The Alpha's Rejected Mate

The Great Hall of the Blackwood Pack smelled like pine and blood. Tonight was the Choosing Ceremony. The night every unmated wolf turned 18 and found their fated mate. My heart hammered against my ribs as I stood in line with the other Omegas. My hands were cold. My dress was simple, patched, but clean. I wasn’t beautiful like the others. I was Luna Carter. The pack’s punching bag. “Damian Blackwood,” the Elder called. The doors slammed open. He walked in like he owned the world. Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair. Eyes like ice that could cut you. Alpha Damian Blackwood. 25 years old. The most feared and wanted Alpha in the entire territory. And he was walking straight toward me. The hall went silent. Girls gasped. My best friend grabbed my arm. "Luna... is he..." My wolf was already howling inside me. *Mate. Mate. Mate.* Damian stopped right in front of me. For one second, I saw something flicker in his eyes. Recognition. Shock. Then his face turned to stone. “Luna Carter,” he said, his voice echoing through the silent hall. “I, Alpha Damian Blackwood, reject you as my mate.” The word hit me harder than a punch. Rejected. In front of the entire pack. My knees buckled. My wolf whimpered and went silent. Pain ripped through my chest like he’d torn my heart out with his bare hands. Damian turned away without looking back. And just like that, my life was over.