Revenge of the moonbound

~Aurella

"Wake up, sleepyhead!" Selene's voice chirped through the morning stillness as she yanked my blanket off with a playful pull.

I groaned and pulled a pillow over my face, but it was no use. I felt her cold fingers wrap around my wrist and tug.

"Come on, Aurella! The sun's up and it's your big day. You're not staying in bed." Her voice was bright, teasing, and her brown eyes sparkled with mischief.

My heart pounded a little. I peeked at her from under the pillow. "I don't know, Selene. I feel... anxious."

She tilted her head, her grin softening just a little. "Of course you do. You're about to be bonded to the most powerful alpha in the region. But look at you-" She tugged again, stronger this time, "You're glowing, and your wolf's practically humming with joy. Get up, silly. It's your day, and I know you wouldn't miss it for anything."

Her words should have comforted me, and maybe they did, a little. But I couldn't shake the strange flutter in my stomach. Still, I let her pull me up. My feet hit the floor, cold and grounding. She reached for the white dress laid carefully over the chair and placed it in my hands.

"I picked this for you," I whispered, brushing my fingers over the soft fabric. The satin was smooth like water, the color pure as fresh snow.

"And you're going to look like the moon goddess herself," Selene grinned, stepping behind me to start working on my hair. Her fingers moved gently but quickly, twisting my hair into a perfect bun. She hummed a tune, her voice sweet and familiar.

Outside, the forest waited. The sun dipped lower, and soon, the sky was painted in streaks of orange and pink.

The bonding ceremony would begin at twilight.

The forest was quiet, almost too quiet, as if it held its breath. The moon hung above me, soft and full, casting a silver glow that painted everything in pale light. The trees stood tall like silent guards, and the soft rustle of leaves was the only sound. I could feel the grass under my bare feet, damp with evening dew.

Alpha Caden stood in front of us, tall and strong, his dark eyes unreadable. The moonlight hit his face, making his sharp jawline look even harder. He looked like a dream-but something felt wrong. Very wrong.

He had chosen the forest for the bonding ceremony, but never said why. I thought it was because of how much he loved the woods. I believed it was meant to be romantic.

I wore my best white dress. I had picked it just for tonight. It hugged my body perfectly and shimmered under the moonlight. My hair was done up neatly, and my heart beat with hope. My wolf purred with happiness. Tonight, he'll make me his. Tonight, we'll be bonded forever.

Inside the wooden lodge nearby, everyone was waiting. The air was tense. I could feel their eyes on me. The hush was so heavy, it felt like the trees themselves had stopped breathing.

Then it came.

A deep, guttural roar.

The ground shook beneath me as Caden's voice rang through the night. My chest tightened.

He stepped forward. His steps were slow, heavy. His eyes locked onto mine. I saw nothing in them. No warmth. No love. My smile slowly faded.

Then his voice, low and cold:

"I, Alpha Caden of MoonStar, reject you, Aurella."

Time stopped. My heart broke in a single beat.

Gasps echoed around me, but all I heard was the loud, painful cry of my wolf inside me. I felt something hot burn across my wrist-the mark he had given me-and then it vanished. Just like that.

My knees gave way. I dropped to the ground. My body shook. My fingers dug into the dirt, but I couldn't feel anything. I could barely breathe.

"No... no," I whispered, then screamed. "That's impossible! You marked me, Caden! You claimed me!" My voice cracked as I cried, tears blurring my vision. My world was falling apart.

He didn't even flinch. His jaw stayed tight, his voice still empty.

"The moon goddess corrected our fate."

He looked at me like I was a stranger.

"Selene is my true mate."

A chill ran down my spine. My skin went cold. I couldn't feel my hands anymore. I looked around, hoping someone would tell me it was a joke. But no one did. They just watched.

Selene-my best friend-stepped forward. Her long curls bounced, her lips curved in a small smile.

"I didn't ask for this," she said, pretending to be innocent. "But the moon goddess knows best."

My voice was barely a whisper now. "You're my best friend, Selene. How are you his true mate?"

Tears poured down my face. My throat burned.

"I'm sorry," she said with a shrug. But her eyes weren't sorry. They were proud.

"You have to accept it, Aurella," Caden said.

"I gave you everything," I cried. "I stood by you through every battle, every storm. I loved you with everything I had."

Caden's face didn't change.

"This is not a choice. It's fate."

I felt something inside me snap. The heartbreak turned into something sharper. Anger.

"Accept it?" I hissed, stepping forward. "Accept that you tore my soul in half and gave it to her?"

He didn't answer.

"I did what I had to do," he said simply.

"You're a coward," I spat. My voice shook with rage. My eyes stung, already red and puffy from crying.

His aura darkened.

"Watch your tongue, Aurella."

But I didn't care. My pain was louder than his warning.

"You're rejecting your Luna for her?" I pointed at Selene, who just rolled her eyes.

"You sound like a rogue," she said quietly. "Maybe that's what you are now."

My eyes burned as I turned to her. "You betrayed me, Selene. I hope you choke on that mark."

Whispers filled the air. The elders exchanged looks. Warriors tensed.

Then Caden's voice rang out, loud and cruel.

"Guards! Take her to the cliff and throw her down. She no longer belongs to this pack."

My heart skipped a bit and I froze. For a moment, everything stopped.

The guards came forward. I took a shaky step back.

"No..." I whispered. "You can't."

"Don't even come close!" I screamed, backing away.

No one moved to help me. No one dared. They were too scared of him.

The guards grabbed my arms. I kicked and fought, screaming, crying. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

"You are no longer part of MoonStar," Caden said, his voice cold as ice.

"Traitors don't belong here."

They dragged me through the woods. My dress tore on the branches. My hair fell loose, strands sticking to my wet face. The moon followed me, like it was watching, silent and sad.

The cliff was close. I could hear the water crashing below. It used to be our spot. We would sit there and talk about forever.

Now it was my grave.

"Caden," I sobbed. "Please. You know this is wrong."

He stood still. His eyes were hard.

Then... he nodded.

The guards pushed me forward. I stumbled, almost falling. The wind slapped my face. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest.

I turned to him one last time.

"I will make you regret this," I said. My voice was small, but it held all the pain inside me.

He didn't reply.

Selene stepped beside him and slid her arm through his. She smirked.

I looked at her. "You took everything from me. One day, I will take everything from you."

The guards hesitated.

Then Caden stepped forward.

He didn't say a word. He shoved me hard.

My body flew back. I screamed as the wind swallowed me. The sky spun. My heart stopped. I clutched the necklace my mother gave me.

And then... darkness.

As I fell, I felt it.

The pain.

The betrayal.

The silence.

"Goodbye, my Luna," I heard Caden say.