The Ceremony of Betrayal

Elara's POV

I crashed to the floor as Kaiden pushed me away, his face full of fear.

"Someone's coming!" he hissed, quickly buttoning his shirt. "Hide!"

I scrambled under his bed just as a knock sounded at the door. My heart pounded so loud I was sure whoever was there would hear it.

"Enter," Kaiden called, his voice suddenly calm and Alpha-like.

The door opened. From my hiding spot, I could only see fancy shoes. Female shoes.

"Kaiden, darling," purred a familiar voice. Sabrina. "Why is your door locked in the middle of the day?"

My stomach twisted into knots. Just minutes ago, Kaiden had pulled me into his room, telling me how much he missed me. How he couldn't go a day without touching me.

"I was napping," he answered smoothly. "The Moon Ceremony tonight has me stressed."

Sabrina laughed, a tinkling sound like bells. "The big, strong Alpha needs a nap? How cute."

"Did you need something?" Kaiden's voice had an edge to it.

"Just wanted to show you my dress for tonight." There was a rustling of cloth. "Do you like it?"

"Beautiful," Kaiden said. "You'll be the most stunning wolf there."

My heart cracked a little more. For three long months, this had been my life. Secret meetings with Kaiden while he publicly courted Sabrina. His sweet words in private, his cold back in public.

"I can't wait for tonight," Sabrina said. "Everyone will be watching us."

"About tonight..." Kaiden's voice dropped lower. "I have something special planned."

My ears perked up. Something special? The hope that had been dying inside me burst to life again. Maybe tonight was when he'd finally announce me as his true mate. Maybe all the waiting and hiding had been worth it.

"I should go," Sabrina said. "My father wants to speak with us before the ceremony."

After she left, I crawled out from under the bed, my legs cramped and dirty.

"That was close," Kaiden said, pulling me into his arms.

"Too close," I agreed. "Kaiden, what did you mean about something special tonight?"

His eyes darted away from mine. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"But the Moon Ceremony is when mates are announced," I pressed. "Every dog knows that. It's the most holy night of the year."

Kaiden's jaw tightened. "Elara, we've talked about this."

"No, you've talked. I've listened." My voice got stronger. "It's been three months of sneaking around, of watching you with her in public while you come to me at night. I can't do this anymore."

Something flashed across his face—guilt, maybe. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying tonight is the night you choose," I replied, surprised by my own bravery. "Me or her. Public or private. But not both anymore."

He grabbed my shoulders. "You don't get to make requests, Elara. I'm the Alpha."

"And I'm your mate," I shot back. "Your true mate. The one the Moon Goddess chose for you."

For a moment, we stared at each other, the mate bond humming with tension between us.

"Fine," he finally said. "Be at the ceremony tonight. We'll see what happens."

Hope grew in my chest as I left his room, carefully checking the hallway was empty first. Maybe he would choose me after all. Maybe tonight everything would change.

The Moon Ceremony was the biggest event of the year. Every wolf in the pack collected in the sacred clearing where the moonlight shone brightest. Alphas, betas, and even omegas like me were required to come.

I stood at the back with the other omegas, my heart racing with nervous energy. I'd stolen a simple blue dress from another kitchen worker, the nicest thing I'd ever worn. My hair was clean and brushed until it shone.

Tonight would change everything. I was sure of it.

Alpha Kaiden stood on the ceremonial platform, looking strong in his formal clothes. The moonlight made his dark hair shine silver. My wolf whined inside me, desperate to be close to him.

"Brothers and sisters of Silver Creek Pack," Kaiden began, his deep voice carrying across the area. "Tonight, under the blessed full moon, we celebrate our unity and strength."

The crowd cheered. I could barely breathe.

"As your Alpha, it is my job to lead and protect. To make choices for the good of all. And tonight, I have an important news."

This was it. My time. Our moment.

Kaiden's eyes swept the crowd. For a split second, they found mine, and the mate bond between us pulsed. Then his eyes moved on, landing on Sabrina, who stood proudly at the front.

"Tonight, I am honored to announce my engagement to Beta Sabrina of Mountain Ridge Pack."

The world stopped spinning. What?

The crowd erupted in cheers as Sabrina climbed the stage to stand beside him. Her beautiful face glowed with victory as she took Kaiden's hand.

"Our union will bring strength to both packs," Kaiden added. "Sabrina has all the qualities of a true Luna—strength, intelligence, and proper breeding."

My legs shook. This couldn't be happening. Not after all his claims. Not after everything we'd shared.

Without thinking, I pushed forward through the crowd. Wolves turned to stare at me, shocked that an omega would dare break the ceremony.

"Kaiden!" I called out, my voice breaking. "Please!"

The clearing fell silent. Every eye turned to me.

Kaiden's face stiffened into a mask I didn't recognize. Beside him, Sabrina's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"What is the meaning of this?" Kaiden ordered, his Alpha voice making me wince.

"You can't do this," I said, tears running down my face. "We're mates. True mates."

Gasps spread through the crowd. An omega claiming to be the Alpha's mate? Unheard of!

Kaiden's eyes flashed with anger. And something else—fear?

"How dare you interrupt this sacred ceremony with your lies?" he growled.

"It's not a lie," I whispered, the mate bond between us screaming in pain. "You know it's true."

For a moment, Kaiden looked torn. The link pulled at him, I could see it in his eyes. But then Sabrina touched his arm, and his face hardened again.

"You're nothing but a worthless omega," he stated loudly. "I reject you as my mate!"

The words struck like physical hits. Reject. The most terrible thing a mate could do to another. To refuse the Moon Goddess's choice was to spit in her face.

Pain burst in my chest, so intense I fell to my knees. The bond wasn't just hurting now—it was tearing, ripping apart. The crowd backed away from me as I cried out in pain.

"Remove her," Kaiden directed coldly.

Two beta guards grabbed my arms, dragging me away as the rite continued. Through my tears, I saw Sabrina's triumphant smile as Kaiden put a ring on her finger.

The guards threw me outside the open, not caring that I could barely stand.

"Pathetic," one mumbled as they left me there.

I curled into a ball on the cold ground, the rejection burning through my blood like poison. No one had ever survived a mate refusal. The pain was supposed to kill most dogs within days.

As the moon reached its peak above me, something strange happened. The pain in my chest changed, turning from sharp agony to a burning heat. My fingers began to tingle, then glow with a faint silver light.

Get up, a voice whispered in my mind. Not my wolf's voice—something older, stronger.

With the last of my strength, I pushed myself to my feet. I couldn't stay here. Not one more night.

As I stumbled toward the forest border, the strange heat in my chest got stronger. My vision blurred, then sharpened to a sharpness I'd never experienced before. I could see every leaf, every shade in the darkness.

Run, the voice ordered. Your true fate awaits beyond these borders.

I didn't look back at the pack that had never wanted me. At the mate who had publicly shamed me. Instead, I ran toward the darkness of the forest, not knowing that far more dangerous things waited for me there.

And that by morning, everything about me would change forever.