Rejected

"Alpha Ryder Blackwood, do you accept Ayla Mooncrest as your Luna?"

The elder's voice echoed across the ceremonial grounds.

My heart pounded so hard I thought everyone could hear it.

This was the moment I had dreamed about for years.

The moon shone brightly above us, casting silver light over the gathered pack members. Hundreds of eyes were fixed on Ryder and me as we stood before the sacred altar.

My palms were sweaty, but I couldn't stop smiling.

He was my mate.

My future.

My Alpha.

Everything I had ever wanted.

I glanced at Ryder, expecting to see happiness in his eyes.

Instead, his expression was cold.

My smile faltered.

Ryder was always very arrogant but this time around it wasn't that..

Something wasn't right.

A strange feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.

"Ayla Mooncrest," the elder continued, "do you accept Alpha Ryder Blackwood as your mate and Alpha?"

"I do," I answered softly.

Excited whispers spread through the crowd.

The elder turned toward Ryder.

"And you, Alpha Ryder Blackwood—"

"I reject her."

Silence.

The world stopped.

For a second, I thought I had imagined it.

"What?" I whispered.

Trying to convince myself that I misheard.

Ryder's gaze remained emotionless.

"I said I reject you."

Gasps erupted throughout the crowd.

My knees nearly gave out beneath me.

The mate bond snapped through my chest like a blade.

Pain exploded inside me.

Tears burned my eyes.

"R-Ryder..." My voice trembled. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying you're not fit to be my Luna."

The words struck harder than any physical blow.

Murmurs spread among the pack.

I could already hear them.

The omega isn't good enough.

She's weak.

She doesn't deserve him.

My hands clenched into fists.

"Why?" I asked.

Ryder laughed.

Actually laughed.

"Look at yourself, Ayla. You're weak. Wolfless. Pathetic."

The crowd grew quieter.

Every cruel word echoed through the night.

"I need a Luna who can strengthen my pack."

His arm wrapped around another woman standing nearby.

A beautiful blonde she-wolf stepped forward with a nervous smile.

A face I never expected to see betray me!

My breath caught.

Selena.

My best friend.

"No..." I whispered.

Ryder pulled her against his side.

"Selena will be my Luna."

The crowd erupted.

Some looked shocked.

Others looked amused.

I felt my heart shatter into a thousand pieces.

"no...no..!" I kept muttering to myself.

"Selena can never betray me..."

But it's was happening right in front of me.

The two people I trusted most had betrayed me.

And they were doing it in front of everyone.

Then suddenly, a sharp pain twisted through my lower abdomen.

I froze.

Another pain followed.

My hand instinctively moved to my stomach.

A strange warmth spread through my body.

It felt like my whole body was spinning..

Confused, I staggered backward.

No one noticed.

No one cared.

Their attention was on Ryder and Selena.

I looked down at my trembling hands.

Something felt different.

Terrifyingly different.

And at that exact moment, the pack healer pushed through the crowd, her face pale.

Her eyes widened when she saw me.

"Ayla..."

I swallowed hard.

"What is it?"

The healer stared at my stomach.

Then she whispered words that turned my entire world upside down.

"You're pregnant."