Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by the Crown

Ember Frost's POV 

Today was the mating ceremony, the most significant event in any young wolf's life.

"Mom, hurry up! "I don't want to miss anything, and I want to see Owen before the ceremony begins," I said, fidgeting while my mother dressed.

"You understand how significant this day is, Ember. I have to look my best. Who knows, you might find your mate tonight!" she replied, stepping out of her room. I blushed, my secret stirring within me.

I hadn't told my family that Owen, the Alpha Heir, was my mate. I wanted it to be a surprise. As a wolf-less human, it felt like a divine miracle when we discovered we were mates on his twentieth birthday. Since then, we became close, and I've fallen for him.

I had been waiting anxiously for this day, the day I would know my place in the pack. And today was the day, and I couldn't hide my excitement as we walked toward the ceremonial grounds.

"See you later, Mum," I said with a shy smile, leaving her to find Owen.

I waved when I saw him near the bonfire with his friends, with a bright smile lighting up my face, I approached them, "Hey-" I started, but before I could finish, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to a secluded corner.

He released me instantly and stepped back, as though he wanted distance between us.

"Why would you show your face here?" he growled.

"Huh?" I blinked, confused by his anger.

"Do you seriously think I would accept you as my mate? Ah, girl, you must be insane to believe that," he snarled, his words hitting hard.

The noise of the ceremony drowned out our conversation, unnoticed by others. My chest ached with pain, and my heart raced. Owen's husky growl sent chills down my spine.

"Accept the rejection and leave. I don't want this bond. You really thought I would choose you as my mate? A human-what use would you be to the pack? You were overjoyed when we discovered we were mates, but here's the truth: I used you. If you had any sense, you would have stayed hidden."

His words sliced through me, the mate bond twisting in my chest. I fought back tears, desperate not to cry in front of him, making me even more stupid. Maybe he was right. What could I, as a wolf-less human, give the pack? I wasn't even a true member. On my sixteenth birthday, I discovered I wasn't my parents' biological child. They'd found me in the woods. Yet they never made me feel useless, until now.

Owen made a strange guttural sound, urging me to accept the rejection. The thought of it, of admitting how pathetic I am, tightened my throat. I inhaled sharply, struggling to breathe.

"I, Ember Frost, accept your rejection, Owen Greystone," I stammered, trembling as pain surged through me, but I refused to let a tear fall.

Owen snorted, his eyes filled with contempt. "At least you aren't completely foolish. You could never stand at my side as Luna. Look at yourself. This pack was never meant for you. Stay where you are, and don't think of coming back."

When we learned we were mates, he hadn't rejected me. We had shared moments-kisses-that made me believe he had accepted me. But now I realized the truth: he was ashamed of me, afraid I would humiliate him in front of the others.

Owen stepped back and left without another word, leaving me alone with the ache in my chest. A few passersby smiled at him as he passed, ignorant of our conversation, or perhaps they had heard and were quietly mocking me for daydreaming.

I inhaled deeply, trying to steady my racing heart. Breathe, Ember. Breathe, quit being a coward. Don't let them see your weakness.

I stood, brushing dirt from my clothes, struggling to find my balance. I had learned to hide my vulnerabilities, even though I was fragile, easily broken. My friend Elena in the pack always defended me against bullies. My parents and my brother, Klaus, were gifts from the moon goddess. They never treated me differently, nor did they ever criticize my lack of a wolf. When I asked why I wasn't as strong as others, they would smile and say,  "Everything has its time, Ember." Your time to shine will come."

But, look, I'd ruined it all. 

Oh, Ember, you're dumb.

Owen's humiliation would spread, and his friends would go broadcasting how he had ruthlessly rejected the "shameless, daydreaming Ember." My family and Elena would face disgrace because of me. He was right after all, I was useless, a burden they didn't deserve. I had to leave to spare them further embarrassment. My parents had endured enough; I couldn't add to their pain.

I didn't take any belongings as I made my way to the woods. What use were they to someone with nowhere to go and no one to turn to? It was the night of the ceremony, so if they're to mock me, it will be on my back. I shivered at the thought.

I didn't realize when tears began streaming down my face. The pain of being rejected by the man I loved and leaving the pack was overwhelming. Under the moonlight, I kept walking, certain no one would care about someone like me.

For the first time, I wondered if I had brought my parents more pain than joy. I had brought them nothing but shame and humiliation. I was grateful for their love, for my brother Klaus, for the pack's kindness. They'd given me a home despite my human blood. But I felt like I no longer belonged in their perfect pack. Now, it was time to give back to the pack. It was time for everything to get back on track without a nuisance like me.

I wiped my tears with my sleeve, as if erasing my memories. I would leave them a pure and flawless pack tonight. The cold night air stung my lungs, making me cough violently. I am so useless that I couldn't even withstand such a slight change in the air. How could I have dreamed of being Luna? If Klaus or anyone else were in my place, they wouldn't be this fragile.

Tears stung my eyes as I reached into my pocket, fingers brushing the smooth stone Klaus gave me when we were kids. "For protection," he had said, claiming it held the moon's fire. I clutched it now, my only keepsake. 

It's time, Ember. To be brave. I turned, gazing at the place I've called home for eighteen years. I closed my eyes, pressing the stone to my lips. "Thank you," I whispered to my family, to the pack, to the life I'd loved. 

With a bittersweet smile, I tossed the stone into the darkness below. I stood there for a long moment, staring into the endless night. Then I walked deeper into the woods, leaving behind the only home I had ever known.