Chapter 1 Rejected

Camilla's POV

I was warned about the danger of the rogues along this border, but my instinct gave me no room to reconsider.

With my claws thudding against the ground, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. That could only mean one thing; retreat. But I was soon surrounded by rogues, their teeth bared, ready to tear me apart.

I lunged at them, kicking hard at their heads, fighting off tens of wolves with what little strength I had left. I glanced back toward the direction of my pack. Noelle was nowhere in sight. She had run off the moment she heard that menacing howl echo through the air.

The rogues charged at me, letting out guttural growls, their eyes dark and wild with hunger. I met them head-on, fighting with every last ounce of strength until something struck me from behind.

My eyes snapped shut as I crashed to the ground. I felt the scrape of leaves and the sting of stumps bruising my face as a wolf pounced atop me. It drove its claws into my spine, and a painful moan tore from my lips. I let out a wild, desperate howl. The pack wasn't far; maybe they would hear me and send help.

I was dying. Blood pooled around my chest, but the rogues were merciless. They wouldn't let me go. Not like this. They kicked me viciously, their blows landing all over my body, until one final strike shattered my ankle. I felt the dislocation snap through me. I couldn't scream anymore. Tears streamed down my face. This wasn't how the mission was supposed to end.

A loud sigh escaped me as tears blurred my vision. I heard faint voices; the rogues were retreating. They must have thought I was already dead. They walked away, and I rolled onto my side, trying to rise, but my wolf wasn't responding.

My heart raced and my chest tightened as I realized I'd been bitten with silver claws. They had damaged my wolf; I couldn't shift, couldn't even send a mind-link. Reality hit me like a storm. I reached out for a nearby branch, gripped it tightly, and pulled myself to my feet. I could only limp toward the pack.

With dislocated limbs and searing pain in my body, I stumbled back toward the territory. My heart burned with rage. This wasn't how our missions ended.

---

My name is Camilla, and I am the strongest warrior in the North pack. Close to my strength stood my best friend, Noelle. We went to battles together, and we won them all.

Neither of us had parents anymore. The pack had raised us from birth. We were trained under brutal conditions, and our strength earned us honor and the right to represent our people in war.

Last night, Alpha Damon revealed the most shocking truth of my life. He called me his mate; right in front of many wolves. Joy washed over me. Noelle was thrilled for me, and we drank until we were full.

Fighting those rogues was my way of proving myself; of impressing him, impressing the pack; one last time before being given the Luna's badge.

Tomorrow was the mating ceremony, and I couldn't wait to witness the happiest day of my life. But as I neared the pack, I collapsed at the border. Security wolves rushed over and alerted the emergency unit. Within seconds, they arrived.

But my wound was fatal. The silver had done irreparable damage. I couldn't breathe properly. My insides felt like they were tearing apart. My wolf tried to hang on, but she was fading. We should have run sooner. We did run... but we weren't strong enough this time.

With my eyes shut, I inhaled a scent so captivating it filled the air. My eyes fluttered open. No one else seemed to react to it. Only me. Then the crowd parted; and Alpha Damon stepped through.

My boyfriend of one year. A father figure. A lover. Someone who would do anything to protect me. His eyes filled with sadness when he saw me lying there in pain. He dropped to his knees and held my hand, his gaze trailing slowly across the wounds covering my body.

"Camilla, I told you not to fight. Why did you still go after them? Those rogues are feral. They're not the kind we usually face," Damon said softly.

I began to sob. I couldn't explain how I felt. I wished I could rewind time; but I couldn't.

"Take me to the Luna's emergency care unit," I whispered. "I'm not feeling okay. The medicals couldn't treat this."

Thudding footsteps echoed from the border; and I saw her. Noelle. Looking fresh. Strong as ever. She was crying as she ran toward me.

"Camilla, what the actual fuck-"

The Alpha growled at her, and she immediately stepped back.

She knew he cared more for me. Loved me more. She understood his warning, but stood behind him, her lips trembling, her eyes soaked with tears. The medical team stood still. The security wolves stood still. Everyone had seen him claim me yesterday. They couldn't just leave me like this.

I had served this pack well. Conquered countless battles for them.

"Camilla, I'm so sorry this happened to you," Damon said, a tear falling onto my skin from his eyes. I looked at my injury again. Was it really that bad? Why was he being so emotional?

"What's going on, Damon? I'll get better, right? My wolf will recover? I'll be fine, won't I?" I searched his face, desperate for reassurance.

He let out a deep sigh and shook his head.

"This wound has caused fatal damage to your wolf. Just like Omegas can train to become stronger, strong wolves can also be weakened," he said gently. "Are you sure you're in the right state to hear this now?"

The stitches on my wound had loosened. He adjusted them quickly, then looked back at me. I nodded, wincing in pain as the regret of my decision returned to haunt me.

"Look into my eyes, Camilla," he said, his tone suddenly changing.

My heartbeat paused.

I looked up into his cold gaze. Fear stirred in me. I wanted to know what was going on in his head.

"You know the rules. You know we have elders in this pack. I have to obey them," Damon continued. His voice didn't match his frozen expression.

"Damon, stop. Fine, I'm not ready to hear this now. You can tell me later-"

"I, Damon Sullivan, reject you as my mate and as the Luna of my throne."

He said it with no hesitation.

I stared at him, helpless, as silence fell over the world.

My wolf, who had been trying to hold on, went completely still. I couldn't feel my heartbeat. My life was over. The only person who had made my life beautiful was rejecting me. All because I might never shift again?

"Damon..." I whispered, trying to rise, tears pouring freely down my cheeks. "You didn't just do that."

"Yes, I did, Camilla. I always warn before I take action. I'm sorry, but the pack can't have a weak Luna. And there's no recovering from that injury."

He turned his back on me. I felt my heart shatter into a thousand pieces.

My whole world was collapsing. I looked around, but Noelle was gone. The warriors stared. The medicals stood frozen. Some looked at me with pity. Others with quiet relief.

He crouched beside me again, resting a hand on my back as my tears dried in shock.

"The sooner you accept the rejection, the easier it'll be for you."

Then he stood and walked away without looking back.

"Damon!" I screamed, but he didn't stop. Didn't turn. My voice broke as everything in me collapsed.

No parents.

No home.

No mate.

Everything I had was gone in a single breath.

The medicals approached quietly and lifted me into their arms. I didn't fight them. I didn't even blink. My eyes stayed fixed on the empty space where he used to be.

As they carried me inside, the tears kept falling. Silent. Hot. Endless.

And for the first time since I shifted, I didn't feel like a wolf anymore. Just a broken girl, watching her world fall apart.