Chapter 2 The Pain of Rejection

The cold night air bit into my skin as I stepped out of the Blackwood Pack's grand hall. My vision blurred, but I refused to let the tears fall. Not here. Not where they could see my weakness.

Each step away from that place felt heavier, like I was walking through a storm that wanted to pull me back. My chest ached, the mate bond screaming inside me, but I ignored it. Kieran had rejected me-humiliated me in front of everyone. There was no going back.

I kept walking, my silver gown dragging across the dirt path leading to the pack's borders. The guards stationed there glanced at me, their eyes filled with pity, but they didn't stop me. I wasn't their Luna anymore.

My feet carried me to the forest beyond the Blackwood Pack's land. The trees loomed over me, their twisted branches reaching out like claws. My wolf, Astrid, whimpered in my mind, mourning the bond that had been torn.

"Why didn't he complete the rejection?" she asked weakly.

I swallowed hard, hugging myself against the cold. "Because he wants me to suffer."

Kieran had left the bond intact on purpose. He wanted me to feel the pain of rejection forever. Every time he kissed Callista, every time he touched her, I would feel it. My heart would break over and over again.

A sharp pain struck my chest, making me gasp. I dropped to my knees, clutching at my heart as agony spread through me. The mate bond was already punishing me. Kieran was with her.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the pain, but it was useless. I felt everything-the warmth of his touch on her skin, the way he whispered in her ear. It was as if a dagger was being driven straight into my soul.

Tears finally escaped, falling onto the dry leaves beneath me.

I don't want this. I don't want to feel this.

I let out a choked sob, my whole body shaking. Why? Why did the Moon Goddess give me a mate who would destroy me?

The wind howled around me, rustling the trees as if the universe itself mourned my pain. I had never felt so alone, so abandoned.

For hours, I sat there, lost in my sorrow, until exhaustion pulled at me. My limbs were numb, my heart shattered. I needed to get up. I needed to move. But where would I go?

I had no pack. No home.

My father, Alpha Gregory Nightshade, had never truly cared for me. He always favored Callista, his perfect daughter. And my mother... my mother had died when I was young.

I had no one.

I was nothing.

No.

A small voice inside me whispered, defiant and strong.

You are not nothing. You are Selene Nightshade. You will not let them break you.

My fingers dug into the dirt as I pushed myself up. My legs trembled, my body weak from the pain, but I forced myself to stand.

I wiped my tears away, taking a shaky breath. I couldn't stay here. If I did, the Blackwood guards would drag me back by morning, and I refused to be their prisoner.

I turned toward the unknown, toward the deep woods that stretched for miles.

There were dangers beyond the Blackwood Pack's borders-rogues, hunters, and worse. But I didn't care.

I would rather face the wild than spend another second in a place that had destroyed me.

With one last glance at the land I once called home, I stepped into the darkness.

---

The forest was silent except for the rustling of leaves under my bare feet. My gown, once beautiful, was torn and dirty. My breath came in ragged gasps as I forced myself to keep moving.

I didn't know where I was going, only that I couldn't stop.

Time passed in a blur. The moon shifted in the sky, marking the passing hours. My body ached, exhaustion threatening to pull me under.

And then, suddenly, I heard it.

A low growl.

I froze.

The air grew thick with the scent of wolves, but not just any wolves-rogues.

My heart pounded as dark figures emerged from the shadows. Their eyes glowed in the night, their bodies covered in scars.

A man stepped forward, his lips curling into a cruel grin. "Well, well, what do we have here?"

My hands clenched into fists. I knew what rogues did to lone wolves, especially ones like me-weak, abandoned, unprotected.

Another rogue sniffed the air, his eyes narrowing. "She smells like an Alpha's mate."

The leader chuckled. "Not anymore, I'd guess. Otherwise, she wouldn't be out here alone."

I took a step back, but they closed in, circling me like prey.

I had two choices-run or fight.

Running wouldn't work. I was too weak, and they were too fast.

That left one option.

My wolf stirred inside me, still injured from the rejection, but willing to fight. We won't go down without a battle.

I let out a low growl, forcing my body into a defensive stance. "Come any closer, and I'll make you regret it."

The rogues laughed.

"Feisty," the leader mocked. "But you're alone. Do you really think you can take all of us?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't afford to show weakness.

The leader lunged.

I barely dodged, rolling to the side. Pain shot through my limbs, but I ignored it. I kicked out, aiming for his knee, but he caught my leg mid-air and threw me to the ground.

I gasped, the impact knocking the wind out of me.

The rogues circled closer. My vision blurred.

I can't win this.

I braced myself for the final blow.

Then-

A savage roar echoed through the forest.

The rogues froze.

A blur of movement crashed into them, tearing them apart like they were nothing. Claws slashed, bones cracked, and within seconds, the rogues were dead.

Silence fell.

I struggled to sit up, my heart racing as my savior stepped into the moonlight.

A man.

Tall, with dark hair and piercing silver eyes. His aura was powerful, more powerful than any Alpha I had ever encountered.

He stared down at me, expression unreadable.

"Who are you?" I whispered.

His lips curved into a smirk. "You're not ready for that answer yet, little wolf."

Darkness claimed me before I could respond.