Alle Kapitel von Rejected Under the Moon : Kapitel 1 – Kapitel 4

I had been buzzing all day and now it was finally here. A Moon Calling—mates caught in undeniable clarity. How cinematic I dressed simply and added only a pair of earrings and a bracelet, not wanting to be a distraction during a ritual meant for recognition, not display. My brother was still too young to stand in the circle, and my parents who were already mated would watch from the back. I, however, was nineteen. Eligible to find a mate. Nine pm on the dot, we left for the ritual grounds. If all went well, we would return after dawn knowing the name of Celestial Moon’s future Luna. We walked together, my parents lingering at the back, exchanging small shenanigans behind my brother’s and my view. We were used to it; they almost always walked hand in hand. The field smelled wonderful tonight; flowers and herbs laid out with care, thanks to the Shaman and his mate. The ritual wouldn’t begin until nine-thirty pm, but the grounds were already

Banging my head against the pillow, I screamed. She must think I’m lying too. Why does everyone look at me like I'm making it up? I pushed myself up, chest tight, breath uneven. Sitting here wasn’t helping. Crying wasn’t helping either. If no one believed me, I’d figure it out myself. Grabbing my shoes, I headed straight for the pack library. Stupid, defective mate bond. If there was something wrong: anything at all, I would find it. The library was quiet, the familiar scent of old paper and ink wrapping around me. At the front desk, Mr. Jones sat hunched over a thick book. “Mr. Jones,” I said. He looked up slowly, sliding a pencil between pages. “Yes, child?” “I need the catalogue.”“What are you looking for?”“Books on mate bonds,” I whispered.He nodded, handing me the catalogue. “Section 3C. But double-check.” I scanned the page. “They’re at 3C." "Good.”As I handed the catalogue back, it struck me how normal he was acting. No susp