Rejected by Him, Claimed by His Father

The worst kind of heartbreak is the one that comes when you least expect it. When it hits, it doesn't just break you-it shatters you, leaving pieces you may never find again.

Catherine had never been this nervous but it was understandable because tonight was supposed to be the most important night in her life. Today, Damian was finally going to be the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack after a very long time. He would also choose his Luna. And that was supposed to be her.

She had every reason to believe it. For three years, they had been meeting in secret. Every stolen kiss, every whispered promise, every night wrapped in his arms-it all led to this moment. He was hers, and she was his.

But deep down, she was scared.

No one knew about them except Bianca, her best friend and the Beta's daughter. Unlike Catherine, Bianca was extremely strong, a fierce she-wolf who could take down an opponent twice her size. Catherine was just a weak Omega maid and worthless in the eyes of many.

That wasn't all. She was only five years old when her world shattered. Her parents were executed as traitors, their crimes were extreme, their names erased from history. The king at that time was young and ruthless-Magnus. He was Damian's father and he showed no mercy. Not only did he kill her parents, but he also took her twin sister, Elena, as his prisoner after killing their parents.

No one knew where he took her. He vanished into the woods with her, forming a new pack in a hidden place no one could ever find. Prince Damian was also left behind without a father and the Shadow Moon Pack was ruled by the elders. King Magnus abandoned his son. He was a terrible man who left him to start another pack.

Catherine had no family, no power, no status. So why would Damian choose her as his Luna? She had asked herself that question a million times.

She tried to push her doubts aside as she cleaned her small room, wiping the already clean table for the fifth time. Bianca, her best friend, was on the bed, watching her with a confused expression.

"You're nervous."

Catherine scoffed, shaking her head, desperately trying to believe she wasn't nervous but deep down, she knew she was.

"No, I'm not..."

Bianca didn't believe her. She rolled her eyes and sat up, crossing her legs. "You've been cleaning that table like it owes you money. Admit it. You're scared Damian isn't going to choose you to be his Luna."

Catherine sighed, dropping the rag and letting her fear show. "Fine. Maybe a little."

"Catherine, he loves you. You need to stop overthinking."

"What if the Elder Council objects?" she asked, voicing her biggest fear. "They would never accept me. I'm nothing but an Omega and the daughter of traitors."

Bianca waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, please. The old men on the Elder Council can go chew on dry bones. Damian is going to be the Alpha and his choice would be final."

"But I have no wolf, Bianca. No power. No noble blood."

"And yet, you have something no one else does."

She frowned. "What?"

Bianca smirked. "His heart. Damian loves you."

Before she could respond, strong hands suddenly grabbed her waist from behind, lifting her off the ground with ease. She gasped, but before she could even turn around, a familiar deep voice whispered against her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"You're worrying again, Catherine."

It was Damian.

She didn't even know when he came into the room. She had been so lost in her conversation with Bianca that she didn't notice the door open.

Before she could say a word, he spun her around and slammed his lips against hers. His kiss was possessive, demanding, as if he was trying to remind her who she belonged to.

Her hands got lost in his dark hair as she melted into him, her body pressed against his strong chest. His hands roamed down her back, gripping her tightly before he suddenly lifted her again and placed her on the table. His fingers traced her thighs, slipping beneath her dress as he kissed down her neck, his lips hot against her skin.

He took off the upper part of her gown and stared at her breasts for a while taking all in. He was admiring them and she chuckled. He squeezed them tight and she stifled a moan and grabbed the table to control her lust. She wanted him so bad.

He ran a hand over her breasts, continuing his squeezing and then before she could react, he had brought his lips to them, sucking the nipples immediately. She couldn't control herself again. He had that effect on her. She was going to reach orgasm if he didn't stop. She knew she should stop him but she couldn't. She was enjoying everything he was doing to her body. She didn't want him to stop.

She was moaning in too much pleasure. His hands were going in between her thigh again and that's when she felt him slip in a finger. She lost it. The pleasure was just too much for her to handle. It was insane.

"You're mine!" he murmured between kisses. "And tonight, I'm making it official."

She shivered, her hands working on the buttons of his shirt, ready to take it off any minute from now. "Damian..."

"Say you believe me..." he whispered into her ears, his lips brushing against her ear.

She hesitated. "I believe you... I want you to use me. Don't stop!"

He pulled back slightly, his intense eyes meeting hers with a smirk. "Then stop thinking so much."

She nodded, pulling him back into another deep kiss. He let out a soft groan in pleasure, his hands sliding up her legs, pushing her dress higher. Her skin burned under his touch, her body arching toward him instinctively.

Just as he was about to slide in, reality came down on her. She gasped, pushing his chest. "Damian, we can't right now."

His jaw clenched as he looked at her, his breathing heavy. "Why not?"

"Because you have a coronation to attend," she reminded him. "You're going to be the Alpha of this pack tonight and you need to prepare for it."

His grip on her waist tightened as he got lost in her eyes. "I don't want to go..."

A loud cough interrupted them.

Bianca.

Catherine had completely forgotten Bianca was still in the room. She had watched everything. She quickly wore back her gown and smiled nervously.

Bianca smirked, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. "If you two are done devouring each other, I'll be leaving."

Damian ignored her, his eyes still locked on Catherine's. "You'll be at my coronation tonight, right?"

She nodded. "Of course. After your coronation tonight, I'll meet you in your room to show you I'm truly yours."

His lips brushed hers once more before he finally let her go. He stepped back, running a hand through his hair, looking worried a little bit. "Bianca's father wants to meet with me before the coronation. Apparently, it's something important about choosing a Luna but I'm going to let him know that I choose you."

She let out a soft chuckle. "Go. Before someone finds you here."

With a final smirk, he turned and walked out.

As soon as the door closed behind him, she stood up and smoothed down her dress. But she couldn't still stop the worry that entered her mind. Why would one of the elders want to see him before the coronation?

She was confused but she didn't bother about it. She didn't want to be distracted by anything other than the fact that he was confident that he was going to pick her as his Luna.

Bianca suddenly grabbed her wrist, and she turned to look at her. There was something in her eyes and it looked like pity.

"Catherine?" she called out slowly, her voice filled with something she couldn't quite place. "What if you're not the one he's choosing tonight?"

Her words sent a chill down Catherine's spine. Her stomach twisted in pain, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

That wasn't possible.

Was it?

Damian had promised her. He had looked into her eyes and told her she was the one. There was no reason to doubt him at all. He wasn't going to betray her. He loved her so much and he knew what tonight meant to her. He knew that if he picked her to be his Luna, she would use the opportunity to clear her parents name.

He was going to choose her.

She shook the negative thoughts off and focused on what mattered-tonight, Damian would choose his Luna. And that Luna would be her.