Rian's POV
I thought being mated to the Alpha would save me.
That maybe just maybe the bond would mean something.
That he would see me. Not as an Omega. Not as a burden. But as his mate. His forever.
But what was I thinking?
It shattered me.
The Alpha rejected me in front of the entire pack like I was nothing. My wolf whimpered and went deathly quiet inside me, my heart breaking even softer, even deeper.
Then I was saved.
Not by a savior, a prince, or an alpha.
I was claimed by the dangerous Lycan King.
_______ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧________
"You filthy bitch," one of the warriors spat, his words sharp and venomous as I accidentally stepped on his foot. He shoved me hard, sending me crashing to the ground. I winced, but stayed silent
Being the lowest ranked wolf is a nightmare and a curse.
No home.
No family.
My parents had abandoned me the moment I shifted and they realized what I was-an Omega.
Parents were supposed to love you. Protect you.
Mine? They left me like I was broken, useless.
I wiped my tears quickly before heading into the kitchen where I worked, trying to disappear.
"Run over here!" Lylah called as soon as she saw me, waving her hand frantically. As soon as I got there she checked my body thoroughly checking any signs of wound or abuse.
" did they push you again ?" She asked and I nodded she sighed and hugged me.
She and Madam Sera were the only ones who didn't treat me like I was something to be scraped off their shoes.
"Have you eaten?" Madam Sera asked, her voice low and kind.
I shook my head, slowly
She pressed a plate of rice into my hands, her eyes full of worry. "Hide and eat fast," she whispered. "If they catch you, they'll punish you again…with silver."
I mumbled a thank you and slipped into the storage room, eating quickly while listening to the distant hum of excitement outside.
Tonight was the Mate Gathering.
Tonight, the Moon Goddess would reveal true mates under the full moon.
swallowed the last bite, nerves crawling under my skin. We had spent the entire day preparing scrubbing floors, stringing lights through the trees, setting tables with fresh linens and wildflowers picked from the woods. Every corner of the courtyard shimmered under the soft glow of lanterns, ready for the Moon Goddess's blessing.
Now, the night had arrived.
The courtyard was flooded with wolves, fur gleaming under the silver light. I stood at the edge, forgotten and unwanted, my heart pounding against my ribs.
One by one, wolves shifted back to their human forms, excitement flashing in their eyes as they searched the crowd. Their scents filled the air hope, lust, nerves.
I stayed in my human skin, too scared to move, too scared to hope!
Then…..
I smelled it.
That pull. That perfect scent. My wolf stirred weakly inside me, her ears perking.
My eyes locked onto his.
The Alpha.
Jake.
My mate.
My breath caught in my chest. The world seemed to fall away until it was just the two of us.
He shifted back, bones cracking, muscles rippling, until he stood tall and human again. His eyes so cold, so unreadable landed right on me.
For one desperate second, I let myself believe.
Maybe he would come to me.
Maybe he would claim me.
Maybe someone would finally want me.
He moved toward me, every step echoing loudly in my ears. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't look away.
He stopped right in front of me, close enough that I could smell his scent woodsy, familiar.
"You," he said, voice low and sharp, filled with disbelief.
I swallowed hard, forcing the words out past the lump in my throat. "I feel the bond," I whispered. "Don't you?"
There was a long, awful silence.
Then he laughed a cold, humorless sound that made my stomach twist.
"You?" he said again, louder this time so everyone around could hear. "You're my mate?"
People started murmuring, turning to look. Some snickered.
"I'd rather tear my own heart out," he said, his voice cruel and clear, "than be mated to a pathetic Omega."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Someone actually laughed.
I felt my knees wobble, but I forced myself to stand tall. My hands were trembling.
"I… I don't understand," I said, my voice breaking despite myself. "The bond…"
"I reject you," Jake said, cutting me off. "I reject this bond. I reject you RIAN VIRELLI."
It hit like a blade straight to the chest.
My wolf let out a soft, broken whine inside me. She folded into herself, disappearing somewhere deep where I couldn't reach her anymore.
Pain exploded through me.
Real, physical pain.
I collapsed onto my knees, the stone courtyard unforgiving beneath me.
I pressed my hand to my chest, gasping, trying to hold myself together as the bond tore apart inside me like shredded fabric.
It felt like dying.
It felt worse than dying.
I could feel every pair of eyes on me.
I could hear them whispering.
"Figures. She's just an Omega."
"Pathetic."
"Why would an Alpha want her?"
No one came to help me.
No one even looked sorry.
I tried to get up, but my legs wouldn't work. Everything inside me was shattered, bleeding.
"Get her out of here," Jake said with disgust, turning his back on me like I was less than nothing.
Madam Sera and Lylah rushed over finally, helping me to my feet. I barely noticed. Everything was blurry. Everything hurt.
I didn't even hear what they said. I just kept staring at the spot where he had stood, where everything had fallen apart.
The mate bond the fragile, sacred thing I had prayed for my whole life was….gone.
Just like that.
And I was alone. Again.
Maybe the Moon Goddess had forgotten me after all.