The Rejection

There was another resounding knock at the door, and we froze in our tracks.

Lucien responded calmly, “Who stands?”

“We are from the Council of Elder Wolves. You have been summoned, Lucien, son of Jacob,” the voice replied, solemn and majestic.

Lucien adjusted his clothes at the sound of such commanding authority. He composed himself, ran his fingers through his hair, and forced a smile onto his face.

He stepped out to speak with the messengers.

Inside, I wiped the tears from my face and began picking up the scattered items across the room. My heart ached, heavy with pain and torment. Why did I have to suffer so much, just to love someone I thought I knew?

He was no longer the little boy I laughed with, played with, and trusted with my whole heart.

He was the opposite now. A monster. And worse… my fated mistake.

Lucien barged into the room again, tension rolling off him like a stormcloud ready to burst.

“You’re coming with me,” he said, his voice thick with disgust.

“Why am I needed, Lucien?” I asked, confused and wary.

He ignored my question, staring at me with those cold, soulless eyes.

“You go wherever I tell you to. Don’t ask stupid questions.”

I snapped back, my voice tight, “If you won't tell me where you're taking me—”

Before I could finish, his hand clamped around my throat. His eyes glowed red as he leaned in, growling into my ear.

I yielded instantly.

Grabbing my black leather jacket, I followed Lucien and the messengers without another word.

---

We arrived at the Great Hall, its ancient stone walls whispering secrets of generations past. The air was thick with power and presence. Lycan packs had gathered from every corner, young and old, powerful and noble.

The room buzzed with low murmurs. Above us, chandeliers of aged bronze and crystal cast golden light that shimmered like stardust. Regal banners lined the corridor. Guards stood in flawless formation, watching us pass.

I scanned the crowd, searching for familiar faces. Some I recognized. Others were strangers. And then I saw him.

My father.

Joy swelled in my chest. I took a step toward him, but Lucien grabbed my hand.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he hissed, voice brimming with irritation.

I yanked my hand back, my restraint cracking.

My eyes met my father’s. A single tear rolled down his cheek.

I clutched my mouth, forcing down a sob.

He had warned me not to get involved with Lucien. I hadn’t listened. And now… I understood why.

Flashback

“Anna, you can’t be with Lucien. He’s good for nothing. Just like his father. I’ve seen men like him ruin lives, especially women’s.”

“I love you too much to let you fall for a loser like Lucien.”

“You’re wrong about him, Father,” I shouted. “You’ve known Lucien since we were kids. You treated him like a son. Just because of his father’s mistakes, you judge him?”

End of flashback

Suddenly, silence swept the hall.

The Elders of the Wolf Pack emerged from a shadowed corridor I had never seen before.

The air grew heavy. Everyone fell quiet as a commanding darkness rippled across the room.

Ten Elders, cloaked in black with hoods shadowing their faces, entered together like phantoms of judgment.

Everyone rose.

From the crowd, a man stepped forward and signaled for all to be seated as the Elders took their places.

They removed their hoods in perfect unison.

The chandeliers dimmed. Darkness pressed inward for a breathless moment. Then the light returned.

And there he was.

The Grand Alpha.

Gasps echoed through the hall at his appearance.

Whispers stirred. A powerful presence swept over the assembly.

He took his seat.

“Let the Order begin,” he declared, his voice so commanding that the very walls seemed to echo his words.

One of the Elders stood, his voice sharp and resonant.

“I believe we all know why we are here.”

He turned his gaze to Lucien. “Rise, Lucien Hawthorne, son of Jacob.”

My heart pounded.

What did Lucien have to do with this?

“It has come to our attention,” the Elder continued, “that Lucien intends to choose a mate. And has decided to make it public.”

I froze in place.

I turned to Lucien, hoping for a sign, a word, anything. But he avoided my gaze, smiling wide and smug.

Lucien stood and strode to the center of the hall.

“Yes, I called this gathering to make my intentions known,” he announced, proud and certain.

“I have chosen a mate. A woman strong enough to bear my heir. A Luna worthy of every Alpha’s desire. A Luna who will become the symbol of my reign.”

My heart thundered. Sweat trickled down my spine. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes.

This… this was why I had been summoned?

Lucien continued.

“But before I proclaim my chosen mate, I must first officially call upon…”

The entire hall stilled.

“I, Alpha Lucien, reject Anna Summers, daughter of Ridge. And I accept and choose Elsa Redwood as my fated mate and Luna.”

His words crashed into me like bullets.

A wail tore from my throat. Pain and chaos ripped through my chest.

I crumpled to the ground, clutching my heart as the Rejection chant began to sear inside me.

I looked up, trembling, at the man I had given everything to. And he stood there—calm, fulfilled—as if my destruction was his victory.

Lucien smiled.

A woman stepped forward, wrapped in elegance and malice. She looked down at me with contempt and spat in my face.

Lucien welcomed her with open arms and embraced her before the entire hall.

My chest burned.

My wolf, Hailey, howled inside me. A cry of agony and rage.

Lucien turned to face me.

“Do you accept this rejection?” he asked coldly.

“The sooner you do, the sooner the pain fades.”

I turned to my father.

He was helpless, restrained by guards. His eyes shimmered with grief.

He couldn’t save me.

I looked back at Lucien. And everything inside me broke free.

I had been dining with the devil all along.

Power surged in my blood. My limbs began to tremble.

Then came the shift. Bones cracked. Heat blazed under my skin.

Hailey was rising.

Elsa screamed, “Seize her!”