“I, Kade, reject you, Mira, as my mate.”

       Tears gathered in my eyes as Kade rejected me in front of the entire pack, his golden eyes looking at me coldly.

       Behind him, I saw the proud look on Selena\\\'s face. Of course, she was happy. She would be the new Luna.

       “I don’t understand,” I stuttered, feeling a pain in my heart. “Why? We’re fated mates.”

       The bond tore at my soul violently. Why didn’t he want me? I thought… we loved each other. We were happy, weren’t we?

       Kade’s eyes burned with something— pity? regret? pain? I wasn’t sure. But his next words broke me.

       “It’s better this way. You’re an omega, Mira You’d never survive at my side as Luna. I’ll put you in danger and—” he didn’t finish his words, his voice breaking.

       Better? Better for who?

       That was it? All because I was an omega, he decided to break the bond. Did he even consider the pain I would feel from the rejection?

       “How are you so sure?” I asked.

       His jaw tightened. “Mira. This is for the best.”

       Indeed. The best for him. That was all he cared about.

       My chest hurt, like claws were digging deep inside me. A tear rolled down my cheek, and I raised my hand to wipe it away.

       Fine. If this was what he wanted.

       I looked straight at him, my chin raised. “I, Mira, reject you, Kade, as my mate.”

       At the same time, an intense pain ripped through me.

       “Ah!” I gasped, falling forward.

       Kade stepped forward, but I slapped his hand away. I picked myself up despite the pain.

       “I have to leave now, Alpha,” I said.

       I turned around, not daring to look at his face or anyone else’s as I walked out of the hall. Everyone stared at me in silence.

       As I passed Selena, she whispered, “He belongs to me now.”

       I clenched my fists. She could have him. I was done with Kade.

       I ignored her and walked past, but as soon as I got far enough away, I burst into tears, running deep into the forest.

       My wolf howled inside me, her pain mirroring mine. It hurt to be rejected.

       Kade and I had been in love since we found out we were mates. But he wanted me to wait until he became Alpha before we held the ceremony.

       And now… this was the result.

       I pressed a hand to my stomach, where a little life was growing. Our pup.

       “I’m sorry, baby. But Daddy doesn’t want us,” I whispered through my tears.

       The only reply I got was the sound of the wind in the trees. I sniffled back a sob.

       Kade didn’t want a weak omega like me. He much preferred a powerful beta she-wolf like Selena. He would soon take Selena as his mate. I couldn’t stay here any longer with my pup, or he’d find out.

       So, the next day, I packed my things, ready to leave. As I carried my bag out, I bumped into Selena at the door.

       “Leaving already? You’re pretty wise for a dumb omega,” she sneered.

       I ignored her, walking past, but then she grabbed my wrist. I stumbled, my back hitting the wall.

       “Don’t you know how to show respect to your future Luna?” she asked.

       I clenched my fists. “What do you want from me? I’m leaving!”

       She laughed, mocking my outburst. But then her eyes narrowed. “Wait… you smell strange…”

       My heart sank. My pup. I couldn’t let her find out.

       I steadied myself, grabbing my bag from her. All of a sudden, she was falling back. My eyes widened.

       “Mira!” a stern voice called. I turned to see Kade.

       He looked at Selena and me. Before I could speak, Selena was already talking.

       “It was a mistake, Kade. Don’t be so angry,” she said softly, leaning against him.

       It stung my eyes, and I looked away, picking up my bag as I turned to leave.

       “Wait!” Kade called after me. “Where are you going?”

       I turned back to look at him coldly. “Far away from you.”

       His eyes widened as he spoke hurriedly. “Mira! Do you know how dangerous it is out there?!”

       I didn’t care if he was angry or concerned. I was leaving, and that was final.

       I gave him a final glance, saying goodbye in my heart.

       “I wish you both a happily mated life.”