Chapter 3: The rejection

The welcoming ceremony arrived beneath in a blink of an eye.

From the moment dawn broke, Silver Moon Pack buzzed with excitement.

Servants hurried through the pack house carrying embroidered tablecloths, and baskets overflowing with fresh white lilies. Outside, warriors fastened banners bearing the Silver Moon crest along the walls of the great hall while cooks disappeared in and out of the kitchens with enough food to feed an army.

Everywhere Aria looked...

There were preparations for a celebration she didn't feel a part of. A quiet knock sounded at her bedroom door.

"Aria?" Lina stepped inside carrying a neatly folded dress over one arm.

"I thought you might need this." Aria managed a faint smile.

"You borrowed another dress?" Lina shrugged.

"My mother won't notice." She unfolded it carefully.

It was a simple pale blue gown. Nothing extravagant like the dresses prepared for a ceremony, but far prettier than anything Aria owned.

"You can't attend the ceremony wearing your everyday clothes." Aria ran her fingers over the soft fabric.

"It's beautiful."

"It'll look even better on you."

A few moments later, Aria emerged from behind the folding screen. The gown fit almost perfectly.

"I knew it." Aria looked at her reflection in the small mirror. A loud horn echoed through the pack house. Lina's smile faded.

"They're here." Together, they hurried outside.

The enormous courtyard had already filled with wolves from every corner of the pack. The entrance gates stood wide open.

Elegant carriages rolled inside. Each bearing the crest of a different pack.

Warriors lined both sides of the courtyard, standing perfectly still as the honored guests stepped from their carriages.

Aria instinctively moved toward the back of the gathering. Just as she has being instructed.

Another horn sounded. This one was louder than the others. Every Alpha turned toward the entrance.

A black carriage trimmed with silver rolled slowly through the gates.

Unlike the others it bore no unnecessary display. Only a single silver wolf engraved upon its door.

A murmur swept across the courtyard.

"Alpha Kael of the nightfang pack, he came."

Even Alpha Magnus straightened. The carriage came to a stop. A palace guard stepped forward and opened the door.

A tall figure emerged. Broad shoulders, dark hair and a deep ocean eyes.

An air of quiet authority that silenced the courtyard without a single word.

Alpha Kael. His sharp blue eyes swept calmly across the assembled crowd as though assessing every person present.

Even several visiting Alphas inclined their heads in acknowledgment.

Without realizing it, Aria looked up. For only a heartbeat, their eyes met. Then she quickly looked away.

She never noticed Kael pause for the briefest second before continuing toward the great hall.

The grand hall gradually fell silent as everyone took their seats.

Visiting Alphas occupied the seats closest to the high table while elders and distinguished guests settled behind them. Aria quietly slipped into the last row.

At the head of the hall, Alpha Magnus rose to his feet. His goblet caught the candlelight as he lifted it.

"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Silver Moon Pack." He turned toward Lydia. “welcome home." Applause echoed throughout the hall.

"It is an honor to stand beside the Alpha of Silver Moon." Magnus smiled before extending a hand toward Selene.

"And her daughter..." "Lady Selene. May the Moon Goddess continue to bless her path." Once again, applause filled the hall.

Selene looked every bit the future Luna. When the hall finally grew quiet, Magnus remained standing.

"There is one final matter." His voice immediately drew everyone's attention.

Aria's stomach tightened. She had this feeling that, whatever came next had something to do with her.

"As Alpha... I have always placed this pack above all." He paused. "Even when those decisions are difficult." A murmur spread through the hall. Magnus continued.

"My daughter, Aria..." The sound of her name made every head turn toward the back. "...has reached the age of getting her wolf, yet, there’s no sign of it.

Aria lowered her head.

Each word struck harder than the last. "I can no longer ignore what everyone already knows." His voice became colder. "A wolfless daughter cannot continue living as a member of the Alpha's household." Gasps rippled through the hall.

"Therefore, beginning tomorrow, Aria will be transferred to the Omega Quarters."

Aria felt her throat tighten. She stared at the polished floor beneath her feet, to avoid seeing the pity on everyone's faces.

Then…

A chair scraped sharply across the marble floor.

Every whisper died instantly. Alpha Kael stood. His breathing had become uneven.

His wolf surged violently inside him. “MATE.“ The word thundered through his mind.

His jaw clenched. "No..."His gaze searched the crowded hall. It stopped on Aria. The girl standing completely alone. His heartbeat quickened.

Without realizing it, he took a step toward her. The guests instinctively moved aside, clearing a path between them.

Aria looked up. The moment their eyes met...

A strange warmth spread through her chest. She frowned. Why did it feel as though something invisible was pulling her toward him?

Kael stopped only a few feet away. He stared at her. Disbelief flickered across his face.

"So..."His voice echoed through the silent hall. "It was you."

Aria's lips parted. "I... don't understand."

A humorless laugh escaped him. "The Moon Goddess has a cruel sense of humor."

His eyes hardened."I, Kael Trevor Dominus, Alpha of Nightfang Pack, reject you, Aria Magnus, as my mate." The words struck like lightning.

Pain exploded through Aria's chest. A cry escaped her lips. She stumbled backward, clutching at her heart as tears blurred her vision.

The hall erupted. "She was his mate?"

"I would've rejected her too."

Aria shook her head weakly. "No..." Her voice broke. "You can’t do that.” But Kael's expression never changed.

The last fragile piece of hope inside her shattered. Everything around her faded...

Until a familiar hand gently caught hers. "Aria..." Lina's voice trembled. "Let's go."