Mated to the ruthless alpha

EPISODE 1 Rejected by the Alpha King The blood moon hung high above the kingdom, glowing crimson against the dark sky. Selena Vale stood quietly at the edge of the ceremony hall, trying her best to ignore the whispers surrounding her. “Why is she even here?” “She’s too weak to find a mate.” “Even omegas outrank her.” The cruel laughter burned through Selena’s chest, but she remained silent. She was used to it. For years, the Crescent Moon Pack treated her like she didn’t belong. Ever since her parents died mysteriously, Selena had lived like an unwanted shadow inside the pack. No power. No status. No protection. Just survival. Tonight was supposed to change everything. The Sacred Mating Ceremony only happened once every five years. Under the blood moon, wolves finally discovered their destined mates chosen by the Moon Goddess herself. Selena tried calming her racing heartbeat. Maybe tonight her life would finally change. Maybe someone out there would actually want her. Suddenly, the giant doors of the hall opened. Instant silence filled the room. Then he entered. Alpha King Kael Draven. Every werewolf in the kingdom immediately lowered their heads in respect and fear. Selena’s breath caught instantly. He was terrifying. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed completely in black, with cold silver eyes sharp enough to destroy someone without touching them. Power radiated from him so strongly that even the air inside the hall felt heavier. The ruthless ruler of the Northern Kingdom. The most feared Alpha alive. Women stared at him with desire. Men avoided eye contact completely. Kael Draven walked through the crowd like a king born to rule monsters. Which, technically, he was. Selena quickly lowered her gaze before he noticed her staring. Girls like her did not belong near men like him. The ceremony soon began. Candles surrounded the ancient stone altar while elders chanted sacred prayers to the Moon Goddess. One by one, wolves stepped forward to discover their mates. Some cried happily. Some embraced passionately. Others looked disappointed. Selena waited nervously at the back of the hall, praying for the night to end quickly. Then suddenly— Pain exploded through her chest. Selena gasped sharply. Her wolf stirred violently inside her as an invisible force pulled her forward. What was happening? The entire room suddenly became silent again. Selena slowly looked up. And froze. Kael Draven was staring directly at her. The connection hit instantly. Mate. The bond snapped between them with terrifying force. Selena’s knees nearly gave out from the intensity of it. Gasps erupted throughout the hall. “The Alpha King’s mate…” “No way.” “It’s Selena?” Shock spread everywhere. Selena’s heart pounded wildly as warmth rushed through her body. The Moon Goddess had chosen her. Her. For one impossible second, happiness bloomed inside her chest. But then she saw Kael’s face. Cold. Furious. Disgusted. The warmth instantly disappeared. Kael slowly walked toward her while the crowd moved aside fearfully. Every step felt deadly. Selena’s breathing became uneven as he stopped directly in front of her. His silver eyes scanned her face emotionlessly. “You,” he said coldly. The word alone nearly shattered her. Selena swallowed painfully. “My King…” Whispers spread rapidly through the hall. This should have been a blessing. A weak outcast becoming the mate of the most powerful Alpha alive. But Kael looked at her like she was poison. Then he spoke words that destroyed her completely. “I, Kael Draven…” he said coldly, “…reject Selena Vale as my mate.” The world stopped. Agonizing pain ripped through Selena’s chest so violently she cried out. Her wolf screamed inside her soul as the mate bond cracked apart. Tears filled Selena’s eyes instantly while the crowd watched in complete silence. Humiliation swallowed her whole. Rejected. Publicly. By the Alpha King himself. Kael’s expression remained merciless. “You are too weak to stand beside me.” Those words hurt more than the rejection itself. Laughter slowly began spreading through the crowd again. Cruel. Mocking. Merciless. Selena felt her entire body trembling. She wanted to disappear. Kael turned away coldly, clearly done with her already. But before he could walk away completely— A strange pain suddenly shot through his chest. Kael stopped moving instantly. His eyes narrowed slightly. Something felt wrong. Very wrong. At the exact same moment, Selena collapsed to the ground gasping in pain as a strange silver mark suddenly burned against her wrist. The elders nearby gasped in horror. One old woman stepped forward shakily. “That mark…” she whispered fearfully. The entire hall became silent again. Because everyone knew what the symbol meant. And suddenly… The rejected omega girl no longer looked ordinary at all.