The Alpha Who Wronged Me

The pack hall was full. Every member of the Blackwood Pack stood in a wide circle, watching the ceremony that should have been the happiest moment of Ava Hayes’ life. Instead, it felt like a funeral. Ava’s fingers trembled slightly as she stood before the most powerful man in the entire territory. Alpha Kael Blackwood. Tall. Cold. Untouchable. And the man fate had cruelly decided was her mate. Her wolf stirred excitedly beneath her skin, sensing the bond between them. The sacred mate bond that only appeared once in a lifetime. But Kael’s expression remained dark and unreadable. His sharp blue eyes stared at her like she was a stranger. Or worse. Like she was something he despised. Ava swallowed nervously. “Alpha…” she whispered softly. The entire room went silent. Even the air felt heavy. Then Kael spoke. His voice was deep, powerful… and completely merciless. “I, Alpha Kael Blackwood… reject you as my mate.” Ava’s world shattered. Gasps filled the room. The pain hit her instantly, like someone had stabbed straight through her chest and ripped her heart out. Her wolf howled in agony. “N-no…” Ava shook her head, tears instantly filling her eyes. “Kael, please… why?” She had loved him since childhood. Since the day they discovered they were destined mates. He was supposed to protect her. Stand beside her. Choose her. But Kael looked at her with nothing but disgust. “You betrayed this pack,” he said coldly. Ava’s heart skipped. “What?” she whispered in shock. Murmurs spread through the crowd. “Betrayed?” “I knew something was wrong with her.” “Disgusting.” Ava felt dozens of judging eyes burning into her skin. “I didn’t betray anyone!” she cried desperately. “I would never hurt the pack!” Kael’s jaw tightened. But his eyes remained icy. “You were seen near the border the night our enemies attacked.” Ava froze. That night… She had only gone to gather herbs in the forest. She never saw any enemies. “You think I betrayed the pack because I went to the forest?” she asked in disbelief. But Kael didn’t answer. Instead, he raised his voice for the entire pack to hear. “From this moment forward, Ava Hayes is no longer a member of the Blackwood Pack.” The words felt heavier than death. Her knees almost gave out. “You are banished.” Silence fell. Complete. Merciless. A single tear slid down Ava’s cheek. She looked at the man she once loved with her entire soul. The man who was now destroying her life without hesitation. “One day,” she said quietly, her voice trembling but determined. “You will regret this.” Kael didn’t react. Not even slightly. “Leave,” he ordered. And just like that… Ava Hayes lost her mate. Her pack. And the only home she had ever known. But what the Alpha didn’t know… Was that he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.