WHEN WOLVES FALL: THE RISE OF THE REBORN LUNA

(Selena’s POV) The night the moon chose me, everything changed. I still remember how cold the wind felt that evening , the way it brushed against my bare arms like a ghost’s touch. It was my eighteenth birthday. The day every werewolf waits for. The day they finally hear their wolf’s voice for the first time. For me, it was supposed to be a new beginning. But even as I stood outside the packhouse, staring up at the glowing silver moon, I couldn’t stop the ache in my chest. My parents should’ve been here. I tried to imagine my mother’s smile, my father’s strong hand on my shoulder. But all I could see were two wooden graves behind the packhouse. They died when rogues attacked years ago. I was only twelve then. Since that day, I had been alone. An orphaned Omega. No one celebrated my birthday. The others didn’t even notice me when I walked by. They whispered behind my back. “Why is she even here?” “She should’ve died with her parents.” I tried to ignore them, but the words always found a way into my heart. That night, the moon ceremony was held at the clearing. Everyone was gathered , the Alpha, the warriors, the elders. The moon shone brighter than I’d ever seen before. My heart raced as the pack’s priestess stepped forward and called my name. “Selena Whitmore.” Every eye turned to me. I swallowed hard and walked to the middle of the clearing. I could feel the stares , cold, judgmental. I was just an Omega, an outsider. But tonight, for once, I wanted to feel special. I knelt as the priestess poured moonwater on my head. The liquid was cold, but it made something deep inside me stir. I closed my eyes and prayed. Please, Moon Goddess. Don’t forget me too. And then… It happened. A sharp pain shot through my chest. My bones cracked. My skin burned. I gasped and fell to the ground as my body shifted. It hurt , stars above, it hurt so much , but under that pain was something beautiful. Power. Life. When I opened my eyes again, I was no longer human. I had fur. White as snow. My paws pressed into the wet grass. And then I heard a voice in my head. “Finally.” It was calm, warm , like a hug. “My name is Mira,” the voice said. “And I’ve been waiting for you.” I wanted to cry. My wolf. She was real. We howled together under the moonlight, and for the first time in years, I felt alive. But then… I caught it. That scent. Strong. Masculine. A mix of pine and storm. My heart skipped. My paws trembled. Mira whimpered. “Mate…” she whispered. I turned , and there he was. Alpha Zade Matthews. Tall, powerful, with black hair and eyes like fire. The strongest Alpha in the High-Claw pack. He looked right at me. Our eyes locked, and a shiver ran through me. The air between us changed. Every wolf around us froze. He stepped closer. My heart pounded. Was this real? Me , an Omega , mated to him? He reached out, slowly. His hand brushed my fur. My heart fluttered. His eyes softened for a moment. I thought I saw wonder there… maybe even warmth. But before I could move closer, he blinked , like he couldn’t believe it either. His hand fell. “Shift back,” he ordered softly. I obeyed, trembling. My body shifted painfully, bones cracking until I stood there, human again, clutching the torn dress to my chest. When his eyes met mine again, something inside him changed. The warmth was gone. His jaw tightened. His face hardened. He looked… disgusted. His voice came out sharp. “You’re an Omega.” The crowd started whispering. I looked down, too ashamed to meet his eyes. “I… I didn’t choose this,” I whispered. Zade’s lips curled. “This can’t be right.” I felt my throat tighten. “Alpha, please…” But he stepped back like my presence was poison. “I, Zade Matthews, Alpha of the High-Claw Pack, reject you, Selena Whitmore, as my mate and Luna of this pack.” The words hit harder than any blade. My chest felt like it was being torn apart. “No…” I gasped, falling to my knees. “Please,” He turned his back. “You are to work here and obey every command. You will accept my rejection.” The crowd gasped. My heart shattered. Every nerve in my body burned as the rejection took hold. My bond , our bond , snapped like glass. I screamed. The world went dark around me, and I fell to the ground.