The Alpha's Regret

PROLOGUE Vitani's world shattered with seven words. "I, Lucas Blackwood, reject you as my mate." Silence swept across the academy courtyard. Hundreds of students stood frozen beneath the silver banners of Mooncrest Academy. The morning sun glinted off the marble platform where the annual Mate Ceremony was held, a day meant to celebrate destiny, love, and the sacred bond blessed by the Moon Goddess. Instead, it became the day Vitani's life fell apart. Every eye turned toward the center stage where the future Alpha stood tall and proud. And where Vitani stood utterly humiliated. Her heart pounded so violently she thought everyone could hear it. No. This couldn't be happening.Not here.Not in front of everyone.For years, she had dreamed of this day. She had imagined Lucas smiling at her, taking her hand, promising to stand beside her forever. They had grown up together. She had loved him long before the Moon Goddess revealed they were destined mates. She never imagined destiny could be rejected.Lucas's icy blue eyes met hers without a trace of warmth. "There has never been a place for weakness beside an Alpha," he declared, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "A future Luna must be strong. She must be respected. She must be worthy." The words struck harder than any blade. Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire. "She never even shifted." "I knew this would happen." "A wolfless girl could never become Luna." Vitani clenched her trembling fists until her nails dug into her palms. For years she had endured their whispers. The girl without a wolf. The girl without power. The girl who didn't belong. She had ignored every insult because she believed Lucas loved her. Now he was proving every cruel rumor true. A boy near the front laughed. Then another. Soon the laughter rolled through the entire courtyard. Lucas never told them to stop. Instead, he stepped away from her. Away from his mate. Away from every promise they had ever made. "My decision has already been made." The crowd slowly parted. A beautiful blonde girl walked forward with perfect confidence. Elena Ashford. The strongest female student in the academy. Graceful. Powerful. Admired by everyone. Gasps filled the air. Vitani's stomach twisted painfully. No... Please... Lucas reached for Elena's hand without hesitation. "I am proud to announce Elena Ashford as my future Luna." The academy erupted into deafening applause. Students cheered. Some howled toward the sky in approval. Teachers nodded proudly. Even elders standing beside the stage smiled. No one questioned the rejection. No one defended Vitani. She stood frozen while the celebration continued around her. As though she had already disappeared. Elena glanced toward her.There was no sympathy.Only triumph. Lucas wrapped an arm around Elena's waist.The sight shattered whatever remained of Vitani's heart.She had imagined standing beside him.She had imagined becoming somebody noticed. She had imagined building a future with the only man she had ever loved. Instead, she watched another woman claim the life that was supposed to be hers. Lucas never looked back. Not once. A single tear escaped down Vitani's cheek. Someone pointed. "There she goes." "The rejected mate." "What a disgrace." Laughter followed again. Vitani lowered her head. Not because she was ashamed. But because she refused to let them watch her fall apart. She would not give them that satisfaction. Slowly, she turned away from the platform. Behind her, music began to play as students surrounded Lucas and Elena with congratulations. Each step toward the academy gates felt heavier than the last.The cheers behind her only grew louder.No one called her name.No one reached for her.No one cared that her entire world had just been destroyed.She stopped only once at the gates. For a brief moment, she looked back. Lucas was smiling.The smile that had once belonged to her. She closed her eyes, swallowing the sob rising in her throat.When she opened them again, something inside her had been them.Without another word, Vitani walked away. Away from Mooncrest Academy.Away from Lucas Blackwood.Away from the life she had always known.None of them noticed the strange silver breeze that stirred around her as she disappeared beyond the gates.None of them knew that the girl they had mocked carried a destiny older than their bloodlines. And by the time they realized the truth... It would already be too late.