He Rejected The Wrong Luna.

{Linda's POV.} Tonight was supposed to be the best night of my life. I had worn my best dress, my makeup was simple with a bold red lip, and my hair was styled perfectly, waiting for him to call me up to the dais and take his place beside me. Then he opened his mouth, and my entire world collapsed. “I, Caleb Blackwood, the alpha of the blackthorn pack, reject you, Linda Vance, as my mate and future Luna.” I stood frozen. My throat felt dry. Every muscle in my body locked in place. My wolf whimpered hard as the words sank in. Reject me? Three weeks ago, Caleb had held my hand under the full moon and promised we’d run the pack together. He had even carved our initials into the high oak tree behind the pack house. I had spent all morning smoothing down my linen dress, nervous and breathless for our mating bond to finalize. But right now, looking into his eyes, there was no warmth left—only ice. “How dare you think you’re fit to be my Luna?” Caleb spat. His voice was cold and harsh. “You’re worthless, useless, weak, and a murderer.” The last word came out slow and deliberate. I swallowed hard. My chest tightened. A murderer? But I thought he said had forgiven me. He said it wasn’t my fault. He even held me when I cried about it even when I blamed myself. And now he was throwing that word at me like a weapon in front of everyone. He turned away from me and looked at my best friend, Elena. His face softened, smiling at her the way he used to smile at me. Then stretched out his hand toward her like she was something precious. My breath caught when he went down on one knee and pulled out a ring. Elena covered her mouth with both hands, eyes wide. “Elena,” Caleb said softly, “I think it’s time we stopped hiding and made this official.” He glanced at me with open irritation before looking back at her. “In front of everyone.” He turned fully to her. “Elena Cole, would you make me the happiest Alpha and be my Luna?” “Yes, Caleb!” she squealed. The pack erupted in whispers. Caleb stood up and pulled her into a deep kiss. The mate bond in my chest twisted so hard I almost bent over. My wolf howled in pain seeing our mate was proposing and kissing another woman right in front of us. My best friend and my mate.The two persons I trusted most had stabbed me in the back. Tears burned my eyes but I forced them back. I tried to move or speak, but my mind had gone blank. A loud ringing filled my ears. The voices of the pack faded into nothing. How could they do this? Especially Elena. She was supposed to be my safe place. The one person who would never hurt me. Now she was the woman accepting my mate’s ring? I lowered my head and turned around. My legs felt heavy, but I forced them to move. I walked away from the pack field with my eyes on the ground. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. The moment I was out of sight, I ran. I ran straight to the pack house, tears finally spilling down my face. I pushed into my room, shut the door hard, and pressed my back against it. My legs gave out. I slid down to the floor and cried into my hands. Caleb and I had been inseparable as teenagers. We did everything together. He used to tell me I would be his Luna one day. He made it sound certain and permanent. I pressed my hand over my mouth to stop the sobs from turning into screams. The rejection burned through my body like fire. Every promise he ever made to me was thrown away in one night. I couldn’t stay here. Not after tonight— the public humiliation and watching the two people I trusted most destroy me in front of everyone. I forced myself to stand. My hands shook as I grabbed a bag and started packing my clothes and a few important things. Nothing more. I didn’t have time to think carefully. I just needed to leave. I zipped the bag, hung it on my shoulder, wiped my face with the back of my hand, and left the room. I didn’t look at anyone as I walked out of the pack house. The second my feet touched the grass, I shifted. My wolf took over and ran. We ran hard, pushing through the trees, heading for the border. My heart was still breaking, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. I was almost there. The border was just ahead. Then a large brown wolf stepped into my path. I slid to a stop and tried to change direction. Another wolf blocked that path too. I turned again. Another one. Within seconds, Blackthorn warriors had surrounded me on every side. I stood in the middle of them, breathing hard, my wolf tense and ready. A man stepped forward. He was only wearing black jeans shorts, his chest bare. His green eyes locked onto mine without any emotion. “The Alpha wants you to die.”