Chapter 2 THE BREAKING MOON

The clearing was silent. Gina stood in the center of the ceremonial ring, surrounded by stone, snow, and wolves that would not meet her gaze. She could still feel the echo of the bond that jolt of recognition when her eyes met his.

He had not spoken a word to her. Not in greeting. Not in claim. He had looked at her and turned away. Whispers scraped the air like blades. "She's not from our pack." "Why doesn't he say anything?" "Was it a mistake?" Gina said nothing. Not when the Elders exchanged worried glances. Not when the drums fell quiet. Not when Jessica stepped forward from the shadows and took her place beside him. Right where Gina was meant to be.

The council summoned Rex immediately after the ceremony ended. Gina watched him leave without so much as a glance in her direction. She remained at the stone altar, the Moonlight above still burning white-hot, as if waiting for someone to make this right. But no one did. Later that Night Inside the Council Hall A fire cracked in the hearth. The walls were thick with power and judgment.

Alpha Rex stood with his arms folded, jaw clenched, every muscle in his body rigid. The Elders faced him in a semi-circle. Robes billowed. Eyes gleamed. It was Elder Mave who spoke first. She was the oldest among them, her silver hair braided into coils, her voice firm and dry as parchment.

"You dishonored the bond tonight."

" I made no claim," Rex replied coldly. "There was no dishonor."

"You cannot ignore the bond, Rex," Theon said, his voice calm but edged with steel. "It was witnessed by every Alpha-blooded wolf in the Hall. The Moon Goddess herself revealed her choice."

"That doesn't mean I will accept it."

"She is your mate," said Elder Rylo. "Chosen by the Moon Goddess herself. We all saw the light. The bond was pure." Rex's mouth twitched. "And yet, I feel nothing." Lies. He had felt it. The way the air had split. The way his wolf had lunged forward like a beast long caged. But he had pushed it down. Crushed it. Because love already lived in his heart. Her name was Jessica.

"You cannot simply reject the bond," Elder Mave said sharply. "Do you understand what that does to the balance of power? To the bloodlines? A Luna is not just a mate she is your spiritual equal. A chosen Luna cannot be replaced by a lover of your choosing." "Jessica is more than a lover." "She is not the Goddess's choice." "She is mine," Rex growled.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then Elder Rylo narrowed his eyes. "Are you certain this is not pride, Alpha? Not fear? You are the most powerful Alpha in five generations. Are you afraid of what it means to be bound to someone even stronger?" Rex turned to the window. The moonlight bled in like judgment. "I don't love Gina," he said finally. "I barely know her. I grew up with Jessica. I've fought beside her. Bled for her. There is no bond stronger than that." "Except the one you denied," Mave whispered.

Meanwhile Outside the Hall, Gina sat on the stone steps. She didn't cry. Tears felt too soft for what burned inside her now. The bond had ignited something, something sacred and then torn itself in half. She could still feel it fraying inside her. Her wolf was silent, curled up somewhere deep in her chest. Waiting. Watching. Her fingers clenched the edge of her cloak as she stared up at the full moon.

Why me?

Why choose me if only to humiliate me?

What game is this, Goddess?

The heavy door creaked behind her. Jessica, of course. She moved with the grace of someone who had already won. Blonde hair coiled in waves. Moonlight caught her smug smile. "I thought I'd find you here," she said softly. Gina didn't answer. Jessica sat beside her, folding her legs with performative ease. "This must be hard for you. Being chosen... and then left standing alone." Gina turned her head, voice low. "You don't have to gloat." "I'm not gloating," Jessica said sweetly. "I'm warning you. Rex is mine. Always has been. He's just... confused. But he'll remember what matters. You can't force a bond where there's no love." "There is a bond," Gina said quietly. "You saw it." Jessica's expression flickered. For a moment, just a moment, something dark passed behind her eyes. Then she smiled again. "Even fate makes mistakes."

LATER THAT NIGHT

The council dismissed Rex without decision. The bond had been felt. The light had been seen. But Rex had not claimed her. A line had been crossed but not broken. Gina had been placed in a guest chamber deep within the castle, alone and far from the Luna's wing. She sat by the fire, numb, trying to remember who she had been before tonight. The wolf inside her stirred faintly. "Run." She didn't know if it was instinct or survival. But when dawn came, Gina packed her things.

She left before the council could summon her again. Before the Alpha could reconsider. Before she was forced to watch Jessica wear a crown that was never meant for her. No one stopped her. And as she crossed the boundary stones, the pain hit. Not physical but Spiritual. The kind of ache that only comes when the Moon turns its face away from you.