Rejected By The Moon

CHAPTER 2

Through the thick forest Selena stumbled while trees concealed her body entirely since she aimed to create maximum distance from the Silver Fang Pack. Each step into the future became an arduous battle to sever the emotional connections between her heart and Kael despite her continued rejection pain which felt like an open raw wound.

The cold night air sliding across her flesh barely scratched her because her heart felt more empty than anything else right now. Hearing accounts of mate rejections before did not shield her from the brutal agony she experienced when her designated mate acted as though she was worthless and discarded her in a heartless manner.

At the bank of a quiet stream she became too exhausted to stand which led to her collapse. She fell to her knees on the grassy wet surface while breathing hard under the heavy burden that swamped her.

Kael claimed she lacked enough strength to mate because of her insufficient abilities.

Regardless of their physical difference she had allowed the sharp words of Kael to cut into the core of her being.

Too weak.

His observation reduced her value to her role as a healer. Had all her pack service including healing warriors and fixing wounds and eliminating pain left her in his perception as a weak healer?

The force of Selena pressing her fists together left crescent shapes from her nails in her skin. Kindness and healing held strength in her eyes although power and dominance never held any interest to her. She could not determine what beliefs she should hold onto anymore.

A rustling sound snapped her out of her thoughts.

Her heart lurched.

She wasn’t alone.

Selena jumped to a standing position whilst her senses became acute. A deep stillness enveloped the forest because something or someone watched the area.

Watching.

The question reached her lips under forced steadiness but her voice betrayed the fear she felt inside.

Silence.

Then— A dim figure appeared from between the shadows.

A woman appeared with her reddish-brown hair and intense green eyes. The woman appeared tall and thin while sporting dark and weathered leather clothing with her posture both relaxed and vigilant.

Selena didn’t recognize her.

The woman looked toward Selena while saying “Wandering alone puts you at risk” before tilting her head. “Especially after what just happened.”

Selena stiffened. “You were there?”

The woman shrugged. Everyone present witnessed the scene since the entire pack gathered to watch.

Shame curled in Selena’s gut. Selena held her ground to face Evelyn directly while unwilling to fall apart for the second time. “Who are you?”

The smile on her face failed to reach the area around her eyes. “Evelyn.”

Selena’s breath caught. She had experienced that name in the past. A rogue. The warrior returned to a pack yet specifically selected voluntary departure from their ranks.

“What do you want?” Selena asked warily.

Evelyn stared at her for a brief while then let her breath out. “To help.”

Selena frowned. “Why?”

Evelyn explained her knowledge came from personal experience of abandonment. “At present you remain in dangerous circumstances whether you accept it or not.”

A cold sensation spread throughout Selena’s body.“What do you mean?”

Evelyn glanced rapidly behind her without turning her body while looking for potential dangers. “Kael’s rejection was public. Humiliation forms only a small part of what happens when you are discarded. It means vulnerability. Those people who find unclaimed mates consider it an attractive opportunity.

Selena swallowed hard. She hadn’t thought about that. She would be defenseless against wolves without Kael because she remained a unique lone wolf.

Easy prey.

The words seemed weak as she said them but she insisted "I am able to take care of myself.".

Evelyn studied her with a definite understanding in her expression. The upcoming threats around you remain an absolute mystery to you.

Selena’s throat tightened. “What is coming for me?”

Evelyn hesitated, then sighed. “Lucien.”

The enigmatic name gave Selena a sudden chill in her spine.

Kael’s estranged brother.

Kael’s former brother stepped into leadership of the pack through violent actions but the pack sentenced him to banishment.

The one who wanted revenge.

Selena managed to speak barely louder than a breath. “Why would he be after me?”

Evelyn crossed her arms. “Because you’re Kael’s rejected mate. That makes you valuable. Lucien will use you to make Kael break if he fails to break him by force.

Selena’s pulse pounded. The situation had an evil sort of logic behind it. Knowing about her and the unresolved mate bond between Kael and her would allow Lucien to exploit the connection.

She had to get far away.

Selena filled her lungs with air to control the threatening panic inside. “Where can I go?”

A brief survey of Selena followed before Evelyn accepted the request. “There’s a place. The settlement serves as a neutral area between human dwellers and wolf occupants without conflict. The territory stands at peace since neither wolf pack seeks authority over the region. You’ll be safe there.”

Neutral Ground Village.

People had previously spoken about this place in passing to Selena. Cared for wolves without packs as they could seek sanctuary in this specific location.

It was her only choice.

Evelyn promised to guide Selena to the place. “But we have to move now. When Lucien becomes aware of your existence he will take no time before starting his pursuit.

Selena hesitated. This was happening too fast. She spent only several hours before at her pack where she stood anticipating to encounter her destined mate. The news came to her as she was instructed to escape instantly.

But what choice did she have?

Nodding, she straightened her spine. “Lead the way.”

Evelyn’s lips quirked in approval. “Good. Try to keep up.”

Evelyn began running toward the woods after she gave a quick turn around.

Selena began a new pathway which led her away from the singular lifestyle she had always experienced.

However, she was not escaping her previous experiences alone.

Running toward the future was her direction.

Something unknown.

She was unaware about what lay beyond her current circumstances.