Chapter 1 : The Shattered Bond

Serena's pov 

My tiny window let in the morning sun which kissed my skin with an uncommon warmth.

 I stared at the dress on the wall, a delicate white silk gown with lace that shimmered in the light and my heart raced.

It was my outfit for the bonding ceremony. Everything was meant to change for me today, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

 I shakily exhaled as I rubbed the plush fabric with my fingers. It was unheard of for an Omega like me to mate with an Alpha .

Almost everyone detested and made fun of me because I was the lowest of the low in the pack. This union however was meant to change that.  

" Serena!" a stern voice yelled.from outside my door

 I recoiled. Liam's mother Luna Marissa was here already.

Since the announcement, she had hardly spoken to me and always did so in a chilly and abrupt manner. 

"Yes Luna?" I returned the call as I hurried from my tiny room. She gave me a contemptuous look as her keen eyes took in my unassuming features.

" Three hours from now the ceremony will begin. Don't be The make up artist is waiting for you.

 "Yes Luna." I replied, my head lowered 

Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked away huffing. With a forceful swallow I pushed the lump in my throat away. 

I had the opportunity to prove myself today. After the ceremony things would be different regardless of how much they hated me now.

The makeup artist avoided looking into my eyes as she worked quietly in the preparation room.

As she applied face powder and arranged my hair in gentle waves,she remained silent.

 I hardly recognized the girl staring back at me when I looked in the mirror. 

I was looking more beautiful than beautiful." You look beautiful." The make-up artist said before leaving.

 I forced a smile and sighed. What she believed was irrelevant. Liam was the most important thing in my mind right now 

"Serena.."A gentle voice cut through my thoughts . It was Ellie,  the only member of the pack who had ever been kind to me .

 "You look stunning." she remarked her eyes gleaming with genuine admiration.

"Thank you." I said,my voice very low.

Ellie moved in closer, her voice hushed. "Today is a big day so are you prepared?"

I nodded trying to calm myself. 

"I only hope that this will make them accept me. Don't you think so Ellie?"

 She smiled at me encouragingly. "You'll be alright. You underestimate how strong you are.

The ceremony took place in the grand hall which was decked out in golden drapes and white roses. The entire pack had gathered to watch their Alpha and his mate bond 

Every eye was on me as I entered the hall and my heart was pounding. The air was full of whispers and I heard snippets of their vile words. 

"Why her?"

"She is merely an Omega."

"She has no wolf at all."

 With my head held high I stared at Liam at the altar. Tall, powerful and incredibly attractive in his fitted suit, he exuded the Alpha's best qualities. 

But I felt there was something different about the way he stared at me, like I was a stranger but I pushed it aside.

I was just so nervous.

My heart was filled with hope as I made my way down the aisle. 

That was it. My opportunity to fit in. . - Liam extended his hand as I got to him.

 After a brief moment of hesitation, I put mine in his. He held  me with a warm touch. 

The Elder recited in a deep steady voice,  the ancient words of the bond to start the ceremony .

 "We bring two souls together as one today Alpha Liam and Serena. The Moon Goddess herself blessed the sacred and unbreakable bond that exists between an Alpha and his mate."

  My breath caught when the Elder gave Liam a ceremonial dagger. He was to cut his palm first, then mine allowing our blood to mingle and cement the connection. 

Liam however stepped back and let go of my hand rather than accepting the dagger. 

Confusion filled the room and a murmur swept through the crowd. I scowled as I looked up at him. 

"Liam?"

 He gazed at me with icy emotionless dark eyes

"I can't do this "he declared emphatically.

 I stopped. "What do you mean exactly?"

 His jaw was clenched as he faced the crowd. "Serena is not my mate and I, Alpha Liam, reject her."

The hall reverberated with gasps. 

My knees went weak and as his words took hold my vision became blurry. 

 "No. .You're not—."I said in a whisper shaking my head

With a sharp voice,nhe interrupted.

" I can. "

His face was filled with contempt as he turned back to face me. "You have no wolf, you are weak .You will only embarrass this pack further if I choose you as my mate."

My eyes were burning from tears but I fought the urge to cry.

"Why? Why didn't you just reject me yesterday that embarrass—"

"I made a mistake ." He started icily. "I thought I could ignore your imperfections but I can't. You're not supposed to be my mate."

The audience burst into whispers, some of them laughing, some of them pitying me.

It felt as if I was out of breath. I thought that this would be my salvation and my opportunity to fit in at last. Instead it was the worst nightmare I've ever had. 

"Please Liam."I pleaded, my voice cracking. "Give us a chance."

He took a step toward me, speaking quietly enough for me to hear. 

"I can't do this and please don't force me, Serena." He said.

I wanted to scream and fight back but I was crushed under the weight of his rejection. 

His voice was strained as the Elder cleared his throat. 

"This is really outrageous, Alpha Liam. Are you sure—?

 

"I've made my decision." Liam firmly stated "The ceremony has ended."

I stood there broken and humiliated as he turned and walked away. . .

 As the crowd gradually thinned, their murmurs sliced like blades through me. 

"She genuinely believed that he would accept her." Someone said,

" What a farce. "

"She gets the best rejection." Someone sniggered.

Ellie, her face white with surprise, hurried to my side. 

"Serena I'm really sorry."

I was unable to talk as I shook my head. 

I cried as I ran out of the hall, my chest heaving with the tears I had been suppressing. 

I continued running until I collapsed to my knees at the edge of the forest.

 I felt like my soul was being torn apart by the agony of rejection that ripped through me

 I had put up with the pack's hatred, harsh treatment and hurtful remarks for years. 

And I had always clung to the hope that things would get better eventually, that I would eventually prove myself.

 Now though I wasn't sure if I could fight any longer.

With my face buried in my hands , I soaked the ground beneath me with my tears. 

 Liam's words replayed In my mind.

Wolfless. 

Weak.

 Pack's embarrassment. 

Perhaps he was right. 

Why?

He should have rejected me where no one would see my pain and shame 

Perhaps I was destined to be a punching bag for the pack. 

To be wolfless and hated by all.

So many thoughts ran in my mind and I even thought of killing myself.

 But something else was whispered in the back of the mind, maybe I was destined to be without a mate.