Echoes of a Hated Moon

Alpha Scott hated me, his fated mate, more than anything. All because I was just a human, a useless creature without claws.

His heart belonged entirely to his childhood sweetheart, Joanna.

After Joanna died in an accident, he hated me for ten years.

But when an enemy pack’s bomb exploded in front of our den, he saved me.

Before he died, covered in blood and lying in my arms, he used his last ounce of strength to push away my trembling hand.

"Elena, if only the Moon Goddess had never let us meet..."

At the funeral, the former Luna—Scott's mother—grabbed my collar, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Scott, it's my fault. I never should have forced you to accept this human. If I had supported your choice of Joanna, would any of this have happened today?"

I didn't answer. Because she was right.

After being dragged out of the funeral, I climbed Skyfall Ridge—the pack's sacred ground—alone and leaped.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day the Moon Goddess designated me as Scott's mate.

This time, I decided to sever all ties with Scott, to give everyone what they truly wanted.

I was Alpha Scott's fated human mate. He hated me for ten years, yet he died saving me in an explosion. Driven to suicide by the pack, I reopened my eyes to find myself back on the day the Moon Goddess designated me as Scott's mate.

"Human!? A weak human is my mate? What kind of sick joke is this!"

Scott's roar echoed across the Moonlit Plaza.

I stood frozen, my heart pounding. I was back, back to the Moon Hunt Festival from ten years ago—the day my destiny and Scott’s intertwined.

"Alpha, this is the Moon Goddess's decree," the Head Elder reminded him softly.

"To hell with the Moon Goddess's decree!" Scott ripped off the ceremonial badge pinned to his chest. "I will not accept a useless female without even claws as my Luna!"

The werewolves around us whispered amongst themselves. Joanna stood a short distance away, a smug smile playing on her lips. She was noble and elegant, a blue-blood, Scott's childhood sweetheart.

I took a deep breath. This time, I wouldn't make the same mistakes.

"I request to perform the Severing Ceremony." My voice was clear and firm, causing an uproar in the plaza.

Scott’s expression froze, his golden eyes flashing with disbelief. "What?"

"You heard me, Alpha." I looked him straight in the eye. "I want to cut the bond between us. I ask the Elder Council to allow Scott and Joanna to mate, to strengthen the pack alliance."

The plaza erupted into chaos. This was unprecedented—a mate chosen by the Moon Goddess actively requesting to sever the bond?

"Ha!" Scott laughed mockingly. "I didn't expect you to have some self-awareness."

My heart felt like it was being stabbed, but I fought back tears. I remembered the Moon Goddess's words: "Within one day of your rebirth, you must remedy his three greatest regrets