After My Alpha Rejected Me, I Became Lycan Queen

The summons came at dawn—a formal letter bearing Harrison's seal. My fingers trembled as I broke the wax, though I already knew what it contained.

"Your presence is required at the Luna Coronation tonight," Beta Thomas announced, his voice devoid of emotion. "Alpha Harrison insists you attend."

I looked up from the meager breakfast I'd been forced to ration—a single piece of bread and a cup of water. "Why?"

"Because he wants you to see your replacement officially take your place," Thomas replied, his eyes flickering with something that might have been pity. "He believes it will help you... accept your new role."

My stomach twisted painfully. After weeks of starvation rations, even this small amount of food felt like a luxury. But the hunger in my chest—the empty ache where our bond should have flourished—was far worse.

"He's going to reject me publicly," I whispered, the realization settling like ice in my veins.

Thomas's silence was confirmation enough.

---

The Great Hall had been transformed for the occasion. Silver banners bearing the pack's emblem hung from the rafters, and white roses—Jocelyn's favorite—adorned every surface. I stood in the shadows at the back, wearing the same blue dress I'd worn to our failed mating ceremony, now patched and faded.

Harrison stood tall on the dais, resplendent in ceremonial black, his dark hair gleaming under the chandelier light. Beside him, Jocelyn preened in a flowing white gown, her golden hair arranged in elaborate curls.

"Tonight marks a new chapter for Silverclaw," Harrison announced, his voice carrying effortlessly through the hall. "As you all know, the mate bond is sacred—but so too is a pack's strength and stability."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Many eyes turned to find me, their gazes burning into my skin.

"Recent events have proven that my Omega mate is... unstable," he continued, the word cutting through me like a blade. "Her actions have endangered our allies and disrupted pack harmony."

Jocelyn stepped forward, her expression a perfect mask of concern. "I've tried to help her adjust, truly I have."

"Liar," I whispered, too softly for anyone but myself to hear.

"Therefore," Harrison's voice hardened, "I have decided to formally reject our mate bond tonight, under the full moon's witness."

Gasps echoed through the hall. Even those who had expected this moment seemed shocked by its public declaration.

"Following the rejection, I will crown Jocelyn as Luna of Silverclaw," he continued. "She has proven herself worthy of the title through her loyalty, strength, and dedication to our pack."

Jocelyn's smile was radiant as she bowed her head in false modesty. The Moonstone around her neck remained dull, lifeless—a dead thing around the neck of a false Luna.

"Layla," Harrison's eyes found mine across the room, "you will witness this transfer of power. It is my hope that seeing Jocelyn's rightful ascension will help you accept your place in our pack."

My place. As his secret mistress, his hidden shame.

Something inside me cracked—not with despair, but with clarity. The weeks of hunger, the months of humiliation, the years of servitude—they all crystallized into a single, shining moment of understanding.

I would not be his secret. I would not be his shame.

As the ceremony began, I moved forward through the crowd. Wolves parted before me, sensing something different in my scent, in my stride.

"Harrison," I called, my voice steady and clear.

He turned, surprise flickering across his features. "This is not the time, Layla."

"It is exactly the time," I replied, stepping onto the dais.

Jocelyn's face contorted with rage. "How dare you interrupt—"

"Be silent," I cut her off, surprising even myself with my firmness.

I turned to face Harrison fully, drawing myself up to my full height. The words came without rehearsal, as if the Moon Goddess herself whispered them in my ear.

"I, Layla Woods, reject you, Harrison Bryant, Alpha of Silverclaw, as my mate."

The air around us seemed to freeze. Then, in an instant, it exploded with magical force.

Harrison's eyes widened in shock before pain contorted his features. He staggered backward, clutching his chest as if I'd driven a knife between his ribs.

"No," he gasped, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "You can't—"

But I could. And I had.

A violent spasm wracked his body, sending him crashing to his knees. More blood spilled from his lips as the bond between us shattered like glass.

"You're killing me," he choked out, his eyes wild with panic.

I stood over him, my heart pounding but my resolve firm. "No, Harrison. You killed us the moment you chose power over love."

As he collapsed fully to the floor, vomiting blood onto the pristine marble, I felt something inside me break free—not just the bond, but my spirit, finally unfettered from his cruelty.

I turned away from his writhing form, stepping down from the dais as gasps and screams filled the hall. No one moved to stop me as I walked through the crowd toward the doors.

Behind me, I heard Jocelyn's shrill voice: "Don't let her leave! She's a murderer!"

But I was already gone, disappearing into the night as the full moon watched my escape with silent approval.