Chapter 1: The Rejection
The ballroom sparkled under a thousand chandeliers, yet Ariana felt colder than ever. Dressed in silver silk, her beauty turned heads—but none of them belonged to the one she longed for.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Alpha Kael, the soon-to-be ruler of the Crescent Moon Pack. Tall, powerful, and devastatingly handsome—he was her fated mate. She knew it the moment their eyes met weeks ago. But he hadn't claimed her. Not yet.
Tonight was the night of the Blood Moon Festival—sacred, magical, and meant for bonding mates. Ariana clutched her pendant tightly, the same one her late mother had worn on her claiming night. Her heart pounded as Kael approached.
"Ariana," he said coolly, his voice void of warmth.
She looked up, trying to smile, but the tremble in her lips betrayed her.
"I've waited long enough, Kael. You feel it, don't you? The bond?"
Kael's jaw tightened. Around them, whispers swirled. A few pack members paused, watching the exchange.
He stepped closer, his voice now a low growl. "I reject you, Ariana. You are not worthy of being my Luna."
The words hit her like a dagger. Her chest tightened, breath catching. Her wolf whimpered within, clawing in confusion.
"You... what?" she managed to whisper.
Kael's eyes were cold. "You're weak. You're the daughter of a disgraced beta. Your place is not beside an Alpha. I'll take someone stronger, someone worthy."
Pain surged through her. The bond they shared cracked like shattered glass. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall—not here.
"You'll regret this," she said softly, her voice steadying. "One day, when your strength crumbles, you'll wish you hadn't let go of mine."
She turned and walked away, leaving behind gasps and stunned silence.
But none of them knew—this rejection wasn't her end.
It was just the beginning.