Chapter 4 When Pride Shatters

The great hall drowns in luxury and lies. Crystal chandeliers mock me with their brilliance, and the whispers of hundreds of wolves cut like knives. "The cursed omega dared to claim Alpha Jason?" "I heard she begged him to mark her..." "Disgusting. These servants need to learn their place." I press myself deeper into the shadows, but Beta Marcus's grip finds me anyway. His claws dig into my arm as he drags me forward. "On your knees, omega trash." He throws me down before the pack. The crowd forms a perfect circle, like vultures awaiting a kill. I spot Mary from the kitchens, smirking. Sarah, the servant who always tormented me, practically glowing with satisfaction. Even the few who showed me kindness now turn away. Elder Kane steps forward, his aged face twisted with disgust. "Alpha Jason, the pack demands justice for this... presumption." Jason enters with Ava, and my heart stops. He wears the formal Alpha robes, black and silver making him look like a warrior god. Ava's blood-red dress matches her triumphant smile. Last night's marks still burn beneath my collar. His scent, his touch, his promises in the dark – all lies. "My wolves!" His voice carries zero trace of the man who whispered 'mine' against my skin. "Today we address a grave offence before announcing joyous news." Ava's fingers dig possessively into his arm. The Raven Pack members look smug, already certain of their victory. "Aria Fynn." My name on his lips now sounds like a curse. "You dare to claim the mate bond with your Alpha? To spread lies about our night together?" The hall erupts in outraged murmurs. Someone spits at my feet. "I never claimed—" "SILENCE!" His Alpha command slams into me like a physical blow. "You thought warming my bed made you worthy of being Luna? That I would choose a cursed servant over a true Alpha female?" Each word strips away another piece of my soul. But I keep my spine straight. "The pack has witnessed your desperation." He stalks toward me, power rolling off him in waves. "Now they will witness your shame." Ava steps forward, cherry-red lips curved in a cruel smile. "Do it, darling. Show everyone what happens to servants who forget their place." Jason's eyes meet mine for a fraction of a second. Something flickers there – pain? Regret? Then it's gone. "I, Alpha Jason Axel, reject you, Aria Fynn, as my mate and wife." Power laces each word, cracking through our bond like breaking glass. "You are nothing to me. Nothing to this pack. Your presence here was a mistake I intend to correct." The pain... goddess, the pain. It feels like being torn apart from the inside. But I rise to my feet. Shock ripples through the crowd. Even Jason's mask slips for a moment. "I accept your rejection with full chest," my voice carries to every corner, "because it is clear. But I bet my return will be unexpected." Gasps echo. No rejected wolf has ever dared to speak back. "How dare you!" Ava shrieks. "Guards, seize this—" "Congratulations on your mating." I cut her off, voice dripping ice. "I hope you're a better Luna than you are a woman. We all know about the Beta you've been meeting in secret." Chaos erupts. Ava's face goes white. Jason's eyes narrow dangerously. The pack explodes in shocked whispers and speculation. I walk out with my head high, even as Beta Marcus growls threats and Elder Kane demands my punishment. Just before the doors close, I catch Jason's expression – a complicated mix of rage, confusion, and something that looks almost like respect. The corridor echoes with the pack's reaction: "Did you see her defiance?" "She'll be hunted for this..." "The curse is real – she'll bring destruction..." "Alpha Jason should have killed her..." I made it to my room before collapsing. The rejection races through my veins like poison, but I won't scream. Won't break. Not yet. I began to pack a few of my belongings, well I don't own much. All my clothes fit into my small bag. I tried to sneak out of my chambers before anyone could notice.