Chapter four: the rejection

Aria stepped into the grand hall slowly, her breath catching as the massive doors shut behind her with a dull, echoing thud. The scent of polished wood and warm candle wax mingled with the heavy perfumes lingering in the air, creating an intoxicating atmosphere that was both regal and suffocating.

The hall was a tapestry of deep crimson and gold, colors that spoke of power and ancient tradition. Long banners draped from the towering stone walls, each one embroidered meticulously with the crest of the Silver Moon Pack, a silver wolf silhouetted against a full moon. 

The fabric shimmered softly under the glow of grand chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceiling, their crystals casting fragmented light like shards of frozen stars across the polished black marble floor.

Aria's eyes traced the intricate patterns on the banners, feeling the weight of history pressing down on her fragile frame. The floor beneath her reflected her image, small, delicate, and unmistakably out of place amidst the grandeur.

The pack members were arrayed before her in a display of hierarchy and strength. To the right, future alphas stood confident, their garments rich with embroidery and symbols of their impending leadership.

To the left, high-ranking warriors loomed, clad in heavy leather and furs, their muscles taut beneath the fabrics, eyes sharp and calculating.

At the far end, the high table commanded attention. Alpha Magnus sat there, his dark hair streaked with silver, dressed in a robe of deep burgundy trimmed with gold that matched the banners behind him. 

His golden eyes, cold and dismissive, scanned the hall with unyielding authority. Beside him, his Beta Ethan stood tall with a broad shoulders, the direct opposite of him. On the other side, the elders wore robes of darker hues, black and deep gray, each embroidered subtly to denote their status.

The rest of the pack filled the space between, their faces a mix of curiosity, judgment, and silent accusation. Their clothes varied from the rough homespun of the common warriors to the finer silks of the elders, all bearing the crest of the pack in some form, a pin, a clasp, a stitched emblem.

A hush fell over the room, broken only by a whisper that slithered through the crowd: "That's her..."

"She actually came."

"Has no shame."

Aria swallowed hard, feeling her fingers curl at her sides as the whispered judgments wrapped around her like a noose.

Her silver eyes lifted instinctively, searching the faces of the alphas, and other people in the hall. Her eyes landed on him.

Alpha Kael stood tall and broad shouldered, dark hair falling just above his intense eyes. His posture was relaxed but radiated power in waves, a silent challenge to the judgment around them. His gaze locked with hers, steady, piercing, and unsettling.

For a moment, the hall ceased to exist. The murmurs faded, the whispers died away, and only the intensity of that gaze remained.

Aria's breath caught.

“Why was he staring at her.” Could it be that, she's the mate to him. But those thoughts were quickly disappeared as soon as it came across her mind.

The ceremony went on and Alpha Magnus, officially welcomed as Luna Lydia and Selene. You could see from the face of Selene, she felt like she was on top of the world.

Beta Morris whispered something into Alpha magnus ears and his expression, already stone-like, grew sharper. He straightened, letting the sleeves of his robe fall just so, commanding silence before he spoke.

"In the name of our ancestors and under the gaze of the eternal moon, we convene," Magnus intoned, his voice deep as the river valley. 

"Tonight, we welcome Luna Lydia to the seat of power, and in her, the promise of new blood, new alliance, and the dawn of a stronger era. Selene, child of the moon, you stand at your mother's side not only as daughter but as hope incarnate."

The crowd responded in unison: "May her lineage be blessed."

Lydia glowed beneath the weight of attention, her hands resting lightly on Selene’s shoulders, as if afraid the girl might drift up and away into the chandelier-lit heavens. Aria watched, unable to reconcile the gentle, almost maternal touch with the rumors that chased Lydia through every corridor of the estate, ambition sharp as a blade

Alpha Magnus decided to send Aria to the omega quarters as she was of no use and he needed to convince the pack elders before he could go ahead with that decision.

He climbed the podium and to get the attention of the people in the hall he used a spoon to make some sound with his wine glass.

“I would like to make an announcement. “As the Alpha of this pack and the father of Aria and Selene, this decision is for the good of the pack.

He barely paused, as if reciting a speech he’d rehearsed in murky dreams. "Our pack is strongest when its weakest are known. When the sick, the lost, and the frail are not hidden, but tended." His voice sharpened, slicing through the suspenseful hush. "Which brings us to Aria."

It was not a name, but a diagnosis.

The air chilled. Several heads turned. Even the flames in the candelabras seemed to flicker in anticipation.

Alpha Magnus did not look at her as he spoke, but rather into the crowd, as if searching for an answer among the multitudes.

"Many have asked why this one was spared," he continued, "when the moon gives no blessing, when the wolf within sleeps or simply does not exist." He let the accusation hang, heavy and slow, like a cloud that would not rain.

Aria felt her heart shattered into pieces. She never believed her father would hate her this much.

“Since she is my daughter” He continued i would like her to be moved to the omega quarters where she will be at least useful to the pack.

There were murmurs but no one could say anything to defend her. Aria felt the ground should open up and swallow her up.

Just then Alpha kael moved up to the podium. The hall became as quiet as a graveyard. If there was a a pin drop on the ground you would have heard the sound.

“I came today for alliance, to get power but it seems like the moon goddess is playing a cruel joke on me.” He continued.

He stepped toward her, the crowd parting as he approached.

“You?” His voice deep sent shivers down her spine. She opened her mouth, but no words came out, instead something pulled her to move closer to him.

“I…i thought,” she finally managed to say but stopped midway as she stared back at him for the first time but she wasn't sure if it was a flicker of anger or disgust crossing his face.

The hall has become more quiet and you could see from across the hall, Selene crossed her arms in amusement, like she loves what is happening.

Then Kael straightened, his golden eyes hardening.

A wolfless girl, my mate?”he said,his voice dripping with all kinds of hate. “Is this suppose to be a joke

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Aria felt her last hope being crushed, her cheeks burned as whispers spread as wild fire.

“She's his mate? That can't be possible.”

A wolfless girl for an Alpha? How embarrassing.”

Aria’s knees trembled, her stomach knots as kael stepped closer, just an inch farther away from her. “I Kael Trevor Dominus, Alpha of Nightfang pack, rejects you, Aria, as my mate and Luna.”

The bond snapped immediately, the pain exploding through her chest, Aria gasped,clutching her heart as tears blurred her vision.

“I would have done so if I were him.” Someone from the crowd murmured but more audible to her hearing.

“What did she expect?” Another chipped in mockingly.

Aria felt her legs trembling, the rejection ripping through her soul.

Lina, immediately as though she just got herself, rushed to her side. “Ria, let's go,” she whispered, wrapping an arm around her but Aria shook her head. “He didn't mean it, I'm  sure , " she said softly, her voice trembling. “He can't mean it Lina.”

“You don't have to stay here and take all these Aria,” Lina said firmly, her voice filled with anger. “Let's go.”

Kael turned his back on them, his posture rigid as he looked dismissive.

“This ceremony is over.” Alpha Magnus' voice sounded very loud. The pack dispersed, their excitement replaced with cruel smirks and whispered insults.

Only Kael, Alpha magnus, Luna Lydia, Selene and some elders remained in the hall as Lina left with Aria.