The rejection burned more than the cold stone beneath Lunara Vale's bare knees.
"I, Alpha Kael Thorn, reject you as my fated mate."
The words echoed through the ceremonial hall, sharp and final, cutting deeper than claws ever could.
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
Lunara's wolf screamed inside her, a soundless agony that tore through her chest. She tasted blood where she bit her lip, refusing to cry. Crying would make this worse. Crying would give them what they wanted.
Kael stood before her in his Alpha regalia—broad shoulders, silver markings, eyes like frozen steel. The bond between them pulsed violently, begging to be acknowledged, begging him to take the words back.
But his gaze slid past her, cold and unmoved.
"Why?" Lunara whispered. Her voice trembled despite her effort. "What have I done?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "You are weak," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "A wolfless burden. My Luna must be strong. The pack deserves better than you."
Murmurs followed—agreement, pity, quiet cruelty.
Lunara's hands curled into fists. Wolfless. That was the word they used when a wolf hadn't awakened by eighteen. Tonight was her twenty-first birthday. Tonight was supposed to be her salvation.
Instead, it was her execution.
The bond snapped.
Pain exploded through her chest, dropping her forward. She cried out as something ripped inside her—something sacred, something meant to last a lifetime.
Kael turned away.
"By my authority as Alpha," he continued, voice merciless, "Lunara Vale is banished from the Silverfang Pack at dawn."
Silence fell.
Banished.
Not even allowed to live on the outskirts. Not allowed to return. Sent beyond the border—into the Forbidden Forest, where cursed wolves and ancient beasts roamed.
Lunara lifted her head slowly. Her vision blurred, but she forced herself to meet Kael's eyes one last time.
"I loved you," she said softly.
For just a heartbeat, something flickered across his face.
Then it was gone.
"Guards," Kael ordered. "Take her away."
Hands grabbed her arms. The pack watched as she was dragged from the hall—some with satisfaction, others with fear. None stepped forward.
None except the Moon above.
As Lunara was thrown beyond the pack boundary at dawn, bloodied and shaking, the earth beneath her feet trembled.
Deep in the Forbidden Forest, something ancient stirred.
A voice—low, dark, and amused—echoed through her mind.
"So… the Silverfang Alpha was foolish enough to reject what belongs to me."
Lunara gasped, collapsing to her knees as heat surged through her veins.
Her wolf—silent for twenty-one years—howled awake.
And far away, Alpha Kael Thorn clutched his chest, suddenly breathless, his wolf roaring in panic.
Because the bond he destroyed…
…had not disappeared.
It had chosen another Alpha.