Rejected, I chose his father

Nyxara's POV

"I hate my life."

The words slipped out before I could stop them. I lay flat on my back, staring at the ceiling of my small room, and it felt like those four words summed up everything about me.

I wasn't supposed to hate my life, I was supposed to be grateful... I was the daughter of the pack's beta, Alaric Tavion. My father was one of the most respected men in Nightshade Pack, the alpha's right hand, a warrior, a strategist, a man people bowed to when he walked by.

And me?

His daughter?

The girl with the weakest wolf in the entire history of our pack.

No-scratch that-the weakest wolf in the history of all wolves.

I turned eighteen two years ago. I remembered the night as clearly as if it happened yesterday.

Every teenager in the pack was lined up at the transformation grounds, waiting to feel their first rush of power that marked their wolf's awakening. It was supposed to be magical, a rite of passage that bonded you forever to your wolf spirit.

I still remembered the excitement, the nervous chatter, the way Velara squeezed my hand and whispered, "It's going to be okay. We're going to be amazing."

I believed her.

But when it was my turn, nothing happened. Not the crack of bones. Not the fierce howl, not the beautiful shift that marked your place among your people.

I brought out one claw.... One pathetic, weak and trembling claw.

That was it. My grand destiny.

Since then, the whispers had never stopped.

"The beta's daughter has a useless wolf."

"She's cursed."

"She'll never fight, never hunt, never protect."

And no matter how hard my father tried to defend me, no matter how much he glared at them and shut down their words in public, the truth was undeniable. I was indeed useless.

Even though I was loved, I still felt useless.

I pressed the heel of my palm against my chest.

"Dad loves me," I whispered, as though saying it out loud might make it louder than the insults. And it was true, my father never let me feel unwanted at home but it wasn't enough.

It couldn't drown out the laughter, the way they looked at me like I was dirt under their boots.

I turned to my side, hugging my pillow. "Lucian," I murmured.

The thought of him made me smile without meaning to. Lucian Draven, the alpha's son. Tall, strong, with black hair that shined with the sunlight and eyes so beautifully made. He wasn't just handsome. He was... everything. My best friend, my secret crush and my dream.

And then there was Velara. My other anchor in this miserable life of mine. Velara had been my best friend since we were kids, and even now, when most people avoided me like I carried a plague, she still came to my side.

She was sunshine. Loud, funny and unafraid to throw back words at anyone who insulted me.

I didn't know what I'd do without her.

I sighed and pushed myself out of bed. My room was big, tucked at the far side of the beta's quarters. I barely decorated it-just a bed, a little desk, and a chest for my clothes.

A few sketches Velara made for me hung crookedly on the wall. It was my safe space, but even here, the whispers still managed to reach me.

I grabbed my shawl, pulled it around my shoulders, and stepped out. Almost immediately, the sound of voices drifted through the hall.

"Did you hear? She still hasn't shifted."

"Can you believe it? The beta's daughter, of all people. What a shame."

"If she wasn't Alaric's daughter, she'd have been cast out already."

I froze, my throat tightening. They weren't even trying to be quiet.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep walking, but each step felt heavier.

:This is why I don't leave my room,' I thought bitterly. Out there was nothing but humiliation waiting for me. At least inside, I could daydream about Lucian.

"Nyxara!"

I looked up and instantly felt some of the burden leave my shoulders. Velara stood at the end of the corridor grinning. She jogged toward me, her red hair bouncing as she moved.

"You're out of your cave," she teased, bumping her shoulder against mine.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't start."

She laughed and then sobered when she caught the look on my face.

"You heard them again, didn't you?" She asked.

"Do I even need to answer that?" My voice came out sharper than I meant, and I winced. "Sorry, I just.... I'm tired of it, Vel. Every single day it's the same thing like they have nothing better to talk about than me and my stupid wolf."

Velara grabbed my hands, squeezing them tightly.

"Listen to me. They don't matter, you hear me? None of them matter. You're strong in your own way, even if they don't see it," she encouraged, her eyes passing me hope.

"Strong? I can't even shift. I can't hunt. I can't fight. I can't-"

"You can love," she cut in firmly. "You care, you're loyal and you're smarter than half the idiots out there. That's strength, Nyx. Just because you don't tear things apart with claws doesn't mean you're weak."

I blinked at her, warmth blooming in my chest. Velara always had a way of making me feel like I was more than what the world said I was.

I smiled faintly. "What would I do without you?"

"You'd probably hide in your room forever, eating bread and muttering about how much life sucks," she said with a grin.

A laugh bubbled out of me. "You're terrible."

"But you love me," she shot back, linking her arm with mine.

We walked together out into the courtyard, the whispers followed.

I tried to ignore them, but Velara noticed.

"Don't you dare let them win. Hold your head up," she whispered.

I inhaled, lifted my chin, and forced myself to walk as though their words didn't slice me open.

"That's my girl," Velara said proudly.

We found a quiet spot near the training field and sat down on the grass. Velara flopped dramatically onto her back.

"So. The mating ceremony's coming up," she said.

My heart skipped. "Yeah... I know."

She turned her head toward me, smirking.

"And you're wondering if Lucian will choose you, aren't you?" She asked.

Heat flushed my cheeks.

"Velara-"

"Oh, don't even try to deny it," she interrupted, sitting up and poking my arm. "You've been in love with him since we were ten, it was very obvious."

I buried my face in my hands, my cheeks red.

"He's... he's Lucian. He's perfect. Strong, smart, brave... and he actually treats me like I'm not a burden," I muttered.

Velara's smile softened. "And maybe that's because he sees you for who you really are."

My heart fluttered, but doubt quickly covered it.

"What if he doesn't choose me? What if he chooses someone else? Someone who's... normal," I asked, different thoughts spiralling into my mind.

Velara grabbed my shoulders. "Then he's a fool. And honestly? If he doesn't see your worth, he doesn't deserve you."

Before I could respond, two maids walked by, carrying a basket of linens. She glanced at her friend and muttered just loudly enough,

"The alpha's son will pick his mate at the next mating ceremony, everyone's wondering who it'll be."

My breath caught.

Lucian... Choosing a mate.

My chest tightened with a mix of fear and hope.

Could it be me?