eyes.

Beside her, a soldier looked at her with love and sorrow. He was her mate, not the alpha, but willing to love her with all he had.

It didn’t matter to Camilla.

Silence fell.

The elder stopped her blessings.

Petra, among the other girls, covered her mouth in horror.

Kael stepped forward again, eyes locked on Lyra with disdain.

"An omega. Weak. Insignificant. You really think you have the right to be my mate? To be my Luna?"

"I didn’t choose this..." she whispered, eyes full of tears. "It was the goddess who…"

"The goddess would never curse me with such disgrace!" His voice was ice and fire. "You should’ve hidden your scent. You should’ve run from the clearing if you had a shred of shame!"

Lyra stood frozen. Her chest heaved. The bond between them pulsed violently, trying to complete itself, but Kael sliced through it like it was rotten chain.

"I, Kael, alpha of the Dark Winds Pack, reject you as my mate," he declared, without warning. The pain of rejection shot through his body, but it was nothing compared to Lyra’s.

She collapsed to her knees, groaning.

"Accept it!"

"No... Please don’t do this!" she begged, lifting her tearful gaze to the man who was supposed to be her great love. Her eternal mate. "The goddess united us. It was her…"