Rejected by the Alpha, Crowned by the Moon

Move faster, Omega. The floor isn’t going to clean itself.” Aria Nightshade tightened her grip on the brush as the sharp voice cut through the quiet pack house. “I’m trying,” she murmured. “Oh, we can see that.” Laughter echoed behind her. Aria slowly turned her head. Lila stood near the doorway with two other she-wolves, watching her with open amusement. Lila’s arms were crossed over her chest, her blonde braid resting over one shoulder like a golden rope. Behind her, the other girls covered their mouths as they laughed. Aria lowered her gaze again and continued scrubbing the wooden floor. The water in the bucket beside her had already turned gray with dirt. It was barely dawn, and she had been cleaning since the middle of the night. But that was normal. Everything about her life was normal. Normal for an Omega. Normal for the weakest wolf in the Shadow Moon Pack. Lila walked closer, her boots tapping loudly against the floor Aria had just cleaned. “You missed a spot,” she said. Before Aria could react, Lila kicked the bucket. The dirty water splashed across the floor and soaked the hem of Aria’s dress. The girls burst into laughter. Aria froze for a moment, staring at the spreading water. Then she quietly reached for the cloth again. “Wow,” one of the girls said between giggles. “She doesn’t even get angry anymore.” “Of course she doesn’t,” Lila replied lazily. “What would she do? Bite us?” More laughter followed. Aria kept scrubbing. Her cheeks burned, but she refused to react. She had learned long ago that fighting back only made things worse. Lila crouched in front of her, tilting her head as she studied Aria’s face. “Tell me something, Aria,” she said. Aria paused. “Are you excited for tonight?” The question made her chest tighten. Tonight. The Mate Ceremony. Every year, the Shadow Moon Pack gathered around the sacred bonfire to celebrate the Moon Goddess. It was the night when many wolves discovered their fated mates. For most wolves, it was the most important night of their lives. Aria swallowed. “I… don’t know.” Lila’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “Oh, I know exactly what you’re thinking.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “You’re hoping the Moon Goddess will finally feel sorry for you.” Aria said nothing. Lila stood up and brushed invisible dust from her clothes. “But let me save you the embarrassment,” she continued loudly. “No Alpha, Beta, or even a normal warrior would want a wolf-less Omega.” The other girls laughed again. “Maybe her mate will be a rogue,” one of them suggested. “Or a servant,” the other added. Lila laughed. “Actually, I’m not even sure the Moon Goddess remembers Aria exists.” The words hung in the air. For a moment, the room felt unbearably quiet. Aria lowered her head. She had heard things like that her entire life. Useless Omega. Wolf-less. Weak. In the Shadow Moon Pack, strength meant everything. Wolves shifted before their eighteenth birthday. Aria had turned nineteen last month. And still… Nothing. No wolf. No voice in her mind. Just silence. Lila finally straightened and turned toward the door. “Come on,” she told the other girls. “Training starts soon.” They walked away laughing. Their voices slowly faded down the hallway. Silence returned to the pack house. Aria let out a slow breath. Then she stood and refilled the bucket. Because the floor still needed cleaning. And no one else was going to do it. Outside, faint sunlight began creeping through the windows. Aria paused for a moment, staring at the golden light stretching across the floorboards. Tonight was the Mate Ceremony. Despite everything Lila said… A small spark of hope still lived inside her. What if tonight changed something? What if the Moon Goddess had not forgotten her after all? Aria quickly shook the thought away. Hope was dangerous. Still, her hand moved unconsciously to the silver pendant around her neck. It was the only thing she had left from her parents. They had died when she was very young. No one in the pack ever talked about them. Sometimes Aria wondered why. A loud voice suddenly echoed from outside. “Training field! Now!” It was Beta Marcus. Aria quickly grabbed her bucket and hurried outside. The training grounds were already full of wolves stretching and preparing for morning drills. As Aria approached, several warriors glanced at her. Some whispered. Others smirked. Aria walked quietly toward the edge of the field. “Look who finally decided to show up.” Beta Marcus stepped in front of her. His cold gray eyes scanned her from head to toe. “You’re late.” “I’m sorry,” Aria said softly. Marcus snorted. “Of course you are.” He turned and gestured toward the center of the field. “Well then,” he said loudly, “let’s see if our useless Omega learned anything this week.” Several warriors chuckled. Aria’s stomach twisted. “Step forward,” Marcus ordered. She obeyed. Marcus tossed a wooden staff toward her. Aria barely caught it. “You’ll spar with Daniel.” Daniel stepped out of the crowd, cracking his knuckles. A smug grin spread across his face. “This should be fun.” The other warriors quickly formed a circle around them. Aria tightened her grip on the staff. “Begin,” Marcus said. Daniel attacked immediately. His staff slammed against hers, nearly knocking it from her hands. Aria staggered back. Daniel struck again. And again. Each blow was stronger than the last. Aria struggled to block the attacks. Her arms began to shake. The warriors watching started laughing. Daniel suddenly swept his leg forward. Aria lost her balance and crashed into the dirt. Laughter exploded around the training field. Daniel rested his staff on his shoulder. “Pathetic.” Marcus shook his head in disappointment. “I’ve seen pups fight better than that.” Aria pushed herself up slowly. Her palms burned from the rough ground. Then suddenly— A powerful scent filled the air. Every wolf on the field went silent. The warriors straightened immediately. Marcus turned toward the entrance. Aria followed his gaze. A tall figure had stepped onto the training grounds. Alpha Damon Blackthorn. The ruler of the Shadow Moon Pack. His dark coat shifted slightly in the morning breeze as he walked forward with calm authority. Every wolf lowered their head in respect. Aria tried to stand straighter. The Alpha’s sharp gaze swept across the field. Then— It stopped. Directly on her. For a moment, something strange flashed in his eyes. Something sharp. Something curious. Damon took another slow step forward. And suddenly— A strange warmth spread through Aria’s chest. Her breath caught. Because deep inside her mind… For the first time in nineteen years… She heard a whisper. Mate.