MOONBORN REJECTED BRIDE

The bell rang before the sun rose and I opened my eyes and stared at the wooden ceiling. The air was cold and my thin blanket smelt of soap and dust. I sat up slowly. The other omegas were already gone and their beds were empty. “Late again,” Mira said from the door, she was holding a tray of bread and her brown hair was messy, and her apron was stained with flour. “I didn’t hear the bell,” I mumbled and pushed my hair back. She rolled her eyes. “You never hear anything. Hurry before Head Omega comes. She will pour the mop water on you again.” I smiled weakly. “I’m used to it.” “No one should be used to it,” she said softly, but I just stood and grabbed my torn dress from the chair. We walked out together, and our steps echoed on the stone floor. The mansion looked quiet from here and the Alpha family still slept upstairs. The omegas moved fast around the kitchen, cleaning, boiling water, and slicing bread and the smell of roasted meat filled the air. “Lyra, take these sheets to the backyard,” Head Omega ordered sharply. She didn’t even look at me. “Yes, ma’am.” I carried the wet sheets outside and the morning sun burned weakly through the fog, my fingers were cold and red, but I kept working. Two young omegas laughed behind me. “She still acts like she’s special,” one whispered. “She was born without a wolf. What’s special about that?” the other answered. Their laughter cut into my chest, but I didn't turn around and I just kept spreading the sheets. Mira came out later and gave me a small bun. “Eat before she catches you again.” I took it. “Thank you.” She leaned closer. “Do you know the Moon Ceremony is tomorrow night?” I nodded, “Everyone is talking about it.” “Maybe you will find your mate,” she said and laughed softly. I shook my head. “No one’s mate is a servant.” “You never know, the Moon chooses.” I looked at the sky and the sun was bright now, but I still saw the pale shape of the Moon and my chest felt heavy. “The Moon doesn’t remember me.” By evening, the mansion glowed with yellow lights and the Alphas were having dinner upstairs. Mira and I moved quietly, carrying dishes and I walked past the open door of the council room. Voices drifted out. It was deep, with proud voices. “The Moon Ceremony must be perfect,” someone said. “Our young Alpha, Kian, must choose a worthy Luna this year.” My heart beat faster, Kian Blackthorn and everyone in the pack feared him. He was strong, cold, and ruthless. I have only seen him from afar, tall, dark eyes, the kind of face that looked carved from stone. Another man laughed. “The Moon will bless him with someone powerful. Maybe the daughter of Alpha Storm.” Their voices faded as I moved on. I should not listen, but my ears stayed open. A sudden sound made me jump, booted behind me. “Why are you standing here?” It was him. Kian. My throat dried “I…I was taking these plates to the kitchen.” His eyes moved over me slowly. “You’re the omega who works in the laundry, right?” “Yes, Alpha.” He stepped closer and the smell of pine and smoke filled my nose, his presence was heavy, like the air itself listened to him. “What’s your name?” “Lyra.” His brows pulled together slightly, as if the name meant something and then his face hardened again. “Don’t stand near council doors again. You don’t belong there.” “Yes, Alpha.” He walked away, his boots loud on the marble floor and my hands shook, one plate slipped and it shattered on the ground. Head Omega rushed out. “Clumsy girl! Do you want to shame us?” “I’m sorry,” I whispered. She slaps the back of my head. “Pick that up!” I knelt quickly, but my eyes moved toward the empty hallway where Kian disappeared and for some reason, I could still feel his scent in the air. My wolf, silent for years, stirs faintly inside me. Just a small whisper. That night, after everyone slept, I sneaked out of the servants’ quarters and the air was cool. The grass was wet beneath my bare feet and I walked toward the small grave behind the forest, my mother’s name was carved there, fainted under the moonlight. I knelt and touched the stone. “Mama, the ceremony is tomorrow,” I whispered. “Maybe the Moon will remember me this time.” The wind moved softly through the trees and somewhere far away, a wolf howled. I closed my eyes and for a moment, I remembered her voice the night she died. She held me close and whispered, “Never show them your wolf.” But I never understood why and I never even met my wolf. Tears rolled down my cheeks. “I wish you were here.” The wind grew stronger and the moonlight felt strange tonight. It glowed brighter than usual, and a faint sound filled my ears, a woman’s voice, soft but clear. “Lyra…” My eyes snapped open and I looked around but there was no one there. “Lyra…” the voice called again, warmer this time, I closed my ear and I fell to my knees, trembling. “Who…who’s there?” The voice sighed, it was full of power. “Child of the Moon… your time has come.” The light spread around me like silver water and my body felt light, almost floating and then darkness. I gasped and woke up on the cold ground and the Moon still shone above me, but the air felt heavy, thick with something I couldn’t name. And from far away, a wolf howled again, but this time, it called my name.