The Rebirth of the Moon Priestess

Chapter 1: The Orphan’s Shame

Amara’s POV

I tried to blend into the background as I stood at the edge of the clearing.

In the heart of the Lichen Pack's domain, everyone was huddled around the fire pit. Their sneering faces were illuminated by silver light from the full moon that hung high overhead. I could sense the weight of their critical look and hear the murmurs.

That's her. The omega who hasn't changed yet.

"Eighteen and no wolf yet? She is doomed.

"How unfortunate for the pack."

I balled my fists together. I was afraid my heart could burst from the loud pounding it was making. Despite my desire to flee and hide, I made myself stay. They wouldn't get the satisfaction from me.

Behind me, a voice mockingly said, "She ought to have been expelled long ago."

Lydia, the Beta's daughter, was standing with her arms crossed and a sly look on her lips when I turned around. "Amara, what are you even doing here? There are actual wolves here.

My voice trembled as I said, "I'm a part of this pack too." "This is where I belong."

Lydia gave an eye roll. "You are an orphan. No power, no wolf, no family. You're nothing at all.

Others chuckled. I looked down after swallowing the lump in my throat. They were correct. My parents were slain in a rogue assault when I was ten years old, leaving me the only orphan in the pack. Since then, I've managed to exist by remaining little, silent, and invisible. Everyone expected me to change and find my place now that I was eighteen.

However, I hadn't changed.

I hadn't discovered anything either.

Elder Garrick said from the middle, "Everyone, quiet." "Alpha Rowan is here now."

As he moved forward, the crowd dispersed.

Rowan.

Tall. Strong. His unkempt black hair cascaded across his angular cheekbones. His eyes—cold steel—swept over the crowd like a king examining peasants. My heart thudded faster.

My fated partner was him.

Our relationship solidified the minute I turned eighteen, and I knew. I hadn't told anyone, though. Not quite yet.

Rowan came to a halt and stood proudly behind his council and Lilith, the stunning she-wolf that was always by his side. She always pretended to be Luna even though she wasn't, and she wore a crimson dress.

He did not even give me a sidelong glance.

The ceremony went on, with new wolves emerging and shifting for the first time as they were greeted with howls and shouts. No one ever called my name. Nobody had any expectations of me.

After it was completed, everyone dispersed into smaller gatherings to celebrate and dance.

And I was by myself. Once more.

By the time I spotted my opportunity, the fire had gone out.

Garrick and the others were talking to Rowan as he stood close to the elder's tent. He had his arms folded. He appeared irritated.

With trepidation, I inhaled.

It was either now or never.

With my heart pounding, I approached him slowly. I felt like I was moving toward fire with every stride, yet I was unable to stop. My hands were perspiring. I had a dry throat. However, I had to do it.

"Alpha Rowan," I whispered as I came to a halt a little distance away.

His eyebrows went up a little as he turned his head. "Yes?"

"I... I must talk to you. By themselves.

He raised a hand, but the elders appeared taken aback. "Give us a minute."

They gave a nod and took a little step back. Lilith remained behind, her appearance narrowing.

With a shudder, I took a step closer. " I'm your partner."

His face remained the same. "Pardon me?"

"I sensed the connection," I said. On my birthday. Your mate is me. I—I assumed you were feeling it as well.

There was a long delay. He looked at every inch of me. Slowly. Icy.

Then he chuckled. It was not a nice chuckle. "Are you serious?" he asked. "You believe that an omega who is incapable of shifting would be paired with me by the Moon Goddess?"

My eyes hurt with tears. "I'm telling the truth."

He stated rather plainly, "I don't feel anything." "And I would turn it down even if I did."

Lilith smirked and moved forward. "Perhaps her wolf passed away before it was born."

My mouth quivered. “Please, Rowan”

He interrupted me by saying, "I'm an Alpha." "I need a strong Luna." Someone with the ability to guide me. Not a damaged girl without a purpose or a wolf.

The words struck me more deeply than I had anticipated.

He yelled, "I reject you, Amara," loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear. "My mate is not you."

Everything stopped. I was having trouble breathing.

Everybody looked at us. Snickers, whispers, and gasps. "Have you heard that? He turned her down! “She thought he’d choose her?”

Rowan turned away without another word.

Lilith smiled triumphantly.

My heart was broken into a million pieces, and I was motionless.

Then I heard a voice so faint it seemed like a wind-blown whisper.

"The moon shall rise in blood, and the Priestess shall awaken..."

I turned around. Looking directly at me from the other side of the fire pit was an elderly seer who was stooped and blind. She had a white shine in her eyes.

"What were you saying?" I inquired.

Lilith's voice interrupted her before she could say anything more.

"She is a witch!" Lilith pointed at me and yelled. "Have you missed the prophecy? It's her! She is doomed!

Chaos broke out in the audience. "She poses a threat!"

"Death will come from her!"

"She needs to be exiled!" I looked into Rowan's eyes again. Fear? Something flared in his eyes. Uncertainty?

Then his voice became clear and cold. "Amara would be exiled. Tonight.

I kept hearing the words, "Amara will be exiled. Tonight.

I was immobile. I was unable to talk. My surroundings became hazy. My entire body felt numb, and the crowd's clamor subsided. The sound of my heart cracking was all I could hear.

Rowan didn't give me another glance. As though I had already left, he turned and left. Like I didn't exist. Like I never did.

Lilith smiled, relishing each moment. She had prevailed. I was left with nothing.

Two of the guards moved forward. My arm was seized by one of them.

I said, "Let go of me," but my voice was too faint to be believed.

They were indifferent. As if I were a criminal, they pulled me away from the fire pit. Silently, the rest of the pack observed. I had no voice. Nobody got to their feet. Even people who had grown up with me turned their heads away. As if I repulsed them.

I refrained from crying.

Then no. Not in their presence.

They took me to the boundary of the area, where the wind was cooler and the trees darkened. A tiny bundle of fabric was thrust at my chest by the guard standing next to me. I had nothing else.

"You don't return once you cross this line," he continued, indicating the pack's boundary. Never.

"What if I change?" My voice trembled as I asked. "What if tomorrow my wolf comes out?"

"It's too late," he declared. Alpha's directives. We no longer care about you.

Dirt was kicked at my feet by the other guard. "Good luck out there, freak without a wolf."

Before I could utter another word, they left.

I looked at the forest in front of me. I was scared, isolated, and chilly.

I had no choice except to cross the border.

My chest ached the instant I did.

The connection.

The relationship remained within me despite Rowan's rejection. Now it was dim, like a dying echo. However, it was painful. What remained of my heart was ripped apart by it.

I continued to travel farther into the forest.

Then the tears started to fall.

How long I walked is unknown to me. Hours, perhaps. The moon had disappeared behind the clouds, and the night was gloomy. Strange sounds reverberated all around me, and trees squeaked in the breeze. I had no food, no shelter, and no sense of direction.

I was beginning to give up.

That's when I saw the seer once more.

She appeared to have been waiting for me as she stood motionless between two trees. In the dark, her white eyes shone dimly.

"What brings you here?" My voice was hoarse as I asked.

She took a while to respond. She c****d her head instead.

""Child, the moon hasn't turned you away. It's just getting started.

"What is meant by that?" Confused and terrified, I inquired.

""The Goddess has not rejected you, even though the Alpha has. Beyond what others say, you are more. Your veins are filled with the Priestess' blood. You're supposed to wake up.

"I've lost my wolf," I said. "I have nothing inside of me."

""Your soul is bound by pain, which is why your wolf sleeps. But your current self will emerge when the red moon rises.

I fell to the ground when my knees failed me. "Why me? Why now? All I wanted was to fit in.

"You weren't supposed to be theirs," she said quietly. "You were destined to be in charge of something bigger."

I gave a head shake. "Everyone despises me. Rowan despises me.

She said, "He's afraid of you." That's the reason he turned you down. It's not that you're weak; rather, you're dangerous.

Stunned, I looked at her.

She moved forward and touched my forehead tenderly.

She said, "You are the Priestess." "And the person who exiled you will bow down in front of you."

She disappeared before I could say anything. She was there one moment, and then she was gone. As if she had never existed.

Through the woods, the wind howled. Then I heard footsteps. Not one. A lot.

Rogues.

With a racing heart, I clambered to my feet. Their growls became closer and louder.

They surrounded me as I attempted to flee. In the darkness, their eyes flashed with rage and desire.

Shaking, I retreated behind a tree. There was no wolf in me. No power. No escape.

One of them moved forward, his fangs stained with blood as he smiled.

He growled, "She's unshifted." "Easy prey."

I waited until the finish while closing my eyes.

A glimmer of glittering light exploded out of my chest.

With their eyes shielded, the outlaws let out a cry.

I let out a gasp. Something stirred inside me, and my skin gleamed dimly. An odd warmth. Strength.

My bones started to hurt. My heart pounded.

I screamed and fell to my knees.

Was I moving?