Rejected, Then Chosen Mate

The pale light of dawn filtered through the curtains as I stood before the mirror, my trembling fingers smoothing down the silver ceremonial gown that hugged my figure. Today was supposed to be the day—our seventh attempt at completing the mating ceremony. Seven years of waiting, of patience, of loving a man who consistently proved I wasn't his priority.

"You look beautiful," my wolf, Lyra, whispered in my mind, her voice tinged with a hope I couldn't quite share anymore.

"Thank you," I murmured, touching the bare skin of my neck where Ryan's mark should have been years ago. "Grandmother needs to see this happen. I can't fail her."

The image of my grandmother in her hospital bed, frail yet smiling as she spoke of her dying wish, made my heart clench. Eleanor Vance, once the most respected Luna of her generation, now clung to life with one final desire—to see me properly mated before she passed.

I took a deep breath and left my room, making my way to the ceremonial chamber of the Silver Moon Pack house. Pack members lined the hallways, their expressions a mixture of pity and curiosity. They'd seen this scene before—six times, to be exact. Each time ending with Ryan rushing off to Amanda's side for some fabricated emergency.

"Seventh time's the charm?" someone whispered, not quite quietly enough.

I lifted my chin and ignored the comment, my heart pounding against my ribs. The ceremonial chamber was decorated with silver candles and moon flowers, their sweet scent filling the air. Ryan stood at the altar, handsome in his Alpha ceremonial attire, his brown hair neatly combed back. For a moment, our eyes met, and I allowed myself to hope.

"You came," he said, surprise evident in his tone, as if he'd expected me to finally give up.

"I promised I would," I replied, taking my place beside him as the pack elders began the ritual.

The ancient words washed over us, binding and sacred. My palms grew sweaty as we approached the marking moment—the furthest we'd ever gotten in the ceremony. Ryan's hands were warm as they clasped mine, and for a heartbeat, I believed it might actually happen this time.

Then his phone vibrated.

The change was immediate. His body tensed, his attention diverted. I knew before he even checked the screen.

"Amanda," I whispered, my voice breaking.

"She's having another panic attack," Ryan said, already pulling away, his expression a practiced mix of regret and urgency. "I have to go to her, Sophia. You understand, right?"

I didn't understand. I never had. My wolf howled in anguish within me as Ryan strode away, leaving me standing alone at the altar for the seventh time. The elders exchanged uncomfortable glances. The pack members began to whisper, their voices a rising tide of gossip and judgment.

"Poor thing."

"How much more will she take?"

"The Alpha clearly doesn't want her."

Humiliation burned through me like acid. Seven years of loyalty, of standing by him,