Chapter 2
1027 Words
The Public Rejection
The celebration continued long after Selene disappeared into the forest.
Music echoed through the clearing as pack members raised their glasses to their Alpha. Laughter filled the night, but Kingston felt none of the joy everyone expected him to feel.
He stood beside Vanessa, his expression unreadable.
"You did the right thing," Vanessa said, slipping her hand into his. "The pack deserves a strong Luna, not a wolf-less burden."
Kingston remained silent.
His Beta, Ethan, approached cautiously.
"Alpha, may I speak with you?"
Kingston nodded, and the two men walked a short distance away from the celebration.
Ethan lowered his voice.
"Are you certain about tonight?"
"I've already made my decision."
"You rejected your fated mate before the entire pack."
Kingston's jaw tightened.
"A Luna without a wolf cannot rule beside me."
"Is that what you truly believe?"
Kingston shot him a warning glance.
"The elders have questioned my leadership for months. Neighboring packs are growing stronger, and rogues have been spotted near our borders. I need a Luna who can fight, lead warriors, and protect our people."
"Selene has never failed this pack," Ethan replied quietly.
Kingston looked away.
"Kindness isn't enough."
Ethan sighed.
"You know she loved you."
For the first time that night, guilt flashed across Kingston's face.
"I know."
"And you?"
Kingston didn't answer.
Instead, he watched the dark forest where Selene had disappeared.
A strange ache settled in his chest.
He ignored it.
"The Moon Goddess will understand," he muttered.
Ethan frowned but said nothing more.
...
Back at the ceremony, the Moon Priestess stood before the sacred altar, her hands trembling.
She had served the Moon Goddess for over forty years.
Never—not once—had she witnessed an Alpha reject his destined mate without consequence.
The sacred flame flickered violently.
A cold wind swept across the clearing.
Clouds drifted over the full moon.
The celebration slowly quieted.
One of the elders looked toward the altar.
"Priestess... what's happening?"
She closed her eyes.
"I don't know."
Suddenly—
Crack!
The Moon Crystal resting upon the altar split down the middle.
A deafening gasp spread through the crowd.
The Priestess staggered backward.
"This... this is impossible."
Kingston strode toward her.
"What does it mean?"
Her pale eyes met his.
"You have angered the Moon Goddess."
Silence fell.
"The bond may be broken..."
She paused, her voice barely above a whisper.
"...but destiny has not finished with either of you."
Kingston felt an uneasy chill crawl down his spine.
He looked once more toward the forest.
For reasons he couldn't explain, he suddenly wished he had followed Selene instead of letting her walk away alone.
Little did he know...
Far beyond the Crescent Moon Pack's borders...
A pair of ancient golden eyes had already claimed the woman he rejected.
Kingston dismissed the celebration before midnight.
The pack members left in uneasy silence, whispering among themselves about the Moon Crystal that had cracked before their eyes.
He walked alone toward the Alpha House.
Vanessa hurried after him.
"Kingston."
He stopped but didn't turn around.
"We should be celebrating," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. "Tonight was supposed to be the beginning of our future."
Kingston gently removed her hands.
"I'm tired."
A flicker of annoyance crossed Vanessa's face before she forced another smile.
"You've made the right decision. The pack will thank you one day."
Without waiting for an answer, she kissed his cheek and walked away.
Kingston watched her disappear into the darkness.
Why didn't he feel relieved?
Instead, his thoughts kept drifting back to Selene.
He remembered the little girl who used to follow him everywhere.
The girl who secretly left herbs outside injured warriors' homes.
The girl who stayed awake all night nursing sick pups while everyone else slept.
She had never asked for praise.
She had only wanted to belong.
Kingston closed his eyes.
For a brief moment, he almost heard her voice calling his name.
Suddenly—
His wolf growled.
"Find her."
Kingston stiffened.
His wolf had never spoken with such urgency.
"She is our mate."
"I rejected her."
"That doesn't change the bond."
"I did what was necessary."
His wolf snarled furiously.
"You chose power over your mate."
Kingston clenched his fists.
"I chose the pack."
His wolf fell silent.
But the emptiness inside him only grew.
---
Meanwhile...
Miles away from the Alpha House...
Selene wandered through the ancient forest beneath the silver moon.
She didn't know where she was going.
She only knew she could never return.
The cold wind stung her skin, but she welcomed the pain.
It distracted her from the ache in her heart.
At dawn, exhaustion finally overtook her.
She collapsed beside a crystal-clear stream.
The moment her eyes closed...
A brilliant silver light surrounded her body.
Strange symbols appeared beneath her feet.
The air trembled with ancient power.
Deep within the hidden Lycan Kingdom...
An enormous golden crystal burst into radiant light.
Every royal guard dropped to one knee.
The palace shook.
The elderly royal advisor stared at the glowing crystal in disbelief.
"It has awakened..."
The massive throne room doors swung open.
Heavy footsteps echoed across the marble floor.
The Lycan King entered.
Tall.
Powerful.
Dressed in a black-and-gold royal cloak.
His golden eyes fixed on the glowing crystal.
"What happened?"
The royal advisor bowed.
"Your Majesty..."
"The Moon Queen's bloodline has awakened."
The Lycan King's expression hardened.
"For centuries, we've searched for her."
He stepped closer to the crystal.
Inside its glowing surface appeared the image of a young woman sleeping beside a forest stream.
Silver-blonde hair.
Violet eyes, though closed in sleep.
A glowing crescent-shaped mark slowly appeared on her wrist.
The Lycan King's heartbeat quickened.
"So..."
A faint smile crossed his lips.
"I've finally found you."
He turned to his commander.
"Prepare my horse."
The commander bowed.
"We leave immediately, Your Majesty?"
"No."
The Lycan King's golden eyes never left Selene's image.
"We ride before sunrise."
Far away, unaware that the most powerful ruler in the werewolf world was coming for her, Selene slept peacefully for the first time in years.
Fate had already begun to rewrite her story.
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