The Rejected Luna’s Hidden Bloodline

✦ The Ceremony of Fire The moon was full and bright. Complete and merciless just like him. Aria Blake was standing by the edge of the clearing, scared as she watched the rest of the Black River Pack gathered for the pairing ceremony, her heart beating so fast hard in her chest. That night, she would finally shift. She would find out who the Goddess of the Moon has picked for her. She can’t even dare to hope. Omegas like her don’t get the privilege to dream, they were mere slaves made to serve and disappear into the shadows. But still.. a small voice in her whispered. Please. Let me be wanted for just this once. The elder’s voice was loud across the field making announcements to summon the unmatched wolves to begin the bonding rituals. A quiet murmur spiral around the pack. Then she felt it. A scent. Cedarwood and smoke. Wrapped around her like a cord. Pulling at the wolf senses in her. Her legs fastened, and her breath caught. Her companion was here. She pursued the fragrance with open eyes and heavy breathing and the field gave way slowly. Until she sighted him. Giant looking. Six foot of unmatched deadly power. Gold attractive eyes. A large jagged scar over his jaw he got from the war last winter. And the cold staring look she has ever seen. He was looking directly at her. Then he spoke. “I, Kael Thorn, Alpha of Black River Pack… reject you, Aria Blake, as my mate.” ✦ Humiliation and Exile Gasps exploded around the crowd. Aria froze. The Universe became suddenly slanted. What she heard didn’t sink. She felt the wolf in her cry in pain then went quiet. “No,” she whispered” Kael moved closer. “You’re an omega. Too weak and worthless. I don’t pair or bond with slaves” Each statement sounded like a sharp blade. “I will not accept she said, trembling” He said again and this time, loud and final. “I said I reject you.” The elders frowned and one said “child, do you accept this rejection?” She wanted to speak, yell, cry and fight it, but no word or sound came from her. One she-wolf beside her mocked. “Was she thinking or hoping the Alpha would ever want her” Tears filled her eyes but she won’t cry , not while they were all looking at her. She looked Kael in the eye. “I accept.” That was the last statement she made before everything around her became black. ✦ Into the Cold She still felt the hurt. Not even after she hit the ground. Aria's body was shaking intensely on the floor, with so much rage and primal energy. The wolf inside her, just awakened, raged and furious in protest. It’s anger echoing through her like a wounded cry. But the pain only got worse, offering no break. The sound of Kaels voice still loud and sharp in her head. “I reject you.” She tasted blood. Dirt and Humiliation. Someone laughed. ”I knew she won’t last or go past 5 seconds, a female voice sneered” Aria managed to push herself up but a boot hit down on her back ceasing the air from of her lungs. “Stay down, freak.” It was Lena-Kael’s Beta’s daughter. The girl who had always hated and tormented Aria more than anyone. ”I was sure she thought she would be Luna tonight” Another voice chuckled. “Could have been better Kael put a leash on her for a walk” Everyone had dispersed, satisfying their curiosity but a few waited hoping for blood. Another kick. But this time to her ribs. Her vision became blurry and she was finding it difficult to breathe. Her wolf rustled weakly but too defeated. Then she heard it. “Leave her.” Kael’s voice. Everyone stood stilled immediately, just his presence made them back off. Lena hesitated but she had to obey too. Aria looked up at him, her mouth covered in blood. For just that once and quiet moment, his golden eyes met hers. And there was something there. Guilt. Pity? But then it vanished quickly. “She no longer belongs to this pack,” Kael said coldly. If she’s still inside our borders by sunrise… kill her.” Her heart stopped and skipped. She wasn’t just rejected and shamed. She was being exiled. Kael walked away without saying another word. And just like that, Aria Blake - once a nobody - became a target. She crawled. No energy to run. No power to shift. No one to help. The forest was too cold and has no end, branches tearing at her skin but she crawled her way through the thick forest. She didn’t stop. She doesn’t know how far she can go before the world begins to spin. Her fingers were numb. Legs couldn’t move anymore. The bright moon over her became suddenly blurry. Like the tears she can’t cry anymore. “You don’t belong here.” “You’re worthless.” “Kill her.” Their voices wouldn’t stop. And then-everything went silent. Her body collapsed into the snow and the wind howled. Suddenly something deep in her stirred. Something from deep inside her blood. Something ancient.