Chapter 1: Banished?

Amelia

My name is Amelia Jenkins, and I am a werewolf. I have been hiding my Alpha blood, and living as an Omega in the Silver Crescent pack, for the last 9 years. On my 18th birthday, I discovered that the Alpha of the pack was my soulmate, and we have now been happily mated for a year. He doesn't know my true identity, but I plan on telling him everything today. I also have more exciting news to share with him that I know will make him happy.

Today is our Alpha and Luna ceremony, and I can't wait to finally start my role as the official Luna of my pack. Being named co-Alpha would’ve been better. But there are many things in this pack that need to change first, before that can happen. Together, Cruz and I can take this pack to new heights. I have so many ideas to change the way packs are ruled, and I know that together, we can really make a difference in werewolf society.

My mom told me that most werewolves develop feelings for their mate, before the mate bond kicks in. And we have loved each other for so long, so it must be true. I wished and prayed that he would be my mate. And I thank the Moon Goddess every day for granting my wish. Cruz was the perfect mate, up until a month ago, when his demeanor started to change.

He has been off pack lands a lot over this past month. He said it was for his Alpha training, but when he came back, his whole demeanor changed. But I hope that after our ceremony, things can go back to normal. Maybe he was just stressed or worried about the ceremony and taking over the pack. But he doesn't have to be. I will be with him for whatever he needs. We are a team, and we have always been.

Even though Cruz and his wolf, Bruno, have never seen my wolf, they do communicate. Only one person has ever seen my wolf, and that is my uncle Antonio. I had to keep her hidden until the time was right to tell Cruz who I really am. There are still too many people that want my bloodline wiped out, so my uncle kept telling me to wait. I trust him with my life, so I will always listen to him. And he is the only family I have left.

I have successfully finished the Luna training set out for me and I exceeded the current Luna’s expectations. But I refuse to be a Luna who is only seen as a glorified homemaker. That is not me. Being a warrior is in my blood. So, I did my daily Luna training with Luna Lynne, and after that, I would train with the warriors. I am more than qualified to run this pack, even without Cruz.

In this pack, a Luna is purely seen as a mother figure and homemaker. She is to stay home and have pups. She needs to make sure that meals are ready on time, and that the packhouse is always clean. But most of all, she needs to keep the Alpha happy. I really don't mind doing all of that, but there is so much more a Luna can do to make a difference in her pack. I tried to speak to Cruz about changing the duties of a Luna, but as I mentioned before, his demeanor has been off. I hoped to speak to him about my ideas after the ceremony.

But now, I stand on the ceremonial grounds of our pack, in utter shock. All my excitement and happiness are gone, like they never existed. Cruz stood at the altar, looking at me like I was nothing more than garbage he just stepped in. The hatred in his eyes is evident and takes me by surprise. ‘Banished?’ I could not have heard him right, could I? “Leave now!” he bellows in his alpha tone. It doesn't work on me, but he is too busy putting on a show to notice.

“Are you serious right now Cruz? Why are you doing this?” I ask, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice. I can't deny that his words and actions are hurting me. “You are not worthy of the Luna title. This pack needs strength, and someone from a prestigious bloodline. Lilith will be the Luna of this pack. She is of Alpha blood and the only one worthy of being my mate. I, Alpha Cruz Milano, reject you, Amelia Jenkins, as my mate and Luna.” He says loud and clear for everyone to hear.

I feel the first strands of the mate bond break, but I will not show this man how much it hurts. I suppose it still counts as a rejection, even though he missed part of my last name. The pain I feel in my heart tells me that much. This was supposed to be our Alpha and Luna ceremony. Now he stands before me, flaunting a newly chosen Luna for the whole pack to see.

He had just accepted the Alpha title and his father transferred the Alpha power onto him. So, Cruz is now officially the new Alpha of the Silver Crescent Pack. But when he was asked to call his Luna to the altar, namely me, he called Lilith. She happily waltzes over to his side in her skin-tight pink dress, looking just as fake as she always does. And to add to my humiliation, they apparently have a two-year-old son. Where the f**k did this son come from? I never knew Lilith was pregnant.

Cruz just announced him as being his sole heir, and the future Alpha of the pack. What about our pup? Shouldn't our pup be the rightful heir? I am his Goddess-given mate, not Lilith. I found out yesterday that I am pregnant, and I was planning on sharing the news with him at the ceremony. We have been trying to have a pup since we marked each other. But it seems he has had a pup all along. One that he hid from me.

I had heard the rumors among the warriors about him, but I dismissed them all. I have never felt Cruz being unfaithful to me. Surely I would have felt the pain of infidelity. Once marked by your mate, you are connected in every way. You feel their emotions, their pain when they are hurt, and if they are unfaithful, you will know. I have never felt that kind of pain. None of this makes any sense. But this little boy is two years old, so they could have had him before Cruz and I marked each other.

But even so, we were dating before we became mates, and we were always together. We basically grew up together. Somewhere along the line, love blossomed between us. And our friendship turned into something more. Cruz never liked Lilith. He would always make fun of her when she would visit the pack with her father. He called her a ‘discount barbie’. She was always dressed up like she was going to a fashion show, and her face was always caked with makeup and still is.

“I am worthy of being Luna. I have proved myself over and over again. The only strength Lilith has is in her hair spray, which you always made fun of. What is going on Cruz? This is not you. Why would you do this to me?” I ask, looking into his eyes, trying to understand this sudden change. I know my wolf, Callie, is trying to make contact with his wolf, Bruno. But she can't seem to get through, and neither can I.

“Ha! Don't pretend to know me. You know nothing, little omega.” He says, breaking me out of my thoughts. “I know you better than that fake slut you are calling your Luna. You have always hated her, so why the sudden change?” I ask. “Shut up, you know nothing about our love. How can you let a weak Omega speak to us like this baby? She should be taught a lesson so she knows her place. Werewolves have been killed for less. She needs to be made an example of.” Lilith sneers, showing her true ugly face.

“Your love?” I say and laugh loudly. “Funny that he has been mated to me for a year and never left my side. When did this love have a chance to blossom? I would like to see you break a nail when you teach me this ‘lesson’ you speak of. I can, and I will speak to you any way I please. You are less than nothing to me. You are weak and spoiled, and an embarrassment to all she-wolves. What kind of person comes between a Goddess-given mate bond?

You clearly think nothing of our beloved Moon Goddess to go up against her like this. You are nothing but a cheap, mate-stealing, skank. Covering yourself in makeup and perfume won't hide the stench of desperation you give off. You should go find your own mate, instead of taking what doesn't belong to you. You are shameless.” I spit with venom.

“Enough!” Cruz bellows. “I will give you five minutes to gather your things. The warriors will escort you off my land. I am giving you this courtesy out of respect for your father. But don't test me. If you're not gone in five minutes, I will kill you myself. I won't have you upsetting my Luna and our son,” Cruz says, turning away.

“Wait!” I yell. He stops and turns around and glares at me. “If you want me to leave, I will. But there is no going back after this Cruz. Are you sure you won't regret this?” I say in a level tone. “Just leave Amelia, you are embarrassing yourself. I don't want a weak Omega like you. As it is, I am already disappointed in myself for keeping you around for so long,” he answers.

“Omega? Ha! You have no idea what you are talking about, or what you are about to lose. But you’ve made your choice, Cruz. So, let’s do this right, shall we?” I say, and ready myself to tell my truth I have kept hidden, and break all ties with this man.

“I, Amelia Jenkins Savano, accept your rejection. I hereby cut all ties with Alpha Cruz Milano and the Silver Crescent pack, and declare myself a rogue.” I say, loud and clear and full of confidence. His eyes widen at my declaration as he falls to his knees, but I stand tall and proud. Even though I am dying inside, I will not let this asshole see my pain.