Chapter 1
964words
He still refuses to accept me, even though I am his fated Luna.
He rejected me publicly, demanding to know why a commoner Omega like me would be his Luna.
I became the pack's disgrace.
During a crisis, Cassian chose to embrace his beloved and leave, while I was once again abandoned in the pouring rain.
The rain cut through my heart like shards of ice. Then a tall, imposing figure approached through the downpour.
The Alpha feared by everyone in the Moon Shadow pack extended his hand to me, his voice deep and calm.
"Lyra, it's time to come back to me."
——
On the night of the pack's moonlight festival, Cassian told me he had prepared a gift for me.
I had always harbored feelings for Cassian, our Alpha.
For the first time, I felt genuine happiness. During my three years at Cassian's side, he had been nothing but sarcastic and cold.
But now he was actually giving me a surprise!
Could this mean he was finally ready to accept me as his Luna?
My heart raced with excitement.
That night at the moonlight festival, I arrived early and spotted him unloading a truck filled with roses.
Was he planning to confess his feelings to me?
I ducked into the shadows, my pulse thundering in my ears.
Why didn't anyone tell me? I lost myself in sweet fantasies.
The entire pack had been keeping secrets from me.
My wolf Lily whispered in my mind: "Hey, maybe they wanted to surprise you too."
Cassian had no idea I was planning to propose to him.
"Tonight, I'll give him a surprise of my own." Like a lovesick fool, I dreamed of our future together.
Cassian Blackthorn, Alpha of the Black Claw pack, was naturally powerful and devastatingly handsome.
Every female Alpha and Omega fell at his feet.
And I was blessed by the Moon Goddess herself as his fated mate—the only Luna who could tame his savage power.
But he had rejected me in front of the entire pack.
He'd raised his chin proudly, the words from his perfect lips sending me spiraling into darkness.
"I, Cassian Blackthorn, reject you! I will not accept this arrangement. As Alpha of Black Claw, I deserve to choose my own Luna!"
The young females cheered at his declaration of independence.
But I never gave up. For three years, I pursued him relentlessly, believing one day I would impress him.
Until tonight, when I stood in the shadows wearing a carefully chosen blue gown.
Only to witness Cassian drop to one knee, roses in hand, gazing tenderly at another woman.
She nodded shyly.
Colorful balloons floated skyward around them.
They embraced, kissing passionately.
The perfect couple.
Pack members applauded and whistled, showering them with blessings.
I watched in disbelief, my body growing numb, my chest too tight to breathe.
Lily sobbed quietly within me.
"Lyra, he betrayed us!"
With my enhanced hearing, I caught Cassian's gentle words: "Rouise, I love you."
I had never seen such tenderness in Cassian's expression before.
All he'd ever shown me was wariness, suspicion, and disgust.
Rouise was an officer's daughter. Young and beautiful with flowing brown hair, she was adored by many pack members.
Including Cassian.
But she was a fragile Omega who could never withstand Cassian's savage power.
During Cassian's episodes, I let him sink his fangs into my skin to ease his suffering.
My injuries were so severe I'd spend a week recovering in the hospital.
Cassian knew nothing about this. I never wanted to tell him.
I wanted him to like me for who I was, not out of obligation.
During his confession, someone asked with malice: "Cassian, aren't you worried Lyra will leave when she finds out?"
Everyone in the pack knew about my pursuit of Cassian, despite his contempt for me.
At the mention of my name, the gentleness vanished from Cassian's face, replaced by ice.
He sneered: "Everyone else might leave, but not her. She's always been pathetically shameless, hasn't she?"
A pack member laughed: "Right! Lyra's so obsessed with you, she'll just cry and come crawling back!"
The pack members roared with laughter, mocking me openly, but they'd all forgotten something crucial.
I was the Luna chosen by the Moon Goddess herself.
Behind me, the proposal scene I'd carefully prepared seemed to dim and wither.
My tears fell unchecked.
Someone shouted, "Lyra's right there!"
Every head turned toward me, including Cassian's.
He frowned when he saw me, his eyes widening slightly at the decorations behind me.
"Lyra, were you planning to propose to me?"
The corner of his mouth lifted in a cruel smirk.
"God, what were you thinking? Did you actually believe I would accept?"
Rouise giggled beside him.
I stood tall and wiped away my tears, their mockery leaving my mind blank.
My lips trembled as I asked, "Cassian, is this the gift you prepared for me?"
He shrugged casually. "Of course. Do you like it?"
"Why?!" I shouted, rage finally breaking through my shock.
"It was amusing. Who knew you'd take it seriously enough to plan your own proposal?"
The pack erupted in laughter.
I fought back tears, forcing myself to say: "Who said I was going to propose to you?"
Cassian's expression darkened as he sneered:
"You truly are pathetic, resorting to lies. Besides me, no one in this entire pack would ever want you."
Shame burned through me like wildfire. I desperately needed an escape.
Lily silently prayed: Moon Goddess, send someone, anyone.
As if the Goddess herself had answered, a tall figure suddenly passed by.
Ignoring Cassian and the others, I stepped forward and grabbed the stranger's hand.
Before everyone's shocked eyes, I stammered—
"Will you... marry me?"
Cassian's expression instantly soured.
