The Rejected Luna's Prophecy

Lyra's POV

I remember it like it was last night. Three years ago, my brother, Aran, was made the Beta of our pack alongside the new Alpha. It was supposed to be a moment of celebration, but it came at a price.

Our father.

My father was the Beta of Oakland. He died protecting our land from the outsiders three years ago. The attack was sudden, an ambush no one saw coming.

Oakland had never been attacked under Alpha Ring's reign-the Alpha who united the Oak pack and secured our land. Everyone feared him. He was untouchable. Anyone who dared to threaten our pack... he ripped their hearts out without question. No one could stand against him.

But ever since he passed and his son took over, the outsiders came back and attacked.

No one knew who they were or why they attacked, but one thing was certain: they vanished the moment my father's heart was ripped from his chest.

I will never forget that moment.

One of them, a figure with piercing golden eyes, was the one who did it. He tore my father's heart out while we watched, helpless. We couldn't do anything. My brother's only duty was to get our mother and me to safety.

The outsiders are those stray wolves who don't belong to a pack or who have been cast away. But rumor has it that someone is bringing them together to form a pack-an empire of their own. They have been claiming lands and killing their Alphas, but when they attacked our land, they left the moment my father died.

I close my eyes, and the memory haunts me once more, the moment my father whispered his final words to me before turning to my brother. 'Never trust anyone, not even your kin.' I still don't know what he meant. I wish it had all been a dream. I wish my father were here today because today, his daughter turns sixteen. Today, I will finally meet my wolf.

---

I wonder what my wolf will feel like. Will she like me... or hate me? I just don't know.

I have never felt this anxious before, never. I spent my whole life waiting for this day, yet now that it's here, I can't stop the unease twisting in my stomach. Will it be painful? Less painful? Or worse than I imagined?

My best friend, Naria, met her wolf last month. For her, it was... effortless. Almost too easy. She barely screamed when the shift began, and when it was over, her wolf stood strong, her silver fur glowing under the moonlight. She had trained for it, prepared for it. I still remember how intense her training was-hours of endurance, pushing herself past limits I couldn't even reach.

I tried. Goddess knows I tried. But no matter how hard I trained, I could never match her level.

Still, my brother always told me, "Your wolf will come out according to your nature."

I've always felt like I didn't truly belong here, like there was a part of me missing, and maybe today I'd finally find it-maybe today, the missing piece would come alive with my wolf.

I just hope my wolf likes me.

I don't need to be the strongest. I don't need to be the fastest. I just need her to be someone who will protect the ones I love.

"Lyra, your friends are here!"

"Okay, Mom! I'll be there in a sec, Ma."

I still have to put on my dress for the night. I've been staring at it this whole time, as if waiting for it to speak to me.

Or maybe... I just don't want to put it on.

It's beautiful-one of my best designs-but what's the point? The moment I shift under the full moon, it will be shredded to pieces. Months of work, gone in seconds.

I love designing, pouring my heart into every stitch, and this dress? This one is special. With a sigh, I put on the white gown, put my hair down, and brush it.

Then, I head downstairs. Waiting for me in the living room are my two best friends, Naria and Jade, their faces lit with excitement.

"Here comes the birthday girl!" they shouted.

I blinked, surprised-not just at their enthusiasm, but at what they were holding: two cakes.

One for my birthday. The other... to celebrate when the Moon Goddess blesses me with my mate.

I still can't believe these two were fated to be mates.

Not only did Naria meet her wolf last month, but she also found her mate-and it turned out to be Jade.

Even Jade couldn't believe it himself-that one of his best friends was his fated mate. But instead of fighting fate, he embraced it wholeheartedly. By the next morning, he had already given her a promise ring. It was the sweetest thing I'd ever seen: my best friends are one.

I can't help but wonder... will I be lucky enough to find my mate today?

I hope I find my mate today.

Not everyone does on their birthday. Some wolves have to wait weeks, months-sometimes even years-before they finally feel the bond. Even the Beta and Alpha of our pack are still mateless.

Maybe it's because they're always protecting our land, standing at the front lines with the warriors, preparing in case the outsiders strike again.

But deep down, I pray the Moon Goddess won't make me wait.

I want to find my mate.

And I hope it's tonight.

"Okay, I'm just going to put these cakes in the kitchen,"

Naria says, already making her way toward the kitchen, where my mom was busy preparing breakfast.

Jade's eyes land on me, then widen in admiration. "Wow, is this the dress you made for tonight?" he asks.

"It's stunning, Lyra! Too bad it's going to be torn apart when you shift."

I sigh, running my fingers over the soft white fabric.

"I know... but at least I get to wear it, even if only for a while."

Naria returns, grinning.

"I still can't believe it, bestie. It's finally happening! I can't wait for you to meet your wolf, Lyra."

Jade nods eagerly. "Me too! I wonder what she'll be like."

I smile, but inside, nerves twist in my stomach. What if my wolf is weak? What if she isn't what I had imagined?

Before I can dwell on my thoughts, my mother walks in, a knowing look in her eyes.

"You should hurry, Lyra. The Alpha and Beta will be at the ceremony tonight." My heart skips a beat.

The Alpha and Beta? Why would the Alpha attend my ceremony?

Something about this night suddenly feels... different.

"I, Jackson Lycan, reject you-Nyra Black-as my mate. You are weak and unworthy of being my Luna."

I didn't even hear the words that followed.

I couldn't even feel the ground beneath me. All I felt was something aching deep inside my chest-cracking, beating faster, like my heart was breaking apart one piece at a time. This moment didn't feel real. It felt like I was trapped in another nightmare.

This was supposed to be my ceremony-the night the Moon Goddess awakened that part of me. I have waited my entire life for this.

The night I finally get to connect with my wolf.

But instead of a powerful awakening... I got silence.

I could feel the pull of the moon, the tug at my very core, but still, nothing. I strained to feel her presence-the wolf that should have been there, but she was silent. My body ached with the emptiness, a gnawing cold that grew deeper the longer I waited.

And then those words. Rejection. Humiliation. All of it, right there, in front of the entire pack.

My heart pounded. My body trembled. But I couldn't move.

"This has to be a mistake," Jackson muttered, stepping back like I was something filthy. His golden eyes-usually so unreadable-were burning now.

Not with confusion, not even disappointment, but disgust.

"She hasn't shifted. She doesn't even have her wolf. How the hell could the Moon Goddess pair me with her?"

The air shifted. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, like waves crashing into me from every direction.

Jackson scoffed, shaking his head.

"No. No, I refuse. I need a mate who's strong-someone who can stand beside me when war comes. Not... not this. Even my wolf is rejecting her. A weak mate is worse than no mate at all."

His golden eyes burned with disgust as he took a step back, his voice sharp and cutting. "I refuse. I need a mate who's strong, not..." He paused, his lip curling. "Not you."

"Alpha, that's enough!" Aran's voice broke through the crowd, low but urgent. He stepped between us, trying to calm the storm with his presence.

"This isn't the time. She hasn't awakened yet-you don't know what she's capable of."

But Jackson wasn't hearing him. He wasn't hearing anyone.

And still, I stood there-numb, shaking.

My breath was shallow. My mind couldn't catch up with the pain.

Why didn't my wolf come forward?

Why tonight of all nights?

I clenched my fists, fingernails digging into my palms until I felt warm blood.

But even that didn't ground me.

This morning, I had been so full of hope. My biggest worry had been whether the Alpha would notice me-not as a mate, but just as his Beta's little sister.

When Mom told me he'd be attending, I was nervous but happy.

Did he already know I was his mate?

Or had he only come to support Aran?

I couldn't even guess now. Nothing made sense anymore.

I could hear Aran and Jackson still arguing-sharp words, low voices-but it all blurred into the background. My head felt heavy, my heart even heavier.

Then, arms wrapped around me-familiar and warm.

"Baby, are you okay?" my mother whispered, pulling me into a hug.

I didn't answer; I couldn't.

Tears fell silently as she held me tighter, gently swaying us like I was a little girl again.

Jade and Naria came to either side of me, their presence comforting in a way words couldn't be.

"If he wasn't the Alpha, I would have knocked him out for uttering those words," Jade hissed, his jaw clenched tight as he held his ground. His voice was low, barely containing his fury.

Naria's eyes burned with fire.

"He didn't even hesitate, like it meant nothing. Who rejects someone with those cruel words?" she muttered, her eyes flashing with anger. She clenched her fists, as though ready to throw herself at him, but Jade's firm hand on her wrist held her back.

"Don't. He's not worth it. Not tonight."

I couldn't say anything; I just let them hold me while my chest continued to shatter.

Then, Jackson turned away. He didn't say another word; he just walked off like none of it had happened.

But when he looked at me one last time, something strange flickered in his eyes-fury.

Pure, sharp, burning fury.

I didn't understand it.

He was the one who rejected me, so why did he look so angry?

He got into his car and drove off, the screech of his tires more unbearable than his rejection.

The silence that followed was deafening.

"Nyra..." Aran approached me, his expression torn. "I know this night was supposed to be yours. I shouldn't have brought him here. I... I'm sorry."

He looked like he was carrying the weight of the entire night on his shoulders.

He always did.

After Dad died, he became more than just my brother. He was my rock. My protector.

And now? He looked like he had failed me.

"It's not your fault, Aran," I whispered, my voice barely there.

Naria glanced up at the sky.

"The moon's almost out. Do you think... maybe she'll still meet her wolf?"

"I don't think she will," Jade said quietly. "But... let's give it time."

I didn't wait.

I turned and ran.

"Nyra!" I heard my mom call out. "Where are you going?"

"She needs space," Aran said gently. "Let her go. She'll come back when she's ready."

I kept running as fast as I could, heading to the woods, through the thick night air.

I didn't know where my legs were going.

All I needed was to get away from the stares, the pity, the eyes that watched me and made me feel even sadder.

His voice echoed in my head.

You are weak and unworthy.

And the worst part?

A part of me believed it.

I didn't stop until I fell to my knees, panting, my chest heaving as I tried to breathe through the pain.

The woods around me were thick with unfamiliar roots.

The trees blocked the sky, and the moonlight I had so desperately waited for was gone-swallowed by the clouds.

I looked around, disoriented.

"Where... am I?"

I had run too far. Farther than I had meant to.

A cold breeze cut through the trees, sending chills down my body.

Then I heard it.

A crack. A snap. Leaves crunching.

Not one step. Not two.

Many.

I froze.

"Who's there?" I called out with my trembling voice.

Silence.

Then, more footsteps.

From every direction.

Every crunch of the leaves underfoot sent my heart racing faster, and when the footsteps stopped, the silence that followed was suffocating. I was alone, vulnerable. I could hear nothing-nothing but the pounding of my own heartbeat, and the whisper of the wind through the trees.

I turned in circles, my eyes wide, heart pounding.

My fingers reached for my pocket-but my phone... I had given it to Naria.

Of all nights.

The footsteps came closer.

Then-suddenly-everything stopped.

Not a sound.

Not a breeze.

Just silence.

Thick. Cold. Terrifying.

And then...

Darkness.

I have never been held captive before. Never. No one dared to lay a finger on the Beta's daughter-not when my father was alive, and not after he passed. My brother made sure of that. No one ever touched a single strand of my hair. And now... here I am, locked in a place that looks and smells like a damn basement.

I'd been awake for maybe thirty minutes... or longer. It was hard to tell. Time didn't feel real here. I had already looked around, hoping to find some way out, but there was nothing.

No windows, no real doors, just old, forgotten furniture shoved into the corners and walls so cracked and faded, it looked like no one had touched this place in years. Dust covered everything, thick enough to choke on. This place looks like a nightmare. The air was cold and stale, carrying a sharp, metallic scent-blood, maybe? I didn't know. I didn't want to know. All I knew was this place felt... wrong. Empty. Like it had been abandoned by the world a long time ago. And now, I was starting to feel the same way.

I was just about to scream my lungs out when I heard footsteps-coming from below. That's when it hit me... I wasn't in a basement. I was being kept somewhere higher. An attic? A rooftop room? I didn't know, but the steps were definitely climbing up toward me.

"Hey, our Luna is up!" a cheerful voice called out. A red-headed guy appeared, grinning as he opened a hatch-like door from beneath me. His smile didn't match the situation at all-it felt wrong. Before I could even say a word, he ducked back down and disappeared just as fast as he'd shown up.

That was my cue. I screamed. I screamed like my life depended on it-because maybe it did. Maybe the next person who came through that door would be the one to end me.

After screaming my lungs out, my voice hoarse with desperation, I suddenly noticed something-the red-headed guy hadn't locked the door behind him.

My heart pounded as I stood up from the corner I'd been crouched in. Step by careful step, I made my way down the creaky wooden ladder, hoping-no, praying-for an escape.

The moment I stepped into the room below, I was hit with a wave of fresh air. It was crisp and clean, carrying the scent of warm bread and herbs. The place was unexpectedly neat, a complete contrast to the attic I'd just left behind. Sunlight poured in through a small, open window, casting golden streaks across a tidy kitchen.

That's when it hit me-it was already daybreak. How long had I been up there? Hours? A whole night?

Before I could even process that thought, my eyes caught movement. Two people stood by the counter, locked in a petty argument. One was a guy, and the other a woman who looked like she wasn't about to back down.

"That is not the way to spread butter on bread," the woman said sharply, grabbing the knife from his hand. "You use the knife like this."

The guy leaned back with a playful grin. "Kira, you don't have to show me how to spread bread. I like my bread this way," he whispered teasingly, then quickly shoved the uneven slice into his mouth before she could argue further.

I froze.

His eyes suddenly lifted and met mine. For a moment, I hoped-begged, even-that he hadn't noticed me. Maybe I could slip away. Maybe I could still run.

But it was too late.

"Oh! Look who decided to join us for breakfast," he said, grinning as if I hadn't just been screaming moments ago. "Hello, my name is Frank."

He stepped toward me, hand extended in greeting.

I didn't move. My entire body shivered involuntarily.

Then I noticed them-five others sitting at a dining table across the room, all casually eating like this was just another normal morning. Like I wasn't some kidnapped stranger standing in their kitchen. The realization made my stomach twist.

"Hey, Sleeping Beauty," Frank called out again with a teasing grin, "want some bread? Kira here will spread the butter for you. She's basically the goddess of butter." He winked at the woman, who was still holding the butter knife midair, clearly not amused.

Before I could respond, another guy-one of the five already seated at the dining table-lifted a cereal box like it was some kind of offering.

"Hello, Luna Nyra," he said, smiling warmly. "Would you like some cereal? I could pour you a bowl. We've got milk too."

I just stood there, frozen. None of this made sense to me. Strange faces. Smiling faces. Was this how kidnappers behaved now? Friendly? Casual? Offering me breakfast like I hadn't just woken up trapped in an dirty attic or something?

"Please," I said, my voice trembling as I took a step back, "I have no idea who you people are or why you've taken me. But I must warn you-my brother is the Beta of Oakland. This is treason. Holding me hostage is not something you'll get away with."

Maybe they didn't know who I was. Maybe they thought I was just some lost girl. Maybe that was why they took me. Still, I had to keep reminding myself: I wasn't just anyone.

The guy with brown hair - the one who looked like the redhead guy earlier but with brown hair-took a small step toward me, hands raised slightly as if to show he meant no harm.

"Luna Nyra," he said gently, "we're not kidnappers. We're the good guys. I promise."

Good guys don't drag people out of the woods unconscious, I wanted to say.

I stepped back again, inching toward the door behind me, trying to keep every face in sight. But one thing kept ringing in my ears-Luna Nyra. Why were they calling me that?

I paused. My hand rested on the door handle.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" I asked, my voice low but sharp. "I'm Nyra Black, not your Luna."

Maybe they had seen me at my shifting ceremony, maybe that's why they were confused. But if they had been there... then they should know.

"You must be mistaken," I continued, swallowing the knot in my throat. "The Alpha rejected me. He never accepted me as his Luna."

And just as I turned the knob, ready to bolt, the door across the room creaked open.

Two figures stepped in.

One of them was the red-headed guy from earlier. But this time, he didn't look as cheerful. He was quieter now, more composed. Standing beside him was someone else-taller, broader, and with an energy that made the air in the room shift.

He had dark blond hair and wore a black leather jacket that looked as worn as it was commanding. His expression was unreadable, and he didn't even have to say a word-his presence alone was enough to silence the entire room.

Everyone parted instinctively as he walked forward, like water moving around stone.

"So..." His voice was deep, steady, and laced with quiet authority. "Our Luna is finally awake."

My breath caught in my throat.

He stopped a few feet away, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Welcome, Nyra," he said. "We are the warriors of the Lunaborn. And you, Nyra... you are our Luna. The last Lunaborn."