Rejected by Him, Claimed by His Father

The worst kind of heartbreak is the one that comes when you least expect it. When it hits, it doesn't just break you-it shatters you, leaving pieces you may never find again.

Catherine had never been this nervous but it was understandable because tonight was supposed to be the most important night in her life. Today, Damian was finally going to be the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack after a very long time. He would also choose his Luna. And that was supposed to be her.

She had every reason to believe it. For three years, they had been meeting in secret. Every stolen kiss, every whispered promise, every night wrapped in his arms-it all led to this moment. He was hers, and she was his.

But deep down, she was scared.

No one knew about them except Bianca, her best friend and the Beta's daughter. Unlike Catherine, Bianca was extremely strong, a fierce she-wolf who could take down an opponent twice her size. Catherine was just a weak Omega maid and worthless in the eyes of many.

That wasn't all. She was only five years old when her world shattered. Her parents were executed as traitors, their crimes were extreme, their names erased from history. The king at that time was young and ruthless-Magnus. He was Damian's father and he showed no mercy. Not only did he kill her parents, but he also took her twin sister, Elena, as his prisoner after killing their parents.

No one knew where he took her. He vanished into the woods with her, forming a new pack in a hidden place no one could ever find. Prince Damian was also left behind without a father and the Shadow Moon Pack was ruled by the elders. King Magnus abandoned his son. He was a terrible man who left him to start another pack.

Catherine had no family, no power, no status. So why would Damian choose her as his Luna? She had asked herself that question a million times.

She tried to push her doubts aside as she cleaned her small room, wiping the already clean table for the fifth time. Bianca, her best friend, was on the bed, watching her with a confused expression.

"You're nervous."

Catherine scoffed, shaking her head, desperately trying to believe she wasn't nervous but deep down, she knew she was.

"No, I'm not..."

Bianca didn't believe her. She rolled her eyes and sat up, crossing her legs. "You've been cleaning that table like it owes you money. Admit it. You're scared Damian isn't going to choose you to be his Luna."

Catherine sighed, dropping the rag and letting her fear show. "Fine. Maybe a little."

"Catherine, he loves you. You need to stop overthinking."

"What if the Elder Council objects?" she asked, voicing her biggest fear. "They would never accept me. I'm nothing but an Omega and the daughter of traitors."

Bianca waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, please. The old men on the Elder Council can go chew on dry bones. Damian is going to be the Alpha and his choice would be final."

"But I have no wolf, Bianca. No power. No noble blood."

"And yet, you have something no one else does."

She frowned. "What?"

Bianca smirked. "His heart. Damian loves you."

Before she could respond, strong hands suddenly grabbed her waist from behind, lifting her off the ground with ease. She gasped, but before she could even turn around, a familiar deep voice whispered against her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"You're worrying again, Catherine."

It was Damian.

She didn't even know when he came into the room. She had been so lost in her conversation with Bianca that she didn't notice the door open.

Before she could say a word, he spun her around and slammed his lips against hers. His kiss was possessive, demanding, as if he was trying to remind her who she belonged to.

Her hands got lost in his dark hair as she melted into him, her body pressed against his strong chest. His hands roamed down her back, gripping her tightly before he suddenly lifted her again and placed her on the table. His fingers traced her thighs, slipping beneath her dress as he kissed down her neck, his lips hot against her skin.

He took off the upper part of her gown and stared at her breasts for a while taking all in. He was admiring them and she chuckled. He squeezed them tight and she stifled a moan and grabbed the table to control her lust. She wanted him so bad.

He ran a hand over her breasts, continuing his squeezing and then before she could react, he had brought his lips to them, sucking the nipples immediately. She couldn't control herself again. He had that effect on her. She was going to reach orgasm if he didn't stop. She knew she should stop him but she couldn't. She was enjoying everything he was doing to her body. She didn't want him to stop.

She was moaning in too much pleasure. His hands were going in between her thigh again and that's when she felt him slip in a finger. She lost it. The pleasure was just too much for her to handle. It was insane.

"You're mine!" he murmured between kisses. "And tonight, I'm making it official."

She shivered, her hands working on the buttons of his shirt, ready to take it off any minute from now. "Damian..."

"Say you believe me..." he whispered into her ears, his lips brushing against her ear.

She hesitated. "I believe you... I want you to use me. Don't stop!"

He pulled back slightly, his intense eyes meeting hers with a smirk. "Then stop thinking so much."

She nodded, pulling him back into another deep kiss. He let out a soft groan in pleasure, his hands sliding up her legs, pushing her dress higher. Her skin burned under his touch, her body arching toward him instinctively.

Just as he was about to slide in, reality came down on her. She gasped, pushing his chest. "Damian, we can't right now."

His jaw clenched as he looked at her, his breathing heavy. "Why not?"

"Because you have a coronation to attend," she reminded him. "You're going to be the Alpha of this pack tonight and you need to prepare for it."

His grip on her waist tightened as he got lost in her eyes. "I don't want to go..."

A loud cough interrupted them.

Bianca.

Catherine had completely forgotten Bianca was still in the room. She had watched everything. She quickly wore back her gown and smiled nervously.

Bianca smirked, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. "If you two are done devouring each other, I'll be leaving."

Damian ignored her, his eyes still locked on Catherine's. "You'll be at my coronation tonight, right?"

She nodded. "Of course. After your coronation tonight, I'll meet you in your room to show you I'm truly yours."

His lips brushed hers once more before he finally let her go. He stepped back, running a hand through his hair, looking worried a little bit. "Bianca's father wants to meet with me before the coronation. Apparently, it's something important about choosing a Luna but I'm going to let him know that I choose you."

She let out a soft chuckle. "Go. Before someone finds you here."

With a final smirk, he turned and walked out.

As soon as the door closed behind him, she stood up and smoothed down her dress. But she couldn't still stop the worry that entered her mind. Why would one of the elders want to see him before the coronation?

She was confused but she didn't bother about it. She didn't want to be distracted by anything other than the fact that he was confident that he was going to pick her as his Luna.

Bianca suddenly grabbed her wrist, and she turned to look at her. There was something in her eyes and it looked like pity.

"Catherine?" she called out slowly, her voice filled with something she couldn't quite place. "What if you're not the one he's choosing tonight?"

Her words sent a chill down Catherine's spine. Her stomach twisted in pain, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

That wasn't possible.

Was it?

Damian had promised her. He had looked into her eyes and told her she was the one. There was no reason to doubt him at all. He wasn't going to betray her. He loved her so much and he knew what tonight meant to her. He knew that if he picked her to be his Luna, she would use the opportunity to clear her parents name.

He was going to choose her.

She shook the negative thoughts off and focused on what mattered-tonight, Damian would choose his Luna. And that Luna would be her.

Midnight soon arrived, and the palace bells rang loud and clear, signaling that the coronation was about to begin. In a few minutes from now, Damian would become Alpha and he would pick his Luna.

Catherine's heart pounded as she slipped into a dress, a simple but elegant white gown. Around her, the other maids whispered amongst themselves as they prepared. They were also excited about the selection of a Luna.

This was it!

This was the moment Catherine's life would change forever. Finally, she was going to clear her parents name and tell everyone that they weren't traitors. She couldn't believe her eyes.

Excitement built up in her chest as she rushed out of her room, following the other maids down the grand halls toward the ceremony.

Everything was extremely perfect.

The hall was filled with people-warriors, nobles, elders, and servants-all standing in tense silence, waiting for the ceremony to begin. The golden chandeliers made the hall look extremely royal and breathtaking. But despite its beauty, the air was still filled with tension.

Catherine stood at the back, her hands trembling as she watched everything. At the center of it all, the elders placed a heavy silver crown on Damian's head, crowning him as the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack.

"All hail Alpha Damian!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, but Catherine barely noticed. Her hands clenched the fabric of her dress as she waited for what would come next.

The ceremony was almost over.

The elders stepped forward, their loud voices echoing through the grand hall. "It is time for our Alpha to choose his Luna."

Silence fell.

Damian rose to his feet, his deep gaze moving across the crowd, scanning, searching.

Was he looking for her?

Catherine held her breath, frozen in place. Her body trembled-not from fear, but from hope. His gaze moved slowly, deliberately, as if he was enjoying the moment, dragging out the suspense.

"Just say my name, Damian..." she begged silently, her eyes fixed on him. "Please... say it."

And then-he looked at her.

Their eyes met.

Her heart stopped.

In that single moment, the world disappeared. There was no crowd, no noise-just him. Just Damian. And her.

She had loved him for so long. Loved him more than she had ever loved anyone. She was proud of him-of the man he had become, of the strength in his voice, the kindness in his heart. And those eyes-those deep, beautiful eyes-they had always made her feel safe. Wanted. Seen.

She knew him. And she knew, without a doubt, that he loved her too.

This was their moment. She could feel it. She could see it in the way he looked at her. He was about to choose her. She would be his Luna - his queen, his partner, his everything.

His lips parted.

"I have chosen my Luna."

The room fell silent.

Every eye turned to him. Every breath held.

Catherine's heart pounded so hard it hurt. Tears welled up in her eyes.

This was it. The moment she had dreamed of. She braced herself, ready to hear her name. But then-he turned his gaze away from her.

And everything shattered into pieces when he announced a name that wasn't hers.

For a second, Catherine couldn't move.

His words didn't make any sense at all. They felt wrong coming out of his mouth. What was he saying? Which name did he just call out?

She didn't want to believe she heard the right name until Damian repeated himself again and her heart sank.

"I have chosen Lady Bianca, daughter of Elder Gregor, a member of the Elder Council in the Shadow Moon Pack to be my Luna."

The hall erupted into cheers. Applause filled the air, some even whistled in excitement. Smiles and nods of approval spread through the crowd like wildfire.

But Catherine heard none of it.

She only heard that name.

Lady Bianca.

It was her best friend's name.

She turned to look at her, her hands trembling with fear. But Bianca wasn't shocked. She didn't even look confused for a second. It was as if she knew that she would be Damian's Luna.

And in that moment, Catherine realized the truth.

Bianca had known all along.

The world around her blurred. What had just happened? Damian had been so sure, so confident that he would pick her as his Luna. How could he pick her best friend to be his Luna?

How could she have even trusted him?

Their relationship was a secret from the start. Damian had told her it was for her safety, that the elder council wouldn't approve of them until the time was right. And she believed him. She trusted him with her heart, her soul, everything. But standing there, listening to him call someone else's name, she couldn't help but wonder if it had all been a lie? Was she just a secret he never planned to keep?

Her heart sank.

She had been betrayed by him. Catherine's world shattered. She felt her breath leave her lungs as he turned to Bianca, his hand reaching for hers like she had always belonged to him. The warmth in his eyes-the love she once thought was hers-was now meant for someone else.

Bianca smiled up at him, her golden gown shining under the bright lights. And then, to Catherine's utter surprise, Bianca stepped forward, tilting her face up to his, and he kissed her.

Loud cheers erupted again in the grand hall. People clapped. Some screamed out of joy. Others raised their glasses in celebration. The entire pack was rejoicing.

Except for her.

Catherine stood there, frozen, her hands trembling at her sides. She couldn't breathe. Her chest rose and fell too fast, and her heart pounded so hard it hurt. Tears burned her eyes, and she realized that she needed to get away-away from the cheers, the applause, everything.

She stumbled out of the hall, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside her. She pressed a hand against the cold wall, her legs shaking so badly she could barely stand.

Suddenly, she heard whispers. Low, hurried voices coming from around the corner. Catherine wasn't the kind of person to eavesdrop-but something in their tone made her freeze. She stayed still, barely breathing, straining to hear.

"She won't make it through the night!" one of the voices said. A guard. His tone was extremely cold.

Catherine's blood turned to ice.

"Are you sure the order came from him?" a second voice asked, quieter this time - hesitant, almost afraid.

Her heart stopped. The air grew intense around her, pressing in on her chest until it hurt.

"Yes. Directly from him!" The first voice confirmed in a hushed tone.

Catherine's stomach twisted violently as she continued eavesdropping on their conversation.

"The girl has outlived her usefulness!" the voice continued. "Once the celebration is over... we have to kill her!"

Catherine felt the world tilt beneath her feet. The words replayed in her head, slow and heavy, crashing over her like a wave.

They were talking about her. They had to be.

Her breath quickened, coming in short, sharp gasps. She placed a hand over her mouth, struggling not to scream out in tears.

But one question burned in her mind-so fierce and terrifying she thought it might consume her.

Who gave the order?

Her thoughts spun wildly.

It had to be Damian. Who else could it be?

The man she loved. The man she had trusted.

But why? Why would he do this?

Her vision blurred with tears. She wanted to run, to get as far away from this place as possible-but her legs refused to move.

Then she heard it-footsteps. Slow, steady footsteps coming closer.

Her pulse thundered in her ears. She flattened herself against the wall, barely daring to breathe.

"Do we wait for confirmation?" the second voice asked, still uncertain.

"No!" the first one snapped. "The order stands. Once the celebration ends... Catherine Vermont dies."

She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting back the panic rising in her throat. They had mentioned her name. She was sure the order was for her now.

She needed to escape.

The sound of footsteps grew louder-they were coming her way. Catherine spun around and stumbled down the hallway, her vision blurry with tears. She didn't stop until she reached the servant's quarters, her mind spinning.

No. It couldn't be true. Damian wouldn't... He wouldn't order her death. Would he?

But the coldness in his eyes earlier flashed through her mind. The way he had announced Bianca as his future Luna after looking at her. The way he hadn't cared.

The door to the kitchen creaked open, and an older woman stepped out-Madam Greta, one of the head cooks. She had always been kind to Catherine, offering her bits of warm bread and soft words when the other servants ignored her.

"Catherine?" Greta's eyes widened when she saw her pale face and shaking hands. "Child, what's wrong?"

Catherine opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Greta glanced around, then grabbed Catherine's arm and pulled her into the kitchen. She shut the door behind them and turned, her face serious. "Tell me."

"I-I heard them," Catherine whispered in a soft tone. "The guards. They said... they said there's an order to kill me tonight."

For a long moment, Greta just stared at her. Then, her face was filled with sorrow.

"Oh, my sweet girl..." she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "You have to leave. Now."

Catherine's legs almost gave out. The fear was too much. "But... why?" she choked out. "Why would he do this to me?"

"I don't know. But I do know this-if you stay, you won't live to see the morning."

The words hit her like a punch to the stomach. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think.

Before Catherine could reply, Greta grabbed a small bag and began stuffing it with bread and cheese. "You'll need strength," she said. "And a coat. It's cold out there."

"But-"

"No buts," Greta snapped, though her voice was gentle. "You listen to me, Catherine. The moment you step back into that hall, you're dead. You need to run. Now."

Catherine's heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst. But she nodded, wiping her eyes.

Greta pressed the bag into her hands and hugged her tight. "Stay safe, child. And don't ever come back."

Before she could respond, there was a knock at the kitchen door.

"Alpha Damian has requested a glass of wine," one of the maids announced as they stepped inside, holding out a glass filled with red wine.

Catherine swallowed hard. She couldn't risk going back into the hall. She couldn't risk seeing Damian's face - the face of the man who had just ordered her death.

"I-I can't go back there." she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady.

The maids ignored her, stepping aside to allow her a clear path back to the grand hall.

She hesitated.

If she refused, they would report her. And then they would know she had found out.

She dropped the bag Greta had given her and forced her trembling fingers to wrap around the glass of wine, her heart pounding as she turned back toward the hall-her mind racing with one desperate plan.

She needed to escape.

Before it was too late.

The moment she stepped inside, her gaze locked onto Damian. He was standing with the elders, speaking with them. Bianca was beside him, her hands wrapped possessively around his arm. When she noticed Catherine, her expression didn't change, but something in her eyes darkened.

The sight made Catherine's stomach ache with pain, but she had no choice. She approached them slowly, her body still trembling. When she reached Damian, she lowered her gaze and held out the glass.

He turned to look at her, his eyes meeting hers.

And then, just as he reached for the glass, his lips parted-as if he was about to tell her something important. But before he could say whatever he wanted to say-

Bianca quickly moved.

Her hand shot out, knocking the glass from Catherine's hands before she could give it to him. The glass shattered against the floor, deep red wine splashing like blood across Catherine's white dress.

Gasps filled the room.

Catherine blinked, frozen in shock.

Then Bianca turned to Damian, her face filled with extreme horror. "Catherine poisoned the wine, Alpha!" she screamed out, attracting the attention of everyone towards us.

Her heart skipped a beat.

The hall fell deathly silent.

All eyes turned to Catherine.

Her breath caught in her throat as she couldn't believe what Bianca had just screamed out. She would never poison Damian. She would never do anything to hurt him. He had to know that, right?

And then something happened that sent shivers down her spine-Damian took a step back in shock.

Catherine's heart sank.

No... no, this couldn't be happening.

He wasn't supposed to believe Bianca.

Not like this.

Not without even looking at her.

Not without asking her anything.

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Her hands trembled by her sides as she continued staring at him, hoping he was considering the fact that Bianca could be lying to him and everyone.

But the way he looked back at her... it wasn't the same.

"Damian..." Catherine finally called out with tears in her eyes, her voice barely holding together. "You don't believe her... do you?"

He didn't answer at first.

But when he did, she wished he never answered.

"How could you..." he said, almost like he didn't believe the words coming out of his own mouth. "... do this to me?"

Catherine froze.

The room spun.

Everything inside her shattered.

He had believed Bianca's lies.