The Alpha King's Rejected Luna

ELARA’S POV: My name is Elara. I came from the Silvermoon Pack. Ever since I was a child, I had dreamed of marrying Alpha King Kael. Our parents had arranged our marriage a long time ago, and I had always believed that I was destined to become his Luna. After all, what she-wolf wouldn't dream of marrying someone like Kael? Everyone admired his extraordinary good looks. On top of that, he was the most powerful leader among all the packs under his rule. I had dreamed of becoming his wife since childhood. Every day, I imagined myself on our wedding day, standing beside him beneath the full moon. Although I was a wolfless she-wolf, our marriage had been arranged because I was the daughter of Alpha Dylan, the best friend of Alpha King Kael's father. And because my father had died protecting Kael's father, the latter's desire to see us married had grown even stronger. I knew this marriage was a way of repaying a debt of gratitude. I knew that Kael had never been interested in me. I didn't know whether it was because I was wolfless, despite being of pure royal blood, or because I had never been able to bring out my wolf. In short, I was weak. I had no power! But I still took the risk. On the day Kael and I were summoned by his father, Former Alpha King Franco, I wholeheartedly declared that I was ready to become his Luna and mate. I was also willing to give him heirs who would one day inherit the throne of the Shadowfang Kingdom. The former Alpha King gladly accepted my answer. At that very moment, he firmly instructed his only son that, by the next full moon, he must mark my neck. It would be the mark that proved I was his mate. I heard no response from Kael. His expression remained blank. I couldn't bring myself to look directly into his eyes because I was afraid of seeing the anger there, afraid that he resented me for opposing his wishes by agreeing to this marriage. Days passed, and the entire Shadowfang Kingdom became busy preparing for our upcoming wedding. All the she-wolves from the different packs under the Shadowfang Kingdom envied me. They said I was incredibly lucky, while others were simply jealous. They believed that someone like me, a wolfless she-wolf, was unworthy of becoming Kael's mate and Luna. Then the day I had been waiting for finally arrived. As agreed, I, Elara Moonveil of the Silvermoon Pack, was to marry Alpha King Kael on the second full moon of the month. From my window on the second floor of Shadowfang Castle, I could see the moon shining brightly in the night sky. Its light streamed into my chamber, illuminating everything around me. I took a deep breath as I stood before the enormous mirror in my room and gazed at my reflection. I was wearing a breathtaking wedding gown designed by the most famous designer in the kingdom. The dress fit my body perfectly, as though it had been created exclusively for me. “Miss Elara, everyone is waiting for you at the Royal Moon Sanctuary.” I was brought back to the present when one of the palace servants spoke from behind me. The she-wolf was dressed in her uniform, and genuine happiness was evident on her face. I nodded gently and took one last look at myself in the mirror. I couldn't help thinking that if my parents were still alive, they would surely be just as happy as I was today. I let out a soft breath. Not a single member of my bloodline from the Silvermoon Pack remained alive. They had all perished in the previous battle. Kael and the family I hoped to build with him were all I had left. I hoped that, in the new life awaiting me, I would finally find a family that would love and accept me, even though I was wolfless. A few moments later, I found myself walking down the aisle of the Royal Moon Sanctuary. Kael stood at the far end of the altar, dressed in the most magnificent royal attire. His eyes were fixed on me, but I couldn't read the emotions hidden within them. I had never seen Kael smile, not even once. Still, I believed he had a good heart, judging by the way he treated his subjects. He was an Alpha King whose primary duty was to protect everyone under his rule. The eyes of all the wolves from the different packs turned toward me as I walked forward. I couldn't help hearing the whispers around me. Some wondered why, among all the she-wolves in the kingdom, I had been chosen by Kael's father to marry his only son. They said the power of Kael's future heir would be weakened because I was a wolfless she-wolf. Others wondered why my wolf had still not appeared at the age of eighteen, despite my noble bloodline. Some secretly mocked me, claiming that I must have wanted to marry Kael because I had no pack left and was now a complete orphan. They believed I desired his wealth and power. Even though I knew Kael didn't love me, they assumed I had agreed to the marriage for one reason alone—to become his Luna! All I could do was clench my fists. It was true that I was weak, an orphan, and a wolfless woman. But I had never wanted to marry Kael because of his wealth or power! It was true that I loved Kael, even though he was ten years older than me. I loved Kael! I loved him because that was what I had felt ever since I was a little girl! Beneath the glowing full moon, Kael's eyes shone as he watched me approach. We had finally stepped into the Sacred Moonstone Circle, where the High Priestess of the Moon Goddess stood waiting for us. “Before we begin the mating ceremony, we must first ensure that Elara remains pure and untouched, so that she may be deemed worthy of Alpha King Kael,” the High Priestess announced. I swallowed nervously several times. I had never been with another wolf in my life. I was certain that I was worthy of Alpha King Kael, at least by that standard. I saw Alpha King Kael's jaw tighten. His beautiful eyes narrowed, making my anxiety grow even stronger. “This is the Crystal of Purity. Miss Elara, place your right palm upon it. If the crystal glows white, it means you are pure and have never mated with another wolf. However, if it glows red, it means you are no longer a virgin. In that case, this mating ceremony cannot proceed,” the High Priestess announced. Without hesitation, I placed my palm upon the crystal. At that very moment, it began to glow white. The white light meant that I was pure and worthy of marrying someone like Kael. A smile appeared on the lips of the High Priestess and Kael's father, Former Alpha King Franco. However, the man I loved remained serious. “The Crystal of Purity cannot be mistaken,” the High Priestess declared. “In that case, let us proceed with the mating union of Alpha King Kael and Elara Moonveil of the Silvermoon Pack.” She raised her hands and began the sacred rites. “By the power bestowed upon me by the Moon Goddess—” “No! I cannot proceed with this marriage to Elara Moonveil!” Alpha King Kael declared firmly. My jaw nearly dropped. I had thought that my long wait was finally over, but it seemed that something even more painful was about to happen. Had I heard him correctly? Alpha King Kael was refusing to marry me? Whispers erupted throughout the sanctuary. Everyone was unable to believe what the Alpha King had just said. No one dared to question him. Kael stepped forward and stood before me, his cold eyes fixed on my face. “I, Alpha King Kael, reject Elara Moonveil as my Luna and mate! I will not proceed with this mating union!” All I could do was shake my head repeatedly as tears filled my eyes. Nothing could have hurt me more than hearing those words from him. He couldn't love me. He couldn't accept me as his Luna!