Chapter ONE

Maren's POV

I had dreamed of my mating ceremony for years, and now that the day had finally arrived, I couldn't stop smiling.

Today, Rhydian would officially become my mate.

I had imagined the moment countless times, from standing before the sacred altar to feeling his mark against my neck as our wolves finally completed their bond. It was supposed to be the beginning of everything I had ever wanted, and despite the nervousness twisting my stomach, I couldn't remember the last time I had been this happy.

"Stop moving, Maren. You're going to ruin my work."

I laughed, looking at my sister through the mirror. Vesper stood behind me, carefully arranging the last few strands of my hair. She had insisted on helping me get ready, and although I had already thanked her several times, she continued fussing over every little detail.

"Sorry. I'm just nervous."

"There's nothing to be nervous about," she replied, securing a silver pin into my hair. "Rhydian is your mate. Unless you've suddenly forgotten that."

I smiled, looking down at the delicate bracelet around my wrist. It was a gift from Rhydian, given to me on my last birthday. I still remembered how he had slipped it onto my wrist and promised that one day, I would wear something even more beautiful as his Luna.

"I just want everything to be perfect," I admitted.

Vesper gave my shoulders a gentle squeeze. "I'm sure it will be."

I turned and hugged her, resting my cheek briefly against her shoulder.

I pulled away and smiled at her reflection before picking up my bouquet. I was ready.

The mating ceremony was being held in the pack's grand hall, where hundreds of members had gathered to witness the union. White flowers decorated the pillars, and the sacred altar stood beneath the enormous crest of our pack. The elders were already seated, while several warriors stood along the walls.

The moment I entered, conversations quieted, and several familiar faces turned towards me.

I searched the crowd immediately.

Rhydian stood near the altar, looking incredibly handsome in his black ceremonial attire. His dark hair was neatly brushed back, and his broad shoulders made him impossible to miss. My heart fluttered when our eyes briefly met.

I smiled.

He looked away.

I frowned slightly, but quickly dismissed the strange feeling. Perhaps he was nervous. After all, today was important for both of us.

I had known Rhydian for years. He was one of the strongest warriors in our pack, and when our wolves first recognized each other, I had thought the Moon Goddess had finally given me something to be grateful for. Unlike most people, he had never made me feel ashamed of being a girl with no wolf.

Even when others whispered about my weak wolf, he had stood beside me.

I continued towards the altar, holding my bouquet as I approached him.

"Rhydian," I whispered, smiling nervously. "You look wonderful."

He glanced at me briefly, his expression unreadable.

"Thank you."

His response was so distant that I almost asked whether something was wrong, but before I could, the chief elder raised his staff and called for silence.

"Today, we gather under the blessing of the Moon Goddess to witness the joining of two souls whose wolves have recognized one another."

A warm feeling spread through my chest.

I looked at Rhydian, expecting to find the same excitement in his eyes, but he was staring straight ahead.

"Let the chosen male step forward and acknowledge his mate."

Rhydian moved away from the altar.

For one foolish second, I thought he was coming towards me. I even took a small step forward, my smile growing as I waited for him to take my hand.

Instead, he turned towards the crowd.

"I have something to announce before this ceremony continues."

A murmur spread through the hall.

The elder lowered his staff. "Is something wrong, Rhydian?"

"Nothing is wrong," he replied, adjusting his jacket. "I simply refuse to waste everyone's time pretending to accept something I never wanted."

My smile disappeared.

I looked at him, confused. "Rhydian?"

He didn't acknowledge me.

Instead, he glanced towards the crowd, where Vesper stood beside our mother. "Come here, Vesper."

I turned towards her, then back at Rhydian, unable to understand why he was calling her.

Vesper slowly stepped forward, her eyes lowered. When she reached him, he extended his hand, and she placed hers in it.

The bouquet slipped slightly between my fingers.

"What is happening?" I whispered.

Rhydian finally looked at me, and the expression on his face made my stomach drop.

"I'm sorry."

The word echoed through the hall.

A few people exchanged uncomfortable looks, while others began whispering.

I stared at him, feeling my cheeks grow hot.

"Rhydian, what are you doing?" I asked, forcing a small laugh because I desperately wanted to believe this was some cruel misunderstanding. "Everyone is waiting. Please, don't do this."

He tightened his hold on Vesper's hand. "I'm not going to complete this mating bond with you, Maren."

My heart lurched. "What?"

"I don't want you as my mate."

The words seemed to travel through the entire hall, leaving a heavy silence behind them.

I shook my head. "You can't be serious. We are standing at the mating altar. You promised me that we would complete our bond today."

"And I have changed my mind."

I looked towards Vesper, silently begging her to explain. 

"Why is she standing with you?" I whispered.

Rhydian gave a humourless laugh. "Because she's the woman I want."

My lips parted, but no words came out.

He continued, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Look at her, Maren. Look at the difference between you. Vesper has a strong wolf, a beautiful appearance and everything a Luna should possess. What exactly do you have?"

I felt the eyes of the entire pack settle on me.

"Rhydian, please," I whispered, my voice beginning to shake. "We can talk about whatever is bothering you. You don't have to humiliate me in front of everyone."

"Humiliate you?" He scoffed. "You've been embarrassing yourself for years by pretending you're capable of standing beside me."

My eyes filled with tears. "You know I have tried. I've done everything I could to become stronger."

"And yet you're still the same." His gaze travelled over me dismissively. "A weak Omega with a wolfless wolf. Do you honestly think someone like you deserves to become Luna?"

A few people laughed quietly.

I felt as though the ground had disappeared beneath my feet.

I wanted to disappear. I wanted the floor to open and swallow me before anyone could witness another moment of this humiliation.

But the worst part was that Rhydian knew exactly where to hurt me.

He knew how much I hated being called wolfless. 

He had been the person I ran to whenever those words became unbearable.

Now he was the one using them against me.

"How long?" I managed to ask, looking between him and my sister. "How long have you been together?"

Vesper wiped her cheek. "Maren, I didn't mean for things to happen this way."

"Then why did you let them happen?" I asked, my voice breaking. "You knew I loved him. You helped me prepare for today. How could you stand beside me this morning knowing you were going to take him away?"

Rhydian stepped closer to her, shielding her from my accusations.

"Don't blame her. She's done nothing wrong. I chose her because she's worthy of me."

I stared at him, tears slipping down my cheeks. "Was everything a lie?" I whispered. "All those promises? Everything you told me?"

His expression hardened. "I was only trying to make you happy. But I refuse to spend my life pretending that a weak, wolfless Omega is the mate I deserve."

Something inside me broke.

I looked at the man I had loved for so long, searching his face for even the smallest trace of the person I remembered. 

But he only looked at me with impatience.

"Rhydian," I whispered one last time.

He turned away.

Then, before the entire pack, he spoke the words that would change everything.

"I, Rhydian, reject you, Maren Vale, as my mate."

My wolf let out a painful whimper inside me.

The bond snapped.

I gasped, pressing a trembling hand against my chest as an unbearable ache spread through me. It felt as though something precious had been ripped away, leaving an emptiness I couldn't understand.

My knees weakened, and I struggled to remain standing.

Across the altar, Rhydian had already turned towards Vesper.

He didn't look back.

Tears blurred my vision as I lowered my head, unable to bear the sight of the two people I had trusted most standing together while my world fell apart.

I couldn't stay another second.

Dropping my bouquet, I turned away from the altar and hurried towards the exit.