Rejected By The Moon

A high position of the full moon emitted silver illumination across Silver Fang Pack's meeting terrain while producing disturbing stillness between the shadows. The atmosphere felt heavy with tension while pine and damp earth scents mixed with strong excitement from the crowd surrounding the grounds. Selena should have enjoyed the most joyful moment of her existence through the mating ceremony but instead, it became a nightmare. The beats of her heart increased while she stayed among wolves whose mates remained unpaired as her fingers moved the fabric of her cloak. Young wolves shared their hopes and predictions through excited whispers among the crowd surrounding her. During the sacred Moon Ceremony, the goddess would disclose the predestined partners of her followers. A deep intake of breath helped Selena regain control of herself. She identified as a healer through the Moon Goddess sent her a divine purpose rather than commanding her to be dominant or fight for dominance. The Moon Goddess intended for her for a grand destiny that surpassed her status as an underestimated healer. Then, the winds shifted. A powerful scent hit her like a tidal wave—dark pinewood, crisp autumn air, and something unmistakably *him.* At that moment Selena’s wolf began to stir while letting out a soft whine marking his recognition and almost stopping her breathing. Her mate was here. Alpha Kael made his entrance into the clearing. The instant he made eye contact with her everything else vanished from her sight. His eyes presented a powerful darkness that fixed itself on her as he looked. An unbreakable destiny linked them through the mate bond and its power wrapped tightly around her being. She melted into shock when a single word left her lips unintentionally. “Mate.” The pack members became silent after her declaration. The wolves shared audible waves of shock while raising their attention toward the pair. Selena felt her heart racing while her inner wolf celebrated their victory. She had found her destiny which also revealed her purpose and her “I reject you.” The words flowed through the night air with the piercing impact of a knife that had no compassion. Selena blinked. Surely, she had misheard. His face showed a cold expression while his large frame remained motionless with tension. The Silver Fang pack Alpha declares his rejection of Selena for their mate relationship. The world tilted. A thick terror gripped her when her body refused to breathe. A crushing force hit her chest and the mate bond convulsed like it had been hit. Different voices all around them exchanged surprised and disbelieving words. The words sent a final judgment toward her. A pain worse than anything she had experienced until then burned through her being without mercy to leave her shattered inside. Rejecting her felt like fire while fingers of pain ripped apart what only started to develop between them. Her legs were weakened enough for Selena to stumble backward as she tried to maintain her balance. She scanned his face to discover any hint that this decision was wrong. His face revealed an expression of stone as his eyes remained steel-like. The pack watched in silence. No one spoke. No one intervened. Tears blurred her vision. The worth of who I am must be determined by myself, not by others. The strength she hid beneath her trembling voice became visible. The Moon Goddess decided to grant me in your favor. A malicious expression formed on Kael's lips. During that time the Moon Goddess briefly misjudged her choices. Selena’s breath shattered. Love along with a loving partner and a home where she could belong were the dreams that she had cherished. An awareness of reality struck her when she faced Kael in such a broken state. She had no place here. The awareness penetrated her entire body. She raised her head in slow motion which brought her excruciating pain. I choose to reject your proposal as well Alpha Kael. From his eyes passed a rapid mixture of emotions that seemed like anger coupled with regrets and distress. She lost sight of it before knowing its meaning. The boy did not catch her expression as she collapsed emotionally. Without listening to orders Selena made her departure and ignored the wolf pack gossip directed at her. She chose to depart from both the pack and everything she knew before leaving behind the mate who refused her. She vanished without knowing if she could ever come back to her previous existence.