ARIELLA’S DIVINE WILL

1

Ariella’s POV

Today was my birthday. I had just turned eighteen, but instead of excitement, I felt heavy inside. It was also the day of Alpha Dexter’s engagement party, and everyone in the Daylight Moon Pack buzzed about it. I sat on the edge of my bed, looking at the floor and I couldn't shake off a weird feeling that today was going to be a big day for me.

“Yea right, leave it to me to make turning eighteen some cosmic event.” I smirked at my own reflection.

“Ariella! Are you ready yet?” Alicia, my best friend, called from outside my door.

“Just a minute!” I replied, quickly slipping into my dress. It was a pale blue that hugged my figure. I stared at my reflection. I looked… okay, I guess. Alicia said it had looked ethereal on me.

The moment I stepped outside, Alicia's face lit up. "You look amazing! Come on, we have to get to the party!"

I tried to smile. “Thanks. I hope it’s not as boring as last year.”

“It won’t be! This is Alpha Dexter’s engagement! There will be dancing, food, and all sorts of fun. And I heard his fiancée is stunning,” she said, practically bouncing. Sheesh! Someone was way excited than I was.

We walked down the hall, and I felt nervous. Everyone had someone to celebrate with. I was just me. The Alpha and his family had taken care of me right from when I was little and I was thankful that I even had a party to celebrate my birthday.

When we entered the grand hall, it was decorated with lights and banners. Laughter filled the air. I watched Dexter by the stage, looking sharp in a suit. Beside him stood Lydia, his fiancée, who looked perfect. I smiled widely at them and waved.

“Look at him,” Alicia whispered. “Isn’t he perfect?”

“Yeah, perfect,” I mumbled, feeling small.

Alicia frowned. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “Let’s enjoy the party.”

As the night went on, I tried to join in the fun. I danced with Alicia and our friends, but I still felt out of place. I watched Dexter and Lydia, and it made my stomach twist.

Then, Dexter took the stage, looking confident. “Thank you all for being here tonight,” he said. “I am lucky to have found my mate in Lydia.”

Cheers erupted, and I felt my heart drop. I didn’t even know if I had a mate or if I was missing out on something great.

“I wish I could have that too,” I said to Alicia, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Don’t worry! You’re amazing. You’ll find someone,” she said, giving me a reassuring smile.

“Maybe,” I replied, not convinced.

The party continued, and I tried to smile and laugh, but I felt restless. As the music played, a strange feeling washed over me. It was like energy flowing through me, a clawing at my chest.

“Ariella?” Alicia asked, noticing my distraction. “You good?”

“I—” I started, but before I could finish, the energy became stronger. It felt like something was awakening inside me.

Suddenly, everything clicked. It was my eighteenth birthday! My wolf was supposed to appear today.

I stumbled away from the crowd, my heart racing. I stared into the mirror in the corner, and my eyes glowed with a soft green color. Contrast to my usual brown eyes. . “Wow,” I breathed. “This is incredible!”

But then I turned back to the main area and saw Dexter laughing with Lydia. My wolf immediately called out.

“Mate.”

In that moment, Dexter stared at me as well and I knew quite well he could feel the bond.

I walked even closer to him but he backed away and held Lydia even closer to him and as if in a bid to scare me off, he climbed to the stage and called everyone's attention.

“Everyone! I'd like to announce to you all that in a month, Lydia and I would be taking our vows. I have found the true love of my life and nothing can come in between us.”

The words “ nothing can come in between us” rang in my head and I knew what that was. It was a clear rejection. Dexter smirked at me as everyone else congratulated him and I felt an overwhelming pain wash over me.

“No,” I whispered. How could he be my mate and still choose

Alicia came up beside me again. “Ariella, are you okay?”

I shook my head. “I can’t believe this. He knew!” I fought back tears.

Alicia took a step toward me, her bewildered expression growing. “Ariella, wait!”

But I couldn’t handle it. I rushed outside, the night cool against my skin. I kept running until I was far from the party, noise and light.

“Why did you choose her?” I cried to the stars, feeling the tears fall.

“I believe that's a very stupid question for you to even ask.”

I felt the words cut into me as I heard footsteps behind me. It was Dexter. “Ariella! Wait!” he called, his voice cutting through the darkness.

I didn’t stop. I couldn’t; I had to get away. I heard him catch up to me and grab my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

“Let go of me!” I shouted, trying to pull away. My heart hurt too much to look him in the eye.

He ignored my protests. “Ariella, just listen!”

“Listen to what? You chose her! Your mate!” I shouted, my voice cracking. I felt tears threaten to spill again.

“I can’t have you!” Dexter said, his voice sharp. “You’re just an Omega, an orphan with no standing. I can’t settle for someone like you. You’re weak.”

I froze, his words slicing through me like a knife. “Weak? You think I’m weak?” I whispered, disbelief pouring through me. My heart sank deeper.

“Yes! I can’t have someone like you as my mate. I need strength. I need someone who can stand beside me, not someone who needs my protection,” he said coldly.

I swallowed hard, hurt flooding my system. “So, that’s it then? You’re just going to throw me away like I’m nothing?”

“Yes, I am,” he said flatly, and my world shattered even more. “I can’t keep pretending.”

I blinked, trying to process his rejection. “Fine,” I said, choking on my words. “If that’s how you feel, I accept it.”

His expression softened for a brief moment, but then it hardened again. “Ariella… I—”

“Don’t,” I cut him off. “Just don’t say more.”