Rejected by One, Claimed by Another.

The fog around Aria grew stronger as she went deeper into the forest, her hands over her head as she tried to see but the mist only got thicker and the wind,heavier.

"Is anyone there?" she called out loudly pushing forward as the wind increased and blew heavily towards her. It felt like it was stopping her from going forward.

But she only kept moving. Wanting to see what was at the end.

"Your place isn't here child, leave." She heard a voice say as the fog cleared slowly. She squinted her eyes to see a woman with a fur coat holding a lantern in her hand.

"Why do you keep bringing me here?" Aria asked with a loud voice and the ground under her feet rumbled.

"Leave!" the lady said and vanished, Aria looked around trying to find her way back but the fog grew closer to her until it consumed her sight and she saw nothing else.

She jolted from the bed with a loud gasp as her eyes snapped open blinking with shock.

"Gosh." She groaned lowly running her hand through her hair and sighed.

"A nightmare?"

She nodded slowly and looked up to see her best friend Lynn seated beside her.

"The usual ones or another scary one, you know what don't tell me, you need to get up and get ready,the moonlight ceremony begins at noon." Lynn said excitement behind her tone as she stood and pulled Aria with her.

"That's today?!" Aria asked in disbelief and Lynn breathed out shaking her head in dismay.

"Check your calendar fool, we get to meet the Alpha's tonight, we're not missing it so get ready on time please!" Lynn muttered and Aria rolled her eyes.

She was never excited for things that concerned her pack because she knew she would always be forgotten once the real Wolf fun started.

"Alright I'll get ready, go now." she said drawing a wide smile on her lips to satisfy Lynn.

"Good girl, I'll be back by four okay?" Lynn said as she turned and left the room. Aria exhaled slumped in her bed once more and took in deep breaths.

Her mind spiralled back to Lynn's words and her gut twisted just by the thought of seeing the faces of people who disregarded her every single day.

She took a deep breath and found her feet heading towards the bathroom to wash off the creepy feeling she had from her nightmare.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Lynn wouldn't stop grinning beside Aria as her eyes did a marathon on every male wolf in the Hall While Aria remained composed trying to avoid the preying eyes of the people.

She couldn't help but feel out of place with the disgusting look and murmurs they kept sending her way. Being the only omega present among Alphas and Betas really stirred up words amidst the crowd.

"The moon goodness will never accept her essence. She's powerless, what can she give her mate?" She heard some ladies murmur behind her and her heart arched.

It came from all Angles and just Once, Once she hoped to be seen as a Fragile Orphan girl who was still healing from the loss of both her parents than a powerless Omega who couldn't contribute to the fulfilment of a ceremony.

"Lynn I'm-."

"We Welcome you all present here tonight to the moonlight ceremony of the Western pack, As we come into the reign of our new Alpha, it is mandatory that he seeks the face of the goddess to show him his fated mate and that is why you beautiful maidens have been gathered tonight, From the highest rank to the lowest, you all will get the chance to give a drop of your essence and let the goddess find the chosen one." Beta Tharren said with a firm loud voice that echoed In every corner of the hall. The ladies all grinned in whispers as excitement and joy glittered on their faces.

"Its finally happening Aria, get excited!" Lynn squeaked beside Aria who seemed lost from Beta Tharren's words.

The time for the ceremony came and the maidens were already outside with here hopes and expectations lingering everywhere.

Aria held the hemp of her gown tight as she brought debated on what to do, they were three others and she and Lynn were together in one. She kept her eyes locked with the stars, her heart racing in her chest.

The sounds of drums filled everywhere, the whole place lit up with candle lights and fire flies setting the atmosphere right for an auspicious moment which was about to begin.

"Accept these ones Great goddess and show us who our next Luna will be, may she bring peace and harmony to us and the packs beyond."

The clouds cleared and the moon rose shining brightly on them all.

Aria's Gaze shifted to the glowing moonstone as her feet moved closer slowly.

"see me, please." She whispered, to low for anyone else to hear. Her hand trembled at her side as she drew in shaky breaths, then with all the courage she could gather, she pressed her palm against the cold moonstone.

She let out a little wince as she felt a little cut in her palm, a stain of her blood left off as she pulled her hand away.

The Doors flew open and everyone turned. Silence swept the ground as two towering figures stepped in.

The alpha twins. Tall, broad shouldered, and commanding.

Even with their resemblance it was impossible to mistake one for the other. Kael's storm gray eyes were fierce and sharp edged. He carried himself like a blade unsheathed, his Alpha Aura flooding the room.

Beside him was a Cain, the younger twin, Calm yet no less powerful, had eyes like the color of the clouds right after the sun rise, piercing and unrelenting.

Every maidens breath hitched. But Aria froze. Her chest tightened, Her pulse skipped wildly. The moment Kael's gaze locked with hers something snapped into place.

His steps faltered for a second as his Nostrils flared. His eyes narrowed as if he too had being struck by lightning.

"Mate."

Everyone gasped.

Aria's wolf howled in recognition clawing in her chest. Her knees nearly buckled and her palm trembled where it had touched the moonstone.

Kael's jaw clenched. His broad shoulders stiffens but his gaze refused to leave hers and at that instant, Aria knew the goddess had chosen.

The bond burned like fire through her veins urging her to move forward. Yet in Kael's eyes, there was no Warmth, only a glint that made her heart stumble. Something she couldn't name

Aria rubbed her palms nervously as Kael walked towards her, she kept batting her lashes constantly, eyes everywhere but his face.

"Look at me." He spoke, his voice firm yet soft. She finally met his gaze and her knees buckled harder. She gulped down nothing as a cold sensation brushed her skin.

He watched her, studied her and when he realized who she truly was, his wolf snarled.

"An omega!"

"You're the wolfless omega girl." He mumbled, his hands tucked behind him as he stared at her.

"ye–yes." she stammered.

He smiled, but it vanished as fast as it came. Taking his gaze back to the silent gathering, he took in a sharp breath and cracked his neck once.

Aria tried to stay composed but the doubt in her heart couldn't go away. She looked at Lynn and the bright smile on her face gave her some worth of reassurance. She forced a smile out and exhaled to calm her nerves.

"Alpha?" Beta Tharren called in a soft tone wondering why his Alpha refused to speak.

Keal gave no response, he turned to Aria, his lips curved into a cunning smile as he reached for her hands.

"The moon goddess has chosen." He said in a dry tone, some gasped and murmured while some remained quiet waiting for the storm yet to come.

"Is she your fated mate?" Beta Tharren asked in surprise.

"Yes." Kael answered his gaze fixed on her white palm. This time around many gasped.

"She's an omega."

"We won't accept her."

"The moon goddess must have made a mistake!"

They said with loud voices. Aria bit her lip hard as she tried to keep her composure. Their words were hurting but she refused to show it.

"You hear, don't you?"

She blinked as he brought his lips to her ears and whispered,sending shivers down her spine.

"I-" she opened her mouth to speak but then his next words made her mute immediately

"They're right." He said, the once flattened smile on his face turned into a devilish one. His grip tightened on her hand as she tried to pull away.

"I cannot accept a wolfless omega as my mate." His voice got louder as he faced them.

"What are you doing Alpha?" Beta Tharren stepped closer quickly but Kael stopped him with a hand raised.

"I am doing what any good Alpha would do Beta Tharren. Love, don't get your hopes up, I do not accept you!" Silence sliced through the pack as he declared letting go of her hand dramatically.

Her feet wobbled as she took a step back, she looked at him clearly but all she saw was disgust.

Her chest burned with a hotness she couldn't understand, his words echoed in her ears and her eyes swelled with tears.

The spark she once felt died and then pain took over.

Cold wrapped around her suddenly causing her to whimper and shiver. She had never felt that amount pain in her life, her thoughts were scattered, her heart shattered and worse the one who caused her pain had no remorse in his eyes.

"Are you sure you want to do this Alpha, the moon goddess chose her. At least give it time." Beta Tharren, being the reasonable one among them said slowly as he stood in front of him.

He glanced at Aria, her had already resolve collapsed even before she reached the ground, she was weak but she still stood even with her head bowed and confusion evident in her eyes.

"There's nothing to think about Beta Tharren,I have made my decision, I might as well do it properly then." Kael uttered arrogantly and turned to Aria once again.

His brows folded as he frowned at the weak creature in front of him. A dry scoff escaped his lips irritated by how Aria had become.

"Aria." He called in a commanding tone forcing her to meet his gaze once more. "I, Alpha Kael of the western pack, reject you as my mate."

It was all it took to break Aria to pieces. The words slammed into her chest like a physical blow.

The weak wolf inside her whimpered brokenly, she wasn't even sure if it came from her mind or tore through her throat.

Her knees finally gave out and she crashed to the floor. The bond she once felt splintered like glass. She felt it rupture.

Her vision blurred with tears as her fingers dug into the mud, she felt her heart reap out of her chest as pain hit again, this time more painful.

A burning rip tore through her stomach, up to her chest, up to her lungs until she couldn't breath.

"You hurt her." Kael's wolf rumbled sadly through their bond, Kael looked away too fast. Too sharply. As if he couldn't bear what he did.

He flinched as the weakened bond tugged him one last time before it finally, painfully snapped.

The last thread broke. Aria felt it. He did too but he turned his back on her anyway because walking away was easier than facing the ruin he caused.

Aria body shook as she pressed her hand to her chest, begging her heart to stop bleeding, begging the world to stop spinning long enough for her to breathe.

"You've always been a coward."

Kael halted in his step as a voice ripped through the crowd. He turned to the direction it came from and his fist clenched to see it was from his brother.

"I am an Alpha and I won't be stuck with an omega." He said but Cain scoffed. His gaze locked on Aria and something inside him broke.

Strange yet his wolf pushed, so fast he had to go to her. In seconds,he found himself beside her, hovering her before finally cradling her in his arms.

The pack went in uproar as they gasped in shock of what he did.

"Cain!" Kael thundered angrily.

"Alpha Cain, what are you doing?" Beta Tharren asked in a low voice as Cain carried Aria and walked towards the door.

With her blurry vision, Aria could only see the shifting glow in his eyes. It was the last thing she saw until her eyes finally gave out.

"If you don't want her-." Cain eyes finally glowed gold as he stared at her, He couldn't understand why he felt so much pain watching her suffer but staring at her made his wolf growled softly in delight.

"Then I claim her." the words vibrated through the earth. Kael's jaw clenched, Nostrils flaring as the weight of those words hurt him.

"You can't." He snapped, voice tight.

Cains lips lifted into a dangerous smirk "watch me." then he lowered his forehead to Aria's, letting his power wash over her in a warm, steady pulse.

Her wolf whimpered, leaning into him.

Kael's wolf roared inside him, but it was too late.

The moon cast a silver glow over the pack's infirmary, softly illuminating the whole places as Cain placed unconscious Aria gently on the bed. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, though her vision was blurred, she could still recognize the figure who stood in front of her.

Alpha Cain, the one who slightly made her forgot the pain that had crushed her just moments before.

"Aria, can you hear me?" His voice was a gentle and soothing that she had almost forgotten what had happened to her.

She nodded, her voice caught in her throat, as she met his gaze. His eyes gleamed gloomily, worry evident in his expression and with the look he gave her,Aria felt a flutter in her chest. It was a feeling she couldn't quite explain, but it was there, nonetheless

She tried to keep her eyes open, but she failed at it, as she drifted into sleep. The rejection still lingered, casting a dull ache in her chest.

The pack's healer, Lady Mana, knelt down beside the bed, gently tended to Aria, while Cain stood beside her, his eyes never leaving her pale unconscious body.

After ensuring that she was okay, she stood up, her gaze on the ground.

"She's going to be fine, Alpha," Lady Mana said, her voice low and soothing. "But she needs rest and care. The rejection has taken a toll on her body and mind, she might take a while for her to feel the bond between two of you as her heart is already been shattered and her wolf has shut itself out."

Cain nodded, his jaw clenched in determination and annoyance. "I'll take care of her," he said, his voice firm.

Lady Mana bowed. "If anything happens, please inform me. You can take her to a more comfortable room and bed."

He dismissed her with a nod.

*******

Back at the ceremonial ground, the air was tense. Whispers flew everywhere as pack members tried to make sense of what had just happened.

"I can't believe this,"someone from the right wing said loudly. "How could the moon goddess let Alpha Kael be mated to a wolfless unreliable omega."

Another nodded in agreement. "She won't be of any help, so why did she?"

"To think that Alpha Cain, got mated to her instantly feels so cringe and unreal." Another chipped in.

Facing the people from left wing, another asked with disgust. "Why did your Alpha, have to pick up someone else's trash."

A warrior from the left wing scoffed. "You wouldn't dare to call our Luna a trash."

"You're proud of that?" a woman from the right wing snapped. "Your Alpha claimed a rejected mate. It's a disgrace!"

Another from the left wing stepped forward. "Disgrace? The Moon Goddess chose her and Alpha Cain honored that. That's what a true leader does.

"True leader you say," someone else said bitterly. "Your so called Luna is about to cause enemity and division between the two wings of this pack."

"We are not dividing the pack, we are simply respecting our Alpha's decision." the left wing warrior growled. "The rejected stone has simply become the chief cornerstone."

Members of the left wing nodded proudly. The right wing looked furious.

Meanwhile, Lynn who fell into a trance during all the argument, quickly pushed through the crowd, running as fast as she could towards the infirmary, since she felt Alpha Cain could have taken her there.

"Aria... Please be fine." she begged her voice low as a whisper.

~~~~~~~~

Kael who had left the ceremonial ground as soon as Cain left, screamed in annoyance and frustration. He angrily shattered the wooden table that stood innocently at a corner in his room with his fist. The contents on the table spilling and breaking into debris on the ground.

He clenched his fist tightly, his nails growing longer piercing into his skin, drawing out blood. His face red and contorted with blazing fury, every muscle of him trembling in anger.

Firstly, the moon goddess had tied him with an omega- a wolfless omega at that. Just when he thought he had control by rejecting her, she was instantly tied to his brother.

How in the world was that making sense?

He felt a burning sensation within him as his thought trailed back to his brother's words.

"You have always been a coward."

"Arrrrggghh." He roared, loud and inhumane. His high pitched scream shaking the whole building, shattering things and stumbling book of the shelves.

He was angry.

It was his decision to reject, so why all the anger?

Why did he care if Cain was tied to the mate he had rejected?

He couldn't understand it. He couldn't explain it and that made something twist sharply in his chest.

*****

Lynn stepped quietly into Alpha Cain's room, careful not to make a sound.

Just as she was about entering the infirmary, she saw him walking out of the infirmary with Aria gently scooped in his arms in his arms. Concerned about her friend who was in a fragile state, she had to follow.

She watched as he gently placed, her unconscious friend on the bed, his movement slow and calm like he didn't want her to break. He was an Alpha everyone feared, but the way he stared at Aria like she was something fragile and precious made her think otherwise.

"Alpha Cain, please how is she?" she asked worriedly.

Cain raised his brow, as if to ask who she was.

Realizing, " I'm Lynn, Aria's friend."

He nodded in acknowledgement. "She is fine. Lady Mana said she need rest. No disturbance."

She nodded.

Just then, Kael huge frame figure, stood beside the door frame of Cain's room.

Lynn shifted closer to Aria in fright, as Kael's raspy breathing filled the air.

Cain walked towards Kael who looked like he was ready to kill someone.

"Kael, what are you doing here? What's wrong?"

"She's mine." Kael pronounced.

A frown appeared on Cain's face

"You rejected her already. The bond has been severed." Cain replied.

Kael growled slightly. "You had no right to claim her."

"If you need someone to blame, then why don't you blame the moon goddess for giving me what you threw away." Cain muttered.

His gaze locking with Kael's blazing eyes