Rejected By The Moon

CHAPTER 3

Selena sprinted through the forest while cold nighttime air cut into her flesh as her heart fiercely pounded against her chest ribs. The combination of earthy smells with pine fragrances entered her breathing space although she scarcely paid any mind. Her mind was still reeling.

Rejected. Humiliated. She had to abandon all that she had built in her life before today.

And now, hunted.

Evelyn rushed ahead while keeping her movements noiseless when she navigated through the towering forest trees. Selena tried her best to maintain her pace as she increased her effort with every stride. The quickness of her feet stood out from everyone else but she lacked the survival training which warriors in her pack received.

Evelyn turned her head toward Selena after the cracking of dead wood under their feet. “Quieter,” she hissed.

Selena bit her tongue, nodding. The young woman directed her attention toward her breathing while making her steps become as weightless as possible. She continued to experience the faint threads of the mate bond that extended from her to Kael although time and space separated them. The pain ate at her but she dried up all related feelings.

He had rejected her. She owed him nothing.

Evelyn spoke softly while pointing to the destination as her voice nearly vanished.

Selena lacked any understanding of directions yet she refused to fight about it. She needed to find the greatest distance possible from Lucien since his pursuit seemed genuine.

A sloping hill came into view when the trees beside them started to thin while below lay a small valley. Several darkened cottages along with buildings occupied the clearing where smoke drifted peacefully from some roof chimneys.

Evelyn indicated the Neutral Ground Village by saying “The Neutral Ground Village” as she slowed her walk. “No pack owns this land. You’ll be safe here.”

Selena took a moment at the hilltop while her rapid breathing continued. Safe. The word felt foreign.

No home. No pack. No mate.

During one dark night she had become completely lost in the world.

Evelyn led the descent down the hill with Selena conducting herself cautiously behind her. Her vision improved as they continued to approach the village. Both wolf and human people navigated through the streets of the village where some individuals formed small groups and others remained posted on their porches.

As soon as her pack reached the village Selena became aware of every person watching her. Although she felt uncomfortable inside her chest she refrained from looking down with a confident posture.

The man moved forward to greet them with broad shoulders along with gray hair and intense blue eyes. The leader made an imposing appearance while his surrounding environment maintained the characteristic strength of powerful leaders.

Evelyn inclined her head. “Magnus.”

Selena’s eyes widened slightly. Elder Magnus. She had previous knowledge of him from the past—how an Alpha surrendered his title to establish an isolated life beyond pack control. A man of wisdom, but also mystery.

During the observation Magnus kept his face fixed with an expression he was hard to read. “I heard about what happened.”

Selena stiffened. The news spread rapidly and passed through boundaries which marked pack territories. Although feeling exposed and vulnerable she managed to stare directly at him. “Then you know why I’m here.”

He nodded slowly. “Come.”

She accompanied him to a modest wooden house located at the village center. The structure maintained simple designs with quality maintenance that differed greatly from the great halls of the Silver Fang Pack. A warm environment within the house offered fragrances from both burning wood and dried medicinal plants.

Magnus used his hand to indicate the empty chair beside the hard wooden table. Evelyn stayed near the entrance while crossing her arms to watch the room.

Magnus took a seat in an empty chair that faced her as he observed, “You’re fortunate to have arrived when you did.” The spies of Lucien have started searching around the territories controlled by the werewolves. Knowledge of your existence will trigger the start of Lucien's approach towards you.

Selena’s stomach twisted. “Why would he care about me?”

From his relaxed position Magnus watched her with his fingers joined together. “Because Kael cares about you.”

She flinched at the words. “No, he doesn’t.”

Magnus arched an eyebrow. “Are you so sure?”

Anger flared in her chest. “He rejected me. Publicly. He publicly degraded me consisting of everyone present at the pack. She trembled in nervousness before continuing with determination. He openly showed me that I held no value to him.

Magnus studied her carefully. “Then why did he reject you?”

A long moment passed before Selena managed to take in a breath but she remained silent. The question had entered her thoughts one hundred times throughout this ordeal.

Because she was weak? Should a granddaughter of Alpha status not deserve to mate with an Alpha?

Or was there something more?

Magnus sighed. The story has secrets which you remain unaware of Selena. About Kael. About the curse.”

Selena tensed. “The curse?”

Evelyn shifted against the door frame. “So you *do* know something.”

Magnus’s gaze darkened. “Kael was cursed as a child. This curse operates through blood lines as it causes death to touch those whom Kael loves when the moon becomes full.

Selena’s breath caught.

According to Magnus the decision to reject her had come from Kael because he believed this was the method to maintain her survival.

The revelation struck her with complete shock.

Kael… had been protecting her?

No. That didn’t make sense. His expression revealed that she was worthless to him. He had called her weak. Real affection between them would have led him to reveal everything.

The motion of her head contrasted with her clenched fists. “That doesn’t change anything. He still rejected me. The supposed curse exists even if it proves real within this universe. I’m not going back.”

A considerable time passed as Magnus examined her before giving his consent. To survive attacks you will require self-defense skills.

Selena blinked. “What?”

According to Magnus your ability to escape Lucien is limited since he will eventually catch up with you. “You need to be stronger. Fight training is essential since rejection remains unchanged. He still refused you even if the curse exists.

Selena swallowed. She had never been a fighter. She had always provided care to injuries but she never inflicted wounds upon others.

Because of the fifteen year traumas she experienced she stopped being the healer she once was. She wasn’t part of the pack.

She was alone.

To live on she needed to develop beyond her current state.

She held his stare while a tension appeared in her jawline. “Then teach me.”

A gentle smile spread across his face. " That's great”

Evelyn smirked. “This should be interesting.”

Selena took a breath while clearing the pain that remained in her heart. The future was uncertain to

her but she understood one thing firmly.

She pledged to become untouchable from that weakness ever again.