The rising sun mocked me as I stumbled toward the Silvermoon Pack's business headquarters, my body still aching from the rejection ritual. Each step was agony, the mate bond I thought we shared now a gaping wound in my chest. Luna whimpered within me, her pain mirroring my own.

"We should call Sebastian," she urged. "This humiliation—"

"Not yet," I whispered back, squaring my shoulders. I needed answers first. Needed to look Marcus in the eyes and understand why.

The gleaming glass building loomed before me, the place where I'd worked diligently for the past month. I'd secured major contracts, including—ironically—the alliance with my own family's pack. An alliance Marcus had no idea existed because of my hidden identity.

Two guards I'd greeted every morning for weeks now blocked my path at the entrance.

"You're not authorized to enter the premises," the taller one stated, not meeting my eyes.

"I work here," I said, my voice hoarse from a night of silent tears. "I need to speak with Marcus—with Beta Thompson."

"Former employees require an appointment," the second guard replied mechanically.

Former. The word sliced through me. "Since when am I—"

"Since last night's rejection," a female voice called from behind them.

I looked up to see Olivia Sterling, Marcus's personal assistant, gliding toward us. Her lips curled into a satisfied smirk as she assessed my disheveled appearance.

"You look terrible, Charlotte. Rejection doesn't suit you." She flicked her perfectly manicured fingers at the guards. "Let her into the lobby. I want everyone to see what happens to delusional wolves who overestimate their worth."

The guards stepped aside, and I entered what felt like a gauntlet. Betas and Deltas paused their morning routines to stare, whispers following me like shadows.

"That's her—Marcus's discarded chosen mate."

"Can you believe she thought she was his fated one?"

"Pathetic. As if Beta Thompson would settle for someone so... ordinary."

I kept my gaze forward, Luna growling beneath my skin. We were anything but ordinary. We were Alpha blood—but no one here knew that. I'd hidden it too well, and now that decision was being used to humiliate me.

Olivia circled me like a predator, her voice pitched to carry. "Marcus told me everything—how you clung to him, convinced yourself you were mates." She leaned closer, her breath hot against my ear. "He was just passing time until he found someone worthy. Someone like me."

I stepped back, my Alpha instincts flaring despite my weakened state. "Where is he?"

"In a meeting. With my father." Her smile widened. "Gamma Sterling of the Crescent Moon Pack. We're discussing our union—and the true alliance that will strengthen both our packs."

The lobby spun around me as the pieces clicked into place. Marcus had used me, then discarded me for a strategic alliance with a neighboring pack's Gamma daughter.

I turned and walked out, Luna's rage building with each step.

* * *

My apartment—the small place I'd called home since arriving at Silvermoon territory—came into view as I rounded the corner. From a distance, I could already see something was wrong. A small pile of belongings sat in the street outside the building.

My belongings.

I broke into a run, reaching the heap of hastily packed boxes and bags. Clothes spilled from torn containers, books with bent pages, the few mementos I'd brought from my family home tossed carelessly onto the pavement.

Taped to the door was a formal eviction notice, Marcus's signature bold at the bottom:

*By order of Beta Marcus Thompson, all pack housing privileges are revoked effective immediately. Any remaining possessions will be disposed of by noon.*

Luna howled within me, a sound of pure fury that threatened to tear its way from my throat.

"He planned this," she snarled. "All of it. The rejection, the humiliation, replacing us with that Gamma's daughter."

I sank to my knees beside my scattered life, fingers trembling as I gathered a shattered photo frame—a picture of Sebastian and me on my last birthday. My brother, the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack, would destroy Marcus for this betrayal.

If he knew.

I closed my eyes, reaching for the familiar thread of our pack bond, the mind-link that connected me to my family. It had always been there, a comforting presence I'd deliberately muted during my time with Marcus.

*Sebastian?* I called through the link. *Sebastian, I need you.*

Nothing. Not even the faintest echo.

I tried again, panic rising. *Father? Anyone?*

Silence.

"He's blocked us," Luna realized with horror. "Marcus used his Beta authority to sever our pack connections."

I clutched the broken frame to my chest, a cold realization washing over me. Marcus hadn't just rejected me and thrown me out—he'd cut me off completely, isolating me from my family, my pack, my birthright.

I was alone, with no way to tell my brother what had happened, no way to reveal who I truly was.

And somewhere in the Silvermoon headquarters, Marcus Thompson was planning his future with Olivia Sterling, both of them blissfully unaware of the Alpha blood they had so carelessly discarded.

A week had passed since my world shattered beneath Marcus's rejection. Seven days of hollow emptiness where the mate bond should have been, seven nights of Luna's whimpers echoing in my mind. I'd been staying at a small motel on the outskirts of Silvermoon territory, using what little savings I had left after Marcus's 'compensation' money had been stolen from my scattered belongings.

Tonight was the monthly pack gathering—mandatory for all members except those on patrol duty. I wasn't technically pack anymore, but something drove me there anyway. Perhaps it was Luna's stubborn pride, or maybe I needed to see Marcus's face one more time before I found a way to contact my family.

I slipped into the grand hall through a service entrance I'd discovered during my time working for the pack. The massive room buzzed with energy as pack members mingled, their excitement palpable. I pulled the hood of my jacket lower, concealing myself in the shadows near the back wall. No one paid attention to me—I was already forgotten, a ghost among them.

The crowd fell silent as Marcus strode confidently to the podium at the front of the hall. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of him. Even now, after everything, my traitorous heart skipped a beat. He wore a tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders, his dark hair perfectly styled, blue eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"Members of the Silvermoon Pack," his voice carried effortlessly across the hall, that familiar tone that had once whispered sweet promises against my skin. "I've gathered you here tonight for a joyous announcement."

Beside me, two Delta females whispered excitedly. "It's about time he chose a Luna," one murmured.

"Olivia's perfect for him," the other replied. "Much better than that other one."

I dug my nails into my palms, forcing myself to remain still as Luna snarled within me.

"As you know," Marcus continued, "a strong pack requires strong alliances. Tonight, I'm proud to announce my engagement to Olivia Sterling, daughter of Gamma Sterling of the Crescent Moon Pack."

The crowd erupted in applause as Olivia emerged from the side of the stage, her silver dress catching the light as she moved to stand beside Marcus. Her smile was radiant as she gazed adoringly up at him, playing the part of the devoted mate-to-be.

"Olivia will be our new Luna," Marcus declared, his arm sliding possessively around her waist. "Her connections and strength will bring prosperity to our pack for generations to come."

More applause. More cheers. I stood frozen, watching as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead—the same gesture he'd once shared with me.

"The official marking ceremony will take place at the next full moon," he announced. "Until then, please welcome your future Luna."

I'd seen enough. I turned to leave, my vision blurring with unshed tears, when a hand gripped my arm.

"I thought I might find you here," Olivia's voice sliced through me like a blade.

I hadn't even noticed her leave the stage. I pulled my arm free, turning to face her. Up close, her triumph was even more evident—the gleam in her eyes, the slight curl of her lips.

"Congratulations," I managed, my voice steadier than I expected. "You got what you wanted."

"You never stood a chance." Her smile widened, predatory and cruel. "Marcus needs a mate who can bolster alliances, not someone who hides behind her wolf."

Luna roared within me, and for a moment, I felt my eyes flash with their true Alpha gold. Olivia blinked, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features before her confidence returned.

"You should leave Silvermoon territory," she continued. "There's nothing for you here anymore."

I leaned closer, letting just a hint of my Alpha aura slip through. "You have no idea who I am or what I'm capable of."

She stepped back instinctively, then caught herself. "Threats won't change anything. Marcus has made his choice."

As she walked away, her silver dress shimmering under the lights, I made my decision. Tomorrow, I would confront Marcus one last time. He needed to know exactly what he'd thrown away.

And then, somehow, I would find my way back to my pack—to my true Alpha heritage.

The next morning, I stood outside Marcus's office, my heart pounding against my ribs. Luna was unusually quiet, her presence a steady, burning flame within me. I'd dressed carefully in the one professional outfit that hadn't been damaged when my belongings were tossed onto the street—a simple black dress that hugged my curves, my hair pulled back in a severe ponytail.

I didn't knock. I simply pushed the door open and walked in.

Marcus looked up from his desk, surprise flashing across his face before it hardened into cold disdain. "You're not welcome here anymore."

"I arranged the Blackwood Pack meeting," I said without preamble, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands. "You owe me credit for that alliance."

A beat of silence, then Marcus laughed—a cold, mocking sound that echoed off the walls of his spacious office. "A low-ranking wolf like you? Don't be ridiculous. Olivia's connections secured that meeting."

Little did he know, the Blackwood Pack was my birthright. And soon, very soon, he would learn exactly what he had rejected.