Chapter 1 Rejected
“Why is the rain coming down so hard?”
Seara shut the window as the downpour began to splash across the floor. She reached for a lighter and a candle from her nightstand, striking the flame to life. Tonight, the relentless storm of rain and thunder gnawed at her nerves.
For some reason, tonight felt different—sharper, heavier. A strange vigilance coiled inside her chest. When her gaze fell on the mirror’s reflection, Seer Miriam’s words came rushing back—words spoken long before she ever bonded with Alpha Alaric.
That day, Seara had just returned from the forest after her First Shift. The memory was like thunder in her bones—Miriam’s voice, rich and husky, still echoing so clearly.
“Your fated mate is not who you think he is. Misfortune under one moon will be replaced by a sacred sacrifice.”
Seara felt it then, a shiver creeping into her bones, reluctant but undeniable.
“There’s something extraordinary inside you, Seara. You are the last Ancient Healer.”
She had laughed at the time—nervous, disbelieving. Ancient Healers were nothing but legends, stories whispered to pups before bedtime. A myth swallowed by time.
But now, with the wind howling and her instincts screaming, she wasn’t so sure anymore.
The door to her room swung open. Seara’s heart slammed against her ribs.
She turned just as Alpha Alaric stepped inside, the scent of storm and fury clinging to him. His broad shoulders filled the doorway like a wall, but it was the sharp glint in his eyes—cold, distant—that twisted her stomach into knots.
Trailing behind him was Seraphina, wrapped in silk and arrogance, her platinum hair gleaming in the flicker of candlelight. The sight stole Seara’s breath—not out of shock, but from the sinking certainty she had fought so hard to ignore.
Something was wrong. Something was about to break.
Alaric’s voice dragged across the silence like steel scraping over stone.
“Luna Seara.”
The title sounded like an insult on his tongue.
She straightened, chin held high. “What is it, Alpha Alaric?”
Silence stretched, thick and suffocating. Then he said it.
“I can’t do this anymore. You’re not the right mate for me.”
The words struck Seara like a slap. Each beat of her heart tightened the noose around her throat.
“W-what?”
“You heard me.” His stare didn’t falter. “I need someone who strengthens me. Not someone the pack pities.”
Pities? The whisper left her trembling. “Alpha Alaric… the Moon Goddess chose us—”
“Don’t bring destiny into this, Seara,” he growled. “You were a mistake. A weak-blooded omega who got lucky. I see it clearly now.”
“And I give him everything he needs,” Seraphina added, stepping forward to hook her arm through his with possessive grace. “Power. Strength. Prestige.”
Seara’s heart cracked, but her spine stayed straight. “You think power is cruelty draped in silk?”
Alaric let out a bitter laugh. “Power is what I need at my side in battle. Not someone who needs saving.”
Her chest heaved. “You can’t erase me. The Moon Goddess’s bond is stronger than your ego, Alpha.”
“You should have realized this sooner, Luna. I’ve already decided to make it public. I command you to come to the hall.”
His decision was final, carved in iron.
Alaric stepped closer, his eyes like ice shards. “I, Alpha Alaric Alaric, reject you, Seara Annette, as my mate and as Luna of the Nightshade Pack.”
Pain came like fire, scorching her from the inside out. The bond tore through her soul, shredding it apart. It stole the air from her lungs. Her knees buckled.
“A-Alpha Alaric…” The words stumbled from her lips as her world fractured.
“Seara Louisette!” His voice cracked like a whip, demanding her answer.
Her breath shuddered out. “I… accept your rejection, Alpha Alaric.” It was barely more than a whisper, but it sealed her fate.
The rejection burned like a dagger forged in betrayal.
She had sensed this coming—every rumor had sliced her ears like glass—but still, the wound was raw and merciless.
Alaric turned and walked away without another glance. Seraphina followed like a queen victorious in Seara’s ruin.
The door slammed shut.
Seara collapsed to the floor, clutching her chest. The storm outside raged in perfect harmony with the storm inside her. She wept quietly—like the earth mourning under thunderclouds.
“Is this the fate you chose for me, Moon Goddess?” she thought, staring blankly at the door. “Or is this the beginning of something greater?”
A knock shattered her thoughts. Then the door swung open.
“Luna… Seara!”
Zora stumbled in, breathless, her wild curls plastered to her cheeks with rain.
“I heard what happened, Seara! Alpha Alaric just claimed Seraphina as his new Luna! Did you—”
Seara rose slowly, wiping her tears away. Her voice was flat, steady. “I know. He’s already rejected me.”
Zora froze, stunned. “And you’re just… standing here?”
“I won’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.”
Zora’s eyes glimmered. “They’re making the announcement right now.”
Seara nodded once. “Then let’s go.”
They walked side by side into the main hall. The pack was gathered, whispers buzzing like static. All eyes turned to Seara—some pitying, some curious, a few in awe.
Alaric stood center stage, Seraphina glowing with smug triumph at his side.
“I won’t waste time,” Alaric declared. “The Nightshade Pack needs a Luna of strength. A she‐wolf who brings value. And that she-wolf… is Seraphina Langley.”
Seraphina beamed. “Step aside, Seara. You were never meant to stand beside Alpha Alaric. That place was always mine.”
Then Seraphina pressed her lips to Alaric’s in a claiming kiss that silenced the hall. Seara felt the last shard of her heart splinter, but she swallowed the pain like glass.
Her voice cut through the hall like a blade of frost. “Enjoy it while you can.”
“What did you say?” Seraphina snapped, but Seara didn’t flinch.
Seara’s smile was slow, defiant. “I’ll feel this pain tonight—but you, Alpha, will live with regret clawing at your heart.”
Alaric’s jaw tightened. The murmurs swelled into a storm of their own.
“Guards, remove her!” Seraphina hissed.
But Seara lifted her chin. “Don’t touch me. I can walk out on my own.”
And then, before their stunned eyes, she shifted.
A radiant white wolf—brilliant, luminous, unlike anything the pack had seen for generations—stood where Seara had been.
Gasps rippled through the hall. Someone whispered, “Is she… an Ancient?”
Seara bolted, out the doors, into the storm.
She was free.
And somewhere—far beyond the forest, under a moon breaking through storm clouds heavy with secrets—something stirred in answer.
A he-wolf awakening.
The mate who had always been destined for her.