REJECTED AND REDEEMED

Chapter 2: Brutally Rejected.

Hazel panted hard.

She was running through the dense forest, her feet pounding the earth, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She kept running, her heart racing with fear. Every few seconds, she'd turn back, and there they'd be - three black wolves, their eyes fixed on her, their pace relentless.

She ran faster, her legs burning, but the wolves kept pace. She burst through the trees, crossing the border of her pack's territory, but she didn't stop. She kept running, the trees blurring together as she sprinted on.

But no matter how far she ran, the wolves were always there, their eyes glowing in the darkness. Hazel's fear grew; she knew that if she were caught, that would be the end of her, her breath coming in panicked gasps. She couldn't shake them.

Finally, she stumbled into a clearing, and her heart sank. Four bigger wolves stood in front of her, their eyes fixed on her, their bodies tense. Hazel panicked and spun around, trying to dodge, but it was too late. A paw swiped at her, and everything went black.

Hazel woke up with a start, her heart racing, her sheets tangled around her. She lay there, trying to catch her breath, the fear still lingering in her mind. It had just been a dream, but it had felt so damn real.

Hazel felt less energetic than ever, the horrible dream had sapped away her energy. This was her day of freedom, if she was not free today she knew she would never be free. It is either she finds her mate or she leaves for good.

She stared at her bag that she had wrapped, but what if she finds her mate here?

She stood up hurriedly to the bathroom. Hazel got a lot on her mind. She quickly freshened up, her mind racing with questions and doubts. As she headed out, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead.

As she walked, she couldn't help but wonder what the day would bring. Would she find her mate? Would she find freedom? Or would she be stuck in the same miserable life?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of people bustling about preparing for the ceremony. She slipped into the kitchen greeting them all without getting any response, every one wore a happy face as they hurriedly did their chores and prepared delicacies for the event

Hazel makes sure you get the dishes washed, cleaned, and packed for serving. The head maid gave her orders leaving the kitchen to run other errands. She has just finished her chores, and as she rushed outside she was amazed and perplexed by the beautiful decorations she saw.

She stepped into the grand hall, her eyes widening as she took in the decorations. The black moon had gone all out - the theme colors, silver, deep forest green, and midnight blue, were everywhere.

The walls were adorned with silver and green balloons, and a huge banner with Ethan's name and "Happy Birthday" in midnight blue letters hung above the stage. It was a simple yet sophisticated setup, Hazel couldn't help but feel a pang of wonder at how beautiful everything looked.

She walked outside walking towards the kitchen absentmindedly when she heard a voice calling her name.

"Hazel." Lucas called.

She turned and saw a small cake presented in front of her with her name written on it, it was a small blue coloured cake

"Happy birthday Hazel." Lucas said smiling.

"Thank you beta Lucas." Hazel said surprised and smiling, she had absolutely forgotten that today was her birthday too.

She accepted the cake with gratitude, Lucas watched as Hazel walked away happily staring at the cake he had gifted her, she had grown into a beautiful and strong woman, she is officially twenty now how time flies, as the once little baby he picked up at the pack border was all grown, he thought smiling to himself. If the Alpha had agreed, he would have raised her by himself but that didn't stop him from caring for her from afar.

***

A few hours later, the grand hall of the Black Moon pack was lively, the air thick with anticipation and the scent of the pack's finest delicacies. Ethan Ryder, the Alpha's son, stood tall, his piercing blue eyes scanning the crowd with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He was about to turn twenty, and the pack was buzzing with the possibility of his impending mating.

As he greeted the guests, a sudden shiver ran down his spine. A sweet, alluring scent wafted through the air, making his heart skip a beat.

His mate. Finally!

Ethan's eyes locked onto the source of the scent, and his smile faltered. Hazel. The omega servant. His mind reeled in denial as he stared at her standing in a queue with the rest of the lowly servants in the pack.

No, it couldn't be. She was a nobody, a lowly servant with no family, no status, and no wolf.

The hall fell silent, as if the very atmosphere itself was holding its breath. Ethan's father, the Alpha, glared at Hazel with a mixture of disgust and disappointment. Ethan's mother, Sophia, whispered in panic,

"Ethan, don't do this."

But Ethan's anger and shame had already taken over. He felt trapped, suffocated by the very idea of being mated to someone so beneath him. His voice cold and detached, he declared,

"I, Ethan Ryder of Black Moon pack, reject you, Hazel, as my mate."

The words hung in the air like a poisonous cloud, making Hazel's world shatter. Tears welled up in her eyes as everyone stared, her vision blurred.

Why was this world so cruel?

Pain, anger, and disappointment crushed her, making it hard to breathe. It was not as if she had wanted Ethan as a mate; he was too loose and careless.

But why was the moon goddess so cruel to her, giving her Ethan of all people?

As the pack gasped and whispered, Hazel fled, running through the crowd with her head held high, despite the crushing weight of shame and rejection. She burst into her small, dingy room, grabbed the bag she'd packed earlier, and bolted out walking towards the back.

She knew the east border would be full of guards and people, so she decided to use the west border, running into the darkness, which swallowed her whole. Still, she didn't stop running, her feet pounding against the earth as she vanished into the shadows, a lone figure fleeing the misery of her shattered life.

Just as she successfully crossed her pack's border, Hazel's feet pounded the earth, her breath huffing in panic as she fled into the forest's darkness. The trees blurred together, branches whipping her face, but her mind was a chaotic mess of rejection and fear.

Why me?

The pack's rejection still burned like acid in her veins, the sting of Ethan's words echoing:

"I reject you, Hazel, as my mate."

Suddenly, she heard footsteps. Three black wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes fixed on her like predators.

"No need for this."

Hazel whispered, backing away, but panic took over. She sprinted, her heart racing, though she knew she couldn't outrun them. The trees seemed to close in, trapping her. The full moon stood tall above her creating an illuminating shadow of her fragile body.

Just then pain exploded in her blood vessels. Her bones cracked like twigs, muscles tore in agony, and skin stretched to breaking. The pain devastated her. It was something she could not bear, Hazel screamed, but it was a howl of primal agony. She transformed, her wolf bursting forth in a maelstrom of pain and fury.

Four-legged, she ran, wild and disoriented, her paws barely touching the ground. A new body she hadn't mastered. Dodging trees, she glanced back-the wolves stopped. Ahead, four massive wolves blocked her path. All radiated dominance and danger, their eyes burning like lanterns in the dark. Fear paralyzed her, her heart pounding in terror. The aura rolling off them was crushing, a weight that pinned her to the earth.

She tried running towards the other direction but just then one of them lunged, hitting her so hard she passed out, and darkness enveloped her.