Chapter 4.

I ignored the command, unnatural speed filling me as I burst through the council house doors, unable to control my movements. The pull drove me forward with unstoppable force, my feet moving of their own accord. Around the massive oak table, a dozen pairs of eyes snapped toward me, council members frozen mid-discussion, elders with mouths agape, and at the head of the table, HIM.

Silver eyes locked with mine across the room. Time stopped. My wolf howled in recognition, clawing desperately to get closer to the towering figure who commanded the space with his mere presence.

"What is the meaning of this interruption?" Elder Thorne demanded, rising from his seat.

I couldn't answer. My body trembled violently as the pull intensified, drawing me toward the Alpha like a magnet to steel.

A whisper floated from somewhere behind me as pack members gathered at the open doorway, curious about the commotion.

"Are they mates?"

The whisper rippled through the crowd. "Mates? The Alpha and her?"

The Alpha, Alpha Kai raised his hand, silencing the growing murmurs. His face revealed nothing as he studied me, his expression carved from stone.

"Come," he said, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

My legs carried me forward on trembling steps. Every council member watched in stunned silence as I approached their Alpha. When I stood before him, his scent enveloped me, pine, winter air, and something uniquely him that made my wolf whine with need.

Elder Thorne moved between us, his ancient hand hovering in the space that separated our bodies. Golden light pulsed from his palm, confirming what my wolf already knew.

"Moon Goddess," the elder breathed. "The bond forms between them."

Alpha Kai's jaw tightened imperceptibly. Without a word, he took my elbow and guided me to a chair near the window, away from the council table.

"Wait there," he said quietly, something unreadable flickering in his silver eyes. He turned back to the council. "We will continue our discussion."

I sank into the chair, weak with relief and confusion. He hadn't sent me away. Tears pricked my lashes. He hadn't rejected us. Could it be possible? Did the Moon Goddess truly intend for me, a lowly omega, to be mated to the Alpha himself?

Hope bloomed in my chest. As the council resumed their meeting, I caught Fina pushing her way through the gathering crowd at the door. Our eyes met, and for the first time in my life, I didn't look away. The heat in my body had subsided to a bearable warmth, as if my wolf had found what she sought and now rested in contentment.

Fina's face contorted with fury. She mouthed something that looked distinctly like a threat, but I remained seated where Alpha Kai had placed me. For once, I felt protected. My tormentor couldn't reach me here, not with my mate so close.

My mate. The words sent a thrill through me.

Minutes stretched into an hour as I waited, watching Alpha Kai command the room with effortless authority. Occasionally, his silver gaze would flick toward me, sending fresh waves of warmth through my body. I couldn't read his expression, but the fact that he kept looking gave me hope.

Finally, the council members began gathering their papers.

"We'll continue this discussion after the full moon celebration," Alpha Kai announced, rising from his seat.

My heart raced as council members filed out, casting curious glances between their Alpha and me as they passed. Soon, we were alone in the vast chamber.

Alpha Kai stood with his back to me, gathering documents from the table. I waited, breath caught in my throat, for him to acknowledge me.

Without turning, he moved toward the door, as if he'd forgotten my presence entirely.

Panic surged through me. The bond tugged painfully as the distance between us grew. Without thinking, I rose and followed him.

"Alpha," I called softly.

He paused at the threshold but didn't turn. Beyond him, I could see pack members lingering, watching with undisguised curiosity.

"Please," I whispered. "I don't understand what's happening."

Slowly, he turned to face me. The coldness in his eyes froze the hope in my chest.

"What's happening," he said, his voice carrying in the silent room, "is a mistake."

The words struck me like physical blows. My wolf whimpered in confusion and pain.

"But Elder Thorne confirmed—" I began.

"I know what he confirmed," Alpha Kai cut me off sharply. "The Moon Goddess may have chosen you, but I have not."

Outside the door, gasps rippled through the gathered onlookers. I hadn't realized how many people were listening, how public this rejection would be.

"Who are you?" he demanded, voice and expression as cold as the artic.

"Aurora Hale," I whispered, shame burning my cheeks.

Recognition flashed in his eyes, followed by something darker. "Hale," he repeated. "James Hale's daughter."

I nodded, unsure why my father's name seemed to harden his resolve.

"I reject you as my mate, Aurora Hale," he said clearly, his voice echoing through the council chamber and beyond to the crowd outside.

Pain exploded through my chest, so intense I staggered backward. The bond, barely formed, began to tear. My wolf howled in agony, the sound escaping my human lips as a strangled cry.

Alpha Kai watched impassively as I clutched at my heart, fighting to remain standing.

"I'll do you the courtesy of breaking the bond properly," he continued, his tone businesslike. "After tomorrow's full moon celebration, we'll perform the ritual. Be ready."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me trembling in the doorway. As he disappeared from view, whispers erupted around me, quickly growing into murmurs and then outright conversation.

"Rejected!"

"The Alpha rejected his mate!"

"Who would choose someone like her anyway?"

“I heard she’s actually an Omega”

“Really? No wonder he rejected her. An Alpha mated to an Omega. Hilarious!”

Through tear-blurred vision, I saw Fina pushing through the crowd toward me, triumph written across her features. Beside her, Aunt Meredith watched with cold satisfaction.

"Did you really think he would want you?" Fina's mocking voice cut through the din. "How pathetic."

I couldn't answer, couldn't defend myself. The physical pain of rejection overwhelmed everything else. As Fina reached for me, likely to drag me back to our quarters in front of everyone, I caught a glimpse of Kylie in the crowd, her face twisted with sympathy and something that faintly  looked like disgust.

For a moment, our eyes met, and from the way she looked away immediately, I found the strength to straighten my spine. I might be rejected, humiliated, and destined to die in my life of servitude, but no further. Not tonight.

"I can walk myself back," I told Fina, my voice surprisingly steady despite the tears streaming down my face.

Her eyes widened in shock at my defiance, but before she could respond, I turned and walked away, each step sending fresh waves of agony through my chest where the bond continued to tear.

Behind me, laughter followed. My wolf writhed in agony and despair, the thoughts of the torture to come accompanying me.

Maybe it would be better to be dead.