THE ALPHA'S REJECTED MATE

THE WEDDING REHEARSAL FROM HELL

CHAPTER 6: THE WEDDING REHEARSAL FROM HELL

The packhouse was packed.

Of course it was.

Everyone wanted to see the "weak exiled wolf" crawl back as Luna.

I stood at the end of the aisle in the white dress from yesterday. Pins still poking me.

Across from me stood Damian in his tux. Face like stone.

The elder cleared his throat. "Let’s begin the rehearsal."

Whispers started immediately.

"That’s her? The one he rejected?"

"I heard she’s only doing it for money."

"Poor Alpha. He has no choice."

I kept my chin up. Rule number one: Don’t let them see you bleed.

"Alpha, please take your bride’s hand," the elder said.

Damian looked at me. For one second, hesitation.

Then his big hand wrapped around mine. Warm. Solid.

The second we touched, a zap went through me.

The mate bond. Still alive. Still traitorous.

He felt it too. His jaw ticked.

"Now, the vows," the elder continued. "Alpha, repeat after me."

Damian’s voice was flat. "I, Damian Blackwood, take you, Ava Carter..."

"Stop."

The doors slammed open.

Every head turned.

Standing there in a red gown, dripping diamonds, was her.

Luna Selene’s niece.

My replacement.

The girl the council wanted Damian to mate 3 years ago.

Serena Wolfe.

"I object," Serena said, smiling sweetly. "To this entire farce."

Gasps.

Damian didn’t let go of my hand. If anything, he squeezed tighter.

"Serena. You’re not welcome here."

"Am I not?" She walked down the aisle. "Aunt Selene sent me. She thought the pack should know the truth before this joke of a wedding."

She stopped in front of us. Looked me up and down.

"She’s not even a true Luna. She has no wolf. Everyone knows it. The moon goddess abandoned her when you rejected her."

My wolf.

The one thing I’d hidden for 3 years.

The reason they called me weak.

My heart dropped.

Damian stepped in front of me. Shielding me.

"That’s enough."

"Is it?" Serena laughed. "Then prove it. Prove she’s your mate. Prove the bond is real."

She turned to the crowd. "Because if it’s real, the bond will react to pain. Right, Alpha?"

Before anyone could stop her, she pulled a silver dagger from her purse.

And sliced her own palm.

Blood dripped.

"Let’s see if your fake Luna reacts," she said, eyes on me. "If the bond is real, she’ll feel it."

The room held its breath.

I felt nothing.

Because we weren’t really mated anymore.

Because he’d rejected me.

But then Damian did something insane.

He grabbed the dagger from Serena’s hand.

And cut his own palm.

Blood welled. Red and bright.

And pain shot through my hand.

Sharp. Burning. Like someone cut me too.

I gasped. Stumbled.

Damian caught me.

His eyes were furious. At Serena. At the council. At himself.

But his hand was still holding mine.

And our blood was mixing.

The mate mark on his chest flared. Bright silver.

And on my shoulder, where no one could see...

mine flared too.

The whole room saw it.

Silence.

Serena’s face went pale. "That’s... that’s impossible. You rejected her."

Damian looked at me. Really looked at me.

Then at the pack.

"The moon goddess doesn’t make mistakes," he said, voice booming. "I did. And I’m spending the rest of my life fixing it."

He lifted our bleeding hands.

"This is my Luna. With or without your approval."

Cheers. Some. Boos. Most.

But the bond was undeniable now.

Serena stormed out.

The elder looked terrified. "Rehearsal is... concluded."

Damian pulled me out of the packhouse before anyone could talk.

Into his office. Door slamming shut.

He let go of my hand. Paced.

"Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

I stared at my palm. Still bleeding. Still stinging.

"You cut yourself... for me?"

He stopped. "I’d do it again."

The room felt too small.

The dress felt too tight.

And the man in front of me felt too dangerous.

"Why?" I whispered. "Why would you do that?"

He came close. Too close.

"Because rule number five, Ava."

"What?"

"If anyone is going to hurt you again..."

His thumb brushed blood from my palm.

"It’s going to be me. And only me."

END OF CHAPTER 6

Word Count: ~1320

CLIFFHANGER: The bond reacted. The whole pack saw it. He said he'd hurt her... but only him. What does that mean??