MARKED BY VENGEANCE

The Night Everything Broke The music was loud enough to shake the walls of the Alpha House, but Audrey barely noticed it. Her heart was beating too fast for her to hear anything else. Tonight was the Blood Moon Celebration — the night unmated wolves often discovered their fated partners. The entire pack had gathered inside the massive hall, laughing, drinking, and dancing beneath silver decorations that glowed under the moonlight pouring through the tall windows. Audrey stood near the corner of the room, nervously smoothing down her dark blue dress. She hated crowded places like this. Everyone always seemed so confident while she felt invisible. “Stop looking like you want the ground to swallow you,” her best friend, Becka, whispered beside her with a grin. “You actually look beautiful tonight.” Audrey let out a small laugh. “Beautiful enough for no one to notice me.” “That’s not true.” “It is.” Becka rolled her eyes dramatically. “One day, Audrey, someone’s going to look at you like you’re the only girl in the world.” Audrey smiled weakly, though she didn’t believe it. She was the orphan girl of the Crescent Moon Pack. No important bloodline. No powerful parents. No special abilities. Most pack members treated her like she didn’t exist. Especially Alpha Nathan Blackwood. Just thinking his name made her stomach tighten. Every girl in the pack admired Nathan. He was strong, fearless, and dangerously handsome with dark hair and sharp gray eyes that always looked cold. Future Alpha. Pack protector. The man every woman dreamed of having. Including Audrey. Not that she would ever admit it aloud. Nathan barely acknowledged her existence unless he was ordering someone around during training sessions. To him, she was just another weak pack member. Suddenly the hall doors opened. The room instantly quieted. Nathan walked in with his Beta beside him, his black shirt stretched across his broad shoulders as confidence radiated from him effortlessly. People moved aside without him even asking. Becka elbowed Audrey softly. “Speak of the devil.” Audrey immediately looked away. “Don’t start.” But it was too late. The moment Nathan stepped further into the hall, something strange happened. A powerful warmth slammed into Audrey’s chest. Her breath caught. The air around her seemed to disappear completely. No… Her wolf stirred wildly inside her. Mate. Audrey froze. Across the room, Nathan suddenly stopped walking. For the first time ever, his cold gray eyes locked directly onto hers. The entire room went silent. Audrey’s heart pounded so hard it hurt. Oh Moon Goddess… Nathan’s expression changed from confusion to shock. He could feel it too. Mate. Becka gasped quietly beside her. “Audrey…” People began whispering immediately. “The Alpha’s mate?” “Her?” “No way.” Audrey’s hands trembled as Nathan slowly walked toward her. Every step made the mate bond stronger. She could barely breathe. This was impossible. The Moon Goddess had chosen her? Nathan stopped directly in front of her. The entire hall watched them carefully. For one brief second, Audrey imagined something impossible. Maybe this was the beginning of her happy ending. Maybe Nathan would smile. Maybe he would touch her hand gently. Maybe— Nathan’s face hardened. The warmth in his eyes vanished instantly. “No.” The single word sliced through her chest. Audrey blinked. “W-what?” “I refuse this bond,” Nathan said coldly. The room erupted into shocked murmurs. Audrey stared at him, unable to process his words. Her wolf whimpered painfully inside her. Nathan’s jaw tightened as he looked at her with open disappointment. “You cannot seriously expect me to accept you as my mate.” Every word felt like a knife. “Nathan…” Audrey whispered weakly. “You’re weak,” he continued mercilessly. “You have no status, no strength, and no place beside an Alpha.” Tears burned Audrey’s eyes. People were staring at her with pity now. Some looked amused. Humiliated heat crawled up her neck. “I didn’t choose this,” she whispered. “But I can,” Nathan replied. Then, in front of the entire pack, he said the words that shattered her completely. “I, Nathan Blackwood, reject Audrey Hale as my mate.” Pain exploded through Audrey’s body instantly. A cry escaped her lips as she collapsed to the floor, clutching her chest. Her wolf howled in agony. The mate bond snapped violently. The hall remained silent except for Audrey’s broken breathing. Nathan didn’t move to help her. Didn’t even look sorry. Becka rushed beside her immediately. “Audrey!” Tears streamed down Audrey’s face uncontrollably. She had never felt pain like this before. Not physical pain. Something worse. Like her soul had been ripped apart. The whispers around the room became louder. “She got rejected…” “That’s embarrassing.” “I almost feel bad for her.” Almost. Nathan turned away coldly, as if nothing important had happened. That hurt most of all. Audrey slowly lifted her tear-filled eyes toward him. For the first time in her life, something dark sparked inside her chest. Not sadness. Not heartbreak. Hatred. Pure hatred. And in that moment, Audrey silently made herself a promise. One day, they would regret destroying her.