Chapter 1: Moonrise Ceremony

Claire POV

“Did you think someone like you could ever stand by his side?”

The words, as sharp as talons, cut through the eager whispers of the assembled pack. I grasped the edges of my flowing, pale-blue dress with clenched hands while I attempted to regulate my breathing. Lila’s voice boomed, her grin broad and poisonous, as though she had already claimed an award intended for another.

I gulped nervously, my eyes moving to Jared. His face was inscrutable, yet his golden eyes—the very ones I had previously trusted—shunned contact with mine.

"Speak up," I murmured, my words hardly heard above the thunderous pounding of my heart. “Jared…”

He eventually glanced at me, his expression as frigid as the mountain breeze. "Lila is correct."

The globe tilted. I was astonished by what I was listening to. This was meant to be the most joyful moment of my life. This evening, illuminated by the full moon, Jared would assert me as his partner. That's the way it was intended to be—how it ought to have always been.

A wave of laughter erupted among the pack members gathered in the ritual clearing. I sensed their gazes drilling into me, filled with pity and amusement.

"No," I managed to stammer, my voice shaking. "We are destined." You mentioned that you sensed the connection. You mentioned to me—”

“Anything I said,” Jared cut in, his voice stern, “is irrelevant now. "I have decided."

I gazed at Lila, who was next to him in a sparkling silver gown that shimmered in the moonlight. Her hand lay protectively on Jared's arm. The sparkle in her eyes wasn’t merely victorious—it was merciless.

"You believed I would allow an omega like you to sabotage his future, did you?" she remarked, her tone laced with feigned kindness.

The audience moved, murmurs becoming more intense. I sensed the heaviness of each gaze, the scrutiny in their faces.

“That's enough,” I said, more loudly than I meant to. The whispers quieted. My voice trembled, yet I compelled myself to stand straight. "This is not finished." “Jared, I expect you to explain yourself.”

Lila chuckled, a noise that resonated across the glade. “Can you explain?” The unfortunate soul just doesn’t understand, does she? He is the son of the Alpha. He needs a strong person alongside him. "Not..." She flicked her perfectly groomed hand toward me, brushing me off as if I were merely a particle of dust.

"Isn’t it me?" I insisted, my voice cracking.

Jared moved ahead, and for a brief instant, I believed I caught a glimpse of remorse in his gaze. However, it vanished just as swiftly, supplanted by a determined resolve.

“Claire, you’re kind,” he started, his tone gentler now, nearly condescending. "However, kindness alone is insufficient for a future Luna." You are feeble. “And an omega…” He sighed, allowing the gravity of the statement to linger in the atmosphere.

I recoiled as if he had hit me. My fists clenched tightly at my sides. Feeble. That term echoed in my mind, more vividly than anything else.

The moon overhead appeared to fade, its silvery light taunting the hope it was meant to deliver. My chest was constricted, each inhale a struggle.

“I’ll show you I’m right,” I said, the words slipping out before I could consider them fully. "One day, I’ll demonstrate exactly how mistaken you are regarding me."

Jared's mouth curled into a resentful grin. “This is finished, Claire.”

Lila moved in closer to me, softening her voice to a hush intended solely for me. “Go on now, omega." "Your small storybook tale has come to an end."

The crowd started to break apart, their laughter and murmurs slicing through me like sharp glass. Nobody paused to provide me solace or even a gentle word. The ceremony went on, but it was no longer about me. Jared had already chosen his Luna—and it wasn’t me.

I wandered away from the opening, my sight fogged by tears. The sounds diminished as I ventured further into the forest, looking for peace in the tranquillity of the tall trees.

The connection. It remained present, an unseen connection linking me to Jared. I could sense it igniting in my chest, urging me to return, to battle for him. But how could I, when he had already decided?

The atmosphere became chillier as I continued, the noises of the ceremony fading into a distant murmur. My knees gave way, and I collapsed onto the forest floor, the moist ground seeping into my dress.

“Why is that?” I murmured, the question aimed at everyone and no one. “Why did I fall short?”

The breeze brought no response, just the sound of rustling leaves and the far-off cry of a wolf. I remained there, gazing at the ground until the moonlight changed and shadows elongated.

However, a noise—a snapping branch—brought me back to reality. My heart raced as I looked around, suddenly realizing how alone I felt.

“Who is it?” I shouted, my voice trembling.

No response. Just silence.

The hair on the nape of my neck bristled. Something felt off. Gradually, I stood up, cleaning my face marked with tears. My gut urged me to flee, but my legs felt heavy as bricks.

Another noise—a soft growl. On this occasion, it was clear.

My heart raced faster. I pivoted in the direction of the sound, my gaze sweeping over the shadowy trees. A set of luminous eyes gazed at me from the darkness.

This was not Jared. This was not a member of the pack.

A scoundrel.

Fear rushed over me as the wolf emerged into the moonlight, its coat tangled and its eyes gleaming with hunger. I took quick, shallow breaths while I retreated, my thoughts racing.

The connection. Jared would sense the risk if the connection still held significance for him.

But would he be concerned?

The rogue exposed its fangs, a deep growl resonating from its neck. I stepped back again, my foot snagging on a root. I tripped but was able to remain standing.

"Keep your distance," I said, although my voice trembled.

The rogue jumped forward, and I hardly had a moment to respond.

The impact never came. A shadow blurred past me, slamming into the rogue with a force that shook the ground. My breath caught as I watched the two wolves collide in a frenzy of snarls and claws.

And then, just as suddenly, the shadowed wolf turned its glowing eyes toward me.

“Run,” it growled.