CHAPTER ONE: THE REJECTION

Ayla stood in the grand hall, surrounded by the watchful eyes of the Shadowfang Pack. The air was thick with anticipation, but her heart soared with hope. Tonight, everything would change.

She had spent months by Kael’s side, admiring him, yearning for him. He was the strongest Alpha she had ever known—merciless in battle, feared across the lands, and unyielding in his rule. Yet, in rare moments, she had seen something softer beneath his cold exterior. A flicker of warmth when their gazes met, a lingering touch when no one was watching. She had convinced herself that, beneath his ruthlessness, there was something more.

But the moment he spoke, her world shattered.

“I, Alpha Kael of the Shadowfang Pack, reject you, Ayla, as my mate.”

The words struck like a blade to the chest.

She blinked, convinced she had misheard him.

The room was silent, the weight of his declaration settling over the gathered wolves.

Then, she laughed—a small, breathless sound. “That’s not funny, Kael.”

His golden eyes remained emotionless. “I don’t joke.”

A cold wave of dread washed over her.

She searched his face for any sign of hesitation, any trace of doubt. There was none.

Her fingers curled into fists. “You’re lying.”

Kael’s gaze hardened. “I don’t repeat myself.”

The entire pack was watching, waiting for her reaction. She could feel their pity, their amusement. Even Liana, her stepsister, stood at the edge of the crowd, a smirk playing on her lips.

Ayla forced herself to breathe. “You don’t have a choice,” she whispered. “We are fated.”

Kael let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “A fated bond means nothing to me.” His voice was laced with irritation, as though this conversation was beneath him.

Her chest tightened. ”Why?”

His expression darkened. “Because you are weak, Ayla. And I don’t mate with the weak.”

The words were cruel, cutting, absolute.

Ayla felt her breath hitch. “That’s not true. I…”

“You what?” Kael interrupted, stepping closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. “You think because you blindly follow orders, it makes you worthy of standing beside me? You think because you stare at me like a lovesick pup, I should accept you?” He scoffed. “Pathetic.”

Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

“You’re making a mistake,” she managed to say, her voice shaking.

Kael’s gaze remained cold. “No. The mistake was ever thinking you were fit to be my mate.”

The finality in his tone crushed the last bit of hope she had clung to.

Ayla’s vision blurred, her heartbeat hammering in her ears.

She had dreamed of this moment a thousand times, but never like this. Never with him looking at her like she was nothing.

Got it! I’ll continue the chapter, making Kael publicly declare Liana as his new wife, further crushing Ayla. The betrayal will hit even harder, and Ayla’s shock will be undeniable.

Ayla’s world was already crumbling, but Kael wasn’t finished.

The moment her knees buckled, and the weight of his words stole the breath from her lungs, he delivered the final blow.

His voice rang out, cold and resolute. “Liana will be my wife.”

Silence fell over the hall.

Ayla’s head snapped up, her body frozen in place.

She couldn’t have heard that right.

Her gaze darted to Liana, who stood at the edge of the gathering, her expression unreadable—for a moment. Then, ever so slowly, her lips curled into a victorious smile.

Ayla’s stomach twisted.

Liana. Her stepsister.

The one who had whispered words of comfort when their father had abandoned them. The one who had pretended to stand beside her, to be her friend.

The one who had known all along.

“You…” Ayla’s voice cracked as she turned to Kael, shaking her head in disbelief. “Liana?”

Kael barely spared her a glance. “She is stronger. More capable. Worthy of standing by my side.”

The words were like a dagger to the chest, but it wasn’t just the rejection that hurt—it was who he had chosen instead.

Ayla’s lips parted, but no words came out.

Liana stepped forward, her fingers brushing against Kael’s arm as if she had already taken her place beside him. “Oh, Ayla,” she said sweetly, tilting her head. “I didn’t want you to find out this way.”

Liar.

Ayla saw it now. The truth that had been right in front of her all along.

The stolen glances. The lingering touches. The way Liana had always been near Kael, always finding reasons to stay close to him.

It had never been just her and Kael. It had been her, Kael… and Liana.

“How long?” Ayla whispered, her voice barely audible.

Liana gave a small shrug, her smile widening. “Does it matter?”

The casual cruelty in her tone made Ayla’s blood run cold.

Her vision blurred with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. Not here. Not in front of them.

Kael turned away, dismissing her like she was nothing. “This conversation is over.”

Ayla’s hands clenched at her sides.

This wasn’t just rejection. This was humiliation.

And the worst part?

Liana had won.

For now.

As Kael extended his hand to Liana, sealing her fate as his chosen wife, Ayla made a silent vow—this was not the end. Not by a long shot.

Her knees weakened, the world tilting. And then—

Darkness.

 As Ayla collapsed, the last thing she heard was Kael’s voice—low, irritated. “Get her out of my sight.”