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CHAPTER 4 The Bitter Announcement

The grand hall of the palace was filled with murmurs and whispers, the air thick with anticipation. The announcement everyone had been waiting for- the union between the new Alpha, Orion, and his chosen mate, Elara- was about to be made. Orion stood at the front, his face a blank mask, but inside, his heart twisted painfully.

The old Alpha, Orion's father, stood tall before the gathered Pack, his voice echoing through the room. "Tonight, we are proud to announce the upcoming wedding of our son, Alpha Orion, and his chosen mate, Elara." His voice carried with authority, but also pride. His mother, the Luna, stood beside him, beaming with joy, clapping her hands together as though this was the perfect match.

Orion's chest tightened. His mouth felt dry, and his hands balled into fists at his sides. This was supposed to be a moment of happiness, a celebration of his new role as Alpha, and the beginning of his life with his mate. But all he could think about was Seraphina- how he had crushed her in front of everyone. The pain he had caused her gnawed at him, the memory of her heartbroken face haunting him.

His father continued, speaking of the future of the Pack, of strength and unity. The Pack cheered, oblivious to the storm inside Orion. He could feel Elara's eyes on him, her smug smile as she soaked up the attention. But to him, this moment felt like a lie. He had no choice in this, no freedom to follow his heart.

Without saying a word, Orion turned and walked out of the hall. The loud cheers faded behind him as he made his way through the palace, his footsteps heavy. He couldn't stand it anymore- the false joy, the fake smiles. His mind kept replaying the moment he had rejected Seraphina. He didn't want to think about it, but the guilt crushed him, heavier with each step.

As he reached his room, he slammed the door behind him, leaning against it, his breath coming in shallow gasps. How had it come to this? How had he let it get this far? He was Alpha now, but it felt like the weight of the title was suffocating him. All his life, he had trained for this, to be strong, to lead. And yet, in the one moment that mattered most, he had been weak.

Images of Seraphina flooded his mind. Her smile when they were younger, the way she used to look at him like he was her whole world. She had loved him with everything she had, and he had thrown it all away, choosing Elara- the one person Seraphina despised the most. He had made Seraphina a laughing stock, and for what? To appear strong?

His fists clenched tighter as his jaw tightened. He had chosen Elara because everyone said she was strong, a warrior, the perfect Luna to lead by his side. But in doing so, he had shattered Seraphina, the one person who had always believed in him.

There was a knock at the door, and without waiting for permission, Elara pushed it open, stepping inside with a confident smirk. "Why did you walk out? They were cheering for us," she said, her tone sharp, as if she was scolding a child. "You should be proud. You're the Alpha now. And soon, I'll be your Luna."

Orion didn't respond. He barely even looked at her. His mind was too full of Seraphina.

Elara noticed his silence and sneered. "Are you thinking about 'her' again? That weak little wolf? Seraphina was never fit to be your mate, Orion. She's pathetic. You made the right choice."

That was the last straw. Orion's eyes flashed with anger, and he whipped around to face Elara, his voice low but filled with fury. "Don't. You. Dare." Each word was like a growl, his wolf barely contained. "Don't you ever speak of Seraphina like that?"

Elara's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected him to react this way. She had thought he had moved on from Seraphina, that he didn't care anymore. But seeing the raw anger in his eyes, she knew she had touched a nerve.

Orion's chest heaved with emotion. "You may be my mate now, but that doesn't give you the right to talk down on her." His voice shook with barely controlled rage. "You don't know her. You don't know what she's been through."

Elara stepped back, her expression turning to one of disdain. "Oh, please. She's nothing but a weakling, Orion. You need someone strong by your side. And that's me."

Orion's fists slammed into the door, his rage boiling over. "Get out," he growled, his voice low but dangerous. He didn't want to hear another word from her. Not tonight.

Elara's smirk faltered as she stared at him, but she didn't argue. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Orion stood there, breathing heavily, his heart pounding in his chest. His decision was supposed to make him stronger and secure the future of the Pack. But all he felt now was regret and guilt. The image of Seraphina's tear-streaked face burned in his mind.

He had hurt her, broken her in front of the entire Pack, and for what? To live up to the expectations of being an Alpha? But deep down, he knew he had betrayed not just Seraphina, but himself.

Now, as the rain continued to pound against the windows, Orion felt the weight of his choices press down on him, heavier than ever. He was Alpha, but at that moment, he felt more lost than he ever had before.

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