The scent of moon lilies drifted through the night air as the Shadow Moon Pack gathered in the sacred clearing.
Silver lanterns hung from ancient oak branches, casting a soft glow over the hundreds of wolves dressed in ceremonial robes.
Laughter and music filled the air, but Aria Nightshade couldn’t hear any of it.
Her heart pounded too loudly.
Tonight was the Night of Choosing—the night every unmated wolf dreamed about.
The Moon Goddess would reveal their fated mates.
Her fingers tightened around the silver pendant hanging from her neck.
It was the only thing her mother had left behind before she died.
“You look nervous.”
Aria turned.
Her best friend, Lily, smiled warmly.
“You’ve loved Alpha Damon since you were twelve.
Relax.
Everyone already knows you’ll be his mate.”
Aria forced a laugh.
“I hope you’re right.”
Before Lily could answer, a loud horn echoed across the clearing.
Every conversation stopped.
The crowd parted as Alpha Damon Blackwood walked toward the Moonstone.
He was everything an Alpha should be—tall, broad-shouldered, confident, and impossibly handsome.
Warriors lowered their heads as he passed.
Aria’s cheeks warmed.
For a brief moment, Damon looked at her.
She smiled.
He didn’t.
Instead, his gaze moved past her and settled on Selene Ashcroft, the captain of the female warriors.
Something tightened in Aria’s chest.
The High Elder stepped forward.
“May the Moon Goddess reveal what destiny has written.”
The Moonstone burst with silver light.
A gasp swept through the crowd.
The light wrapped around Damon first.
Then another silver thread shot across the clearing.
Straight toward Aria.
Her breath caught.
Inside her mind, a voice she had never heard before whispered one word.
Mate.
Tears filled her eyes.
This was real.
After years of dreaming…
After years of waiting…
She finally had her answer.
Slowly, she walked toward Damon.
“So…
it’s really us,” she whispered.
The entire pack watched in silence.
Damon’s expression never changed.
His blue eyes were cold.
Emotionless.
Then he spoke.
“I reject you.”
The words echoed through the clearing like thunder.
Aria froze.
A ringing filled her ears.
“What…?”
“I, Alpha Damon Blackwood, reject Aria Nightshade as my fated mate.”
The sacred bond snapped.
Pain exploded through Aria’s body.
She collapsed to her knees, screaming as it felt like her soul was being torn apart.
No one moved to help her.
The crowd only watched.
Then, from somewhere behind Damon, a slow clap broke the silence.
Selene stepped forward with a satisfied smile.
“It looks like destiny made a mistake.”
The crowd began to whisper.
Aria looked up through blurred tears.
This was only the beginning of her nightmare.