Chapter 2

Everyone in the room locked their eyes on us like we were something special. I was filled with mixed emotions, not knowing what to do. My best friend and I are competing for a mate, the highest joke of the century. 

I didn't know what to believe and to my surprise, she wasn't giving me that Kelly vibes any more. Her eyes glittered with hope and hatred, what a funny thing to see. I knew I wasn't going to be chosen but I needed to be there for her when she got chosen, after all a friend to Luna is also Luna.

I barely registered the blinding blue light above me as my mind reeled from Mike’s words. It felt surreal—like I was trapped in a nightmare. The light didn’t bring comfort, it only highlighted how truly alone I was in that moment. I bolted up in joy, unconsciously hugging Kelly. 

It seemed pretty ridiculous but it was worth the wait. I looked at my best friend and a wave of fright coursed through me, she wasn't looking all happy and jovial anymore, she was full of bad energy and lingering eyes. I could feel her offloading dozens of rage aura and she could wolf out if I moved any nearer. 

"Rachael, you have been chosen by the moon goddess to become the Luna of the Crimson Moon Pack thereby becoming the Alpha's Mate," Sari said, hitting his bong staff on the floor. 

It had been decided and I was to go up to meet my Ten years crush, the Alpha of my pack and the emotionless bastard every girl would die for. I walked up to him, with confidence and a deep smile which I had been practising for this very moment. 

I stood before him, holding my breath, waiting for him to mark me. But instead, Mike’s gaze was icy. A moment of silence passed between us, and then—without warning—he shoved me off the stage. The sting of his touch was nothing compared to the sting in my heart. The floor felt like it had opened up beneath me.

His voice cut through the room like a cold blade, each of the words filled with venom

"I Reject Rachael Snyder as my Mate. She is just an outcast who no one wants, so why should I be the one to be mated to such an unfortunate being.", Mike growled, stepping off the stage to meet the gaze of everyone present. 

"Don't be fooled by the name sir. She is an original, that's what the moon goddess told me.", Sari urged him to revoke his sentence but he didn't care any more about it. 

"Original? She can't wolf out. She can barely even lift her weight, and talk less of saving anyone in trouble. She's just a weakling, a useless being in our midst", Mike added as he moved closer to Kelly who seemed to be pissed. 

"Sir….", Kelly said with a pleased look on her face. I could see it in her eyes, she wanted him so badly. What a way to be betrayed by the one person you called your best friend.

"Mike Freeman, the Fiftieth Alpha of the Crimson moon pack, takes an oath right here and now. I will make sure no harm is done to anyone in the pack and to achieve that I have chosen Kelly Vixen to be my Mate and also the Luna of the Crimson Moon pack. I don't care which rule or law I break to make this happen, I just want her and not the lady on the floor", Mike growled as he took Kelly aggressively by the arm and raised her chin so their gazes could meet. 

I felt bitter as I saw Kelly delve right into his arms, kissing him directly on the lips and exchanging fluid with him. Embarrassment filled me as everyone cheered for them, ignoring the fact that I was still on the floor wailing. 

"I love you, Alpha Mike. This is just what I have been waiting for all my life. I am glad you could tell the difference in our worth, you won't regret having me as your Luna", Kelly whispered under her breath as Mike took her by the Waist. 

"Sir, don't make such a mistake. It will bring forth a calamity to this pack and everyone in it…", Sari cut it short as Mike ignored his words

"The midnight ball will soon begin, let's be prepared for it", Mike yelled with a grin on his face. Kelly kept on smiling as I wailed on the ground. It became crystal clear that she didn't care if I was to die the next minute, she was truly a green snake under the green grass.  

"You can feel the bond between us and you're resisting. Do you know how that makes me feel?", I asked as I stood up, tears streaming down my cheeks. I didn't care if he was the Alpha of the pack. He was going to get what he deserved. 

"Shut the hell up, Rachael. You were never meant for him, we both know that. He was meant for me and nothing you ever say will be good enough as an explanation. You are an outcast and forever you will be one", Kelly let out feeling all high and mighty all of a sudden. 

My face tightened as she spoke. Melancholy and rage were beginning to whine up in my system. Tears clouded my eyes in a bid to reach out to who I called my best friend.

"I will show you all that I am an original and not the outcast you all see me as. I am a pure original and nothing you say can change that", I pushed forward trying to separate the both of them. 

Mike saw me coming and that's when he did it. He turned her head to the side. Gracing her neck and the next moment biting hard on her neck, marking her as his mate. Her moan was crazy giving and all the men shuddered at her tone. 

Tears cascaded down my eyes as Kelly's moan grew louder and abruptly softer. I wanted to rip her throat apart but there was nothing I could do in my human form. 

"As from this moment onwards Rachael Snyder is no longer a member of the pack. She is banished, never to step foot into this pack again". Mike growled as the guards hurriedly seized me. It suddenly felt like my heart had been pierced by something sharper than the tip of an arrow. 

They took me out of the pack’s territory, not letting me take any of my properties along with me.  

They dragged me to the edge of a cliff, my feet slipping against the loose gravel. My breath caught in my throat, a cold dread creeping down my spine. I knew what was about to happen, but I couldn't bring myself to believe it. No—this couldn't be the end. Not like this.

I was to be killed with no traces and there was no going back from it. 

I tried to move, my legs trembling beneath me, but they shoved me again. My feet slipped on the rocks, and suddenly, I was falling—weightless, lost in the abyss. Time seemed to slow, my breath caught in my throat as the world tilted, and for a brief, terrifying moment, I thought I might never breathe again."

"Will this be the end of me?".