Rejected by her Alpha Chosen By the Moon

THE NIGHT OF BROKEN DREAMS

Myra’s pov

Today was my eighteenth year birthday, and tonight my mating ceremony, the day I would get rejected by my mate and my life would change.

The reflection in the mirror didn’t look like me.

My hair was pinned up, dark curls falling in loose tendrils around my face, and a thin silver chain circled my brow, a single moonstone resting at the center of my forehead. I should have felt beautiful. Regal. Like a Luna about to claim her destiny.

But all I saw was the hollow look in my eyes, the stiffness in my smile, the way my fingers trembled as they smoothed down the fabric of my dress.

“Stop fussing. You look perfect,” Aria said softly, coming up behind me and squeezing my shoulders. My best friend’s reflection met mine in the mirror. Her bright blue eyes, usually so full of mischief, were gentle tonight, full of hope for me. “He’s going to see you and remember why the Moon Goddess chose you to be his mate.”

I swallowed hard. “If only everyone else believed that.”

Aria’s smile faltered, just a little. I couldn’t blame her.

I knew what the pack thought, what they whispered when they thought I wasn’t listening. The orphan girl. The Beta’s daughter who couldn’t even shift. The future Luna with no wolf, no strength.

They pitied me. And worse they doubted me.

The only reason I stood here tonight, preparing for my mating ceremony, was because of my parents’ honor. My father and mother had died protecting the Alpha King during the great rogue invasion seven years ago. They’d been heroes. Respected, everyone loved them.

And I was what was left.

“I’ll prove them wrong tonight,” I whispered, more to myself than to Aria. “I’ll be a good Luna. I’ll serve the pack. I’ll make Malik proud.”

Aria’s hands slid down my arms, and she hugged me from behind. “He already is, Myra. And after tonight, everyone else will be too.”

I nodded, trying to draw strength from her words, from the soft warmth of her embrace. But as I turned from the mirror, I caught the faintest sound voices outside the chamber.

“She looks the part, but we all know it’s a joke,” someone murmured.

“A Luna who can’t shift? What will she protect us from? Goddess above, we are werewolves…” another snickered.

They thought that because I couldn't shift I didn't have werewolf perks like enhanced senses, but I did. I could hear every single word of their whispers.

Aria looked like she wanted to go defend me, I didn't want a fight today so I just caught her wrist and shook my head.

Aria’s eyes flashed with anger. “Fucking assholes, ignore them. They don’t matter.”

But their words burrowed deep, echoing every secret fear I’d tried so hard to bury.

I squared my shoulders. “Let’s go.”

---

The clearing was alight with torches, the full moon high above, casting silver over the gathering