Chapter 4 Public Humiliation

Elena's POV

I swallowed, not looking her in the face. She's the future Luna after all.

"I mean, really, who could blame him? An omega like you? Weak, worthless, barely worth a second glance. He needs a real Luna, someone who can stand by his side without dragging the pack down."

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as her words hit me. The training grounds went quiet, all eyes on us. Her friends snickered behind her, their arms crossed, heads tilted in fake pity of a sneering smile. Selene flipped her ponytail hair over her shoulder. She stepped closer, her gaze ceasing me from head to toes.

"You thought the mate pull meant anything?" she continued, her voice rising so everyone could hear. "Please. That was just a mistake by the moon goddess, a moment of weakness. Andrew's too smart to tie himself to trash. Now he's got me, strong, beautiful, from a good bloodline. You? You're just the orphan girl no one wanted. I don't want to see you any close to my man."

My throat tightened. I wanted to snap back, to tell her to go to hell, but the words stuck in my throat. I dare not talk back. Instead, I clenched my fists at my sides as I fought that violence urge. Beta Marcus shifted his gaze to me, his jaw tight, but he didn't say anything yet.

Before I could find my voice, Elder Rowan's deep tone boomed from the edge of the crowd. "Enough of this nonsense!" He pushed through the gathering wolves. A few other elders trailed him, Elder Miriam, Elder Benjamin too as his lips pursed in disapproval. They must have been nearby, maybe overseeing the training like they sometimes did and they must have noticed Selene's cold words..

The crowd parted for them, murmurs rippling through. My eyes landed on Andrew from afar as he approached with two servants beside him. The moment he reached, his eyes looked cold. His eyes flicked to me for a split second before settling on Rowan.

"Selene, hold your tongue," Rowan said, his voice firm as he stopped between us. He turned to Andrew. "Alpha, this rejection of yours is a grave mistake. The council's been discussing it since last night. The Moon Goddess paired you with Elena for a reason. Rejecting your true mate invites disaster, weakened bonds, unrest in the pack, maybe even attacks from rivals who smell the division. You marked her, claimed her under the moon. You can't just toss that aside. The only way to fix this is to marry her, honor the bond before it's too late."

Andrew's face darkened as he turned to me, his gazing giving that look of "I warned you to keep this to yourself. He stepped forward, towering over the elder. "Marry her? Are you out of your mind, old man? I'm the Alpha. I decide what's best for this pack, not some dusty tradition or your Goddess nonsense. Elena's weak. She's an omega. She'd crumble under the pressure. Selene's the one who makes sense. Strong, loyal. If you elders don't like it, step aside. I don't need your approval."

His words were like a slap, rude and cutting, spat out with no respect. Rowan held his ground even though he felt disrespected as one of the older man in the pack. Ever since the Aloha king died, Aloha Andrew had done things in his way and never listened to anyone.

Elder Miriam cleared her throat. "Alpha, with all due respect, you do have the right to choose. The pack laws allow it. But Rowan's right about the risks. We've seen packs fall apart over broken mate bonds. Spirits grow restless, alliances fracture."

Elder Benjamin nodded. "Aye, the Alpha's word is law. But ignoring fate? That's tempting trouble. Marry the girl or not, but don't say we didn't warn you."

The elders around us went silent, their eyes shifting to me, waiting for my reaction. The air felt heavy with expectation. I held my breath, forcing my head high even as my knees felt like jelly. I wouldn't give Andrew the satisfaction of seeing me break into pieces. Not here, not in front of everyone either.

Clara shifted uneasily behind me, her hand brushing my arm like she was ready to pull me away. "Elena..." she whispered, her voice filled with worry.

Marcus, who was Andrew's brother despite being his beta, cleared his throat. We'd been friends for hours now, ever since the rejection. He'd been checking on me. His face was tense, brows furrowed, as he glanced between Andrew and me. "Brother, maybe listen to them. This isn't just about you."

Andrew shot him a glare. "Stay out of it, Marcus. You're my beta, not my conscience."

Selene smirked, her lips twisting as she moved closer. She leaned in, her breath hot on my ear. "Hear that, Elena? Even the elders can't force him. You're done. Finished too. Why don't you just slink back to your hut and cry some more? Or better yet, leave the pack. No one would miss you."

Her words hurt, each one a jab at my heart. I wanted to walk away, to run and hide, but my feet refused to move. They felt rooted to the spot. For the first time, I met her eyes directly, locking onto that smug gaze. "I'm not going to run," I said, my voice steady even though it trembled inside. "Not from you, not from this."

She smiled. Her friends joined in. "Oh, that's precious! The little omega thinks she's tough now. How cute."

My chest tightened, like a vice squeezing my lungs, but I refused to look away. I stared her down, chin up, even as tears pricked the corners of my eyes.

Rowan sighed heavily, shaking his head. "This isn't the end of it, Alpha. The council will convene properly. But mark my words, the risks are real. Sickness in the ranks, failed hunts, challenges from outside. Fate doesn't forgive easily."

Andrew waved him off, turning away. "Do what you want. I'm not changing my mind." He stalked off toward the sparring ring, Selene hurrying after him with a triumphant smile.

The crowd started to disperse, but the whispers followed me. "Did you hear that? Alpha told the elder off..." "Poor Elena, humiliated again..." Wolves pretended not to stare, but their eyes lingered on me, judgmental and pitying but I didn't let it get to me as I felt like everyone could see right through me.

Clara tugged at my sleeve. "Come on, let's get out of here." We walked away from the grounds, her arm linked through mine. She chatted about casual things with me later that evening to uplift my mind. About the new pup in the pack, anything to distract me but I barely heard her. My mind kept replaying Andrew's rude snarl.

As we reached the path to my room, Clara stopped, her face serious. "Elena, what Rowan said... about the bond and the marriage. Does this mean Andrew might have to take back his rejection? The council could force it, right?"

I shook my head. "No, Clara. I don't believe he ever would. He made his choice clear. And even if they tried, what good is a forced bond? It'd just be more painful."

She hugged me quickly, her arms tight. "You're stronger than you think. Don't let them win. I love how strong you are handling this."

I nodded, but inside, I was crumbling.

The rest of the morning dragged on with those whispers haunting me as usual from the pack members. I tried to busy myself with chores, but every glance from a passing wolf felt like a judgment.

By noon, I couldn't take it anymore. I locked myself away in my room again, unwilling to face anyone. The door shut with a thud, and I sank onto the bed, pulling in the pool of my own tears.

Later that evening, I overheard Clara arguing with someone outside the house. Her voice sounded angry. "What do you want? She doesn't need more drama today."

I stepped out, the cool air hitting my face. Marcus stood there. Clara glared at him, arms crossed, but she didn't stop him from speaking.

"Elena," he said softly, his eyes searching mine the moment he saw me. "I just wanted to check if you're alright."

I leaned against the doorframe, surprised by his kindness again. "I'm... hanging in there. Thanks for asking."

He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Andrew's being an ass, but you didn't deserve that. If you need anything, I'm around." He gave a small smile, then turned and walked away.

Clara huffed. "What's his deal? Acting all nice now."

"I don't know," I muttered, watching him go. "But it helps."

We went back inside, but sleep didn't come easy that night.

At dawn, a sharp knock jolted me awake. I stumbled to the door, heart racing. As my eyes fell on a pack guard standing there.

"Elena, you're needed at the alpha chamber. Immediately." He delivered.