Rejected Mate's Vengeful Rise

The mind-link hit me like a physical blow, Beta Marcus's voice cutting through my thoughts with surgical precision. "Eve, Alpha Reece has officially canceled your father's birthday celebration. No explanation given. The Moonstone Pack leadership is... confused."

I nearly dropped the wildflowers I'd been gathering for the decorations, my fingers going numb. The sacred tradition, observed for over two centuries, dismissed without consultation. Without even the courtesy of a proper explanation to my father—Alpha James Morrison of the Moonstone Pack.

"What do you mean canceled?" I whispered through the mind-link, though my wolf was already stirring uneasily in my chest.

"The formal notice arrived this morning. Your mate cited 'pack obligations' but offered no details. Your father is... insulted doesn't begin to cover it."

Something cold settled in my stomach. Reece had been distant lately, his usual warm cedar scent tinged with something sharp and unfamiliar. I'd attributed it to Alpha stress, the weight of pack leadership. But this—this was different. This was deliberate.

I abandoned the flowers and shifted, my wolf form eating up the miles between the Moonstone territory and Silver Creek Pack lands. The wind carried familiar scents—pine, earth, the metallic tang of the creek that gave the pack its name. But underneath it all, something felt wrong. Tainted.

The main pack hall came into view, warm light spilling from every window. A celebration was clearly in progress, laughter and voices carrying on the evening air. My heart lifted slightly—perhaps Marcus had been mistaken. Perhaps Reece had simply rescheduled, planned something special here instead.

I shifted back to human form at the tree line, smoothing my simple dress and touching the hidden moonstone pendant at my throat. The familiar gesture usually calmed me, but tonight it felt like a lifeline.

The hall doors stood open, pack members mingling with drinks and elaborate finger foods. The kind of feast that cost serious money. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Reece's familiar broad shoulders and dark hair.

I found him.

And I found her.

Linda Kelley stood beside my mate—my mate—wearing the ceremonial Luna jewelry that should have been mine. The ancient silver pieces caught the light as she laughed at something Reece whispered in her ear, his hand possessive on her lower back.

The world tilted. Pack members were congratulating them, raising glasses in celebration. Mrs. Patterson from the kitchens was crying happy tears. Young wolves were asking when the official ceremony would be.

I stood frozen in the doorway, my wolf howling in confusion and rage. This wasn't possible. The mate bond—I could still feel it, that golden thread connecting us. Frayed and cold, but present.

"Oh." The soft gasp escaped before I could stop it.

Every head in the hall turned toward me. Conversations died mid-sentence. The festive atmosphere curdled into something thick and uncomfortable.

Linda's eyes found mine across the room, and her smile turned predatory. She leaned into Reece more obviously, her fingers playing with the Luna necklace—my necklace.

"Well, well," Linda's voice