Seraphina's POV
Kael is looking at me like I'm a monster.
My wolf whimpers, confused. We just shifted. We're finally whole. The mate bond thrums between us like a living thing, golden and perfect and right.
Why does he look like he wants to run?
"Kael?" I take a step forward on my new paws. They feel strange, powerful. Everything is sharper now—scents, sounds, emotions flooding through the bond.
His emotions hit me like a punch: fear, anger, and something else. Something that feels like... panic?
He stumbles backward, and Vivienne catches his arm. Her perfectly manicured fingers dig into his sleeve possessively.
Around us, the pack erupts in whispers.
"Did you see the size of her wolf?"
"That's not normal for someone who just shifted."
"Why is the future Alpha backing away from his mate?"
My wolf growls at that last comment. Mate. Yes. Kael is ours. The bond says so. Why is he acting like we're strangers?
Alpha Marcus steps into the circle, his face carved from stone. "Everyone, remain calm." His voice cuts through the chaos. "The Moon Goddess has blessed us tonight with a rare awakening."
Blessed? Then why does he sound like someone died?
I shift back to human form, the change coming easier than I expected. Someone throws a robe over my naked shoulders. I clutch it tight, my eyes locked on Kael.
"Kael, please." My voice shakes. "Talk to me. What's wrong?"
He won't look at me. His gaze stays fixed on the ground, his jaw clenched so hard I can see the muscle jumping.
The mate bond pulls at my chest, begging me to go to him. To touch him. To make this awful feeling stop.
I take another step.
"Don't." The word cracks like a whip.
I freeze. "What?"
Kael finally raises his head. His eyes—the warm brown eyes I've loved since childhood—are cold. Stranger's eyes.
"This wasn't supposed to happen," he says quietly.
"What wasn't supposed to happen? Me shifting? Us being mates?" Hysteria edges my voice. "You promised, Kael. You promised you'd choose me no matter what."
"That was before—" He cuts himself off, his hands fisting at his sides.
"Before what?" I'm begging now, and I hate the sound of it. "Before my wolf came? Before you found out we're actually fated mates? Isn't this what you wanted?"
Vivienne moves closer to him, her perfect face twisted with fake sympathy. "Sera, maybe you should sit down. You must be confused after your first shift."
"I'm not talking to you." The words come out harsh, and my wolf pushes forward, making my eyes flash silver. "I'm talking to my mate."
Vivienne flinches. Several wolves around us drop their heads in submission to the dominance in my voice.
When did I get so strong?
Alpha Marcus clears his throat. "Seraphina, your wolf is... unexpected. We need to discuss what this means for the pack."
"What it means?" I spin to face him, rage building in my chest. "It means I'm not defective! It means I can finally be the Luna you all said I'd never become!"
"That's not possible anymore," Kael says behind me.
I whirl back around. "Why not?"
He looks at Vivienne. She nods, like giving him permission.
Permission for what?
"Because I'm engaged," Kael says. Each word is a knife. "To Vivienne. We've been together for six months."
The world stops spinning.
Six months.
Six. Months.
While I waited. While I believed his promises. While I made myself useful to the pack, studying to be Luna, learning healing and diplomacy and everything I'd need to stand beside him.
He was with her.
"You're lying." But even as I say it, I know it's true. The way they stand together. The familiarity in their touches. The guilty looks from pack members who clearly knew.
Everyone knew.
Everyone except me.
"I was going to tell you after tonight." Kael's voice sounds far away, like I'm underwater. "I was going to explain gently, privately. I never meant for you to find out this way."
"Find out that you're a liar?" My voice breaks. "That every promise you made was fake?"
"I cared about you, Sera. I did. But feelings change. People change."
"The mate bond doesn't change!" I press my hand against my chest where the golden thread connects us. It's burning now, sensing danger. "We're fated mates, Kael. The Moon Goddess herself chose us!"
"The Moon Goddess made a mistake."
The words hang in the air like poison.
Someone gasps. You don't question the Moon Goddess. Ever.
But Kael's face is set, determined. He's made up his mind.
Oh gods. He's made up his mind.
"Kael, please." I'm crying now, hot tears streaming down my face. "Don't do this. We can figure it out. Whatever's wrong, we can fix it."
He shakes his head slowly. "Some things can't be fixed."
Mira pushes through the crowd, trying to reach me. Guards block her path.
Alpha Marcus steps forward, his expression almost sympathetic. Almost.
"Sometimes the Moon Goddess tests us," he says to the assembled pack. "Sometimes she shows us what we think we want, only to reveal a different path."
What is he talking about?
Kael straightens his shoulders. Takes a deep breath.
No. No, no, no—
"I'm sorry, Sera," he says. "But this is for the good of the pack."
The good of the pack. The words I've heard my entire life. The reason for every sacrifice, every humiliation, every moment of pain.
Always for the good of the pack.
Never for me.
"Kael Thornridge." His voice rings out clear and strong across the ceremony grounds. Formal. Final. "Future Alpha of Silver Creek."
Oh gods, he's using his full title.
My wolf howls inside me, thrashing in panic.
"I, Kael Thornridge, future Alpha of Silver Creek..."
"Don't." The word rips from my throat. "Please don't—"
His eyes meet mine one last time.
And in them, I see his decision.
"...reject you, Seraphina Ashwood, as my mate."