REJECTED BUT FATED

The Moon Goddess’decision

Ten courses. Ten “A”s.

My mouth dropped open. For a moment, I thought it was a mistake. But it wasn’t.

Tears brimmed in my eyes as I sprinted home. I found my father in his study and shoved the result sheet into his hands.

He studied it silently, and then a slow smile spread across his face, a rare and proud smile.

“Now you’ve proven yourself a daughter of an Alpha,” he said.

“What now?” I asked, barely able to contain my excitement.

He leaned back in his chair. “Prepare for your grand party. One week from today.”

Just like that, the entire household exploded into motion. Decorations, music, food, the preparations began instantly. Even the pack council was notified.

Oddly, I didn’t tell Daniel about my results. I didn’t need to.

He knew.

He trusted his work, and he trusted me, even when I didn’t deserve it.

“You’re intelligent,” he’d once said, quietly. “You just don’t care about academics enough to show it.”

His words echoed in my heart as the party drew near.

Invitations were printed in gold foil. My mother helped me handpick each card. I passed them out to my classmates like royalty dispensing favors. Laughter. Cheers. Girls hugging me, boys smirking with admiration.

And then came Daniel.

He didn’t look at me. He didn’t ask.

But I saw it in his eyes: the quiet expectation. The belief that maybe, just maybe, I would keep my word.

Around us, girls whispered.

“What was the Omega thinking?”

“He really believes he’s getting invited?”

“Doesn’t he know his place?”

I reached into my designer bag and slowly pulled out a golden envelope.

His name was written on it in my handwriting.

I stretched it toward him.

Gasps filled the room like an explosion of thunder.

Daniel looked at the card, then at me. His eyes softened, but he said nothing.

And then William’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

“What is that for?” he snapped, standing up.

“It’s too much for a slave,” Kenneth added bitterly.

The entire class started, waiting for my reaction. My heart pounded.

I looked at Daniel. Calm as always. Then I turned to William.

“He earned it,” I said firmly. “Without him, there wouldn’t be a party at all.”

William’s expression darkened. His lips pressed into a thin, tight line. He didn’t say anything else, but I could feel the anger burning behind his eyes.

The others looked stunned. Like I’d just committed some blasphemy.

But I didn’t care.

Not at that moment.

Daniel stood, took the invitation from my hand, and gave me the faintest nod. No smile. Just understanding.

And somehow, that nod meant more than all the cheers from my classmates.

I ran after William, my heels clicking sharply against the floor.

“Will, please wait!” I called, my voice echoing through the corridor.

He didn’t stop. He kept walking, his shoulders tense with anger.

“I had a deal with him,” I called out again, desperation creeping into my voice. “I had to fulfill it!”

That made him pause.

He turned slowly, eyes cold.

“You didn’t need to,” he said bitterly. “He’s just an Omega. A slave. He’s expected to do your bidding without needing a reward.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

He exhaled deeply, stepped toward me, and pulled me into a hug. His arms were warm and familiar: a comfort I both needed and questioned.

“The party might be your birthday celebration,” he murmured near my ear, “but it’s also the moment I’ll be announced as your fated mate.”

His tone turned sharp.

“You shouldn’t allow trash like Daniel into such a dignified gathering.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “Please, just tolerate him this once. For me.”

He hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

“Alright. For your sake.”

With that, the storm seemed to pass, but I could feel the tension building underneath.

Back home, preparations accelerated. My parents moved with precision and excitement, finalizing decorations, security, seating charts, and catering. Even the Beta’s family was closely involved now, given that their son, William, was to be officially declared my fated mate and the future Alpha of the Shadow Blade Pack.

It wasn’t just a party for them. It was an initiation into destiny.

The day finally arrived.

Guests poured into Shadow Blade from distant territories, carriages bearing the insignia of ancient lineages, pack warriors guarding dignitaries. Alphas and Betas with their mates, proud and regal, brought gifts and expectations. Children of high rank milled about in silks and jewels, excited to witness history unfold.

I stood by my window, staring out at the sprawling decorations that glittered under the late sun.

“This is it,” I whispered to myself. “The day I shift into my wolf for the first time and the day I’m bound to William, my childhood friend and lover. The day I step into my future as Luna.”

I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to steady my breath.

As I stepped into the grand hall, the music paused, and everyone rose to their feet.

All eyes were on me.

The diamond-stoned gown clung to my figure like it had been sewn by the Moon Goddess herself. The lights caught each crystal, scattering brilliance around the room like stardust. Applause erupted, echoing off the golden walls.

At the far end of the room stood William.

He looked stunned. His mouth parted slightly as he stared at me, eyes wide with awe. It was as though he had never truly seen me until that moment. Our eyes locked, and I gave him a soft smile. He smiled back. A warm, proud, mine smile.

The hall was alive with nobility. Everyone was dressed in fine silk, satin, and embroidered velvet. Every guest shimmered, except one.

Daniel.

He sat alone in the front row, his usual rough, faded shirt looking pitifully out of place. No one dared sit near him. A whole table, empty, just for him. He smiled when our eyes met, a soft, honest smile.

But I couldn’t return it.

His presence irritated me. It spoiled the perfection I had worked so hard to build. I cursed myself again for giving him that golden invitation.

“Why did I keep my word?”

The ceremony began. One by one, every guest was introduced with grandeur. The children of Alphas, the Betas and their mates, the Luna of the Crimson Moon Pack, the council members.

Then came Daniel’s turn.

The announcer hesitated, as if unsure whether to say his name.

“Daniel… Omega of Shadow Blade Pack.”

The crowd broke into a wave of murmurs.

“An Omega? In a hall like this?”

“Unbelievable.”

Yet not all voices were unkind.

“She’ll be a compassionate leader,” someone whispered.

“She’s different… maybe that’s a good thing,” another murmured.

I stood still, unreadable.

Some eyes looked at me with admiration. Others with disapproval. I could feel it all: the judgment, the curiosity, the questioning.

But I didn’t flinch.

After the introductions, the lights dimmed briefly. A spotlight found me as the crowd sang the birthday song. Their voices echoed like a haunting melody, regal and elegant.

Then came the gifts.

Box after box: golden, ribboned, polished. A jeweled necklace from the Sapphire Ridge Pack. A handcrafted dagger from Alpha Bryce. A painting of my wolf form by the Moonlight Seer. Every gift, a promise of power and favor.

.As I stepped into the grand hall, a hush fell over the crowd before thunderous applause erupted. All eyes turned to me, drinking in the sight of their Alpha’s daughter. The diamond-studded gown clung perfectly to my figure, shimmering beneath the chandeliers like it had stolen stars from the night sky.

At the other end of the hall stood William.

His eyes widened, lips parted. He looked stunned. And that pleased me.

Our eyes met, and we exchanged a knowing smile—one we had worn since childhood. Everyone expected it. Everyone knew it. William was my fated mate. And tonight, the truth will be revealed.

Guests from far and near territories had arrived. Alphas, Betas, their sons and daughters—all dressed in the richest silks and adorned with jewels. The energy was electric. But among the elegance and nobility, one guest stood out like a smudge on a masterpiece.

Daniel.

Even seated at the front, his worn-out clothes clashed with the glamor. No one sat beside him. Whispers slithered like serpents through the hall. Still, he smiled when he saw me.

And I wished I’d never invited him.

The announcements began. One by one, guests were introduced. When it was Daniel’s turn, the room shifted. Some murmured praises, calling me “compassionate.” Others frowned, their judgment loud in silence. The contrast was stark.

Gifts piled up before me: gems, gold, designer trinkets, tokens of power and status. Daniel brought nothing. His empty hands reminded me of what he lacked. It was clear a slave would always be a slave even though he sits among nobles.

Then my father, Alpha Rolland, rose.

“Attention, everyone,” he called. His voice echoed with pride. “Tonight, we celebrate my daughter’s 18th birthday: the night she will phase into her wolf form for the first time. And with that transformation, the Moon Goddess will reveal her fated mate.”

Applause rang again. Anticipation buzzed like wildfire.

I didn’t share in it. I already knew who my mate was. William. He had been part of me for as long as I could remember. Our bond was unshakable. I smiled at him, and he smiled back. This moment was ours.

The priestess stepped forward, holding the sacred bowl of moon-blessed water.

“Rita Oakman,” she said solemnly, “brace yourself.”

My mother approached, her smile gentle. “Come, sweetheart. You need to change.”

I followed her behind a velvet curtain, slipping off the gown and revealing the cotton cloth beneath which was prepared for my phasing. My heart pounded as I returned.

“I’m ready,” I said, voice trembling.

The priestess sprinkled the holy water over me. At first, there was nothing. Then pain. Sharp. Unrelenting.

Bones cracked. Muscles stretched. My screams filled the hall. I had been warned about the pain. But nothing could have prepared me for this. William watched, eyes filled with concern. I thought I saw him convulsing too, beginning his shift.

Then it happened.

White fur broke through my skin. My limbs shifted, twisted. I dropped to all fours, panting. A pure white wolf. Large. Noble. Alpha-blooded.

Cheers rose around me. “She’s special,” someone whispered.

“She’s the Alpha’s true heir,” another declared.

But then the cheers stopped. A murmur rolled through the crowd: an uneasy ripple.

They weren’t looking at me anymore.

My wolf turned instinctively. Someone else was transforming. My heart raced. He transformed into a giant Alpha wolf.

“That is William, he was born for this,” I told myself without a careful look.

I took off into the woods, my paws thundering against the forest floor. I ran, desperate for clarity. Behind me, another wolf followed. Stronger. Faster.

He caught up, overtook me. My wolf recognized him.

My mate.

We circled back to the hall. The priestess's voice rang out as we phased back into our human forms.

“Behold, the future Luna and her fated mate!”

As we phased back to our human form,

I looked up, smiling, expecting William.

But standing in front of me

Was Daniel.

Hs eyes wide. Disbelieving. “Mate,” he whispered, voice thick with emotion.

My world stopped.