(Eliana's POV)

I stood before the full-length mirror as Linda, the stylist assigned by the pack, carefully adjusted the final pin in my hair. Each movement of hers was meticulous, ensuring not a single strand of my silver hair strayed out of place.

Today is my engagement ceremony with my mate, Matthew, the Alpha of Redclaw Pack.

The glowing crystal crown above my head sparkled with a brilliance almost too bright, casting soft glints across the room.

"Almost done," Linda hummed as she stepped back to evaluate her work.

I allowed myself a faint smile, lifting the hem of my pristine white dress. Its lace details and delicate crystals shimmered like stars as the fabric hugged my small frame. The design was simple yet elegant, just as I preferred.

"You look perfect, Luna," Linda whispered with a touch of awe.

That word-Luna-should have filled me with pride. It should have made my heart flutter with excitement. But it didn't. Instead, the title weighed on me, just as much as the crown and everyone's expectations did.

A soft knock at the door broke my thoughts. It swung open just enough for a familiar presence to fill the room. His scent-pine with an undercurrent of crisp frost-reached me before his deep voice resonated.

"Eliana," Matthew spoke my name with a mixture of warmth and authority as he stepped into the room.

"You're not supposed to be here," I said gently, attempting to hide the small flicker of unease in my voice. "Isn't it bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony?"

He chuckled, strolling further into the room, his imposing frame effortlessly dominating the space.

"Not for us. I don't need luck when I have you by my side." His commanding presence remained, but there was still that softness in his intense gray eyes as they swept over me.

For a moment, I wanted to lose myself in that gaze, so full of confidence and strength, as if nothing in the world could hurt me when he was near.

"You look..." His words trailed off as his eyes scanned my reflection in the mirror behind me. "Beautiful doesn't do you justice."

He reached out, took my hands in his, and turned me toward him. His warm, strong grip steadied me, his thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles.

"Tonight marks the beginning of our future together," he said, his tone carrying the weight of certainty, the way only an Alpha could.

"Our future." My voice was softer, almost wistful.

"Forever," he added with a faint smile before leaning closer, brushing a chaste yet lingering kiss against my forehead.

The hall was packed with wolves and council members, their gazes filled with either admiration or silent judgment.

As one of the most powerful Alphas, Matt's reign was significant, and our union was meant to symbolize strength and prosperity between packs.

The chandeliers above cast fractured light that danced across the polished floors, making everything below shimmer with opulence.

Matt and I descended the grand staircase to the sound of faint applause, his arm firm and possessive around mine.

His natural aura of authority demanded attention, and for this moment, I stood beside him as his equal-or at least, that was the intention.

The red carpet stretched before us, leading to the altar decorated meticulously with white roses and silver ribbons. The air thrummed with anticipation, with eyes following every movement of ours.

My grip tightened faintly around his arm, hoping for some comfort against my growing sense of foreboding.

The piano music swelled as we took each measured step forward together. My heart wanted to be in sync with the melody, with the promise of the moment.

And then, piercing through the perfection, came the sharp, jarring sound of a phone ringing.

The chatter in the hall ceased almost immediately, replaced by uncomfortable murmurs. Heads turned toward the noise.

My grip on Matt's arm loosened as he instinctively pulled away, reaching for the offending device in his pocket.

"Matt-" I whispered, my heart sinking, but he only held up a hand, signaling silence.

I watched his face as his brows furrowed. The name on the screen was achingly familiar, and bile rose in my throat.

It was Violet.

Of course, it would be her.

He answered immediately, his tone adopting a mix of concern and frustration. "Violet?" He stepped slightly to the side, lowering his voice, but I could still make out what he was saying.

Through the echoes of the hall, through the whispers rising around me, fragments of his response stung hot.

"You climbed where? Alone?" he barked, attempting to keep his voice quiet but failing. "Violet, slow down! You're struggling to breathe? Stay there-I'll come!"

The knot in my chest tightened. My nails dug into the palm of my hand to keep my rising anger in check.

He clapped the phone shut and turned toward me, his expression stern yet composed.

"Eliana," he began with that resolute tone again, the one that left no room for argument. "Violet needs me. She's not well. She's alone and-"

"She's always 'alone' when we're together, Matt," I interrupted sharply, my voice cool and dripping with sarcasm. "What a coincidence."

His jaw tensed, but he continued anyway. "Her condition could be serious this time."

"Could it?" I crossed my arms, glaring daggers into him. "And let me guess, her sister conveniently vanished this time too?"

"Eliana-" he started again, now visibly irritated.

"No. Don't," I cut him off, the anger I'd been suppressing finally spilling over. "This is exactly why we've never had a moment to ourselves! She pulls these stunts every single time. And like a fool, you drop everything and run."

"She's my responsibility," he shot back, his voice growing frostier with each word.

"Then make her your mate!" I snapped, the words spilling out before I could stop them.

His eyes widened, but only briefly. His face hardened immediately after. "Eliana, you're being unreasonable-"

I stepped forward, interrupting him yet again. "No, you're being unreasonable. We're supposed to be celebrating our future, but how can there be a future if you're always chasing the past?"

His expression darkened, and the silence between us felt deafening. The eyes of the audience burned into my back, but I didn't care.

"You know what?" My voice steadied now, fueled by my growing resolve. "If Violet is so important to you that you're willing to humiliate me like this, then so be it. "

"I, Eliana Mooncrest, reject you, Matthew Redclaw, as my mate."

Time seemed to freeze.

For a split second, I thought I saw shock flicker through his icy gaze. There was a slight strain in his breathing, and his hand went instinctively to his chest, clutching the spot where our bond tethered us.

After my words, I can feel the pain of weakening mate bond between us. Matthew must have felt it, too.

But he didn't accept my rejection.

"Don't be ridiculous," he said coldly after regaining composure. "Stop this drama."

"Drama?" I repeated, raising my voice. "Then watch closely, Matt, because this will be the last scene I ever perform at your side."

His lips pressed into a thin line. He inhaled deeply, his calm demeanor returning like a mask.

"Wait here," he ordered firmly, turning to go. "When I come back, we'll fix this. I'll mark you, and everything will be fine."

I laughed bitterly. "There won't be anything left to fix, Matt."

But he didn't even glance back as he strode away.

The hall buzzed with murmurs and whispers. I could feel the weight of judgment hanging from every glance cast in my direction.

And then, of course, came Lily-the pack's self-appointed commentator for all things scandalous.

"You poor thing," Lily cooed, her mocking tone carrying enough venom to curdle milk. "Rejected on your big day. How tragic."

I turned to face her, my blood simmering in my veins.

"Oh, come on," she continued with a shrug, her smirk widening. "Everyone knows Matt doesn't actually care about you. Let it go, Luna. Or, I suppose, should I say... ex-Luna?"

Her laughter bit into me, grating against my already raw emotions.

I straightened my back, meeting her gaze with steel. "You're wrong," I said evenly, my voice sharp enough to cut.

Lily tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh? Am I?"

I stepped forward, letting all the anger, humiliation, and betrayal boil over. "Let me make something clear, Lily," I said loudly, letting my voice carry to the nosy onlookers. "This wasn't about Matthew choosing someone else over me. This was about me rejecting him."

Gasps rippled through the audience.

"And know this," I added, raising my chin. "I will never-never-marry Matthew Redclaw. Not in this lifetime. Not in the next. And if I ever go back on this vow, may he be cursed. May the Moon Goddess herself ensure his life is riddled with misfortune and misery."

My words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

Without waiting for a response, I turned sharply and walked away. This time, I wasn't the one being left behind. I left him.