His Forgotten Luna

Chapter 1: The Rejection The Moonfang Pack had never looked more beautiful. Silver lanterns hung from ancient oak trees, their soft glow bathing the pack grounds in moonlight. Music echoed through the clearing as wolves laughed, danced, and celebrated beneath the full moon. Tonight was the Night of the Moon Bond—the night when fated mates would finally claim one another. For Ariana Nightshade, it was the happiest night of her life. She stood outside the Alpha’s Hall, smoothing the folds of her silver dress. Her long black hair flowed down her back, and her sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with excitement. Her wolf purred happily inside her. “Tonight… we’ll finally be together.” Ariana smiled. “I know.” Ever since she was a little girl, she had dreamed of this moment. Not because she wanted to become Luna… But because her fated mate was Alpha Kael Blackwood. The strongest Alpha in the Northern Territories. The man she had loved long before the Moon Goddess revealed they were destined for one another. She took a deep breath and stepped into the grand hall. The celebration came alive. Warriors raised their glasses. Children ran between the tables laughing. The elders smiled proudly. At the center of it all stood Kael. Tall. Broad-shouldered. His black hair fell over his forehead, and his piercing silver eyes commanded respect without him saying a word. Every woman in the pack admired him. But tonight… He belonged to Ariana. At least, that’s what she believed. The pack elder struck his staff against the floor. “Silence!” The music faded. Everyone turned toward the center of the hall. “The Moon Goddess has blessed us with another mating ceremony.” Ariana’s heart raced. “Alpha Kael Blackwood.” “Please step forward.” Kael obeyed without hesitation. “Ariana Nightshade.” Her hands trembled as she walked toward him. She smiled. He didn’t. A strange feeling settled in her chest. Something wasn’t right. The elder looked between them. “Do you, Alpha Kael Blackwood, accept Ariana Nightshade as your fated mate and future Luna?” The entire hall held its breath. Kael stared at Ariana. His expression remained unreadable. Several long seconds passed. Then… “I don’t.” Silence. The words echoed through the hall like thunder. Ariana blinked. She couldn’t have heard him correctly. “What…?” Kael’s silver eyes met hers. Cold. Emotionless. “I reject Ariana Nightshade as my mate.” Gasps filled the hall. The elder’s staff slipped from his hands. The musicians froze. Even the wind outside seemed to stop. Ariana felt her heart shatter. “No…” Her voice was barely a whisper. “You don’t mean that.” Kael didn’t move. “I, Alpha Kael Blackwood, reject Ariana Nightshade before the Moon Goddess and before this entire pack.” Pain exploded through Ariana’s chest. She stumbled backward. Her wolf screamed inside her. “Why…?” Tears filled Ariana’s eyes. “Kael…” “What did I do wrong?” For one brief moment… Something flickered in his eyes. Pain. Regret. Then it vanished. “You are too weak to stand beside me.” His words cut deeper than any blade. “I need a Luna who can protect this pack.” “Not someone who needs protecting.” Whispers spread through the crowd. “I knew she wasn’t worthy.” “The Alpha deserves someone stronger.” “What a disgrace…” Each word felt like another knife. Ariana looked around desperately. No one came to her side. No one defended her. Even those she had grown up with lowered their eyes. She was alone. Her wolf whimpered. “He lied…” Ariana clutched her chest as the mate bond began to tear apart. The pain was unbearable. She looked back at Kael one last time. “If… if this is truly what you want…” Her voice broke. “…then I accept your rejection.” The bond snapped. A wave of agony crashed through them both. Kael’s jaw clenched, but he never cried out. Ariana did. A heart-wrenching scream echoed across the hall before she turned and ran. She didn’t stop. She ignored the voices calling after her. Ignored the tears blurring her vision. Ignored the branches scratching her skin as she fled deep into the forbidden forest. The moonlight disappeared behind dark clouds. The forest grew unnaturally silent. Then… A low growl echoed from the darkness. Ariana froze. Two glowing crimson eyes appeared between the trees. Then another. And another. They weren’t ordinary wolves. Their bodies were covered in black mist. Their eyes burned like blood. Ariana stepped back, her heart pounding. “What… are you?” The creatures slowly emerged from the shadows, surrounding her. Her wolf trembled. “Run!” Before Ariana could move, one of the creatures lunged. Its claws slashed across her shoulder. She cried out and fell to the ground. Blood stained the forest floor. The creatures circled closer. Ariana’s vision blurred. The last thing she saw was a towering figure wrapped in a dark cloak leaping from the trees, his sword blazing with silver light as he charged toward the beasts. Then… Everything went black.