Alpha Kade's Regret

_Selene's POV_

The soft glow of lanterns lit up the pack grounds as the entire Shadowclaw Pack gathered for the Mate Ceremony. The air hummed with excitement. I stood near the edge of the clearing with my best friend, Rachel. I was trying to ignore the butterflies swirling in my stomach.

Rachel, as usual, was brimming with energy. Her brown curls bounced as she fidgeted in place. "Can you believe it, Selene? This is our year. We finally turned eighteen, and tonight, we might meet our mates!"

I tried to muster a smile, but my stomach churned. "Yeah, it's exciting," I said, though my voice lacked her enthusiasm.

Rachel narrowed her eyes at me. "Don't lie. You have been a bundle of nerves all night."

I sighed and rubbed my arms. The night was cool, but it wasn't the chill that had me on edge. "I am just... what if he doesn't want me, Rachel? What if my mate doesn't think I am good enough?"

Rachel's face softened, and she grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. "Stop that. You're one of the strongest warriors in this pack, Selene. You have trained harder than anyone. Any guy would be lucky to have you as his mate."

Her words were kind, but they did little to calm the storm brewing inside me. "What if he is not who I imagined? Or worse... what if he rejects me?"

Rachel's expression faltered for a moment before she shook her head. "That is not going to happen. The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes. Your mate is out there, and he'll be perfect for you."

I nodded, though my heart still felt heavy. Lyra, my wolf, stirred restlessly in my mind. You're overthinking again, she said. Focus on the ceremony. We'll know soon enough.

Rachel tugged on my arm and pulled me closer to the gathering crowd. "Come on, let's get a good spot. I want to see everything."

The ceremony began with the pack Elders giving their usual speech about the sacred bond of mates, how it was a gift from the Moon Goddess to strengthen the pack. My eyes wandered to the platform where Kade Stormraven stood.

The Alpha was impossible to ignore. His tall frame exuded power and his sharp features were illuminated by the moonlight. His dark hair fell just above his collar and his piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd. My breath caught as his scent-a mix of pine and earth-reached me.

It's him, Lyra whispered, her voice trembling with excitement. Kade is our mate.

My heart stopped. Kade Stormraven? The ruthless, stoic Alpha of the Shadowclaw Pack?

"Selene," Rachel whispered while nudging me. "Why are you staring at Kade like that?"

I turned to her. "Rachel... he is my mate."

Her eyes widened in shock before a wide grin spread across her face. "Oh my goddess, Selene! Kade Stormraven is your mate? That's incredible! You're going to be Luna!"

I shook my head. I was starting to panic. "He doesn't even know yet. What if he doesn't want me?"

Rachel grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look at her. "Stop doubting yourself. You're amazing, and Kade will see that. Just go to him. The bond will make it clear."

Taking a deep breath, I nodded and stepped forward. My legs were trembling. The crowd parted as I made my way to the platform. Kade's eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something flash in his gaze-recognition, maybe even longing. The mate bond sparked between us. It was a magnetic pull that left me breathless.

"Kade," I said softly, my voice shaking despite my best efforts. "The Moon Goddess has chosen us."

He stared at me. There was an unreadable expression on his face. The silence stretched, and my heart pounded in my chest.

Finally, he spoke. His tone was cold and distant.

"No."

The single word shattered me. I blinked. I was unsure if I had heard him correctly. "What... what do you mean?"

He turned away from me and addressed the crowd instead. "Selene Draven is not what I need as Luna."

A murmur of shock rippled through the pack. My chest tightened as humiliation washed over me.

"Kade," I whispered, stepping closer. "You can't mean that. We're mates."

He glanced at me briefly. "The pack needs someone who can secure alliances and lead with grace. That is not you."

He turned back to the crowd. He did not dare look at me as he said the words that shattered my heart. "I, Kade Stormraven, reject Selene Draven as my mate."

Lyra let out a pained howl in my mind, the bond between us crumbling under the weight of his words. Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

"Kade, please," I tried again, desperation creeping into my voice. "We're mates. The Moon Goddess-"

"The Moon Goddess made a mistake," he interrupted. "My pack needs a strong Luna. That is not you."

His words struck like a physical blow. My knees wobbled, but I forced myself to stand tall. The crowd stared. Their expressions were a mixture of shock, pity, and judgment.

Then, as if to twist the knife deeper, Kade turned to a woman standing nearby. Aria Thornwood. She stepped forward gracefully, her perfect features illuminated by the moonlight. Her golden hair framed her delicate face and her green eyes sparkled with triumph.

"I intend to take Aria Thornwood as my mate," Kade announced.

A gasp rippled through the crowd. My vision blurred as the humiliation became unbearable. I wanted to scream, to demand answers, to fight for what was mine. But instead, I turned and fled.

The crowd parted as I ran, their murmurs following me like a cruel echo.

"Did you see her face?"

"She actually thought she could be Luna."

"Kade made the right choice."

The whispers faded as I pushed past the trees, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Lyra whimpered in my mind. Why? she asked, her voice trembling. Why would he do this?

"Selene!" Rachel's voice called after me, but I didn't stop.

Tears blurred my vision as I continued running. The sound of the pack's murmurs faded, replaced by the pounding of my heart and Lyra's anguished cries.

"I don't know what to do," I choked out, collapsing to my knees. Rain began to fall. The droplets were soaking through my dress. My chest ached as the bond tugged painfully at my heart.

"Selene!" Rachel's voice broke through the storm. Moments later, she appeared, her curls plastered to her face from the rain. She dropped to her knees beside me and wrapped her arms around me.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I can't believe he did that to you."

I buried my face in her shoulder. "Why, Rachel? Why wasn't I good enough?"

Rachel pulled back, holding my face in her hands. "Stop it, Selene. This isn't about you. This is about him. He's an idiot for not seeing how amazing you are."

"But the bond-"

"The bond doesn't change who you are. You're strong, loyal, and kind. You don't need him to define your worth."

Her words broke through the fog of my pain, and I nodded weakly. "I just... I thought he was supposed to be the one."

Rachel hugged me tightly. "Maybe the Moon Goddess has something better in store for you. Maybe this is just the beginning of your story."

I clung to her. The storm was raging around us. Despite the cold and the pain, her presence grounded me.

After a long moment, she pulled back and offered me a small, encouraging smile. "Come on. Let's get you out of this rain."

I nodded and allowed her to help me to my feet. As we made our way back to the packhouse, I cast one last glance toward the clearing. Kade and Aria stood on the platform, their figures blurred by the rain.

We'll survive this, Lyra said softly. We have to.

I clenched my fists. "We will," I whispered. "But we'll do it far away from here."

Rachel squeezed my hand. "Whatever happens, Selene, I'll be right by your side. You're not alone in this."

Her words were a lifeline, and I held onto them tightly. As the rain washed away my tears, I made a silent vow to myself. Kade Stormraven might have rejected me, but I wouldn't let his decision break me.

This was just the beginning. And I would rise stronger than ever.