Rejected under the Blood Moon, claimed by three Lycan kings

Ember's POV The blood moon hung heavy in the sky like a crimson eye watching over Dreadfang peak. I stood before the mirror in my childhood room, my hands shaking as I smoothed down the white silk dress that every unmated female wore to the Mate Ceremony. Tonight was supposed to be perfect. I would transform under the moon's light and seal my bond with Marcus Blackclaw, the boy I'd loved since we were children. "You look beautiful, little moon," Aunt Sarah said from the doorway. Her smile didn't reach her eyes. She'd been acting strange all week, jumping at shadows and whispering prayers I didn't recognize. "Thank you," I said, touching the silver necklace at my throat. It was my mother's, the only thing I had left of her. "I just wish they could be here." My parents died when I was seven. A rogue attack, everyone said, though Aunt Sarah would go quiet whenever I asked for details. She raised me after that, teaching me the proper ways of a noble lady, preparing me for this night. "They would be so proud," Aunt Sarah said, but her voice cracked. She crossed the room quickly and pulled me into a fierce hug. "Remember, no matter what happens tonight, you are loved." I pulled back, confused. "What do you mean, no matter what happens? Everything will be perfect. Marcus and I…" "Yes, yes, of course," she said quickly, wiping her eyes. "Just nerves. It's not every day my niece becomes a Blackclaw." A knock at the door interrupted us. Marcus stood there in his ceremonial black suit, looking like a prince from the old stories. His ice-blue eyes sparkled when he saw me. "Ready, my love?" he asked, offering his arm. I took it, trying to ignore how cold his hand felt. "Ready." The Grand Hall was packed with every important family in Dreadfang peak. Hundreds of candles floated above us, their light mixing with the red moonlight streaming through the glass ceiling. The other unmated wolves our age stood in a circle, waiting for midnight. "Nervous?" Marcus whispered in my ear. "A little," I admitted. "What if my wolf is small? Or weak?" He squeezed my hand, but his smile was tight. "Don't be silly. You're a Blackthorne. Your bloodline is ancient, even if your family has... fallen recently." I tried not to flinch. My family's disgrace was a wound that never healed. Once, we were advisors to kings. Now, we were barely holding onto our noble status. This marriage would change everything. The clock tower began to chime. Midnight. Elder Vacre stepped forward, his white robes rustling. "Under the blood moon's light, we call upon the ancient spirits. Reveal the wolves within these young souls. Show us their true nature!" The transformation started with the others. One by one, my peers shifted. Marcus's sister Celeste became a beautiful silver wolf, her fur sparkling like starlight. Others followed, each transformation celebrated with howls of approval. Then it was my turn. I stepped into the circle's center, raising my arms to the blood moon. The light hit me, and I waited for the familiar tingle that came before a shift. Instead, pain exploded through every nerve. I screamed, falling to my knees. It felt like my bones were breaking and reforming, but no wolf emerged. My vision blurred, and for a moment, I swear my eyes burned purple in the reflection of Marcus's horrified face. "She's wolfless!" someone gasped. "Cursed!" "An abomination!" The whispers grew louder as I stayed on my hands and knees, human, broken, wrong. I looked up at Marcus, reaching for him. He stepped back. "Marcus, please," I whispered. His face had gone cold, all traces of love vanished. "You're wolfless." "I don't understand. Maybe if we try again…" "There is no trying again!" His voice echoed through the hall. Everyone was watching. "A wolfless mate would destroy my family's reputation. My future as Alpha." "You don't mean that," I said, struggling to my feet. My legs shook, but I forced myself to stand. "We've been together for years. You said you loved me!" "I loved who I thought you were," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I, Marcus Blackclaw, reject you, Ember Blackthorne, as my mate and betrothed." The words hit harder than any physical blow. In our world, a public rejection was the ultimate humiliation. I felt something inside me c***k, like a dam holding back a flood. "You can't do this," I said, my voice stronger now. Anger was replacing hurt. "You promised" "Promises to a wolfless freak mean nothing," Celeste said, stepping beside her brother. She was back in human form, wrapped in a silk robe. "Though I'm not surprised. There was always something off about you, Ember." She leaned closer, whispering so only I could hear. "Those purple eyes during your shift? I know what that means. You're not just wolfless. You're something else. Something that should stay buried." Before I could respond, Elder Vacre raised his staff. "The rejection is witnessed and valid. Ember Blackthorne, you have brought shame to this pack. The Council will decide your fate." Guards appeared at my sides. Not the ceremonial guards in their pretty uniforms, but the real ones. The ones who dealt with criminals. "Wait!" Aunt Sarah pushed through the crowd. "She's just a child! You can't…" "Silence," Elder Vacre commanded. "The Council has decided. For the crime of deception and attempting to taint a noble bloodline with wolfless genes, Ember Blackthorne is sentenced to exile in Ironhold." Gasps echoed through the hall. Ironhold was where they sent the worst criminals to work in the mines until they died. "No!" Aunt Sarah screamed, but more guards held her back. Marcus wouldn't even look at me as they dragged me away. The last thing I saw was Celeste's smile, cold and knowing. They threw me in a prison wagon that night, still in my white ceremony dress, now torn and dirty. As Dreadfang peak disappeared behind us and the wasteland leading to Ironhold stretched ahead, I made a vow. I would survive Ironhold. I would discover what Celeste knew about my purple eyes. And one day, I would make them all pay for what they did to me tonight. The blood moon followed our wagon, and I swear I could hear wolves howling in the distance. But they weren't normal wolves. They sounded ancient. Powerful. Calling to whatever was hidden inside me.