Chapter Five: The Rejection Ceremony

Caden sat in his chamber, his fists clenched on the armrests of his chair, his face twisted with frustration. "An omega," he muttered to himself, disbelief and anger bubbling inside him. "Of all the women in this pack, the Moon Goddess chose an omega for me?" 

He could still hear Elder Thorne’s words echoing in his mind, his father’s stern expression, his mother’s insistent nod. They had already accepted this ridiculous fate, leaving him no choice.

The door opened, and his parents stepped in, their faces serious. His father, tall and imposing, crossed his arms and gave him a pointed look.

"We’ve decided," his father began, his tone brooking no argument. "Aria will be your mate. The ceremony will proceed as planned."

Caden’s jaw tightened. "No," he growled, "I will not mate with her. She’s not fit to stand by my side. She’s weak."

His mother’s eyes narrowed. "The pack needs a Luna," she said sharply. "And the Goddess has chosen her. You don’t have the luxury of choice, Caden. We need this to secure our future, especially with the rogue Alpha threatening our territory."

Caden felt the heat rise in his chest, a burning anger that threatened to explode. But he knew he couldn’t defy them outright—not now. He had to be smart. "Fine," he muttered through gritted teeth. "I’ll call for her and settle this myself."

Aria was in the healer’s chamber, her mind still reeling from the strange sensations in her body. She tried to steady her breath, to calm the fire that seemed to burn within her. Just as she began to feel a little more in control, a guard arrived at the doorway.

"Aria," the guard announced, his expression unreadable. "Alpha Caden wants to see you. Now."

Her heart skipped a beat, a rush of fear coursing through her veins. "What does he want?" she thought, anxiety clawing at her. "I have nothing to say to him." But she had no choice. She followed the guard, each step feeling heavier than the last.

When she entered Caden’s chamber, she kept her eyes on the floor, her hands twisting nervously in front of her. Caden stood near the window, his back to her, his posture tense. 

"You wanted to see me, Alpha?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

He turned, his expression hard and unforgiving. "Yes, Aria," he said coldly. "I want to make one thing clear. I do not want you as my mate. I never have, and I never will."

Aria flinched, her heart tightening. "I… I understand," she stammered, her voice trembling. "I don’t want this either… I never wanted this." She risked a quick glance up at him, but her eyes darted over to Kiernan, who stood near the door, his face a mask of concern.

Caden’s gaze followed hers, and he caught the look she gave his Beta. His eyes darkened, a cruel smile curling at the corners of his lips. "Oh," he murmured, stepping closer to her. "You think you’re clever, don’t you? Looking at him like that… you think you can play games with me?"

Aria’s face flushed red, and she quickly looked away, her heart racing. "N-no, Alpha, I didn’t mean—"

"Silence!" Caden snapped, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "If you think for a second I would let you embarrass me, you’re mistaken." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "But you know what? I’ve changed my mind."

Aria blinked, confused. "Changed your mind?" she whispered.

Caden nodded, his expression shifting to one of false sweetness. "Yes," he said, a hint of mockery in his tone. "I’ll mate with you, Aria. We’ll go ahead with the ceremony."

Aria’s breath caught in her throat. "What is he planning?" she thought, a chill running down her spine. She could sense something sinister behind his sudden change of heart, but she couldn’t figure out what.

Kiernan's eyes widened slightly, and he stepped forward. "Caden," he began cautiously, "Are you sure about this?"

Caden shot him a sharp look, his smile never reaching his eyes. "Absolutely," he replied. "It’s what the pack needs, after all."

The next day, the pack gathered under the full moon. The ceremony space was lit with torches, their flames flickering in the night breeze. The air was thick with anticipation and tension, whispers spreading like wildfire among the crowd.

Aria stood to the side, her heart pounding. She felt a strange mix of dread and disbelief. She glanced around, catching Kiernan’s eye for a brief moment. He gave her a small, reassuring nod, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Caden stood at the front, dressed in ceremonial robes, his face calm and composed. His parents stood beside him, their expressions stern and expectant. The pack members murmured among themselves, some hopeful, others skeptical.

The pack's priest, Elder Thorne, stood ready to begin the bonding ceremony, but another priest, Elric, a man with narrow, calculating eyes and a shifty demeanor, had joined him.

Elder Thorne raised his arms to silence the crowd. "Tonight, we witness the bonding of our Alpha, Caden, and his chosen mate, Aria," he announced. "By the will of the Moon Goddess, let this union bring strength and unity to our pack."

Just as the ceremony was about to begin, Caden raised his hand. "Wait," he said, his voice loud and clear, echoing across the gathering. "Before we proceed, there is something I must say."

A murmur of confusion rippled through the crowd. Aria felt her stomach twist with anxiety. "What is he doing?" she thought, fear creeping into her mind.

Caden turned to face the pack, his expression serious. "I reject this mate bond," he declared. "I reject Aria as my mate."

A gasp swept through the pack, stunned silence following his words. Aria’s eyes widened, shock and confusion coursing through her. "What… what does he mean?"

Elder Thorne looked bewildered, but Elric quickly stepped forward, a sly smile on his lips. "This is for the best," he announced, his voice carrying over the stunned crowd. "For I have seen signs that Aria is a bad omen, a danger to us all."

Caden nodded, a cruel satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Yes," he agreed, his voice louder now. "Look at her! Even now, she is heating up, her eyes turning blue. She is not just an omega; she is a witch, a curse on this pack!"

The pack members began to murmur, fear and suspicion spreading among them. Aria felt her body grow hot, just as before, the strange sensation building inside her. She tried to suppress it, but the heat spread like wildfire, her eyes beginning to glow a deep, unnatural blue.

"No… no, not now," she thought desperately, panic rising in her chest. She tried to back away, but the crowd was closing in, their whispers turning into shouts.

Elric seized the moment. "There! There is the proof!" he cried, pointing at Aria. "See her eyes, the glow of a witch! The Moon Goddess rejects her, and so should we!"

Caden’s expression was triumphant, his plan unfolding perfectly. "I, Alpha Caden, reject Aria as my mate," he repeated, his voice full of authority and disdain. "She is not worthy."

Aria’s heart pounded in her chest, her body trembling with fear and confusion. "What is happening to me?" she thought, her vision blurring. She felt the heat intensify, threatening to consume her.

Just then, a loud, commanding voice cut through the chaos. The rogue Alpha appeared at the edge of the crowd, flanked by his warriors, his presence sending a wave of fear through the pack.

"Well, well," he sneered, a wicked grin on his face. "It seems your Alpha is unable to fulfill the terms. Shall we see what happens next?"

The rogue Alpha’s warriors moved forward, weapons drawn, their eyes gleaming with malice. The pack members backed away, their fear palpable.

Caden’s heart raced. "No… this can’t be happening," he thought, panic beginning to creep in.

The rogue Alpha raised his hand, his smile widening. "I believe it’s time for a new leader," he declared, his voice booming. "And so, here is my decision..."

The pack held its breath, waiting for what would come next, the air thick with tension.