CHAPTER 1

The Alpha’s Betrayal

The Bloodmoon Pack’s ceremonial gathering was supposed to be the happiest night of Lyra Everwood’s life.

The grand hall, built from dark oak and ancient stone, was alive with energy. Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, their flickering flames casting warm light over the crowd. The scent of roasted meat and sweet honeywine filled the air as pack members whispered and laughed, their excitement crackling like an electric current.

Tonight was the Mating Ceremony—a sacred event where the Moon Goddess revealed fated mates. It was the night dreams came true, where wolves found their other halves, their soul bonds.

For years, Lyra had imagined this moment. She wasn’t an Alpha’s daughter, nor a warrior, but she had hoped. She had prayed that she would find the one who would love her unconditionally.

And then—she felt it.

A shiver raced down her spine. A heat curled in her stomach, spreading like wildfire through her veins.

Her wolf stirred.

Her head snapped up, and her breath caught in her throat.

The scent hit her like a tidal wave.

It was intoxicating—rich, earthy, laced with dominance and power. A scent that sent a pulse of recognition through her very soul.

Her mate.

Her gaze locked onto the towering figure near the entrance of the hall.

Alpha Damien Blackwood.

The most powerful Alpha in the region.

His dark eyes widened slightly as their bond flared to life between them. She saw the golden flecks in his irises shimmer for a brief moment before his expression hardened.

He could feel it, too.

The room fell into silence as the energy shifted. Every wolf in the hall sensed the mate bond snapping into place.

The murmurs began.

"The Alpha found his mate…"

"Wait—look at her wrist!"

"No… it can’t be!"

Confused, Lyra followed their stares and glanced down at her own wrist.

The silver insignia.

A strange marking she had been born with. A birthmark unlike any other—a swirling silver design, almost glowing under the candlelight.

Her mother had always told her it was nothing. But now…

Now, the room was filled with fear.

"She bears the mark!" someone whispered, their voice trembling.

"The cursed one!" another spat.

"Her blood will bring ruin to us all!"

Lyra’s heart pounded. What were they saying?

She turned back to Damien, searching for reassurance, for anything that could explain this.

But his face was unreadable.

Then Serena, his Beta and closest advisor, leaned in and whispered something in his ear.

Damien’s jaw clenched. His hands balled into fists at his sides.

And then, his voice rang clear and cold through the hall.

"I, Alpha Damien Blackwood, reject you as my mate."

Lyra’s world shattered.

A physical pain tore through her chest, white-hot and unbearable. The mate bond cracked like fragile glass, splitting apart, leaving her breathless.

She gasped, stumbling backward, her vision blurring.

No. No, this wasn’t happening.

Damien took a slow step forward, towering over her, his presence suffocating.

"You are hereby exiled from the Bloodmoon Pack."

A stunned silence followed.

Then came chaos.

Before she could react, strong hands grabbed her arms. The pack’s guards. Their grips like iron, their faces void of sympathy.

"No—please!" she cried, struggling against them. "Damien, please!"

Her voice broke on his name.

But he didn’t even look at her.

Not once.

Tears blurred her vision as the guards dragged her toward the packhouse doors. She twisted, fought, but it was pointless.

The last thing she saw before the doors slammed shut behind her—

Was the pack celebrating.

As if her existence had never mattered at all.