After My Mate’s Lies, I Became the Alpha King’s Luna

The silver moon hung low in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the ceremonial clearing. My heart pounded against my ribs as I stood before the entire Silver Moon Pack, my white dress flowing around me like water. Tonight was supposed to be our night—mine and Barrett's. After years of sacrifice and devotion, I would finally be named Luna, his mate and equal.

The Elder's weathered hands held the ancient Luna crown, its moonstone centerpiece catching the light. "Tonight, we witness the union of our future Alpha to his chosen mate," he announced, his voice carrying across the hushed gathering.

Barrett stood tall beside me, his profile sharp in the moonlight. I reached for his hand, but he pulled away, his eyes fixed on something—someone—beyond the crowd.

"Barrett?" I whispered, confusion threading through me.

Before I could react, he stepped forward, raising his hand to silence the Elder. The crowd murmured in surprise.

"I cannot do this," he said, his voice carrying an edge I'd never heard before. "I cannot accept Amelia as Luna."

The world tilted beneath my feet. "What?"

"Barrett, this is not the time—" the Elder began, but Barrett cut him off.

"Giana is dying," he announced, his voice breaking. "Wolfsbane poisoning. The healer says she has hours left."

My vision blurred as Giana stepped from the shadows, her face pale but her eyes gleaming with triumph. She clutched her stomach dramatically, though I noticed she stood perfectly straight for someone supposedly at death's door.

"I need to be with her," Barrett continued, not even looking at me. "With my true heart."

The pack gasped. Visiting dignitaries from neighboring packs exchanged shocked glances. My mother's friend covered her mouth in horror.

"Barrett, please," I begged, reaching for him. "We can help Giana together. We can—"

"No." His eyes finally met mine, cold and distant. "I, Barrett Lee, future Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, reject you, Amelia Harvey, as my mate."

The formal rejection words sliced through me like silver blades. My wolf howled in agony inside me as our bond shattered. I staggered backward, clutching my chest as physical pain radiated through me.

"I'm sorry," he said, not sounding sorry at all. Then he turned and rushed from the stage, Giana following close behind.

I stood frozen, tears streaming down my face as hundreds of eyes bore into me—some pitying, others gleeful at my humiliation.

---

The pack cemetery was silent save for the whisper of wind through the trees. I knelt before my parents' graves, their headstones side by side under the fading moon.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, tracing their names with trembling fingers. "I failed you both. I couldn't be the Luna you wanted me to be."

The rejection pain still pulsed through my body, but I forced myself to stand. From my bag, I withdrew a silver dagger and a small bottle of alcohol.

"I won't be his victim," I said to the night air. "I won't be the rejected mate