Alpha Dravens Regret The Return of His Rejected Mate

Nyra's POV

The moon was full tonight, and it was casting an ethereal glow over the clearing where generations of our pack had celebrated the Blood Moon Festival. Tonight, the air thrummed with magic and possibility.

Everyone was gathered, chit-chatting while the music kept playing. Aroma of sweet food filled the air, but the nerves flaring in my stomach didn't give it a chance.

I stood at the center of it all, smoothing down my dress that I'd spent weeks selecting. My dark was all down and adorned with the traditional silver leaves that marked me as a potential Luna. I was also wearing the silver necklace with a pendant that Draven gave me on my eighteenth birthday when we first acknowledged our bond.

"By the Goddess, stop fidgeting," Selene chided. She's been my best friend since childhood, almost like a sister. Her green eyes sparkled with warmth as she adjusted one of my silver leaves. "You're going to wear a hole in that beautiful dress."

"I can't help it," I whispered, watching the pack members mingling and dancing, "Something feels... different tonight."

Selene's laugh was light, musical. "Of course it does. It's not every day your childhood sweetheart claims you as his Luna." She squeezed my hands. "Draven adores you, Nyra. Everyone can see it in the way he looks at you."

I wanted to believe her. The bond between Draven and me had always been as natural as breathing. We'd grown up together, learning to shift beneath the same moon, running through these very woods until our paws were sore. I still remember the first time he'd kissed me, both of us barely sixteen, hidden behind the pack's training grounds. He'd tasted like wild berries and sunshine.

But lately, darkness has crept into our perfect story. Whispers followed me through the pack grounds, rumors that the Elders wanted Draven to consider other options, to forge alliances that would strengthen our pack's position. I'd tried to ignore them, but they clung to me like morning mist.

Draven wouldn't betray me, right?

"What if the Elders," I started.

"Stop." Selene's voice was firm. "The Elders can't override a fated mate bond. You know that." She brushed a strand of hair from my face, "Tonight's going to be perfect. You'll see."

The ceremonial drums began their ancient rhythm, deep and primal, silencing the festivities. My eyes locked on the raised platform that would witness another milestone in our pack's history.

Draven walked in, and my breath caught in my throat. He moved with the fluid grace of an Alpha, power rippling beneath his skin. His dark hair gleamed under the moonlight, and his storm-gray eyes held the strength that had made him the youngest Alpha in our pack's history. The sight of him still made my heart race, just as it had when we first met.

The Elders were right by his side, their faces as unreadable as stone.

Draven raised his hand, and the last whispers died away. His voice carried across the clearing, strong and sure. "Tonight, we gathered under the Blood Moon, sacred to our kind since the first wolf heard the Goddess's call." His words resonated with authority, making my wolf stir beneath my skin. "It is a time of truth, of new beginnings, and of destiny revealed."

Anticipation crackled through the air like lightning. I felt Selene's hand slip from mine as she stepped back, giving me space for what should be my moment.

Draven's eyes found mine in the crowd, and for a heartbeat, everything else faded away. But then I saw it, a flicker of something in his expression that made my blood run cold. Guilt. Pain. Resignation.

No. Please, no.

His jaw tightened, and when he spoke again, his words shattered my world. "Tonight, as Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack, I must make a declaration." He paused, and at that moment, I knew. I knew with devastating certainty what was coming. "I, Draven Black, reject you, Nyra Storm, as my fated mate."

And my entire world came to a halt. That's not what he was supposed to say. This is not how things were supposed to happen. The crowd's gasps seemed distant, underwater. My chest constricted, my lungs struggled to draw breath.

"No, no" I rasped, frozen to my spot.

This can't be happening. This had to be a nightmare.

But the nightmare wasn't over.