Chapter 1 1

Mirabel's POV

"With the power bestowed on me as the high priest of the Moonfall Pack, I now declare you both husband and wife. Applause to the newlyweds."

High Priest Charles announced. The large, crowded hall was instantly filled with deafening cheering as the Luna's crown was then placed on Ariana's head.

I trembled wordlessly. My expression was like that of a child who was beaten up and is now perplexed as to why he was beaten up, knowing that he did absolutely nothing wrong.

I still couldn't apprehend or figure out what was happening. Everything was just fine before I passed out after the rituals.

Why can't I remember ever doing anything wrong? I was the person who was marked by the Alpha himself. He even said it was best if we consummated before the final ceremony, and I agreed.

So why am I, not the one standing beside him on the altar? I waited for this moment all my life.

I secretly loved him and hoped to be with him. I even went as far as praying to the Moon Goddess in hopes of becoming his wife, Luna.

Everything was going ever so smoothly when I discovered my life partner is the Alpha.

Why and where did things go wrong? What kind of tricks did Ariana Brandon play to take my place by becoming the Alpha's Luna?'

Different thoughts kept flashing through my mind. I still couldn't understand what was happening. We've already marked each other and even spent days together, coiling under a sheet in bed.

He is supposed to be my alpha, my mate, and my husband. Why is everything going in the opposite direction?

I staggered backward when Ariana Brandon, and Alpha Kameel walked forward hand in hand.

Ariana chuckled at me, and I knew she was mocking my confused and vulnerable expression.

"You've lost Mirabel. Alpha Kameel is mine, now and forever," she mouthed, snorting at me, as they do to beggars.

Ariana sauntered away with her hands in Kameel's-something that I should be the one doing.

I felt discomfort with hatred brewing in me. My stomach churned as tears brimmed in my eyes. I despise his silence. He looked as if he didn't care and everything was fine with him.

"Stop right there!" I said, ignoring all the questioning and mocking glares thrown at me as I fought back my tears.

"Why did you choose to marry her? I am your mate. We've gone through the rituals, and you've marked me as your mate. So why did you get married to her?"

I questioned, fearlessly pointing at the apex of our Pack. Gone is the bliss of the hot and steamy nights we shared for three straight days.

Gone are the joy and happiness of being mated to the ruthless alpha in the entire werewolf kingdom.

Gone are the respect, interest, and fear I felt around him.

All I want right now is to know why he betrayed and humiliated me in such a manner when I did nothing wrong.

I heard gasps from the crowd. Alpha Kameel turned around, staring deeply into my brown eyes.

"I choose whoever I want as my mate and my Luna. And today, I choose Ariana Brandon," he declared without batting an eyelid.

"But you've marked me and even dared to sleep with me. Which means you've accepted me." I retorted, not compromising on the heavy tension in the ballroom.

"Then, I, Kameel Chester, Alpha of the Moonfall Pack, reject you as my Luna and my Mate. Just consider whatever had happened as a three-night stand. Now, accept my rejection," he ordered, locking eyes with me.

I took several steps back in shock. while Ariana smirked, walking towards me in calculated steps.

"Don't you understand? Accept his rejection. After all, it's your Alpha's commands," she taunted.

I frowned, thinking of a word to retort, but no word was coming. My brain seemed to have gone completely blank.

I haven't even comprehended the entire situation; how am I now supposed to give a perfect face-slapping reply to my most dreaded beauty rival?

I want to wipe away the pleasant smirk on her face. 'Gosh, Mirabel, when did you become so helpless and pathetic?' I sobbed inwardly.

I need to give a befitting reply to the double-faced she-wolf and the betraying Alpha In front of me.

"I, Mirabel Gabriel Caleb, decline your rejection," I uttered before I could even stop myself.

"I reject you, Alpha Kameel Chester, as my mate. You're not worthy of standing by my side."

A hush fell over the hall.

You could hear the flicker of flames in the wall sconces and the nervous shuffle of feet as the crowd held its breath. Dozens of wolves stared in disbelief, some even bowing their heads.

A she-wolf had just rejected the Alpha. That was unheard of.

Mirabel Gabriel Caleb had drawn her own line in the sand.

Alpha Kameel's expression hardened. For a split second, something flickered in his eyes...rage.

"You dare..." he began, his voice low and threatening.

"Yes, I dare," I snapped, cutting him off. My heart thundered in my chest, but I didn't flinch. "You used me. You stripped me of my dignity, made me believe I was yours, then discarded me like I was nothing. But I am something."

The power in my voice surprised even me.

"I may not be your Luna, but I am still a daughter of the Moon, and no title can take that away from me."

Gasps echoed again.

Kameel's jaw clenched. His hands balled into fists at his side.

"You brought this on yourself," he growled. "You weren't strong enough to be my Luna."

"No, Kameel," I whispered, stepping closer until we were mere feet apart, my voice deadly calm. "You weren't man enough to stand beside a Luna like me."

His face darkened with fury, but I didn't care.

Let them all see. Let them know.

Ariana stepped in front of him, placing a possessive hand on his chest.

"You'll regret this, Mirabel," she hissed.

I tilted my head and smiled. "Maybe. But I'll never regret being true to myself."

With that, I turned, chin raised, spine straight, and walked out of the ceremonial hall. And as the heavy doors shut behind me, I heard murmurs rippling through the room and I knew right at that point that my entire princess' life would turn for the worse.

****

I walked quietly into the Pack house, with several maidens and unmated she-wolves snorting and pointing fingers at me.

These were the same people who always bootlicked me. But today, they've all turned against me.

Saying no word or replying to the criticism and insulting words, I strode inside the chamber, which was specifically built for my father.

"Father, tell me all this is not happening to me. This is all a bad dream," I mumbled helplessly.

My face was dry, with not a single drop of tears, but my eyes were puffy and red, with a blinding shadow of pain, hatred, and confusion.

Father stared at me as I tried my best to contain all the tears that had accumulated in my tear duct.

I remember he would always say, "Mirabel, only the weak shed tears."

Sighing at the unexpected turn of events, Father walked forward to the doorway, pulling me into his arms as he shut the door close.

Those protective arms are something I desperately crave. A father's hug

"Let it out, dear daughter. You don't have to act strong in front of me. I am your father, and I understand you better than anyone. So let it all out.

My shoulders are for you to lean on when you feel like crying," he cajoled, gently patting my back.

I hiccuped, bursting into tears as I poured out all my grief and disappointment. Until this moment, I still couldn't believe all this was happening.

"Father, everything was going alright."

I rushed my words, choking and sobbing without a single care about who could be secretly watching.

"You don't have to say anything, my dear. It's destined to happen; if not, all these wouldn't have happened."

He tried to explain, but I simply wasn't ready to buy any of those words of explanation.

"But why? Why is it me? Why should it be me?" I continued weeping, grabbing a fistful of His robe.

"It's fate, dear daughter," he replied, planting a kiss on the crown of my head.

"I hate this. I so much loathe this fate." I cried more as I whispered.

"All this is bound to happen... If you're destined, you will surely become Luna, our Luna," he answered with a shaking voice.

"But I don't have a mate and will never have one. In seven days, I'll be executed for being an undignified rejected mate."

Yes, I might have declined his rejection, but it doesn't change the fact that he had initiated the rejection before me.

"Father, you tell me, what kind of cruel fate is this?" I sobbed harder, hitting his chest with my balled fist, and I could feel his body stiffen as he tightened his grip around me.