Chapter 1: The Rejected Mate

Brenda’s POV

I was up earlier than the sun. Once more.

My bed was on the chilly floor under the kitchen. My tiny blanket did very little to help. I rubbed my arms and sat up. My entire body hurt. But I didn't grumble. I didn't. No one was interested in the Omega girl, so who would listen to her?

Already there was a buzz in the Alpha mansion. Today was the Moonlight Ceremony. Everyone needed to look flawless. Everything needed to be brilliant.

I had to start cleaning as a result.

I picked up the mop and started working. The tiles needed to be glistening. The walls needed to shine. As I did every day, I swept, cleaned, and wiped down every part of the mansion. Today, however, felt different. There was a restlessness in my heart.

"Oh no, Omega, are you unable to move more quickly?" Selene's piercing voice pierced the corridor.

I winced. She had to be here, of course. She flipped her long, golden hair as she entered the room, her high heels clicking. She was the daughter of the Beta, and she had been acting as though she already wore the crown ever since Alpha Damian began to express interest in her.

With my eyes on the ground, I mutely replied, "I'm sorry, Selene."

She smiled. "Sorry, won't make you look better. Do you have a mirror at all? It makes sense why you still have no partner.

Her two companions laughed behind her. I continued to scrub.

With a sly smirk, she said, "Perhaps you should avoid the ceremony tonight." "You might frighten the real wolves away."

To stop myself from responding, I bit the inside of my cheek. I had heard worse.

I sat back on my heels and looked out the window as soon as they had gone. To be honest, I had always secretly hoped that the Moon Goddess would match me with a loving partner. Someone who would help me escape this nightmare.

But in a place like this, hope was risky.

By the time the ceremony started, the moon was bright and full.

The sacred stone in the middle of the clearing was surrounded by the entire Lycan Pack. Wolves said excitedly as torches flickered in the night air. It was time to announce the mates. Changes were on the horizon.

Aside from mine.

As usual, I stood at the far back. Concealed. Not visible. As the Alphas and Betas, all dressed to the nines, moved forward, I pulled my old cloak around me.

Damian left after that.

I gasped.

Tall. Dark. Strong. The most revered and feared wolf in the Lycan Pack was Alpha Damian. He has the ability to hush a room. He looked over the audience with icy eyes as if he controlled the universe, and perhaps he did.

However, an odd event happened as soon as he entered the moonlight.

A tug.

An uncontrollable, powerful force pulled at my chest. My heart was racing. Inside of me, my wolf moaned, attempting to escape.

His eyes met me.

I let out a gasp.

My friend.

It was ingrained in my bones. The connection, the magic, the relationship. It was authentic. With tears welling up in my eyes, I gripped my chest.

I had been given a mate by the Moon Goddess.

Not just anybody, anyway.

Damian Alpha.

As I took a step forward, my legs began to shake. I was unable to stop myself.

The link grew stronger with each step. My heart was beating so quickly that I was afraid it may explode. He became the center of my entire universe.

He remained motionless, simply staring at me. His angular jaw was clenched. He balled his hands into fists.

At last, I stood in front of him and said, "We're fated."

We were separated by the moment.

Then everything fell apart.

Damian stepped back, his look steely. He twisted his mouth in distaste. "No," he said icily. "This is an error."

Bewildered, I blinked. "W-What?"

"This bond is unacceptable to me," he snarled. His tone was as piercing as ice. "Omega, I reject you."

I gasped.

The audience let out a gasp.

The clearing echoed with whispers.

"No..." With my knees buckling, I said quietly. "You can't."

"I am able to. "And I simply did," he yelled.

Tears filled my eyes as I looked up at him. "Why?"

"You're nothing," he remarked sternly. "You're not strong. Horrible. Do you really believe that the Moon Goddess would match me with a worthless maid? He gave a sour laugh. Something must have been tampered with by you. Perhaps a potion. Or perhaps you're simply desperate.

I felt every word pierce me like a knife.

Smirking, Selene approached him from behind.

Damian turned and extended his hand to her. "Selene is my Luna of choice."

The audience cheered and gasped.

My heart broke.

"No!" I let out a cry. I felt a sharp pain in my chest. Something deep within me was broken by the rejection link. I shouted and fell to the ground, holding my heart.

My inner beast howled.

It was death-like.

Everything went hazy. I lost my vision. I could hear laughter. It's her right, someone said.

Damian didn't even turn around.

I was having trouble breathing. My entire body shook uncontrollably. My mind was racing.

Then everything turned dark.

But I saw something right before I fainted.

A dim glow in the forest. Watching from the darkness are glowing eyes.

There was someone, or something.

Awaiting.

observing.

They weren't from this bunch, either.