ABANDONED MY FATED MATE

The Silver Moon Pack Hall was brighter than Elena Frost had ever seen it. Torches lined the tall stone walls, their golden flames dancing and casting long shadows across the crowded room. The scent of wolves filled the air strong, warm, and alive. Laughter echoed through the hall as members of the pack gathered together, their excitement impossible to hide. Tonight was the most important night of the year. The Mate Ceremony. The night when wolves discovered the one person fate had chosen for them. Elena stood quietly near the edge of the hall, her fingers nervously gripping the soft fabric of her dark blue dress. Her heart was beating far too fast. Around her, young wolves laughed and whispered to each other, excitement glowing in their eyes. Some were confident, already dreaming about the mates they hoped to find tonight. But Elena wasn’t like them. She had never been the confident one. Her entire life had been spent standing in someone else's shadow. “Elena, you look like you’re about to faint.” The familiar voice made her turn. Sophia Frost walked toward her gracefully, her long blonde hair flowing over her shoulders like silk. She wore a deep red dress that hugged her perfect figure, and as usual, heads turned the moment she entered the room. Sophia was beautiful. Everyone in the pack knew it, Everyone admired her. Elena forced a small smile. “I’m just nervous,” she admitted softly. Sophia chuckled, a sweet musical sound that always seemed just a little too perfect. “Oh, Elena,” she said, lightly brushing imaginary dust off Elena’s shoulder. “You worry too much. Whoever your mate is, I’m sure he will be… acceptable.” There was something strange about the way she said the word acceptable. But before Elena could think about it too much, the loud boom of a staff striking the ground echoed through the hall. The entire room fell silent. All eyes turned toward the raised platform at the front of the hall. The Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack stepped forward, his tall frame commanding instant respect. “Tonight,” he announced, his deep voice filling the hall, “is the night fate reveals the bonds that will guide our future.” Excitement rippled through the crowd. Elena swallowed nervously. Her wolf stirred deep inside her chest. For years she had dreamed about this moment. The moment when she would finally discover where she belonged. When she would finally meet the one person meant only for her. One by one, wolves stepped forward, allowing their senses to guide them through the hall. Sometimes there were gasps of surprise. Sometimes laughter. Sometimes tears. Each time two wolves found their mate, the room filled with cheers and applause. Elena watched quietly, her heart pounding harder with every passing minute. What if her mate didn’t want her? The thought had always lingered in the back of her mind. She wasn’t powerful. She wasn’t beautiful like Sophia. She was just… Elena.Suddenly, her wolf froze. A powerful scent drifted through the air. Warm. Strong. Dominant. Her breath caught in her throat. Her wolf stirred again, restless and alert. Slowly, Elena lifted her eyes and looked across the hall. And then she saw him. Standing near the front of the ceremony was Alpha Damien Blackwood. The future leader of the Silver Moon Pack. Tall. Powerful. Feared and admired by everyone. Even from across the crowded hall, his presence was overwhelming. The moment their eyes met, something inside Elena’s chest exploded with warmth. Her wolf stirred violently. The word echoed through her mind like a whisper carried on the wind. Mate. Elena’s heart stopped. No. This couldn’t be real. Of all the wolves in the pack… of all the people fate could have chosen… It couldn’t be him. But the bond pulsed stronger with every passing second. Her wolf was certain. There was no mistake. Alpha Damien was her mate. Her legs moved before she could stop them. Slowly, nervously, Elena began walking toward him. The sounds of the hall faded around her. All she could hear was the frantic beating of her heart. All she could feel was the invisible thread pulling her closer to him. Damien’s dark eyes were fixed on her now. His expression was unreadable. Shock. Recognition. Something deeper. He felt it too. When Elena finally stopped a few steps in front of him, the bond between them burned like fire beneath her skin. Her hands trembled slightly. “Alpha Damien…” she whispered. But before he could answer A sharp voice cut through the silence. “Well… this is unexpected. Elena turned. Sophia stepped forward slowly, her heels clicking softly against the stone floor. But the sweet smile she wore didn’t reach her eyes. Something cold flickered there. Something dangerous. Her gaze moved between Elena and Damien. Then she laughed softly. “Well,” she said, her voice light but strangely tense, “this should be interesting.” Elena frowned slightly, confused. But before she could ask what Sophia meant Her sister gently slipped an arm around Damien’s. And leaned against him like she belonged there. The entire hall went silent. And suddenly… Elena felt the first c***k forming in her destiny.