Rejected By My Alpha: His Second Chance

(Aria's POV)

The wind wailed across the Black Fang Territory, cold and bitter, carrying the scent of pine, something rotting in the distance, and the heavy metallic taste of blood. I wrapped my thin dress tighter around me as I walked faster along the woodland path. My body trembled, not just from the cold, but from the weight of everything I carried: herbs in my basket, sorrows deep in my heart, and pain buried deep in my bones. The moon hung low overhead, a crescent form casting dim light, as if it were mocking me.

I'm Aria Lane, and I've never known peace. Not even for a moment.

At eighteen, I've learned that omegas like me exist in shadows. We're tools to be ordered about or ignored. Growing up as an orphan under this pack's strict rules means never resting, never speaking unless spoken to, and never hoping for anything at all. Being the lowest rank is a lesson in survival, nothing more.

But tonight felt different. A small part of me dared to hope.

The Blood Moon Festival was three days away. That night, the Moon Goddess would reveal fated mates to the chosen ones. Maybe she'd remember me too. Maybe destiny hadn't forgotten about me after all.

I continued my journey, my boots crunching on loose gravel as I made my way toward the pack stronghold. The massive stone fortress was cut into the mountain wall as if it had grown there naturally. The wind tugged at my long black hair, some of it catching on the tattoo at the nape of my neck. A crescent moon mark I've had since birth.

I didn't know what it meant, but sometimes, like tonight, it tingled as though it were trying to communicate with me. I could never hear or understand what it wanted to say.

I had no time to ponder it for long. The basket of herbs in my arms grew heavier with every step. I couldn't afford to be late again. Beta Roland didn't give second chances, and his whip didn't care about excuses.

I stepped past the border of the training grounds. The clang of metal, the tearing of claws through flesh, the growls of warriors mid-shift enveloped me. They were training under the moonlight as if preparing for war. I kept my eyes down, hoping no one would notice me.

At five-foot-four, I was dwarfed by the massive, powerful wolves surrounding me. I moved quietly around the edges when a voice sliced through the air behind me.

"Hey, it's the omega rat!"

My stomach dropped. That was Tessa's voice. She was a mid-rank wolf, gorgeous and ruthless. She sat on a bench with her group of friends, all laughing as though they hadn't just gutted me with those words. Her brown hair shone in the moonlight as she tossed a pebble my way.

"Still running around with your stupid herbs?" she jeered.

I gripped the basket tighter and stood still. "I'm just doing my job,