Chapter 1 - Rejected

"No!! You can't do that to me!"

As I listened in disbelief to what Elyon had just disclosed, a piercing ring resonated within my ears. It was all too surreal; we had made agreements about when this would happen, and now Elyon was backing out!

When I reflected on all the occasions when he assured me of his boundless love and the wonderful moments we spent together, I couldn't help but question if it was genuine. Or rather, was I merely a fleeting intermission in his life as he waited for his destined mate to arrive, with whom he would ultimately share his life?

“I’m truly sorry, Becca,” I heard him say with a tinge of agony in his tone. "But I can't possibly resist Xena. The mate pull is too intense; it simply overpowers my senses and drives me towards her. I'd rather confess it to you now than lead a double life behind your back." Elyon attempted to comfort me by taking me into his arms, but I pushed him away. The last thing I wanted was to be embraced by this cheater.

"Elyon," I whimpered through tear-filled eyes. "Please, tell me what I am supposed to do now?"

Feeling lost and unsure, I turned to the love of my life for answers. I mustered up all my courage to hide the tears that threatened to break free but failed miserably. The hollowness within me was excruciatingly agonizing; even breathing felt like an overwhelming challenge at this moment of deep despair.

"For many years, you've referred to me in front of the rest of our pack as your Luna," I pointed out to him. "As your mate, I have been faithful and supportive, always being at your side and performing my duties with pride. Everyone acknowledges my position as your would-be Luna. Elyon, what do you expect me to do now?" My voice was firm and demanding.

He had to fix the mess we ended up in because he was the one who didn't keep his part of our vows. Elyon gazed at me, and I could tell that he was struggling with an array of emotions too.

"We had sworn to reject our mates as soon as they arrived!" I reminded him. "You'll have to reject Xena; that's what you owe me."

At the moment, we were standing on the wooden platform that stretched out into the breathtakingly beautiful lake of the pack, the same one where we used to take a dip every day. This particular locale held significant sentimental value; it was here where we professed our love for each other and where we had sex for the first time. And today, I was rejected by him in this very spot that once held dear memories for both of us.

Elyon heaved a sigh of despair as he continued to stare at me. "I'm sorry, Becca, but I cannot do that right now. Even if I were inclined to do so, it is simply unfeasible as my parents have already arranged for us to be announced at tonight's pack gathering and Xena's family is already on their way here. Our union has been confirmed, and we are set to mark each other this evening in front of the entire pack."

Fear and jealousy alternated on my face. Elyon had previously decided that we would mark each other after his Alpha installation, which was scheduled for later this year. Ready to serve him in all his decisions, I joyfully agreed with my head in the clouds.

And now he would do all this with another she-wolf, even before he took the position.

This sudden change made me question the lack of urgency demonstrated by his parents in pushing him to announce me as his mate previously. Was their kindness towards me just a show all along? The realization hit hard, and tears uncontrollably streamed down my face. Marking another she-wolf would be the final nail in the coffin for what little hope remained inside me.

The harsh reality that I found myself facing was one where Elyon no longer belonged to me, and as such, my aspirations of becoming Luna for Moon Shine pack were now mere pipe dreams.

The mating ceremony would be starting in just a few short hours, which also spelled out an end to any affiliation I had with my pack. Staying in Moon Shine any longer felt impossible, as watching my ex on a daily basis being lovey-dovey with his fated would kill me.

Additionally, the treatment from other female wolves would render my life unendurable. Surely they would take pleasure in humiliating me through ridicule or fake empathy. For a moment, I pondered whether Elyon had taken even the slightest moment to consider my feelings and what my position in the pack would be after he marked someone else.

How was I supposed to present myself to the new Luna? Was it possible that the mate bond also made werewolves cold-hearted and self-centered?

"But we can still be together, Becca," I heard him say in a daze. "Even if I can't give you the Luna position anymore, we can still continue our relationship. We spent beautiful moments together, and my love for you hasn't faded away. You don't have to stop loving me just because of this."

My disbelief swelled as I gazed at him, fully baffled that he was even able to utter those words. This outright lack of respect left me stunned; this was the least I expected from him. The sound of a sharp slap and the blazing red on his cheeks made me realize that I had struck the future Alpha.

First came terror across his face, and then unfathomable anger.

"Remember, I'm still your Alpha, Becca," he growled. "After my mating ceremony, we'll have this conversation again. And then I want to see how you dare stand up to me. Remember how pliable and submissive you were always in my hands."

I slowly took a few steps back from Elyon before clumsily making my way back home.

I arrived home and found my mother waiting for me. "Becca, we are so sorry," she tried to console me as soon as I stepped inside. She held me tight in her arms. My relationship with Elyon had caused some discord within our family. While my parents tolerated it, they never approved of it, especially my mother, who spent much time warning me about the unbreakable nature of mate bonds and their irresistible pull. She predicted that neither Elyon nor I would be able to reject our mates.

My parents were fated mates and still very much in love. Although their love life sometimes made me uncomfortable enough to flee the house on occasions, they never had any reservations about it.

"Try to get over it, no matter how hard it may be. Now, focus on finding your own mate."

I doubted I'd ever recover from this betrayal. For years, Elyon and I had aligned our lives, and now that I was left alone, I felt out of control, my life was aimless. Elyon had prepared me for the Luna position, but now it seemed as though I had reverted to an ordinary pack wolf with no future prospects in sight.

I rushed into my bedroom for another bout of weeping. After a while, I sat up on my bed and stared at the walls, adorned with images of Elyon and me during happier times. Brimming with hurt, I snatched them all off before shredding them to pieces.

"You liar, cheater!" I yelled, devastated...