Selene’s Pov

Seraphina, my supposed distant best friend, walked in smiling beautifully. I turned to Lucien, he was smiling brightly, not the one he kept on this afternoon.

I walked over to where he stood, he signaled to his guard to restrict me.

My body felt hot, I felt my brain frying, this has to be a mistake.

“Lucien what are you doing?” My voice rang out.

The loud music made it impossible for the crowd to hear.

I turned to look at Keal, he looked unbothered.

I ran to him almost tripping in the oversized gown.

“That's the mother of your pup, go tell Lucien he's mistaken her for me. The guards won't allow me there.” I tried to touch him.

A single cold stare from him stopped me.

“We decided to keep our relationship a secret, away from prying and evil eyes, but now is the time to take her rightful place.” Lucien boasted holding her close to him.

I fell when the crowd cheered. Luna was smiling brightly, the one she never sent to my direction.

“Wait!” I yelled. This time people heard me.

“What do you mean rightful place? I heard something like our relationship? She's Seraphina, not Selene Lucien…” I was going feral.

Aria and Bella quickly came to where I was to help me up.

“Mother.” A tiny voice sounded from the corner.

It was Orion, Seraphina’s son. The one she had with Keal.

Maybe this is going to break them out of the evil spell possessing them.

Seraphina sent a cold glance towards Orion.

Unbothered by that, I jerked my hands away from my friends.

I went to Lucien, “Tell me this isn't true.” I held his shirt.

I looked over to Keal, he looked like he was enjoying the show. No smile, no sadness, face unreadable.

“I only pitied you, I wanted the students to treat you well, that's why I got together with you. I'll find you a good mate after my marking ceremony in two days.” He said gently.

He only got together with me because I was being bullied? No, no, no.

This is all a dream, for the first time in five years, my eyes stung with tears and it came cascading down like waterfalls.

“Don't do this to me Lucien, if this is a prank, I can't take it anymore.” I begged.

“What made you think he'd take you as his mate? You can't even transform yet, what made you qualify as his mate?” My supposed run away best friend asked mockingly.

The betrayal hit like a poisoned arrow.

She told me Keal beats her that was why she left the academy and travelled to another pack.

“You told me he beats you, that was why you left the academy, you've actually been scheming to get Lucien because I was happy?” My voice shook.

“You're disrupting my engagement, please leave.” She said coldly.

My dignity is slowly slipping away, even without my wolf being visible yet, I still have value for my dignity.

There was no turning back from this humiliation.

I stood up, looking at them both like a wounded puppy. I turned to walk away.

“It's only right to reject you now, so I can claim my woman without restrictions don't you think?” Lucien said.

This bastard felt no remorse at all, his smell that once comforted me now felt like an odor.

He held my hand ready to reject me. The hands that used to make me feel loved now felt like blades.

“I Alpha Lucien Blackthorn reje…”

“No, I, Selene Ashcroft, reject you as my mate.” I cut him off looking at him dead in the eyes. His eyes held shock and disbelief and some other emotion I couldn't name.

The sharp stabbing pain came, it felt like my heart was pierced with a dagger, I fell to the floor sweating profusely, my eyes turned red due to pain.

The rejection pain is not describable.

I curse you Lucien Blackthorn.

My wolf let out a painful howl in my head.

“Come my daughter.” I heard my mother's voice. It was laced with pain.

What mother could bear to see her child in pain?

“You disrupted the Alpha son's engagement, how rude! Punishments will be given later, for now take them out of this place.” Luna growled.

I could barely stand, Aria and Bella helped me up, they guided me towards the exit of the hall.

“Well, well isn't it the rejected garbage’s day?” Charis came out of a corner before we made it out.

I was writhing in pain, I could barely mutter a word.

“You were the first who got rejected bitch!” Bella snapped angrily.

I barely heard what Charis said , my mind refused to keep up with me, I collapsed.

I woke up slowly, my eyes hurting from the ray of sunlight, “Thank goddess you're okay.” My mother's relieved voice came from my side.

It was then I drank in my surroundings.

This is not my mother's house. I saw Aria and Bella sleeping by my other side.

Oh goddess! They stayed with me? Hot tears stung my eyes again.

“It's okay my baby, don't cry, you'll recover in no time.” My mother persuaded me.

Memories of the nights came rushing back, not like I forgot in the first place. I wasn't conscious about it.

“Thank goddess you're okay Selene, we were so worried about you.” Aria hugged me.

I didn't know when they woke up. Bella patted my head.

I tried to move my body, but the aching in my bones forced me to lie back.

The pack doctor came in.

“Can I have a word with the patient relative?” He adjusted his glasses.

“No, say it here, we're all family. ”There was no need to hide anything.

“Well then, have you been able to connect with your wolf since you woke up?” He asked.

That's true.

Crystal? I called through our usual link. No response came, I called again and again. Still no response.

Shaking, I looked at the doctor. “I can't reach my wolf, what happened? Is she fine? I can't feel her.”

“Due to the impact of the severed mate bond, she can't connect to you due to weakness and pain, it'll take time for her to come back.” The doctor explained at once.

No… this can't be happening.

“Please what do I do to get crystal back? I can't live without hearing my wolf, she is my other half.” I looked at the doctor expectantly.

“There's nothing we can do, until she heals by herself there's nothing I can do, besides why did you poison yourself with wolfsbane?” He asked.

“Why would you expose yourself to wolfsbane?” He asked again.

Lucien.

“Wolfsbane? She didn't take any of sort, she didn't eat anything from the party, so where is that coming from?” Aria stood up facing the doctor.

“The clothes she wore, the two extra layers are thick with wolfsbane, she wore it for a long time and it took effect. The moon goddess sure loves you, other worlds died even before arrival.” The doctor rushed his words.

The ward went silent.

Did I hear him right?

“What? You meant the dress was laced with wolfsbane?” Bella opened her mouth after what seemed like ages.

The doctor nodded affirmatively.

Not only did he reject me and humiliate me publicly, he also tried to kill me?

Why?

My death would've been said to have come from the rejection and not that I was poisoned.

Ha!

“We have a test today, we might not make it to the final grade if we don't take it.” I muttered calmly.

Aria snapped her head towards me. My calmness had surprised them.

“Not in this state of mind Selene.” Aria shook her head.

Two years of living a lie, he had groomed me into fitting what he calls his perfect Luna only to be publicly humiliated and rejected. He told me I was his fated mate.

He used my inability to smell my mate against me.

I ripped the necklace he had once gifted me off immediately.

“Easy Selene.” Aria's concerned voice came staring at the redness of my neckline.

Lucien wanted me gone,how about I stay in his face? I'm about to give him the shock of his life.

I want to see the look of shock on his face when he finds out I survived.

My mom was skeptical about it, but my mind was made up. Everybody is expecting me to be absent today. I'm not giving any of them that satisfaction.

We prepared and left for the academy.

People began to whisper the moment they saw me, some had the look of pity on their face, some had the look of Victory on their face.

I walked towards Lucien's dorm, the one he shares with his twin, although it's two different rooms.

As I approached the door, I began to hear faint voices.

“You told me you'd end everything before now, people are still feeling some type of way about me. I'm Keal's ex!.” A voice I recognized to be Seraphina's voice.

From her tone she's angry.

“The relationship is for the people and the alpha selection, they'd know in their heart their next alpha is kind regardless of status. I don't understand how she was able to stand for that long, she's supposed to have blacked out before you came in. Why don't you get it?” Lucien's voice was equally filled with anger and frustration.

Two years of my time and love was for a show and politics?

I staggered backwards until my back hit a hard chest.

The familiar cedar woody smell wafted my nostrils.

Keal.

Selene’s Pov

Keal caught me before I fell. My eyes went wide, seeing my feet were solid, he pushed me lightly.

He stared down at me, his eyes cold and unreadable.

I moved away instantly.

“You'll only kill yourself if you continue listening.” Keal smirked.

Why isn't he angry about this whole thing?

“That is your woman right there Keal, she's in your twin's arm and you're here smiling? What exactly is amusing you?” I whispered.

“When addressing her, learn to use the word ex!” He brought out a cigarette.

“Please don't do that, they'll know we're here in no time.” My eyes were pleading.

“Leave.” His voice chilled me out.

Why is he telling me to leave?

Just as I was about to leave, sounds of moans began coming from the room.

My eyes went wide, with anger brewing in me, I made to go into the room.

“Leave.” He let out harshly.

Staggering, I dragged my unmoving feet out of the lounge.

Lucien. He took advantage of my situation, he turned it into a show and a political game.

The last shred of love u had for him turned into a raging hatred.

I walked to the hunting forest. I needed to clear my head. I thought I could handle the rejection better to show I'm strong. But I'm not. Heck I'm broken.

I miss my wolf so much. My soul feels hollow and empty. I crouched down burying my head between my knees.

After what seemed like forever, I stood up ready to go back for the test, I began to hear screams coming from the academy.

I stood up walking back to know what's going on.

“Thank goddess you're fine.” Aria hugged me the moment she sighted me emerging from the forest.

“What is going on?” I was puzzled.

“Orion went missing. Keal scent warriors to search for him.” Aria whispered as if afraid of being heard.

“How could they leave a child to roam around to the extent of getting lost? They should trace his scent.” I whispered back.

“Alpha Keal threatened to burn down the academy if he's not found, that's why the warriors are searching this much, besides his scent isn't traceable.” Aria dragged me away.

I wanted to go back to the dorm, but I couldn't.

Orion is just like me, abandoned by his mother, he might be little, but understands what was going on. I can't just sit and watch him disappear.

I spotted Keal walking towards another direction, his face contorted with anger and worry.

“I'll be back, Aria.” I left before she could say anything.

I need to search for the poor child, his stupid and wicked mother is nowhere to be found. Heartless bitch!

I went to the field searching for him, went to the locker room to check. Still nothing.

How can a little child disappear?

The last place I could chew for him was a deserted place I used to go as a child anytime I'm being bullied.

I left the locker room, at the back of the academy building. I trailed the bushy path for some minutes before I got to the garden. The scents of the flowers enveloped me. But another scent that wasn't flowery mixed with it.

I dived deeper into the garden, there was a waterfall at the side.

Sob.

It was a little child's sob. I squinted my eyes a little, there I saw Orion crying by the waterfall.

This explains why his father couldn't trace him.

“Hey darling, come here.” I smiled at him stretching my hands.

He ran towards me the moment he saw me, he was wet.

“You must have been scared, I'm here now okay? Your father is worried sick about you.” I carried him.

After some minutes we got back to the academy. I went straight to his father's dorm.

He wasn't there when I got in.

One of the warriors mind linked him to the fact that Orion has been found.

I entered his room for the very first time. I dropped Orion, I pulled his clothes off drying his body with a towel I took from Keal’s bathroom.

“Where are your clothes? It's freezing, we don't want you catching a fever.” I asked the little boy.

I pointed to the second wardrobe in the room. I took one of his clothes and wore it for him.

I carried him cradling his head, he'll be warm in no time, wolves are known for internal heat.

Soon he slept.

I gently laid him on the bed when the door burst open.

Troubled Keal rushed in.

“Shhhh” I put my hand on my mouth.

“Why do you have my son?” He pulled me from the bed roughly.

His eyes were bloodshot.

“I saw him at the back of the academy, I should ask you where were you when he went missing, proud dad?” Sarcasm laced in my voice.

“Don't test me Selene.” His ragged breath slowed.

I knew better than to test him.

“How do I pay you back?” He asked.

“There's no need for that, I'd do that for anyone, besides he's a child.” I made to leave.

“I insist.” He blocked my way from leaving.

I thought for a while,what could I possibly want from him.

A crazy idea flew to my head.

If our ex's are with each other, why can't we do the same.

I know it's a crazy idea, Keal might have my head for it.

“Mate with me.” I blurted before I could stop myself.

Silence.

He stared at me like I had grown two heads.

“Repeat that.” He walked away from the door.

“Mate with me.” I repeated shakily.

“This ain't a novel where the rejected mate uses the twin as a rebound.” He lashed, his cold gaze piercing.

“It isn't a rebound, it is about choosing you.” My voice shook.

“Are you going to be my mummy?” Orion's voice came.

Selene’s Pov

“You want the pack’s black sheep to mate with you?” Keal licked his lips.

That's a fine way to replace the word monster they're calling him.

“Yes, this time I want to choose. For myself and for my future.” I said, stepping back. His dark metallic eyes digging holes into my heart.

Why was he looking at me like that though.

“You don't mind that I have a kid? You've surely heard that I'm destructive.” He smirked.

This guy is a complete psycho. He wants to scare me off?

Not a chance. If he doesn't mate with me, my life in the academy will be a complete chaos.

“You won't destroy your mate, you didn't touch your son with destructive hands.” I said.

“What makes you think I'll mate with you?” He brought his hands out of his pocket.

“Leave. Orion needs to rest.” His tone was laced with finality.

I turned and left the room. I strolled the academy corridor heading to the Moonstone Testing Grounds where the test would be taking place.

Another humiliating scenario. Not having a transformation is my living nightmare.

Absorbed in my thoughts I bumped into someone.

A familiar scent.

“Watch your step, careful not to fall.” Lucien's voice filled my eardrum.

I finally looked at his face. His face was soft, his expression almost deceiving.

‘He is so down to earth, even after he broke up with her, he still cares about her.’ one of the students passing commented.

‘Aww, Seraphina is so lucky.” Another gushed while passing.

Another political act?

If I didn't know any better, I might have believed him. The evil scheming alpha.

Actually, Keal is better than this piece of trash. At least he doesn't pretend to be what he is not.

I refused to speak to him, so I made to walk past him. He grabbed my hand, halting me.

“Of what help can I be to you Alpha Lucien?” I asked, trying to keep the anger and bitterness in my voice away.

“I apologized already, I'll find you a good man to mate with today, okay? Or you prefer staying as my mistress?” His gaze was compelling.

He's insulting me to my face? I can't afford to go against him now.

“Please do not bother yourself with my affairs.” I said, trying to shake my hands off his grip.

“He's only trying to help, don't be an ingrate.” Seraphina’s voice came from behind.

She heard what her mate said to me.

“It's up to me if I want to accept his offer or decline. I would rather you mind your business Beta Seraphina.” I spat. I was unable to hide the anger in my voice this time.

“You still plan to go after my mate? Don't think about it poor Selene, besides he's only helping you. Who would want to mate with you?” She snickered.

I wriggle my hand away from Lucien's grip.

“Just you wait!” I stormed off.

“You're invited to our mating ceremony tomorrow.” Seraphina yelled after me laughing.

Of course the full moon is gon’ come out tomorrow.

They deserve an Oscar for an outstanding performance. They almost fooled me too.

I needed Keal to agree, else my future here is doomed. Tomorrow is Keal's birthday.

They said they're twins, so why is their birthday two days apart?

I got to The Moonstone Testing Grounds where the students were waiting. The test hasn't begun yet.

Great.

I hope I discover my hidden abilities today.

“Today, we aren't testing your strength.”

The professor's voice carried across the training grounds.

The students quieted immediately. “Neither are we testing how fast you can run, how hard you can hit, or how powerful your wolf is.” He gestured toward the enormous circular stone embedded in the centre of the grounds.

The Moonstone.

“Every wolf is born with abilities that you already know. What we're testing today are the abilities hidden beneath them. Abilities your wolf may possess but have never had the opportunity to awaken.”

A murmur passed through the crowd.

“Each of you will stand on the Moonstone individually, Close your eyes, empty your mind. Don't force anything.” He pointed toward the glowing stone.

“If you see something, say it. If you hear something unusual, say it. If you feel something you've never felt before, say it.”

He paused.

“And if nothing happens, don't lie.” A few students laughed nervously.

The professor looked down at his list. “Aria.”

Aria's shoulders straightened. “Good luck,” I whispered.

She gave me a nervous smile before stepping onto the Moonstone.

The moment her bare feet touched its surface, the silver markings beneath her began to glow.

“Close your eyes.” She obeyed, a few seconds passed.

Then Aria frowned. “I smell something.”

The professor looked up. “What?”

“Rain.”

Several students exchanged confused glances. “It's not raining,” someone muttered.

Aria's eyebrows furrowed. “No. Not here.”

The professor nodded slowly writing in his notepad. “Describe it.”

“Wet soil. Pine trees. The scent is old... but I can remember it.”

The professor's eyes sharpened. “Memory Scent.”

The students murmured.

Aria opened her eyes. “What's that?”

“You can retain and identify scents long after they've disappeared. Even years later, your wolf should be capable of recognizing them.” The professor answered.

Aria's mouth dropped open. “Seriously?”

The professor nodded. “Step down.”

Aria practically skipped back to us happily.

“I have an ability!”

“You're insufferable already,” Bella teased.

“Bella.” The professor called.

Bella stopped laughing. “Your turn.”

She walked onto the Moonstone, the markings glowed again. Bella closed her eyes, nothing happened for several seconds. Then her head tilted. “Chocolate.”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Bella opened her eyes. “What?”

The professor didn't laugh. “Where?”

“Behind me.” Bella answered.

He looked toward the crowd. “Who has chocolate?”

A boy near the back reluctantly raised his hand.

Bella pointed directly at him. “That's him.”

The professor smiled. “Again.”

Bella closed her eyes.

The professor gestured for one of the assistants to walk around the training grounds. “Follow the scent.”

Bella inhaled.

“Left.” The assistant turned.

“Right.” He changed direction.

“Behind the professor.” The professor's eyebrows lifted.

“Excellent. Scent Tracking.” The crowd erupted into impressed murmurs.

Bella stepped off the Moonstone looking entirely too pleased with herself.

“Don't start,” Aria warned.

“I haven't said anything.” She laughed.

“Your face is saying everything.” Aria nudged her playfully. I was too scared or nervous to even joke or to be relaxed.

The professor looked at his list again. “Charis.”

Charis stepped forward confidently.

Unlike Aria and Bella, she didn't look nervous. She climbed onto the Moonstone and closed her eyes. A few minutes passed and nothing happened.

Her expression changed. “Nothing.”

The professor waited. “Try again.”

Charis concentrated harder.

Still nothing. A few students snickered.

“Nothing manifested,” the professor announced.

Charis stepped down, visibly irritated. “That's unfortunate,” someone whispered.

“Seraphina.” The professor called.

The murmuring changed immediately.

Seraphina walked toward the Moonstone. She looked calm, too calm.

She stepped on it, The silver markings brightened.

Her eyes closed. “I can feel something.”

“What?” The professor asked, facing his notepad.

“Wind.” The professor nodded writing.

“From where?” He asked.

“North.”

A student laughed. “There isn't even a breeze.”

Seraphina's eyes remained closed. “Not here.” The professor waited.

“There's a storm approaching.”

Silence.

He looked toward the sky. “Interesting.”

Seraphina opened her eyes.

“How far?” He asked again.

“Several miles.” She smiled. The professor nodded.

“Weather Sense.” Whispers immediately spread through the crowd.

“That one's rare.”

The professor raised a hand. “Continue.”

“She has two?” Whispers filled the hall.

Seraphina closed her eyes again. Her expression changed. “It's dark.” she muttered after a few minutes.

The professor frowned. “Open your eyes.”

She did.

“Can you see?” He asked studying her.

“Everything.” she confirmed.

He pointed toward a section of the academy grounds shaded by several enormous trees.

“What do you see?” He asked again.

“Six students.” Seraphina answered confidently.

The professor looked at the students.

“They're barely visible from here.” Seraphina smiled.

“Extreme Night Vision.” The professor smiled. The crowd erupted again.

Seraphina stepped down walking back to Lucien's side who had a proud smile on his lips.

“And Keal is next.” The professor announced.

That started another round of murmuring.

I glanced toward the empty space beside the students.

Keal isn't here. Of course he wasn't.

The professor called the next two students, but their abilities were ordinary enough that the crowd quickly lost interest.

Then…

“Lucien Blackthorn.”

The atmosphere changed. Lucien walked forward.

Everyone watched him with interest.He stepped onto the Moonstone.

The markings beneath his feet illuminated almost instantly. His eyes closed.

“Tell us what you see.” Lucien remained silent.

Then his lips curved. “The eastern mountains.” The professor frowned.

“You can see them?” He asked as if unsure he could actually see it.

“Yes.”

“How far?” Lucien opened his eyes.

“Approximately ten thousand miles.” He smiled.

The entire field went silent. “That's impossible,” someone whispered.

Lucien looked amused.

“I can see the mountain range.”

The professor's expression became serious.“What else?”

“Three wolves.” He paused.

“Two warriors.” Another pause, “One of them is injured.” He continued. The professor stared at him.

Then he turned toward one of the academy's assistants. “Verify it.”

The assistant hurried away.

The students erupted into whispers.

Lucien stepped down from the Moonstone smiling already walking towards Seraphina.

But the professor wasn't finished. “Lucien. One more.”

He looked back. “Use your command voice.”

Lucien's expression shifted. He turned toward the students.

“Silence.”

The single word rolled across the field.

Every conversation stopped instantly.

For several seconds, the entire training ground was completely silent.

Lucien looked at the professor. “Command Voice.”

The professor nodded. “Correct.”

Someone behind me whispered, “They're perfect together.”

“Who?” Another voice asked.

“Lucien and Seraphina.” “They both have multiple rare abilities.”

“Imagine having a Luna with Weather Sense and Night Vision and an Alpha with Far Sight and Command Voice.”

I looked away. It was clearly mockery, they knew I was right there.

I hated that it bothered me.

The professor continued calling names.

One after another, students stepped onto the Moonstone.

I watched them discover abilities I'd never even heard of.

Then finally….

“Selene Ashcroft.” My heart dropped.

I stepped forward.

The whispers started immediately. “The wolf-less gamma?”

“She's actually taking the test?” I ignored them.

I stepped onto the Moonstone, coldness traveled beneath my feet.

“Close your eyes,” the professor instructed.

I did.

“Empty your mind.”

I tried… I felt nothing, saw nothing.

“Tell us what you feel.” The professor asked.

I swallowed...almost shamefully. “Nothing.”

“Try again.” The professor urged.

I closed my eyes tighter. Come on, Crystal.

The Moonstone remained completely still beneath my feet. It was the same thing.

I opened my eyes.

The professor stared at me for a moment before looking down at his records.

“No manifestation.” He said. His voice was somewhat laced with pity.

A few students laughed.

I stepped off the Moonstone.

Nothing, not even a flicker.

I had spent years waiting for my wolf to show me what made me special. And apparently, there was nothing to show.

I ran off from the field, I ran straight to Keal’s room.

“Please mate with me, I beg of you. I might die if I don't please Keal.” I sobbed the moment I saw him. The heartbreak and humiliation all gnawed at me at once.

“Give me two reasons why I should consider it.” He lowered himself on his couch.

“I'll live on your terms I promise, I'll take care of Orion as my own.” My voice quivered.

“What if I say No?” He stood up.