Alpha Kade's Regret

_Selene's POV_

The soft glow of lanterns lit up the pack grounds as the entire Shadowclaw Pack gathered for the Mate Ceremony. The air hummed with excitement. I stood near the edge of the clearing with my best friend, Rachel. I was trying to ignore the butterflies swirling in my stomach.

Rachel, as usual, was brimming with energy. Her brown curls bounced as she fidgeted in place. "Can you believe it, Selene? This is our year. We finally turned eighteen, and tonight, we might meet our mates!"

I tried to muster a smile, but my stomach churned. "Yeah, it's exciting," I said, though my voice lacked her enthusiasm.

Rachel narrowed her eyes at me. "Don't lie. You have been a bundle of nerves all night."

I sighed and rubbed my arms. The night was cool, but it wasn't the chill that had me on edge. "I am just... what if he doesn't want me, Rachel? What if my mate doesn't think I am good enough?"

Rachel's face softened, and she grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. "Stop that. You're one of the strongest warriors in this pack, Selene. You have trained harder than anyone. Any guy would be lucky to have you as his mate."

Her words were kind, but they did little to calm the storm brewing inside me. "What if he is not who I imagined? Or worse... what if he rejects me?"

Rachel's expression faltered for a moment before she shook her head. "That is not going to happen. The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes. Your mate is out there, and he'll be perfect for you."

I nodded, though my heart still felt heavy. Lyra, my wolf, stirred restlessly in my mind. You're overthinking again, she said. Focus on the ceremony. We'll know soon enough.

Rachel tugged on my arm and pulled me closer to the gathering crowd. "Come on, let's get a good spot. I want to see everything."

The ceremony began with the pack Elders giving their usual speech about the sacred bond of mates, how it was a gift from the Moon Goddess to strengthen the pack. My eyes wandered to the platform where Kade Stormraven stood.

The Alpha was impossible to ignore. His tall frame exuded power and his sharp features were illuminated by the moonlight. His dark hair fell just above his collar and his piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd. My breath caught as his scent-a mix of pine and earth-reached me.

It's him, Lyra whispered, her voice trembling with excitement. Kade is our mate.

My heart stopped. Kade Stormraven? The ruthless, stoic Alpha of the Shadowclaw Pack?

"Selene," Rachel whispered while nudging me. "Why are you staring at Kade like that?"

I turned to her. "Rachel... he is my mate."

Her eyes widened in shock before a wide grin spread across her face. "Oh my goddess, Selene! Kade Stormraven is your mate? That's incredible! You're going to be Luna!"

I shook my head. I was starting to panic. "He doesn't even know yet. What if he doesn't want me?"

Rachel grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look at her. "Stop doubting yourself. You're amazing, and Kade will see that. Just go to him. The bond will make it clear."

Taking a deep breath, I nodded and stepped forward. My legs were trembling. The crowd parted as I made my way to the platform. Kade's eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something flash in his gaze-recognition, maybe even longing. The mate bond sparked between us. It was a magnetic pull that left me breathless.

"Kade," I said softly, my voice shaking despite my best efforts. "The Moon Goddess has chosen us."

He stared at me. There was an unreadable expression on his face. The silence stretched, and my heart pounded in my chest.

Finally, he spoke. His tone was cold and distant.

"No."

The single word shattered me. I blinked. I was unsure if I had heard him correctly. "What... what do you mean?"

He turned away from me and addressed the crowd instead. "Selene Draven is not what I need as Luna."

A murmur of shock rippled through the pack. My chest tightened as humiliation washed over me.

"Kade," I whispered, stepping closer. "You can't mean that. We're mates."

He glanced at me briefly. "The pack needs someone who can secure alliances and lead with grace. That is not you."

He turned back to the crowd. He did not dare look at me as he said the words that shattered my heart. "I, Kade Stormraven, reject Selene Draven as my mate."

Lyra let out a pained howl in my mind, the bond between us crumbling under the weight of his words. Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

"Kade, please," I tried again, desperation creeping into my voice. "We're mates. The Moon Goddess-"

"The Moon Goddess made a mistake," he interrupted. "My pack needs a strong Luna. That is not you."

His words struck like a physical blow. My knees wobbled, but I forced myself to stand tall. The crowd stared. Their expressions were a mixture of shock, pity, and judgment.

Then, as if to twist the knife deeper, Kade turned to a woman standing nearby. Aria Thornwood. She stepped forward gracefully, her perfect features illuminated by the moonlight. Her golden hair framed her delicate face and her green eyes sparkled with triumph.

"I intend to take Aria Thornwood as my mate," Kade announced.

A gasp rippled through the crowd. My vision blurred as the humiliation became unbearable. I wanted to scream, to demand answers, to fight for what was mine. But instead, I turned and fled.

The crowd parted as I ran, their murmurs following me like a cruel echo.

"Did you see her face?"

"She actually thought she could be Luna."

"Kade made the right choice."

The whispers faded as I pushed past the trees, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Lyra whimpered in my mind. Why? she asked, her voice trembling. Why would he do this?

"Selene!" Rachel's voice called after me, but I didn't stop.

Tears blurred my vision as I continued running. The sound of the pack's murmurs faded, replaced by the pounding of my heart and Lyra's anguished cries.

"I don't know what to do," I choked out, collapsing to my knees. Rain began to fall. The droplets were soaking through my dress. My chest ached as the bond tugged painfully at my heart.

"Selene!" Rachel's voice broke through the storm. Moments later, she appeared, her curls plastered to her face from the rain. She dropped to her knees beside me and wrapped her arms around me.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I can't believe he did that to you."

I buried my face in her shoulder. "Why, Rachel? Why wasn't I good enough?"

Rachel pulled back, holding my face in her hands. "Stop it, Selene. This isn't about you. This is about him. He's an idiot for not seeing how amazing you are."

"But the bond-"

"The bond doesn't change who you are. You're strong, loyal, and kind. You don't need him to define your worth."

Her words broke through the fog of my pain, and I nodded weakly. "I just... I thought he was supposed to be the one."

Rachel hugged me tightly. "Maybe the Moon Goddess has something better in store for you. Maybe this is just the beginning of your story."

I clung to her. The storm was raging around us. Despite the cold and the pain, her presence grounded me.

After a long moment, she pulled back and offered me a small, encouraging smile. "Come on. Let's get you out of this rain."

I nodded and allowed her to help me to my feet. As we made our way back to the packhouse, I cast one last glance toward the clearing. Kade and Aria stood on the platform, their figures blurred by the rain.

We'll survive this, Lyra said softly. We have to.

I clenched my fists. "We will," I whispered. "But we'll do it far away from here."

Rachel squeezed my hand. "Whatever happens, Selene, I'll be right by your side. You're not alone in this."

Her words were a lifeline, and I held onto them tightly. As the rain washed away my tears, I made a silent vow to myself. Kade Stormraven might have rejected me, but I wouldn't let his decision break me.

This was just the beginning. And I would rise stronger than ever.

_Selene's POV_

The rain had stopped by the time I reached my room, but the storm inside me raged on. I slammed the door shut and leaned against it. My chest was heaving as tears flowed freely. My clothes were soaked, and my hair clung to my face, but I didn't care. The pain was unbearable.

I slid down to the floor, clutching my knees to my chest. Kade's cold voice echoed in my mind.

"You are not what I need as Luna."

"The Moon Goddess made a mistake."

I buried my face in my arms, the humiliation and heartbreak washing over me again and again. My mate-the one person who was supposed to cherish and protect me-had rejected me in front of the entire pack.

Why wasn't I enough? I asked myself over and over. What did I do wrong?

Lyra stirred in my mind. "You didn't do anything wrong, Selene. This isn't about you."

I shook my head. "Then why did he reject us, Lyra? Why wasn't I good enough for him?"

Lyra let out a low whimper. I don't know. But I do know this-his decision doesn't define us. We're stronger than this.

I wanted to believe her, but the pain was too fresh. "I don't feel strong," I whispered. "I feel broken."

A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. "Selene? It's me," Rachel's voice called out.

I didn't respond, but she didn't need an invitation. The door creaked open, and she stepped inside, closing it behind her. Her face was full of concern as she crossed the room and sat beside me on the floor.

"I figured you would be like this," she said gently. "You have been through hell tonight."

I wiped at my eyes, though the tears kept coming. "I don't know how to face anyone after this, Rachel. They all saw it. They all heard him."

Rachel's expression darkened. "Forget them. They don't matter. What matters is you, Selene. And you didn't deserve what he did to you."

I sniffled. "He chose Aria. She is perfect-beautiful, elegant, everything I'm not."

Rachel's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't do that. Don't compare yourself to her. Aria may look perfect, but you're the one with the heart and the strength. Kade is a fool if he can't see that."

Her words were kind, but they didn't erase the ache in my chest. "What if she is right for him? What if I'm just... not enough?"

Rachel grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look at her. "Listen to me, Selene. You are more than enough. Kade rejecting you says more about him than it does about you. He doesn't deserve you, and one day, he is going to realize what he lost."

Her words broke something inside me, and I started to cry again. Rachel pulled me into a hug, stroking my hair as I sobbed into her shoulder.

"I'm here," she said softly. "You're not alone in this."

I clung to her. I was grateful for her presence even as my heart continued to break.

_______

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as the night stretched on. My tears had dried, but the pain remained, a heavy weight in my chest.

"He may not see it now, but we are destined for more", Lyra said softly.

"How can you be so sure?" I whispered.

"Because we're stronger than this. And one day, Kade will see the truth. But by then, it will be too late."

Her words stirred something inside me-a spark of defiance. I didn't know what the future held, but I knew one thing: I couldn't let this break me.

"I'll be okay," I said aloud, as much to Lyra as to myself. "I have to be."

The road ahead was uncertain, but I would walk it. One step at a time.

******************************

_Kade's POV_

I paced the length of my office, running a hand through my hair. The room felt suffocating. I could feel the walls closing in on me as Kael, my wolf, snarled in my mind.

"You're an idiot, Kade, he growled. Do you even realize what you have done?"

"I did what I had to do," I said aloud, though the words felt hollow.

You rejected our mate. The one the Moon Goddess chose for us. You betrayed her, Kade."

My jaw tightened. "I did it for the pack. Selene isn't the Luna we need. She is... she is too wild, too impulsive. Aria is a better choice."

Kael's growl deepened. His anger was like a storm in my mind. "You're lying to yourself. You rejected her because you're afraid. Afraid of what she makes you feel."

"I'm not afraid," I snapped. "I made the right decision."

"Then why do you feel like this?"

I didn't have an answer. My chest ached. The bond I had severed left a gaping wound. Selene's scent lingered in my mind-lavender and pine. It was comforting yet intoxicating.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Come in," I said gruffly.

The door opened, and Aria stepped inside. She was dressed impeccably. Her golden hair was perfectly styled. Her green eyes were bright with triumph.

"Kade," she said sweetly, her voice like honey. "I thought I would check on you. Tonight must have been... difficult."

I nodded, trying to push away the image of Selene's tear-streaked face. "It's done. That's all that matters."

Aria moved closer and placed a hand on my arm. "You made the right choice. Selene isn't fit to be Luna. She is too... rough around the edges. A Luna needs to be poised, refined. Like me."

Her words struck a nerve, but I didn't respond. She smiled, her fingers tracing small circles on my arm.

"I'll make sure the pack thrives under your leadership, Kade," she continued. "Together, we'll be unstoppable."

Kael growled in my mind. She's not our mate. She never will be.

I ignored him and forced myself to focus on Aria. "Thank you, Aria. I appreciate your support."

Her smile widened, but there was a glint in her eyes that I couldn't quite place. She leaned in closer and her voice dropped to a whisper. "Forget about Selene. She'll fade into the background soon enough."

My stomach churned at her words, but I forced a nod. "Goodnight, Aria."

She hesitated for a moment before stepping back. "Goodnight, Kade. Rest well."

As the door closed behind her, I let out a heavy sigh. Kael was silent. His anger was simmering beneath the surface.

You made a mistake, he said finally. And you're going to regret it.

_Selene's POV_

Morning light streamed through the window as I sat on my bed and stared at the packed bag in front of me. My chest felt heavy, but I couldn't cry anymore. I had shed all my tears last night. Now, there was only emptiness and the faintest flicker of resolve.

I couldn't stay here. Not in the Shadowclaw Pack. Not where every corner, every face, every whispered word reminded me of my rejection.

"They'll keep talking," I whispered aloud, though no one was there to hear me. "They'll keep looking at me like I am broken."

Lyra stirred in my mind. Let them talk. They don't know our strength.

"I don't feel strong," I admitted. "I feel... defeated."

"Then leaving is the right choice", Lyra said softly. "We can't heal here. We need to find somewhere we can breathe again."

I took a deep breath and nodded. Lyra was right. Staying here would only suffocate me. It was time to leave, to find a new path, far away from Kade, Aria, and the pitying stares of the pack.

A soft knock at the door startled me. I didn't answer, but the door creaked open anyway. Rachel stepped inside, her eyes immediately falling on the bag by my feet.

Her face fell. "Selene... no."

I couldn't meet her gaze. "Rachel, I can't do this anymore. I can't stay here."

She crossed the room in a few quick strides and grabbed my hands. "You can't leave, Selene. This is your home."

I pulled my hands away, standing up. "It doesn't feel like home anymore, Rachel. Not after what happened."

She shook her head, her curls bouncing wildly. "So what? You're just going to let Kade win? Let him drive you out of your own pack?"

"This isn't about Kade," I said firmly. "It's about me. I can't heal if I stay here. Everywhere I go, I'll see him. I'll see Aria. And I'll see the way people look at me-like I am some tragic, pitiful story."

Rachel's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Who cares what they think? You're stronger than that, Selene. You have faced worse than this."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Worse? I thought losing my parents was the worst thing that could happen to me. But this... this feels like I lost a piece of myself. The one thing that was supposed to be mine was ripped away from me in front of everyone."

Her voice softened. "You didn't lose yourself, Selene. Kade might have rejected the bond, but you're still you. You're still the strongest, most determined person I know."

"I don't feel like her anymore," I whispered.

Rachel grabbed my shoulders, shaking me gently. "Then let me help you find her again. Don't leave, Selene. Please."

I felt like I was going to cry once again but I blinked my tears back. "I love you, Rachel. You've always been there for me. But this is something I have to do on my own."

She stepped back, her arms falling to her sides. "And where will you go? Do you even have a plan?"

I shook my head. "Not yet. But anywhere is better than here."

"Running away won't fix this," she said, her voice trembling. "It won't make the pain go away."

"I'm not running away," I said firmly. "I'm choosing myself for once. I need to find out who I am without Kade, without this pack. I need to be somewhere I can breathe again."

Rachel's tears finally fell, and she wiped them away angrily. "Fine. If you're so determined to leave, I won't stop you. But I won't pretend this doesn't hurt, Selene."

"It hurts me too," I said softly. "But staying here would hurt even more."

She nodded, swallowing hard. "Promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"Promise me you'll come back someday," she said, her voice breaking. "When you're ready."

I hesitated, then nodded. "I promise."

Rachel threw her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. "I'm going to miss you so much," she whispered.

"I'll miss you too," I said, my voice cracking.

After a long moment, she stepped back, wiping her eyes. "Be safe, okay? And if you need me, you know how to reach me."

"I'll be okay," I said, though I wasn't sure if I believed it.

She nodded, gave me one last look, and left the room.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and took one last look around the room. It had been my sanctuary for years, but now it felt like a cage.

"It's time," I said aloud, more to myself than to Lyra.

Yes, Lyra agreed. It's time to find our freedom.

I stepped outside, the crisp morning air biting at my skin. The pack grounds were quiet. Most of the wolves were still asleep. I kept my head down as I walked toward the border, hoping to avoid any questions or confrontations.

As I approached the edge of the pack's territory, a strange sensation prickled at the back of my neck. I stopped and glanced around. The forest was still, but something felt off.

"Lyra," I whispered. "Do you feel that?"

Yes, she replied, her voice low. We're being watched.

I scanned the trees. My senses were on high alert. The faint scent of a rogue drifted through the air, but it was faint-too faint to pinpoint.

"Should we run?" I asked.

No. Not yet. Stay calm. If they attack, we'll be ready.

I took a deep breath and continued forward. My steps were careful and deliberate. The feeling of being watched didn't fade but whoever was out there didn't make a move.

When I finally crossed the border, the sensation eased slightly. But I didn't relax.

Keep going, Lyra urged. We need to put distance between us and the pack.

I nodded and picked up my pace, the forest closing in around me.

The further I walked, the lighter my chest felt. Each step away from the Shadowclaw Pack was a step toward something new-something unknown.

"We'll be okay," I whispered to Lyra.

"Yes. We will."