Chapter 1 The Rejection That Changed Everything

The grand hall of the Blackwood Pack was alive with celebration. Golden chandeliers bathed the room in soft light, and the air was thick with the scent of wine, roasted meat, and freshly cut flowers. Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of my life-the night I would finally become Luna, bound to my mate, Alpha Kieran Blackwood.

I stood at the center of the grand hall, dressed in a flowing silver gown that shimmered under the light. My heart pounded with anticipation, nerves tangling in my stomach as I waited for my mate to claim me.

But Kieran hadn't arrived yet.

The pack was waiting. The Elders whispered among themselves. The guests, dressed in fine silks and embroidered coats, exchanged curious glances.

And then, the heavy double doors burst open.

Kieran strode in, his presence commanding, his dark hair tousled as though he had just come from battle. His sharp golden eyes locked onto mine, but there was no warmth in them-only something cold, something ruthless.

A flicker of unease crept up my spine.

Behind him, another figure followed. My stepsister, Callista.

The moment she stepped in beside him, my breath caught in my throat. Callista's hand rested on Kieran's arm, and she wore a satisfied smirk as she gazed at me like I was nothing more than a pathetic, broken thing.

No. No, this couldn't be happening.

Kieran climbed the dais, his voice cutting through the silence.

"I, Alpha Kieran Blackwood, reject you, Selene Nightshade, as my mate and Luna."

The world shattered around me.

A gasp rippled through the crowd. The bond between us-our fated connection given by the Moon Goddess-was like a silver thread tying our souls together. And now, with those cruel words, it was being ripped apart.

Pain seared through my chest, an unbearable, suffocating agony that made my knees buckle. My wolf, Astrid, howled inside me, her sorrow raw and unrelenting.

I clutched my chest, struggling to breathe. "Kieran... why?" My voice was barely a whisper, but the entire room heard it.

Kieran's expression was cold, merciless. "Because I don't want a weak Luna."

A cruel laugh rang out. Callista.

My stepsister, the one who had spent years undermining me, spreading rumors about me, poisoning my father's mind against me. She stepped forward, pressing her body against Kieran's side.

"Poor, pathetic Selene," she cooed mockingly. "Did you really think you were worthy of being Luna? Kieran deserves someone stronger, someone who can rule beside him without being a burden."

The betrayal struck deeper than the rejection itself.

I turned my gaze to Kieran, hoping-praying-that this was some kind of sick joke. That he would take it back. That he would see me, see the love I had for him, and realize his mistake.

But there was nothing.

No regret. No hesitation.

Only cold, finality.

The bond between us strained, fraying at the edges, but he hadn't completed the rejection. I could still feel the mate bond desperately clinging to me, refusing to let go.

And then came the final blow.

Kieran smirked. "You want to know why, Selene?" He leaned in close, his breath brushing my ear, his voice dripping with cruelty. "Because I was never going to choose you. Callista has been mine from the beginning."

I gasped, the pain turning into something deeper-rage, heartbreak, humiliation.

The pack watched in silence, waiting for my response. For me to beg, to break.

I straightened, swallowing my pain, forcing myself to stand tall. If Kieran thought he could shatter me, he was wrong.

Slowly, I lifted my chin. "If you're going to reject me," I said, my voice steadier than I felt, "then do it properly."

Kieran raised a brow, intrigued.

I forced myself to hold his gaze, even as my heart bled. "Complete the rejection."

A muscle in his jaw twitched.

For a second-just a second-I saw hesitation flicker across his face.

Then he turned away. "No."

No?

Murmurs erupted around us. The Elders exchanged looks of confusion.

Kieran smirked, a dark gleam in his golden eyes. "I want you to feel it, Selene. I want you to suffer. I won't let you go so easily. You'll remain tied to me, a rejected mate, feeling this pain for the rest of your miserable life."

I sucked in a sharp breath, my nails digging into my palms.

The cruelty of his words burned, but I refused to let him see my tears.

Callista laughed. "Oh, darling sister, you should be grateful. At least you'll always have a bond with Kieran-one that keeps you trapped in your suffering."

My vision blurred with fury.

Fine. If that's how they wanted to play, then so be it.

I would not beg. I would not stay.

They wanted me gone? Then I would leave-but not in disgrace.

I stepped back, my voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "You're a fool, Kieran."

The smirk on his lips faltered.

I took another step back, feeling the power of my lineage, my bloodline, simmer beneath my skin. "You think you can break me? That I'll crawl back to you, desperate for scraps of your affection?"

A cruel smile touched my lips.

"You'll regret this."

Kieran's eyes darkened. "Is that a threat, Selene?"

I turned, my silver gown flowing behind me as I made my way toward the door. I didn't look back, didn't acknowledge the whispers, the murmurs of pity and amusement from the crowd.

But just before I stepped out, I paused.

Without turning around, I spoke.

"No, Kieran. It's a promise."

And then, I walked away-out of the Blackwood Pack, out of my past, and into the unknown.

I didn't know where I was going.

I didn't know what awaited me.

But one thing was certain.

I would come back.

And when I did, I wouldn't be the same weak girl they had thrown away.

I would return stronger.

More powerful.

And Kieran Blackwood would wish he had never rejected me.