Chapter 1 : REJECTED AND BETRAYED

ARIA'S POV.

Here I was, standing in a stunning wedding dress that felt like a cascade of petals around me, making me look every bit the future ruler of the Blood Moon pack and the cherished bride I truly am. I gazed at my beautiful reflection in the tall mirror before me.

My heart raced as I mustered the courage for what lay ahead. Today, I would be mated to my beloved husband, Nathan Gazelle, the Alpha of the Searot pack. He's a strong and unwavering leader, and I fell for him the moment I laid eyes on him.

I can still vividly recall the day our paths crossed. It was a full moon night at the Green Hill Garden, where I was picking jasmine flowers-my favorite. Suddenly, a powerful, intoxicating scent filled the air, and I couldn't deny the overwhelming feelings that washed over me. It completely melted me, and I found myself searching the space in a frenzy. When I turned around, our eyes locked. My Mate.

He stood there, tall and handsome, his smile making my heart race. As he walked toward me, I was in awe, my wolf purring with delight. He kissed the back of my hand and whispered that one, life-changing word.

"Mate."

Our love blossomed, our hearts intertwined, and all that was left was to tie the knot.

Taking a deep breath, a smile spread across my face. I could hardly wait to become Nathan's official bride. I was eager to have him by my side as my Alpha.

Just then, the door swung open, and in walked my mother-in-law, her face beaming with a warm smile as she approached me. "You look beautiful, my daughter," Tamara said, stepping closer to admire the bride before her. "My son is so lucky to have a woman like you."

She placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and looked at me with grace. "You both will rule magnificently."

"Thank you, Mother," I replied, bowing slightly before turning my gaze to Ashley, my best friend, who entered almost immediately.

Ashley's eyes widened as they met my transformed self. "You look absolutely stunning, Ari... I can't even find the words to describe how amazing you look!" she exclaimed.

"Oh Ashley, you're always full of dramas! We don't want to keep everyone waiting," Tamara reminded us.

"Oh, that's true. Good luck! May the moon grant you your desires," Ashley replied.

"Thank you," I said with a smile as I followed Tamara, who was leading me toward the grand hall where everyone was gathered.

"Go on, Nathan is waiting," Tamara gestured. I took a deep breath and strolled down to the altar, where Nathan stood, a warm smile on his face.

"Aria De Luther, do you accept Nathan Gazelle as your mate and husband, to stand beside you as you lead the BLOOD MOON pack, to protect and cherish as long as the moon shines above?" the elder asked.

I swallowed hard, feeling Nathan's fingers gently caress the back of my hand. "I do," I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper.

The elder turned to Nathan. "Nathan Gazelle, do you accept Aria as your mate and wife, to stand beside her as she leads the BLOOD MOON pack, to protect and cherish her as long as the moon shines above?"

Nathan's response was quick and confident. "I do."

We were handed chalices, and as the ritual required, we dipped our fingers into the sacred water, marking each other's foreheads with the crescent moon symbol.

"By the light of the moon and the will of the pack, you are now bound as mates and leaders. May your bond be strong, and may your rule bring prosperity to us," Elder Filip intoned.

The hall erupted into cheers and howls as Nathan claimed my lips in a tender kiss, sealing our union.

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Nathan's soft lips traced along my neck, sending a delightful shiver down my spine. I was truly enjoying his touch, but I craved more of him.

He swept me off my feet, making me bite my lower lip seductively as he unbuttoned his shirt. I soon got it out of his sleeves, my eyes roaming over his chiseled torso, my fingertips tracing down his chest to his abdomen.

He locked eyes with me and leaned closer to my neck, his moist lips brushing against my delicate skin, and a soft moan escaped my lips.

His hand slowly climbed up to my left breast.His finger traced the crest, and I shivered; my nipples were peaked and already hard. He folded it, and I closed my eyes, throwing my head back, giving him full access to my neck where he planted countless kisses.

"Promise you won't touch her on your wedding night," that voice echoed in his head, making him stop his actions abruptly and drop me onto the bed. I looked at him, confused, wanting to ask what was wrong, but he silenced me with a gentle kiss.

"I know you have a lot of questions, but I don't think I can do this right now," he said as he put on his clothes, leaving me in disbelief with my lips parted.

"But we're already mated, and I need to be marked by you to show our bond," I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of my words.

"I know, but I'm just not feeling well tonight. Maybe another time," he kissed my forehead again and lay down on his side of the bed, leaving me to drown in my thoughts. I adjusted myself before lying on my side.

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Late at midnight, my eyes fluttered open. I stretched lazily, and my hand met an empty space, leaving me utterly confused. I sat up and glanced over at the window; it was still night. Where could Nathan be? I wondered to myself before standing up.

I reached for the door, twisting the knob before stepping out. I walked slowly through the silent corridor, trying not to wake anyone, but an unusual noise caught my sensitive ears.

My eyes darted toward the source of the noise, leading me to my sick father's chamber. Curiosity gripped me instantly; why would my sick father be awake at this hour?

I twisted the door knob slightly and poked my head in. My eyes scanned the room and landed on a shocking sight. My mate, Nathan, was suffocating my father with a pillow.

My blood ran cold.

I froze in place, unable to believe what I was witnessing. How could he do this? Why? Tears slipped down my cheeks as I watched the poor man struggle for his life.

"After we wrap things up here, Aria is next. She can't escape her fate; she doesn't belong here and isn't fit to be the Luna of the pack. We have to end her." A familiar voice echoed in the room, making me gulp. Nathan wasn't alone; there were two others, and I recognized one of them as Tamara, the one who just suggested killing me.

My heart raced, pounding louder than it should have, and my hands trembled uncontrollably. I felt paralyzed, unable to rush in and save my father because I knew that if I stepped in, they would take me out too.

"I have to get out of here," my subconscious urged.

In a panic, I shifted back, and the door creaked, alerting everyone inside, including Nathan. Our eyes locked, and my heart nearly leaped out of my chest.

I turned on my heels and bolted, knowing that if I got caught, they would definitely kill me.

I glanced back to see if they were on my tail, and sure enough, Nathan was right behind me. I had no idea where to run.

I dashed into a room and was about to slam the door shut when someone pushed it open with such force that I stumbled to the ground. Tears filled my eyes, and my heart ached. Nathan stepped in, followed by Tamara, who wore a smug smirk.

"Why did you do it?" I asked, my voice shaky.

Nathan chuckled darkly, sending chills down my spine. He took slow, menacing steps toward me, and I instinctively backed away in fear.

"Why did you kill my father? Why? And now you plan to end me too. Nathan, what did I do to deserve this from you? We're mates, for crying out loud! Destined mates!" I shouted, my fists clenched tightly.

As he continued to approach, a jolt of fear shot through me. I jerked my head up, as if pulled by an invisible force. His expression was filled with disdain, and it shattered my heart all over again. He looked at me as if I were something he despised with every fiber of his being.

"You mean nothing to me. Nobody." His words pierced through me like a thousand tiny knives, ripping me apart from the inside. I dropped to my knees, feeling the cold, damp earth seep through my dress. It was happening. The voice in my head was filled with anguish, but it was also resolute. Still, I couldn't bring myself to accept it. I never thought this day would come...

"If I'm nobody to you, then why are you trying to destroy me and my father?" I managed to say, my voice trembling with pain.

"You still don't understand, do you, Aria? I've never met anyone as naive as you," he chuckled, while Tamara stood beside him, grinning like she had just won a grand prize.

My heart plummeted; his words sliced through me like a dagger. I was left speechless, my mouth agape.

"If you can recall the great war from twenty years ago-maybe you weren't even born then, but I'm sure your father told you about it-your father ruthlessly killed mine, despite them being best friends. He made my pack suffer for years, and now it's my turn to make him pay for everything he did to us," he said without a hint of remorse.

"No! Your father started the war and nearly killed my father ; he was the real traitor!" As soon as the words left my mouth, a sharp slap landed on my cheek, sending stars dancing in my vision.

"Lies, Alpha Cyrus! Your father was the traitor, and that doesn't change the fact that your wretched father killed mine and made my pack suffer. I promise you, you won't see another day. I'm going to end you, and no one will ever know," he roared.

"No, no!!" I shook my head, tears streaming down my flushed cheeks. Before I could react, two burly guards stormed into the room. My heart raced as I instinctively backed away, unsure of what Nathan and Tamara were plotting. One of the guards grabbed my wrist and twisted it behind my back, forcing me to face Nathan.

"You're a monster, Nathan. I never thought I could fall for someone as monstrous as you... and you, Tamara," I said, turning my gaze toward the woman I had always considered my mother. Tamara's smirk widened as she noticed the look on my face. "I never expected this from you. I thought you were a blessing sent by the moon Goddess, but I never knew you were worse than a curse," I spat, hatred burning in my eyes.

"Oh, please, shut up, you ugly bitch! Your heartless father did wrong, and there's always a payback. We're just giving you what you deserve because if you were in our shoes, you'd do the same," Tamara shot back bitterly.

"Just reject me! I can't stand being mated to a monster who only cares about his own selfish greed!" I roared.

He reached under my chin, forcing me to look up at him. I met his beautiful gaze and let out a sob.

"What did you say?" he asked, his tone indifferent.

"R-reject me!" I shouted, raising my voice despite my wolf howling at me to be quiet. "Please, just let me go. You don't love me. I know that. You want to end me like they did to my father. Just reject me!" A growl rumbled from deep within his chest, and his grip on my chin tightened. Finally, he seemed to wrestle control of his wolf, letting out a long sigh. When he spoke, his voice was softer than I expected, but the words sent a chill through my veins.

"I, Nathan, son of Samson, reject you, Aria, daughter of Cyrus, as my mate," he whispered, and my wolf howled in agony. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

"Accept it," he growled, his voice cold and devoid of compassion, his eyes filled with hatred and disgust.

"I... accept your rejection," I gasped, the words tearing through my soul. The pain was unbearable, like a thousand needles piercing my heart.

Almost immediately, Asher rushed in, her expression unpleasant. "What's going on here?" she asked, looking at me who was already feeling lifeless.

She walked toward me steadily, a look of pity etched on her face. But as she got closer, a grin slowly spread across her features, and I could see the determination in her eyes. Her left hand was hidden behind her back, and I had no idea what she was concealing. Just as I was about to react, Asher plunged a dagger into my stomach.

Blood spilled from my lips, and my vision blurred with tears as I gasped in agony. This wasn't the family I thought I knew; they were all monsters in disguise. My best friend had betrayed me.

No. The pain was too much to bear.

I shook my head, tears streaming down my cheeks. I cried out as Asher twisted the dagger deeper into my flesh, my blood pooling on the floor, the metallic scent filling the air. "Die. Die. You don't belong here," Asher whispered menacingly into my ears.