Chapter 4 FIRST PUBLIC HUMILATION

ARIA

The hall of Garvoh Pack glows with firelight, shadows dancing across stone walls. Laughter and chatter fill the air as wolves gather for the autumn feast, tables heavy with roasted meat, spiced bread, and overflowing goblets of mead.

The hall smelled of roasted venison, honeyed mead, and spiced bread. Lutes and drums filled the space, though the music faltered when whispers began. Heat from braziers pressed down, suffocating rather than comforting.

I walk in at Damon's side, my steps small, and my nerves trembling beneath the eyes that followed us. I keep my chin up, though every whisper feels like a stone pressing against my chest.

A warrior's mate whispered, "She looks like prey, not a Luna."

An elder scoffed, "Our Alpha deserves better."

"Is that the Luna?"

"She doesn't look like she belongs."

"An Alpha should have chosen stronger."

My wolf stirs, restless, urging me to push back – but Damon's arm never once brush mine. He walked ahead, as if she were an afterthought, not his fated mate. We reached the high table.

Damon takes his seat, and I take mine next to him. He avoids looking at me, he doesn't say a word to me either. I try to distract myself by fumbling with my dress. My heart beats fast as I try to convince myself that tonight would be different. Maybe he'll claim me in front of them all.

An elder rises, raising a goblet.

"Tradition calls for the Alpha and his Luna to share the first dance." His voice rings with authority, drawing all eyes to us.

Heat floods my face. This is it – the chance. I turn to Damon, my hand trembling as it brushes towards his. "We should –"

"No." Damon's voice cut sharp and flat. He leans back, his gaze hard. "We won't perform for spectacle."

Everywhere goes silent. My heart beats faster.

Astrid's laugh breaks it. She rise gracefully, skirts swaying, and stepped towards Damon with deliberate poise.

"If the Alpha refuses the Luna, perhaps he would accept another partner,"

Astrid's hand trails up Damon's arm, her gown brushing his legs as they move. The pack clapped in rhythm, the sound like thunder pounding against my ribs. Damon's wolf might have stirred, but his face remains carved of stone.

DAMON

Her hand moves towards me, delicate, hopeful. My wolf growls low in protest. I should claim her, acknowledge her... but pride, fear, and centuries of learned restraint keep me seated.

The elder's decree echoed in the hall, but the bond inside me throbbed angrily. She's mine. Why should I humiliate her or myself in a public display?

Astrid's laugh draws my attention – a calculated step towards the center. She extends her hand gracefully, in a well calculated precision. I clench my jaws. My wolf growls, reminding me of my unclaimed mate, and the wrong I'm about doing to her.

I refuse to give them the satisfaction they seek. And yet... seeing Aria's hand fall, her chest hollow with expectation unmet, my wolf ache to act.

I turn towards Astrid, accepting her hand with a measured, controlled movement, shielding the Luna from the spectacle I am creating – but not the pain.

ARIA

I freeze. I can't breathe. It feels as though my heart has stopped beating. I can see the surprise on everyone's faces through distant and blurry eyes.

Damon stands. Without hesitation, he takes Astrid's hand. The two move to the center, his strong frame guiding her with effortless power. Murmurs fill the hall. Some disapprove. Some are amused.

I sit still, too scared to move. It feels as though my body might scatter if I move. My head throbs as the music plays. My muscles tense, my hands clench as I hide them under the table. Why won't he claim me? Or even reject me? Instead, he chooses to neglect me.

The bond flares painfully, pulling me towards him, begging for acknowledgement he refuses to give.

Astrid's eyes are glowing with victory as she moves gracefully beneath Damon's arm. When the were close enough, she whispers loud enough for me to hear.

"Poor thing. Even the moon goddess pities you."

My throat burns. I rise, blinking away tears, and turn to leave before this humiliation drowns me completely.

"Aria – wait!"

Elias. I hear him, even before I see him. I stop moving. He appears next to me and places his hand on my shoulder as though trying to shield me from the multitude of eyes.

His hand linger at my elbow, firm, steady-more grounding than Damon has ever been in public. His eyes cut toward Damon, his jaw tight.

"He enjoys tearing you down," he whispers, his words meant only for me. "I never could."

I shake my head, trying to force myself to breathe. "Don't say that. He's my mate."

Elias's smile is small, sad, his eyes shadowed with something unreadable. "A bond doesn't make a man worthy of you."

ELIAS

"Aria – wait!" My voice is steady as I appear beside her, hand on her elbow. My eyes cut toward Damon, jaw tight. Every fiber of me wants to march to him, demand he see her, protect her – but I mask it under calm restraint.

He enjoys tearing you down. I whisper it, low, meant only for her ears. "I never could"

She shakes her head, fighting to breathe. "Don't say that. He's my mate,"

I give her a small, sad smile, a shadow passing across my eyes. "A bond doesn't make a man worthy of you."

I guide her gently away from the chaos. My heart clenches. I wish I can keep her away from this chaotic life forever.