Rejected by My Mate, Claimed by His Alpha Brother

I knew something was wrong the moment my name was called. Not softly. Not lovingly. But like a command. “Lyra. Step forward.” My heart pounded as I walked into the center of the pack hall. Every eye was on me. Watching. Waiting. And then I saw him. Damon. My mate. My breath caught in my throat, but something in his expression made my stomach twist. There was no warmth. No recognition. No bond. Just… coldness. “I, Damon Draven, future Alpha of this pack…” He paused. And for a second just a second I hoped. “I reject you.” The words didn’t just land. They shattered. A gasp rippled through the room, but I couldn’t hear anything past the roaring in my ears. “What…?” My voice came out broken. “Damon” “I don’t want you,” he said flatly. “You’re weak. Useless. Not fit to stand beside me. Each word hit harder than the last. My wolf whimpered inside me. Mate… don’t let him do this… But he already had. “I, Lyra Hale…” My chest tightened, my voice trembling. “…accept your rejection.” And just like that Everything inside me broke.