CROWNED IN THE ECLIPSE

The night my life died smelled of roses and betrayal. I stood at the entrance gate of the Bloodmoon pack's banquet hall, my fingers were trembling around the invitation card that had just arrived that morning with a THEME " Luna Appreciation Night". The program was supposedly organized by my mate Jace Blackwood to honour my years of obedience to the pack. The whole event would have been the happiest night of my life if it hadn't ruined me instead. The crystal chandeliers shone brightly, illuminating the entire hall, revealing smiles on different faces. Music filled the air while pack members laughed and danced, each of them lost in the celebration . Everyone was there—the council elders, the warriors, my parents, and even distant relatives. Still something felt strange and wrong. Immediately I stepped into the hall, conversations seemed to stop, music died down slowly and all eyes were on me, following every step I took, murmurs and whispers followed me wherever I went. A chill ran down my spine, my feet felt cold as I continued my steps, desperately searching for Jace my mate . The man I had loved from my childhood, the man who promised me the whole world seven years ago under the moonlit lake, the future Alpha of the Bloodmoon pack. The man whom I had sacrificed everything but he was nowhere in sight. " looking for someone?" A voice came behind me, it was Sienna my cousin my childhood friend whom I also loved so much. " have you seen Jace?" I asked. Then her response came coldly "Ooh, you will see him soon enough". Before I could respond the lights brightened and the music shifted into a sweeter melody. I turned to the podium to my greatest shock Jace was holding a woman's waist in an intimate way as their hands intertwined, their movements were smooth and practiced, as though they had done it countless times before. He stood tall, mighty, handsome and powerful just as he has always been. Then I understood that the Sienna I met before was the fake one, that was really one of her friends. The real Sienna was the one on the podium with Jace my mate. Sienna smiled at me. It wasn't the smile of a cousin. It was the smile of someone who had finally won. I stood still frozen wishing to wake up from such a nightmare but it dawned on me that it was all real. " I think now is the right time", Jace announced. I staggered back my feet still shaking, I shook my head. No. Jace wouldn't do this to me. Not after seven years. Not after every promise he had whispered beneath the moon., he continued "Everyone welcome to the Luna Appreciation Night, today am officially showing off my true luna ' No' I whispered. He held Sienna's left hand and said " tonight, I Jace Blackwood the future Alpha of the Bloodmoon pack bring to you .Sienna Rivers as my luna and officially rejecting Ayla Rivers . I stared at Sienna then back to Jace; " why......?" I managed to ask with tears streaming down my cheek as my face turned pale my cheek red. He stared back at me without any remorse in his eyes as he continued 'Our bond was a mistake. A mistake. All those years devotion, loyalty, and love reduced to a single word: mistake. I left out out a thunderous growl 'Noooooooooooo........! I screamed and pleaded still hoping it was a dream but it was reality. His speech continued " You have never been worthy of standing next to an Alpha. This one struck so hard. I kept wondering if he was really the man who once kissed my forehead and promised me eternity? Or had I ever really known him at all? Then Sienna smiled " hey cousin, I'm sorry, you deserve someone else. I responded tearfully clutching my dress " You've been sleeping with him", Her smile faltered slightly ; as I understood what it meant. For how long? Weeks? Months? Years?. How, when, where, why? Countless unanswered questions crowded my mind. Jace final speech was " Ayla Rivers I reject you as my mate". I couldn't argue I lifted my head " I accept " I answered gently, Sienna smiled triumphantly over her victory; Seven years of love. Countless sacrifices. Every dream I had built around him. Gone in a single night. My parents approached. A flicker of hope was still left I thought. " You are a disgrace to our family, came the words. It was from my father. I thought Jace's rejection had broken me. I was wrong. Hearing my father call me a disgrace shattered whatever was left of my heart. "The Alpha has made his choice you should leave" , my mother spoke. I looked straight into Their faces " but I'm your daughter; "Then from this day forward, you cease to be my daughter". The words sliced through me sharper than any blade ever could. I fell to the ground all hope lost. EXILE. I was dragged out by the guards. At midnight, I was already sitting at the back of a truck which headed to the Black Ridge Mountains. I was pushed out; Here is how far I can go. The driver said. Ayla Rivers luna of the Bloodmoon pack Alpha is left and abandoned beneath a moonless sky. No one came after me. No one cared enough to. For the first time in my life, I truly understood what it meant to be alone. Suddenly, the wolf inside me let out a violent growl. My eyes burned with a strange radiance that I have never seen before nor felt. I passed out. When I finally woke up....... ,a pair of crimson eyes had already locked onto mine , I froze . The crimson eyes moved closer through the blizzard. I tried to scream, but darkness swallowed me whole. And somewhere in the freezing night, something ancient answered the call of my broken soul.