REJECTED BY THE ALPHA, CHOSEN BY HIS ENEMY

The night my mate rejected me was the night I discovered that my entire life had been built on a lie.

I stood beneath the enormous silver moon, surrounded by hundreds of werewolves celebrating the annual Moon Ceremony. Music filled the royal courtyard, expensive dresses shimmered beneath the lanterns, and the air carried the excitement of young wolves waiting to discover their destined partners.

But I wasn't celebrating.

I was terrified.

At nineteen, I had never shifted into a wolf. While other girls my age had already discovered their wolf identities, I remained the strange girl who couldn't even produce a single growl.

Some called me defective. Others called me wolfless.

I had learned to pretend their words didn't hurt, but every insult reminded me that I was different.

"Arabella, stop looking like someone is about to bury you."

I turned towards Clara, my only friend. Her blonde curls fell over her shoulders, and her blue gown made her look like a princess.

"I'm nervous," I admitted.

She smiled and squeezed my hand.

"Tonight could change everything. Perhaps you'll finally find your mate."

I forced a smile.

"Perhaps."

Deep inside, however, I wondered whether the Moon Goddess had forgotten that I existed.

I had never known my father, and my mother had supposedly died giving birth to me. I had grown up in the Blackwood Kingdom under the care of distant relatives who constantly reminded me that I was a burden.

The only thing I possessed from my mother was a small silver bracelet with a crescent symbol engraved on it.

I wore it every day.

Whenever I felt lonely, I held it and imagined that somehow, somewhere, my mother was watching over me.

A sudden announcement interrupted my thoughts.

"Everyone, please welcome Alpha Darius Blackwood!"

The courtyard erupted into cheers.

I looked towards the grand staircase.

Darius descended with the confidence of a man who owned everything around him. His dark blond hair was neatly styled, and his golden eyes reflected the moonlight. At twenty-four, he was one of the youngest and most powerful Alphas in the region.

He was handsome, wealthy, and feared by neighbouring kingdoms.

He was also the last person I expected to become important in my life.

"Why are you staring?" Clara whispered.

"I'm not."

She followed my gaze and laughed.

"Careful. Someone might think you admire the Alpha."

I quickly looked away.

"I barely know him."

The High Priestess stepped onto the ceremonial platform, raising her silver staff.

"Tonight, the Moon Goddess shall reveal the mates destined to walk together. Let every heart remain open to her blessing."

Everyone bowed their heads.

I closed my eyes.

Please, Goddess. I don't ask for wealth or power. I only want someone who will accept me.

A strange warmth suddenly spread through my chest.

I frowned.

The feeling grew stronger, and a sweet fragrance filled my senses. It smelled like wildflowers after rainfall.

Then a voice echoed inside my mind.

Mate!

My eyes flew open.

I looked around in confusion until my gaze met Darius's.

He was staring directly at me.

His golden eyes widened.

For one beautiful moment, the entire world seemed to disappear.

"Mate," he whispered.

My heart leapt.

The Alpha of Blackwood was my mate.

I couldn't believe it.

Tears gathered in my eyes as I took a hesitant step towards him.

"Alpha Darius..."

But his expression changed before I could reach him.

The happiness in his eyes disappeared, replaced by disbelief and anger.

"Who is she?"

The High Priestess looked uncomfortable.

"Alpha, the Moon Goddess has chosen your destined partner."

Darius descended the remaining steps and stopped in front of me.

I lowered my head respectfully.

"I am Arabella Veyne."

He stared at me.

"Veyne?"

"Yes, Alpha."

His gaze travelled over my appearance before settling on my wrist.

"Are you the girl who has never shifted?"

My cheeks burned.

"Yes, but I believe that-"

"Enough."

His voice silenced the surrounding crowd.

"You're telling me that this wolfless girl is my mate?"

Nobody answered.

I looked towards the High Priestess, hoping she would explain that there had to be a mistake.

Instead, she stepped forward.

"Alpha, the mate bond is sacred. You should not make a decision while your emotions are unsettled."

Darius ignored her.

He moved closer until I could see the anger in his eyes.

"Do you understand what it means to become Luna of Blackwood?"

I swallowed.

"I would do my best to-"

"You cannot even shift. How could you stand beside me?"

My throat tightened.

"I can learn. I can become stronger. Please, just give me a chance."

He laughed bitterly.

"A chance? Do you think I can allow the entire kingdom to laugh at me because I accepted a defective mate?"

The word struck harder than any physical blow.

Defective.

I felt Clara take my hand, but I barely noticed.

Darius raised his voice so everyone could hear.

"I, Darius Blackwood, Alpha of the Blackwood Kingdom, reject you, Arabella Veyne, as my mate!"

Pain exploded through my chest.

I screamed and collapsed onto the marble floor.

It felt as though an invisible hand had reached inside me and torn something apart.

My breathing became uneven. My fingers trembled against the cold ground.

"Please..." I whispered.

But Darius didn't move.

The High Priestess looked horrified.

"Alpha, a rejection of this nature can have serious consequences. You should reconsider."

"I have made my decision."

He turned away.

"Remove her from the ceremony. I don't want to see her again."

The crowd began whispering.

Some people looked at me with pity. Others laughed openly.

I covered my face as tears slipped between my fingers.

The man I had hoped would give me a family had publicly declared that I wasn't worthy of him.

And everyone had witnessed it.

Clara helped me back to my small bedroom.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke.

She placed a glass of water beside my bed and sat down.

"Arabella, you need to drink something."

I shook my head.

"Why did the Goddess choose him for me if he was going to reject me?"

Clara reached for my hand.

"His decision doesn't make you worthless."

"But everyone heard him."

"Let them talk. One day, they'll regret laughing at you."

I looked at her through my tears.

"How can I face them tomorrow?"

"You don't have to face anyone tonight. Rest."

She remained beside me until my breathing became steady.

After she left, I removed my silver bracelet and examined the crescent engraved on its surface.

"Mother," I whispered, "why did you leave me?"

I had asked that question countless times throughout my childhood.

Nobody had ever given me an answer.

I placed the bracelet against my chest.

Suddenly, a faint silver light appeared beneath my fingers.

I sat upright.

The crescent symbol was glowing.

A strange vibration travelled through the bracelet, and a sharp sensation spread across my wrist.

I gasped.

For a moment, I saw a beautiful woman standing beneath a silver moon.

She had long dark hair and eyes that looked exactly like mine.

Then I heard a whisper.

My daughter, forgive me.

The vision disappeared.

I stared at the bracelet, trembling.

"Mother?"

There was no answer.

I slowly pulled my sleeve over the mark.

Perhaps I was imagining things because of the pain.

But deep inside, I knew something had changed.

A loud knock interrupted the silence.

"Arabella Veyne! Open the door!"

I recognised the voice of the royal guard.

I wiped my cheeks and opened it.

Two guards stood outside.

"What happened?"

The older guard handed me a small travelling bag.

"By order of Alpha Darius, you are to leave Blackwood territory before sunrise."

I stared at him.

"Where am I supposed to go?"

"That is no longer the Alpha's concern."

My lips parted.

"Please. I have nowhere to stay."

The younger guard looked uncomfortable, but his companion remained expressionless.

"Your presence is no longer welcome here. You have until sunrise."

He turned and walked away.

I stood in the doorway, holding the bag.

I had lost my mate, my home, and the only place I had ever known.

But I refused to beg.

I packed my few belongings, wrapped my mother's bracelet in a piece of cloth, and left the room.

As I walked through the empty corridors, I looked back one final time.

I had once dreamed of becoming Luna of Blackwood.

Now I was being thrown out like a stranger.

The northern forest was cold and almost completely silent.

I had been walking for nearly an hour when I heard branches snapping behind me.

I stopped.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

I continued walking.

Another sound came from the trees.

This time, it was followed by a growl.

My heart began racing.

Two enormous wolves emerged from the darkness. Their eyes glowed red, and their teeth were exposed.

Rogues.

I stepped backwards.

"Please, I don't want any trouble."

The larger wolf lowered its body.

Then it charged.

I screamed and ran.

Branches scratched my arms as I struggled through the forest. My lungs burned, and my legs grew weaker with every step.

A second growl sounded behind me.

I turned just in time to see one of the wolves leap.

I closed my eyes.

But the expected pain never came.

A terrifying roar shook the forest.

The two rogues stopped immediately.

Something powerful emerged between the trees.

A massive black wolf stood before them, its silver eyes shining like the moon.

The rogues lowered their heads.

The black wolf advanced, and the forest seemed to tremble beneath its paws.

Within seconds, the two attackers disappeared into the darkness.

I remained on the ground, unable to move.

The black wolf turned towards me.

Then silver light surrounded its body.

A moment later, a tall man stood in its place.

He wore a black coat, and his dark hair fell across his forehead. His expression was cold, but his silver eyes held an intensity I had never encountered before.

"Can you stand?"

I tried, but my injured leg gave way.

He caught my arm.

"Careful."

I pulled away.

"Who are you?"

"Lucien Voss."

My blood ran cold.

Everyone knew that name.

Lucien Voss was the Alpha of the Voss Kingdom, the most powerful enemy of Blackwood.

I stared at him.

"You're Darius Blackwood's enemy."

His expression didn't change.

"That is correct."

"Then why did you save me?"

He glanced at the crescent mark on my wrist.

For the first time, his calm expression disappeared.

"Where did you get that mark?"

I quickly covered it.

"It's mine."

He stepped closer.

"Show me."

"No."

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't force me.

Instead, he looked towards his approaching warriors.

"Prepare the carriage."

One of them bowed.

"Yes, Alpha."

I turned towards him.

"Where are you taking me?"

"To my kingdom."

"I don't trust you."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Good. You shouldn't trust strangers."

I frowned.

"Then why should I go with you?"

He looked at my wrist once more.

"Because I believe you have been lied to your entire life, Arabella Veyne."

My heart began pounding.

"What do you know about me?"

Lucien held my gaze.

"More than you think. And if my suspicions are correct, Darius Blackwood has just made the greatest mistake of his life."

He offered me his hand.

I hesitated before accepting it.

As he helped me towards the carriage, I looked back at the forest.

I had entered that night believing I was nothing more than a rejected, wolfless girl.

I was about to discover that my entire existence was connected to a secret powerful enough to threaten kingdoms.

And the man who had just saved me was the enemy I had been taught to fear.

Note: Darius believes he has gotten rid of a worthless girl, but Lucien has recognised something unusual about Arabella. What is the secret behind her mysterious crescent mark? And why does her past seem connected to an ancient kingdom? Turn to Chapter Two, because Arabella's journey is only beginning!