01

The full moon hung high in the sky, casting its silver light over the clearing filled with celebration. The sound of laughter, cheerful voices, and clinking glasses filled the air as the wolves of the pack celebrated Kian’s coronation as Alpha. He was at the center of it all, surrounded by gazes of admiration and respect. To everyone, Kian was the perfect leader: strong, confident, and untouchable.

I stood leaning against a tree at the edge of the clearing, watching from a distance. This wasn’t my party, nor my victory. Kian had been my friend for as long as I could remember, but tonight he felt distant, unreachable. He belonged to the pack now in a way I never would.

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to suppress the emptiness threatening to take over. Why was I even here? To watch Kian begin a new life, a future that didn’t include someone like me? Perhaps it would’ve been better not to come at all.

“Amara.”

His voice pulled me from my thoughts, deep and firm yet tinged with that soft undertone only Kian had. I turned slowly, and there he was, standing just a few steps away. Even in the dim light, Kian’s golden eyes shone, reflecting the moonlight. He looked so… perfect, so untouchable, and yet so close.

“Why are you out here?” He moved closer, his arms crossed casually, but his eyes analyzed me intently. “The party is inside, with everyone else.”

I shrugged, avoiding his gaze. “I needed some time alone.”

“Amara, you should be there. You’re part of the pack.”

I let out a humorless laugh, shaking my head. “Part of the pack? Since when? I’m only here because you all pitied me as a child.”

Kian frowned, stepping closer. “That’s never been true. You know that.”

I swallowed hard, unable to meet his gaze. I knew Kian cared about me. He’d always been my friend, my protector. But that didn’t mean I truly had a place here. It didn’t mean I was like them.

“You always do this,” he said, his voice lower now. “You always push yourself aside, as if you’re not enough. But you are, Amara. More than enough.”

My heart raced. His words carried a weight I couldn’t ignore, an intensity that left me speechless. Before I could respond, he took another step closer and held my hand.

Kian’s touch was warm, firm, familiar. But this time, it was different. A shiver ran through me, and my breath caught in my throat.

“Kian… what are you doing?” I whispered, my voice trembling.

“Something I should’ve done a long time ago.”

He leaned closer to me, and for a moment, everything stopped. The sound of the distant party, the wind rustling through the trees, even my own thoughts vanished. There was only Kian, his eyes on mine, his face drawing nearer until his lips touched mine.

When we pulled apart, my world felt different. Everything felt different. We sat on the grass, far from the clearing, under the starry sky. The silence between us was comfortable, but my heart was still racing, confused by what had just happened.

“I’ve never seen you like this,” he said, breaking the silence.

“Like what?” I asked, unsure of what he meant.

“So… distant.” He sighed. “You’ve always been by my side, Amara. Always. And I need you now more than ever.”

I looked at him, trying to understand what those words meant. Kian had always been my safe haven, my closest friend, but what happened that night… was different. And I knew it was dangerous.

“You’re the Alpha now, Kian,” I said softly. “Your life has changed. There’s no room for someone like me.”

“You always say that.” He shook his head, frustrated. “You think just because you don’t have pure wolf blood, you don’t belong. But you do. I feel it.”

I wanted to believe him more than anything. But years of rejection and judgmental looks had left deep scars. I knew that even if Kian accepted me, the pack never would.

“I don’t know, Kian…”

He held my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him. “You don’t have to know now. Just… stay with me tonight.”

And I did. Against all my instincts, against the voice in my head screaming for me to run, I stayed. Because that night, under the moonlight and Kian’s gaze, it felt like I’d finally found a place where I belonged.

The next morning, as the sun began to rise, I woke up. The clearing was silent, the world seemed calm. But something felt wrong. I could feel it in the air, a tension that hadn’t been there before.

I stood up slowly, searching for Kian. He wasn’t there. My heart began to beat faster as I quickly dressed and made my way toward the main clearing.

And then, I saw him.

Kian stood in the center, surrounded by members of the pack. But he wasn’t alone. Beside him was a tall, elegant woman with hair as black as night and eyes that seemed to shine silver. She held Kian’s hand, and there was something between them—a connection that was palpable, undeniable.

My chest tightened, and the words escaped before I could stop them. “Who is she?”

Kian looked at me, his face a mixture of surprise and… guilt.

“Amara,” he began, his voice hesitant. “This is Selene. My… fated mate.”

The world stopped.

I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces, each one more painful than the last. I stared at him, waiting for him to say something more, something that could ease the overwhelming pain growing inside me. But he said nothing.

I knew what this meant. Selene was Kian’s destined mate, the natural choice. And I… was nothing.

Without a word, I turned and began to walk away. I heard Kian call after me, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Because, in that moment, I realized I never truly belonged there.

And maybe I never belonged anywhere.