Chapter 3- Stupid Traitorous Hope.

CELESTIA’S POV

The moon hung on the dark starry night sky, full and shining brightly over the land of silver fangs pack, casting long shadows of the surrounding trees.

The whole pack was assembled outside for the Luna Ceremony which was done on the night of the full moon after a new Alpha has been crowned.

Now that Eryx was crowned months ago and the moon is bright and full, the ceremony has to be held. It was a tradition, past down for years so that the moon goddess will reveal the mate of the New Alpha.

Everyone stood according to their ranks, Elders, Betas, Warriors, Gammas and omegas like me— where casted at the far end of the open field.

I pressed my palm against my chest, trying to calm the frantic beat of my heart.

“Why did you look so nervous?” Elowen whispered beside me.

I turned to look at her. “Me? Nervous? Do I look nervous?” I asked, rubbing my neck with my cold, sweaty palm.

“Of course girl. You don't have to be nervous— you have no reason to. The future Luna will not be from the omegas. We are weak and unworthy to be crowned Luna.”

I laughed softly. “Come on Elowen, I would never dare to dream that the Luna will be from our group of omegas. It has never been heard of before and today won't be a first.”

Elowen nodded, opening her mouth to say more, but then, the air suddenly shifted and the door to the field slipped open.

I inhaled sharply, as my gaze landed on the figure who stepped in.

Alpha Eryx Ravelle.

My childhood friend and my longtime secret crush.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. Power rolling off him in suffocating waves. His dark hair caught the moonlight, his sharp features carved from stone. He was irresistibly handsome.

Gasps rippled from the crowd, especially from the girls. I mean who won't fall for a man like him.

Beside him was Lyra, clinging to him like a second skin. When he came back after he left, he came with Lyra who he meant during his time abroad, unknowing to him that she was the Beta’s daughter.

“Bitch” I muttered lowly, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Was that meant for her?” Elowen asked with a giggle.

Yeah, she heard me. Elowen has a very sharp hearing even as an omega, not even the slightest sound could escalate her.

“My mouth processed it faster than my brain.” I shrugged and smiled.

Shortly, the event started as soon as Eryx sat on the chair meant for him while Lyra went to stand beside her dad– the beta.

“We are gathered before you oh moon goddess, to reveal to us, our new Luna who will stand worthy beside Alpha Eryx.” the pack seer began. “Reveal her to us, our great goddess.”

A strange pull tugged at my soul—sharp, undeniable, burning straight through me.

“It’s nothing,” I thought,trying to endure the surging pain. “It probably because I can’t bear to see another woman beside my crush.”

But my breath caught painfully in my throat as the world seemed to stop. My knees weakened, head throbbed.

“Argggh!” I screamed loudly and definitely, all eyes turned to me.

“Celestia!” I heard Elowen whisper worriedly beside me.

Across the clearing, Eryx stiffened as our gaze locked

I didn't need anyone to announce it. I felt it. Deep in my bones. In my blood. In the part of me that had always whispered I was meant for something more.

He was my mate… my crush was my mate

The goddess gave me answers to prayers I never prayed for.

I was happy, at the same time scared as his Crimson eyes, cold, unreadable— locked onto mine.

He took slow strides towards me, Lyra trailed behind him anxiously, but I didn't care about her.

For one foolish, fragile second, hope bloomed in my chest.

Hope. The Omegas greatest Enemy… my greatest enemy.

Eryx gaze hardened as he stood in front of me.

“Eryx, what is wrong?” Lyra asked, tugging at his arm.

Even the whole pack was surprised, only Eryx and I understood. But the whole pack was few seconds away from knowing.

“Mate!” Kaelan whispered, yet loud enough for everyone to hear.

Collective gasps rippled from various corners.

“No way!” Elowen gasped as well as other omegas.

The elder beside him stepped forward, voice echoing through the clearing. “Is she your mate, Alpha?”

Silence.

Every breath in the clearing seemed to pause.

Eryx's jaw clenched. His lips pressed into a thin line. Slowly yet deliberately— he turned away from me. “Yes, she is.”

Double gasps erupted.

Lyra glared at me “That can’t be. How can this thing…” she eyed me. “...be your mate.”

“She is an omega.” he mumbled.

I swallowed, my fingers curling into the fabric of my dress.

“Please,” I prayed. “Oh moon goddess, I don’t need love. I don’t need kindness. Just… don’t let him humiliate me in front of the whole pack.”

“What are you going to do?” Lyra asked, infuriated that Alpha Eryx would have a mate which is not her.

His voice sliced through the night. "I reject her."

The words hit me like a blade and my chest burned.

“I, Eryx Ravelle, reject you... he paused, raising a eyebrow at me.

“Celestia… Celestia Wynter.” I shuttered, my voice barely above a whisper as I held my chest tightly, my knees become weak at each passing minute.

He raised his brow, a frown on his face as thigh he was trying to recall something, but he brushed it off— completing his statement.

“I, Eryx Ravelle, reject Celestia Winter as my mate.” he completed.

His words struck me hard.

This wasn't pain. This was agony.

It felt like my soul was being torn apart, thread by thread. I cried out, the sound ripped from me as my legs gave way. I collapsed to the ground, my hands clawing at my chest as sobs wracked my body.

I couldn't breathe. It hurt too much. “I, Celestia Wynter, accept your rejection.” I managed to say.

Tears blurred my vision as I curled inward, trying to escape pain that had nowhere to go.

I heard footsteps retreating— he was walking away.

“Ce..lestia.” Elowen cried beside me, but couldn't move and I appreciated it. I wouldn't want her implicating herself because of me.

“Arghhhhh.” I cried in agony as I lifted my head just enough to see his broad back retreating, his steps firm, unhesitating. He didn't look back. Not once.

What was I expecting? Why did hope have to build up within me when I least expected it?

Hope– stupid, traitorous hope.

Why did the moon goddess bind him to me, when she knew it would only bring me pain?

The pain intensified, crashing over me in relentless waves. My cries turned hoarse, my vision dimming as the world spun.

This was what it meant to be rejected.

Worthless. Unwanted. Cast aside.

No one bothered to help me. They could only whisper and point at me with not even a single shred of pity. They turned their back against me because I was just an Omega who wasn't worth living.

My strength finally gave out.

As darkness crept into the edges of my sight, I felt myself falling— felt the cold stone beneath my cheek, felt the moonlight fade.

Just before I could finally give in to the darkness overwhelming me, something strange happened.

A sharp, distant cry echoed through the clearing.

Not mine. It was Eryx.

The last thing I saw before unconsciousness claimed me was Eryx staggering, his massive frame swaying as his hand flew to his chest.

Then he fell to the ground.