I didn't remember how I got back to my room.
Everything felt distant. Numb.
The bond… it still lingered, faint but painful, like a wound that refused to close.
I curled up on my bed, clutching my chest.
"Why would he reject us?" my wolf whimpered.
"I don't know…" I whispered.
But deep down, I felt it.
Something wasn't right.
Alpha Damon didn't just reject me… he hated me.
And I had no idea why.
The next morning, whispers followed me everywhere.
"She's the rejected mate…"
"Pathetic…"
"An embarrassment…"
Each word cut deeper than the last.
I lowered my head, trying to ignore them, but the pain was unbearable.
Suddenly—
"Luna Mira wants to see you."
My head snapped up.
The Luna?
Why would she want me?
With shaky steps, I made my way to the pack house. The guards let me in without a word.
When I entered, Luna Mira stood by the window, her back facing me.
"You came," she said softly.
"Yes, Luna…"
She turned, her eyes filled with something I didn't expect.
Sadness.
"Do you know why Damon rejected you?" she asked.
I swallowed hard. "Because I'm weak."
She shook her head slowly.
"No. That's not the truth."
My heart skipped.
"Then what is?"
She hesitated before stepping closer.
"Because accepting you… would put your life in danger."
I froze.
"What…?"
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"You are not who you think you are."
My breath caught.
"What do you mean?"
She looked around cautiously before speaking again.
"You were brought to this pack as a child. Found near the border… alone."
My mind spun.
"That's impossible. My parents—"
"Are not your real parents."
The world tilted.
"No… that can't be true…"
"But it is," she said firmly.
"And Damon knows exactly who you are."
A chill ran down my spine.
"Then tell me," I demanded, my voice shaking. "Who am I?"
Luna Mira's eyes darkened.
"You are the daughter of the most powerful Alpha bloodline ever known."
My heart stopped.
"And if anyone finds out…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"They will kill you."