Aria

The night of the mating ceremony was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. Instead, it became the night that destroyed me. I stood at the center of the pack hall, my hands trembling as the elders began the ritual. My wolf stirred anxiously beneath my skin, restless… hopeful. Because tonight, I would finally meet my mate. The moment Alpha Ryan walked in, my heart stopped. Tall. Powerful. Devastatingly handsome and mine. The bond snapped into place so violently that my knees nearly gave out. “Mate…” Joy flooded my chest. But the look on Ryan’s face… It wasn’t joy. It was disgust. My stomach dropped. I could feel the anger and hatred burning from his eyes He couldn’t stand it “No,” he said coldly, his voice echoing through the silent hall. “This is a mistake. Whispers erupted around us. I felt my world begin to crack. “Alpha…” my voice came out small, broken. Ryan’s eyes turned ice cold as he stepped back like I carried a disease. “I, Alpha Ryan of the Silver Moon Pack… reject you.” The words hit like a death sentence. And in that moment My wolf howled in agony.