THE REJECTED LUNA; BILLIONAIRE ALPHA, PLEASE CLAIM ME.

I reject you as my luna, Elisa, you don't have what it takes to stand beside me. These words hit me like a blow. I stared at him, my mate, the future Alpha of the Silver Moon pack. "What?" My voice was a broken whisper. "You heard me." Alpha Kaleb sneered, his eyes cold. "I, Kaleb, Silver Moon pack future Alpha, reject you, Elisa Vance, as my mate and Luna. No. This can't be happening. We're mates. The Moon Goddess chose us. I reached for him. Kaleb, please. You can't mean this." He shoved my hand away, his touch burning my skin. "Don't touch me! Look at yourself, Elisa. You're weak. You have no wolf. You're an omega, for Moon's sake!" "I... I haven't shifted yet, but I will! I know I will!" "You're twenty! If you were going to shift, it would have happened by now." He laughed, a cruel, harsh sound. "A Luna without a wolf? The pack would be a laughingstock." He's right. I'm useless. A defective wolf. But he's my mate. My other half. Tears blurred my vision. "But... the bond. Don't you feel it?" "I feel a mistake." He stepped closer, towering over me. "I need a strong Luna. Someone who can stand beside me, not cower behind me." He gestured to the doorway. A woman stepped into the room. It was Seraphina, the Beta's daughter. She was beautiful, strong, and her wolf was powerful. "Seraphina will be my Luna," Kaleb announced, pulling her towards his side. Seraphina smirked at me. Sorry Elisa, But the Alpha needs a real mate. My heart is ripping apart. I can't breathe. You're replacing me? I finally found my voice. "I'm upgrading to a befitting mate," Kaleb said coldly. "Now, accept the rejection. Severe the bond." No! I cried, shaking my head violently. "I won't do it! You can't make me!" "Accept it!" he roared, using his Alpha tone. The command in his voice forced me to my knees. The pain in my chest was unbearable. I gasped for air, clutching my shirt. I have to fight it. I can't let him do this. "I... I..." "Say it!" Kaleb ordered, his eyes glowing gold. "I... Elisa Vance..." I sobbed, the words tearing at my throat. "...accept your rejection." The bond broke. It felt like a piece of my soul had been ripped away. I collapsed onto the floor, curling like a ball. "Good," Kaleb said, his voice void of any emotion. "You only have twenty minutes to leave the pack now . Yes this is Midnight Express, how may I help you? "I need a bus ticket tonight. The furthest you go." "New York City. Next bus leaves in thirty minutes. Fifty dollars cash." "I'll take it. My name is Elisa." "Pay at the counter. Make sure you're here in fifteen minutes or I will sell your seat." Please I'll be there Don't sell it. I dropped my phone on the bare mattress. I grabbed my ripped backpack and shoved two pairs of jeans and a few shirts inside. Twenty minutes, Kaleb gave me exactly twenty minutes to vanish before he sets his guards on me. Twenty minutes to pack my entire twenty years of life and leave. My chest burned terribly. The freshly broken mate bond was like there was a shattered glass in my lungs with every breath I took. "Elisa!" A small whisper came from my open window. I spun around, dropping a sweater. "Maya? Get out of here! Are you crazy?" My best friend climbed over the window and dropped into my tiny room. "I saw Kaleb leave with Seraphina. He told the pack you only have twenty minutes to leave here . "I know, Maya! I'm packing!" "You can't go to the human world. It's suicide for an unmated omega! "Staying here is a literal death sentence! What choice do I have?" I think We can hide you. I can talk to my dad to help. "No! They will kill your entire family for harboring a rogue. I won't let you die for me." "But how will you survive? You don't know anyone in New York!" "I'll find a work in A motel. I'll scrub floors. I just need to blend in with the humans." Maya is my best friend. The only one who cares. Saying goodbye to her hurts almost as much as the rejection. Almost. Maya reached into her jacket and shoved a thick paper envelope into my hands. Take it. It's all my savings. Maya, no. I can't take your money. "Take it!" Maya sobbed, her voice cracking. "Or I will scream and bring the guards here myself." "Okay. Okay, I'll take it." And take this too. She reached behind her neck and unclasped her heavy silver locket. "To pawn if you get desperate." I can't take your mother's necklace, Maya! Stop it. "You are my sister, Elisa. Take it. Please." I am shaking. I am completely terrified. But looking at Maya's tear-stained face, I know I have to be brave. I can't break down now. "I promise I will pay you back. Every penny." "Just stay alive. Call me when you get a safe phone." I will. Now go Elisa! Your scent will linger. Maya hugged me tight, kissing my cheek, before slipping back out the window into the dark woods. I zipped my backpack shut and hung it over my shoulder. I tried to Breathe in and Breathe out. Ignore the pain in your heart. You are taking back your life. Just walk out the door. I took two steps toward the exit and reached out my hand. Kor, kor , kor Three heavy knocks sounded in the wooden door. I froze in my tracks. "Elisa Vance!" a deep, chillingly unfamiliar voice barked from the hallway. "Open this door." Who is that? The twenty minutes aren't up yet and that's not one of Kaleb's guards. My blood immediately turned to pure ice as the doorknob slowly began to turn.