The Alpha's Rejected Heir

The Moon Goddess is cruel. That was the only thought running through my mind as I stood in the corner of the crowded ballroom, clutching the hem of my cheap, faded dress. Today was my eighteenth birthday. It was supposed to be the best day of my life. It was the day I would finally sense my Mate—the soulmate destined for me by fate. "Happy birthday, trash," a sharp voice sneered behind me. I didn't turn around. I knew it was Jessica, the Beta's daughter. She had made my life a living hell ever since my parents died in the Rogue attack ten years ago. Since then, I was demoted to an Omega. I was the pack's servant. I cleaned the floors, cooked the meals, and took the beatings. "Leave me alone, Jessica," I whispered, keeping my head down. "Look at her," Jessica laughed, drawing the attention of the surrounding wolves. "She actually thinks she'll find a mate tonight. Who would want a weak, pathetic Omega like Clara?" I bit my lip, tasting blood. Just ignore her. Just survive tonight. Suddenly, the music stopped. The heavy wooden doors at the top of the grand staircase groaned open. A hush fell over the room. The air grew heavy with power. It was him. Damien Blackwood. The future Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack. He was twenty-one, tall, with broad shoulders and hair as black as midnight. His power rolled off him in waves, making everyone in the room bow their heads in submission. He was terrifying. He was beautiful. And then, it hit me. A scent so powerful it nearly brought me to my knees. It smelled like dark chocolate, fresh rain, and deep pine forests. My wolf, usually dormant and weak, suddenly howled in my mind. MATE! MATE! HE IS OURS! My heart stopped. My eyes widened in horror. No. It couldn't be. Damien Blackwood was the strongest Alpha in the region. I was Clara, the lowest Omega. We were worlds apart. Damien walked down the stairs, his icy blue eyes scanning the crowd. He looked annoyed, bored even. He didn't seem to be looking for anyone. But then, he froze. He sniffed the air. His jaw tightened. His predator’s gaze snapped directly to the corner where I was hiding. He found me. I couldn't move. I was paralyzed by the Mate Bond. My body yearned to run to him, to bare my neck, to let him claim me. Damien marched towards me. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, creating a wide path between the prince and the pauper. Jessica stepped back, looking confused. My heart pounded against my ribs like a trapped bird. Maybe... maybe he won't care about my rank? Maybe the bond is strong enough? He stopped right in front of me. He towered over me, his shadow consuming my small frame. Up close, his eyes were mesmerizing, but they held no warmth. "Damien..." I breathed, my voice trembling. I reached out a shaking hand, instinctively wanting to touch him. Smack! He slapped my hand away. The sound echoed through the silent hall. A collective gasp went through the crowd. My hand stung, but my heart shattered into a million pieces. Damien looked at me not with love, but with pure, unadulterated disgust. He looked at me like I was something dirty he had stepped in. "You," he spat the word like a curse. "You are my mate?" "Yes, Alpha," I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes. "I am Clara." He laughed. It was a cold, cruel sound that sent shivers down my spine. "The Moon Goddess must be playing a sick joke. I need a strong Luna to rule by my side. Not a weak, orphan Omega who can barely shift." "Please..." I begged, the pain of his rejection already starting to form a knot in my chest. Damien straightened his back, his voice booming so that every single wolf in the pack could hear. "I, Damien Blackwood, future Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack, reject you, Clara, as my mate and Luna." The pain hit me instantly. It felt like a physical blow to the gut. It felt like my soul was being ripped in half. I collapsed to the floor, gasping for air, clutching my chest. "Accept it!" Damien commanded, his Alpha voice forcing me to obey. Through my tears, I looked up at him. The man who was made for me. The man who just destroyed me. "I..." I choked out, blood leaking from the corner of my mouth. "I, Clara... accept your rejection." The bond snapped. The connection was gone, leaving behind a hollow, bleeding void. "Good," Damien said coldly. He turned his back on me without a second glance. "Get this trash out of my sight. She ruins the mood." I lay on the cold floor, listening to the laughter of the pack, wishing I was dead. But I didn't know then that fate wasn't done with me yet.